In Revelation, faithful testimony is peaceable—not necessarily civil

Revelation stands out as the most overtly political book in the New Testament. The Apocalypse cartoons Rome as a warlike monster (chapter 13) and an intoxicated prostitute (17–18), drunk on the blood of Jesus’ followers. Along the way it condemns Rome for its violence, exploitation, and idolatry. And despite cosmic scope of its vision, Revelation sets forth a role for the beleaguered churches: they must persist (13:10), for through their faithful testimony they will conquer the fearsome monster (12:11).

We reflect on Revelation amid a public controversy over civility. Trump administration officials associated with the policy of separating children from their parents have encountered public shunning. Activists drove Homeland Security secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and presidential advisor Stephen Miller from Mexican restaurants, while a Virginia restaurant refused to serve White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Some voices decry the lack of civility shown in these incidents, others celebrate the public reinforcement of humane values, and still others call hypocrisy on those who call for civility while supporting the least civil president in history. Even Donald Trump’s political opponents find themselves divided on the question.

In moments of stress and discernment, we Christians typically turn to scripture for guidance. We look not for proof texts that justify our biases but instead for stories, images, and patterns, hoping these will open our imaginations concerning God’s ways in the world. One passage that deeply forms my own imagination is Revelation 5.