Note also John 21:1919This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. (John 21:19). The administration of the kingdom of heaven closes and comes to nothing in Peter's hand, as to its special character, as it had in Jesus'; though in both all the counsel of God was accomplished. In John's case, who speaks of dwelling in God, and God in us, the essential principle of the dispensation and of life, and who can therefore hang suspended in God over its fate, in the energy of that unfailing life, when all its forms are gone. The Lord holds him thus in this suspense, unseen, apocryphal, till He come; and this was his place, and his heart's answer came quickly, for the Apocalypse looks only into a gloomy future of judgment in the Church (the bride of Christ above); for such is that book. It has no earthly blessing or form, which note. It is entirely heavenly as to the Church. He was the one who had the intimacy of Christ's thoughts as near Him, habitually on His breast; and he follows by affection, not in the command on earth (see also verse 7); he follows from affection and the power of the call addressed to Peter; but the result is, "If I will," etc.
One must understand with John in that intimacy if one would know the meaning of the answer. Nothing is of the recognized position of the Church on earth. That was Paul's part. As a fact, John returns thither when he says, “The Spirit and the bride say, Come." In prophecy it is judgment. Below, the Church is in mystery, and the marriage above. Peter ministers the kingdom of heaven; Paul, the house of Christ, as on earth holding a certain place. John goes up, and looks down into judgment here, and has the Church for the marriage of the Lamb above. Also in his (John's) epistle the Church has no place or standing; it is life in God in the family. His first epistle is the Father, Christ, and the family; their life. In the Apocalypse it is the throne, the Lamb in it, and servants, seals, and judgments on the earth. The Church, as spouse, takes her place by righteous judgment. The apostles rejoice in judgment. He comes forth judging, and making war.