Revelation 13
This is the second of a three-chapter story that encompasses all of salvation history.
The Characters
Chapter 13 introduces two more characters that are under Satan’s control.
- A beast coming out of the sea: Most often this beast is identified with the Papacy, especially during the Dark Ages.
- A beast coming out of the earth: Not as terrible looking as the first beast, but even more dangerous. This beast is particularly identified with economic persecution.
What makes Chapter 13 so frightful is that Satan is in charge of these two beasts. If you ever doubted that Christians would be killed, this chapter should convince you otherwise. This is NOT God’s wrath, but Satan’s.
Parts of the Story Rarely Pointed Out
- Verses 1- 10: Note the characteristic of this beast – Powerful, authoritative, miraculous, arrogant, blasphemous, in charge of the whole earth, waging war on and overcoming the saints.
- Verse 8: The only way not to worship this beast is to have your name written in the book of life. Note that salvation is no guarantee of earthly comfort or safety.
- Verse 10: The word for perseverance or endurance means to bear up under circumstances. This isn’t about being patient with other people, but resting in Christ regardless of the trials.
- Verses 11-18: Note the characteristics of this beast – Lamblike, but speaking like a dragon, exercising all the authority of the first beast, miraculous, deceiving, etc. Critical to this beast is that it creates an image to the first beast; like it, but not like it. It is murderous and it wages economic war on everyone who is saved.
- Verse 18: The key to understanding this beast is NOT the number (whether 666 or 616), but that this is a man, or a representative of humanity. Whoever he is and whatever he does is fully and completely within the context of human effort and ability as controlled by Satan himself. No one could be more anti-Christ than this person. No one could be more opposite of Jesus than him.
Revelation for You
Does this chapter scare you? Why?
What is the solution to the problem of fear?
Standing firm in God saving us, giving up the flesh that depends on food, not taking the mark on forehand or forehead.
Remembering what Christ said about not giving up this world and the things In it. Like as when the rich man walked away sad, could not give up world possessions. The day that is coming for those that are here, really need to think this through, will they give up their loved ones in trust to God to be saved after their physical death, and be able to watch their children die right in front of them, knowing God will save them and you, by not denying Christ, not taking the mark.
All the warnings are in the word about like who are my brothers, Mothers, friends, anyone that has anyone before me will not be saved. Why? And this is to those that will live in the Armageddon. Are we prepared for this great and horrible day, where we will see those that take the mark, close friends, even maybe family. The great test, trial is coming.
Will it be an honor to be here, for those that are prepared that have suffered in the flesh are prepared, and will prepare many to stand to the end and not give up, when that Dragon catches up with that pregnant woman, to take and devour the believers that would then be strong to the death of them and loved ones, and not take the mark. Yes the dragon in revelation that can’t swoop up the pregnant woman for a time is for those that are left here to be born again, and stand for
God to the end, and when she has given birth to them, in that they are prepared born again, they will be finally caught, and ready to stand to the end and will do so. Bob it is a coming and for me will be an honor beyond measure if it is in my life time to be at full service to God dead in the flesh and alive to God. No matter what the outcome, it is God’s plan not the Devils to win, actually God’s nor man flesh. Either one is alive in the Spirit of God or they are not and flesh nature still controls them, no matter how good one might look
Thanks a lot of meat to eat there, chew sowly