John
the apostle shared how he, “stood
upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea,
having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and
upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And
the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as
the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the
dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I
saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly
wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And
they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they
worshiped the beast, saying, Who is
like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was
given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and
power was given unto him to continue forty and
two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to
blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in
heaven”,
and in chapter thirteen and verse seven of Revelation John shared how
the beast was given the ability to “make
war with the saints, and to overcome them” where
we read:
And
it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome
them:
and
power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
The
verse reads, “And
it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome
them:”
John
began with the words, “and
it was given”
which means “it was granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied”
“unto
him”
or “to the beast or the antichrist” “to
make war”
which means “to battle, dispute, quarrel, have strife and fight”
“with
the saints”
or “with the pure, morally blameless and religiously and
ceremonially consecrated”, “and
to overcome them”
which means “and to conquer, have victory over and prevail against
the saints”. John shared how the “antichrist” shall go to
“battle” with the “saints” who are living at that time and be
able to “conquer” them.
The
verse continues, “and
power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”
John
added the words, “and
power”
which means “and strength, ability, liberty and physical and mental
power” “was
given him”
or “was granted, bestowed, furnished and supplied to the
antichrist” “over
all kindreds”
which means “upon, across and against each, every, the whole and
everyone of the tribes, nations and people groups”, “and
tongues”
or “and languages or dialects used by a particular people distinct
from that of other nations”, “and
nations”
which refers to “multitudes who are associated or living together,
companies, troops, tribes or people groups”. John shared how the
“antichrist” will be given “ability and rule” over every
people group in the world.
When
we consider John's words in this verse, we may marvel that one man
shall have so much power. All the people of the world shall be
subject unto him, and those who have received Jesus Christ as their
personal “Savior and Lord” during the “tribulation period”
shall be fought against by this awful “beast”. These
“saints”, who are not the “church”, shall be
“conquered” (See Matthew 16:18 concerning the church), and anyone
who lives shall be subject to this man's rule. It is important to
remember the phrase, “it was given unto him” because there
is a power greater than the “antichrist” who was able to extend
this “power” to him or else he would not obtain it. That
power was ultimately allowed by God, who rules and reigns over all
things and desires to have a relationship through His Son Jesus with
every person. May all who read these words consider the “power”
given to the “antichrist” and remember there is one more powerful
than him who allowed it.
Next
time John shares how it was,
“all
that dwell upon the earth shall worship him”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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