Early in the history of the church the mystery of iniquity that Paul had foretold began its dreadful work, and false doctrines ensnared many believers. At the time John received this revelation, many had lost their first love of gospel truth. “Remember,” God pleaded, “from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (verse 5). ULe 213.7
The church needed stern rebuking and even punishment. But the rebuke that God sends is always spoken in tender love and with the promise of peace to every repentant believer. “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). He warned the believers, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.” “I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” (Verses 2, 11.) ULe 213.8
Looking down through long centuries of darkness, the elderly exile saw many Christians dying as martyrs. But he also saw that Jesus, who sustained His early witnesses, would not abandon His faithful followers during the centuries that must pass before the close of time. “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer,” the Lord said. “Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation. ... Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). ULe 214.1
John heard the promises: “To him who overcomes will I give to eat from the tree of life.” “I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” I will “grant [him] to sit with Me on My throne.” (Revelation 2:7; 3:5, 21.) John saw sinners finding a Father in the God whom they had feared because of their sins. ULe 214.2
In vision John saw the Savior presented in the symbols of “the Lion of the tribe of Judah,” and of “a Lamb as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:5, 6). These symbols represent the combination of omnipotent power and self-sacrificing love. The Lion of Judah, terrifying to those who reject God’s grace, will be the Lamb of God to the faithful. The pillar of fire that means terror and wrath to those who disobey God’s law is a sign of mercy and deliverance to those who have kept His commandments. God’s angels “will gather together His elect ... from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31). ULe 214.3