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Companions In The Processing
(Revelation 1:9-20)
Chapter 3

"I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the Isle that is called Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the spirit in the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice..."                                                                                              (Revelation 1:9-10).

The name John comes from the Hebrew "Jehovah is gracious." This emphasizes again the fact that it is His GRACE which undergirds all of our processing, while He brings forth a revelation of Jesus Christ within us.  The revelation was first given to John - but it was to be shared with us, "to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass." These things which must come to pass in us, HIS PROCESSINGS IN US until He shall be revealed through us, to His glory and praise.  And while we might feel ever so alone as we trend out our winepress, yet the grace which sustained John, shall also sustain all those who are his "brother, and companion"  in this walk.

"Brother..." The very word bespeaks of family relationship, and that we share the same Father, even "The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the WHOLE FAMILY in heaven and earth is named." (Ephesians 3:14-15). Jesus Christ is "the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29).  For He is "bringing many sons unto glory." (Hebrews 2:10). While at all times HE must have the preeminence, yet we praise God also for our brethren, for truly, "A brother is born for the day of adversity." (Proverbs 17:17).

Adversity - tightness, tribulation, distress, affliction.  While some might condemn you for getting into a tight place, a true brother will squeeze right in there with you, sharing your burden, comfort and stand with you till God has worked out His purpose.

"And companion..." literally, a co-sharer.  Although it is wrought in each of us individually, yet it is also a corporate working, as we all share in the processing - "knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." (1 Peter 5:9-10). And it s this "togetherness" which brings us confirmation as we share one with another of His inworkings.  The personal application may vary, but the principle being wrought in each of us are the same.

John goes on to list five "ins" that we share together - five is the number of grace, reaffirming that it is purely and sovereignly God's grace at work in us.  This is truly the death of the self-life and its ambitions, nullifying every ego trip, and we say with Paul, "By the grace of God I am what I am." (1 Corinthians 15:10).

"Companion IN tribulation..." Tribulation - the Greek word is "thlipsis" and means: pressures, straitness, affliction.  Its primary meaning is TO PRESS. So much of Paul's ministry involved "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much TRIBULATION  (pressure) enter into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22). It is a God-appointed route, but the victory is sure, because GRACE much more abounds.

Writing about marriage, Paul said, "Nevertheless such shall have trouble (pressure, tribulation) in the flesh..." (1 Corinthians 7:28). In this day when there is such an attack against the home and family, this is a very present day statement.  The pressure of personality clashes, pressure of difference of ideals and goals.  The necessity to lay down one's life for the sake of another.  Pressure of home finances. Pressure of raising a family. All of these can be used by God in our processing, for they are unique pressures that accomplish in us things that shall help shape and mold us into His image.  So while God has not called every one to marriage - and for sure a single life has its own pressures, yet let us see the Lord in all of our daily travails and learn to submit and rejoice as God uses all of these tribulations for our good.

In John 16:33, Jesus states, "In the world ye shall have TRIBULATION: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." The word "world" comes from the Greek "kosmos" meaning: the arrangement of this present world system.  Ah, how it presses against us.  Economically people are pressed and burdened with financial troubles that make it a day by day struggle.  The political system vexes people to no end with its inequities and injustices.  The educational system is overwhelming in its liberality which wears away to the moral fiber of our youth.  The medical system is filled with fraud, greed, out-of-control rising costs, etc.  While perhaps the religious system is the most distressing of all, as we see it superficiality, personal kingdom building, carnality, error of doctrine, etc.  Yet it is in the midst of all this TRIBULATION, PRESSURE, that God is maturing His firstfruits, to bring forth in them a revelation of Himself.  And so we are to "be of good cheer; He has overcome the world," and by His grace we shall also be partakers of that victory.

In the parable of the sower and the seed, Jesus mentioned that some are offended "when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the Word (the Logos of God)." (Matthew 13:21).  There is nothing that will bring pressure upon us like His Word.  You can quote Scripture, hand it as plaque on the wall, wear emblems of the cross around your neck - but when the Spirit begins to lead you past "the letter which killeth," and into the reality of its meaning, it will produce pressure and  persecution.  Truth causes division because it severs between light and darkness.  But this only makes the truth all the more precious, and we can rejoice in that He reveals the mysteries of God, and gives us the privilege of suffering for it.

