27. Patmos

27. Patmos

I John, . . . was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 1. 9.

Patmos is a small, rocky, barren island out in the Mediterranean Sea. It was here where the Apostle John was exiled “for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” A siege of persecution had swept the country, and this faithful pastor was seized and imprisoned on this forsaken island. Many Christians have also been willing to pay a similar price “for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” which has also led them to a “Patmos.”

Patmos is a lonely place. Heaven’s road becomes lonely at times. Many of God’s children have found themselves in situations where there is very little or no Christian fellowship. There, in some shop, factory, office, or schoolroom, he has found himself alone—alone among thousands of others—and yet not alone, for Christ is with him. How precious then are the words, “I am with you always even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 2& 20)

Patmos is an unattractive place. It has little or no earthly beauty to cheer you. It has nothing but cold barren rocks everywhere. No one seeking self glory would be found in a place like this. John’s faithfulness to Christ brought him there. Every Christian should earnestly pray that the Lord may lead him into his place of work, and that a high salary, beautiful surroundings, or luxurious living may not become deciding factors in his life. “For the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” the Lord may perhaps send him into some place that is very unattractive. Would you be willing to be marooned on a “Patmos”?

“Patmos” is a place of reproach and ridicule. “All that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3. 12). There can be no exception. Every true child of God will find himself on this island “Patmos” sooner or later. Like Joseph of old he may even be despised and hated by his brothers, and as a result be isolated in some faraway “Egypt.” However, years later, he, too, like Joseph, may be able to testify to his former persecutors, “As for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50. 20).

“Patmos” is a confining place. John, who once was free to roam the then known world, is now limited to this small island. What a test! Many a child of God has found himself in a similar situation. Ill health has conveyed many a Christian to a narrow sick room. Old age has limited others to the confines of a home. Others again, who have been zealous for their Lord, have been given small and less attractive fields of service. Millions of faithful Christians have even been thrown into prison because of their love for the Saviour.

“Patmos” is a place where Jesus reveals Himself. John could say, in spite of his outward circumstances, “I was in the spirit” (Revelation 1. 10). It was in this lonely, unattractive, and confining place that John received the greatest blessing of his life. Little did he realize as he set foot on this forsaken island that he would here have the greatest experience of his life. This was the place where he was so overcome with his Saviour’s majesty that he “fell at his feet as one dead” (v. 17). It was here that he could say, “He laid his right hand upon me” (v. 17). It is here that he could hear Jesus distinctly say, “Fear not.” It was here, where his earthly vision was so limited, that he was privileged to see with Spirit-anointed eyes into heaven itself. It was here on “Patmos,” that, though he was separated from earthly friends, he communed with heavenly angels. “Patmos” became the best place on earth, for Jesus was very near at Patmos.