2018-09-09 – Revelation continues – Chapter 13

In chapter 12 there is a story of a dragon and a woman and a child. The dragon fights the woman (Israel/ the people of God) and the child (Jesus). The dragon cannot reach the child (Jesus) so all his anger is against “the woman” and her descendants (us) - the true believers.

Satan cannot get to Jesus anymore. Recognize that the devil is turning his attention to you - for one reason - to get at Jesus through you!

God is in control. He is in control through all of the hard times and the good times.

We cannot ignore the devil. He is active and present and he wants to destroy any of God’s creation. You don’t have to believe in him for him to destroy you. He wants to kill and steal and destroy.

Modern, educated people don’t believe in the devil. They think he is a myth. But that is part of his trick. If you don’t think he exists, you let your guard down and make yourself vulnerable to him and his tricks.

Hyper religious people can be so scared of the devil that they become paralyzed by fear. These are the people who see the devil behind every door.

The devil has only limited power. God is stronger. You have no need for fear because God is on your side.

Today, there are kings who want to be like God. In chapter 13 another beast comes out of the sea. The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority to rule. It has the body of a leopard (represents cruelty and cunning), the feat of a bear (represents strength and power) and the mouth of a lion (which represents a bloodthirsty nation).

One of the beast’s heads appeared to have been killed, but the lethal wound had been healed. And the whole world followed the beast in amazement. Bible scholars think this refers to king Nero.

The beast was given a mouth speaking proud words and blasphemies, and he was permitted to exercise ruling authority for forty-two months. (limited time) So the beast opened his mouth to blaspheme against God - to blaspheme both his name and his dwelling place, that is, those who dwell in heaven. The beast was permitted to go to war against the saints and conquer them. He was given ruling authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation, and all those who live on the earth will worship the beast, **everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life belonging to the Lamb who was killed. If anyone has an ear, he had better listen! The people worshipped the dragon & the beast.

This is not the end. God is in charge! True believers will have abundant life. This requires steadfast endurance and faith from the saints.

Then there is another beast. Sometimes called a prophet or false prophet. This beast looks like a lamb but is actually the devil. We need to beware of these false prophets.