Companions in Tribulation

Revelation 1:9

⁹I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Yeshua Messiah, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Yeshua Messiah.

Here is something we do not think about a lot.  We are to be companions in tribulation.  This is a thread found throughout scriptures, Acts 14:22.

²²Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

We must, through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God.  It was never promised to be easy, 2 Timothy 3:12.

¹²Yea, and all that will live godly in Messiah Yeshua shall suffer persecution.

Why is it, that this is not something that is taught in the churches today?  When today’s Christians are persecuted, they will fight for their rights as citizens of this world, 2 Timothy 2:12A.

¹² If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:

If we expect to rule and reign with Messiah in the millennium, suffering is part of the prerequisite.  If we do not suffer with Him, we will not rule with Him.

For those that want it  easy, they may be disappointed when Yeshua returns and there are little rewards.  For a few short years, we have been called to a ministry of suffering.  Not aches and pains in our bodies, but the reproach that goes along with the delivering the unadulterated message of the gospel.  We are to be as He was, Isaiah 53:7.

⁷ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

The hardest part for many of us is not to say anything.  We are to be without guile and back talk.  We are called to this, in 1 Peter 2:21-23.

²¹ For even hereunto were ye called: because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: ²² Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: ²³ Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

This is our calling to be companions in tribulation.  Often this requires not saying anything, but quietly accepting the suffering before us and let Him be our defender.

John writes, I am your companion in tribulation.  It is an invitation to join him in the patience that tribulation will work in our lives.  You have got to either continue tribulating or have that patience that is supposed to bring us into the kingdom of Yeshua Messiah.  He was on the island, called Patmos, because of his testimony of Messiah.

Next Lord’s Day

Back to God Himself (R1)

Return to Revelation 1