◄ Revelation 1:9 ►
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus.
Study Bible
I, John,

John, traditionally identified as the apostle and eyewitness of Jesus Christ, writes with the authority of one commissioned by the Lord. The same faithful witness who proclaimed Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection now records the revelation given to him for the churches.

Jhn 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things.…
1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard,…
1Jn 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard,…

your brother and partner

John does not exalt his apostolic office above the believers he addresses. He stands with them as a fellow member of God’s family and as one who shares their calling, struggles, and hope in Christ.

Heb 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling…
Phm 1:17 So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would…
Gal 2:9 And recognizing the grace that I had been given…

in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus,

Believers share in suffering because they belong to a rejected and crucified Savior, yet they also belong to His present and coming kingdom. Tribulation does not cancel Christ’s reign; it calls for steadfast endurance until His victory is openly revealed.

Act 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples…
Rom 5:3-4 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,…
2Ti 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him;…

was on the island of Patmos

Patmos was a small, barren island in the Aegean Sea, west of Asia Minor. Roman authorities used such isolated places for exile, and John’s separation from the churches became the setting in which the risen Christ entrusted him with visions concerning the church, the nations, and the end of the age.

Act 28:1 Once we were safely ashore, we learned…
Act 27:26 However, we must run aground on some island.”
Act 27:41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground.…

because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus.

John suffered exile because he would not cease proclaiming God’s truth and bearing witness to Jesus as the risen Lord. His imprisonment demonstrates that faithful testimony may bring opposition, but no earthly power can prevent Christ from speaking to and strengthening His people.

Rev 20:4 Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them…
Rev 6:9 And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal…
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war…

Persons / Places / Events
1. John
The apostle and author of the Book of Revelation. He identifies himself as a "brother and partner" in the faith, emphasizing his solidarity with other believers.

2. Patmos
A small, rocky island in the Aegean Sea where John was exiled. It was used by the Romans as a place of banishment for political prisoners.

3. Tribulation
Refers to the suffering and persecution faced by early Christians. John shares in this experience, highlighting the trials faced by believers.

4. Kingdom
Represents the reign of God through Jesus Christ. John speaks of being a partner in this kingdom, indicating the spiritual reign believers partake in.

5. Perseverance
The steadfastness required to endure trials. John emphasizes the need for perseverance in the Christian life, especially during times of tribulation.
Teaching Points
Solidarity in Suffering
John identifies himself as a "brother and partner" in tribulation, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles. Believers are called to support one another through trials.

Endurance in Faith
The mention of perseverance highlights the importance of steadfastness in the Christian journey. We are encouraged to remain faithful despite challenges.

Witnessing for Christ
John's exile was due to his testimony about Jesus. This challenges us to boldly proclaim our faith, even when it leads to personal cost.

Kingdom Perspective
Being a partner in the kingdom means living with an eternal perspective, focusing on God's reign rather than earthly circumstances.

Purpose in Trials
Understanding that tribulation can serve a greater purpose in God's plan helps us to endure with hope and faith.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does John's identification as a "brother and partner" in tribulation encourage you in your own trials?

2. In what ways can you support fellow believers who are experiencing persecution or hardship?

3. How does the concept of perseverance in Revelation 1:9 relate to other scriptures that discuss enduring in faith?

4. What are some practical ways you can bear witness to your faith in Jesus, even if it leads to personal sacrifice?

5. How can maintaining a kingdom perspective help you navigate the challenges and tribulations of life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Acts 14:22
This verse speaks about strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith, acknowledging that "we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." This connects to John's mention of tribulation and perseverance.

2 Timothy 2:12
This verse discusses enduring hardships and reigning with Christ, which parallels John's experience of tribulation and partnership in the kingdom.

