VIDEO
What Can We Learn From John’s Sunday On Patmos? (Revelation 1:9-11)
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.
Next week, we're going to be looking at the first of the more "complicated images" in Revelation. Today, however, we’re going to spend a little time looking at the context in which these more complicated visions were given.
Picking up in verse 9 of Revelation 1, we’ve made it through the greeting portion of the letter and are moving into the content. When John starts this, he gives us some insights into the setting of his life when he received this revelation. It’s Sunday, and he’s imprisoned on the island of Patmos, which was basically a Roman work camp. There are several lessons we can learn from John's Sunday on Patmos, so this lesson will follow a slightly different pattern. We'll just walk through the verses and look at the takeaways as we go. Don’t worry. I’ll recap at the end too ☺️.
“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.”
We have a lot to talk about this morning, so here’s our 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. Now, let’s dive in!
I. JOHN HAD THE RIGHT ATTITUDE
“9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus…”
John refers to himself as a brother and partner. Don’t miss the humility here. The traditionally accepted understanding is that this was John the disciple of Jesus. He does not refer to himself as the last living apostle or even the elder of the Church. He just calls himself a fellow Christian, a brother, who is partnering with them in tribulation, the kingdom, and patient endurance. All three of which are descriptions of those who are in Jesus. That means, if you’re saved, they should be describing you too, so let's look at them each a little closer:
Tribulation- Since we're studying Revelation, some people will immediately start thinking about "The Great Tribulation". We'll get more into that later, but it is important to realize that while Revelation seems to point to an intensifying time of persecution and hardship before the return of Christ, tribulation is going to be a continual state for Christians in some form until that time, as well. A few weeks ago, I preached on this passage at Notes for Hope. 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.” Let’s not forget, pain is promised. This world will be hard. Part of being a Christian will involve facing trials. We just face them with hope because we’re part of→
The Kingdom- I love that these two are side-by-side. As Christians, we will face tribulation, but we're part of the Kingdom! Several weeks back we talked about how Jesus made us a kingdom of priest. Because of His incredible grace and unmerited love, we are His people and His representatives here on Earth. That Kingdom is everlasting, and we look forward to experiencing it in Heaven fully. But right here and right now, we can face a broken world knowing 1: this is not our home and 2: there is more beauty happening around us than we necessarily see. Next week, we'll see John give us a picture of our King...it should blow you away a bit and put even more excitement into this word! (I guess that’s a shameless teaser ☺️.)
Patient & Hopeful 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 promises of eternity for those who persevere. We look forward to what is coming because we know it’s going to be amazing! It's not over yet ; but when it is: O Glorious Day!
TAKEAWAYS:
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. (Mark 12:30)
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’m actually preaching on this passage at the annual meeting today, so if you’re coming to that this will be like a sneak peek→ "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)
So, John had the right attitude, and→
II. HE WAS IN THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND (WORSHIP)
“[I]... 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…”
He’s exiled, but he’s 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 in what equated to a work camp because the Romans used their prisoners here to work in their mines. He's also an old man. There is some debate about the dating of John’s letter, and we can’t know for sure how old he was when he was walking with Jesus. Nonetheless, everyone agrees he was at least in his 70's (which was very old at this time), and it is likely he was in his 80's or 90’s (which would have been ancient!). Nonetheless, it's Sunday, which is what "the Lord's day" refers to, and he is worshiping.
Ok, three quick→
TAKEAWAYS:
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. This 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 changes 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.
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 Sunday. Now, I don't want to read into this what is not there. I think we can say that John would rather have been worshiping with his fellow believers than alone on an island, but that does seem like a given. It's like saying, I'd rather be with my family than in prison. However, I really think the passage supports this view because in just a few lines we’ll see that he’s directed to write this letter to… seven churches. It’s not given to individuals, but bodies of Christ. Let's not downplay 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. And guys, this is more pronounced in our culture now than probably ever before. COVID-19 gave us all the ultimate excuse for drifting away, and a lot of people don’t want to come back. Are you needlessly living like you're stuck on an island? If you’re not, pray for those who are missing out on the fellowship we were made for.
Remember your suffering isn’t without purpose! This week, I listened to a pastor make a great observation about this verse. He said John was on Patmos because of the word of God and testimony of Jesus which we know means he was exiled as punishment for being a Christian. However, he was also on Patmos for the Word of God and testimony of Jesus in the sense that God allowed this to happen precisely so he would be prepared to receive this message. This is a big topic, so maybe I shouldn’t have even put it in as a point here, but I at least want you to chew on this. Don’t go seeking suffering. That’s silly. But, when it comes, never let sorrow blind you to how God is using this in your life. There is a perspective to be gained when you suffer with Jesus.
In this context he was ready, so→
III. WHEN GOD SPOKE, HE LISTENED.
“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.”
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. It had a recognizable sound that was described as bright and clear. That’s how Jesus' voice appeared to John. There was no mistaking it.
He is then told to write this letter… and he does. Like I said earlier, this section ends with John being told to write this letter and send it to the seven churches. That is precisely what we’re reading today.
TAKEAWAYS
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)
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. If you know God is calling you to something, don’t hesitate.
ALL THE TAKEAWAYS:
Here are those points together☺️→
Be humble.
Expect persecution, but face it with patient endurance because there is a much bigger picture here.
Worship God.
Go to church.
Remember, your suffering has a purpose.
Prepare yourself for hearing Jesus speak.
When He does, listen.
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