Disciples Digital Library

Men and women purchased by Jesus  from every nation  become priestly witnesses of what God has accomplished in His Son . In the  Book of Revelation , the men and women redeemed by Christ’s sacrificial death become a priestly company that transcends all national, social, and cultural boundaries. They are called to persevere in their testimony before the world regardless of suffering and persecution.

Satan attacks the Lamb by persecuting his faithful disciples, the men and women who have the Testimony of Jesus Christ  - Revelation 13:6-10. The  Book of Revelation  is designed to “ reveal the things that must come to pass ,” not to conceal critical information from the Church. Too often we ignore the clear testimony of Scripture, presumably preferring popular and fanciful interpretations to the truth – (Daniel 2:28, Revelation 1:1, 22:6).

His disciples reign with Jesus as priests who render service in the True Tabernacle and minister his light and message to the world . The present sovereignty of Jesus is based on his past Death and Resurrection, and His disciples participate in his reign. Like him, their royal position is paradoxical. It is characterized by self-sacrificial service rather than the suppression and destruction of their human enemies. The shedding of Christ’s blood is what consecrates them as “ priests ,” and priestly service for others is how they rule with him.

In the salutation sent to the Seven Assemblies, Jesus is called the Faithful Witness because of his self-sacrificial death . The vision of John begins with “ greetings ” to the Seven Assemblies of Asia from the One “ Who is ,” the “ Seven Spirits ,” and Jesus Christ, the “ Faithful Witness .” The Son of God bore “ witness ” in his sacrificial death, and it becomes the pattern for the “ Assemblies ” to emulate as they give “ testimony ” while undergoing tribulation “ for the Word of God .”

Under the guidance of the Spirit, Stephen gives eloquent and effective testimony before the priestly leaders of Israel . The young church experienced conflicts between its Greek and Aramaic-speaking members. The Apostles instructed the community to select seven men “ full of the Spirit and wisdom ” to take charge of the matter. One of the seven was Stephen, and the  Book of Acts  describes him as “ full of faith and the Spirit .”

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.