THE BOOK OF REVELATION 1:9 ‘Fellow-Partaker’

Revelation 1:9 9 I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the [1] tribulation and [2] kingdom and [3] patient-endurance in Jesus, was on the island that is called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

What is tribulation? literally pressure, pressing together; figuratively in the NT, of suffering brought on by outward circumstances affliction, oppression, trouble (Rom 5.3); especially to be regarded as participation in the sufferings of Christ (Col 1.24); of sufferings of the end-time tribulation, trouble, distress (MK 13.19);

Why Tribulation? Because it produces perseverance, character, and hope; but ultimately, the experience of the love of God. Romans 5:3-5 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Why Tribulation? Because it produces perseverance, character, and hope; but ultimately, the experience of the love of God. Romans 5:3-5 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Why Tribulation? 1.What has the cross done for me for my benefits? 2.Who we are because of the cross? 3.What Christ has done in His selflessness and obedience to God? 4.Who Christ is on the cross? 5.Who God is on the cross as the Triune God? 6.Who we are in identification with the cross? 7.Who we are in our prayer in identification with the person on the cross? 8.Who we are in our lifestyle in identification with the person on the cross? 9.‘The progression in S/S!’

Why Tribulation? Because it produces perseverance, character, and hope; but ultimately, the experience of the love of God. When you identify with Jesus Christ (e.g. on the cross) then you get to see Him more clearly. When you identify your tribulations (i.e. troubles, hurts and unjust sufferings) with Jesus Christ on the cross, there is healing and inheritance. [e.g. my ‘Pusan’ experience] I would consider self-imposed fasting (e.g. of time = prayer, of money = giving, of food = fasting) to be included in identifying with Christ, and hence, you can see Him more clearly and can experience His love more easily.

Why Tribulation? Because it produces perseverance, character, and hope; but ultimately, the experience of the love of God. God allows the church to go through tribulation (in the hands of Satan) for a period of time so that we may identify with the suffering of Christ and to experience the love of God on the cross. The wrath of God will be poured upon those who have not trusted in Christ because the wrath which was poured upon Christ on the cross for us does not apply to them and remains on them. My revelation: “The eyes of Jesus on the cross are same as the eyes of Jesus who will be coming for His bride!” - Psalm 22 -

The Glory of Tribulation Colossians 1: I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions [tribulation] of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God, 26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. 1 Peter 4: Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

The Glory of Tribulation 2 Corinthians 4: Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction [tribulation], which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

What of the ‘Kingdom’? The reward of overcoming the tribulation is the Kingdom. Revelation 2: "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, 'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."

What of the ‘Kingdom’? The reward of overcoming the tribulation is the Kingdom. 2 Timothy 2:12 12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. Romans 8: and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Posture in Tribulation? The exhortation of those in tribulation is patient-endurance (patient-waiting) in the Book of Revelation. Revelation 13:10 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patient- endurance (waiting) and the faith of the saints. Revelation 14:12 12 Here is the patient-endurance (-waiting) of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Posture in Tribulation? The exhortation of those in tribulation is patient-endurance (patient-waiting) in the Bible in general. Hebrews 10: For you have need of patient-endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

Posture in Tribulation? When we are in tribulation we are not to respond with impatience (contra patient-endurance of Christ), with violence (contra sacrifice of the Lamb), argument (contra silence of the Saviour), etc. Otherwise, we will lose: 1.Our experience of the love of God as we identify with Christ 2.Our experience of the Spirit of His glory and of God 3.Our inheritance and reward in the Kingdom

Why Tribulation: Summary 1.Because it produces perseverance, character, and hope; but ultimately, the experience of the love of God. 2.Because we identify ourselves with the suffering of Christ when we experience and overcome them. 3.Because God will judge those who bring tribulation to us and conversely, He will glorify us beyond our imagination. 4.The reward of overcoming the tribulation is the Kingdom. 5.The exhortation of those in tribulation is patient-endurance (patient-waiting). 6.“How then should we pray for those in tribulation?”

Revelation 1:9 9 I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and patient-endurance in Jesus, was on the island that is called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Where the rubber meets the road? “The proof of the pudding is in eating” Are we ‘fellow partakers’ with John as well as his brother? What is the proof of the pudding?