Revelation 1:10-11; In the Spirit

Revelation 1:10-11 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Bodily, the Apostle John was in Patmos, but in the Spirit, the Lord Jesus Christ met with him. The Apostle Paul testified that he was caught up into paradise when he said in 2 Corinthians 12:3-4 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

It was on the 69th year of Israel’s captivity in Babylon that Daniel the prophet sought the Lord to know Israel’s future when the 70 years of captivity is ended. The Lord revealed it to him in the record of Daniel 9.

Daniel 9:1-3 In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, which was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans; In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

Daniel further testified in Daniel 9:20-23 And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

Unlike the Apostle Paul, the Apostle John was asked by our Lord to write what he heard from the Lord in a book to the existing churches residing in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey. This is a momentuous revelation to the church concerning her spiritual condition, spiritual challenges, and spiritual rewards for overcomers.

Whilst Daniel was given the future of Israel by the angel Gabriel, the Apostle John was given a triple vision concerning the future of the church, Israel and the world, and told to write in a book by our Lord Jesus Himself. What privilege!

He was ready and attuned to the voice of God speaking to him to his spirit to record this world’s future for learning and preparation to meet our God. Thank God for opening our eyes to see His blessed will. Indeed, Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Amen.