PONDERING... Sunday on Patmos (Revelation 1:9-11)

Sunday on Patmos

GIST: John had the right attitude (humility and patient, hopeful endurance) and was in the right frame of mind (worship), so when God spoke, he listened. We should do likewise.

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1:9-11

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches, to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

     Next time, we're going to be looking at the first of the more "complicated images" in Revelation. Before we do, however, I want to spend a little time looking at the context in which these visions were given. There are several lessons we can learn from John's Sunday on Patmos, so this lesson will follow a little different pattern. We'll just walk through the verses and look at the take aways as we go.

1. John refers to himself as a brother and partner
     For those of you who have been with us the past few years as we've studied the Gospel and letter's of John, this won't come as a surprise. John is humble. He does not refer to himself as the last living apostle, or the even the elder of the Church; he's just a fellow Christian, a brother, who is partnering with them in tribulation, the kingdom, and patient endurance.
     It is important to note that all three of these are expected descriptors of those who are in Jesus. So, let's look at them each a little closer:

• Tribulation- Since we're studying Revelation, someone out there is probably thinking about "The Great Tribulation". I thought about it, too. We'll talk more about this later, but it is important to realize that while there will be a more intense time of persecution and hardship before the return of Christ, tribulation is going to be a continual state for Christian in some form until that time, as well. John 16:33, "33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
• The Kingdom- I love that these two are side-by-side. As Christians, we will face tribulation, but we're part of the Kingdom! Remember last week? Jesus made us a kingdom of priest; we are His people and His representatives here on Earth. That Kingdom is everlasting, and we look forward to experiencing it in Heaven fully. (Next week, we'll see that John gives us a picture of our King...it should blow you away a bit, and put some excitement into this word!)
• Patient Endurance- These all go together. We face tribulation, but we patiently and faithfully endure...because we are part of the Kingdom. All throughout the rest of this letter we see phrases like this: "7 ... To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’" (Revelation 2:7). It's not over yet; but when it is: O Glorious Day!

Take Aways: 

1. Be humble. This should happen in and outside the church. Think of how your life would be different if you weren't so wrapped up in your family, your desires, your money, your expectations, your...self. I need to hear this as much as anyone-- We have to love the people around us... as ourselves. 
2. Expect persecution, but face it with patient endurance because there is a much bigger picture here. Complaining just intensifies the problem and taints the trial. I might be quoting this passage every week, but it's worth repeating: "17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

2. He's exiled, but is worshiping

     John has been exiled to the island of Patmos because he was ministering for Jesus ("on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus."). He's a prisoner. He's an old man (remember at the writing of this John is at least in his 70's, probably in his 80's). Nonetheless, it's Sunday (which is what "the Lord's day" refers to), and he is worshiping.

Take Aways:

1. What excuse do you have for not worshiping? I know that sounds brash, but think about it for a moment. We live in a world that is great at making excuses, especially about spiritual matters. Which makes sense, our sin natures don't want us to be worshiping God, so... we don't. There are two excuses my mind makes all the time: I'm too tired right now--and--I really need to get this done first. However, we have no excuse. John is an elderly exile, and he's worshiping. Jesus endured Hell for us. If we've really been changed by that Truth, and given Him our lives, we will worship. We will want to. If you're not there right now, please stop and pray that God change your heart. Pray for me, too. John 4:23, "23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." I want to be one of those worshipers.
2. Go to church. We should be worshiping every day, not just on Sunday. However, in the context of this passage, John is in the Spirit on the Sunday. I don't want to read into this what is not there, but I think we can say that John would rather have been worshiping with his fellow believers than alone on an island. Yes, that seems like a given. It's like saying, I'd rather be with my family than in prison. However, let's not down play how very important Christian fellowship is. We were designed to be the body of Christ. This was never meant to be a solo-gig. I'm sure you have provided yourself with a plethora of "good reasons" not to go, we always do. Like I said, we're great at excuses. Are you needlessly living like you're stuck on a island?

3. He's in the Spirit, and God speaks to him clearly.     What does it mean that he was in the Spirit? Matthew Henry, an old and thorough commentator, puts it like this: "he was in a serious, heavenly, spiritual frame, under the blessed gracious influences of the Spirit of God." He was focused on and worshiping God. In this state, Jesus comes, and his voice is like a trumpet. Albert Barnes, another commentator, says this word refers to the "shofar"--the horn we see used in the Old Testament--and is recognized as a sound which is bright and clear. So was Jesus' voice to John. There was no mistaking it.

Take Away:

1. Prepare yourself for hearing Jesus speak. I know we often wonder about God's plan for our lives. We want direction. We want guidance. But, do we want Jesus? Let's think of it this way for a second. You're my therapist. I come to you because I'm having a hard time understanding what my wife wants. I tell you how much time I have spent thinking about what she might want, and worrying that I might be getting it wrong, and weighing out options that I think might be what she wants, and talking to my friends about what they think she might want, and reading books about what women typically want...really, it's just become an all consuming desire for me. Given that you're a good therapist (thank you, by the way), you are likely going to ask me what my wife thinks about the situation. If I respond with, "Well, I couldn't tell you. We don't actually ever talk", you'll probably tell me to start there. I know you see where I'm going here. John was ready to hear Jesus speak because he was already talking to Him! "33 ...seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

4. He is told to write this letter, and he does. 

     This section ends with John being told to write this letter and send it to the seven churches. He does.

Take Away:

1. When God speaks, listen. John had the right attitude (humility and patient, hopeful endurance) and was in the right frame of mind (worship), so when God spoke, he listened. We should do likewise.

Here are those points together:

1. Be humble. 
2. Expect persecution, but face it with patient endurance because there is a much bigger picture here. 
3. Worship God.
4. Go to church. 
5. Prepare yourself for hearing Jesus speak. 
6. When He does, listen.