1. Remember Antipas  Develop a greater appreciation for our early brethren as we see the Revelation through their perspective  Be encouraged by the faithfulness of these early brethren  Intensify our desire for heaven and preference over this life

2. The Message of the Revelation Prophecy Provides Basis for Understanding by Establishing the Historical Timeframe  Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Dan 2:1- 45  Four kingdoms  Babylon the first Dan 2:38  Medo-Persian the second Dan 8:20 (Daniel’s Dream)  Greece the third Dan 8:20

3. The Message of the Revelation Prophecy Provides Basis for Understanding by Establishing the Historical Timeframe  Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream Dan 2:1- 45  Four kingdoms  Roman Empire the fourth Dan 2:44; Dan 7:19 - 27  Jesus’ birth Luke 2:1-7 (Augustus 27BC-14AD)  John the Baptist begins teaching (AD 29) Luke 3:1 (Tiberias began reign in 14AD)

4. Remember Antipas “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John; who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw.” Rev 1:1-2

5. Remember Antipas “and to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These things saith he that hath the sharp two-edged sword: I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.” Rev 2:12-13

6. Remember Antipas  Living in Pergamum  “I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan's throne is”  Political capital of Roman province  Prevalent worship of Asian and Greek gods  Temple built to honor Augustus in 29BC (early beginning of imperial cult worship)  Center of enforcement for state religion  “…and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith”

7. Remember Antipas  World Around Him  Tribulation Rev 1:9  Ungodliness Rev 9:20-21  Beast Made War with Saints Rev 13:7  Economic Oppression Rev 13:16-17

8. Remember Antipas  World Around Him  Death for Those Who Do Not Worship Beast Rev 13:15  Pliny, governor of Roman province of Bithynia, stated in letter to Trajan, “he gave those who were accused an abundant opportunity of recanting; those who persisted in this faith were executed”  “And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus Christ” Rev 17:6

9. The Message of the Revelation “And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: and they cried with a great voice, saying, How long, O Master, the holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled their course.” Rev 6:9-11

10. Remember Antipas  Within the Church  Became weary… left first love Rev 2:2 Ephesus  Idolatry Rev 2:14Pergamum  False Teachers Rev 2:20-24 Thyratira  Dead Church Rev 3:1 Sardis  Lukewarm Christians Rev 3:16Laodicea

11. Remember Antipas  I can live righteous in a wicked world… even if I must stand alone!  Noah 2 Pet 2:5  “but preserved Noah with seven others…”  Lot 2 Pet 2:6-9  “and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked…”  “…the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation”

12. Remember Antipas  Encouraged by Example of Christ Heb 12:1-2  “Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  “…glorify Thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was” John 17:4-5

13. Remember Antipas  Others Had Resisted Unto Blood  Stephen Acts 7:57-60 (Phil 1:21)  James Acts 12:1-2  These shared the faith, hope and joy of Antipas

14. Remember Antipas  How great Is Thy Joy?  Do we share the faith, hope and joy of Antipas?  “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life” Rev 2:10  “Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.”

15. Remember Antipas  “Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you” Remember the dash!

16. Remember Antipas  Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you Remember the dash! Joseph Curry 1919 – 1998 My Witness, My Faithful One  “Well done, good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”