Thread by @2runtherace

Are You Alone On An Isle Of Patmos?

Where do you find yourself today? When John was given the Revelation of Jesus Christ he was alone, exiled on an island for speaking the Word of Christ, and testifying of Him!

Revelation 1:9
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.

When we are willing to be obedient to the LORD, we too will often find ourselves isolated as outcasts! Isn’t that what Jesus Himself experienced and told us would happen to those who would follow Him?

Please read all of Matthew 10, but here is an excerpt.

Matthew 10:16-24
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of Man be come. The disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord.

“This exile to Patmos is most commonly associated with the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian (81–96 AD), a period marked by intensified persecution of Christians who refused to worship the emperor as a deity…

The Roman practice of exiling political and religious dissidents to remote islands was well-documented, and Patmos, a small, rocky island in the Aegean Sea, served as a known penal colony during this time.”

Beloved child of God, if we would walk in the steps of Jesus with unwavering submission and obedience we will too suffer persecution! And the Word of God tells us the persecution will intensify the closer we come to the return of Jesus Christ!

If we refuse to bow in worship of men as in John’s case, and as in the case of Daniel and his friends, and many others before us, we too will be persecuted for His Name sake!

Will we endure to the end? Jesus said these Words above — “but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

The LORD is using these times of exile for His purposes! When we pray, LORD, do whatever it takes in our lives to make our heart completely Yours, that ‘whatever’ will often include exile!

But it is there we too will receive our greatest revelations! We will experience things there the LORD will use for His purposes and things that will help others down the road!

2 Corinthians 1:3-6
Blessed be God, even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, the Father of Mercies, and the God of all Comfort;

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Romans 5:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

And remember — You are never alone!

John was all alone physically, but He was in the Spirit! The Isle’s of Patmos where we find ourselves will be lonely, but He promises to never leave us alone!

Let’s look at some reassurances from the Word of His promise to us!

Hebrews 13:5
For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Psalm 145:18-19
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee;

He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

Joshua 1:5,9
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

[9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

How fitting to close with John’s Words written in his exile! Beloved, knowing that your endurance will result in the Crown of Life — Hold fast!

Revelation 3:10-12
Because thou hast kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out:

And I will write upon him the Name of My God, and the Name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him My new Name.
#EyesOnHim

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