Revelation 1:9
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.
The kingdom of Christ requires a constancy and endurance in the face of tribulation that is unique to those in Christ. The trials and experiences are not unknown to those outside the kingdom, but for the believer the encounters of life will result in an eternal refinement and learning. Now we experience them as we walk in the kingdom of heaven. This takes place after our baptism of repentance, as it was with Jesus.
We then find that all things do work for the good of those who love the Lord. When we can give thanks to God in all things and circumstances because we can see that the Lord can work in the good and bad experiences that come our way.
It is often in the wilderness and when alone that we encounter God. That was the case for Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Ezekiel, and Jacob. John encounters this vision from God in his solitude on this remote rock in the sea.
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