Resilient – A Revelation Daily Devotional – Day 3
Day 3 – July 30th
Read or listen to the audio version of the Bible Reading and Daily Devotional.
John’s Vision of the Risen Lord
This, albeit short, passage continues to press, considering the author as well as the circumstances surrounding the book of Revelation. John found himself on the island of Patmos. This crescent-shaped island, 8 miles long by 4 miles wide, located about 40 miles from the mainland of Asia Minor, was mostly reserved at this time for Roman prisoners and exiles who were likely sentenced to hard labor in the quarries.
John links himself with his readers through shared suffering. This is important because much of the original audience for whom this letter was intended was actively enduring persecution and trial for living out their Christian faith.
Pause should also be given to John’s description of the ‘kingdom and patient endurance’ with which he greets this trying season. This wording is indicative of a stubborn and persistent endurance that is anchored to hope rather than a negative resignation to simply accept life and continue to half-heartedly push forward. John, even in his introduction, is calling for a resiliency to be apparent in the lives of Christ followers.
He proceeds to qualify the foundation upon which this patient endurance in suffering is built. John found the inspiration for this book while worshipping. The charismatic background of one’s faith will undoubtedly influence how John’s description of ‘in the Spirit’ is perceived, but for most of this phrase’s use in the biblical canon, it references acts of worship such as prayer, love, and even baptism. While most of its use inside of Revelation seems to reference an almost trance-like state, the conjunction of these two definitions of this phrase allows the reader to understand the emphasis placed on some level of worship.
At the conclusion of this morning’s reading, and the introduction to this letter, the major themes John has relayed are humble, worshipful, theological grounding as the framework from which he is writing. As he was in this season of suffering on this island, it is his strong yet somehow meek position that allows his heart and mind to be postured in such a way to hear and see all the Lord has in store.
Perhaps it is the very suffering John endures that produces in him the humility needed to embrace the calling that lies before him. Perhaps the strength found to endure is anchored to Christ, who co-authors this letter with John. Perhaps it is in a meek humility that we, like John, are blessed. That sounds vaguely familiar to Jesus’s words in his Sermon on the Mount. May the days ahead produce a confident yet quiet resilience in us as followers of Christ.
Pray: Father, you are bigger than my circumstance. Help me develop a knowledge of you that allows for an unwavering hope in the midst of both suffering and prosperity.