Revelation 1:9-11 (NKJV) I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and 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. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
V9 “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and 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.” This is John the Apostle. Numerous attempts have been made by some to be diligent to prove that this John was not the Apostle, because they did not want to consider it sacred Scripture or wanted to discard the message. Brother refers to Christians as the family of God. We are adopted sons and daughters (Romans 8:15 and Ephesians 1:5). Most believers suffered tribulation in financial and/or physical abuse. John suffered tribulation as other believers. He was not exempt. John was awaiting the kingdom, just as other believers. The patience of Jesus Christ is not the patience He shows now but refers to the patience of Jesus in suffering and waiting to complete His ministry. We, too, can look to Jesus as we wait. Those people who afflict believers do so because they hate Jesus (John 15:18-27). The kingdom is the Kingdom of God when Jesus is King of the Universe and reigning in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:9, Psalm 69:4, and Revelation 11:15). Patience—compare 2 Peter 3:15.
V10 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet…” The spirit of prophecy is when the Holy Spirit gives a message to an Apostle or prophet. It is extremely rare presently. The Lord’s Day refers to remembering the Lord’s resurrection which occurred on Sunday. Others believe that it refers to the time of the Lord’s judgment in the future. The voice was musical and loud.
V11 “…saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Jesus describes Himself as without beginning or end; He is eternal. These were cities in Asia—western Turkey.
We learn:
- John received a vision from God.
- John was there because he was a Christian and is being punished.
- Jesus is God