Revelation 13:1-18 Tribulation prepares and equips the saints to rule with Christ in the new heaven and earth.
Revelation 13:1-18
A
And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
B
It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
C
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
BACKGROUND
At the sounding of the 7th trumpet, Satan and his angels were banished to the earth where the final battle will be fought. Satan, having failed in his attempt to kill the Christ Child proceeded to persecute the church. After the sounding of the 7th trumpet, Satan was granted a period of 42 months to oppress the people with all kinds of tribulations and injustice. This is a period where many will be forced to worship the beast by receiving the mark which allows them to buy food and trade. Only those who persevere by upholding the truth to the end will be chosen to rule with Christ in the new heaven and earth. Today’s devotion teaches us: Tribulation prepares and equips the saints to rule with Christ in the new heaven and earth.
OBSERVATION
A
Revelation 13 begins with the backstory that concerns the first beast at the 6th trumpet. This beast appeared after the 6th trumpet sounded and was seen battling the two witnesses (Rev 11:7). This beast (an incarnation of the devil, who possesses horns and heads similar to that of the dragon) tramples the righteous for 42 months (Rev 11:2). This beast will be slained following the sounding of the 7th trumpet, but was observed to have resurrected. This is in fact a false resurrection meant to deceive the world for only God can resurrect the dead. The fact is, when this beast dies, he will not resurrect, but will go into eternal destruction (Rev 17:8).
B
After the sounding of the 7th trumpet, the beast continues to oppress the saints forcing them to worship him. Those who persevere, who refuse to submit to the beast will be imprisoned and killed. But they will have their names written in the book of life. And these will participate in the second rapture together with those who belong to the one hundred and forty-four thousand (Rev 14:1). Here is where every person’s faith in God is tested. Those who persevere to the end will be chosen to rule with Christ.
C
After the beast dies, Satan raises a second beast (also a human incarnation of the devil) and gives him authority to reign over all peoples for another 42 months. Here, the second beast deceives the world by falsely resurrecting the first beast who speaks on his behalf (“And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak…” Rev 13:15). He will create a system to control the world by placing a mark on every person who submits to him. And no one can buy or sell unless he possesses this mark. And many will give their soul to the beast in exchange for food. The wisdom to identify the second beast belongs to those who are righteous at heart, who worship God and God alone.
TRUTH
Tribulation prepares and equips the saints to rule with Christ in the new heaven and earth.
How does tribulation on earth prepare and equip the saints to rule the heavens?
Amidst the tribulations, saints experience pain and suffering in the hands of evil. And they will know what it is like to suffer injustice by having their possessions and loved ones forcibly taken from them. Through the tribulations, the saints will come to understand what utter helplessness and hopelessness feel like. That said, how does tribulation prepare the saints to rule with Christ?
Firstly, it prevents the misuse of power when the saints receive their authority to rule with Christ. Since the saints, having experienced first hand the horrors of oppression and injustice will do all to prevent that from reoccurring. In addition to that, they will be careful to never in any circumstance use this authority to oppress but to serve. That is why it is pertinent that part of the saints’ training as rulers must include first hand experience of injustice and oppression.
Secondly, it prevents corruption among rulers. Tribulation tests the saints’ conviction to do what is right in the face of temptations. The devil will tempt many with riches and power to betray the truth. But if such refuse the temptations, they will be imprisoned and killed. Therefore, only those who overcome by upholding the values of Jesus to the very end will rule with Him. For such have proven themselves as absolutely incorruptible. John saw in a vision,
Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. – Revelation 20:4
One virtue that Jesus upheld to the very end is love and forgiveness. Hence, Jesus is worthy to rule because injustice and oppression cannot corrupt His propensity towards love and forgiveness.
Thirdly, tribulation hones the saints’ ability to persevere, to expose deceptions, and to accomplish their mission. This enables the saints to teach others to do the same to realise God’s vision towards a new heaven and new earth. Even after Satan is banished into the lake of fire, life goes on and people have to learn to make decisions between good and evil. And there will inevitably be some who will do evil to oppress others. Here is where the saints must teach people to persevere, to realise God’s vision towards a new and perfect creation.
APPLICATION
When you are persecuted for doing what is right, remember what your mission is and fulfil it. Do not obsess over who is right or wrong, or what is fair or unfair. But stay true to the course of the mission and excel in it. Stop getting angry over those who hurt you but draw near to those who love you. For God has prepared people who will comfort and strengthen you in times like these. In God’s time, He will carry out justice against the perpetrators.
PRAYER
Dear Lord, Gather the nations before you. Rule over them from on high. The LORD judges the nations. Declare me righteous, O LORD, for I am innocent, O Most High! End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right (Psalm 7:7-10). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.