Woodland Hills Church of Christ

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Woodland Hills Church of Christ episodes

September 08, 2024Revelation 14:14–– 16:21 Judgment of the Beast
Judgment of the Beast!
Revelation 14:14 – 16:21
Introduction: 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 The Thessalonian Christians apparently suffered greatly in the years following Paul’s departure. In Paul’s final letter to them he offered encouragement in a way that we might not have thought of, especially in today’s culture.
Their faithfulness in the midst of severe trials was evidence that they were worthy of the kingdom of God. This would be evident when God would repay with affliction those who inflicted them. Paul calls this the righteous judgment of God.
God would inflict “vengeance” on those who do not know him and who do not obey the gospel. They would suffer the punishment of eternal destruction “away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.”
Christians in Thessalonica suffered as a result of the idolatry practiced by the Roman Empire. At the time that Paul wrote, such persecution was local, but it would soon spread throughout the empire.
What should this do for us? Most of us try not to spend too much energy talking about the present condition of our country with gross immorality being touted and pushed by powerful entities – and that is as it should be. But deep in our hearts we are like Habakkuk – how long O Lord do we have to look on this wickedness!
Harvesting the Earth (14:14-20)
Judgment has already been decreed by three angels: (1) warning to hear the eternal gospel, (2) Babylon the great is fallen, (3) worshipers of the beast will drink the wine of God’s wrath.
Now the Lord gives us a picture of the judgment scene. Please remember, that though there is a clear parallel to God’s final judgment when Jesus returns, this text and that which follows in chapters 16-18, is specifically referring to Rome. In other words, just as throughout the OT, there are judgment pictures of the fall of nations even though the descriptions appear to be “end of time.” But context demands end of time for that nation.
To understand the concept given in these verses, consider Matthew 13:39-43 “The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”
The first reaping is done by “one like the son of man.” This is the same description of Jesus in Daniel 7:13-14 when he ascends into heaven and is crowned as king over his kingdom. Since the second reaping is described as judgment on the wicked, this reaping by Jesus is that gathering of the righteous.
The next reaping is done by an angel “with the authority over fire.” He gathers clusters from the vine of the earth and “threw them into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” This picture is borrowed from Isaiah 63:1-6 and the judgment on Edom, which is also a nation representing the dragon.
You will notice that whether it is the description given in Isaiah or in Revelation, nothing is held back in the gruesome picture of judgment on the wicked. The river of blood created by God’s judgment is equivalent to about 184 miles and as high as 3-4 feet. What a reminder for us: the patience and mercy of God has a limit!
Seven Angels with the Seven Last Plagues (15:1-8)
The main thing to notice in the following section which extends through chapter 16 is that is has an “echo” of the original Exodus from Egypt.
Just as in Egypt, God’s people are being afflicted and crying out for the blood to be avenged.
The “beast” (Egypt/Rome) and those who worship it, refuse to repent of their evil and stop their persecutions of God’s people.
Therefore, God brings plagues that lead to the final great confrontation at the edge of the Red Sea when the power of Egypt, and now Rome, is destroyed.
Following the victory, God’s people with all the victorious before the throne, sing the “song of Moses,” and now the “song of the Lamb.”
Thus, we read in 15:1 that this is the final battle against the Roman Beast, after which the wrath of God on the empire will be finished. “Rome, you are just like Belshazzar of Babylon. The handwriting is on the wall!”
Pay attention specifically to the end of verse 4: “for your righteous acts have been revealed.” If God did not bring justice against the wicked and avenge the blood and persecution against his people, he would not be a righteous God. He has promised to “save us,” and that salvation must include the punishment of the wicked.
Finally, visualize the picture of God’s sanctuary in heaven being opened and watch the seven angels being handed bowls full of the wrath of God. Look out! Here they come!
Pouring Out the Bowls of Wrath on the Earth
The first thing to consider in these final judgments is that God is withdrawing his blessings that he has given to both good and bad alike. Since the people who worship the beast reject and blaspheme God, their final judgment is pictured as a removal of the blessings of God’s reign. But even as these blessings are removed, the people blaspheme God and refuse to repent.