Matthew 5:10-12
Jesus speaks about the blessedness of those who are persecuted for righteousness, which aligns with John's testimony about Jesus and his suffering on Patmos.
Sermons
A Glorified ChristJ. R. Miller, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
A Ministerial Salutation and a Sublime DoxologyJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 1:4-9
A Threefold Description of ChristT. Horton, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christ and the SoulDavid Thomas, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christ as MediatorHomilistRevelation 1:4-9
Christ for EverF. Ferguson, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christians a Royal PriesthoodW. Nixon.Revelation 1:4-9
Christians are KingsRevelation 1:4-9
Christ's Eternal SacrificeE. Mason, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christ's Love to Us in Washing Us from Our SinsT. Horton, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christ's Measureless LoveJohn Adam, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christ's Present Love, and its Great OutcomeA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
GraceB. Hoffmann.Revelation 1:4-9
How Wonderful that Christ Should Love UsH. W. Beecher.Revelation 1:4-9
Jesus His Own WitnessA. C. Dixon.Revelation 1:4-9
John's First DoxologyC. H. Spurgeon.Revelation 1:4-9
John's Song of Praise to ChristJ. J. Brown.Revelation 1:4-9
Kings and PriestsA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Living LoveJohn Robertson.Revelation 1:4-9
Loved and LavedC. H. Spurgeon.Revelation 1:4-9
Omnipotence, Omniscience, OmnipresenceJames Young.Revelation 1:4-9
Praise to ChristR. Watson.Revelation 1:4-9
ThanksgivingJ. R. Miller, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Believer's Acknowledgment of Christ's LoveW. Cunningham, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The DedicationG. Rogers.Revelation 1:4-9
The Filthy Can be Made CleanSilas Jones.Revelation 1:4-9
The Gifts of Christ as Witness, Risen and CrownedA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Humility and Dignity of the Christian LifeJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 1:4-9
The Love of ChristT. McCrie, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Love of ChristJames Buchanan.Revelation 1:4-9
The Love of Christ in RedemptionJ. Witherspoon, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Measureless Love of ChristW. Hannay, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Proper Object of All Religious Worship is the Living and True GodJames Young.Revelation 1:4-9
The Redeemed Ascribing Glory to ChristG. Campbell.Revelation 1:4-9
The Resources of ChristianityWayland Hoyt, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Responsibility of ExaltationT. de Witt Talmage.Revelation 1:4-9
The Risen Christ the Only Revealer of ImmortalityE. L. Hull, B. A.Revelation 1:4-9
The Trustworthiness of Jesus ChristW. Hay Aitken, M. A.Revelation 1:4-9
The Work of WorksDavid Thomas, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Views of ChristDavid Thomas, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
A Transcendent Being, and a Remarkable CharacterD. Thomas Revelation 1:8, 9
A Great Voice as of a TrumpetJ. Young.Revelation 1:9-11
Brother and CompanionH. Bonar, D. D.Revelation 1:9-11
Christ and LiteratureR. F. Horton, M. A.Revelation 1:9-11
Christian Authorship in its Higher MoodsJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 1:9-11
Companions in the Divine KingdomJames Young.Revelation 1:9-11
Inspiring InfluencesSt. J. A. Frere, M. A.Revelation 1:9-11
John in PatmosJ. Parker, D. D.Revelation 1:9-11
Solitude for ChristJames Durham.Revelation 1:9-11
St John in the Spirit in PatmosJ. Young.Revelation 1:9-11
St. John -- a Sublime CharacterHomilistRevelation 1:9-11
St. John's View of the Sabbath RestG. Matheson, D. D.Revelation 1:9-11
The Cedars and the CandlesticksH. Macmillan, D. D.Revelation 1:9-11
The Christian's SabbathR. P. Buddicom, M. A.Revelation 1:9-11
The Christian's SabbathJ. Parsons.Revelation 1:9-11
The Efficiency of the Passive VirtuesH. Bushnell, D. D.Revelation 1:9-11
The Glorified SaviourWilliam R. Campbell.Revelation 1:9-11
The Influence of Solitude and Suffering Upon a Christian LifeJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 1:9-11
The Kinghood of PatienceM. R. Vincent, D. D.Revelation 1:9-11
The Lord's DayCanon Liddon.Revelation 1:9-11
The Seven Epistles ComparedD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 1:9-11
The Seven Golden CandlesticksJames Young.Revelation 1:9-11
The Seven Golden LampsH. Bonar, D. D.Revelation 1:9-11
The Threefold Common HeritageA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 1:9-11
The Two BiblesHomilistRevelation 1:9-11
Things Common in All the LettersCaleb Morris.Revelation 1:9-11
Voices and Visions from EternityD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 1:9-11
The Vision of the LordS. Conway Revelation 1:9-20
The Vision of the Son of ManR. Green Revelation 1:9-20
People
John
Places
Ephesus, Laodicea, Patmos, Pergamum, Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna, Thyatira
Topics
Account, Brother, Christ, Companion, Endurance, Fellow, Fellow-partaker, Fellow-partner, God's, Island, Isle, John, Kingdom, Kingship, Myself, Named, Oppression, Ours, Partaker, Partner, Patience, Patient, Patmos, Perseverance, Quiet, Reign, Share, Sharer, Sorrows, Strength, Suffering, Testimony, Tribulation, Trouble, Truth, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 1:9

     2060   Christ, patience of
     2345   Christ, kingdom of
     2377   kingdom of God, entry into
     4248   islands
     5569   suffering, hardship
     5901   loneliness
     6214   participation, in Christ
     7025   church, unity
     7212   exile
     8318   patience
     8418   endurance
     8498   witnessing, and Holy Spirit
     8787   opposition, to God

