Book of Jeremiah
Platinum Member
- Nov 3, 2012
- 37,635
- 4,528
- 1,170
This teaching by Brother Michael Boldea is the finest teaching I've ever studied on the Revelation of Jesus Christ. I pray the readers will be blessed as their read part 1 of The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
THE REVELATION OF CHRIST
(PART 1)
May 30, 2006
Revelation 1:9, "I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
As I begin this third installment into the study of the book of Revelation, let me begin by saying, that this is indeed a labor of love. Somehow, every week I find the time to commit a few thoughts and meditations concerning these verses on paper, and it is only by the grace of God that I am able to fulfill my promise and post these teachings so frequently. With that having been said, we turn our attention to the second part of Revelation chapter 1, wherein John describes in vivid detail the revelation of Christ to him while he was on the island of Patmos.
As John introduces himself he is not negligent in pointing out his spiritual credentials, stating that he is of Christ, a brother to the church, in tribulation, as well as the kingdom.
Throughout time, there has been one constant when it comes to the true witnesses of Christ on this earth, those who have committed their very existence into the hand of the almighty Father, and that is they were never without tribulation. Always despised, always rejected, and persecuted, they knew what so many today seem to be forgetful of, the fact that this is not our kingdom, but a foreign kingdom that harbors much animosity toward us.
This world is like a stepmother, who would do anything in order to get rid of her unwanted stepchildren. The world is not our friend, nor can it ever be as long as we strive for righteousness, and purity of walk. Knowing it is impossible to please both God and the world, inevitably every one who calls themselves a child of God will have to choose a side, to align themselves as either friends of God, or enemies thereof. There is no middle ground, although some prominent Christian minds today would lead us to believe it were so. Light and darkness cannot coexist they cannot live in tolerance of each other, for they are sworn enemies. One will always strive to overcome the other.
Such was the life of Apostle John, a life of persecution and rejection throughout his existence here on earth. The rulers of that time so desired to pluck John out of society for fear of him converting others to Christ, that they exiled him on a deserted island, far from civilization by the name of Patmos.
What we know of Patmos, is that it is a small and rocky island in the Aegean sea, some twenty two miles off the coast of Asia minor. During the times of Roman rule, the island was used as a deportation point for those the state deemed its enemies.
When God has a purpose for your life, He will even use one's enemies to fulfill it. This was the case with John, whom the Romans believed they were punishing. When God chooses you for His service, no one can impede your progress, or your fulfilling of God's calling, except the old self, and the sin that would so easily beset us if we were not always watchful. All the enemy's opposition, all of the traps he lays in our path, do nothing more than elevate you to greater faith, and sanctify you for the work to which you were called.
John was sent to a deserted place, absent of human contact, away from his brothers, in the hope that he would be forgotten, left to the mercilessness of time. Due to God's sovereign intervention however, it was that deserted place, that island out amid the waves that was his greatest pulpit, from where he spoke not only to the people of his time, but even to those faithful believers of today. There, in the darkest of places, he received the most brilliant light, namely the revelation of God. There in the most torturous of loneliness he received the most precious fellowship, the Lord, and His angels. In the confines of what he thought would be his final resting place he glimpsed eternity.
Patmos was for John, the place of suffering, and the pinnacle of his walk, where God raised him up to be more than he had been until that time, that he may be seen as the faithful witness by those near and afar.
The place of suffering in Christ, is for us, that high place on which He has situated us, that we too may shine brighter still for His glory and the majesty of His kingdom.
Hand of Help Ministries - The Revelation of Christ Part 1
THE REVELATION OF CHRIST
(PART 1)
May 30, 2006
Revelation 1:9, "I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
As I begin this third installment into the study of the book of Revelation, let me begin by saying, that this is indeed a labor of love. Somehow, every week I find the time to commit a few thoughts and meditations concerning these verses on paper, and it is only by the grace of God that I am able to fulfill my promise and post these teachings so frequently. With that having been said, we turn our attention to the second part of Revelation chapter 1, wherein John describes in vivid detail the revelation of Christ to him while he was on the island of Patmos.
As John introduces himself he is not negligent in pointing out his spiritual credentials, stating that he is of Christ, a brother to the church, in tribulation, as well as the kingdom.
Throughout time, there has been one constant when it comes to the true witnesses of Christ on this earth, those who have committed their very existence into the hand of the almighty Father, and that is they were never without tribulation. Always despised, always rejected, and persecuted, they knew what so many today seem to be forgetful of, the fact that this is not our kingdom, but a foreign kingdom that harbors much animosity toward us.
This world is like a stepmother, who would do anything in order to get rid of her unwanted stepchildren. The world is not our friend, nor can it ever be as long as we strive for righteousness, and purity of walk. Knowing it is impossible to please both God and the world, inevitably every one who calls themselves a child of God will have to choose a side, to align themselves as either friends of God, or enemies thereof. There is no middle ground, although some prominent Christian minds today would lead us to believe it were so. Light and darkness cannot coexist they cannot live in tolerance of each other, for they are sworn enemies. One will always strive to overcome the other.
Such was the life of Apostle John, a life of persecution and rejection throughout his existence here on earth. The rulers of that time so desired to pluck John out of society for fear of him converting others to Christ, that they exiled him on a deserted island, far from civilization by the name of Patmos.
What we know of Patmos, is that it is a small and rocky island in the Aegean sea, some twenty two miles off the coast of Asia minor. During the times of Roman rule, the island was used as a deportation point for those the state deemed its enemies.
When God has a purpose for your life, He will even use one's enemies to fulfill it. This was the case with John, whom the Romans believed they were punishing. When God chooses you for His service, no one can impede your progress, or your fulfilling of God's calling, except the old self, and the sin that would so easily beset us if we were not always watchful. All the enemy's opposition, all of the traps he lays in our path, do nothing more than elevate you to greater faith, and sanctify you for the work to which you were called.
John was sent to a deserted place, absent of human contact, away from his brothers, in the hope that he would be forgotten, left to the mercilessness of time. Due to God's sovereign intervention however, it was that deserted place, that island out amid the waves that was his greatest pulpit, from where he spoke not only to the people of his time, but even to those faithful believers of today. There, in the darkest of places, he received the most brilliant light, namely the revelation of God. There in the most torturous of loneliness he received the most precious fellowship, the Lord, and His angels. In the confines of what he thought would be his final resting place he glimpsed eternity.
Patmos was for John, the place of suffering, and the pinnacle of his walk, where God raised him up to be more than he had been until that time, that he may be seen as the faithful witness by those near and afar.
The place of suffering in Christ, is for us, that high place on which He has situated us, that we too may shine brighter still for His glory and the majesty of His kingdom.
Hand of Help Ministries - The Revelation of Christ Part 1