Chapter
17 has caused me to slow the pace considerably in trying to take a fresh look
at a difficult section of scripture. I
have shared my understanding that the woman on the beast represents the false
religious systems of the world inspired by the deceit of Satan that were
birthed at Babel through the leadership of Nimrod. We have seen that the scripture has
specifically identified the beast with Satan and his earthly proxies. I have shared my conclusion that the mystery
associated with the woman and the beast refers to the origination of false
religion and false gods at Babel and will dominate the world from a power base
in that same area (known as Babylon today) in its last manifestation of world
power though its wicked influence has been felt throughout the world in many
forms throughout history. We saw that
John’s revelation sees the great world kingdoms from the perspective of Israel,
the nation through whom God chose to reveal Himself to all other nations of the
world. We saw in the last post that
Satan will be allowed one last hurrah as he rules the last world kingdom in the
person of Antichrist for a “short space.”
The
angel explaining things to John now directs his attention to the ten horns on
the beast.
Revelation 17:12–14 “And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten
kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one
hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and
strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall
overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with
him are called, and chosen, and
faithful.”
The ten
horns are associated with ten kings that will receive power and authority when
they join in league with the antichrist for the short time he is allowed to
rule. Point is made that they willingly
align themselves with the antichrist to strengthen and establish his power
base. Why? They “have one mind.” I think verse 14 identifies their common
goal—to “make war with the Lamb.” This
Lamb is clearly identified in scripture.
John 1:29 “The next day John seeth
Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the
sin of the world.”
One
cannot objectively assess global worldviews today without having to acknowledge
that this goal aligns with those views.
The United States of America has exerted an ever-growing influence
toward achievement of that goal. We were
basically recognized as a “Christian nation” because our government was founded
upon biblical principles. Our president
has made a point of stating to the world that we are not a Christian nation,
and we are leading the way in promoting moral degeneracy and rebellion against
God.
The
buzzword of the day is “tolerance.” True
Christianity at its root is not tolerant because it identifies Jesus as the
“only” way to salvation. Those pushing
for the new world order that will set the stage for the rule of antichrist
consider biblical Christianity as the greatest detriment to the achievement of
their goal. Most disturbing to me is
that those professing themselves to be Christians are contributing to their
efforts by attacking the truth of the word of God and denigrating the sacrifice
that Jesus made to atone for our sin.
Though
most of the news making headlines today grieve me, I have hope. Not hope as the world defines it, but the
hope of scripture—a confident expectation of the fulfillment of God’s
word. I know these headlines are
proclaiming the soon return of my Lord as King.
The angel explaining things to John boldly declares, “the Lamb shall
overcome them.”
Because
God in His sovereignty has allowed man the privilege of choice and allowed
Satan and his followers their time of influence with limited authority, many
deny that He is sovereign and in control if they acknowledge His existence at
all. Because God does not fit their
ideas of who He should be and how He should act, they deny Him. Their refusal to accept the truth does not change
the truth. God is LORD both in heaven
above and on earth beneath—in fact, throughout His creation. His purposes and ways are far beyond our
understanding.
Deuteronomy 4:39 “Know therefore
this day, and consider it in
thine heart, that the LORD he is
God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.”
Isaiah 55:8–9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the
LORD. For as the heavens are
higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts
than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:10–11 “For as the rain
cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth
the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the
sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my
mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I
please, and it shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it.”
Note
that Isaiah declares the word of God to be just as sure as the rain and snow
that fall to the earth to water it and allow it to produce food for us all. Whether or not we can understand all that He
tells us in His word, we can be sure that everything God has told us will come
to pass just as He has foretold.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 “For this cause
also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God
which ye heard of us, ye received it
not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,
which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew
thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.”
We can
say just as surely today as Solomon proclaimed when he dedicated the temple, “there hath not failed one word of all his
good promise.” (IKings 8:56)
I
especially rejoice in the last part of verse 14, “they that are with him are
called, and chosen, and faithful.” I am
confident that I am one of those that will be with Him.
(to be
continued…)
No comments:
Post a Comment