Durable

"I am not certain if there isn't a country where Christians aren't being persecuted, it may be different degrees of persecution and some much worse than others. But even in the culture of the USA, I see persecution or forms of punishment, not being allowed to carry our witness into the public sector, our workplace, our schools, etc. If we do, we are subject to some form of punishment, not death necessarily, but loss of jobs, expelled from schools, etc." Revelation,,,reveals to us why we should overcome, what is in store for those who endure to the end. It reveals a new heaven and new earth, one of peace, free from evil and persecution. It reveals a light that never goes out, a loving Christ and a Father who never leaves or forsakes us. Agape, Durable

The Son of man has been exalted above all things, whereas before His death and resurrection, He was made a little lower than the angels. Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:7-9 KJV) Here we see a King exalted, overseeing His body, the church. The light He left in the world to shine and be refined as gold. In His Grip, For His Glory Durable

As the Carpenter/Teacher, Jesus displayed His humaness. He walked among man as a man, able to suffer and a humble servant to all. He gave us the living example of how we could live a holy life as a human, and was called the Son of man. He taught by the words of God and a perfect life but also displayed His divine nature thru miracles. But here in Revelation, we still see the Lamb, the rightful King over the very creation He died for, monitoring the light He left in the world for all to see. Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. Here we see Jesus Christ, represented as the Son of man, the rejected Messiah, who was made King over all things. He is walking in the midst of His servants, full of righteousness. He is overseeing the righteousness of man with the Word of God as His sword. He wants us to know that He is ever present and ever knowing, always and forever and that the church and/or individual believers will be purified thru fire as gold. Understanding of who is this Christ depicted here is important for a balanced faith in that we can have faith He is ever present in our lives. He is willing and able to cleanse us thru the fire and provides us with the words of God to endure and overcome. He is the light of the world providing strength for His body and keeping the light of the body shining in the world. Glory be to God. Amen Agape, Durable And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (John 5:27 KJV)

Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I am trying to answer here without reading in much detail how others answered this question. But I am a little baffled here. As I have always taken, Revelation, as something God gave Jesus and then Jesus to John. So in all the verses mentioned, Rev. 1:8, 21:6 and Rev. 1:17, 22:12-13, I had took it as Jesus speaking taking into account the context of the passage. I really have to study this more. But I see, Jesus uplifting His deity, His relation to God the Father. As in the verse he spoke, Joh 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? God the Father is in Jesus, and He in Him, the divine nature, Jesus was there in the beginning and will be there for eternity. Both have divine characteristics that are the same in nature. Agape in Christ Durable

Revelation gives us a vision of "what was, what is, and what is to come" as it relates to the phases a church and believer can and have experienced. Its a testimony and witness that is set up to show us what we shouldn't do, (e.g...idolatry, lukewarmness) and what we should do to overcome and be a faithful witness. It gives us purpose and strength thru providing us with "THE faithful witness", Jesus Christ, as the example we should live and walk by. He is the perfect and faithful for all eternity. Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,....This encourages us that it is possible to live beyond the grave because of a prince who took it upon himself to die for us and cover us with His blood so that we might be brought under the light of the Father. If we are afraid to be clear witnesses in a culture where we aren't persecuted (if by that you mean USA). I am not certain if there isn't a country where Christians aren't being persecuted, it may be different degrees of persecution and some much worse than others. But even in the culture of the USA, I see persecution or forms of punishment, not being allowed to carry our witness into the public sector, our workplace, our schools, etc. If we do, we are subject to some form of punishment, not death necessarily, but loss of jobs, expelled from schools, etc. But if you mean a clear witness around friends or associates, then there is fear of rejection, being laughed at, ridiculed, or loss of friends. Although I have read and studied Revelation a couple of times now. I feel strength abounding in me right now as I read these questions and write these words. I see Jesus, as a King of Glory telling us we can overcome, dont sit on the fence, take a step and I'll be there to see you through any persecution. Amen and Glory be to God for His mercy and grace. Durable

Hello everyone, I am from North Carolina, USA. I have studied Revelations a couple of times but I am aware that I learn something new which each study. In addition, something might be happening in life that makes me more aware or alert to something different speaking to me. I am looking forward to studying and sharing with others. I also have a friend working with the youth at her church who want to study Revelation. I thought I could use what I learn here to share with her and her group.

sorry wrong post study