More Than Survival
Revelation 2:13b
You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
In the midst of Pergamum’s darkness, one name stands out: Antipas. He is called “my faithful witness.” That’s the same title Jesus uses for Himself in Revelation 1:5. Think about that—Christ honors Antipas by sharing His own title with him. What greater commendation could a believer receive than to be recognized by the Lord as faithful?
Tradition says Antipas was the pastor of Pergamum. Before his conversion, he had been a physician who likely practiced medicine intertwined with pagan rituals. But once he encountered Christ, everything changed. He refused to compromise with the culture, even when it cost him. According to early accounts, Antipas was executed in a horrifying way—placed inside a bronze bull and burned alive. His death wasn’t just a tragedy. It was a testimony. He didn’t simply survive Pergamum; he overcame it through faithfulness.
This challenges us: are we content with surviving in our own “Pergamum”? Survival means going with the flow, avoiding conflict, and keeping our faith private enough not to cause trouble. But Jesus doesn’t call us to survive—He calls us to bear witness. Antipas wasn’t remembered because he blended in; he was remembered because he burned out for Christ.
Theologians remind us of a sobering truth: there’s a difference between admiring Jesus and imitating Him. Admirers may cheer for Him, but imitators carry His cross. Antipas was not just an admirer; he was an imitator. He followed Christ’s path all the way to death. And here’s the question we must wrestle with: Am I living like an admirer, content to survive? Or am I walking as an imitator, willing to be faithful no matter the cost?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the example of Antipas, Your faithful witness. Give me the courage not just to admire You but to imitate You. Help me to move beyond survival, beyond comfort, and beyond compromise. May my life be a testimony of faithfulness in the face of pressure. Teach me to bear witness to Your truth in every circumstance, even when it costs me something. I want to be remembered not for surviving, but for being faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.
In the midst of Pergamum’s darkness, one name stands out: Antipas. He is called “my faithful witness.” That’s the same title Jesus uses for Himself in Revelation 1:5. Think about that—Christ honors Antipas by sharing His own title with him. What greater commendation could a believer receive than to be recognized by the Lord as faithful?
Tradition says Antipas was the pastor of Pergamum. Before his conversion, he had been a physician who likely practiced medicine intertwined with pagan rituals. But once he encountered Christ, everything changed. He refused to compromise with the culture, even when it cost him. According to early accounts, Antipas was executed in a horrifying way—placed inside a bronze bull and burned alive. His death wasn’t just a tragedy. It was a testimony. He didn’t simply survive Pergamum; he overcame it through faithfulness.
This challenges us: are we content with surviving in our own “Pergamum”? Survival means going with the flow, avoiding conflict, and keeping our faith private enough not to cause trouble. But Jesus doesn’t call us to survive—He calls us to bear witness. Antipas wasn’t remembered because he blended in; he was remembered because he burned out for Christ.
Theologians remind us of a sobering truth: there’s a difference between admiring Jesus and imitating Him. Admirers may cheer for Him, but imitators carry His cross. Antipas was not just an admirer; he was an imitator. He followed Christ’s path all the way to death. And here’s the question we must wrestle with: Am I living like an admirer, content to survive? Or am I walking as an imitator, willing to be faithful no matter the cost?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the example of Antipas, Your faithful witness. Give me the courage not just to admire You but to imitate You. Help me to move beyond survival, beyond comfort, and beyond compromise. May my life be a testimony of faithfulness in the face of pressure. Teach me to bear witness to Your truth in every circumstance, even when it costs me something. I want to be remembered not for surviving, but for being faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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