“Come up here, and I WILL SHOW YOU what must take place after these things.” Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven, and One sitting on the throne.” (Revelation 4:2)
What an awesome experience this must have been for John! This was the same John that stayed with Jesus when all the other disciples ran off and hid in fear.
“Simon Peter and another disciple [John] were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, HE WENT WITH JESUS INTO THE HIGH PRIEST’S COURTYARD, but Peter had to wait outside at the door.” (John 18:15-16)
It was John’s faithfulness to the Lord that inspired him to write:
“This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that EVEN THE WHOLE WORLD WOULD NOT HAVE ROOM FOR THE BOOKS THAT WOULD BE WRITTEN.” (John 21:24-25)
With all the wonderful and miraculous things that John witnessed, he spoke these words to testify of his great joy.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have SEEN WITH OUR EYES, which we have looked at and our HANDS HAVE TOUCHED–this we proclaim concerning the Word of life…And our fellowship is with THE FATHER AND WITH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. WE WRITE THIS TO MAKE OUR JOY COMPLETE.” (1 John 1:1-4)
So, it makes sense to me that IF WE BELIEVE, with John, even though we have not “seen with our eyes and touched with our hands” that our joy will be made complete also!
“Then Jesus told him…blessed are those who have not seen and YET HAVE BELIEVED.” (John 20:29)
This would be a good prayer for today…
“I do believe; help me OVERCOME MY UNBELIEF!” (Mark 9:24)
Open our eyes today Lord, so we may clearly see…Bill Stockham