Library
May 10. "I am Alive Forevermore" (Rev. I. 18).
"I am alive forevermore" (Rev. i. 18). Here is the message of the Christ of the cross and the still more glorious and precious Christ of the resurrection. It is beautiful and inspiring to note the touch of light and glory with which these simple words invest the cross. It is not said I am He that was dead and liveth, but "I am He that liveth and was dead, but am alive forevermore." Life is mentioned before the death. There are two ways of looking at the cross. One is from the death side and the other …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Glorious Master and the Swooning Disciple
If our conceptions of the Lord Jesus are very enlarged, they will only be his due. We cannot exaggerate here. He deserves higher praise than we can ever render to him. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high is be above our loftiest conceptions. Even when the angels strike their loudest notes, and chant his praises most exultingly on their highest festal days, the music falls far short of his excellence. He is higher than a seraph's most soaring thought! Rise then, my brethren, as on …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

10Th Day. Dying Grace.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "I have the keys of hell and of death."--REV. i. 18. Dying Grace. And from whom could dying grace come so welcome, as from Thee, O blessed Jesus? Not only is Thy name, "The Abolisher of Death;" but Thou didst thyself die! Thou hast sanctified the grave by Thine own presence, and divested it of all its terrors. My soul! art thou at times afraid of this, thy last enemy? If the rest of thy pilgrimage-way be peaceful and unclouded, rests there a dark and portentous …
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

Swooning and Reviving Christ's Feet.
AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE CLOSE OF ONE OF THE PASTORS' COLLEGE CONFERENCES. "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold. I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."--Revelation i. 17, 18. SWOONING AND REVIVING AT CHRIST'S FEET. WE have nothing now to think of but our Lord. We come to Him that He may cause us to forget all others. …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

The Fear of God.
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last and the Living one.'--Rev. i. 17, 18. It is not alone the first beginnings of religion that are full of fear. So long as love is imperfect, there is room for torment. That lore only which fills the heart--and nothing but love can fill any heart--is able to cast out fear, leaving no room for its presence. What we find in the beginnings of religion, will hold in varying …
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

Catalogue of his Works.
There is no absolutely complete edition of Eusebius' extant works. The only one which can lay claim even to relative completeness is that of Migne: Eusebii Pamphili, Cæsareæ Palestinæ Episcopi, Opera omnia quæ extant, curis variorum, nempe: Henrici Valesii, Francisci Vigeri, Bernardi Montfauconii, Card. Angelo Maii edita; collegit et denuo recognovit J. P. Migne. Par. 1857. 6 vols. (tom. XIX.-XXIV. of Migne's Patrologia Græca). This edition omits the works which are …
Eusebius Pamphilius—Church History

The First and the Last
This title is used in Rev. i. 11. It is used again in 1. 17, ii. 8, and xxii. 13, but is never found in connection with "the Church of God." On the other hand, it is a title closely associated with "the Jew and the Gentile," as the following Scriptures will testify. Is. xli. 4, 5: "Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, THE FIRST AND LAST; I am He. The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid." Is. xliv. 6: "Thus saith the Lord, the …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Lord's Day
In Rev. i. 9 we are told that John saw and received this revelation on "the Lord's Day." Leaving the former part of this verse for the present, let us notice the latter expression, "the Lord's Day." [4] The majority of people, being accustomed from their infancy to hear the first day of the week called the Lord's Day, conclude in their own minds that that day is thus called in Rev. i. 9 because that was the name of it. But the contrary is the fact: the day is so called by us because of this verse. …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

A Great Voice
This expression links on the book of Revelation to the book of Deuteronomy, especially if we regard it in the connection with the fire, with which it is associated in each case. Ten times is the voice of God speaking "out of the midst of the fire" heard in Deuteronomy: viz., chaps. iv. 12,15,33,36; v. 4,22(19) [36] , 23(20), 24(21), 25(21), 26(23). Here, in Rev. i. 10, John hears "a great voice," and it is connected with fire, for the eyes of the speaker were "as a flame of fire" (ver. 14) and his …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Call to China and Voyage Hence
The known facts in regard to John Talmage's boyhood and youthful days are few. Of the known facts some perhaps are too trivial, others too sacred to bear mention. The sapling grew. Of the inner and outer circles of growth there is but brief record. He spent his boyhood at a quiet country hamlet, Gateville, New Jersey. On the ridge swung the toll-gate, and a little beyond might be heard the hum and rattle of the grist-mill. His father kept the toll-gate. John was a fine horseman, and found great sport …
Rev. John Gerardus Fagg—Forty Years in South China

Within the Holiest
Gerhard Ter Steegen Rev. i. 5, 6 His priest am I, before Him day and night, Within His Holy Place; And death, and life, and all things dark and bright, I spread before His Face. Rejoicing with His joy, yet ever still, For silence is my song My work to bend beneath His blessed will, All day, and all night long-- For ever holding with Him converse sweet, Yet speechless, for my gladness is complete. …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Moreover, to Give a Fuller Demonstration of this Point...
[2829] Rev. i. 5 [2830] 1 Cor. xv. 23 [2831] 1 Cor. xv. 42-4 [2832] animale. [2833] Phil. iii. 21 …
Various—Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.

