In his isolated home John was able to study more closely than ever before the manifestations of divine power as recorded in the book of nature and in the pages of inspiration. To him it was a delight to meditate on the work of creation and to adore the divine Architect. In former years his eyes had been greeted by the sight of forest-covered hills, green valleys, and fruitful plains; and in the beauties of nature it had ever been his delight to trace the wisdom and skill of the Creator. He was now surrounded by scenes that to many would appear gloomy and uninteresting; but to John it was otherwise. While his surroundings might 572 be desolate and barren, the blue heavens that bent above him were as bright and beautiful as the skies above his loved Jerusalem. In the wild, rugged rocks, in the mysteries of the deep, in the glories of the firmament, he read important lessons. All bore the message of God's power and glory.

I sin afsondrethed kunne Johannes på mere nært hold end nogensinde før studere virkningerne af Guds magt, som den skildres i naturens bog og de inspirerede skrifter. Det var for ham en fryd at grunde over skaberværket og tilbede den himmelske bygmester. I tidligere tider havde synet af skovklædte bjerge, grønne dale og frugtbare sletter mødt hans blik og det havde altid været hans glæde at spore Skaberens visdom og kyndighed. Nu var han omgivet af steder, der for mange ville forekomme uhyggelige og uinteressante; men for Johannes var det anderledes. Skønt hans omgivelser måske var golde og øde, så var den blå himmel over hans hoved lige så klar og skøn som himmelen over hans elskede Jerusalem. I de vilde, forrevne klipper, i det hemmelighedsfulde dyb, i himmelhvælvingens herlighed læste han betydningsfulde lærdomme. Alt vidnede om Guds magt og storhed.