Daniel and Revelation

In the greetings sent to the congregations of Asia, Jesus is called the Faithful Witness because of his self-sacrificial death . The vision of John begins with “ greetings ” to the Seven Churches of Asia from the One “ Who is ,” from the “ Seven Spirits ,” and from Jesus Christ, the “ Faithful Witness .” The Son of God bore “ witness ” in his death, and his sacrifice is the pattern for the churches to emulate as they give “ testimony ” of the Word of God before a dark world.

Satan attacks the Lamb, Jesus Christ, by persecuting his followers, the men and women who have the Testimony of Jesus . The  Book of Revelation  is designed to “ reveal what things must come to pass ,” not to conceal them. Too often in popular preaching, we ignore the clear text of Scripture as Satan and his earthly agents are transformed into global political leaders that fit our political biases and expectations.

According to Jesus, the End will not come until the Gospel of the Kingdom of God has been proclaimed to all nations – Matthew 24:14. When the subject of the Second Coming is raised, the question of what sign will precede it is asked. Invariably, wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, famines, and similar catastrophes are offered as harbingers of that final day. Yet Jesus gave the definitive answer to this question - the completion of the Church’s mission to proclaim his salvation and lordship to all nations.

The men purchased from every nation by the Lamb become his priestly witnesses who persevere in their Testimony of Jesus . Men and women redeemed by Jesus join his “ Kingdom of Priests ,” which is tasked with reflecting his light in a hostile world. For overcoming “ saints ,” persecution is not an aberration, but an integral part of being a citizen of God’s Kingdom. To persevere in  “ the Testimony of Jesus ” in affliction is what it means to follow  “ the Lamb wherever he goes .” Every member of his Church is called to be his witness.

Two repeated themes in  Revelation  are closely related - “ Witness ” and “ Overcome .” Beginning with Jesus of Nazareth and his martyrdom on Calvary, his followers are summoned to persevere in his “ Testimony .” In this way, they will “ overcome ” and emerge victorious in the city of “ New Jerusalem .” They must “ overcome, even as I overcame .” Moreover, Jesus is presented to the “ Seven Assemblies of Asia ” as the “ FAITHFUL WITNESS, the Firstborn of the Dead, and the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth .”

The opening of the Fifth Seal revealed the souls of men kept “ underneath ” the Altar, saints who had been slain for their “ Testimony .” They pleaded with God for their vindication and for judgment on the “ Inhabitants of the Earth ” who had persecuted them. They were told to wait for Him to answer their plea until the full “ number ” of their “ fellow servants ” who were going to be slain “ just as they were ” was added to their company.