Revelation Part 11
Eternity Online: John Edmiston (Editor)
Eternity-Inspiration for Friday 24th October 1997
Revelation Part 11
(Revelation 1:9-11 NKJV) I, John, both your brother and companion
in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on
the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the
testimony of Jesus Christ. {10} I was in the Spirit on the Lord's
Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, {11}
saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and,
"What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches
which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira,
to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
God comes in with a crash! Here the aged exiled apostle is having a
very nice worship session in the Spirit on the Lord's day and
suddenly it gets loud, noisy and visionary! "A loud voice as of a
trumpet" interrupts his island reverie. Then there is work to do and
a book to write. The aged exiled apostle is not allowed to be
pensioned off in peace! The original name given to the apostle John
and his brother James was "Boanerges" meaning 'Sons of Thunder'.
(Mark 3:17 ) Perhaps he was comfortable with loud noise! That is
almost beside the point. What is the point is that no human being or
government or even old age can make us of no use to God. In human
terms he was out of the race, isolated on an island and aged. Some
perhaps would have written the apostle off. But the apostle did not
give in and was finally used by God in a marvellous way. How do we
know that he did not give up...lets find out!
John expected the Christian life to have its share of difficulties.
" I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and
kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, " John saw the church as a
fellowship of those who were brothers and companions in the tough
times as well as the wonderful times. Not only was there peace and
love and joy in Jesus but there was "tribulation" as well.
Tribulation well endured brought about the "kingdom" but we had to
wait for its arrival hence the "patience". The three go together in
Jesus Christ. John was a realist and saw the tough times as being
just as much "in Jesus" as the wonderful times.
John knew why he was there. He was there " for the word of God and
for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Even his exile had a purpose! He
had dignity in his exile because he was not there as a thief or a
murderer but as a Christian. In the sovereignty of God he was on
Patmos for Jesus. He did not say "on Patmos because I have been
unjustly treated by those barbaric pagan Romans..." there was no
whinging just glorying in God.
John kept on being a good Christian and a worshipper of Jesus. "I
was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud
voice, as of a trumpet, ". John just kept on doing what he had always
done. Exile changed nothing. The aged Daniel did the same when the
prefects and satraps devised a law that no-one could pray to anyone
besides the King. He just kept on praying. He was around 80 when he
was put in the lions den! John was a similar age on Patmos. Habit was
stronger than fear. He just kept on doing what he had always done and
let God take care of the rest.
How then can we tackle suffering as Christians?
(a) Firstly expect the Christian life to be tough. This was also
Paul's expectation "(2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV) Yes, and all who desire to
live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."
(b) Secondly know what you are about. John knew he was on Patmos
"for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus". That puts iron in
your bones. Clear, strong worthwhile purposes are of enormous value
in withstanding suffering. Viktor Frankl the Jewish psychiatrist was
interred in four Nazi concentration camps and observed of those that
survived that they had a clear specific and often very concrete
purpose that kept them living. A man who can find a purpose to hang
on to in the midst of suffering can overcome anything.
(c) Keep on doing the right thing even though you are being punished
for it. Jesus did and Daniel did and Paul did and John did. Just
keep on doing the good you have always done even though they do not
like it. Make righteousness an unbreakable habit and you will
survive suffering. A missionary in Central America called Queno was
falsely imprisoned recently. While in jail he quietly humbly led
three hundred people to Jesus. He didn't let injustice and pain and
prison stop him doing good for Jesus. If the Devil can stop you then
he wins. If you simply refuse to stop no matter what - then you win.
Prayer:
Lord there is so much pain and injustice in the Christian life at
times and it seems so unfair that all who live godly lives get
treated badly. Help us to accept this for You were treated poorly
too. May we have such a sense of our heavenly calling that our
earthly suffering is a "temporary light affliction". May we have
boldness and courage and strength to keep on doing the good we
should as well. Amen.
---------------------------------------------------------------
This devotional may be freely distributed for ministry purposes
Questions and comments may be sent to:
[email protected]
(not to the list please)
John Edmiston ([email protected])
Editor - Eternity Online Magazine http://www.eternitymag.com/
A Biblical Corner of The Internet
Eternity Inspiration - Free daily devotionals
http://www.eternitymag.com/etinsp.htm
Tell your friends to subscribe!