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his enemies thought； his influence would no longer be felt； and he must
finally die of hardship and distress。
Patmos； a barren； rocky island in the Aegean Sea； had been chosen by the
Roman government as a place of banishment for criminals； but to the servant
of God this gloomy abode became the gate of heaven。 Here； shut away from the
busy scenes of life； and from the active labors of former years； he had the
companionship of God and Christ and the heavenly angels； and from them he
received instruction
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for the church for all future time。 The events that would take place in the
closing scenes of this earth's history were outlined before him； and there
he wrote out the visions he received from God。 When his voice could no
longer testify to the One whom he loved and served； the messages given him
on that barren coast were to go forth as a lamp that burneth； declaring the
sure purpose of the Lord concerning every nation on the earth。
Among the cliffs and rocks of Patmos； John held communion with his Maker。 He
reviewed his past life； and at thought of the blessings he had received；
peace filled his heart。 He had lived the life of a Christian； and he could
say in faith； 〃We know that we have passed from death unto life。〃 1 John
3：14。 Not so the emperor who had banished him。 He could look back only on
fields of warfare and carnage； on desolated homes； on weeping widows and
orphans； the fruit of his ambitious desire for pre…eminence。
In his isolated home John was able to study more closely than ever before
the manifestations of divine power as recorded in the book of nature and in
the pages of inspiration。 To him it was a delight to meditate on the work of
creation and to adore the divine Architect。 In former years his eyes had
been greeted by the sight of forest…covered hills； green valleys； and
fruitful plains； and in the beauties of nature it had ever been his delight
to trace the wisdom and skill of the Creator。 He was now surrounded by
scenes that to many would appear gloomy and uninteresting； but to John it
was otherwise。 While his surroundings might
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be desolate and barren； the blue heavens that bent above him were as bright
and beautiful as the skies above his loved Jerusalem。 In the wild； rugged
rocks； in the mysteries of the deep； in the glories of the firmament； he
read important lessons。 All bore the message of God's power and glory。
All around him the apostle beheld witnesses to the Flood that had deluged
the earth because the inhabitants ventured to transgress the law of God。 The
rocks thrown up from the great deep and from the earth by the breaking forth
of the waters； brought vividly to his mind the terrors of that awful
outpouring of God's wrath。 In the voice of many watersdeep calling unto
deepthe prophet heard the voice of the Creator。 The sea； lashed to fury by
the merciless winds； represented to him the wrath of an offended God。 The
mighty waves； in their terrible commotion； restrained within limits
appointed by an invisible hand； spoke of the control of an infinite Power。
And in contrast he realized the weakness and folly of mortals； who； though
but worms of the dust； glory in their supposed wisdom and strength； and set
their hearts against the Ruler of the universe； as if God were altogether
such a one as themselves。 By the rocks he was reminded of Christ； the Rock
of his strength； in whose shelter he could hide without fear。 From the
exiled apostle on rocky Patmos there went up the most ardent longing of soul
after God； the most fervent prayers。
The history of John affords a striking illustration of the way in which God
can use aged workers。 When John was exiled to the Isle of Patmos； there were
many who
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thought him to be past service； an old and broken reed； ready to fall at any
time。 But the Lord saw fit to use him still。 Though banished from the scenes
of his former labor； he did not cease to bear witness to the truth。 Even in
Patmos he made friends and converts。 His was a message of joy； proclaiming a
risen Saviour who on high was interceding for His people until He should
return to take them to Himself。 And it was after John had grown old in the
service of his Lord that he received more communications from heaven than he
had received during all the former years of his life。
The most tender regard should be cherished for those whose life interest has
been bound up with the work of God。 These aged workers have stood faithful
amid storm and trial。 They may have infirmities； but they still possess
talents that qualify them to stand in their place in God's cause。 Though
worn； and unable to bear the heavier burdens that younger men can and should
carry； the counsel they can give is of the highest value。
They may have made mistakes； but from their failures they have learned to
avoid errors and dangers； and are they not therefore competent to give wise
counsel？ They have borne test and trial； and though they have lost some of
their vigor； the Lord does not lay them aside。 He gives them special grace
and wisdom。
Those who have served their Master when the work went hard； who endured
poverty and remained faithful when there were few to stand for truth； are to
be honored
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and respected。 The Lord desires the younger laborers to gain wisdom；
strength； and maturity by association with these faithful men。 Let the
younger men realize that in having such workers among them they are highly
favored。 Let them give them an honored place in their councils。
As those who have spent their lives in the service of Christ draw near to
the close of their earthly ministry； they will be impressed by the Holy
Spirit to recount the experiences they have had in connection with the work
of God。 The record of His wonderful dealings with His people； of His great
goodness in delivering them from trial； should be repeated to those newly
come to the faith。 God desires the old and tried laborers to stand in their
place； doing their part to save men and women from being swept downward by
the mighty current of evil； He desires them to keep the armor on till He
bids them lay it down。
In the experience of the apostle John under persecution； there is a lesson
of wonderful strength and comfort for the Christian。 God does not prevent
the plottings of wicked men； but He causes their devices to work for good to
those who in trial and conflict maintain their faith and loyalty。 Often the
gospel laborer carries on his work amid storms of persecution； bitter
opposition； and unjust reproach。 At such times let him remember that the
experience to be gained in the furnace of trial and affliction is worth all
the pain it costs。 Thus God brings His children near to Him； that He may
show them their weakness and His strength。 He teaches them to lean on Him。
Thus He prepares them
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to meet emergencies； to fill positions of trust； and to accomplish the great
purpose for which their powers were given them。
In