The Joint Participants

2006-12-7 04:46:00

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.  (Revelation 1:9)

It is interesting that John identifies himself with the reader as a "brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ."  The word "companion" comes from the Greek SUGKOINONOS, which is more accurately translated as "joint participant."

This statement makes little sense when going by the orthodox interpretation because few who read the Book of Revelations could really describe themselves as a "joint participant" in the tribulations and patience that John and the early apostles had to endure.

It makes more sense when we recall who John addressed in the first part of the book. He said he was writing to those who were "servants" and would "hear" and "keep" the words of the book in their very beings. He was writing to those joint participants who would be "blessed" by the book.

In other words, the joint participants with John are not those who just read the book, and have the dickens scared out of them by the literal language, but those who read, understand and follow its precepts. These are they who are seekers, then disciples and eventually become sons of God as is the Christ himself. These are they who are joint participants with him in the "kingdom" as presented by Christ.

The verse ends telling us that he "was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Patmos was an island of rock surrounded by water. A rock is a symbol of Christ and the foundation of eternal truth that comes through the soul. Water symbolizes the emotional nature.

This symbolizes the first major step taken by the seeker in that he must rise above emotional influence and solidify his standing upon truth as it is witnessed by the inner voice of the soul or the Christ within.

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.  (Revelation 1:10)

What is the Lord's day is a topic of great dispute among the literalists. Some say it is the Jewish Sabbath, or Saturday, but most say it is Sunday because this is said to be the day of the resurrection.

A third alternative few have considered is that it could be the day that Christ comes in the future. After all, John here was "in the Spirit" and saw the future.

Actually, for those who seek the inner meaning it is no specific day of the week for they are all days of the Lord. The true Lord's day is that day that the seeker becomes a disciple and dedicates his time, talents and means to the will of God. This he does "in the Spirit":  and it is the first day of his existence that belongs to God and not the lower self of carnal man. All his days from that point on are the Lord's days.

On his first Lord's day he heard "behind" him "a great voice, as of a trumpet."

On this day when he is born to the Spirit, his first major discovery is that he has been looking for truth in the wrong direction. The true voice of God is not in front of him or the direction he has been looking, but "behind" - in the opposite direction. When he turns his attention around he hears a "great voice" that wakes him up as "a trumpet" would one who is heavy with sleep. He repents, which means to change direction, and commences on the path of discipleship.

Honor does not have to be defended.
Robert J. Sawyer (1960 - ), "Calculating God", 2000