The apostle John said, “I was in the “Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last” (Rev. 1:10,11). John was on the isle of Patmos when this statement was made. He was a “companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ” (v. 9).

The context of the verse indicates that John’s being in the Spirit included divine revelation. God was going to show him the outcome of the conflict between Christ and the devil and between Christians and the powers of evil (especially Emperor worship). The expression “the Lord’s day” refers to the first day of the week, the day upon which Jesus arose from the dead and Christians observed the Lord’s supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 10:21). This was a special day to John, not only because he observed the Lord’s supper, but because he was receiving visions of spiritual importance on that day.

We do not receive visions and revelations today, but the principle of “being in the Spirit” on the Lord’s day should be a part of every week’s activity.

Our worship is to God and must be “in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24). In order to do this, there are several things that are essential. First, we must be prepared to worship. Some cannot put their hearts into worship because they are too tired from lack of sleep the previous night. Others cannot get their minds on worship because they slept too late and had to rush around to get ready and are in no emotional frame of mind to concentrate. Those obstacles can easily be removed with a little forethought and effort.

In the positive vein, we suggest that if we use Saturday evening to study God’s word or go over our lesson again, we will be ready to have the proper spirit when we gather. We could prepare our hearts to worship by getting to the building a little early, instead of rushing in the last minute, or late. We could also use the leisure time to think about all the good things God has done for us and to anticipate praising Him with other Christians. Think about the ability He gave us, and the opportunities to praise His name in song, prayer, communion with Christ and a study of His word. When we have the right spirit, we realize that we assemble to give homage to God, not simply to get something from assembling with others. If we put out hearts into worship of God, we will certainly get something from it.

The Lord’s day belongs to the Lord in a special way. Of course, every day belongs to Him in a sense, but this day is special. The Christian who thinks “this is the only day that I have to relax, or do personal chores” has used the six days God has given him, then stolen one the Bible says is “the Lord’s.”