It is a natural feeling for each and every one of us to seek justice. In times of suffering, we desperately need help. Let’s explore the thoughts and feelings of John as he was suffering, not only for Christ and the brethren in his time, but also for you and me now. He has left us a letter of encouragement that we desperately need to keep fresh in our minds, so that we will have strength in our times of need.
“1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” – John (Revelation 1:1-3)
The Lord must have truly loved John. He entrusted John to give this revelation to the brethren for several reasons. One being, a good leader wants those being led to know what to expect, so that they will be comforted when difficulties and suffering come (as they and we are promised). This reminds me of the sobering warning Jesus gave to his disciples in John’s account of the Gospel (good news);
“18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. 1 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.” – Jesus (John 15:18-16:4)
In this passage here, we get a glimpse of the leadership of Jesus. This is love. He doesn’t blindly lead anyone into anything, without letting them know what will happen, beforehand. Oh, how great and awesome is our God!
WHAT A SAD, SAD DAY, WHEN PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE “GOD’S PEOPLE”, PUT OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUES AND KILL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY, AND ENTRUSTED WITH, THE VERY WORDS OF GOD! This is promised by Jesus, in what we just read back in John chapter 16 verse 2 (and the reason in verse 3). Let us be very careful in the ways that we pass judgement, because, “behold, the Judge is standing at the door” – James 5:9.
So where does John fit into this? Do you remember why Jesus was sent here by God the Father? He briefly answered these questions back in John 15:22,24 (as we just read). So what you’re saying is Jesus was exposing the sins of the people?! Yes! What good leader doesn’t warn of the looming dangers of death? Consider what Moses, the prophets, Jesus, the Apostles and his disciples (us) did and are still doing (through The Holy Bible and us). Here’s just one more of the many passages that let us know why Jesus came here, as well as part our duty as a disciple;
” 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” – Jesus (Luke 5:30-32)
Part of the reason why the prophets, Jesus, his disciples and the brethren are persecuted, is because they expose (or make known, warn) the evil deeds of people. Of course, this has to be handled rightly, through the instructions that God left us (The Holy Bible). I thank God that he would send Jesus here to warn me of the evil things that I have done in my life!
Back to John. So now with a little more background on what John was promised he would experience, we can continue on…
“4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” – John (Revelation 1:4-8)
John just said that “all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” This leads us to know for certain that John was not seeking to personally take revenge on those who insulted and persecuted him for Jesus’ sake. No, not at all. He was waiting on the Lord, the Avenger, to do that for him. He is faithful to a thousand generations that love him. If he tells us he will do it, will it not be so? Take note of who grace and peace comes from (vs 4). Jesus Christ! Also, take note of what John said in verse 5. Jesus “… freed us from our sins by his blood”. Hallelujah, thank you God!
“9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” – John (Revelation 1:9)
John had obviously been persecuted so badly, that he was forced into exile, on an island called Patmos. The Lord was still with him. The Lord is still with us. He is still in control of everything, seated at God’s own right hand. I look up to John. He is a great servant and a great leader, as well. We should remember him, as well as all of the rest of the people who have suffered, as Christ suffered, and died in the Lord. They are men and women of honor. Their lives will never be forgotten. Their deeds will follow them and Jesus will confess their names to God when he judges the earth. Are you up to living this life for Christ, so you can be with him after your body dies? This is a hard question to ask, but the rewards are great! No more death and decay, no more crying and sorrow, no more persecution, no more worries and strife, the former order of things will be gone. All of this and so much more is promised to those who love the Lord and keep his commandments. I choose to suffer with Him. Will you?
Please allow me to “chase a bunny” for a minute, for the purpose of edification. Since John clearly said that Jesus “… freed us from our sins by his blood” (Revelation 1:5), then how do we come into contact with his blood? “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” (Hebrews 9:22) Whoa! ” 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” – Paul (Romans 7:24-25) ” 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” – Titus 3:3-7
What is this “washing of regeneration AND renewal of the Holy Spirit”, that is referred to previously in Titus 3:5? Let’s see what Jesus (our Savior) says about this matter…
“3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”” Jesus is instructing Nicodemus into righteousness (John 3:3-8)
So obviously there is a washing (new birth) of our sins, and a receiving of a gift (Holy Spirit), all in one action (John 3:5). Let’s explore this matter a little further…
“18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” – Peter (1st Peter 3:18-22)
Peter is saying that this water that Jesus was talking to Nicodemus about, represents Baptism (vs 21) and how it saves us from our sins through the same faith that Jesus has. So are you saying that we should repent of our sins to God and be Baptized into Christ? Let’s see how Peter responded to those men (just like us) who put our Savior on the cross and asked the most valuable question of their lives…
” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers,what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” – (Acts 2:37-41)
It is clear to see that we have forgiveness of our sins AND we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit AND are added to Christ’s Church, when we hear the word of God, believe what He says, repent of our sins, confess the name of Jesus before witnesses, AND ARE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, then walk faithfully with God until death (of our bodies).
Now back from our “bunny trail”.
Part of John’s persecution came from him preaching, just like our persecution does. Let us run this race with endurance, let us suffer together for Christ through the good work that Jesus has laid out for us until He calls us home.
“10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Jesus our Lord and Savior (Matthew 5:10-12)
“15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” – Jesus (John 14:15-17)
“…for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”” – (Hebrews 13:5)
A Pillar in the Temple 
Discussion
No comments yet.