Then 2 Corinthians 7:5 reads, "For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled (in pressure, tribulation) on every side; without were fightings, within were fears."  Here is a dual onslaught - fightings without, all the intense warfare against the truth, whether by the bestial, carnal nature of men, or by negative spirit forces. And fears within - causing you to wish you could flee the whole thing.  But God holds one steady, and all the "fightings and fears" are pressures for our perfection, even if presently they do not appear that way, for we cease to rely on our own strength and resources, and learn to cast ourselves all the more upon Him who is our life.

Paul further writes in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our TROUBLE (pressure) which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead." Pressures of death against God's own, that is tribulation indeed, and only one who has been through it really understands.  Whether it takes the form of physical accidents and disabilities in yourself or those around you, or be it in the mind where one battles for sanity and normalcy, yet event his works of our good as we keep our eyes single to Him who hath "the keys of hell and of death."

"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions (pressures, tribulation) of Christ on my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church."  (Colossians 1:24). Here is a CO-SHARING OF TRIBULATION of a depth which almost defies comprehension.  We are so recognized as a vital part of HIS BODY that He can "fill up" in us that suffering which becomes a part of the corporate suffering for all the called out ones.  TO SHARE in the fellowship of His sufferings being made conformable to His death." (Philippians 3:10), that He may use it as part of His deliverance for others.  He bore the thirty nine stripes, but we share corporately in the fortieth.  The mystery of this suffering is apart of the TRIBULATION which works for positive ends.

Then John 16:21 describes another kind of pressure. "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, remembereth no more the ANGUISH (pressure, tribulation), for joy that a man is born into the world." Here travail is included in the pressure.  It is closely aligned to the fulness of time, for a mother does not bring forth until the time of deliverance is come.  Now we are co-sharing in the travail of spirit, crying out for that deliverance which is so desperately needed.  Also a travail of soul (mind) that presses in until our thoughts reel under the groaning for release.  And perhaps, for some, it even becomes a pressure in body as their whole being awaits the fulness of the hour of redemption.  Such pressure cannot be self-induced, but only comes because the inward growth has come the hour of release - to be birthed into new realms in Christ.

Yes - "companions in tribulation..." Pressures in marriage and home.  Pressure from the world's system.  Pressure because of the Word.  Pressures of fightings without, fears within.  Pressures of death.  Pressures of Christ's sufferings.  Pressures of travail.  All of this is preparatory for our entrance into the Kingdom. "Not only so, but we glory in TRIBULATIONS also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy Spirit which is given unto us." (Romans 5:35). Thus we see that tribulation is a necessity in the economy of God to make us overcomers-- and having experienced the "IN tribulation" we are ready for the next "IN."

"IN the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ." This "IN" is dual, containing the Kingdom and also Patience.  There is much that could be said about the Kingdom, but we'll limit comments to the nature of the kingdom, for the nature of that kingdom is being worked into us. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17).  Pressed into the kingdom - knowing that we have no righteousness but HIS, for all of our self-righteousness is as filthy rags.  We have no peace but HIS. And we have no joy but HIS.

Pressed out of our self-works, to know that "Of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30).  For He hath purposed "that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Corinthians 5:21).  We are not only to have His righteousness IN US, but we are to BE IN IT - surrounded by it, upheld by it, in a realm of being right with God.

Pressed into the realm of peace or unity where we are one with God, yes, and even pressed into being at peace with all things, having no quarrel with anything that comes our way - because truly. "He is our peace." (Ephesians 2:14).

Pressed into a state of joy which in truth is the realm where our attitude is right, where we can "rejoice always," for His Joy, which is the fruit of the Spirit, abides within us, and we are IN IT.  Thus, righteousness is a proper standing, peace is a proper relationship to God and all things, and joy is a proper attitude in everything.

