The Berean Expositor
Volume 6 - Page 112 of 151
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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"
intended.
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.
"If any one is for captivity unto captivity he goeth: if any one is to be killed with the
sword, with the sword he is killed. Here is the patience and faith of the saints" (13: 10).
"Here (in connection with the mark of the beast, verses 9-11) is the patience of the
saints who keep the commandment of God, and the faith of Jesus . . . . . blessed are the
dead who die in the Lord from henceforth" (14: 12, 13).
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.