 |  |
John's testimony to the Word of God, and the testimony of Jesus Christ (1: 2).
John in tribulation and patience for the kingdom of Jesus, in the isle of Patmos for the
Word of God, and the testimony of Jesus (1: 9).
John sees the soul under the altar of those slain for the Word of God, and for the
testimony which they held (6: 9).
John sees on thrones those who were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the
Word of God (20: 4).
It will be seen that to hold this testimony in the days of the Revelation will mean
suffering and death. This is further emphasized in 12: 17, "And the dragon was wroth
with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the
commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus", and here the dragon himself is
seen to be the great persecutor. God views the death of these witnesses as sacrifices--
their souls are seen under the altar, they have "loved not their lives unto the death". Their
cry ascends to God, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and take
vengeance for our blood from them that dwell upon the earth". The church of God
cannot cry to God for vengeance, such is not in harmony with its calling. When the day
of grace closes, and the day of vengeance sets in, then the cry will be right and proper,
and the "Imprecatory Psalms" and the many prophecies of vengeance will be fulfilled.
Those upon whom vengeance is called are "them that dwell on the earth". Reference is
made to these earth dwellers in very awful and solemn settings. We give the passages in
order that this special title may receive the attention that seems its due.
The earth dwellers.
3: 10.
Speaks of the hour of temptation about to come on such.
6: 10.
Vengeance for blood shed is called down on them.
8: 13.
An angel flies in mid-heaven saying Woe, woe, woe to them.
11: 10.
They rejoice over the death of the two witnesses.
11: 10.
Who had tormented them.
13: 8.
They shall worship the beast. Their names not written in the lamb's book of life.
13: 12.
They are made to worship the beast by the false prophet.
13: 14.
They are deceived by his numerous signs.
13: 14.
They are told to make an image to the beast.
14: 6.
An angel flies in mid-heaven with the aionian gospel to them.
17: 2.
They were made drunk with the woman's wine, which is likened to the blood of
the martyrs (verse 6).
17: 8.
They shall wonder at the beast. Their names not written in the book of life.
The only gleam in the gloomy list is 14: 6, and then we have no warrant for
believing that the "earth dwellers" obey this primeval gospel, although we believe many
of those who are differentiated from them (see 14: 6, "and unto every nation, and tribe,
and tongue, and people") will fear God in the hour of His judgment.
In answer to the cry of the martyred witnesses we read:--
"And there was given to each one a white robe, and it was said to them that they
should rest yet for a time until both their fellow-servants and their brethren that were
about to be killed as they also had been, should fill up the appointed number."