Fear has a way of taking whatever frightens us and moving it to the center of our vision. But Revelation teaches Christians to turn around and see what is really there.

In Revelation 1:9–20, John describes himself as a partner in “the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus.” Drawing on the vision of Daniel 7, John shows us that Christians live in a strange overlap: the kingdom has come, yet the beasts are still raging. Jesus reigns, yet his people still suffer.

So how does the church endure?

John turns and sees seven golden lampstands, representing the churches, and standing in their midst is the risen and reigning Son of Man. The beasts are not at the center. Our suffering is not at the center. Our fears are not at the center. Jesus is.

And because Jesus is the First and the Last, the Living One who conquered death and holds the keys of Death and Hades, his people can hear his words with confidence:

“Fear not.”