First Bowl: harmful and painful sores like the boils in the plague of Egypt. Human misery
Second Bowl: the sea becomes blood and everything in it dies. Economic destruction
Third Bowl: rivers and springs become blood. Famine and starvation
Quick Interlude: the angel in charge praises God for his righteous judgments
Fourth Bowl: the sun scorches people with fierce heat. And yet they would not repent and give God glory! The sun should be a blessing; now it is their curse.
Fifth Bowl: On the throne of the beast so that the whole empire is plunged into darkness. The power of the beast is destroyed so that Rome no long gives light. Darkness prevails over those who put their hope in the beast.
Sixth Bowl: the water of the Euphrates is dried up. This opens the way for the kings of the east to destroy what is left of the empire. The beast and all its followers will be devoured.
Verse 14: the dragon and the beast will not give up. Three unclean spirits are sent out (demons represent idolatry, 1 Cor. 10). With one last gasp the dragon tries to hold on to his power as he assembles all the world to do battle with the Lamb.
Verse 15: quick interlude warning to the saints to be ready! Don’t fall for the deception of the dragon and his beasts. Keep yourself dressed in righteousness so that you are not naked and exposed before God.
Verse 16: Armageddon (literally Mount of Megiddo). In the OT, Megiddo is always referred to as the valley of Megiddo. Megiddo was a “strategic point in the protection of Israel and Judah, since it guarded the northern entrance to Israel” (Hailey). There were many decisive battles at this site:
Deborah and Barak against Jabin and Sisera
Gideon’s 300 men against the Midianites
Saul and Jonathan killed in battle
King Josiah died battling Pharaoh Neco
Therefore, the vision treats Armageddon as a site the symbolizes the decisive battle of God against the beast and false prophet. The battle will be described in chapter 19.
Seventh Bowl: Poured out into the air. The Lord hits the dragon right where he lives: Paul refers to Satan as “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).
You will notice that there was no interlude between the sixth and seventh plague as there were in the previous series of plagues.
“It is done!” Tells us that this is the final judgment on the beast. An earthquake beyond anything that has ever been on the earth brings the great empire down.
The city splitting into three parts is just another indication of how devastating the earthquake is (Cf. Ezekiel 5:2ff). Note also, it is not just “Babylon” that falls, but all the cities of the nations. As we will see in the next two chapters, these nations committed adultery with Rome, exchanging their allegiance to her immoral rule for what the empire could provide them.
If that were not enough, the Lord makes the nation drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath and then adds to that 100 pound hailstones that fall on people.
Consider the strong reaction the Lord has to the nations and people of the world who worshiped the beast and participated in her rebellion and immorality. The “fury of his wrath” should tell us how horrible the sins are.
Romans 1:18, “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” The reason for God’s wrath is because their sins are destructive to God’s creation, especially people he made to reflect his image.
We hear worldly people talk about victimless crimes practiced by “consenting” adults. God knows that there is no such thing as as a victimless sin. These sins not only destroy people’s lives now but dooms them to eternal punishment. It is so easy for us to get callous to this wickedness, when we should have the same anger as the Lord.
Conclusions: 16:15
“Behold, I am coming like a thief!” This little parenthetical is given in the midst of God pouring out his judgments. It is a warning, not to the wicked, but to the righteous. Consider the fact that five of the seven churches to whom Jesus wrote letters at the beginning, were in danger of being lost. Jesus is concerned that we will compromise as we live in the midst of the wickedness around us. Lukewarm Laodicea, Sleeping Sardis, Jezebel in Thyatira, Compromising Pergamum, and Ephesus who had lost its first love. How quickly we fall into a rut!
16:15 “Keep your garments on!” In 19:8, we are told that “it was granted to her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure – for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” Live in righteousness!
