June 20, 2005
06/20 Greece Days Nine & Ten - Patmos
Yesterday on the Island of Patmos while we were visiting the monastery at the cave of St. John, the Greek Orthodox priest was holding a special worship service in preparation for today's national holiday - Holy Spirit Day.
I stood behind the priest, only a few feet away. When he turned, his face was a mixture of peace, wisdom and strength. I now know that John was an old man by the time he arrived as an exile on the island, but I couldn't help but feel a connection when looking into the face of the young priest. There was a passion for serving God in worship in spite of the hundreds of visitors who were coming and going during his service. He remained calm and focused as he celebrated the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For me the worship experience in the cave of St. John will always be remembered. I had prepared a devotion for the group and I remembered that Revelation was primarily a book of worship. It was a book meant to be read aloud to the congregation. It was meant to be experienced.
Even it you haven't read the Book of Revelation, I am sure that you are more familiar with its contents than you are possibly aware. Look at Rev. 4:8 - it inspired more than one famous hymn, and the words are included in our liturgy throughout the year. Look at Rev. 11:15 - they are the words of Handel's "Messiah." Look at Rev. 19:1-6 - four times the word "Hallelujah" is used by John to praise God and that word is only found in his Revelation.
Revelation was written in about 95 AD during the time of persecution under Domitian. As a book of worship, it was to give a word of encouragement to keep the readers focused on Jesus Christ who was in control in spite of what the world did and was coming to.
As we stood on the small island of Patmos - less than 12 kilometers long - I realized that there was no doubt that John was on this island, and he was there waiting for the day of Jesus Christ to come. He knew that Jesus would return. As we stood looking out over the Aegean Sea I realized that every sunrise was a possibility for Christ's return, and that every sunset brought hope for tomorrow. With that thought John wrote Revelation 22:12, 17.
The same moon that shines over us tonight is shining over you. The same God smiling over us in Greece is smiling over you. Be filled with His peace.
Tomorrow we fly Turkish Air to Istanbul and then on to Tel Aviv. We'll be in airports all day arriving late tomorrow afternoon. OOPAH!
Posted by roger at June 20, 2005 02:17 PM