“I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 1:9-10).
Why was John on the Island of Patmos?
According to Jewish history, the apostles all died as martyrs except John. Matthias, whose name means the gift of Yahweh, replaced Judas Iscariot as the twelfth apostle due to him committing suicide.2 The Bible says: “Then they prayed, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.’ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:23-26). John had been banished to the Island of Patmos for preaching the gospel after a failed execution attempt to have him boiled in hot oil, which Roman Emperor Domitian ordered, according to some Christian historians.1 However, God still had work for John to do; therefore, the attempt to kill him, if certain historical accounts are correct, was unsuccessful.
The religious rulers, Rome, and other governments did not want the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection to spread throughout their land. The apostles had even been ordered to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. Their preaching of a resurrected Christ and only one God went against everything Rome believed. Consider the first Christian Martyr the Bible speaks of in the book of Acts, Stephen, who willingly died for his faith (Acts 6-7). He and others could have recanted and denied their faith at the threat of death. Nevertheless, they defied the law and continued their message for the sake of the gospel. As a result of their stance, many were martyred. The Bible only records the official death of one apostle, but the early Christians kept records concerning the deaths of the others.
In John’s letter to the churches, he reminded them of his shared suffering with them as a brother in Christ. Seemingly, he did not want them to think that they were alone in the trials they had gone through. Furthermore, Jesus had foretold that there would be a great cost for those who chose to be His disciples. The Bible says: “ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’ ” (Mark 8:34). Jesus let everyone know that anyone who followed Him must do so knowing that it was not going to be an easy task. To follow Jesus meant being willing to give up everything, including one’s life, with the promise of gaining an eternal one in glory. Unfortunately, many in today’s churches are not taught the true meaning of taking up one’s cross. Sacrifice to them means one is accursed because many charismatic leaders have taught that suffering equates to being forsaken by God. Yet, one’s financial portfolio, popularity status, area code, education level, or title does not mean one has righteous standing with the Lord. Many within the secular world have all of these things, and yet, they are on their way to a devil’s hell. So what does the Word say about this? The Bible says: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 8:36-37). The disciples gave up everything to follow Christ, and we must be willing to do the same should that day come for us. Even now, we should be willing to leave everything behind to follow Jesus because He left everything behind to save us.
The cost of being a soldier for Christ includes but is not limited to:
1. Feelings of loneliness and isolation. Contrary to popular opinion, those who have a special anointing on their lives can experience loneliness and isolation. It is not that they choose this for themselves, but the path God has ordained for their lives is often not the most popular one that many would successfully navigate. Therefore, serving God can be met with many emotions, but one can gain comfort in finding encouragement in the Lord, just as David did. The Bible says: “David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6).
2. Sacrifice of one’s comfort. We live in a society, including the church, where one’s comfort and emotions take precedence over the things of God. Such things as self-sacrifice, even for a fast, are not recognized because of the unbiblical ideology that God wants me happy. This teaching of self-edification and glorification has demonically crept into many sermons, thus having been embraced by millions of itching ears. Yet, the Word tells us that sacrificing oneself is required to serve the Lord. This does not mean to lay on an altar and drive a dagger into one’s body in the literal sense. The Bible says: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1). The sacrifice we may be required to make may mean leaning a comfortable job, home, giving away possessions, and sometimes becoming poor or giving of one’s life for the sake of the gospel just as John and the other apostles did.
1. Sacrifice of one’s family and friends. There may be times when one’s family and friends are not in compliance with the Lord or may disagree with the call God has one’s life. Therefore, a decision has to be made either for Christ or man. I pray that we would all choose Christ and pray for those who are not on the Lord’s side to follow suit. The Bible says: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). We must be willing to leave all behind, if necessary, to follow Christ. John and the other apostles gave up everyone and everything to follow Jesus.
2.
Sacrifice
money and other financial gains. Soldiers are not known to be in the
highest-paid career fields. Whereas military personnel often get standardized
pay, some civilian jobs, such as doctors, attorney, engineers, etc., can offer
more pay. Nevertheless, many enlistees have made sacrifices and enjoyed having
the military as their career choice. Similarly, when we serve in the Lord’s
army, money should not be our motivation to serve God. Does the Lord love to
bless His children? Of course! Even so, the Lord blesses His faithful in many
ways, and money is only a tiny part. Too many leaders have forgotten the true
meaning of sacrifice, which can sometimes include giving and receiving
finances. The Bible says: “Israel’s
watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs,
they cannot bark; they
lie around and dream, they love to sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites;
they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack
understanding; they all turn to their own way, they seek their own gain”
(Isaiah 56:11).
John and the other apostles did not live lives of luxury, but they gave
up everything, including financial security to follow and teach others about
Christ.
5. Sacrifice of one’s life. When one signs the dotted line to enlist in the military, there is always a chance that war will break out or some other situation will occur that could result in death. Nevertheless, many have willingly paid the ultimate price so we can enjoy the many freedoms we have in this nation. Likewise, when we enlist in the Lord’s army, there may be a time when we may have to give up our lives for Christ. Yet, many are and have done it. Therefore, we should always be of the mindset that we would give our lives for Christ instead of denying Him. The Bible says: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (
Deaths of the Apostles
Simon (Peter) – Died around 68 A.D. by crucifixion upside down at his request.
James the son of Zebedee – Executed by Herod Agrippa I approximately 11 years after the death and resurrection of
Jesus. The Bible says: “It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2).
Andrew – (Date unknown) Recorded as having been crucified in Patrae in Achaia.
Philip – Recorded as being crucified in 80 A.D. in Hierapolis, Turkey.
Bartholomew (Nathanael) – Recorded as being martyred in 68 A.D. by way of crucifixion.
Matthew (Levi) – (Date unknown) Recorded as being killed by a sword wound in Ethiopia.
Thomas – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died by a spear to his body in India.
James (Alpheus) – (Date unknown) Recorded as being stoned to death.
Simon the Zealot – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died by crucifixion or hacked to death.
Jude (Thaddeus) – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died with Simon the Zealot by crucifixion or hacked to death.
Matthias – (Date unknown) Recorded as having preached and possibly martyred in Ethiopia by stoning or beheading.
Paul (Saul) – Recorded as having died around 67 A.D. by way of beheading in Rome.
Judas (not Iscariot) – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died from stoning.
Mark – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died by being dragged by horses through the street.
John – (Date unknown) Recorded as having died from old age.
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