BEING IN THE SPIRIT ON THE LORD'S DAY
I was asked by a College classmate who I studies with over 50 years ago, would I write a blog on Revelation 1:10 NKJV I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. We know John was living on the island of Patmos. He was one of the original 12 Disciples, he had been a fisherman and was called to follow Jesus whilst plying his nets. he was one of the three closest to Jesus (which included James & Peter). He describes himself as one whom Jesus loved, and sat next to Jesus at the Last Supper, (and laid his head on Christ’s chest), at the crucifixion he was given the responsibility to care for Mary the mother of Jesus. I believe he is the only disciple who wasn’t martyred. He wrote the Gospel of John and three Epistles as well as the Book of Revelation.
I would like to believe there was Christian Assembly on the island, and John was either on his way to worship and fellowship or had been already to church when he makes this statement. I will make one additional point here, under the New Covenant EVERY DAY IS THE LORD’S DAY, so I believe what it means to be “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” is the same EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK.
I am reminded of a song we used to sing that carries an important key, “WE BRING THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. This suggests to me that there was time given to heart preparation early in the day alone with the Lord. John would have made sure of certain things in his life.
There was no unforgiven sin in his life
He had reaffirmed the Lordship of Jesus over his life (Rom.12:1)
He entered into God’s presence with Praise, Thanksgiving & Worship.
He would have spent time in Intercession
If he had access to Biblical writings he would have read and meditated on them, and I am sure received a fresh Rhema Word to his spirit that day.
I am sure he also regularly and constantly used his prayer language (speaking in tongues).
JOHN WAS IN THE SPIRIT EVERY DAY.
Generations ago Christians would all start their preparations for church on Saturday night, all would have a bath, and their Sunday clothes were all laid out ready to put on for church the next day. This may not be so necessary today, but the principle of preparation is more important than ever, we need to arise early enough on Sunday morning to prepare our hearts in prayer and in the Word, so that the moment we enter the church and the service begins we are immediately entering in and worshipping the Lord, and when the preaching begins our spiritual hearing is always ready to hear what the Holy Spirit wants to say to us.
These principles must be built into the life of the new Believer through Biblical Discipleship, remember my definition, “we must walk with the new Believer for however long it takes until living as a Christian is a LIFESTYLE”, including learning to “live in the Spirit”.
