--THE BEAST OR THE LAMB?
[Please Read / Revelation 13:1-14, 17:12-15]

--"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;
and they loved not their lives unto the death." --[Revelation 12:11] --

--What comes to your mind when you think of a beast? Aggressive, powerful, cruel, merciless? Other adjectives could be relentless, ferocious, and threatening. These words well describe the enemy of our souls. Satan is a beast with a huge host of assistants. They include fallen angels or spirits, the world, and our own corrupted flesh. Consider also the characteristics suggested in Revelation 13:2; leopard, bear, and lion.

In addition, Satan has corrupted humans to be his agents to devour God's children. He makes war against the saints and speaks against God. He promotes himself as God so that men worship him. He has had great success in his war against the souls of men.

While today's Bible readings focus mainly on the beast, the picture also has a glorious, positive aspect. In fulfillment of the promise given in Genesis 3:15, the head of the beast was wounded. And though he did recover from the wound, that wounding limited his power. Revelation 13:8 hints at this when it suggests that some did not worship the beast. Verses 9 and 10 say in essence, "Listen! There's more to the story. The beast who captures to destroy will be captured! He who kills will be killed."

The Christians' patience and faith will triumph. "He that endureth to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22). Making war with the Lamb is a lost cause for the beast. Christians are neither hopeless nor helpless before him. Instead they are heaven-bound in spite of the beast's ferocity. Satan is bound and doomed (Revelation 20:2,10). So which one will we serve--the defeated beast or the triumphant Lamb? The Lord leaves that choice up to each person. ~~

--BSW/DE
-"We either follow the beast to his doom, or the Lamb to His wedding feast in glory."
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--BSW/DE