"And in the patience of Jesus Christ." This is significant, because it is not talking about our patience, but His.  The Greek word is, "hupomone" meaning: to remain under.  Not to run away from any situation that God allows in your life, but you stay there until He fulfills His plan therein.  Be reminded, not only do we enter the kingdom through much tribulation, but also tribulation worketh patience - works the patience of Christ in us.

Luke 2:43 gives us insight into the patience of Jesus.  Here the word is translated as "tarried behind." "And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus TARRIED BEHIND (was patient or remained under) in Jerusalem; and Joseph and His mother knew not of it" Here we have His PATIENCE OF TIMING.  He knew He must be about His Father's business, and He was patient in His discourse with the doctors of the law, and did not dash off before it was finished.  He was willing to abide the Father's timing all through His life - He could say, "My time is not yet come..."  (John 7:6), and patiently wait for all things to be fulfilled, and the conditions made ready for the next step.  God has a perfect timing for everything - "For the vision is yet for an appointed time... though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come." (Habakkuk 2:3). It takes a lot of tribulation to condition us to remain IN His patience, particularly in regards to time.

"The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the PATIENT WAITING for (of) Christ." (2 Thessalonians 3:5).  It is much more that just our patient waiting "for" Him, but of partaking of THE PATIENCE OF CHRIST.  Christ means: anointed or anointing.  Thus this bespeaks of the PATIENCE OF ANOINTING. Too many want to rush about to heal the sick, raise the dead, force confessions of salvation, preach, perform miracles, etc.  All of which are good in their place - but we need to abide IN the patience of the anointing.  Jesus said, "The Son can do nothing of Himself but what He seeth the Father do."  (John 5:19). He was not need-conscious, but the will-of-the-Father-conscious.  He could pass by the Pool of Bethesda and though there were multitudes, He healed but one.  He could leave the multitudes and minister to just a few.  Only the will of the Father counted - and He had patience to wait for it.

"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him ENDURED the cross." (Hebrews 12:2).  Patience under the sufferings of the cross.  For sure the shadow of the cross was upon Him from the beginning.  Though He agonized in the garden of Gethsemane, yet His prayer remained, "Not My will, but thine, be done." "Truly, "He took the cup, and gave thanks..."  (Matthew 26:27), knowing full well all that is contained.  He did not try to come down off the cross, though certainly He had the power to do so. He came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister, an d give His life a ransom for many, thus HE ENDURED the cross.  Yes, it takes the patience of Christ to do so!

Then "Consider Him that ENDURED such contradiction of sinners against Himself."  (Hebrews 12:3).  Against HIMSELF - Himself speak of identity.  He knew who He was, and could say, "I know whence I came, and whither I go..." (John 8:14).  He knew He was the Son of God, and that "I and My Father are one." (John 10:30).  Yet "In His humiliation His judgment was taken away: and who shall declare His generation?"  (Acts 8:33). So He patiently endured all the contradiction against Himself, and the world knew Him not - nor did He fight for an identity among them.  And if we are IN the patience of Christ, can we not also be patient with our own identity in Him, and not proclaim ourselves?  At the appointed time, our Father will say, "My sons in whom I am well pleased."

"Because thou hast kept the Word of MY PATIENCE, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world..." (Revelation 3:10).  Word - Logos, bespeaking of the whole will, mind, intent and purpose of God behind the spoken Word.  The WORD of His Patience.  The more the plan and purpose, will of God is made known unto you, the more you will need HIS PATIENCE - for His plan spans the ages.  As the True Husbandman He has long patience for the ultimate harvest, knowing that the forces have been set in motion, and His Word will not return to Him void.  He reveals to us a small portion of His plan, and we think it must be done right now - as, we need to be IN the patience of Christ, and HE will KEEP US through all the processings.

"IN the isle that is called Patmos." We are told that the Isle of Patmos was a rocky, barren, desolate island.  According to tradition the Romans used it as a place of exile, and John was sent there, where he lived a hard labor for eighteen months.  But it was here that he also received this tremendous "revelation." All of this holds special meaning for us - for an island is a "cut off" place, and how many ways God works this into us - separations, aloneness, cut off of fellowship, but exactly where HE ordained for us to be, while He furthers a work within us - removing us from all other images, that we might be conformed to His image.

