To Be a Partaker

I John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patience which are in Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 1:9

There are three things mentioned here that we as followers of Christ are called to be partakers of. 

1. Tribulation.

      As disciples of Jesus we are called to suffering for His sake,

Because to you it has been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer in his behalf.

Philippians 1:29

Just as the first apostles, the early Church, and Christ Jesus Himself suffered persecution at the hands of the world, we to are called to suffer as we live for Jesus in an unbelieving world. But we are to rejoice in this, we are in good company (Matthew 5:12)

2.  A Kingdom.

     As believers in Jesus we have been translated into a new kingdom, one that is not of this world.

Who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.

Colossians 1:13

It is a kingdom we are now part of, and make our life's priority to see it grow (Matthew 6:33). While everything around us may be shaken, this kingdom cannot. It will endure for all time.

Wherefore, receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us have grace whereby we may offer service well pleasing to God with reverence and awe: for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 13:28-29

3. Patience.

     Patience here means perseverance, or steadfast. When trials and tribulation come our way, by God's grace we can stand firm and unmovable, enduring unto the end. 

Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; through whom we also have had our access by faith into this grace wherein we stand: and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh steadfastness; and steadfastness, approvedness, and approvedness, hope: and hope putterh not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.

Romans 5:1-5

What Satan uses to destroy our faith is actually a means to endurance as we put our trust in Jesus. 

These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world 

John 16:33

A Patient Trust.

     My soul, wait thou in silence for God only; For my expectation is from him.
     He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my high tower; I shall not be moved.
     With God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
                                          Psalm 62:5-7

     It can be difficult to wait in silence for God when in the midst of difficult circumstances. We tend to want to do things our way, and in our own time. 
     We can learn a lesson from the life of Abram. The promise of an heir seemed our of reach, so at Sarai's urging, he took Hagar, his wife's servant, and she conceived and bore him Ishmael. However he was not to be the child of the promise. By taking matters into their own hands, instead of trusting in God, they faced some unwelcome consequences to their actions (Genesis 16:1-15, 21:8-21).
     True faith is a faith that endures, even in silence, when it seems that God is not doing anything. If we hold fast, we will see the salvation of the Lord. He is indeed a rock and a high tower of defense for those who wait for Him.