Steadfast and True!

I, John your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God's word and the testimony about Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet saying, "write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephasus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philidelphia, and Laodicea. Revelation 1:9-11

John was. declaring himself to be a brother and partner in the tribulation that the church was experiencing; kingdom and endurance that are in Jesus.

John was close to Jesus yet he suffered for the gospel. He was boiled in oil then banished to Patmos. Alone on an island, without anyone to fellowship with. Do you ever complain of loneliness? John was a relational, loving man. I think he would have been lonely but on the Lord's Day he still celebrated and honoured his God. John declared he was 'in the spirit' on the Lord's Day. You cannot get 'in the spirit' if you are carrying self-pity, resentment, grief, fear, anger etc. you cannot have both darkness and light in the same vessel.

John's reward was being used to write down a glorious vision of what was to come. Not bad eh? Better than a party of evil spirits any day!

God was wanting to communicate with the seven churches mentioned. Many were suffering persecution, probably under Roman ruler, Domitian. Some were facing heretical challenges.

John had been faithful throughout his life and until his end. He was trustworthy and true.

What will we be remembered for? Will history state that we did not swerve either to the right or left but stayed steadfast on the road to our final destination?

Never compromise, never give up! Ever! Amen!

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