READING: Revelation 13-16
Throughout these readings this year, we’ve seen that the enemy is a defeated foe. The outcome of the war is not in question. That great truth doesn’t mean, though, that Satan has no power. He continues to rage against us, and he does so with ferocity. He remains deceptively powerful even in defeat,
In John’s description of the battle between God and the enemy, it is Satan who grants someone known as "the beast his power and his throne and great authority” (Rev 13:2). In fact, the beast (who interpreters variously identify) is healed from a fatal wound, and the people worship the dragon who gives the beast his authority. The dragon gives him so much power that the people cry about the beast, “Who can wage war against it?” (Rev 13:4). We Christians, of course, know the answer to that question, but the dragon keeps the people in deception.
Later, John sees a vision of “three unclean spirits like frogs” coming out of the mouths of what others have called “the ungodly trinity” of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet (Rev 16:13). Not unlike the magicians of Pharoah’s day who deceptively matched some of God’s plagues (Exo 7-10), the demonic spirits would perform signs and wonders to deceive even the great kings of the world. Whatever those signs would be, they were evidence of the enemy’s evil power. Jesus, too, had warned that false prophets would do such feats that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible (Matt 24:24) – so the enemy’s power must be real.
In the midst of this deception, our mandate is to remain ever alert and live in the truth of God’s Word. We are to persevere in faith (Rev 13:10, 14:12). I pray these daily devotions this year have helped you to reach this goal.
ACTION STEPS:
- If you are close to giving up under the enemy’s attack, persevere in faith. In God’s power, don’t let the enemy win.
- If you are a Christian, praise God that you already worship the only God.
PRAYER: “God, thank You that You alone can wage war against Satan and his forces. I praise you for the victory already won.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Revelation 17-19
