A Revelation Invitation

If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
     If anyone is to be taken captive,
          to captivity he goes;
     if anyone is to be slain with the sword,
          with the sword must he be slain.
Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:9-10 ESV)

“Look at me! Look me in the eyes! Son, we’re about to cross this street and it’s very busy. You must hold onto my hand or you could get hurt. Do you understand? Tell me that you understand!” If you are a parent, you’ve had this conversation with your child. Young children don’t understand how dangerous their world is. You have to get their attention and spell it out for them. I believe that John has a similar, fatherly affection for the churches to whom he is writing. Seeing the impending danger from the beast, he wants his dear ones to be aware and to be ready.

How do we respond to the possibility of persecution? We may look for ways to avoid it questioning whether the suffering is necessary. “I’ve made quite a comfortable life for myself, thank you,” we say to ourselves. “I’d rather it not be disturbed.” However, reality has a way of intruding on our plans. Or we may think that because we are suffering something is wrong. “I have tried to serve God my whole life,” we reason. “Why would he let this happen to me?” Then again, we may question either God’s sovereignty or his compassion that he would allow us to endure such mistreatment. “Why can’t an omnipotent God prevent this suffering?” In describing the dragon and the beast that comes out of the sea, John paints a picture of deadly seriousness. The dragon and the beast are mortal enemies of God’s people. They are at war with God and we are in harms way. Because God has already defeated him, the dragon turns his attention upon us. In harming us he believes he is striking a blow at God. Persecution will be alarming and distressing if we are not expecting it. We have been warned.

Throughout history some of God’s people have been imprisoned, some have been tortured and some have even been martyred. It’s a sobering reality about which the Spirit warns us in the lyrics above. John calls us to follow Jesus wherever he leads. As we know, Jesus himself was arrested, tortured and executed. We his followers should not be surprised when we face the same.

On the cross victory came to Jesus through his faithful endurance. Victory will come to us also through faithful endurance in the face of whatever difficulties beset us. While many Christians in the world regularly experience threats of imprisonment and death, those of us who live in Western democracies have not generally lived with these dangers. Therefore, we must not be lulled into thinking that we never will. Because the possibility of suffering is real, we must not be surprised when persecution comes. Not only did Jesus tell us to expect persecution, he promised we would be blessed for enduring it. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

Sovereign Lord, thank you for alerting me to these perils. I admit that I am discomforted by the prospects of persecution. It’s unsettling to picture what that persecution may require of me. I do know that your Son endured much worse for my sake. May my suffering also result in salvation for others. Help me endure whatever comes with great faith. Amen.