Q1. Revelation is written to encourage and strengthen a church facing intense persecution. Why is the theme of testimony and witness so important to that purpose? How is Jesus as the "faithful witness" (1:5) supposed to encourage us? Why are we afraid to be clear witnesses in a culture where we aren't persecuted?
In order for one to be a witness or to testify, they must have first hand knowledge of a situation or event to elaborate on the facts. Faithful witnesses give other follower's a sense of encouragement, when the can see the stance and how God delivers the others to a victorious state. I believed that many people are afraid a faithful witness, because them want to be part of the main stream. They do not want anyone to attack their character, because they want to be viewed as normal.