In The Spirit On The Lord's Day

We move now from reflections on John's introduction to The Revelation to his first vision, first to what he heard, a loud voice like a trumpet. 

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet ... - Rev 1:10 ESV

What does John mean when he says he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's day"? The Lord's day refers to that day related to or belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ. The only other thing listed with that word kyriakos is the Lord's supper, the sacred meal instituted by Christ (1 Cor. 11:20). The Lord's day is the day devoted to the Lord in sacred memory of Christ's resurrection. Here we see the practice of the early Christians to set aside the first day of the week for worship and meditation upon Christ's resurrection and God's Word.

So it was on that first day of the week, the Lord's day, that John was in the Spirit. What is he telling us? The phrase is fairly common:

• Ezekiel: The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. - Eze 37:1 ESV

• David: He said to them, "How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying, "'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet"'? - Matt 22:43-44 ESV

• John the Baptist: and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, (1Kings 17-2 Kings 1) to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." - Luke 1:17 ESV

• Simeon: And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, - Luke 2:27 ESV

• Apostle Paul: Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." - Acts 19:21 ESV

• Disciples of Christ: You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him...      - Rom 8:5-17 ESV

• Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit. - 1Cor 12:3 ESV

Ezekiel and David were blessed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God. That Spirit revealed God's plan for Israel and the promised coming of the messianic King who was to ascend to the Father and rule over all things until the day of the final judgment when all of His enemies would become subject to Him. John the Baptist, in turn, spoke the strong Word of the Lord to his generation, calling all of Israel to repent and return to the Lord. He too was under the power and guidance of the Spirit. Simeon had long reflected upon God's promises. He was waiting for the coming of the Messiah as he worshiped in the Temple. And when he saw Mary and Joseph with the Child the same Spirit spoke to His heart. This is the One, this is the promised Messiah! The Apostle Paul, in turn, always followed the lead of the Holy Spirit as he fulfilled his mission. 

Now we also must ask if the same Holy Spirit is at work in our lives. Are we in the Spirit? Are we filled with the Holy Spirit? Are we baptized with the Holy Spirit? Do all these phrases refer to the same thing? The answer to all those questions would take up many blogs and much study of the Holy Scriptures. Suffice it to note that if the Spirit of God dwells in you then you know in your heart that Jesus, true God and true Man, rose from the dead and that His sacrifice upon the cross of Calvary was also for you. Your debt has been paid. You are an adopted child of God and the Spirit of God is at work in your heart, calling you to faith in Him and opening your heart to the eternal future that is ours in Christ. Read Paul's marvelous teaching in Romans 8 and continue to reflect upon what God is revealing to His children. The more you are in the Word, the more the Holy Spirit will strengthen and confirm your faith. 

When you are in the Spirit, I cannot say that you should expect a new revelation such as that given to the Apostle John. However, the Spirit will both confirm your faith in our risen Lord and guide you through the Word to do God's will. Let us all, therefore, seek to be in the Spirit, not only on the Lord's Day, but every day. 

From here we will explore the first of John's visions and will remember that this is primarily a book of symbols, as noted earlier. 

Weaving Your Lives Together

Couples planning marriage are always excited about the future. I don't think I've ever met a couple that talks about the possibility of divorce at the same time as they talk about getting married. And yet . . . that tragic possibility confronts too many. This is why the Apostle writes about the faithful walking together in love. He writes in his letter to the Ephesians,

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. . .  

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. . . 

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. 

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. 

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. - Eph 4:32, 5:1-2, 17-27 ESV

These words fit well with the third of the categories of counsel I offer to couples planning marriage:

Weave - . . . and they shall become one flesh. - Gen 2:24 ESV 

This becoming one flesh, this weaving, happens as  you learn to hold fast to one another (cleave) and establish your own marriage and family (leave). This weaving is a lifelong task, learned from the indwelling Spirit who constantly reminds us that we are children of God, forgiven and loved in Christ. The Apostle urges us to build upon this foundation. He writes,

Therefore: 

• understand what the will of the LORD is
• be filled with the Spirit
• address one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, 
• sing and make melody to the LORD with your heart
• give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus
• submit to one another out of reverence—or godly fear—for Christ

In practice this means that a faithful wife will seek to serve her husband as if he were the LORD Jesus Himself. And the husband will give himself in love to his wife in the same manner as Christ who gave himself up for His bride, the church, upon the cross. Do you both understand that love also includes commitment and sacrifice? Meditate upon 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. 

What are your plans for church membership and fellowship with fellow believers? Will you attend worship together? Will you pray together, study God's Word together and share your faith with one another? What plans do you have? 

In this connection you will want to continue your discussion about the second great purpose of marriage, namely to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it (Gen. 1:28-29). 

What about children? How much do you know about one another's sexual nature and needs? And how many children are you praying for? What views do you have about contraception and abortion? Are you both walking the same path in faithful submission to your LORD as concerns these matters? Do you want to talk more about this with me? 

And are you acquainted with one another's physical wellness? Are there any illnesses that you will have to face together? How will you handle these?  

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Many hours of discussion flow from these and similar questions, both with the pastor and in private. I offer them so that you too may take a prayerful look at your own marriage. . . and I pray that our loving God will also bless you as you work to establish and build your own family.