Everyday Life in Revelation: Part 1 the ChristExemplo

Here we learn that John was tapped on the shoulder. He was chosen to be the bearer of this great message for the church. Have you ever considered who was this person that God would trust with such an important message for the church?

We know that as a young man, John was one of the twelve with Jesus. As a matter of fact, he was probably the youngest one. Think about what it would be like to be the youngest guy hanging out with a bunch of men doing serious work. John was a leader in the early church. It is believed that he took the church founded in Ephesus and became its pastor. And he served this church for many years, transforming the pagan, Roman culture present in Ephesus.

It is amazing to think of his transformation. One of the sons of thunder would be humbled and molded to become the apostle who would continually point to the love of God and Christ’s love in us and through us to reach a lost world. 

Being the youngest disciple, John would witness his friends all surrendering their lives to proclaim the message of the Resurrection. Even though he was not martyred, he would pay a heavy price for his love for Christ. John would be arrested; he was submerged in a cauldron of oil. He would survive this cruel punishment and would be sent to live in exile on the island of Patmos. 

While on this island, he received the message contained in Revelation. What kind of frame of mind do you think John had while on this island? A normal person would assume John was defeated and discouraged. How could you not be? Friends dead, tortured, sent to prison that would make anyone wonder of God’s providence. But we see John’s perspective was different. The Scripture indicates that while in prison John was in the Spirit. 

Even in terrible circumstance John knew what Paul knew. He knew how to be thankful in tough times. He know how to live in the power of the Holy Spirit even when he was under lock and key in a prison colony.

John was living out what is possible for us to live out today—life under the influence of the Holy Spirit. What about you? Are you in the Spirit? Asked another way, do you live under the influence and leadership of King Jesus through the empowering and daily filling of the Holy Spirit? A super saint is not required to have the presence of the Holy Spirit, just a humble heart and contrite spirit—just a desire to surrender your wants to the cause of Jesus and willingness to be filled and led. 

Today, consider the implication made in Revelation. What does it mean to be in the Spirit? How would your life be different if you found yourself in the Spirit each day you lived on planet earth?