The Revelation of Jesus Christ Chapter 1 (Part 9) 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. John identifies with the suffering believers in Rev. 1 v.9 by referring to himself as their brother, and companion in tribulation, then he describes the place where he received the Revelation, exiled and alone on the Isle of Patmos. Cant you just visualize John standing there on the Lords Day, alone, forsaken, cold, and weary? The sound of the howling wind echoes through the Rocky Mountains. The waves crash upon the deserted jagged shoreline. As John is speaking here, he is not a god but a person, as we are. Truly he is an anointed servant of Jesus. He explains that believers in Jesus, then and now, will have tribulation. Tribulation is to make believers strong. Also to see, if under stressful situations, we still believe. This new message the church is sending out that Christians do not have problems is in error. In the Old and New Testament, men and women of God have had to stand midst tribulations and trials. Even Jesus was tried forty days and nights. Problems come to all. The difference is in the way you handle the problems. John was not trying to impress anyone of how spiritual he was. He was alone on the isle of Patmos. The authorities had sent John to this isle to stop him from proclaiming Jesus. But we see that God had plans for this stay, as well. Gods purpose in John being on the isle was to receive the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus. The enemy planned evil for Johns stay here, but God turned something bad into something wonderful for all time. John was full of patience, not his own, but the patience of Jesus. John knew the bottom line about the kingdom, as well. This was not a time of despair; he found this a great time to be with Jesus with no interruptions. Romans 5: v.3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Acts 14: Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. This isle of Patmos was a special place for what we would call hardened criminals. It was in exile that Jacob met God at Bethel. God helps us in our greatest need. Moses was in exile when he saw the burning bush. Elijah heard the still quiet voice of God while he was running for safety. Daniel was also in exile when he saw the Ancient of Days. Sometimes God must get us alone before He can reveal Himself to us.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 16:38:31 +0000
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