john HOME

JOHN THE APOSTLE

Is your wilderness one that is generated by your physical circumstances. Then you can take comfort and encouragement from John's situation. Not many of us actually find ourselves imprisoned or in exile for our faith, but if we did we can be sure that like John, the Lord can meet us in such a way as to bless and equip us to cope. Many disciples through out history have found themselves in similar situations, persecuted and imprisoned for their faith and still able to abound in spiritual blessings as the Lord ministered directly to them.

Rev.1:9

I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
John found himself a prisoner in his old age, imprisoned because of his faith in Jesus and his participation in the kingdom of God - this during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian (c.91ad). And it was in such harsh circumstances that he received the Revelation, though his body was trapped his spirit was able to soar to great heights. We too may be trapped by physical circumstances yet know "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (Eph.1:3) .

NOTE - v.10, John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, in his trial he did not neglect his spiritual devotions. This is so often the case when things are not to our liking, we neglect our devotions - prayer and reading of the scriptures - and miss out on some blessing that would help to see us through the trial.

A lesson for us
The Spirit’s work in our lives is not hindered by our personal circumstances, even when in human terms those circumstances are absolutely dire.
Many of God’s children have found great times of blessing in tribulation and persecution as God has enabled them to maintain faith and dignity and even to give testimony to unbelievers in such times. We must resist the temptation to equate physical or financial well-being with spiritual well-being and fix our eyes on heaven and the rewards and blessings that are in store for us there.
Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there your heart will be also.
 Matt.6:19-21.