Chapter 56
Patmos
More than half a century had passed since the organisation of the
Christian church. During that time the gospel message had been constantly
opposed. Its enemies had never relaxed their efforts, and had at last
succeeded in enlisting the power of the Roman emperor against the
Christians.
In the terrible persecution that followed, the apostle John did much to
confirm and strengthen the faith of the believers. He bore a testimony
which his adversaries could not controvert and which helped his brethren
to meet with courage and loyalty the trials that came upon them. When the
faith of the Christians would seem to waver under the fierce opposition
they were forced to meet, the old, tried servant of Jesus would repeat
with power and eloquence the story of the crucified and risen Saviour. He
steadfastly maintained his faith, and from his lips came ever the same
glad message: "That which was from the beginning, which we have
heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and
our hands have handled, of the Word of life; . . . that which we have seen
and heard declare we unto you.: 1 John 1:1-3.
John lived to be very old. He witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem
and the ruin of the stately temple. The last survivor of the disciples who
had been intimately connected with the Saviour, his message had great
influence in setting forth the fact that Jesus was the Messiah, the
Redeemer of the world. No one could doubt his sincerity, and through his
teachings many were led to turn from unbelief.
The rulers of the Jews were filled with bitter hatred against John for
his unwavering fidelity to the cause of Christ. They declared that their
efforts against the Christians would avail nothing so long as John's
testimony kept ringing in the ears of the people. In order that the
miracles and teachings of Jesus might be forgotten, the voice of the bold
witness must be silenced.
John was accordingly summoned to Rome to be tried for his faith. Here
before the authorities the apostle's doctrines were misstated. False
witnesses accused him of teaching seditious heresies. By these accusations
his enemies hoped to bring about the disciple's death.
John answered for himself in a clear and convincing manner, and with
such simplicity and candour that his words had a powerful effect. His
hearers were astonished at his wisdom and eloquence. But the more
convincing his testimony, the deeper was the hatred of his opposers. The
emperor Domitian was filled with rage. He could neither dispute the
reasoning of Christ's faithful advocate, nor match the power that attended
his utterance of truth; yet he determined that he would silence his voice.
John was cast into a caldron of boiling oil; but the Lord preserved the
life of His faithful servant, even as He preserved the three Hebrews in
the fiery furnace. As the words were spoken, Thus perish all who believe
in that deceiver, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, John declared, My Master
patiently submitted to all that Satan and his angels could devise to
humiliate and torture Him. He gave His life to save the world. I am
honoured in being permitted to suffer for His sake. I am a weak, sinful
man. Christ was holy, harmless, undefiled. He did no sin, neither was
guile found in His mouth.
These words had their influence, and John was removed from the caldron
by the very men who had cast him in.
Again the hand of persecution fell heavily upon the apostle. By the
emperor's decree John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, condemned
"for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
Revelation 1:9. Here, his enemies thought, his influence would no longer
be felt, and he must finally die of hardship and distress.
Patmos, a barren, rocky island in the Aegean Sea, had been chosen by
the Roman government as a place of banishment for criminals; but to the
servant of God this gloomy abode became the gate of heaven. Here, shut
away from the busy scenes of life, and from the active labours of former
years, he had the companionship of God and Christ and the heavenly angels,
and from them he received instruction for the church for all future time.
The events that would take place in the closing scenes of this earth's
history were outlined before him; and there he wrote out the visions he
received from God. When his voice could no longer testify to the One whom
he loved and served, the messages given him on that barren coast were to
go forth as a lamp that burneth, declaring the sure purpose of the Lord
concerning every nation on the earth.
Among the cliffs and rocks of Patmos, John held communion with his
Maker. He reviewed his past life, and at thought of the blessings he had
received, peace filled his heart. He had lived the life of a Christian,
and he could say in faith, "We know that we have passed from death
unto life." 1 John 3:14. Not so the emperor who had banished him. He
could look back only on fields of warfare and carnage, on desolated homes,
on weeping widows and orphans, the fruit of his ambitious desire for
pre-eminence.
In his isolated home John was able to study more closely than ever
before the manifestations of divine power as recorded in the book of
nature and in the pages of inspiration. To him it was a delight to
meditate on the work of creation and to adore the divine Architect. In
former years his eyes had been greeted by the sight of forest-covered
hills, green valleys, and fruitful plains; and in the beauties of nature
it had ever been his delight to trace the wisdom and skill of the Creator.
He was now surrounded by scenes that to many would appear gloomy and
uninteresting; but to John it was otherwise. While his surroundings might
be desolate and barren, the blue heavens that bent above him were as
bright and beautiful as the skies above his loved Jerusalem. In the wild,
rugged rocks, in the mysteries of the deep, in the glories of the
firmament, he read important lessons. All bore the message of God's power
and glory.
All around him the apostle beheld witnesses to the Flood that had
deluged the earth because the inhabitants ventured to transgress the law
of God. The rocks thrown up from the great deep and from the earth by the
breaking forth of the waters, brought vividly to his mind the terrors of
that awful outpouring of God's wrath. In the voice of many waters--deep
calling unto deep--the prophet heard the voice of the Creator. The sea,
lashed to fury by the merciless winds, represented to him the wrath of an
offended God. The mighty waves, in their terrible commotion, restrained
within limits appointed by an invisible hand, spoke of the control of an
infinite Power. And in contrast he realised the weakness and folly of
mortals, who, though but worms of the dust, glory in their supposed wisdom
and strength, and set their hearts against the Ruler of the universe, as
if God were altogether such a one as themselves. By the rocks he was
reminded of Christ, the Rock of his strength, in whose shelter he could
hide without fear. From the exiled apostle on rocky Patmos there went up
the most ardent longing of soul after God, the most fervent prayers.
