come into possession of them and will reveal the merits of the Saviour's
sacrifice； the protection of His righteousness； the fullness of His wisdom；
and His power to present you before the Father 〃without spot； and
blameless。〃 2 Peter 3：14。
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Chapter 56
Patmos
More than half a century had passed since the organization of the Christian
church。 During that time the gospel message had been constantly opposed。 Its
enemies had never relaxed their efforts； and had at last succeeded in
enlisting the power of the Roman emperor against the Christians。
In the terrible persecution that followed； the apostle John did much to
confirm and strengthen the faith of the believers。 He bore a testimony which
his adversaries could not controvert and which helped his brethren to meet
with courage and loyalty the trials that came upon them。 When the faith of
the Christians would seem to waver under the fierce opposition they were
forced to meet； the old； tried servant of Jesus would repeat with power and
eloquence the story of the crucified and risen Saviour。 He steadfastly
maintained his faith； and from his lips came ever the same glad message：
〃That which was from the beginning； which we have heard； which we have seen
with our eyes； which we
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have looked upon； and our hands have handled； of the Word of life； 。 。 。
that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you。： 1 John 1：1…3。
John lived to be very old。 He witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem and the
ruin of the stately temple。 The last survivor of the disciples who had been
intimately connected with the Saviour； his message had great influence in
setting forth the fact that Jesus was the Messiah； the Redeemer of the
world。 No one could doubt his sincerity； and through his teachings many were
led to turn from unbelief。
The rulers of the Jews were filled with bitter hatred against John for his
unwavering fidelity to the cause of Christ。 They declared that their efforts
against the Christians would avail nothing so long as John's testimony kept
ringing in the ears of the people。 In order that the miracles and teachings
of Jesus might be forgotten； the voice of the bold witness must be silenced。
John was accordingly summoned to Rome to be tried for his faith。 Here before
the authorities the apostle's doctrines were misstated。 False witnesses
accused him of teaching seditious heresies。 By these accusations his enemies
hoped to bring about the disciple's death。
John answered for himself in a clear and convincing manner； and with such
simplicity and candor that his words had a powerful effect。 His hearers were
astonished at his wisdom and eloquence。 But the more convincing his
testimony； the deeper was the hatred of his opposers。 The emperor Domitian
was filled with rage。 He could neither
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dispute the reasoning of Christ's faithful advocate； nor match the power
that attended his utterance of truth； yet he determined that he would
silence his voice。
John was cast into a caldron of boiling oil； but the Lord preserved the life
of His faithful servant； even as He preserved the three Hebrews in the fiery
furnace。 As the words were spoken； Thus perish all who believe in that
deceiver； Jesus Christ of Nazareth； John declared； My Master patiently
submitted to all that Satan and his angels could devise to humiliate and
torture Him。 He gave His life to save the world。 I am honored in being
permitted to suffer for His sake。 I am a weak； sinful man。 Christ was holy；
harmless； undefiled。 He did no sin； neither was guile found in His mouth。
These words had their influence； and John was removed from the caldron by
the very men who had cast him in。
Again the hand of persecution fell heavily upon the apostle。 By the
emperor's decree John was banished to the Isle of Patmos； condemned 〃for the
word of God； and for the testimony of Jesus Christ。〃 Revelation 1：9。 Here；
his enemies thought； his influence would no longer be felt； and he must
finally die of hardship and distress。
Patmos； a barren； rocky island in the Aegean Sea； had been chosen by the
Roman government as a place of banishment for criminals； but to the servant
of God this gloomy abode became the gate of heaven。 Here； shut away from the
busy scenes of life； and from the active labors of former years； he had the
companionship of God and Christ and the heavenly angels； and from them he
received instruction
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for the church for all future time。 The events that would take place in the
closing scenes of this earth's history were outlined before him； and there
he wrote out the visions he received from God。 When his voice could no
longer testify to the One whom he loved and served； the messages given him
on that barren coast were to go forth as a lamp that burneth； declaring the
sure purpose of the Lord concerning every nation on the earth。
Among the cliffs and rocks of Patmos； John held communion with his Maker。 He
