Themes in Revelation: Patient Endurance

Week 13, Thursday: Know It, Proclaim It
Believers overcome the world by their testimony of faith in Jesus Christ (Rev. 12.17).

We should make sure we know this testimony well and are able to “hold fast” to it.

Read Revelation 12

Meditate on the following passages from Revelation
1.      Spiritual forces of wickedness in high places are arrayed against us as we ride forth with Jesus each day, conquering and to conquer. Do you think these powers want you to share the Gospel with others? What are some ways they might try to obstruct or hinder you from “holding fast” to your testimony?

2.      What isyour testimony? A testimony is the evidence a witness produces when called upon in court. The witness testifies concerning the facts as he knows them. What are the facts about Jesus and you? What is your testimony of knowing Jesus?

3.      You came to have this testimony because you heard the Good News of Jesus and His Kingdom. How would you explain that Good News – the Gospel – to someone else?

4.      What do you think it means to “hold fast” to our testimony? Think of other uses of the term, “hold fast” or “hold on.” What do they suggest about “holding fast” to our testimony? How should believers help one another in holding fast to their testimony?

5.      Read quickly through Psalm 18. Here is David’s testimony about his love for the Lord, how he came to know him, what God had done in and for and through him, and how he served the Lord (like we identify with Him) in overcoming the nations. Do you think praying your testimony back to the Lord might help you “hold fast” to it? Why or why not?

My Reflection
How do you deal with the temptations that seek to discourage you from holding fast to your testimony?

The Glory of God
Even when we hold fast to our testimony, this doesn’t mean everyone who hears us will believe (cf. Acts 17.32-34). But how is God glorified when we hold fast to our testimony.

Glory to Glory
Share your testimony with another Christian friend, and ask to hear your friend’s testimony as well. How can doing this from time to time help to strengthen us in holding fast to our testimony.

Memorize
Recite John 16.33. How is Jesus overcoming the world in you?

Closing Prayer
Write out your testimony as a brief prayer. Pray it to the Lord, and make a practice of doing so at least weekly.

T. M. Moore

Download the studies for week 13, and all previous weeks, by clicking here.

The book of Revelation is the culminating episode in the story of God’s covenant. To learn more about that covenant, and to discover the way it integrates all of Scripture into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, order a copy of T. M.’s book, I Will Be Your God, by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.