Rev 1:9-20. My Patmos
John was exiled by the Roman Emperor to the barren and rocky island of Patmos for preaching the gospel in Ephesus. His time on Patmos sounds a little like Davidamprsquos ampldquoends of the earthamprdquo in Psalm 61. David stopped running from Absalom and other betrayers to call out to the Lord, asking to be led to a high rock and to take shelter in the wings of the Lord his refuge.
John, on the other hand, receives a visionary visit from Jesus, who he doesnamprsquot recognize because he has a voice like a trumpet, dazzling white hair, blazing eyes, a sun-radiant face, feet glowing like bronze, a double-edged sword coming out of his mouth and seven stars held in his right hand. This was not the Jesus John knew and saw crucified. It is not the more comforting image of God that David gives in Psalm 61.
As great as the differences are between the passage in Revelation and Psalm 61, nevertheless for me they share the same barren geography-- ampldquothe ends of the earthamprdquo (Ps 61:2), a feeling of fear-- ampldquoI fell at his feet as if deadamprdquo (Rev 1:17) says John--and the undeniable presence of God.
Rather than, Where is my Patmos? I think the question is Where is not my Patmos? My sin has exiled me repeatedly from my God: a broken house while I went to grad school and raised little children, a room in the YMCA while I reflected on my broken world after losing my hoped-for marriage and then my job, a lonely apartment in a factory town in Korea, my prideful career broken while I taught English to middle school Korean students.
All of these places were refuges of sorts although I didnamprsquot see it at the time. I came to them out of selfishness, pride and lack of love for others, a failure to be responsible, just like David in his low point. But in each of them I was succoured by Godamprsquos Spirit.
During my time in the broken house, I received Godamprsquos call to faith but not like Johnamprsquos spectacular vision. I think I wouldamprsquove fainted like John if I had! I didnamprsquot need a vision, I needed what I got: a call impossible to deny or refuse.
In my time in lonely rooms I had to face myself and begin to see that I was there as a result of my life. I had put myself there, I had distanced myself from God because I insisted I was more important than my worship and obedience to my Lord. My places of suffering and isolation were refuges from my sin in order to repent.
ampldquoDo not be afraid,amprdquo says God so many times when he comes, but my sin makes me fear and only his love restores me.
Application: spending time with a brother to listen to his time in Patmos.
Lord, let me praise you for the gift of wilderness and Patmos because in them I learn to see you and not myself only.
