Revelation 1:9-11 The righteous are worthy of Christ when they persevere amid tribulations for the sake of the kingdom.

Revelation 1:9-11 The righteous are worthy of Christ when they persevere amid tribulations for the sake of the kingdom.

I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

Background

God, by the hand of John spoke to the seven churches concerning their moral and spiritual state. The message to each church is different with the majority of them receiving rebukes. However, a minority of the churches received commendations for their faithfulness to God amid tribulations. Since the days of the prophets, believers persevered in the defence of the truth by exposing evil. Ironically, much of the tribulation against the prophets come from within the church. John himself warned of the antichrist as “coming out from us” (see 1 John 2:18-19). That said, John counted himself as part of Christ when he persevered in the tribulation for the sake of the kingdom. Today’s devotion teaches us: The righteous are worthy of Christ when they persevere amid tribulations for the sake of the kingdom.

Observation

I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

John was on the island of Patmos exiled because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. For he suffered persecution for the same reason Jesus suffered: in defence of the truth. The Jews at that time persecuted Jesus unto death because He exposed their hypocrisy and darkness. Similarly, John the Baptist was beheaded because he spoke against Herod who married his own brother’s wife. John describes himself as a partaker in the tribulation, kingdom and perseverance. By partaking in the tribulation, kingdom and perseverance, John became worthy of Christ. What are tribulation, kingdom and perseverance?

The tribulation comes from the persecution of those who walk in the truth. Believers of the way have been persecuted since the days of the prophets. They experienced tribulation not for political or religious reasons but because of their moral conviction. However, the tribulation of the righteous are differentiated from the great tribulation, which is meant for the unrighteous (see Revelation 2:21-23). The pestilence, which is part of the great tribulation is meant for those who commit acts of immorality.

The kingdom is God’s dominion over creation. Ever since Jesus’s ascension to the Father, the kingdom has been expanding. And many have turned from evil to love God and what is true. However, Jesus will return on the day of judgment to destroy the devil and those who follow him. He will then hand the kingdom over to God and rule from God’s righthand. The culmination of the kingdom will result in a new heaven and new earth where there will no longer be sorrow, sickness or poverty.

Perseverance is being faithful to God in doing His will amid tribulations. The Jews persecuted Jesus because He exposed their evil. They killed Him because He refused to recant His teachings. The great tribulation is meant for the unrighteous and the faithful will be protected from it. Therefore, the righteous must persevere amid tribulations. For they will escape the great tribulation to reign over the world.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”

When John was in deep communion with God, he heard a voice commanding him to write what he saw. The message in the visions are not meant for humanity at large, but for the church. Why was it written only for the church? So that believers may persevere and not be caught off guard by the events as they unfold. And as believers persevere, God will keep them from the great tribulation by the seal of protection on their foreheads (Revelation 7:3).

Truth

The righteous are worthy of Christ when they persevere amid tribulations for the sake of the kingdom.

Why was Jesus persecuted?

Jesus came to save humanity by restoring true righteousness (truth and grace) in the way we live. But the Jews, being blinded by religion embraced false righteousness and rejected truth and grace. Many Christians claim that they are persecuted for their religious belief. But the real issue behind Jesus’s persecution concerns true righteousness: the attitude of treating others truthfully and graciously.

On one occasion, Jesus exposed false righteousness by healing a sick man on the Sabbath Day. When the Jews accused Jesus for breaking the Sabbath Law, He told them not to judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment (see John 7:24). The Jews put on a front of false righteousness having rejected true righteousness for themselves. Jesus refused to engage the Jews on matters of the Law but called them out for their unrighteous deeds. In Matthew 23,

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. – Matthew 23:1-3

Here, Jesus warned the people not to follow the ways of the scribes and Pharisees which are oppression, idolatry (love of power and money), false righteousness, hypocrisy and murder.

Oppression – They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders (see Matthew 23:4).

Love of power – But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. (see Matthew 23:5).

Love of money – They give preferential treatment to those who are rich (see Matthew 23:18-19).

False righteousness – They follow the law down to the T but have no mercy for others (see Matthew 23:23).

Hypocrisy – They look righteous on the outside but their hearts were lawless (see Matthew 23:27-28).

Murder – They murder godly people and prophets who stood up to them (see Matthew 23:34-35).

Because Jesus exposed their darkness, the Jews were determined to silence Him. They apprehended Jesus at the garden and forced Him to “clarify” His position and recant His teachings. Then, Jesus answered them,

“I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?” – John 18:20-23

Jesus persevered and refused to retract what He had spoken concerning their moral failings. And it became clear to all that the contentions between Jesus and His persecutors are moral in nature, not religious.

Many bible teachers insisted that the main contention surrounds Jesus’s claim as the Son of God. But if Jesus had not exposed them but played along with them, they would not have persecuted Him. They knew too well that Jesus if left alone would spell certain trouble for them. Since the Roman court found no grounds to prosecute Jesus, the Jews used blasphemy as justification to put Him to death (see John 19:7).

The righteous will one way or another enter into tribulation

Much of Christendom today understands the importance of scripture in staying true to the faith. But in the pursuit of biblical understanding, we have neglected to commune with God in the Spirit. Even as our minds are pregnant with knowledge, our spirits have become empty and parched. Because the shepherds are blind, our flocks are treading on the path of destruction. Many of our churches have allowed idolatry (love of money and power) to creep into the leadership. Even though we have done many good works, our hands are privately stained with immoral deeds.

Imagine if someone steps into our church today claiming to be the Son of God. Will we put him out? If he works great miracles and speaks with great wisdom and authority, will our leadership feel threatened? I suspect many churches will do to him like the Jews did to Jesus.

Many of us have not experienced tribulation the way Jesus had. Why? Perhaps, we are too afraid to confront unrighteousness the way Jesus did. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to identify with Him by restoring truth and grace in our churches, community and workplace. In the process, we will face persecutions and backlash from the opposers of true righteousness. Indeed, the Apostle Paul said,

“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” – Acts 14:22.

Application

Sanctify ourselves from all evil lest we find ourselves persecuting the Christ-Self within. Live a life that is worthy of the conduct of Christ. Let truth and grace flow spontaneously in all that we say and do. Be bold in defending the weak. Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. When you point out someone’s mistake, do it in private. In so doing, you release them from the bondage of evil. If they persecute you, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for calling me to persevere with you amid the tribulation to enter the kingdom. Amen.