He was exiled after he survived boiling oil. It was a banishment, a common punishment during the imperial period, to the Island of Patmos (Greece). John was sent to Patmos under the persecution of Roman emperor Domitian. There, John wrote one of the most important Books of the New Testament – the Revelation.
Domitian was troubled. When boiling oil could not touch John, every attendee in the Colosseum accepted John’s message. From Rome, they sent him to Patmos, about 33 hours on a modern ferry. The emperor did not want to risk another loss of subjects; he could not predict the next miracle.
It happens in some companies: the most brilliant staff members have strong visions. Many people are threatened. They could shine and the Boards would prefer them to lead. So, to stop them, the simpletons would conspire to send them to far away branches where they would be forgotten.
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Interestingly, like John, those great workers, right in those branches would see great revelations of the companies. That is it – in the wilderness of those far away branches, we can see a future, unbounded by the noise of the headquarters. Like John who saw a big vision of the future more than anyone, we can do great things for where we work or in our sector. John who later served as Bishop of Edessa (Turkey) triumphed: the banishment promoted him to see a bigger world than Rome, and wrote the Revelation.
Going to “Patmos” is critical in a globalizing world [we hope you go on strength and peace]. When they send you to China, Brazil and Africa [out of New York], or to Kano, Owerri and Uyo [out of Lagos], they may be plotting your path to a greater mission in your call.
In “Patmos”, men and women have been picked to lead. Do not be frightened if Patmos comes: a successful career could pass through Patmos.
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Not only should be go when compelled, you should also go on unforced!
I expect former CEO of Tiktok to have a surge when he comes back from his book study- Call it a sabbatical.
What God wishes for you is always much better than what you wish for yourself, because God is infinitely more powerful than man.
Joseph was sent to prison, until they needed someone to interpret a dream, then he became the man of the moment.
In all your lobbying and behind the scene corporate politicking, what has been the outcome? You might be getting your wishes, but how about what could have been, if you had allowed things to take their natural trajectory?
We are never as smart as we tend to believe, and before you know it, we destroy and desecrate the most precious things, and then – miseries arrive, followed by death…