Revelation
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The church was defective and in need of stern reproof and chas-
tisement, and John was inspired to record messages of warning and
reproof and entreaty to those who, losing sight of the fundamental
principles of the gospel, should imperil their hope of salvation. But
always the words of rebuke that God finds it necessary to send are
spoken in tender love and with the promise of peace to every penitent
believer. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock,” the Lord declares;
“if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,
and will sup with him, and he with Me.”
Revelation 3:20
.
And for those who in the midst of conflict should maintain their
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faith in God, the prophet was given the words of commendation and
promise: “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open
door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast
kept My word, and hast not denied My name.” “Because thou hast
kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of
temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth.” The believers were admonished: “Be watchful, and
strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.” “Behold,
I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy
crown.”
Verses 8, 10, 2, 11
.
It was through one who declared himself to be a “brother, and
companion in tribulation” (
Revelation 1:9
), that Christ revealed to His
church the things that they must suffer for His sake. Looking down
through long centuries of darkness and superstition, the aged exile
saw multitudes suffering martyrdom because of their love for the truth.
But he saw also that He who sustained His early witnesses would not
forsake His faithful followers during the centuries of persecution that
they must pass through before the close of time. “Fear none of those
things which thou shalt suffer,” the Lord declared; “behold, the devil
shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall
have tribulation: ... be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a
crown of life.”
Revelation 2:10
.
And to all the faithful ones who were striving against evil, John
heard the promises made: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of
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the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” “He that
overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not
blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name
before My Father, and before His angels.” “To him that overcometh