Patmos

In Revelation, we discover the beloved disciple John was exiled to Patmos. A tough Roman penal colony. Physical labor in the mines was difficult for men in their prime much less for an elderly man like John. Harsh conditions to say the least.

John, the disciple who leaned on Jesus at the last supper, the man who took Mary into his home and cared for her the rest of her life at Jesus' request, the man who wrote one of the Gospels and epistles. When times are hard, do we think about John or more likely why Lord, why? Not so much why me, but WHY??? So many messages preached today leave us with the impression there will never be a storm, we will not become sick, we won't be a victim of a crime because by faith we should be living blessed lives 24/7. If that is true why was John banished to a penal colony by a Roman emperor? If that is true why Hurricane Harvey, why cancer, why violence? Because it is not true.

John continued doing what he did before exile, Revelation 1: 10:  I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day...He was observing the Lord's Day. Faith in tough circumstances, the verse continues on with: and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet,  saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

The Alpha and Omega proceeded to give John a revelation like no other. Scripture tells us when the day of evil comes, not if it comes.  Ephesians 6:10-13

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 

How do we stand firm? How do I hold the line? My stability is in Jesus and His promises. He describes our armor, He tells us to clothe ourselves in love, Paul reminds us to pray without ceasing and to rejoice which is not easy in the darkest of times. 

Where is my focus? On the world and atrocities or on the Lord and my eternal home? If I am called home in the next 5 minutes am I prepared to leave here or have I been procrastinating about setting something straight with Him? Do I need to forgive someone or ask forgiveness? Are my words gossip or filled with grace? Do I have time to read a trashy romance novel and not read the Bible? Do I have time to shop but not prepare a meal for a neighbor who lost her husband of 64 years? Of course, we need time for R&R, but we must be careful or our time will be consumed by R&R and we will devote little time to the Lord.

John a senior citizen, living in a penal colony, days filled with heavy labor had time to keep the Lord's Day. He had time to worship the One Who is, the One Who was, and the One Who will be. 

Holy, holy, holy - Lord God Almighty! 

Let's stay focused on Him and living out the Gospel instead of the latest political poll, news broadcast, or sensational headline on a magazine cover.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.