These are the times that the wheat becomes separated from the chaff. It is easy to be a Christ-follower when nothing is on the line. You say the right things. Sing the right songs. But when trouble comes, the reality of your authenticity and endurance and faithfulness—and who you truly are, emerges.

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

-Matthew 13:20-21

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

-1 Peter 4:12-13

The Bible is clear that this is exactly the way it will be in the Last Days.

Disease

Covid 19 - 878,000 fatalities in the United States. 5 million worldwide.

However, this is nothing new.

Science is a good thing, but it is strictly limited to about two ounces of this universe.

"There is so much in the human experience that is not in the purview of Science."

Bottom Line: God is the Giver of life!

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

-Psalm 139:16

War

Every generation and century faces conflict and war.

Man’s unquenchable thirst for power, land, and money is responsible for 99.9 percent of the world’s pain and suffering.

Man seems intent on destroying himself and others and until he turns his heart toward the heavens, pain and suffering will continue.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

-Jeremiah 17:9

Revelation 13 tells us the types of events Christians will face during the last days. Are we in the Last Days now? Yes, the Last Days began when Jesus established His Kingdom through His death, burial, and resurrection.

No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

-Acts 2:16-18

Blasphemy: Assuming to oneself the rights and attributes of God.

The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion.

-Revelation 13:2

These animals are all native to Palestine. All represented the major players and powers of the Biblical Era.

From where does this “Beast of the Sea” get his power?

The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

-Revelation 13:3

Who is the Dragon? Satan (No doubt: Revelation 12)

Who does Satan empower? Government and Authorities

The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.

-Revelation 13:5

These Governments set themselves up as final and absolute authorities for 42 months - without respect, reverence or appeal to God.

As the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, 'Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?'

-Daniel 4:29-30

The Beast of the Sea

It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.

-Revelation 13:6

Dwelling Place: Temple

Those who live in heaven: God’s ministering servants. Or possibly: Christian Martyrs.

It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them.

-Revelation 13:7a

As a rule: Christ followers are not protected from the evil legislation and persecution of Blasphemous Governments.

We too will suffer the impact of Godless governments.

And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.

-Revelation 13:7b

Its influence is exhaustive!

Every tongue, tribe and nation will be impacted to some degree by the godless kingdoms of this world.

The Beast of the Sea is not one person but rather a type of authority—typical in Apocalyptic Literature.

Think of where John’s mind would have gone when he described…

The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven.

-Revelation 13:5-6

Rome was known as the “city of gods.”

It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.

-Revelation 13:7

Christians are not immune to the impact of Godless authorities.

They too will suffer at the hands of the Godless.

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 filled with wonder and followed the beast.

-Revelation 13:3

As soon as one anti-Christ government is destroyed, another one takes its place.

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

-1 John 5:19

And no system of government has ever solved the problem associated with the human heart. That’s why the church—and only the church—is the Hope of the World.

While some Christ-followers will feel the call to enter the political realm to bring the light of Christ into a dark setting, how long will this type of thing last?

The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.

-Revelation 13:5

People 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 wage war against it?'

-Revelation 13:4

Do people actually worship Satan?

This is the system, order, or rule of influence that a person chooses to follow.

Jesus is very clear here…

He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

-Matthew 12:30

It is not necessary to oppose Christ to be against Him:

Even if you believe He is a good teacher. That He died for your sins. Even if you have a healthy respect for God.

If you never allow Him to transform your heart and life, and He makes no real impact on the way you live, and He is simply an addition to your life rather than the replacement of it, you may be a fan, but you are not a follower.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

-Matthew 7:13-14

All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

-Revelation 13:8

God has your back, do you have His?

Make A Decision