~ written by Connie Dunmyer
I recently began a new study of Revelation. Now don’t roll your eyes. I don’t always understand the imagery and the prophecy either. But that’s ok. I’m not sure we were ever meant to completely understand everything. If I understood everything completely, then faith wouldn’t really be required. So I ask Jesus to give me insight into what He wants my “ears to hear”(Matthew 11:15), and trust Him with everything I don’t understand. Besides, Jesus says I’m “blessed if I read it” and “blessed if I take it to heart” (Revelation 1:3). And I love being blessed, don’t you?
Do you ever wonder if you’re really hearing from God or if you’re missing something important? I can imagine that John had some questions.
“9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience [patient endurance] of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, because of the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet…”
John was exiled to Patmos around 95 AD by the Roman government under Emperor Domitian. He was banished for his preaching of the Christian faith and his refusal to worship the Roman emperor. The Roman Empire utilized Patmos as a penal colony for political prisoners and exiles. Many Christians of this time period were executed outright, or used as fodder for lions in the colosseums. And though it may not have seemed it at the time, God spared John’s life... presumably for this vision and this message.
The "Day of the Lord" is Yom HaAdon - - Yom HaAdon refers to a prophetic period of divine intervention, judgment, and the ultimate realization of God's sovereignty. We often think of it as being a “Sunday” because that’s how the early church referred to Sunday. But this could have also been Rosh Hashanah, [the Jewish New Year, when people reflect on their actions and are assessed by God]. Or perhaps any day that we are “in the Spirit” or we receive a word from God, or an intervention [a BUT GOD moment, if you will], or when we truly recognize our puniness before our King.
John either chose this day – or the Holy Spirit prompted him – to spend the day worshipping God. He was devoted. He was quite alone – but God met Him in a miraculous way. And even so – there are times when I feel like an outcast, all alone, no one to talk to because no one else quite understands what I’m going through. I have been persecuted. I have been cast out. But even then – and even now – on days when I choose to look beyond my circumstances, my problems, my loneliness and instead look up into heaven and in the power of the Spirit within me, worship my heavenly Father, the Savior of my soul, my constant Guide and Friend … He will meet me. He will stop and meet WITH me. It’s an intervention. And I am struck with awe, as was John. And that day, ANY day, is Yom HaAdon, The Lord’s Day.
“10…and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”
I’m not going to suggest that anything I do in my life compares to the writing of Revelation. BUT could this not be said of you or me? Have I received His vision? Have you? Have I given all for that vision? Have you? Has God called me to be obedient in a little, or a lot? Can I not also say that I “heard a great voice, as of a trumpet”?
God called John.
God calls me.
I’ve often thought that it’s a struggle to hear – to try to listen so closely for His “still small voice”. And to be sure, there are times when a “whisper” will get my attention best. BUT God also has a “great voice as a trumpet”. And there is nothing quite like a trumpet call! It sends goosebumps up my spine, and I cannot mistake it. Neither can I mistake the Spirit.
John heard it.
Noah heard it.
Moses heard it.
Abraham heard it.
Jonah heard it.
Nehemiah heard it.
Mary heard it.
Paul heard it.
Have I heard it?
God does not always call us to logic. But He always calls us to obedience.
I’ve heard Joyce Meyer say to “Take that first step. Even if you’re not sure. If it doesn’t work out, try something else. God will lead and redirect.” I think the point is, if I believe I’m doing something for God, He will honor and even redeem my incorrect steps of faith. I wonder, though, if my steps are ever really incorrect at all. Yes – we’d all like to follow Jesus “mistake-free”. But what if “mistakes” are necessary for our growth – for our knowledge – for wisdom’s sake. What if “missteps” are baked into the plan.
GOD Redeems!! Hallelujah!
There is absolutely NOTHING stopping God from getting His point across to us. If I am going the wrong way, then He can move me in a different direction. This is not outside of His power. And if I have no clear direction just yet, maybe He is calling me to “wait” until His perfect “timing”.
“12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw…”
John was in the Spirit. And even while being in the Spirit, he was looking in the "wrong" direction. I can be looking the wrong way. At the wrong things. Maybe I’m looking FOR the wrong things. Not that those things bad in and of themselves – but it’s not what He wants me to see. So when I hear the call of the Lord, I may need to “turn” in order to “see”.
Lord, I trust Your call – whatever it is and whatever it is for. Throughout time, everyone could’ve said the same thing – “it’s not logical”. But it IS God! I never need to worry that I’ve missed something – because You are Sovereign, and You are Good, and Your voice is Exactly what I need to hear. So I lift my soul to You again, and pray for wisdom and direction, and strength and comfort. I commit it to You and pray You redeem it for Your glory and my good. Amen.
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© 2026: Connie F. Dunmyer, All Rights Reserved.