How long has Western civilization guaranteed individual rights and freedom of worship?
Western civilization has guaranteed individual rights and freedom of worship only for the last couple hundred years. Before that, such protections were largely unheard of. The context contrasts this recent development with the severe persecution and tribulation endured by early believers who remained faithful.
Les explains that it is only in the last couple hundred years that Western civilization has been able to guarantee the rights of the individual and the freedom of worship. For the most part, he says, this has been unheard of throughout history. He points to the church at Smyrna, which suffered horrible pressure and persecution that took away income, jobs, and wealth, yet remained spiritually rich. He also describes ten days of tribulation as ten distinct periods of persecution under the Roman Empire, during which believers were faithful even unto death and were promised a crown of life.