reviewed his past life； and at thought of the blessings he had received；
peace filled his heart。 He had lived the life of a Christian； and he could
say in faith； 〃We know that we have passed from death unto life。〃 1 John
3：14。 Not so the emperor who had banished him。 He could look back only on
fields of warfare and carnage； on desolated homes； on weeping widows and
orphans； the fruit of his ambitious desire for pre…eminence。
In his isolated home John was able to study more closely than ever before
the manifestations of divine power as recorded in the book of nature and in
the pages of inspiration。 To him it was a delight to meditate on the work of
creation and to adore the divine Architect。 In former years his eyes had
been greeted by the sight of forest…covered hills； green valleys； and
fruitful plains； and in the beauties of nature it had ever been his delight
to trace the wisdom and skill of the Creator。 He was now surrounded by
scenes that to many would appear gloomy and uninteresting； but to John it
was otherwise。 While his surroundings might
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be desolate and barren； the blue heavens that bent above him were as bright
and beautiful as the skies above his loved Jerusalem。 In the wild； rugged
rocks； in the mysteries of the deep； in the glories of the firmament； he
read important lessons。 All bore the message of God's power and glory。
All around him the apostle beheld witnesses to the Flood that had deluged
the earth because the inhabitants ventured to transgress the law of God。 The
rocks thrown up from the great deep and from the earth by the breaking forth
of the waters； brought vividly to his mind the terrors of that awful
outpouring of God's wrath。 In the voice of many watersdeep calling unto
deepthe prophet heard the voice of the Creator。 The sea； lashed to fury by
the merciless winds； represented to him the wrath of an offended God。 The
mighty waves； in their terrible commotion； restrained within limits
appointed by an invisible hand； spoke of the control of an infinite Power。
And in contrast he realized the weakness and folly of mortals； who； though
but worms of the dust； glory in their supposed wisdom and strength； and set
their hearts against the Ruler of the universe； as if God were altogether
such a one as themselves。 By the rocks he was reminded of Christ； the Rock
of his strength； in whose shelter he could hide without fear。 From the
exiled apostle on rocky Patmos there went up the most ardent longing of soul
after God； the most fervent prayers。
The history of John affords a striking illustration of the way in which God
can use aged workers。 When John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos； there were
many who
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thought him to be past service； an old and broken reed； ready to fall at any
time。 But the Lord saw fit to use him still。 Though banished from the scenes
of his former labor； he did not cease to bear witness to the truth。 Even in
Patmos he made friends and converts。 His was a message of joy； proclaiming a
risen Saviour who on high was interceding for His people until He should
return to take them to Himself。 And it was after John had grown old in the
service of his Lord that he received more communications from heaven than he
had received during all the former years of his life。
The most tender regard should be cherished for those whose life interest has
been bound up with the work of God。 These aged workers have stood faithful
amid storm and trial。 They may have infirmities； but they still possess
talents that qualify them to stand in their place in God's cause。 Though
worn； and unable to bear the heavier burdens that younger men can and should
carry； the counsel they can give is of the highest value。
They may have made mistakes； but from their failures they have learned to
avoid errors and dangers； and are they not therefore competent to give wise
counsel？ They have borne test and trial； and though they have lost some of
their vigor； the Lord does not lay them aside。 He gives them special grace
and wisdom。
Those who have served their Master when the work went hard； who endured
poverty and remained faithful when there were few to stand for truth； are to
be honored
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and respected。 The Lord desires the younger laborers to gain wisdom；
strength； and maturity by association with these faithful men。 Let the
younger men realize that in having such workers among them they are highly
favored。 Let them give them an honored place in their councils。
As those who have spent their lives in the service of Christ draw near to
the close of their earthly ministry； they will be impressed by the Holy
Spirit to recount the experiences they have had in connection with the work
of God。 The record of His wonderful dealings with His people； of His great
goodness in delivering them from trial； should be repeated to those newly
come to the faith。 God desires the old and tried laborers to stand in their
place； doing their part to save men and women from being swept down