16 The Revelation of Jesus Christ · For the redeemed it will be a time of rejoicing. That is -why John's response to this heavenly doxology was the prayer, "Even so, Amen." My friend, is that the response of your heart? Will it be a day of joy for you when our Lord is revealed from heaven with all His holy angels? Your attitude now toward the Christ of Calvary will determine your destiny throughout the endless ages. "What think ye of Jesus which is called Christ?" He always was and is and ever shall be the eternal God, who said to John on the Isle of Patmos: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending ... the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to tome, the Almighty" (Rev. 1:8 ).
THE EXILED APOSTLE'S DIVINE COMMISSION
From verses 9-11 of this first chapter of Revelation we learn the circumstances under which the book was written. The aged apostle was exiled to a lonely island where God gave him the vision and commissioned him to write it "in a book." Listen to.his words: "I John, who am also your brother, and companion In tribu lation, 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'" (Rev. 1:9). Patmos is a rocky, barren island in the Aegean Sea. John had been banished there by the Roman Emperor. Why? He gives the reason himself: "For the word of God, and . for the testimony of Jesus Christ." The emperor could banish him from the presence of earthly friends, but he could not separate him from the fellowship of God. There he was, a lonely man, treading the sands of the ·seashore, far from home and human friends; but during this exile God gave him the wonderful vision which is outlined in this closing book of His Holy Word. My Christian friend, are you suffering affliction "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ"? If so, you are in good company. What fellowship John had with his crucified and risen Lord! What fellowship he had with the triune God, for he writes further:
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