Robert Lowery

1. A witness is someone who “testifies” to the truth he or she holds. As God’s people, we are to witness to the covenant that exists between God and us, and we are called to invite others to enter into that covenant relationship as well.
2. The Greek word for “witness” is “martyr.” Such witness may mean martyrdom. The witnesses who testify to the saving death of Jesus may seal that testimony with their own death (Rev. 6:9; 12:11; 17:6; 20:4-6).
3. God’s people are called to be a standing “witness” to the covenant (Isa. 43:12; 44:8; 55:4). In the New Testament we read of John the Baptist bearing witness to Christ (John 1:15,19,32-34). We who benefit from the work of Christ become witnesses because we are filled with the Spirit (John 15:26-27; Acts 1:22; 10:41; 22:15).
4. The Christian life is a life of imitation of Christ: as he was the faithful witness (Rev. 1:5b-6), so we are to be faithful witnesses (Rev. 2:13; 11:3; 17:6; 20:4). The witness theme is found in the first chapter (1:6,12) and in the last chapter (22:17).
5. In John’s day, the terms “witness” or “to testify/witness” were legal terms. The world was bringing witness against Christians, and Christians were bringing witness against the world by the way they lived and by what they called upon people to do. Christians may be on trial; but ultimately the world is on trial. God will render the verdict of “Guilty” or “Not guilty” on the basis of their response to the witness concerning Christ, a witness proclaimed by the Church.
6. There are two kinds of witnessing emphasized in Revelation: lifestyle and verbal.
7. Christians must speak the Gospel truth in good times and in bad times.
8. Sometimes speaking the truth can get you into trouble; sometimes it can get you killed.
9. Christians who witness will be vindicated by Jesus (12:10; 20:4-6).
10. Witnesses throughout the Bible are roundly criticized by God if they fail to tell the truth, the whole truth and noting but the truth. Of course, they may well stand condemned by the world for telling “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
11. In commenting on the rejection of the Church in Revelation 11, one author wrote: “The passage shows that the Church has something more important to do than simply to survive. It is set in the world to bear witness to men, even when the witness is resisted with force. The darker the hour, the more need for the Churches to be what they are: lamps, through which Christ’s light shines. Witnesses may be crushed, and lamps put out, but in the end both witness and light achieve their desired object: men give glory to God.” George Beasley-Murray, The Book of Revelation, p. 181.

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1. 11 Reflections on Witness in the Book of Revelation