REVELATION 13:5-10

Mike Kurtz

by Mako Kato

Read Revelation 13:5-10

In verse 5 we read that the beast will say blasphemous and prideful things for forty two months and during that time it will make war on the saints.  The beast will be given authority over every tribe and people and language and nation.  Like we touched on yesterday, Satan gives the beast authority over the world.  Everyone will worship the beast except those whose names have been written “in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain.” (Revelation. 13:8 ESV)  The beast can attack Christians physically in the last days, but Christians have their names written in the book of life.  LIFE, as in life eternal with Christ. We have nothing to fear.

In verse 9 we read something we haven’t read since the opening letters to the churches: “If anyone has an ear, let him hear.”  But this phrase doesn’t end with “what the Spirit says to the churches.”  One commentary points out that this is further evidence that the rapture has already happened by this time.  We can apply these verses to Christians past, present and future.

The words for those with ears to hear are similar to Jeremiah 15:2 which refers to God’s judgment.  I’m not sure how Jeremiah relates these two passages relate, but we are given the message in the end of verse 10.  It says, “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.”

Christians are called to endure and to persevere.  In the last days there will be worse persecution than the world has ever seen.  We as Christians are called to endurance no matter what.  The Bible says:

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

-James: 1:12

It doesn’t matter who you are.  As a Christian you will go through hard times.  There will be trials, but we are called to endure.

One day like Paul, I want to be able to say:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”


– 2 Timothy 4:7

But the fight isn’t over yet; and the race isn’t over yet.  It’s still time to fight, and it’s still time to run.  We are here for a purpose.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 at 1:00 amand is filed under . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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