Revelation 1:9-11; Companion in Tribulation

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Revelation 1:9-11 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

John was commissioned to write a book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. He identified himself as John with no mention of himself as an Apostle of Jesus Christ or an elder, which he did in 2 John and 3 John. Rather, he identifed himself as a sufferer in the kingdom of Jesus Christ, exercising endurance and steadfast faith to remain true to his Lord and Saviour. He was imprisioned for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Like the Apostle Paul, he encoruaged the believers to “Keep On Believing” even amidst persecution – Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

Indeed, Jesus said to His disciples before He went to the cross in John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Indeed, 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Keep On Believing

Keep on believing, Jesus is near,
Keep on believing, there’s nothing to fear;
Keep on believing, this is the way,
Faith in the night as well as the day.

Will we stop preaching when persecution comes when threatened with our personal safety or that of our family? Can we say as written in Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. We are exhorted in Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Also, in Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

May the Lord grant holy courage to His own in such trying times. Amen.