by Phil Sanders

The seven churches of Asia faced incredible persecution in the days of the power and wicked emperor of Rome, Domitian. Domitian followed the example of some of the former emperors and designated himself a god.

In order to solidify his power, Domitian sanctioned his deputies to enforce emperor worship. Every citizen throughout the empire must offer a pinch of incense in his honor or be regarded as disloyal to the State. They had to say, "Lord Caesar". Christians, of course, could not do that; their confession was "Lord Christ".

Support for emperor worship was quite strong in Asia Minor, and Christianity was quite strong in Asia Minor. The conflict between those who demanded emperor worship and those who refused it was inevitable.

To refuse worship to the emperor meant that one could be killed, could be cast into prison, could lose all his possessions, could be exiled, or a combination of the last three.

In military might, the passive Christians were no match for Rome. It might seem from a worldly point of view, that the Christians had no hope.

And that's the problem. We too often see things from a worldly point of view.

In a vision, Jesus opened John's eyes to the power, majesty, and glory of heaven. When one reads through chapters four and five of Revelation, not only do we see the beautiful throne with all God's power, but we see myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands of angels. God rules, and His power is not asleep. God help us to open our eyes.