The original first century audience for John's Apocalypse was in the middle of some of the worst persecution Christians have endured. So this scene cut close to the bone for them. And there was also an overlay of the Temptations of Christ #Revelation13
“Killing Christians”
This book had me at the title and never let go until I had read the last page
Revelation 2: Smyrna
The only surviving city of the seven represented in these letters, Smyrna—now Izmir, Turkey—was the second largest city of the region. And reportedly, the most beautiful.
Revelation: Historical Background
Revelation was written in the setting of Asia Minor, just off the coast of the Aegean Sea, towards the end of the first century, under the reign of Emperor Domitian.
1 Peter 3, Do Not Fear?
Peter intimated there is a redemptive quality about suffering for the good, for doing good, for goodness’s sake, as unto the Lord, who intimately knows what this suffering is like, and what it entails.
1 John 3: Love the Brothers and Sisters
I remember reading, once, that when we help someone, we reduce the amount of suffering in the world, we become part of the process of God working things together for good.
Gospel of John: Aroma of Christ
The more one is like Christ, the more one can expect a strong response.