Category: Persecution

Persecution, Second Death, Seven Churches, Tribulation

Faithful Until Death

David R Maas

The church of Smyrna is only one of two of the seven Asian churches that received no correction, the other being Philadelphia. What set this congregation apart was the level of persecution that it endured because of its “testimony,” and its steadfast refusal to “eat meat offered to idols” and otherwise compromise with the Greco-Roman culture. Its members stood firm in their refusal to participate in the imperial idolatry of Rome, and consequently, they suffered “tribulation” and persecution due to false accusations against them made by Satan’s agents.

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Beast from the Sea, Dragon, Persecution, War

The Beast at War

David R Maas

The Book of Revelation uses “war” and related terms to illustrate Satan’s attacks against the followers of the “Lamb.” The Book shows little to no interest in conventional or nuclear warfare between nation-states. Instead, the “Dragon” strives mightily to annihilate the saints before his allotted time expires. To do so, he employs deception, compromise, and on occasion, outright persecution. The target of his hostility is the Church of Jesus Christ.

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Persecution, Seven Trumpets, Short Season

The Forty-Two Months

David R Maas

The period when the saints endure persecution is presented in three different but equivalent forms – “forty-two months,” “1,260 days,” and the “season, seasons, and half a season.” These variations do not point to three separate periods. Instead, they link several visions that describe specific aspects of the persecution that takes place during this period.

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Church Ruins - Photo by Osman Kahraman on Unsplash
Antichrist, Beast from the Sea, Persecution

BEASTLY WARFARE

David R Maas

In Revelation, Satan attacks the “Lamb” by waging war against and persecuting his followers.

At times, there may be so many “trees” that we find it difficult to see the “forest.” Put another way, details distract us from seeing the obvious. This is often so when dealing with the visions of Revelation. But according to its very first word, the book is intended to “reveal what things must come to pass,” not to conceal them or to mystify us.

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Dragon Fire - Photo by Carlos Cram on Unsplash
Beast from the Sea, Persecution, War

WAR AGAINST THE SAINTS

David R Maas

The Beast from the sea is authorized to wage war against the “saints” for its overlord, the Dragon – Revelation 13:6-10.

Next, the “Dragon” tasked the “beast” with the annihilation of the “saints,” and to facilitate it, he received authority over all nations and peoples. Humanity is divided into two groups: Those who “render homage to the beast,” and those who “follow the Lamb wherever he goes,” that is, the “saints.”

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