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Answer
Revelation 12:17 states, “Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea” (ESV). Much can be said about this verse and the surrounding text, but our focus is on the question: What does it mean to hold to the testimony of Jesus?
The testimony of Jesus refers to the gospel, the good news that encompasses the person and work of Christ. It is the central message of Christianity, without which we wouldn’t have the Christian faith and no one would be saved. The gospel declares that God took on human flesh in the person of Jesus to usher in His kingdom and redeem us from our sin. Humanity and the rest of creation are broken because of sin. Thus, we need redemption, brought by Jesus.
The gospel also declares Jesus to be the long-awaited Messiah who came to free His people from slavery to sin and darkness. In the gospel, we find hope for a renewed future. To hold on to the testimony of Jesus is to remain faithful to the gospel. It transcends mere intellectual assent, calling for total commitment.
In Revelation 12, those who hold to the testimony of Jesus are targeted by the dragon (Satan) during the future tribulation period. These believers will be faithful unto death as they reject the Antichrist, keep God’s commandments, and bear witness to the truth of the gospel. This time of persecution is also predicted in Daniel 7:25, as the “little horn” on the beast will “oppress the holy people of the Most High” (NLT;see also Daniel 7:21).
Today, we hold to the testimony of Jesus when we witness to others in words and deeds. This involves evangelism, discipleship, and proper Christian conduct that arises from God’s grace. We are called to build.Our lives are centered on Jesus (Matthew 7:24-25;Colossians 2:6-7), striving to become more like Him as the Spirit sanctifies us (Romans 8:28;2 Corinthians 3:18). In Revelation 12:17, maintaining the testimony of Jesus is connected to obeying God’s commandments, illustrating the correlation between the two in a Christian’s life. The gospel inspires us to demonstrate our love for God by obeying His commandments.
Remaining faithful to the testimony of Jesus also requires perseverance in the midst of trials. John penned the book of Revelation for persecuted Christians, portraying the devil as the instigator of this persecution. The new earth promised by God will be devoid of suffering, pain, and tears. Nevertheless, in the present era, we will encounter trials. We are urged to endure, relying on the Holy Spirit for stability amidst the turmoil.
Our commitment to the testimony of Jesus is not without purpose. Not only do we discover peace in trials and joy regardless of circumstances, but we also progress towards a divine utopia.