It is also to be noted that the "Isle of Patmos" was a place of forced, hard labour.  While certainly there are times when we are able to have a separated, quiet time to wait upon the Lord, often we find He subjects us to the tyranny of "hard labour" wherein we are forced to concentrate upon the job, the many tasks to be done, etc. and we wonder how we'll ever find time to "read the Word" or wait before Him.  Ah, such times of "the hard labour syndrome" can serve as prelude to His sovereign visitation, and through it all He is working into us a surrender and submission to His will - even in the nitty-gritty of every day living.  It was God who subjected the creature to this bondage of vanity, but with hope, hope for the ultimate redemption/release into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.  To some the thought of hard physical labour, and receiving spiritual revelation at the same time, might be incompatible, but God is not limited by any circumstance.  We read that Moses was busy tending the sheep when God appeared unto him "in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush, (Exodus 3:2).  So also in the midst of all your grueling hard labor God can both speak into your spirit revelations of His truth, and work into you more of His will and purpose.  Have no fear, being "In the Isle of Patmos," can be a precious blessing in disguise, and we need to keep our eye single to Him, knowing He is WITH US.

We read that it was "For the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Methinks there is a dual application here.  Perhaps, in part, it was because of the Word he already possessed that they cast him out of their presence.  But it was also FOR the Word he was about to receive.  "I will stand upon my watch, and set upon the tower (Hebrew, fenced place). and will watch to see what He will say unto me (literally, IN ME." (Habakkuk 2:1). God has a further revelation to impart to His people, and don't be surprised if He separates you unto Himself that He might speak His Word INTO YOU.  Bless His name!

"I was IN the Spirit on (in) the Lord's day..." We note that the word "WAS" in the Greek text does not use the verb of being, but the word "ginomai" meaning: TO BECOME, and it signifies entrance into a different state or condition.  Literally, it read, "I became in the sphere of the Spirit."  It bespeaks of going from the more relative control of the Spirit in his daily life, into His absolute control - one in which the control of the Spirit superseded any action of John's will in the matter.  Peter had a like experience when we read, "He fell into a trance..." (Acts 10:10).  Beyond himself, he was taken over by the Spirit to receive a revelation from God which would change the whole course of His ministry.  Likewise, John, coming under the absolute control of the spirit, received a revelation of Jesus Christ which was far beyond what He might have dreamed or known heretofore.

We know the joy of walking day by day with Christ, assured that our steps are ordered by the Lord, and there is a peace within.  But there are also those rare moments when it is all "beyond us" as a sovereign work of the Spirit within - you feel "out of control" and yet you know ever more clearly that HE IS IN CONTROL.  How we long to be more and more "IN THE SPIRIT" where He has absolute control of our being and we are lifted into the higher dimensions of His reality and life.  In the processings of the Sprit, as He brings forth the revelation of His Son IN US, be assured there will be times when His Spirit envelops us, overshadows us, and we know in a much deeper way of our union, of being one Spirit in Him.

Furthermore, Paul writes. "He that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit." (1 Corinthians 6:17).  We are being processed until there is a ONENESS OF SPIRIT - and we live out of this "spirit realm." "Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, is so be that the Sprit of God dwell in you." (Romans 8"9). His INDWELLING, His being AT HOME IN US, bespeaks of a UNION, a oneness of the spirit, and we are to be "IN" this realm - living out of this sphere.  Then we will not judge by the seeing of the eye, or hearing of the ear, but we will have that INNER KNOWING of His will and way.  Oneness of spirit requires total submission to His Lordship,  "he that is joined to THE LORD... then out of this union comes a spirit-filled, spirit-led life.

"IN the Lord's day."  While King James Version reads "on" the Greek text read IN.  Some would say he was in spirit on the Lord's Day, or the first day of the week.  But there is no scripture saying that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day. Actually, if any day of the week is the Lord's Day, it is the seventh day, for the Lord set aside that day as a day of rest and hallowed it.  But in truth, EVER DAY IS HIS DAY! Even the Psalmist declared, "This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24).

