1. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.
2. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
3. 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 astonished and followed the beast.
4. Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?"
5. The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months.
6. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.
7. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.
8. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.
9. He who has an ear, let him hear.
10. "If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he 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.
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Reflection |
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The Satanic Trinity (13:1–4)
Unlike God, Satan cannot create something out of nothing. He can only warp or pervert what God has already created. In this passage, he mimics the Holy Trinity with his own triune godhead: the dragon (Satan), the antichrist, and the beast. Perhaps one of the most fearsome prophetic words in Scripture, this chapter reveals Satan’s plan to rule the earth and introduces the beast out of the sea (usually associated with the antichrist), who wields political power. As we shall see in tomorrow’s passage, a second beast will emerge who performs miraculous wonders and is the counterfeit Holy Spirit. Just as God the Father has given Jesus great power and authority, Satan does the same for the antichrist. His mortal wound (v. 3) is thought to have been inflicted when the serpent’s head was crushed by the offspring of Eve, prophesied in Genesis 3:15.
The Great Persecution (13:5–10)
For a brief time, God will allow this beast to wage war against His people. The antichrist imitates Jesus, and many will follow and worship him as he establishes worldwide dominance. Refusal to bow to him will result in suffering, including the inability to purchase food or meet basic needs, and imprisonment or execution. Severe persecution will rise against the church, but this is all part of God’s plan to purify and strengthen His people. John’s advice to the believers comes in verse 10: to persevere through suffering, whether it is captivity or even death, with “patient endurance” and “faithfulness.”
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Application |
- Through this passage, we are given a glimpse of Satan’s counterfeit nature. Are there any false gods you have set up in your life that imitate the One True God who is deserving of worship?
- Do you often find Christians being singled out or attacked by the media or by the government? This should be expected. In fact, it would be a problem if we were not despised for our beliefs.
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A Letter to
God |
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Lord, keep me alert to the attacks of the enemy. Grant me the discernment to recognize false gods of my life and the spiritual sensitivity to determine what is from You and what is counterfeit. You alone deserve my worship. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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