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Read: Revelation 14 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of Jesus.’ Revelation 14:12

We live in a world of ‘following,’ where people follow people for various reasons. For instance, millions of people follow famous actors, footballers or other renowned superstars on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media for recreation and leisure. Do you follow any superstars? Today’s reading is also about ‘following’. John shows us a picture of two groups of people who either follow the Lamb or the beast. But this ‘following’ is much more serious than following any superstars of this world. Let us look at these groups.

First, the ‘followers of the Lamb’ (vv.1-5). They are the redeemed people from every nation, tribe, and language who accept the eternal gospel of Jesus the Lamb of God (v.4, 7:9, John 1:29). They worship the Creator, not the creature (v.7). They resist conforming to the ways of the beast but follow Jesus everywhere in every corner of life with distinctiveness, living as a sacrifice to God (vv.4-5,12). There is no condemnation for them (Romans 8:1). Eternal life is theirs in Jesus. Are we the followers of the Lamb? If yes, then how are we following Him in our lives? Do we conform to or conquer the ways of the beast? The call is to live a faithful and distinctive life as followers of the Lamb (vv.4-5, 12).

Second, the ‘followers of the beast’ (vv.6-20). These people deny the eternal gospel of God and choose to follow and worship the beast, Satan, and receive his mark on them (v.9). They conform to the ways of the beast and reject the Lamb. But mysteriously the Lamb is also the Good Shepherd, the King of Kings. Rejecting the King and the gospel means rejecting the life He offers and evoking His judgement. John warns us of God’s impending judgement of eternal death for those who choose to follow the beast (vv.9-11, 17-20).

We may be following a superstar for recreation and leisure but following the Lamb or the beast is a serious matter. John calls us to follow the Lamb by living as true and distinctive disciples in every aspect of life. May the Holy Spirit help us to endure in keeping God’s commandments and holding fast to the faith in Jesus (v.12) as we wait expectantly for Jesus’ return in power and glory.

The Revd Munawar Din, Vicar of St Luke’s, Brierfield & St Cuthbert’s, Burnley.