Revelation 13:5-10 “The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for forty-two months. And the beast opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God and to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven.
Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain. He who has an ear, let him hear: “If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.”.
Yesterday we saw that a leader or empire would arise to which Satan would give his authority. This entity is represented by the beast coming from the sea. And now this beast wages war against God and the saints, slandering God, the place of His worship, and even His heavenly throne. Throughout history, there have always been rulers who have viewed themselves as gods and have tried to control public worship so that they and not God are the object of worship. Today in China after a brief respite, Chinese Christians are again being forced to go underground or to engage in state worship. The leaders in North Korea kill Christians whenever they find them. But this ruler that is coming will be worse than any of those preceding him.
Today international public opinion is readily swayed by news media, social media, and all kinds of other communications. Given the speed at which falsehoods can be spread, it is no wonder that this satanic leader will be able to deceive so many so quickly. And for those who do not know the One True Living God, demonstrations of power will quickly convince them.
At the same time, those God – followers are in for additional persecution! Barclay states, “One great truth stands out in this section. In this world a man and a nation have the choice between being the instrument of Satan and the instrument of God.”
What is meant by the Book of Life? Barclay explains, “In the ancient world rulers kept registers of those who were citizens of their realms; only when a man died or lost his rights as a citizen, was his name removed. The Book of Life is the register of those who belong to God.”
What is to be the Christian’s response to this persecution? Barclay summarizes:
(i) If the Christian faith means imprisonment, the Christian must unmurmuringly accept it. Whatever is involved in following Christ, the Christian must accept.
(ii) Christianity can never be defended by force; the man who takes the sword perishes with the sword. When the Roman government began persecuting, the Christians could be numbered perhaps by the hundred thousand; and yet it never occurred to them to use force to resist. It is an intolerable paradox to defend the gospel of the love of God by using the violence of man.
(iii) There are weapons which the Christian can use and these are steadfastness and loyalty. The word for steadfastness is hupomone, which does not simply mean passively enduring but courageously accepting the worst that life can do and turning it into glory. The word for loyalty is pistis, which means that fidelity which will never waver in its devotion to its Master.
Reading these verses is frightening! What if all these prophecies take place in our time? What will we do? Remember that the only way to prepare to die for your faith is to live it daily and consistently. Believers are to exhibit steadfastness and loyalty. We are to courageously accept the worst that life can do and turn it into glory. And we are never to waver in our devotion to our Master. To live this way requires the grace of God on a continual basis. But “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:57) If we will continue to ask God, He will give us the strength to follow Him to the very end. 1 John 5:4-5 says, “And this is the victory that has overcome the world: our faith. Who then overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”
PRAYER: Father God, we are afraid! Our faith is so small and the problems so immense! But YOU are the One who sent Jesus to die for our sins. YOU are the One who gives us the strength to follow You. Lord, we believe, help our unbelief! Help us to grow closer to you and to love you more each day. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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