John's Personal Tribulation (Rev. 1:9)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 01/27/2005

 

My Worship Time                                                                  Focus:  John’s Tribulation

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                 Reference:  Rev 1:9

 

            Message of the verse:  9 I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.  (NAS95)  9 I, John, who am your brother and your companion in distress, and in the kingdom and faithful endurance to which Jesus calls us, was on the island called Patmos because I had spoken God’s message and borne witness to Jesus.  (Phillips)

            In this verse John is seen as a person who, in many ways, is just like those that he is writing to for he writes that he is a brother in the Lord, as his readers are, and that he is also a fellow partaker in the tribulation that they are going through, and also in the kingdom to which they belong, and in the perseverance too.  All of these things that he is involved in are the same as his readers are involved in and they all are in Jesus Christ.

            John then describes his location and why he was there, which was on the island called Patmos, and he was there because those who were in charge of the government were not happy with John’s message about Jesus Christ, so he was sent to this island to live out his days.  This, thought they who sent him there, was going to stop his preaching and teaching concerning Jesus Christ.  God had other plans for His faithful apostle. 

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Wherever God sends me, whether it is where I call home, of somewhere else, I must be faithful to His calling, and obey His commands in the same way that John did, as seen in his writings.  John was on an island because of his testimony for Jesus Christ, but he was faithful to obey the Lord, and was open to what the Lord was calling him to do.  I too, am on an island, however not for punishment for the testimony of Jesus Christ, but things are not going really well here at this time, but I am still to remain faithful, and still trust in the Lord for He is always in control of all things. 

 

The Word of God was somewhat convicting to my heart as I read it this morning, and it was also challenging too.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Trust the Lord with the situation that I find myself in, for I do believe that the Lord has sent both Sandy and I to Aruba at this time in our lives, and we must remain faithful to His call.