Endurance - It's A Revelation
‘The Revelation to John’ (NRSV) is a remarkable, troubling, and profound piece of apocalyptic literature. There is only one other book in the biblical canon like it: the Old Testament book of Daniel. And remember Daniel was as overcome and terrified by what he saw as John was. (Dan 4.19; 7.15, 28. Rev 1.17; 22.8-9) In other words, tread carefully, ye who would interpret.
Needless to say, John’s book is interpreted with great latitude: by some it is today’s news, by others it is yesterday’s news, by yet others it has little to do with the news. Whichever way you look at it, it continues to have enduring and contemporary application; its message is as modern as it is ancient.
One theme that quietly threads its way through the revelation is patient endurance. “I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance …” (1.9) These were consistent and common elements of a robust first century faith. The church in Ephesus was commended for its “patient endurance.” (2.2) In regard to the church facing severe persecution John calls for “endurance and faith.” (13.10) The same theme in the face of odds is repeated, “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of (or in) Jesus.” (14.12) John is on to something. In fact, the entire Revelation to John is about the eventual triumph of the Lord God Almighty and the victory of the Lamb. On the way to the eschatological victory a lot of turbulent waters have washed and continue to wash over God’s people, hence John’s call for patient endurance.
In his remarkable book, The Patient Ferment of the Early Church: The Improbably Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire, Alan Kreider cogently argues patience (endurance) is the highest of Christian virtues - after love. And yet it is the least spoken of. Why? For one reason it doesn’t sound very sexy does it; it doesn’t have the verve or panache of ‘living in victory’ or ‘experiencing the overcoming life.’ Yet, properly understood it is the very essence of living in victory if this means not being dictated to by circumstance and having an attitude of resilient faith and hope. This is patient endurance.
Kreider shows how the patient process of discipleship, which means being conformed to the character of Jesus (see Matt 5-7, etc) was the most effective evangelical tool of the church in the early centuries – pre-Constantinian. As new believers were catechized and held to account for what they learnt, the overflow led to the inevitable influence of the message of Jesus with neighbours, family and friends.
On a related note, apostle Paul believes suffering produces endurance, which in turn produces character which in turn produces hope. (Rom 5.3-5) Suffering covers a wide range of possibilities, and it is certain no one escapes it. If properly understood and eventually appreciated (nobody does to start with) the character of Christ will be formed in us. It is this formation that is at the heart of Paul’s vision for the church - each one of us growing up “in Christ”. This patient endurance spoke powerfully – it evangelised.
A person tempered by endurance has grace, breadth of spirit and patience with others that cannot be gained any other way, but slowly and often painfully. This endurance, in simple terms, outlasts every annoyance, setback, crisis, and persecution.
Jesus Christ embodied it, Paul preached it, John saw it, and we avoid it.