A dear friend of mine is going through a very tough time. It spans from injustices during childhood to marriage and family challenges now. There are no easy answers, and no quick fixes.
I was reading in Revelation Chapter 1 and enjoying the victorious visions of John.
- Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it
- To him who was and is and is to come … who loves us …who has freed us from our sins … the faithful witness
He has made us “a kingdom of priests”. And Jesus is quoted: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty”.
I was so encouraged and felt a “hallelujah and amen” coming out of my soul!
This rejoicing in Revelation I was jolted by this joy and the juxtaposition of walking with my friend.
Then I read verse 9: “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”
It is widely believed this book is written by John the apostle while he was exiled to the Roman penal colony island of Patmos. And he states he is there because of his faith in Jesus. It is here where he penned this account of his incredible vision of Revelation.
This is the dichotomy of our lives here on earth… the “already, not yet” of God’s kingdom in our time. We are priests, and companions in the “kingdom” and Jesus has overcome. Yet we are also “companions in the suffering” and companions in the “patient endurance” that we must experience living in our world today.
My friend’s current situation and John are examples of our lives in his dichotomous reality. In their circumstances they deeply remain steadfast in their faith in Jesus. Their lives are a testimony.
Barnabas Man 