Life today is not for the weak-hearted, is it? A bomb goes off in a faith community in Bloomington; UN sanctions are leveled against North Korea in an effort to halt a possible nuclear threat to our nation; reports are issued about the devastating effect of climate change; the dangers of terrorism continue to mount in parts of the world; Christians are being persecuted and killed because of their faith; and the list goes on and on with no end in sight. What do people of faith do? How do earnest followers of Christ live with confidence, joy, and excitement amid so much unrest and uncertainty in our world?

These are some of the basic questions early Christians faced during the rocky and challenging of the first century. It wasn’t easy for them to follow Jesus’ way of peace, love and forgiveness in an empire that was built upon fear, intimidation, and the might of Rome’s armies. It wasn’t easy to find ways to fit in to a diverse and pagan culture without accommodating too much. Furthermore, it was almost impossible to choose between allegiance to the Roman Emperor and the Lord Jesus Christ. It was a chaotic time. It was a difficult time! It was a challenge to remain steadfast.

And it is just at this moment of uncertainty that God gave a vision – an apocalypse – to John as a way to give a message of hope to the churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) to not give up or give in. Why? Because God is faithful! He will protect, guide, and keep them safe no matter what is happening in the world around them. And so, John faithfully writes his vision down in a type of coded and mysterious message in order to keep the Christians safe from the brutal empire as they read it’s message.

As we begin this series on Revelation, can we consider this message of hope given to Christians during a challenging and difficult time as having something relevant to say to us today? Is John’s challenge to be steadfast something we might need to hear?