Apostle John shed tears when seeking God’s grace, repentance, and thanksgiving. When he wrote the book of Revelation in AD 90-95, Caesar Domitian Augustus had been persecuting Christians. Apostle John himself had been exiled to Patmos island and received revelations from God during that time. It was during this time that he shed tears in seeking God’s grace, in repentance, and in thanksgiving.

Tears of Seeking God’s Grace and Understanding

During the height of the persecution, Apostle John found himself exiled. Despite the difficulties, he received divine revelations from God, which led to his authorship of the Gospel of John, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. John’s experience underscores the importance of seeking God’s grace even in times of suffering. Just as John received revelations, we must seek God’s grace during our hardships, as these challenging times often become the avenues through which God bestows His greatest blessings. John’s understanding of Jesus’ purpose in coming to Earth, the love of God, and the future events were all rooted in the grace of God.

Tears of Repentance and Desperation

In Revelation 5, John sees a book sealed with seven seals, representing a hidden truth. John’s desperate desire to open the book parallels humanity’s need for forgiveness and repentance to access God’s truth and grace. The book can only be opened by the Lion of Judah, representing Jesus Christ, who overcame sin through crucifixion. John’s tears of repentance highlight the importance of acknowledging one’s unworthiness and the need for forgiveness as a precursor to receiving God’s revelation. Accordingly, we must pray for forgiveness, both personally and on behalf of others, mirroring the examples of biblical figures like Daniel and Moses.

Tears of Thanksgiving and Hope

In the end, John’s tears of despair transform into tears of hope and thanksgiving. An elder assures John that the Lion of Judah is worthy to open the sealed book. This revelation marks a turning point, shifting John’s tears of sadness to tears of joy and gratitude. Our tears of repentance and desperation can also be transformed like this when we witness God’s work being fulfilled and God’s Word being proclaimed. Zion Church spearheads the HORA120 project, whereby we facilitate the proclamation of God’s Word in the History of Redemption throughout the whole world. We should all take part in this work with tears of thanksgiving, knowing that our efforts fulfil God’s plan.

Conclusion

The multifaceted emotions expressed by Apostle John’s tears show us our story. The tears he shed in seeking God’s grace, in repentance, and in thanksgiving should be our tears today as saints of the end time. May we experience a powerful transformation through God’s Word, align our lives with God’s will, and may our tears be transformed from tears of sorrow to tears of joy.

AMEN!