Revelation 13 Be discerning! Evil is just around the corner!
Fairy tales are full of wonder as we walk through the lives of each character. Grimm wrote several and one of the most famous is Little Red Riding Hood with the big, bad wolf. In fact, most of Grimm’s fairy tales include the hero and the villain and the hero wins in the end. Revelation 13 has both the villain as the beast and the dragon. But, unlike Grimm, this is not a fairy tale but the real thing that will happen all over the earth.
Let’s dig in and learn the lesson from John’s vision. Dr. Constable writes: “. He recorded this to enable his readers to identify these individuals and to respond properly.” Both the beast and the dragon have mighty powers, so much so that the entire world is deceived through lies and deception. John wrote about this to the early church: “2Jo 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not confess Jesus as Christ coming in the flesh. This person is the deceiver and the antichrist!” Precious believer, be discerning so you can detect error from truth.
John used the imagery of the sea which in other places refers to the sea of humanity. The beast who arises has no power until the dragon gives him power, a throne, and great authority to rule. We wonder why the whole world chooses to follow him, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would not see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God.” Instead, he uses deception and blasphemy to deny the One True God. The saints must be discerning so they do not fall prey to him and his power. John tells us the truth behind him: the beast’s number is 666 which is the number of man.
Remember this will truly happen and we must be aware of lest we fall victim to his advances. Are you ready to be discerning?
