In this verse we see John is still worshiping the Lord in spite of where he is and the conditions he is living under. John is a model of faith in that he lets nothing stand in the way of worship. It is the Lord’s day and he is worshipping as Jesus said we should. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23,24 ESV As he is worshipping he hears the voice of Jesus. Imagine how he must have felt, to be called to by the Lord during worship.
The next verse is a direct quote of Jesus speaking to John. Jesus commands John to write what he sees and share it with seven specific churches. The seven churches that are to receive the revelation are very close to the Isle of Patmos. Things are about to get tough for the churches in the immediate area in the near future. So, when we think about it, Jesus is wanting to send His letter of reassurance to real people in real time.
One conclusion that we can draw from this is that Jesus is keenly aware of what is going on in every congregation of His body. If it was so in the first century church, it is so for us today. While we do not receive letters specifically addressed to our congregations today, we can gain great reassurance from this letter. Today we can know that Jesus is well aware of the needs of every congregation of His body.
© 2013 Leo J. Woodman
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