I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

Devotion based on Revelation 1:9-11

Imagine you’re on a Mediterranean island with limestone cliffs and deep sapphire waters. The mountainous interior is blanketed with ancient olive trees. But this is no getaway. You are alone and in exile. The days are long. The nights, lonely. And hope seems like some distant mainland shore.

Then, one day, you find a message in a bottle with a map and a promise: rescue is on the way. Suddenly, everything changes. Even though you’re still on the island, you now have hope.

John, the apostle, was alone on a rocky island. He was suffering exile for his testimony about Jesus. Life was hard. But then, Jesus showed up and showed John—and shows us—that even in the hardest times, we have something to share with others.

John’s vision of the risen Christ reminded him—and reminds us—that we are part of his plan. We can comfort someone else who is going through hard times. We can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We can assure them that because Jesus lives, he has conquered death and reigns overall. His victory over sin, death, and the grave guarantees a glorious future.

Do you see the significance? Your struggles aren’t meaningless. Your job, family, and conversations are part of God’s mission to share. Jesus is with you, comforting, guiding, and strengthening through his Word.

So, take heart. Your life isn’t random or aimless. Because Jesus lives, every day is an opportunity to live out his mission and shine his light in a world that desperately needs it.

Prayer:

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.