I, John, your brother and companion (sharer and participator) with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patient endurance [which are] in Jesus Christ, was on the isle called Patmos, [banished] on account of [my witnessing to] the Word of God and the testimony (the proof, the evidence) for Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit [rapt in His power] on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a great voice like the calling of a war trumpet, Saying, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.                    Revelation 1:9-11a AMP. (Emphasis Added)

1. The Bitter / Sweet of Life

John is a sharer and participator with believers in tribulation and the kingdom of God. The Kingdom speaks of the King’s dominion and how we are part of this amazing realm where God’s precepts and principles ensure a marvelously fulfilled, victorious and impacting life. This is truly wonderful, but John also reminds us of seasons of challenge we sometimes have to face. He calls it “tribulation”. This word means “pressure / trouble / to be afflicted”. The Kingdom is awesome and the tribulation sometimes fierce. Enjoy the full benefits of Kingdom life and persevere through tough times of pressure and trouble. In fact, John uses the term: patient endurance to describe his mode for living life. It means “to stay under / to remain / persevere”. Whatever life throws at you, stay under the Kingship of God. Remain standing on the word and leadership of the Jesus Christ our Lord and God.

 

2. The Problem: Isolation / The Solution: Revelation 

John was banished on the isle of Patmos. No, he did not break any law. He did not become a criminal. He was innocent! He was banished for declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ! This 5 x 7 mile island ensured isolation, the object of banishment. According to Thayer the word Patmos means “my killing” and according to Cruden it also means “to be crushed or to be squeezed”. Usually when people face a terrible challenge, problem or situation in their lives their first reaction is to withdraw themselves from society. They stay indoors, or in their room for hours. They refrain from contacting their friends. They stop going to church. They become a-social, not realizing that most of the times that is exactly what the enemy wants. Elijah, after his amazing victory on Mt Carmel, where the nation of Israel repented of idolatry and returned to the Lord in one service, was found alone in the wilderness with his head in a bush hoping to die. The enemy succeeded to isolate him from friends, victories, encouragements, love and a sense of belonging. Maybe you too are currently facing the tribulation side of life; with the global economic crisis threatening so many families, sickness ravaging individuals, marriages in danger, relationships stressed, etc. Maybe you too feel isolated and banished to bear the brunt alone. Friend, there is a solution!

You need a fresh revelation. You need a glimpse of glory to replace your desert island image. You need to see the face of Jesus instead of the face of failure, bankruptcy, the enemy, etc. You need to hear the southing voice of God instead of the confusing voices of circumstance. Even though John was banished and experienced a less favorable season in his life, he still managed to be in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day! There are some things the enemy cannot banish you from! The temptation to be in the flesh must have been big, but John refused. He chose to be rapt in the Holy Spirit’s power! It does not matter how far the enemy wants to remove you from happiness, he cannot keep God out of your life! Nothing shall separate you from the love of God! (Rom. 8:35-39). Here is another thought: Your day does not belong to calamity or sickness, stress or brokenness. Your day belongs to the Lord! Today has been designated as “The Lord’s Day!” In fact you will do well to designate everyday as “the Lord’s Day” in your life. The steps of a righteous person are ordered of God! Are they not? When challenge and isolation arise choose not to wallow in the flesh with unholy emotions and fleshly actions, rather get in the Spirit and know that this is God’s day! It belongs to Him and He will see you through!

3. Don’t Get Turned Around!  

It seemed that John got turned around in his circumstances. He was facing the wrong way! When Jesus spoke to him, heard that great voice from behind! Why would Jesus approach John from behind? To surprise him? No, they knew each other! In fact they were very close. Jesus loved John and John loved Jesus! I believe John, even though he managed to be in the Spirit and designate his day as The Lord’s Day, he still got turned around. Jesus will always position Him in the direction you should be going! He always leads us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Pet. 2:9) Jesus is the Light of the world. We should face Him!

John heard God’s voice behind him and he knew he had to face the voice to see the face! “Then I turned to see whose voice was speaking to me”. Listen for the voice of God in the midst of your circumstance. He will speak. Do not be surprised if His voice comes from a different direction that you are facing! Simply turn toward Him. Read the Bible now more than ever! It is the inspired word of God. Let Him direct you way. Let Him speak into your life. Turn towards Him! Face the voice! Once John turned, the revelation increased! More words and instructions followed and the Lord shared with him amazing end-time prophecies he was able to share with us in return.