Berry Kercheville
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38 min
September 08, 2024 1 Samuel 23 – 25
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46 min
September 05, 2024 Psalms 34 , 52
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46 min
September 04, 2024 1 Corinthians 14 Spiritual Gifts – Part 3
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46 min
September 01, 2024 1 Samuel 20-22
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45 min
September 01, 2024Revelation 14:1-13 The Lamb on Mt. Zion with 144,000
The Lamb on Mt. Zion with 144,000
Revelation 14:1-13
Introduction: I would like you to imagine living as a Christian in the year 68 AD. Nero, the first emperor to aggressively persecute and kill Christians, and was responsible for the deaths of Peter and Paul, has just died. For a moment there may have been a feeling of relief. But then, a letter from Jesus through the apostle John arrives and is read during Sunday worship.
The letter pictures the resurrected Jesus preparing the churches for what was soon to come. Suddenly in the reading, a dragon raises up monstrous beasts to destroy and devour Christians. Then Jesus spoke directly to his people telling them plainly: “If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is the call for the endurance and faith of the saints.” (13:10).
This was not a warning far in the future. It would happen very soon. If you were living then and heard the message of Jesus, how are you feeling? In the midst of trembling over the vision, what do you need? –
Assurance that Jesus will be with you
Assurance that the battle against the dragon will be won
But Jesus was not finished with his vision. Who would stand against the dragon and his beasts? And Jesus answers with a picture of the Lamb with his 144,000 standing on Mt. Zion. While death and captivity was still decreed, who would ultimately win? Vicious beasts, or a Lamb with 144,000?
The dragon’s purpose of raising these beasts was to intimidate us; to make us tremble with fear. If we will fear, we will compromise.
The Lamb and 144,000 (1-5)
Who can comfort us when the dragon and his beasts are making war? Just imagine seeing the Lamb on Mt. Zion! The Lamb, who has already conquered, who was dead and yet is alive and has the keys to death and Hades, is standing on the mountain of God.
But that is not all, 144,000 are standing with him. We have already been introduced to this group in chapter seven. They were the perfect number of God’s people on earth who were “sealed” (protected) from the judgments to come when the seventh seal was opened.
This should remind us that the battle with the dragon and his allies includes us. Chapters 13-14 shows who the players are in the war taking place: the dragon and his allies, the beast and false prophet, and God with his allies, the Lamb and the 144,000. This is an identity message! Do you see yourself in this battle, warring along side the Lamb in the battle for the Kingdom of God?
This is a victory scene. The dragon came out of the bottomless pit and his beasts came out of the sea and the earth. But the Lamb and his followers stand on an impenetrable mountain. Hebrews 10:22, “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering…”
Notice the details: this is a fair test of our spirituality and our allegiance to our Savior.
They have the Lamb’s name and the Father’s name written on their foreheads boldly announcing their loyalty to the Lord and not accepting the mark of the beast.
A voice from heaven singing a new song…like the roar of many waters. In 15:2-3, we learn who is singing this song in heaven. It is those who have conquered, paralleling the great multitude who had gone through the tribulation in chapter 7.
Singing a new song, or the song of Moses and the Lamb, a song of victory, a new victory even greater than God’s victories of old. Are we living a victorious life as we look forward to the ultimate victory?
No one can learn the song except the 144,000 since only they have overcome the dragon and the beast.
They have not defiled themselves with women.
“For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2)
“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure — for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”(Revelation 19:7–8)
They have kept themselves pure for their bridegroom. This doesn’t just refer to sexual immorality, but more primarily to the spiritual adultery of idolatry connected with earthly desires. Cf. The idolatrous prostitute of Babylon.
They follow the Lamb wherever he goes – in the way they live, in carrying the cross, and to victory.
They are “redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb.” Titus 2:13-14, “…waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” We are a “firstfruits” (the best of a harvest) for God, made as his own possession and for his glory.
