We see in the Book of revelation chapter 1, John the beloved apostle of Jesus having a truly remarkable encounter with Jesus in His glory!! We read his account from chapter 1 verses 9 and 10: – “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet…..” and it goes onto to describe Jesus and the Words that Jesus spoke to John to write! Following this, the whole book of Revelation was given to John. That is some ‘revelation!’
But I ask:- Where was John when he had this incredible important vision and message? Answer – he was on the island of Patmos yes, but more importantly he WAS IN THE SPIRIT! It is not about physical locality, but your spiritual location! John was not enjoying his forced retirement on a Greek Island but was in the Spirit!! And to be in the Spirit you must be in worship, prayer and fasting, even though John’s time to depart this earth and go and be with Jesus was approaching! He was still hungry for the person and presence of Jesus!
This is what heaven is looking for. Who is thirsty for the living God? Who is maintaining a desire for the person and presence of Jesus? John’s work was not complete – there was more.
In these crucial days we live, we need to have the same heart as the Apostle John. We need to be seeking Jesus at every moment to hear from heaven, “let them have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Churches” is repeated by Jesus 7 times in Revelation!
Let us be people of the Spirit, praying worshipping and fasting. so like John, we can say: -” Whilst in the Spirit…..”
