‘I John, your brother and fellow-partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and patience, in Jesus, was in the island called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus. ‘I became in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day’ (Rev 1:9-10)
The verses read in Revelation 1, bring under our notice John in a way that indicates the position at the end of the dispensation.
Though deprived of the privileges of fellowship, so long enjoyed with the saints, John is in exile for the testimony – a matter that might well be raised with each one of us in our movements and locations.
If he is in greatly restricted circumstances outwardly, he indicates the great possibilities for us in our day should conditions become similar. That is what is available by way of abstraction – “I became in the Spirit”– no doubt carrying him away from the physical circumstances of the island and giving him access to that which is entirely unrestricted, as the sequel shows. So, we read in ch. 4:1
‘I saw, and behold, a door opened in heaven. . . and I heard . . . saying, Come up here.’
What a wonderful reaction from the contracted circumstances of Patmos – entering in through an opened door into heaven, to have unfolded all that the Revelation indicates, terminating in the wonderful sight in the twenty-first chapter!
“Come here, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the Spirit, and set me on a great and high mountain, and shewed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of the heaven from God, having the glory of God.”
We have no recorded word that John, personally or through others, attempted to interfere with the circumstances the Lord allowed to come upon him, and I would earnestly commend to all the acceptance of limitations which may be imposed upon us by conditions ordered or allowed by God.
Golden Nugget Number 289
(Arthur House, Auckland, N.Z., 1941 “Words of Grace and Comfort” Suggested by an American subscriber)
Golden Nuggets are published by Saville Street Distribution, Venture, Princes Esplanade, Walton-on-the-Naze, CO14 8QD UK
