A VISION | Daily Devotion
“I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshipping in Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, ‘Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”
Revelation 1:9-11
Humility comes forth from John as he says, “I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us.”
See, in his letters to the churches, John emphasized his authority – in 1 John, he said he saw Jesus with his own eyes and thus testified and proclaimed to the church that Jesus is eternal life, and in 2 and 3 John, he emphasized his age and authority in the church.
But here in Revelation, as John is isolated on the island of Patmos, suffering, he says, “I am your brother and partner in suffering.” He emphasized equality. He stood on even ground with fellow Christians, connected by way of their suffering for the Lord. He did not grow prideful in suffering, as if he were the only one facing hardship – he recognized life for what it is – a walk of faith amidst a world of hatred.
In his gospel, he specifically shared Jesus’ words in John 15:17-18, where Jesus said, “This is my command: Love each other. If the world hates you, remember it hated me first.” And then he also shared Jesus’ words in John 16:1, “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith.”
Jesus’ red letters throughout Scripture — His specific voice as He walked this earth – are important for our faith. He tells us what we need to know, so that we do not walk away from Him when hatred is aimed at us. His specific word helps us endure and we can rest assured we will be rewarded with the crown of life for refusing to abandon our faith amidst trial.
Thus, as the apostle John is suffering under the hatred of the world’s leaders for sharing the testimony of Jesus Christ, for sharing his gospel account, he lived out the words he shared of Christ, loving Christians while enduring the type of hatred that seeks to destroy one’s faith.
See, John walked and talked with Jesus, when Jesus came as a humble servant to this earth—Philippians 2:5-8. John stood at the foot of the cross, listening intently as Jesus spoke some of His last words to him personally before dying an agonizing death—John 19:25-27. John knew Jesus was God--John 10:30, and it changed the way he lived! He lived and breathed Jesus, sharing Christ’s love with others. And he was persecuted because of it—Revelation 1:9. But that didn’t stop him!
Do you know Jesus in that way? Does persecution stop you?
John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his testimony of Jesus. He was removed from people, forced by the Roman authorities to stop preaching the Word and speaking about Jesus—Revelation 1:9. But John stood quietly, enduring the affliction, knowing that it came by God’s divine direction; even in isolation, he remained in God’s presence—Revelation 1:10, worshipping the Lord in Spirit and in truth. And it was there that he heard a voice and received the vision of Jesus Christ—Revelation 1:10-20. There on the island, he received the command to write the book of Revelation.
So know this, if you want to be used by God for His glory, people cannot stop God from using you!
No one holds power over God.
Worship God in spirit and in truth, for God the Father is looking for those who will worship Him in that way – John 4:23-24, and expect God to minister to your heart right where you are.
In humility, John recognized that he was not the only one suffering for Christ – that others in the church were also patiently enduring through trial and tribulation—Revelation 1:9, 2:9-10. He was not calloused by trial, he was compassionate. He knew Christians needed hope! They needed to see the Invisible. The One who is always present – Matthew 28:20.
The apostle John’s works reveal him bearing fruit in different seasons. He wrote his gospel account so that people would believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah, he wrote his letters out of concern for the church’s spiritual well-being amidst the rise of false teachers, and when banished from his community to the island of Patmos because of his faithful witness of Jesus, we see him living out what he preached to others, bearing fruit born out of affliction.
The apostle John was genuine.
We need to remember that when we ourselves are broken and on our knees, weak in the world’s eyes and weak before Christians, God uses us in powerful ways to meet needs that otherwise would not be met.
When we practice what we preach while facing affliction, people see the power of God and encounter His presence.
So, this message is to the church. “Hope has a name and it’s Jesus Christ” – Matthew 12:21. His glory is reflected in the church. We are the bearers of light and Jesus is in our midst—Revelation 1:12-13! We are His bride! He laid down His life for us so that we would be found holy—Ephesians 5:25-27. We have nothing to fear—Revelation 1:17. We may be broken vessels, but God chose us to house the precious treasure of the gospel, so that the lost world would be reached—2 Corinthians 4:7.
Christian! No weapon formed against you shall prosper—Isaiah 54:17. There’s not much time left. Jesus is returning. So be bold and share the gospel.
Prayer: Abba, thank You for Jesus Christ and His never changing character and presence. May we honor and glorify You today with Your ways being made known throughout the earth, Your salvation – Your saving power – among people everywhere. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
