Corona Devo 3200
I haven't watched a horror movie since high school, and even that one time was just a bad decision at a girls sleepover.
I cover my eyes (and sometimes my ears!) during gory scenes (real or fictional), and in real life I do not like the sight of blood and I've been known to get light headed or even faint at the sight of it.
I'll admit it: I often avoid unpleasant things. I would prefer not to put myself in the (uncomfortable) position of dealing with things that I do not feel comfortable with...unless it's necessary.
For instance, as a mom, if there is vomit, blood, or other unpleasantries coming from one of my children...I am here to help. Cleaning, comforting, whatever-is-needed in that moment--I will be present and even pleasant.
But otherwise...I'd rather avoid the unpleasant things of life if I can help it.
And today, I'd rather avoid Revelation Chapter 13 of the Bible, for my comfort and yours.
But, for my Biblical-truth-seeking and awareness of what's to come, and for yours too...I will share the unpleasantries of Revelation Chapter 13. We can't cover-our-eyes and plug-our-ears to what God is saying to us through His Word.
The uncomfort of these verses today help to enlighten us of the eternal comfort that is to come for those who stand firm in Christ. And...the Bible says, it will get very unpleasant.
There will come a day (time) when satan has his stand. And he will mock God openly and awfully. And not just mock...satan (as the beast and the dragon in this Chapter) will blaspheme God.
Just typing it hurts me.
Blasphemy: Blasphemy involves cursing or reviling God, or acting in a way that scorns Him, mocks Him, or denounces Him. When someone commits blasphemy, they’re shaking their fist in God’s face (so to speak), defying Him and insulting Him, and refusing to acknowledge His goodness or His authority over them. (Billygraham.org)
I'd like to turn-the-channel or flip-the-page when it comes to these words of what's-to-come in Scripture. But as God's children we must prepare for what is coming so that we can be faithful in what's to come.
And satan blaspheming God is to come.
Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God. (2) This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion! And the dragon gave the beast his own power and throne and great authority.
(3) I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast. (4) They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast. “Who is as great as the beast?” they exclaimed. “Who is able to fight against him?”
(5) Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. (6) And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven.
(7) And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. (8) And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made. (9) Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. (10) Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. ~Revelation 13:1-10
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I'll admit...I'd rather go back to the high school horror movie (whose scenes I can still recall), rather than read that this is what's-to-come. I don't know which is worse: to read of God being so disrespected and dishonored, or to know that His children (us!) will be targeted during that time.
Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. (6) And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven. ~Revelation 13:5-6
I'd prefer to close my eyes to this unknown yet assumedly-gory scene. If satan is given authority to do whatever he wants (for forty-two months!) there is bound to be unpleasantness such as we have never known, and it will include and be worse than blood and vomit.
These verses threaten to make us light-headed and nauseous.
But fear, worry, and dread are never God's intention. His Word serves to speak Truth into our lives, and by knowing the Truth, we can prepare, persevere, and be free.
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~John 8:32
We read the verses about the (timed) rule and blaspheming of the beast, and they make us quiver. But the Lord God never abandons His people or leaves them without hope. (Remember the rainbow?)
I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. (14) Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, (15) I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. (16) Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
(17) So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.” ~Genesis 9:13-17
There is a rainbow at the end of Revelation Chapter 13.
Yes--there will be unpleasant and blaspheming things to come in our lives today, and tomorrow too. And we would prefer to look away, disengage, and ignore their existence.
But God gave us His Word so that we would know His Word, and so that His Word would set us free from the captivity of fear, and tether us to the peace of Him.
It's right there in black and white: Remain faithful, Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Some of us will be taken to prison. Remain faithful.
Some of us will die by the sword. Remain faithful.
Some of us will endure persecution patiently. Remain faithful.
It's not going to be easy, but God Himself acknowledges our position and job description during this period.
We can't cover-our-eyes or plug-our-ears to it.
Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. (10) Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. ~Revelation 13:1-10
~~~
We'd rather avoid Revelation Chapter 13 of the Bible, for our comfort.
But, for our Biblical-truth-seeking and awareness of what's to come: we won't.
The uncomfort of these verses today help to enlighten us of the eternal comfort that is to come for those who stand firm in Christ.
Today and tomorrow, remain faithful, Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Blessings,
sarah
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