54 APOSTLE JOHN
Courage in Dark Times
“IT IS the last hour,” wrote the apostle John. In his old age, he knew that the era of the apostles was near its end. Decades earlier, Jesus and the apostle Paul had warned that apostasy would flourish. The apostles had acted as a restraint against apostasy, but after their death, false teachers would corrupt the congregation. (Matt. 7:15; Acts 20:29, 30; 2 Thess. 2:6, 7) John, it seems, was the very last one who acted as a restraint. Imagine how he felt in those dark times as apostasy infected one congregation after another. Yet, John never gave in to fear or despair.
How could the elderly apostle John face persecution, exile, and the rising tide of apostasy?
When he was likely in his 90’s, John was still busy “speaking about God and bearing witness concerning Jesus.” For that, he was sentenced to exile on Patmos, a barren, rocky island out in the Aegean Sea. How did John find the courage to stay positive? This promise of Jesus surely echoed in his mind: “Look! I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.”—Matt. 28:20.
Now, over 60 years after Jesus made that promise, John was surely thrilled to see and hear Jesus again in an extraordinary way. He conveyed to John a spectacular revelation from Jehovah God. It focused on “the Lord’s day” when the Christian congregation would be restored and unified. Christ would then help his followers to face great challenges.
The vision was presented “in signs,” or symbols. A great deal of what John saw was surely beyond his understanding. This much, at least, was clear: Jehovah and Jesus were in no way defeated by the apostasy that was currently spreading in the congregations. During the Lord’s day, God’s people would flourish and would enjoy marvelous blessings. Satan would be defeated in a heavenly war and hurled down to the earth. His final destruction was guaranteed. That vision must have strengthened John’s courage, and he faithfully recorded “all the things he saw.”
Exile on Patmos did not kill John, nor did it break his spirit. After the death of the Roman Emperor Domitian, a staunch enemy of Christianity, John was released. In time, John was back on the mainland, possibly in Ephesus. When he was about 100 years old, he faced a challenging new assignment.
John was inspired to write the fourth and final Gospel account. He likely knew that this document would spread swiftly from one congregation to another, inspiring courage and faith in countless hearts. Enemies of true Christianity would only hate him more for doing so. But that did not stop him.
Some seven decades had elapsed after the world-changing events of Jesus’ life, yet John found that, with the help of holy spirit, his memory was crystal clear. He produced a heartfelt, vivid record of the life of Jesus, some 90 percent of which had not been covered in the three Gospels written earlier. For example, John alone described the resurrection of Lazarus—as well as the vicious plot of the religious leaders to murder him afterward. (John 11:1-46; 12:10) John also recorded in great detail Jesus’ speech to his disciples and his prayer in their behalf on the night of his betrayal. What a rich gift to pass along to all Christians!
About that same time, John also wrote three inspired letters to his fellow worshippers. He fearlessly exposed the apostasy that was taking hold in those days, warning Christians never to associate with apostates, not even to say a greeting to such ones. John’s three letters also breathe love and hope. John taught that “God is love,” and the apostle reflected that love in his warm encouragement and exhortations. He wrote glowingly about the joy of seeing his spiritual children continue “walking in the truth.” Many of them must have been moved to keep doing just that.
Christians today will never face what John faced. Although apostasy is still a danger, it will never again overwhelm the Christian congregation as it did in the centuries following John’s death. (Isa. 54:17; Acts 3:21) However, we may well face adversities, persecution, even isolation, as John did. Let us follow his example. Let us be determined, come what may, to go on walking courageously with God!
Read the Bible account:
For discussion:
In what ways did John show courage?
Dig Deeper
1. What shows that John had a strong character? (bt 33, box ¶3-4)
2. Why was John called “uneducated and ordinary”? (Acts 4:13; w08 5/15 30 ¶6)
3. In what sense did John remain until Jesus came? (study note on John 21:22, nwtsty)
4. Why can we conclude that John wrote the Gospel that now bears his name? (it “John, Good News According to” ¶2-8) A
Fondation Martin Bodmer, Cologny (Genève)
Picture A: Manuscript from about 200 C.E. with the title (highlighted) “Good News According to John”
Reflect on the Lessons
John’s inspired writings contain over 100 references either to Jesus’ sacrificial death or to the benefits of that sacrifice. How can we show similar appreciation for Jesus’ sacrifice?
John was likely well into his 90’s when he was inspired to write five books of the Bible. What does this teach us about how Jehovah views older ones? B
Picture B
In what ways might you imitate the courage of John in your life?
Meditate on the Bigger Picture
What does this account teach me about Jehovah?
How does the account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?
Why are you thankful that John was chosen to rule with Christ in heaven?
Learn More
Can older brothers and sisters today show the same courage as John did?
John wrote extensively about love. See what we can learn from his inspired writings and from his example.
“Lessons From ‘the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved’” (w21.01 8-13)