The Testimony of Jesus
In the Book of Revelation, the men redeemed by Jesus form a new priestly company that transcends all national, social, and cultural boundaries, and they persevere in the “Testimony of Jesus” before the world through every affliction and persecution. This is how they follow the “Lamb wherever he goes.”
What sets
the Assembly of Jesus apart from the rest of mankind is that it consists of men
from every “nation,” “people,” “tribe,” and “tongue”
who have been redeemed by the death of Jesus, saints who now summon the rest of
humanity to join this company of the Redeemed. His “Kingdom of Priests” mediates the light of the Gospel throughout the Earth.
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| [Photo by Jonathan Cooper on Unsplash] |
Jesus is the “Faithful Witness, the Firstborn of the Dead, and the Ruler of the Kings of the Earth.” His past death is the basis of his present reign. By his Death and Resurrection, he freed his saints from sin and made them a priestly kingdom. The mission of being a light to the nations assigned formerly to Israel has fallen to those who follow the “Lamb” - (Exodus 19:4-6, Revelation 1:4-6, 5:10, 14:1-4).
The addressees
of the Book are identified as the “servants” of God, namely, the “Seven
Assemblies of Asia.” They are “fellow participants” with John in the
“Tribulation and Kingdom and Perseverance in Jesus.” John was exiled to Patmos because of the “Testimony of Jesus” - (Revelation
1:8-9).
In Chapter
5, John saw a glorious figure seated on the “Throne” holding the
Scroll sealed with Seven Seals. After a search of all creation, only the sacrificial
“Lamb” could be found who was declared “worthy” to open the
Scroll because “he was slain and redeemed for God by his blood men out of
every tribe, tongue, people, and nation, and made them a KINGDOM and PRIESTS to
our God” - (Revelation
5:9-10).
In Chapter
7, the same category applied to the “Seven Assemblies of Asia” is applied
to the Innumerable Multitude of men redeemed from every nation that John
saw exiting the “Great Tribulation,” namely, his “Kingdom of Priests.”
Everyone purchased “from the Earth” by his blood becomes a member of
this group and is summoned to persevere in the “Testimony of Jesus” no
matter what – (Revelation 7:9-17).
THE COST
When the
Fifth Seal was opened, John saw the “martyrs” who had been slain for the
“Word of God, and for their Testimony.” Like the animals sacrificed in
the ancient Tabernacle, their lives were poured out at the base of the Altar
because of their faithful testimony for Jesus. Likewise, the “Two Witnesses”
were slain by the “Beast from the Abyss” because of their “Testimony”
– (Revelation 6:9-11, 11:4-7).
In Chapter
12, Satan was expelled from heaven. Enraged, he gathered his forces to “wage
war against the Seed of the Woman, those who have the Testimony of Jesus,” but
the “brethren” overcame him by the “Word of their Testimony, and
because they loved not their lives unto death.” They were willing to suffer
death for the sake of their “Testimony” - (Revelation 12:9-17).
In Chapter
13, the “Beast that ascended from the Sea” waged war on the “saints”
and killed them. This portrays the same reality as the war by the “Dragon”
against those who had the “Testimony of Jesus.” Because they were determined to persevere in his testimony, they paid the ultimate price - (Revelation 12:17, 13:1-10).
Humanity falls into two groups: Those who have been redeemed by the “Lamb,” and the “Inhabitants of the Earth” who take the “mark of the Beast.” Rather than the “Testimony of Jesus,” they stand in awe of the “Beast” – “Who is like Beast, and who can make war with it?” - (Revelation 13:15-18, 14:1-5).
In contrast, faithful saints “overcome” the “Dragon”
by persevering through whatever he inflicts on them while maintaining the “Testimony
of Jesus” before the nations. This was and remains the “endurance of the
saints.”
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| [Photo by Jonas Allert on Unsplash] |
Because of their faithfulness “unto death,” the “witnesses of Jesus” are found by John standing before the “Lamb” and the “Throne” while worshipping in “New Jerusalem,” having “come out of the Great Tribulation.” For believers, martyrdom means victory, not defeat – (Revelation 7:15-17, 14:12).
From start
to finish, the Book focuses on the Church that has been redeemed
by the sacrificial death of Jesus, and on its priestly mission to
humanity. What sets them apart is their “redemption by the blood of the Lamb,”
and because they have been tasked with persevering in the “Testimony
of Jesus” before all the nations of the Earth.
RELATED POSTS:
- Priestly Kingdom - (Disciples reign with Jesus as priests who render service in his Tabernacle and mediate his light and Word in the World)
- Martyrs and Overcomers - (Jesus is the Faithful Witness who summons his disciples to emulate his example by giving faithful testimony before a hostile world)
- Martyrs under the Altar - (The Fifth Seal opening reveals the souls of martyrs kept underneath the altar as they plead with God for vindication and justice – Revelation 6:9-11)
