it to be interpreted, in the light of the Revelation, to refer to that faithful company, who

for the "testimony of Jesus" will know what it is to be hungry, and naked, and in prison,

and also to "be killed." These, and not the nation of Israel as a whole, are the "brethren"

John also calls himself a "partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and patience." The

Greek of this passage, as indeed the English, presents a little difficulty unless we

recognize a figure of speech named Hendiatris, "one by means of three." Such a figure

occurs in Heb. 10: 20, "A new and living way," which is arranged similarly to the words

in John, "I am the way, the truth and the life," which should read, "I am the true and

living way." The words in Rev. 1: 9 mean not three things, but one, and that one defined

by two other terms. The one things is "tribulation," and it is peculiarly that tribulation

which is related to the kingdom, and which necessitates much "patience." "We must

through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God" was Paul's testimony as

recorded in Acts 14: 22.  (The sudden departure from narrative to quotation here [for

Paul's own words are quoted] only emphasizes the more to us the stress which the

Apostle evidently gave to this utterance).

Patience is referred to seven times in the Revelation, and its "perfecting work" is seen

as the story of the book unfolds. Two passages call attention to the "patience" of the

saints during the tribulation which comes about at the time of the Beast.

In this kingdom tribulation with its accompanying patience John was a partaker

together with all who rightly were "brethren." His next remark links the tribulation with

its cause. It is the particular application of the universal truth, "I have given them Thy

Word, and the world hath hated them."

John tells us that he "became," or "found himself" as we should say perhaps, "in the

island called Patmos," a small island half-way between Rome and Jerusalem, situated in

the sea of prophecy, "the great sea." Tradition tells us that John was "banished" to the

Isle of Patmos, as it also tells us that the Lord's day means the first day of the week. John

tells us in 1: 2 that he "bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus,

and of all things that he saw," while verse 9 tells us that he received this word and

testimony, and saw the things written in this book "in the isle called Patmos." Rev. 20: 4

includes "the word of God" among the causes of martyrdom of those who have their part

in the first resurrection. Not only so, but "the witness (or testimony, same word) of

Jesus" also. This double expression balances the passage in 1: 9, these being the first

and last occurrences.  In 12: 17 the dragon makes war with those who "keep the

commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus." Chapter 19: 10 has already

shown it to be both the mark of the brethren, and the spirit of prophecy. These five

passages should be well considered, especially 1: 9 with 20: 4.