What Does John Mean When He Says He Was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day?

TL;DR Summary

Who is involved in this passage?
The apostle John, while exiled on the island of Patmos, experiences a powerful vision initiated by the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus is the one who reveals the content of the vision to John.

What does “in the Spirit” mean?
“In the Spirit” refers to a state in which John is enabled by the Holy Spirit to receive divine revelations beyond ordinary perception, much like the prophets of the Old Testament.

Where did this happen?
This event occurred while John was exiled on the island of Patmos, a place where Roman authorities banished prisoners. Despite his isolation, Patmos becomes the location for receiving one of the most significant revelations in Scripture.

When did this happen?
John specifies that this experience took place on the “Lord’s day.” This phrase is traditionally understood to mean Sunday, the day Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Why did John experience this vision?
John was called to receive and record visions about the future of the church, the end of times, and the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ. His role was to communicate these divine truths to the seven churches and, by extension, all believers.

How did the vision unfold?
John, in a heightened state of spiritual awareness, more than likely entered into by prayer and worship, hears a loud voice like a trumpet telling him to write down what he sees. This marks the beginning of the prophetic visions that make up the book of Revelation.

Introduction

Have you ever read the opening of Revelation where John says he “was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10), just before hearing a booming voice instructing him to write? This phrase always grabs my attention and raises important questions: What does it mean to be “in the Spirit”? Was John in a vision, or was something deeper happening? Why does he mention the Lord’s day, and how does it connect to the extraordinary revelation that followed? These questions naturally lead us to the main inquiry: What does John mean when he says he was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day?

Narrative Context

John, the last surviving apostle, was exiled on the island of Patmos due to his faith and testimony about Jesus Christ. Patmos, a rocky island used by the Romans to banish prisoners, becomes the setting for one of the most significant revelations in Scripture. In the first chapter of Revelation, John states that he was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.” This phrase is both rich in meaning and essential to understanding the nature of John’s visions.

“In the Spirit” indicates that John was in a state of heightened spiritual awareness, often associated with prophetic experiences in Scripture. Being in such a state allowed John to receive divine revelation, similar to the experiences of prophets like Ezekiel and Daniel. The “Lord’s day” likely refers to Sunday, the day Christians set aside to remember Jesus’ resurrection. This combination of time and spiritual readiness created the perfect moment for John to receive a divine message from Christ Himself.

Scriptural Foundations

Several passages of Scripture provide insights into both the phrase “in the Spirit” and the significance of the Lord’s day:

• Revelation 1:10 (WEB):
  “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, like a trumpet…”
  John’s experience of being “in the Spirit” sets the stage for receiving a series of revelations about the future of the church and the end of times.
• Ezekiel 2:2 (WEB):
  “The Spirit entered into me when he spoke to me and set me on my feet; and I heard him who spoke to me.”
  Like John, the prophet Ezekiel had experiences where the Holy Spirit enabled him to receive visions. Both instances highlight that being “in the Spirit” means being empowered to experience divine revelation.
• Acts 10:10-11 (WEB):
  “He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened, and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth.”
  Peter’s vision in Acts shows another instance of divine revelation through a spiritual encounter, similar to John’s experience of being “in the Spirit.”
• Matthew 28:1 (WEB):
  “Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.”
  The “first day of the week” refers to Sunday, the day of Jesus’ resurrection, which early Christians began to call the Lord’s day as a commemoration of this defining event.

Perspectives from Others

Early Christian commentators viewed John’s phrase “in the Spirit” as a reference to a visionary or prophetic state. Some Church Fathers like Irenaeus and Justin Martyr believed that John’s spiritual state mirrored that of the Old Testament prophets, who were often “taken up” by the Spirit to receive visions of divine truth. They also emphasized that the “Lord’s day” was Sunday, the day set apart for worship and remembrance of Christ’s resurrection, and therefore a fitting day for John to receive this revelation.

Modern theologians also see John’s state as one of deep spiritual communion, allowing him to receive messages that transcend ordinary human experience. They note that “in the Spirit” can be interpreted as a profound state of spiritual awareness where the barriers between heaven and earth become thin, and God’s message is received clearly.

Identifying Misunderstandings

One common misunderstanding is that the “Lord’s day” is simply a regular Sunday. While it does seem to refer to a Sunday, it carries deep theological significance as the day of Jesus’ resurrection, setting the stage for the profound revelations John received.

Relevance and Application for You

John’s experience of being “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” offers a model for how believers today can seek to deepen their spiritual awareness. While we may not receive visions like John, we can pursue closeness with God through the Holy Spirit, especially during times of worship, reflection, and prayer. The Lord’s day, or Sunday, remains an important time to gather with fellow believers, remember Christ’s resurrection, and open ourselves to the leading of the Spirit.

In our modern world, it can be easy to become distracted, but John’s example teaches us the importance of setting aside time to listen to God and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us. This deep connection with God is crucial for living a faithful Christian life.

Encouragement and Conclusion

John’s powerful experience in Revelation 1 reminds us that God still speaks to His people through His Spirit. While we may not necessarily have the same type of extreme visions John received, we are invited into a life of spiritual attentiveness, where we, too, can be “in the Spirit” as we seek God’s guidance and direction. On the Lord’s day, as we remember Jesus’ resurrection, may we also be open to the work of the Holy Spirit, guiding us into deeper understanding and greater faith.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the phrase “the Lord’s day” in early Christianity was so significant that it eventually shaped the Roman calendar? By the 4th century, the Roman Emperor Constantine officially recognized Sunday as a day of rest and worship, further cementing the cultural and spiritual significance of “the Lord’s day” for Christians worldwide.