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Faithful Against All Odds
by Tony Edwards
The book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John supposedly around AD 96. He wrote of a vision he
received while on the Island of Patmos, to which he was banished because of his testimony about the Christ
(Rev 1:9). This era was around the end of the reign of the roman emperor Domitian. Revelation was directed
to seven churches located in Asia Minor (Rev 1:4, Modern day Turkey).
The English word Revelation was taken from the Greek word “Apokalypsis,” which means the unveiling or
uncovering of something previously hidden. Thus the message of this book is a hidden message, which
explains the statement in verse one: “…He sent and signified…” The word signified means symbolized. The
book of Revelation is a book of symbols which conceal a genuine meaning.
John wrote to the seven churches of Asia while they were undergoing persecution. This was a message for
an age of trouble, darkness, fear, and evil. It encouraged Christians to persevere even in the midst of trials.
Revelation contains a hidden message of comfort and warns against apostasy. It appeals to faithfulness and
allegiance to Christ rather than to some government figure (Acts 5:29). In order to properly understand this
book, we must look at it through “First Century Eyes.”
Why would God send a message to seven churches located in Asia Minor? Why would God send a message
that was hidden? Did He not want the churches to understand what He was saying? What is the message of
the book of Revelation? Let’s take a close look at each of these questions
Why would God send a message to seven churches located in Asia Minor?
is very interesting and plays a part in understanding the book. Domitian was born around AD 51 in Rome. He
was the younger brother of Titus who was responsible for destroying Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70.
Domitian was considered by his father and brother unfit to rule as emperor. He then, at the time of Titus’s
death, took it upon himself to have the soldiers of Rome proclaim him as emperor and shortly after Titus
passed away the senate confirmed the proclamation.
While held down much of his life, Domitian ascended to the throne in AD 81. His ambition was to exceed his
predecessors and become known as a great conqueror. Because of his attitude, Domitian was considered
notorious. He was rarely polite, insolent (disrespectful), arrogant, and cruel. Domitian preferred to be address
as “Dominus et dues” (master and god). “His hatred and persecution extended out into most of the known
world, including Asia Minor. It is thought that it was during his reign, that Emperor Worship became a non-
optional practice. It began to be enforced under penalty of death. This would explain the type of persecution
talked about in the letters to the seven Churches.” It was religious tyranny and these were the conditions
under which the book of Revelation was written.
What if God had written a letter that foretold the down fall of the Roman Empire. What if God had written a
letter that foretold even the fall of Domitian, one who already hated the Jews or whoever reigned during this
time period (I say this because there are different views as when the book was written). What if such a letter
was found circulating the provinces of the Roman Empire? Who would have suffered? Quite naturally
Christians, but God is not going to do anything that will cause harm to his children. So, He had to send a
message to those Christians without the government knowing. He had to tell them to stay faithful and they
would eventually attain victory. How could God have done this? Simple, He sent His message in such a way
that no one could understand it but those Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures. “Of
the 404 verses in Revelation, some 265 contain references from the Old Testament, involving approximately
550 Old Testament passages.”
What is the message of Revelations?
The clear theme of the book is closely related to its purpose: “Victory of Christ and His church over the
Dragon (Satan) and his helpers.” Thus the key word in the book of Revelation is “Overcome.” (2:7, 11, 17,
26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7; 17:14) In Revelation 6:10, the people cried “…How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost
thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” They were speaking not of revenge
but vindication. The message of Revelation is that judgment is not far away because it is “a righteous thing
with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.” (II Thess 1:6) Nevertheless, while you wait,
“…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (2:10) I believe in a general way the same
message applies to us today. Regardless to what you’re enduring “Be Faithful to God Against All Odds.”
by Tony Edwards
The book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John supposedly around AD 96. He wrote of a vision he
received while on the Island of Patmos, to which he was banished because of his testimony about the Christ
(Rev 1:9). This era was around the end of the reign of the roman emperor Domitian. Revelation was directed
to seven churches located in Asia Minor (Rev 1:4, Modern day Turkey).
The English word Revelation was taken from the Greek word “Apokalypsis,” which means the unveiling or
uncovering of something previously hidden. Thus the message of this book is a hidden message, which
explains the statement in verse one: “…He sent and signified…” The word signified means symbolized. The
book of Revelation is a book of symbols which conceal a genuine meaning.
John wrote to the seven churches of Asia while they were undergoing persecution. This was a message for
an age of trouble, darkness, fear, and evil. It encouraged Christians to persevere even in the midst of trials.
Revelation contains a hidden message of comfort and warns against apostasy. It appeals to faithfulness and
allegiance to Christ rather than to some government figure (Acts 5:29). In order to properly understand this
book, we must look at it through “First Century Eyes.”
Why would God send a message to seven churches located in Asia Minor? Why would God send a message
that was hidden? Did He not want the churches to understand what He was saying? What is the message of
the book of Revelation? Let’s take a close look at each of these questions
Why would God send a message to seven churches located in Asia Minor?
- They needed to be encouraged to endure.
- They needed to be comforted while suffering all the onslaughts of the devil.
- They needed to be reminded of victory against Satan’s armies.
- Why would God send a message that was hidden? Did he not want them to understand what He was
saying?
is very interesting and plays a part in understanding the book. Domitian was born around AD 51 in Rome. He
was the younger brother of Titus who was responsible for destroying Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70.
Domitian was considered by his father and brother unfit to rule as emperor. He then, at the time of Titus’s
death, took it upon himself to have the soldiers of Rome proclaim him as emperor and shortly after Titus
passed away the senate confirmed the proclamation.
While held down much of his life, Domitian ascended to the throne in AD 81. His ambition was to exceed his
predecessors and become known as a great conqueror. Because of his attitude, Domitian was considered
notorious. He was rarely polite, insolent (disrespectful), arrogant, and cruel. Domitian preferred to be address
as “Dominus et dues” (master and god). “His hatred and persecution extended out into most of the known
world, including Asia Minor. It is thought that it was during his reign, that Emperor Worship became a non-
optional practice. It began to be enforced under penalty of death. This would explain the type of persecution
talked about in the letters to the seven Churches.” It was religious tyranny and these were the conditions
under which the book of Revelation was written.
What if God had written a letter that foretold the down fall of the Roman Empire. What if God had written a
letter that foretold even the fall of Domitian, one who already hated the Jews or whoever reigned during this
time period (I say this because there are different views as when the book was written). What if such a letter
was found circulating the provinces of the Roman Empire? Who would have suffered? Quite naturally
Christians, but God is not going to do anything that will cause harm to his children. So, He had to send a
message to those Christians without the government knowing. He had to tell them to stay faithful and they
would eventually attain victory. How could God have done this? Simple, He sent His message in such a way
that no one could understand it but those Christians who were familiar with the Old Testament Scriptures. “Of
the 404 verses in Revelation, some 265 contain references from the Old Testament, involving approximately
550 Old Testament passages.”
What is the message of Revelations?
The clear theme of the book is closely related to its purpose: “Victory of Christ and His church over the
Dragon (Satan) and his helpers.” Thus the key word in the book of Revelation is “Overcome.” (2:7, 11, 17,
26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7; 17:14) In Revelation 6:10, the people cried “…How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost
thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” They were speaking not of revenge
but vindication. The message of Revelation is that judgment is not far away because it is “a righteous thing
with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you.” (II Thess 1:6) Nevertheless, while you wait,
“…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (2:10) I believe in a general way the same
message applies to us today. Regardless to what you’re enduring “Be Faithful to God Against All Odds.”
