Revelation 1:10 (KJV)
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
Gill observes that John was in no position to attend church services, being exiled on the Isle of Patmos. Yet he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.” He knew it was the Lord’s day. Being situated where he could not attend, he was still aware that it was the Lord’s day. Further, being aware that it was the Lord’s day, he was “in the Spirit” on this day.
Let’s remember that he was not on the Isle on some sort of vacation or getaway. He was not in the house of God because he could not be. This passage in no way implies that we can forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, and still be in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.
That said, I am curious about this phrase, “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.” If he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” when he could not be in church, should it not be as true of us that we are “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” while we are at church?
What does it mean to be “in the Spirit”? Is it some ecstatic trance state? While the commentaries tend toward that interpretation, I rather think not.
Gill writes, “he was employed in spiritual contemplations and exercises, and was under a more than ordinary influence of the Spirit of God; and his spirit or soul was wholly intent upon, and taken up with divine and spiritual things…”
Honesty compels me to provide the completion of his text: “with visions and representations that were made unto his mind, which he perceived in his spirit, and not with the organs of his body; he was in an ecstasy of spirit, and knew scarcely whether he was in the body or out of it.”
But I wish to concentrate upon that first portion. Visions, dreams, and “ecstasy of spirit” are things both out of our control and, as I understand the Bible, apparently have ceased for our time because we have the complete Word of God and do not need these “out-of-body” type revelations.
What we do have some control over is this:
We can be “employed in spiritual contemplations…”
Our thoughts can be on the things of God on the Lord’s day.
We can be “employed in spiritual… exercises”
Our efforts can be directed to that which serves the house of the Lord, the glory of God, and the salvation and further encouragement of the souls of men and women on the Lord’s day.
We can be “wholly intent upon, and taken up with divine and spiritual things.”
On this one day, which we know from Scripture as the Lord’s day, would it not become us to be wholly intent upon these things?
#InTheSpirit #LordsDay #Revelation110 #SpiritualContemplation #FocusedOnGod
John Was Exiled—What’s Your Excuse?
What do you believe it means to be “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day”? I’d love to hear your thoughts—leave a comment below and join the conversation.
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