Revelation 13:11- 15 “Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. And this beast exercised all the authority of the first beast and caused the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed. And the second beast performed great signs to cause even fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people. Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived. The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.“
As if things weren’t scary enough, now there is a second beast reinforcing the power of the first beast. What’s going on? These visions frequently work on several different levels. How would John have viewed this vision? How might we view it? At the time of John, the Roman Empire was the greatest political power on earth and the Caesars had declared themselves gods. There was even a legend that the Emperor Nero would rise from the dead. Considering the Roman Empire as the first beast, Barclay suggests that the second beast is actually the organization that was set up to enforce Caesar worship throughout the Empire.
Barclay comments about this power:
(i) It produces signs and wonders, such as fire from heaven; it brings it about that the image of the beast should speak. Everywhere there were statues of the emperor in the presence of which the official act of worship was carried out. In all ancient religions the priests knew how to produce signs and wonders; they knew well how to produce the effect of a speaking image. Pharaoh had had his magicians in the time of Moses, and the imperial priesthood had its experts in conjuring tricks and ventriloquism and the like.
In Revelation 13:11 there is a curious phrase. This beast from the land is said to have two horns like a lamb; that is, it is a grim parody of the Lamb in the Christian sense of the term. But it is also said to speak like a dragon. It is just possible that that last phrase should be that” it spoke like the serpent.” The reference would then be to the serpent who seduced Eve in the Garden of Eden. The imperial priesthood could easily use seductive appeals: “Look what Rome has done for you; look at the peace and the prosperity you enjoy; have you ever known a greater benefactor than the emperor? Surely in simple gratitude you can give him this formal act of worship.” There are always excellent arguments why the Church should compromise with the world; but the fact remains that, when it does, Christ is betrayed again.
(ii) This beast brings it about that those who will not worship will be killed. That was, in fact, the law. If a Christian refused to make the act of worship to Caesar, he was liable to death. The death penalty was not always carried out; but, if a Christian had not the mark of the beast, he could not buy or sell. That is to say, if a man refused to worship the emperor, even if his life was spared, he would be economically ruined. It remains true that the world knows how to bring pressure to bear on those who will not accept its standards. Often still a man has to choose between material success and loyalty to Jesus Christ.
How are we to view this vision? Today there are many throughout the world who are pushing hard for a “One World Order.” Already in America, many churches and businesses have had to drastically operations due to the challenges of the COVID – 19 virus. Were someone to come out with a complete cure for COVID, how difficult would it be to encourage people around the globe to give allegiance to this person as a Savior? The chip technology has been used for years for pure bred animals. Already many people are questioning the possibility of keeping all one’s medical data on an embedded chip. What if financial data was added and you could only transact business if you had the proper code on your chip? And GPS technology also exists, making it very easy to track people through smart phones.
The question throughout the ages remains: whom shall we worship? Shall we worship the One True Living God and His Son Jesus Christ, who gave His life for our sins and who lives and reigns forever? Or shall we compromise, going along to get along?
The poet James Russell Lowell wrote a hymn. The words are worth considering.
1 Once to ev’ry man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth and falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision,
Off’ring each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
‘Twixt that darkness and that light.
2 Then to side with truth is noble,
When we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
And ’tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses
While the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue
Of the faith they had denied.
3 By the light of burning martyrs,
Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,
Toiling up new Calv’ries ever
With the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties,
Ancient values test our youth;
They must upward still and onward,
Who would keep abreast of truth.
4 Tho’ the cause of evil prosper,
Yet the truth alone is strong;
Tho’ her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong:
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow,
Keeping watch above His own.
PRAYER: Father God, help us to remain true to you, no matter how difficult things become! Give us the strength to follow, the grace to persevere, and the faith to see that you are there in spite of the difficulties. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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