约翰向他的第一批读者解释说，他明白为基督的缘故受苦意味着什么。他 曾“为神的道并为给耶稣作的见证”被囚禁在拔摩岛上。
约翰肯定地指出，任何跟随耶稣的人都无法免于迫害。事实上，耶稣告诉跟随祂的人要预期有迫害。耶稣的敌人怎样对待祂，他们也会怎样对待跟随祂的人（约 15:18-20，23）。但耶稣也从死里复活得胜，升天坐在父的右边。教会也会和祂一样。神的子民在地上生活时，需要“忍耐”，为神的国度经受考验和苦难，但神应许所有继续服侍祂的人，将永远与他们同在。
接下来，约翰注意到，耶稣用号角般的声音宣告了自己的身份，并让他写信给七个教会。
约翰转过身去看是谁在说话，有一人站在七个灯台中间，身着长衣，头发和眼睛反映出但以理书7:9中“亘古常在者”的形像，声音好像洪水的声音（见结 43:2）。这位“人子”是可信赖的，无论祂的仇敌做什么，因为祂是耶稣，祂是教会的主！
耶稣君王，你拥有“天上地下所有的权柄”（太 28:18）。请赐给我们勇气，让我们每天都带着对你的盼望和信靠，忠心地跟随你。阿们。
启示录 1:9-16
9我约翰，就是你们的弟兄，和你们在耶稣的患难、国度、忍耐里一同有份，为神的道并为给耶稣作的见证，曾在那名叫拔摩的海岛上。
10当主日，我被圣灵感动，听见在我后面有大声音如吹号说：
11“你所看见的当写在书上，达于以弗所、士每拿、别迦摩、推雅推喇、撒狄、非拉铁非、老底嘉那七个教会。”
12我转过身来，要看是谁发声与我说话；既转过来，就看见七个金灯台，
13灯台中间有一位好像人子，身穿长衣，直垂到脚，胸间束着金带。
14他的头与发皆白，如白羊毛，如雪，眼目如同火焰，
15脚好像在炉中锻炼光明的铜，声音如同众水的声音。
16他右手拿着七星，从他口中出来一把两刃的利剑，面貌如同烈日放光。
"I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus." — Revelation 1:9
John explains to his first readers that he understands what it means to suffer for the cause of Christ. He is imprisoned on the island of Patmos "because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus."
John confirms that anyone who follows Jesus is not excused from persecution. In fact, Jesus told his followers to expect it. As Jesus' enemies did to him, they will do to his followers (John 15:18-20, 33). But Jesus also rose victorious from death and ascended to the Father's right hand. And the church will follow. "Patient endurance" is needed through trials and suffering for God's kingdom while his people live here on earth, but full life with God forever is promised for all who keep serving him.
Next John notes that Jesus announces himself with a trumpet-like voice, telling him to write to the seven churches.
John turns around to see who is speaking, and a man is standing there among seven lampstands, dressed in a royal robe, with hair and eyes reflecting images of the "Ancient of Days" in Daniel 7:9, and with a voice like the sound of rushing waters (see Ezekiel 43:2). This "son of man" can be trusted despite what his enemies might do, for this is Jesus, the Lord of his church!
King Jesus, you have "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matt. 28:18). Give us courage to follow you faithfully each day, with all hope and trust in you. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