Finally, they are blameless because no lie is found in their mouth. (Cf. 21:8) In contrast, the dragon and his beasts are liars and deceivers. Always know that when a nation becomes beastly, you can see it in their lies and deceptions in order to grab power for themselves over God and his people. “The coming of the lawless one is … with all wicked deception…” (2 Thes. 2:9-10).
Three Angels Deliver Their Messages (6-13)
Judgment is ready to begin and the messages of these angels prepare the world for what is about to come.
First angel: the proclamation of the eternal gospel to all who dwell on the earth.
Eternal gospel suggests that which was in the mind of God since before the foundation of the world (Titus 1:1-2).
The Lord’s “gospel” implies both good news and a warning. All have sinned. All have become enemies of God and have followed the deception of the dragon. God in his mercy has offered redemption through the sacrifice of the Lamb. Rejection of God’s offer is not the reason for judgment. Every person is already under the judgment of God. The gospel is the remedy; the only solution to our lost condition. This has forever been the problem of mankind. We think we won’t be condemned because we are living fairly good lives according to our conscience. No, we are already condemned. Before Jesus ever came, the world had caught a deadly disease. Rejecting Jesus isn’t the reason for the disease, it is the only cure possible.
When COVID hit and people were dying worldwide, if a cure had been found that would have saved every person who caught the disease, no one would have rejected it. We would have all gladly paid for the remedy. But covid was nothing compared to the deadliness of sin. Sin is 100% deadly.
When the angel announces the gospel message, he is not “gentle” about it nor does he beat around the bush. Fear God and give glory to God because the hour of judgment has come! How urgent does this sound? It is even more urgent today.
Second angel: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great…”
The same words are used in Isaiah 21:9 to refer to the eventual fall of the physical nation. “Babylon” is a symbol of a nation desiring to supersede the reign of God and cause all the world to worship. We see this in Genesis 11 with the tower and later with the empire.
Her sin was to make all the nations drink the wine of the “passion” of her sexual immorality. This refers to the intoxicating influence of Rome’s wealth, pleasures, and power. Think of it this way: people’s lives become consumed and intoxicated with time to experience another “fun” thing, fulfill more desires, and pursue whatever their eyes see.
In the past three years, I have preached at church after church where elders told me, “Well, we just never got back to meeting on Sunday evenings. People are just so busy with their families, you know.” One man came to me after Sunday morning worship and told me how much he like the lesson, but unfortunately he would not be able to come to the next lessons because “you know how it is, my son has soccer, so I’m sure you understand.” Yes, I understand you are teaching your son that the pursuit of our personal desires always comes before God. Good job, dad!
Third angel: those who drink the wine of the passion of the beasts immorality, will have another cup to drink: “the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger…”
Notice “full strength.” It is not diluted with water as was the common practice of the day when drinking wine. There will be no dilution to God’s cup of wrath.
You might ask, “Why is God’s so wrathful?” He gave his only Son to save us from being justly condemned for eternity. Further, through his Son he promised to crown us with glory and honor and give us pleasures forevermore. But instead of being eternally thankful, mankind gave their time and their honor and glory to a beast created by a dragon.
Verses 10-11 describe the consequences of such a blasphemous life. As with Sodom and Gomorrah, “tormented with fire and sulphur.” And, “the torment goes up forever and ever.”
Further, “there is no rest, day or night.” Any doubt about the severity of pursuing beastly desires and/or rejecting the eternal gospel of God?
Verses 12-13 In contrast, what does God offer the saints? What is it that God has promised that will give us endurance to never pursue our own desires, but to always give honor and glory to God? It is REST, “that they may rest from their labors.” Those who worship the beast have no rest, but those who labor for the Lord will rest.
Notice the concluding words, “for their deeds follow them.” When you breathe your last, what deeds in service to God will follow you? What are you doing that will cause God to say, “It is time to rest”?
