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 Several years ago I watched a movie about a man who chose not to talk. He figured he could get by writing on a piece of paper rather than verbally ask for work. People in his small town figured he was born mute. In one scene he witnesses a murder, and, later, in court, he verbally testifies against the accused murderers. The citizenry was awestruck about his ability to speak. Afterward, he said that he had always gotten along and made a satisfactory living without speaking.
I am reading through the book of Revelation, a particularly complex book to understand because it is hard to see the underlying meaning on account of the numerous images. The meaning of the word, revelation, is to reveal. The book is a revealing of future events as shown to St John, a pastor to seven churches. John is awestruck as he silently witnesses events at least 2000 years out, and, at times, he actually talks with angels as he writes what he sees. At one point (chapter 10) he is told to not write, but simply observe. What he writes is of immense help to us as we connect what he says with what we see happening today.
At the beginning of chapter 13, John witnesses a beast rising from the sea, having 10 horns and seven heads. While the whole earth is gaping at the beast spewing blasphemies against God and his Church, the world also worships it. The only ones not worshipping the beast are God's holy people standing firmly by their faith in Jesus. The thought of standing firm continues in chapter 14 (The Message): "The saints stand passionately patient, keeping God's commands, staying faithful to Jesus." Standing firm conveys that they allow nothing to cause them dismay.
While today, many people respond to tragedy with fright and fluster, Christians respond with patience and prayer. I sense that God's people understand the difference between false religion and real faith in God. During the time John is a silent witness to the vision, he is a pastor, and his calling is to preach. In the book of Acts, John and Peter were publicly censured for preaching; their response was that they couldn't help but speak about what they saw and heard.
We, too, are called to testify using the change in our lives as a calling card. It is not always necessary to talk because our lives are a silent witness when we don't get easily rattled. Similarly, St Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary, use words." Our lives are an example when we stand firm, and is the way God shows how people are changed by His grace. At times, we say more by saying less. This may be even more important if we are indeed living in end-times. Friends, let us be silent no more.
A friend of Jesus,
Gary Kallio
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