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Dr. Kurschner explained a key link in the book of Revelation that demonstrates that the church will undergo the persecution of the Beast and Babylon the Great.
A favorite Pauline term to describe members of the church is saints (hagios), which means, “to being dedicated or consecrated to the service of God” (e.g. Rom 1:7; 1 Cor 1:2; Eph 1:1; Phil 1:1; Col 1:2). For example, the apostle Paul, recalling his days when he persecuted the church, describes the church as saints; compare Phil 3:6 with Acts 26:10.
John in the book of Revelation uses this term as well, especially as the object of the Beast’s persecution (e.g. Rev 5:8; 8:3, 4; 11:18; 13:7; 13:10; 14:12; 16:6; 17:6; 18:20, 24; 20:6, 9; 22:11). For instance, the saints are described with the status of suffering as the object of persecution by the Beast in Rev 13:7:
“The beast was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them. He was given ruling authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation (cf. Dan 7:21–22!).”
Then the saints are later described as the Bride of Christ in the privileged status of participating in the wedding celebration in Rev 19:7–8:
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. She was permitted to be dressed in bright, clean, fine linen” (for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints).”
There is a link between Babylon the Great’s persecution and the Bride. Babylon is said to be responsible for the martyrdom of many saints (Rev 18:24—19:2), who are identified as part of the Bride (Rev 19:6–9). And in Rev 13:7 the saints are described with the status of suffering as the object of persecution by the Beast: “The beast was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them. He was given ruling authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation” (cf. Dan 7:21–22!). The saints are later described as the Bride of Christ in the privileged status of participating in the wedding celebration in Rev 19:7–8: “‘Let us rejoice and exult and give him glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. She was permitted to be dressed in bright, clean, fine linen’ (for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints).” Thus, the mystery of Babylon the Great and its activity of killing members of the “Bride” will take place while the church remains on earth during the seventieth week of Daniel.
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