In His First Coming, God became flesh. Jesus was hidden, first in Mary's womb, then in a stable in Bethlehem, then in Egypt, then in Nazareth. At first He was revealed only by God's power: by angels, by the stars, and by the Spirit to Anna and Simeon (see Luke 2). Jesus was revealed to all people as a young man. Those who recognized Him were convinced by His signs. Old Testament prophets predicted all the things He did, including details of His birth.
But after His crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, the angels promised His followers that He would return again in Glory. Not as a baby, but descending from the clouds (see Acts 1).
He will come again in Glory!
Revelation 13 instructs us, in the dark time before Christ's return, others will come to deceive us, to control us, to enjoy power over us. They will imitate Christ's miracles. And many people will follow these counterfeits.
The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. (Revelation 13:2-3)
Because many will believe them. First they will gain influence and eventually they will amass real power. They will be able to throw Christ followers into prison, to restrict them from the market place, to kill them.
Honestly this is terrifying to as I sit in my warm house with my coffee and full refrigerator. We live a comfortable, sheltered life in New Jersey, but history tells us many dictators have risen in times past who demanded complete allegiance and even worship, starving and murdering their subjects with a carelessness and glee that can only be called evil. This last dictator will come from Satan himself and have power beyond what mere humans can perform in order to deceive many.
Whoever has ears, let them hear.
“If anyone is to go into captivity,
into captivity they will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sword,
with the sword they will be killed.”
This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people.
(Revelation 13:9-11)
While many will believe the beast, what should our response be?
First, we must remember what is true. All of Revelation is to instruct us on what we should see when He comes again. Although we cannot fully understand and even biblical scholars disagree, we must trust He told us enough for us to recognize the signs. God has told us all we need to know. He will be faithful. Christ will come on the clouds and all will see Him at once. He will not return as a man.
Second, we must be faithful as well. We will have hardship and we must endure it with patience and with expectation that God rewards those who stay the course.
The beast will be a man given power but it is not of God.
Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon... Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. (Revelation 13:11, 14)
Beloved, thank You for warning us. By Your Holy Spirit, please give us courage and patience to endure. Give us discernment to see through the deceivers who seek to lure us astray. We can turn off our phones, our TVs, stay home in our beds but we cannot escape the evil in this world because it is also in our hearts. Help us recognize it and repent!
We know You always stand ready with open arms for us to return. You are mercy. Amen.
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