Conclusion: The words of these angels presents to us a high stakes decision we all must make. It is not just a choice to be “religious” or not. Peter said it this way, “Therefore brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this, you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10 NET)
Berry Kercheville
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39 min
August 29, 2024 Psalm 59
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47 min
August 25, 2024 1 Corinthians 12: Spiritual Gifts – Part 2
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47 min
August 25, 2024 1 Samuel 18-20
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46 min
August 25, 2024Revelation 13:11-18 The Beast Rising Out of the Earth
The Beast Rising Out of the Earth
Revelation 13:11-18
Introduction: How aware do you believe you are of the work of the dragon in our country and in the world? Revelation 12:17, “Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Following this, the dragon called up two beasts, political and cultural powers to attack the woman’s offspring and those who keep God’s commandments. This is not just people doing immoral things; it is an attempt to destroy God’s kingship.
The mistake that has often been made in a study of Revelation is to either think of the book as strictly historical, first to third century Roman persecution, or strictly prophetic of events that are yet to come.
Taking either of these two views misses the fact that “all scripture” is applicable for every generation. Nothing comes from the mouth of God that isn’t intended as “reproof, rebuke, and instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Therefore, consider: We see in Daniel “beasts” rising up out of the sea that are interpreted as empires that will foster injustice, cause people to worship their power, and do battle against God’s people. Then in Revelation 13, we again see a beast rising out of the sea, this time a composite beast that embodies all the beasts of Daniel. Therefore, for over 1000 years, from Babylon to Rome, beasts rose up out of the sea, not only to persecute God’s people, but to also to coerce people to serve the Dragon and reek havoc on the earth.
According to Psalm 2, God has gone to battle against the Dragon and these beasts by setting Jesus on the throne, who rules the nations with a rod of iron. Jesus has now defeated the Dragon, but in his final efforts against God’s creation and God’s people, we still see him raising up “beasts.”
Now, why is Revelation written, and why does it still apply today? The answer is plain. While there are no more world empires, there continues to be nations and pressures on nations to become like a beast.
Enforce absolute authority and power to the government and defeat any honor to God as a competing authority
Destroy the “foundations” by overturning God’s laws, especially on morality. Justice, righteousness, and morality cannot stand if the Dragon and his beasts are going to win. Remember, Paul referred to the beast as the man of lawlessness. See 13:1, 6. Cf. Isaiah 5:20.
Therefore, the Dragon uses his beast to bring about a cultural change, and though at times he uses force, the Dragon raises up a second beast, whose job is the deceive the people. This earth-beast is the subject of our text this morning.
The Picture of the Earth Beast
We are immediately able to see how the Dragon is a perverse imitator of God. He does so by creating an unholy satanic trinity.
The dragon puts himself in the position of God demanding worship from all the people of the earth.
The sea-beast puts himself in the position of Jesus and causing the earth to marvel when one of his heads is killed but then comes back to life. He promises all the peoples of the earth “life” in the form of riches and prosperity.
The earth-beast corresponds to the Spirit of God speaking through apostles and prophets and the testimony of the saints. But he is a false prophet (16:13). To deceive people, he looks like a lamb, but when he speaks, it is the voice of the dragon.
Notice the “signs” that are done by the earth-beast in order to deceive the people. We see similarities to what God’s two witnesses did in 11:5-6, who reflected Moses and Elijah. But the earth-beast also does signs and calls down fire from heaven.
“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 ESV)
“The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9–10 ESV)
Notice also the earth-beast convinces people to make an image of the beast so that it can appear that worshiping the image gives life. In fact, not worshiping the image, gives death. By the end of the first century, every city of the seven churches had temples dedicated to the deity of Caesar.
Verse 12: The purpose of the earth-beast is to cause the world to worship the sea-beast. Worship is simply the principle of where a person will put his/her loyalty. Therefore, in order to convince people to worship the beast, it is important that this false prophet convince the world that the beast is a real deity that is able to provide them food and prosperity. On the other hand, those who would not worship the image would starve or be put to death.
Consider how that culture would look to the world at that time: “These Christians worship a God they believe is real and gives them life and prosperity. But look at them! Where is their God now? Why are we living so well and they are not? Judge for yourself! Who is the stronger god?”
