Like the people of Israel who were spiritually refined in the wilderness (see Hosea 2:14–15; Acts 7:38–45) and in exile in Babylon (see Isaiah 5:13; Ezekiel 12:1–3), the Christian church must face its own challenges. Revelation shares messages of endurance and perseverance during difficult times and shows that God provides places of refuge and ways to escape for his people (compare 1 Corinthians 10:13).
1,260 days: See study note on Revelation 11:2–3.