The Fire of Love --Book I
Chapter I Note iii., p. 16--C. reads: for thai vnmanerly wyth warldly mone has armyd tham self.' But L. quia terrenas pecunias immoderate amauerunt'; which is probably correct, and which I have therefore followed. Note iv., p. 17--an omission in C. L., reads: Erumpit enim in ostensione operis feruor amoris.' Note v., p. 18--Another omission L. et qui ad amandum deum semper sunt auidi.' Chapter II Note vi., p. 20 The Bible references are to the Vulgate of Sixtus V and Clement VII, and where the …
Richard Rolle—The Fire of Love

The Source of Power
'And the Angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold, a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps which are upon the top thereof: 3. And two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4. So I answered and spake to the Angel that talked with …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Sight of the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapter i.) "Since mine eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit's vision, Looking at the Crucified." "The Lord Christ passed my humble cot: I knew him, yet I knew him not; But as I oft had done before, I hurried through my narrow door To touch His garment's hem. "He drew me to a place apart From curious crowd and noisy mart; And as I sat there at His feet I caught the thrill of His heart-beat Beyond His garment's hem. "Rare was the bread He broke …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Love's Complaining
Hence our Lord's fitness to deal with the churches, which are these golden lamp-stands, for no one knows so much about the lamps as the person whose constant work it is to watch them and trim them. No one knows the churches as Jesus does, for the care of all the churches daily comes upon him, he continually walks among them, and holds their ministers as stars in his right hand. His eyes are perpetually upon the churches, so that he knows their works, their sufferings, and their sins; and those eyes …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Our Lord Appears after his Ascension.
^F I. Cor. XV. 8. ^f 8 and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also. [Since Paul reckons this among the bodily appearances of our Lord, we have included it in our work; but it borders upon those spiritual appearances which belong rather to apostolic history and may be classed with the vision of Stephen (Acts vii. 55) and John (Rev. i. 9-17), to which it was near kin. Accounts of the appearance will be found in the ninth, twenty-second and twenty-sixth chapters of Acts. For …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Living One
"I am He that liveth, and was dead" (i. 18). (...) (ho zon), THE LIVING ONE. Like the previous title, it is used as a special designation of the One whose unveiling is about to be shewn to John. Its use is peculiar to Daniel and Revelation. The two books thus linked together by it are linked as to their character and subject matter in a very special manner. It is used twice in Daniel:- Dan. iv. 34 (31 [19] ) and xii. 7; and six time in Revelation:- Rev. i. 18; iv. 9,10; v. 14; x. 6; and xv. 7. [20] …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Lord God
In i. 8 the title "god" must be added to the word "Lord," according to all the Critical Greek Texts [14] and the R.V. In chap. xxii. 6 we have the same title. Thus at the end of the book and at the beginning we have this peculiar title, which seems to enclose all that the book contains, and stamp it all with that which the title signifies. What is signifies is clear from the place where we first find it, vix., in the second of the twelve divisions of Genesis (chap. ii. 4 - iv. 26). This division …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Letter v. Yes, My Dear Friend, it is My Conviction that in all Ordinary Cases the Knowledge...
Yes, my dear friend, it is my conviction that in all ordinary cases the knowledge and belief of the Christian Religion should precede the study of the Hebrew Canon. Indeed, with regard to both Testaments, I consider oral and catechismal instruction as the preparative provided by Christ himself in the establishment of a visible Church. And to make the Bible, apart from the truths, doctrines, and spiritual experiences contained therein, the subject of a special article of faith, I hold an unnecessary …
Samuel Taylor Coleridge—Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit etc

The Royal Priesthood
Gerhard Ter Steegen Jer. xxxiii. 18; Rev. i. 6 The race of God's anointed priests shall never pass away; Before His glorious Face they stand, and serve Him night and day. Though reason raves, and unbelief flows on, a mighty flood, There are, and shall be, till the end, the hidden priests of God. His chosen souls, their earthly dross consumed in sacred fire, To God's own heart their hearts ascend in flame of deep desire; The incense of their worship fills His Temple's holiest place; Their song with …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Communion Again Broken --Restoration
Cant. v. 2-vi.10. The fourth section commences with an address of the bride to the daughters of Jerusalem, in which she narrates her recent sad experience, and entreats their help in her trouble. The presence and comfort of her Bridegroom are again lost to her; not this time by relapse into worldliness, but by slothful self-indulgence. We are not told of the steps that led to her failure; of how self again found place in her heart. Perhaps spiritual pride in the achievements which grace enabled her …
J. Hudson Taylor—Union and Communion

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