Thus the earth-beast was to force everyone to receive a “mark” on their hand or forehead that would indicate their loyalty to the beast (to the government) above all other authorities. Of course, this is not a literal mark like a tattoo. The mark becomes clear when a person shows evidence of loyalty to the Roman cult.
Our media and news organizations have often filled the role of the earth-beast. Many are no longer journalists, but fill the role of advocating whatever positions they deem favorable.
Finally, we see the sea-beast given a number. The number and the explanation demonstrate its weakness and eventual failure. The number 666 is one short of the power of God and the number seven and it is also described as the number of a man, indicating as the life of a flower or grass that appears and then vanishes, so will this great force. It is dependent on human strength, and therefore will fail.
Living Under the Rule of a Beast
I think it was helpful to the Roman Christians, as well as helpful to us, for God to describe Rome as a beast. Peter described the character of one who is a beast: “But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction…they have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!” (2 Peter 2:12-14)
However, as we saw with the letters to the churches, when Christians were living in the midst of the beast’s rule, it was far more difficult to recognize the ruling powers as a true beast. The same is true for us today. Gordon Fee states:
“Despite much that was wrong with the empire, and despite the less than exemplary character of some of its emperors, most of the people in the churches to whom John was writing would have been served well enough by the Empire, since by and large it functioned as a kind of benevolent dictatorship.”
The same is true today. We are greatly benefited by living in this country regardless of who is in power. These benefits can cause us to miss the the danger of those who are moving the nation in a “beastly direction,” not realizing that prosperity was a way for Rome to enforce their wicked rule.
It is important to remember that the beast had “blasphemous names” on its heads (vs. 1). Its mouth uttered “haughty and blasphemous words” (5), and his mouth uttered “blasphemies against God” (6). This has become common among many political leaders today.
Remember, according to Psalm 2, for political leaders to rage against God and Christ is not unusual. The battle of the kingdoms of the world against the Kingdom of God is the very message of the Bible! Isaiah 24:21
“On that day the Lord will punish the host of heaven, in heaven, and the kings of the earth, on earth.”
First century Christians were also challenged by the fact that experiences of persecution were different throughout the empire. We have often made the mistake of believing that Roman persecution was universal, executed from the Emperor down. Not true as we have already seen in the the letters to the churches. (Like COVID for us) This would make it even more difficult to broadly condemn the whole empire.
Therefore, “For the church then and today, Christ offers the image of the beast as an opportunity to see global superpowers in a totally new way.” (Scott Kercheville)
Bottom line: We have always been patriotic and generally proud of our country because of the freedoms we are granted that are not allowed throughout the world and throughout history. But if our country continues to move in a more beastly direction, we must be careful that we do not blend patriotism into worship.
Consider that there were areas of our country where those in power banned worship for up to 18 months – and many churches caved to the pressure under the guise of obeying the government.
Visualizing the Application
It is a major challenge to imagine what the circumstances would be in which we would need to stand up to the powers over us. That was exactly the challenge of Peter when he told Jesus he would never deny him. He couldn’t envision the circumstances where he would cave.
Therefore, consider two actual biblical events that should help us:
Daniel 3: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Consider how easy it would have been to for these three young men to simply “hit the ground.” I can just imagine them whispering to each other how stupid this is and that they would never worship that image. Easy peasy. No one knows any different.
Daniel 6: For 30 days it is illegal to pray to anyone except the king would be thrown in the fiery furnace. Listen to the words:
“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” (Daniel 6:10)
Daniel! How can you not see how simple this is! You can continue to pray! Just don’t open your windows and make it obvious that is what you are doing!
As was evident during COVID, when that day comes, it will be easy for Christians to reason their way into compromise. “My family needs to eat! After all, it’s just a posture, a signature, a few words. It’s just a meaningless, outward appearance.”
Conclusion: Revelation is teaching about the battle we are in. The Dragon is making war with the offspring of the woman. Are we fighting the Dragon and his beasts, or compromising?
Berry Kercheville
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43 min