Early Christians in the time of Revelation were struggling with the fearful prospect of suffering and dying because of their faith. The split with Judaism was happening and Christians were having to identify themselves radically apart. Because of the persecution they were experiencing by the Roman government, those who were Christian were so at their own peril. John is answering a question that is being posed in regard to the requirement of bowing to the emperor as if he were a god. Some wished to be secret followers of Jesus and bow before the emperor with their "fingers crossed", so to speak, but this was not acceptable. If it meant dying for your faith, so be it. There was only one God, and Caesar it wasn't. So Revelation is a letter of hope to 7 churches in Asia, indicating that they would suffer, but in the end, God wins. Most of us aren't pressured to go underground in our faith, but how would you respond to the question John is addressing? Can we or should we ever be "secret" Christians?
Readings: Amos 1:1-3:15; Revelation 2:1-17; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 29:19-20
