This post is Day 5 in a series of studies about “Revelation 1-3”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Revelation 1-3 – Day 5

John was in prison on Patmos, and could have been sad and frustrated that he was not out in the world sharing the love of Jesus and praying for miracles for others. But his isolation turned out to be a very special time of revelation because he used it wisely.

Revelation 1:9-10

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. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.

The Thought

Most of us have not heard too many sermons on the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus. Rather we have heard victory messages about being able to do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Both are true!

Often our most difficult times turn out to be the most profitable and beneficial.

John was in prison on Patmos, and could have been sad and frustrated that he was not out in the world sharing the love of Jesus and praying for miracles for others. But his isolation turned out to be a very special time of revelation because he used it wisely. He gave the time to The Lord, and this last book of our Bibles has helped and encouraged more people than John could ever have imagined, and certainly more than he could have prayed for had he still been travelling and preaching.

The first thing John heard was a loud voice like a trumpet. That would make him sit up and listen. There are times when we have to listen hard to hear the gentle whisper which Elijah heard (1 Kings 19:12). There are other times when God gets His message across to us very clearly.

Action

Think today about the times God has communicated with you. Was it a gentle whisper or a voice like a trumpet?

Read the story of Elijah in the earthquake, wind and fire (1 Kings 19) and note that he didn’t respond to the noise, but only to the gentle whisper of God.

Pray and ask The Lord to help you recognise His voice every time He speaks to you.

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