There are numerous themes intertwined throughout Revelation.
Here we will look at a few revealed by Jesus Christ. These run through the book
and speak to Christ-followers everywhere and throughout time.
The first of these begins
in the first chapter and run through to the end. This is perseverance in the face of intimidation
and persecution for faith in Christ. Emperor worship (and in this setting possibly
the worship of Domitian), is traditionally held as the background of the
Revelation. Persecution of the Christ-followers was constant under the successive
Caesars. But a pivotal thought to remember is that,
“Jesus is portrayed as
a conquering hero: the ruler of the kings of the earth’ (Rev 1:5).”[1]
So, seven times Jesus
Christ (the overcomer) through the Holy Spirit said to these local churches,
“to them who overcomes” (Rev 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21). Remember that, John was currently suffering and in prison,
“I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation
(suffering) and kingdom and perseverance (patient endurance) which are in
Jesus, was on the island called Patmos, because of the word of God and the
testimony of Jesus” (Rev 1:9 NASB).
This was at the time in the Roman Empire, when Caesar was
king. Any challenge to that fact met with resistance, imprisonment and even
death. So, these were testing and hard times for the first-century church and there
was a price to be a Christ-follower. Thus, the church was encouraged to endure
the suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ patiently.
Note that the theme of martyrdom for faith in Jesus Christ
continues through Revelation. So, what Jesus was saying would have been a real
comfort to the first-century church. Jesus Christ knew what would happen and
was encouraging them in their stance to serve Him and to endure. Some example
of this martyrdom, (Rev 1:5; 6:9-10; 11:7-8; 12:11; 13:7,15; 19:2).
It has and will
continue to be of great encouragement to the church through the centuries, to
this day. We do not stand alone in our suffering; Christ suffered as have brothers
and sisters down through the ages. There will be those who suffer after us. All
of these were or will be martyred because of the word of God, and because of
their testimony which they maintain.[2]
Pause
in His presence for a moment and think this over…
[1] Newton, Jon K. Revelation
Reclaimed: The Use and Misuse of the Apocalypse. (Milton Keynes, UK:
Paternoster, 2009), 73.
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