The Isle of Paradise
Pastor Erickson preaches from Revelation 1, where the apostle John, exiled on the prison island of Patmos, says he was in the spirit on the Lord's day. He calls people not to let hard circumstances define them but to stay close to Jesus, get in the Spirit, and see their Patmos as a place of paradise.
The message in 6 points
In the spirit on the Lord's day
He reads Revelation 1, where John is on the isle of Patmos and says he was in the spirit on the Lord's day. He says it is possible to have the Holy Ghost and still not walk or live in the Spirit.
56:24The disciple Jesus loved
People called him John of Patmos for only 18 months of his life, but John defined himself as the disciple Jesus loved. He describes John leaning on Jesus and staying close, and says people with needs seek out those who are close to Jesus.
59:26Drawn into the inner circle
Jesus brought Peter, James and John into Jairus's house to see a girl raised and up the mountain to see the transfiguration. He urges parents to do whatever it takes to keep their children close to Jesus, and notes John stayed with Jesus in the garden and at the cross.
1:09:33Exiled but not entitled
History says John lived through boiling oil and was banished to Patmos, a hot, desolate prison island, after every other apostle had died. Instead of feeling entitled, he calls himself a companion in tribulation, there for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
1:21:03Circumstances do not set your mind
He says your circumstances do not have to decide your state of mind. From Habakkuk 3 he teaches rejoicing when nothing grows, that valleys are to walk through and not live in, and that in the Spirit John saw the new Jerusalem.
1:28:48From Patmos to paradise
Patmos is now a place people visit, because one person's Patmos is another person's paradise. He calls people to rise above self pity, be content, get in the Spirit, and receive the Holy Ghost if they never have.
1:40:54
In his words
“I want that kind of relationship with my God to where I can say I don't care what you call me, I don't care how you define me, I don't care how you categorize me, I am the disciple that Jesus loves.”
“There's people who miss the concept that valleys are places to walk through. They're not places to live in.”
“One person's Patmos is another person's paradise, and it's all just the way you think, it's the way you view your life.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
Revelation 1:9-10
9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
King James Version.
John 13:23
23Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
King James Version.
Matthew 17:1-3
1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
King James Version.
Habakkuk 3:18-19
18Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
King James Version.
Revelation 21:1-3
1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
King James Version.
Revelation 21:21-23
21And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
King James Version.
Revelation 22:20-21
20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
King James Version.
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