The history of John affords a striking illustration of the way in which
God can use aged workers. When John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos,
there were many who thought him to be past service, an old and broken
reed, ready to fall at any time. But the Lord saw fit to use him still.
Though banished from the scenes of his former labour, he did not cease to
bear witness to the truth. Even in Patmos he made friends and converts.
His was a message of joy, proclaiming a risen Saviour who on high was
interceding for His people until He should return to take them to Himself.
And it was after John had grown old in the service of his Lord that he
received more communications from heaven than he had received during all
the former years of his life.
The most tender regard should be cherished for those whose life
interest has been bound up with the work of God. These aged workers have
stood faithful amid storm and trial. They may have infirmities, but they
still possess talents that qualify them to stand in their place in God's
cause. Though worn, and unable to bear the heavier burdens that younger
men can and should carry, the counsel they can give is of the highest
value.
They may have made mistakes, but from their failures they have learned
to avoid errors and dangers, and are they not therefore competent to give
wise counsel? They have borne test and trial, and though they have lost
some of their vigour, the Lord does not lay them aside. He gives them
special grace and wisdom.
Those who have served their Master when the work went hard, who endured
poverty and remained faithful when there were few to stand for truth, are
to be honoured and respected. The Lord desires the younger labourers to
gain wisdom, strength, and maturity by association with these faithful
men. Let the younger men realise that in having such workers among them
they are highly favoured. Let them give them an honoured place in their
councils.
As those who have spent their lives in the service of Christ draw near
to the close of their earthly ministry, they will be impressed by the Holy
Spirit to recount the experiences they have had in connection with the
work of God. The record of His wonderful dealings with His people, of His
great goodness in delivering them from trial, should be repeated to those
newly come to the faith. God desires the old and tried labourers to stand
in their place, doing their part to save men and women from being swept
downward by the mighty current of evil, He desires them to keep the armour
on till He bids them lay it down.
In the experience of the apostle John under persecution, there is a
lesson of wonderful strength and comfort for the Christian. God does not
prevent the plottings of wicked men, but He causes their devices to work
for good to those who in trial and conflict maintain their faith and
loyalty. Often the gospel labourer carries on his work amid storms of
persecution, bitter opposition, and unjust reproach. At such times let him
remember that the experience to be gained in the furnace of trial and
affliction is worth all the pain it costs. Thus God brings His children
near to Him, that He may show them their weakness and His strength. He
teaches them to lean on Him. Thus He prepares them to meet emergencies, to
fill positions of trust, and to accomplish the great purpose for which
their powers were given them.
In all ages God's appointed witnesses have exposed themselves to
reproach and persecution for the truth's sake. Joseph was maligned and
persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity. David, the
chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by his enemies.
Daniel was cast into a den of lions because he was true to his allegiance
to heaven. Job was deprived of his worldly possessions, and so afflicted
in body that he was abhorred by his relatives, and friends; yet he
maintained his integrity. Jeremiah could not be deterred from speaking the
words that God had given him to speak; and his testimony so enraged the
king and princes that he was cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen was stoned
because he preached Christ and Him crucified. Paul was imprisoned, beaten
with rods, stoned, and finally put to death because he was a faithful
messenger for God to the Gentiles. And John was banished to the Isle of
Patmos "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus
Christ."
These examples of human steadfastness bear witness to the faithfulness
of God's promises--of His abiding presence and sustaining grace. They
testify to the power of faith to withstand the powers of the world. It is
the work of faith to rest in God in the darkest hour, to feel, however
sorely tried and tempest-tossed, that our Father is at the helm. The eye
of faith alone can look beyond the things of time to estimate aright the
worth of the eternal riches.
Jesus does not present to His followers the hope of attaining earthly
glory and riches, of living a life free from trial. Instead He calls upon
them to follow Him in the path of self-denial and reproach. He who came to
redeem the world was opposed by the united forces of evil. In an unpitying
confederacy, evil men and evil angels arrayed themselves against the
Prince of Peace. His every word and act revealed divine compassion, and
His unlikeness to the world provoked the bitterest hostility.
So it will be with all who will live godly in Christ Jesus. Persecution
and reproach await all who are imbued with the Spirit of Christ. The
character of the persecution changes with the times, but the
principle--the spirit that underlies it--is the same that has slain the
chosen of the Lord ever since the days of Abel.
In all ages Satan has persecuted the people of God. He has tortured
them and put them to death, but in dying they became conquerors. They bore
witness to the power of One mightier than Satan. Wicked men may torture
and kill the body, but they cannot touch the life that is hid with Christ
in God. They can incarcerate men and women in prison walls, but they
cannot bind the spirit.
Through trial and persecution the glory--the character-- of God is
revealed in His chosen ones. The believers in Christ, hated and persecuted
by the world, are educated and disciplined in the school of Christ. On
earth they walk in narrow paths; they are purified in the furnace of
affliction.
They follow Christ through sore conflicts; they endure self- denial and
experience bitter disappointments; but thus they learn the guilt and woe
of sin, and they look upon it with abhorrence. Being partakers of Christ's
sufferings, they can look beyond the gloom to the glory, saying, "I
reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18.
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