While the book of Revelation is a book of prophecy that extends all the way into eternity;
it is also a highly personal book. John has already given us a brief glimpse of what we can expect as we move through this great book. Now, he begins to record the events and circumstances behind hoe he obtained the Revelation. In these verses, we are given some insight into the Apostle John and what he was going through when the Lord came to him in this vision. As we look at these verses, (keep in mind) people matter to God. The Book deals with complex prophecies, profound truths; yet God still takes time to give a glimpse of John. If we want to know something about the man who wrote this book, this verse gives us some precious insight of just who John was. We know this. He is a Saint. He is a great apostle. H left his father's fishing business to follow Jesus when he was only a teenager., Matt 4:21-22. john followed Jesus throughout the years of His earthly ministry. John was there on Mount Hermon, when Jesus was transfigured, Matt.17. He was there when Jesus raised the daughter of Jarius from the dead, Mark 5. John was so close to Jesus that he literally laid his head on the Lord's breast at the last supper, John 13. He was there as Jesus was arrested, John 18. He was there as Jesus was tried before the High Priest, John 18:16. He was there when Christ died on the cross. John 19:26. John was the recipient of some of the last words as Jesus died on the cross. He was given the care of the Lord's mother Mary. John 19: 25-27. He was there at the empty tomb, h was among the first to believe., John 20:8. He was known as the "beloved disciple", "or the disciple Jesus loved.'
For nearly 70 years he has been a great Pastor to God's people. He has been used by the Lord to pen the Gospel that bears his name and three Epistles. John is a special man of God. John is the only living connection to the Lord Jesus Christ. This the man Jesus chose to be the conduit through which He would send His revelation of the end times. Yet, when the Word of God begins to come his way, John says "I, John!" it is as if he is amazed that God would speak to him; much less through him. Yes, John is a special man, but one of the things that made him special is that after all he has seen and experienced, he was humbled and amazed by God's grace!
While John was a great Apostle; he did not view himself in those terms. He addresses his readers as... John your brother. It is as if John is amazed that God would speak to him, and more amazed that God would speak through him. But one of these things that made John special is that after all he has seen and experienced, he is still humble. and amazed by the grace of God! He still sees himself as just another saint of God. What a lesson for the saints of God!. We have been saved by grace. Jesus found us and saved us, and we will never be anything apart from him. Paul said it well when he said, " By the grace of God I am what I am, '1Cor. 15:10. One of the reasons the Lord used John in such fashion, was because John remained the humble servant. John is writing to saints who are suffering for the cause of Christ. They are smiting under the harsh lash of their Roman rulers. True believers in that day paid a terrible price for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Today we enjoy freedom to worship in this nation. A preacher can step into his pulpit and preach anything he please from the Bible and he is protected under the laws of our nation. But, there is a day coming in America when it
will be considered illegal to preach against certain sins; when it will be illegal to condemn society, government, and false religion. There is a day coming when it will be a crime to quote John 14:6. That day is coming! Pray that all believers will have the courage of Jesus to face it. John was 90 years old, when banished to a Island prison, forced to labor in the mines being subjected to the most horrible circumstances. John still had time to continues worshipping. A lesser man would have thrown in the towel and said: " I've paid my dues! Let somebody else take up the fight and carry the load for awhile. I'M taking a day off." If you are a child of God you need to know that there is going to come a day in your life when you can not stop being a worshiper. God expects us to come into his presence to worship for as long as he gives us the ability to do so. John is not in the Patmos Hilton when he humbles himself in worship. He is not sitting in a heated-air conditioned building on a padded pew! He is in prison. Consider John's commitment: "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day". The phrase the "Lord's day is taken by some to be reference to the "day of the Lord; to that time when Jesus will come to earth in power and glory. They take it to mean that John was "transported." into the future to the very day of the Lord. Jesus did say this to Peter, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" John 21:22. Some people think that this is a reference to that verse.
Some think the Bible is telling that John found a place to worship out there on Patmos. Then, one Sunday when John was in worship the Lord showed up and met with him. John 20:19-28. Despite everything John faced on that remote Island he rose above it all.
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