Do you ever feel like you are persecuted for your faith? One in seven Christians in the world are persecuted today. One in five Christians in Africa, and two in five Christians in Asia are persecuted. The five worst countries are North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, and Libya. Christians in these countries have more in common with the first recipients of Revelation than we do.
As persecution of Christians ramped up under the rule of Domitian, John was exiled to the island of Patmos because he preached the word of God and told his story about Jesus. He wrote to his brothers and sisters in Christ as brother and companion in suffering, kingdom, and patient endurance. So they were suffering for the sake of their king, King Jesus. Together they endured patiently.
Jesus came to John on the Lord’s Day. Even though John had been one of the witnesses of the transfiguration, he fell at the feet of Jesus with hair white like snow, eyes like blazing fire, feet like bronze glowing in a furnace, and a voice like Niagara. Jesus sensed his fear, touched him, and told him not to be afraid. Perhaps John had been afraid of losing his life for Jesus. Now he was afraid of Jesus, himself. But Jesus told him who he was and is and will be.
Jesus’ identity still vanquishes all our fears. He is. He is first and last. Jesus lived before time, and he will be there when the final curtain falls. Jesus is not only alive, but he lives forever. He used to be dead, but now he is alive forever and ever. When he left death, he took the keys with him. Jesus commissioned John to send a letter to seven churches in the ancient world. This is our book of Revelation.
What does Revelation mean? It cannot mean what it never meant. People have written endless volumes explaining how Revelation would be fulfilled in the times they lived. The people and the books have fallen by the wayside. Jesus still stands, encouraging those who are persecuted. As one man explained Revelation to a seminary student, “It means we win in the end.” He was right. We do. Wait and see. In Christ, we will experience suffering and a kingdom. Let’s live with patient endurance.
