In Revelation 13 and 14, a physical description of the beast is given along with a job description. It is noted that both of these passages conclude with a similar exhortation to believers. 13:10 “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.” 14:12 “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” When a text ends this way, it should stop us in our tracks! The heat of persecution will be turned up and many believers will face death. Persevere!
It will appear at first that the beast has ultimate control and faith in Jesus is meaningless because the beast will roll right over believers. His only opposition will be the saints of God, and he will be allowed for a season to totally crush them. 13:7 “Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.” At this point, believing will seem like a hopeless state! But don’t stop believing!
The real conquering is not taking place with the beast crushing the saints. The real conquering is taking place as the saints resist worshipping the beast even to the point of losing their lives! Most of humanity will gladly and proudly wear the beast’s name in order to buy and sell. Believers, who wear the Lord’s name on their hearts, will refuse to bow down and worship another god. As long as they faithfully, patiently resist, it will always be known that Jesus is the true God. He alone is more precious than bread, more precious than life! 15:2-3 “...and those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing...” Those who receive the mark and worship the beast, join the beast in eternal fire (14:11). It is then true that the conquered will be the ones who truly have conquered!
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