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Read: Revelation 13 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘and all the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, everyone whose name

has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life

of the Lamb that was slaughtered.’ Revelation 13:8

We cannot get through life without making choices although sometimes we try to

hedge our bets. Usually, even on a sunny day, I take a coat or cardigan with me just in

case it gets colder or wetter. However, other situations demand that we choose with

no possibility of sitting on the fence. When booking a night away, eventually I have to

decide where to stay and confirm the booking.

Today’s passage moves from the picture of the heavenly conflict between God and

Satan (the dragon) to the conflict between Satan and humanity in the world. In

addition to the dragon, we are first introduced to the beast that comes from the sea

with ten horns and seven heads (vv.1-10) who makes war on the saints. The second

beast, from the earth, has two horns, exercises all the authority of the first beast, and

causes people to worship the first beast (vv.11-15). Although written at a time when

the Roman emperor persecuted Christians, it does not take too much imagination to

see how various governments and authorities persecute Christians in the same way

today. References to the “Mark of the Beast” (vv.16-18) have made their way into films

and music even if people may not know where it comes from. Commentaries suggest

that 666 may refer to Emperor Nero, who persecuted the early church. His mark was

on coins and on legal documents and permeated every area of life and effectively,

without having his mark, no one could buy or sell.

However, those who have chosen to follow Christ are already sealed by Him and carry

His mark. No one can serve two masters (Luke 16:3). This passage asks us to consider

who we follow – do we follow Jesus, or do we let ourselves be deceived by the beast in

whatever form that beast appears to us – power, wealth and possessions, popularity?

We cannot sit on the fence – we either belong to Christ and are sealed by Him and

follow Him or we belong to the world and allow ourselves to be deceived by the world.

We must choose.

Let us pray: Father God, I thank You that You have called me to follow You.

Help me to choose You and Your ways today and every day. Amen.

Stephanie Rankin, Stewardship Resourcing Officer