But when it reads that John was "In the Lord's day," it bespeaks of a period of time often spoken of as "the Day of the Lord," and "in that day..." etc. There are two aspects to the Day of the Lord, one of judgment and one of glory.  The judgments are essential for they bespeak of the correctional chastenings of God which are used to bring man into alignment with His will.  The LORD'S DAY bespeaks of the sovereignty of His will and control in manifestation.  Yes, He is Lord NOW - ruling now, but there is also "the hiding of His power," (Habakkuk 3:4). But "It shall be said IN THAT DAY, Lo this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation." (Isaiah 25:9).

So, when John was "IN" this Day, he was in the timelessness of the Spirit, without loss of time, transported into the Day of the Lord - with a revelation of His triumph and victory.  O what a foretaste of glory divine!  And being in this STATE of victory, John "heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last." Here the revelation unfolds - the "I AM" as both Author and Finisher.  If ever we come into the reality of HIS REVELATION IN US, an through us, it will be because we see and know Him as both the Alpha and the Omega - THE ALL of our life.  But specifically not where he heard the voice - for it was "BEHIND ME."  Why this location?  because before we can truly see God in all our future, in the positive unfolding of His plan and purpose, we must also see Him in all of our past.  How we need Christ to come between us and our past, so that we can only see the past THROUGH HIM, and know that He had control over all our yesterdays, as well as of our future.  Even as long ago it was said to Israel, "Thou shalt remember all the way which THE LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, and to know what was in thine heart."  (Deuteronomy 8:2).  THE LORD was leading!  You must see all of your past through Him - knowing that all the negatives shall be worked into good, all the sorrow shall be turned into joy, and all shall be to His praise.  The Alpha and Omega has been there all the time, "working all things after the counsel of His own will."  (Ephesians 1:11). When you know that He is ALPHA, GOD OF YOUR YESTERDAYS, then you can face whatever lies ahead in the deep processings of God in your future, in the woes, vials, thunders, etc.  And because you know He is also THE OMEGA, you are assured that all is secure in His grace.

As the revelation of Jesus Christ unfolded, John, who had known Him when they walked together on the shores of Galilee, now saw Him in a new way - "Hi eyes were as a flame of fire... His voice as the sound of many waters... out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword..." Everything about Him was awesome, and truly magnificent, till words cannot convey the reality of who He is.  Every word and phrase describing Him is so full of meaning - detailing His work in us, His power to accomplish - until John says, "when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead." This same disciple that once "was leaning on Jesus' bosom," (John 13:23), in sweet intimate fellowship, knowing Him as "the man Christ Jesus," now saw Him in His divinity, as Alpha and Omega, Lord of all, and he fell down before Him, to worship Him.  And ever the Merciful One, immediately Jesus said to him, "Fear not; I am the First and the Last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Here is a revelation of the All-Conquering One! "For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living." (Romans 14:9). He alone now holds the "keys of hell and of death." "Having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it  (literally, in Himself)." Colossians 2:15).  IN HIM the victory is complete, and now "He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet." (1 Corinthians 15:25).  The victory that is IN HIM, now must become experiential IN US.  Thus He reigns - reigns in us until all the enemies in us (self-will, pride, etc) are subdued under His feet.  Then shall the revelation of Christ be seen IN US.

There is no need to search far and wide to find a "key" for our transformation, as if by any self-effort we could effect a change in ourselves.  HE HAS THE KEYS of hell and of death, so that "if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there." (Psalms 139:8).  Why is He there? Because he stands ready with THE KEY to open the way out of every hellish situation, and bring you into realms of His joy and peace. "Because I live, ye shall live also."  (John 14:19).  He alone knows how best to apply the cross so as to bring death to our self-life, that His life might fill us to overflowing.  All that He first wrought IN HIMSELF, is now to be wrought in us, as "IN CHRIST shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order."

O, to behold Him as the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last - yea, and in total control of our present.  To see Him between us and our past, that He might "wipe away all tears from their eyes." To see Him between us and our future, so that only His will, plan, purpose, might be fulfilled in us, to His glory and praise.  To know that IN HIM, "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new." (Revelation 21:4-5). Such is the victory that is on the horizon for all those who are now "companions in the processing."  Praise His wonderful name!