A Forced Isolation

A man in the Bible who endured forced isolation, and therefore, who can be an example to us in these trying times is the Apostle John. This disciple of Jesus lived an incredible life which included great blessings and horrific trials. The elder teacher writes about different ways to face diseases, isolation through exile and imprisonment. He offers wisdom learned through experience that can be very valuable as we endure the most recent hardships of life.

Most people are somewhat familiar with John, the beloved disciple of Jesus. John was a fisherman who worked for his father, Zebedee, and alongside his brother James and friends Peter and Andrew. These four men were the earliest disciples of Jesus. And John, who was characterized with great innate intuition was probably the closest of all the Savior’s disciples.

The Sea of Galilee at Capernaum

The Apostle John grew up in a very distinct social setting. He lived in a small community on the north side of the Sea of Galilee. He was a member of the Jewish community which is infused with rich traditions and set customs. Members of tight knit social groups are fine, as long as they abide within their groups. Jesus, and life helped John to move beyond this setting.

Beyond early discipleship, some of the first steps Jesus brought into John’s life were short trips, through Samaria to Jerusalem, and at times beyond the borders of Israel. John met the Samaritan Woman at the well, the Demoniac who lived among the toms in Gentile Decapolis, and also Centurions who respected and related to Jesus. John learned how to work with the multitude of Jesus’ followers, and he also learned how to incorporate spiritual teachings into his life during trying times, such as when Jesus was persecuted.

Following the death of Jesus, John learned how to lead a church. In the New Testament, we catch snapshots of John, as he is arrested and put in prison with Jesus, as he reaches out the the beggar at the beautiful gate of the Temple, and as he deals with racial and religious differences that existed between Hebraic and Hellenistic Jewish Christians. John rises to a level of distinction as a leader within the early Church. John heard and helped guide men such as the Apostle Paul, who came with new and different ideas, He learned how to guid an organization that grew from a local band of followers into a world wide church.

John began to learn about persecutions and self-isolation during the days of his brother’s death about 14 years after Jesus died on the cross. Acts 12 records, “King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.” John and the disciples went into hiding, during the persecution.

The persecutions never really stopped after that. John had to practice social distancing for safety at all times, and especially when danger showed its face. When other disciples left Jerusalem to reach out to the world, John, Peter and James the brother of Jesus stayed, in order to lead the church.

Then came the first Jewish–Roman Wa (AD 66-70). John, along with others in Israel faced times which were far more trying than anything we are seeing today. The conflict began with anti-taxation protests in Galilee. John probably knew some of the instigators. It spread as Governor Gessius Florus looted the Temple, causing more rioting. The Roman army was called out to put down the rebellion. John must have left Jerusalem (because he remembered the teachings of Jesus) before the hard times and the destruction of Israel’s Priesthood and Temple. John was probably the only disciple of Jesus to experience these hardships.

Through the hardships, John was forced to leave his homeland and his sanctuary of normalcy, culture, language, and friends. He moved to the city of Ephesus in Asia Minor for safety. He was an old man of at least 55 years old, and maybe 65, an age where major changes are hard. But John withstood this, and through prayer, allowed God to strengthen him.

He became a bold witness, until he was finally arrested and exiled to a prison island called Patmos. John wrote, “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” He told his followers that trials are likely to come upon us like a thief in the night. He said the secret to survival in hard times is to “stay awake and remain clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”

John’s imprisonment was something like the enforced confinement at home during our modern plague of Coronavirus. It was something he had no control over. John told the people at Philadelphia to “endure patiently.” He knew the trial would pass. We are told Jesus cared for the woman in Revelation 12, by preparing a place where she could go into isolation. “The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. “

Those in the world who do not place their trust in God, react much differently than those of faith. John wrote that when people faced trials in Revelation 6, ”The kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us for the great day of wrath has come, and who can withstand it?” Later he writes, “They cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.”

Fearing people needed a hero because they are without a God whom they can trust. John wrote, “One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, ‘Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?’” Of course the Beast could not win the war … only God can win against the worst of enemies.

In times of trials, our faith in God makes all of the difference. And our faith can be seen. “one of the elders asked me, ‘These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?’” Jesus answered, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white …

they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night … and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. … For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”



Where is your faith in these times of trial? Is it with God or with man. The book, “Spring: Connecting With God” can explain more about survival in trying times.