The Beast from the Sea and the Beast from the Earth
Open Your Bible
Revelation 13:1-18, Proverbs 1:7, Hebrews 10:32-39
BY Guest Writer
There is just no way around it. The apocalyptic scene described in Revelation 13 is horrifying. It appears that every possible embodiment of sheer evil will be turned loose on the world—particularly against those who “hold firmly” to the testimony of Jesus (12:17). Add to that, supernatural deception and oppressive brutality will be the all-encompassing order of the day (13:13–17). Everything is utter calamity. How can we possibly face the prospect of such disasters? I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer to simply disappear before the catastrophe begins.
But what about today, here and now? As we consider our own times, what can we say to encourage God’s people who are currently facing such ferocious animosity? How do we pray for believers whose lives are threatened day in and day out by vicious, nearly unimaginable manifestations of hatred? While Revelation 13 may be part of a much more comprehensive and sober glimpse into the future, there are also crucial lessons for us today.
Bottom line for now: there are no easy answers when God’s people are faced with cruel injustices. There are no detours around the painful suffering brought about by those who practice evil. Instead, “this calls for endurance and faithfulness from the saints” (13:10). We are called to stand with those who are subjected to persecution, insults, and unjust treatment (Hebrews 10:33–34).
And how can we best do that? With fervent intercessory prayer. Scripture tells us that God is always with us, but with fervent intercessory prayer, we can pray for His presence to be known and felt by those who suffer. We can cry out on their behalf, asking God to grant them peace.
In talking with friends and acquaintances whose suffering makes my own experiences pale in comparison, I have been both humbled and amazed by what their words have in common. As a result of their truly grim circumstances, they have come to know a deeper intimacy with God. May such be true for all of us!
It’s difficult to pray well, but it’s important to proclaim God’s “great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4) on behalf of those who need endurance for each coming hour. May they (and we) be assured that the One who is coming will not delay (Hebrews 10:37) and that there awaits us “a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11, NIV). We cling to these truths even when everything else seems to give way at the very foundations (Psalm 46).
That “rich welcome” that awaits God’s faithful and enduring people has stayed generations of believers. The book of Hebrews assures us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses as we run the race set before us. I like to think of them cheering on God’s faithful people as we feebly struggle, yet keeping our eyes on “the source and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2).
Elaine A. Phillips received a BA in social psychology from Cornell University, an MDiv from Biblical Theological Seminary, and an MA in Hebrew from the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem, where she and her husband, Perry, studied and taught from 1976–79. She holds a PhD in rabbinic literature, and teaches Biblical Studies at Gordon College. She also serves as a historical geography field instructor for Jerusalem University College. She has published a commentary on Esther in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary; a devotional book, With God, Nothing Is Impossible; and, most recently, An Introduction to Reading Biblical Wisdom Texts.
33 thoughts on "The Beast from the Sea and the Beast from the Earth"
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As I read scripture, (because it is living and active and God shows me different things for different times in my life), I mark the parts that the Holy Spirit lays before me most clearly. I simply am not always able to take it all in. But I pray that God will give me WISDOM to discern what He has for me this day, and then COURAGE to live it out in my life. I can read the same scripture on a different day, or even later in that same day and His Spirit will cause something different to settle on my heart.
Today I underlined: Rv13:7 “it was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them.” (My thoughts were, why would it be allowed to conquer… but then I thought, Jesus gave his life for me. God IS the VICTOR. If my life is lost in the fray-be near me Lord and give me the courage to honor You. May I remember, this life is such a short time compared to eternity.) vs. 8 says everyone will worship it (and I thought Lord please, don’t allow me to be deceived) the verse continues “everyone whose name was NOT written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.” (Whew, I thought, hold on to Jesus and we will be fine.)
Also circled or underlined were parts I need to pray for in my life: vs 18a THIS CALLS FOR WISDOM. Pr 1:7 fear of the Lord, knowledge, wisdom and discipline
And, Heb. 10:34b “because you know that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession. 36For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.
And, the promise…37the Coming One will come and not delay” (I added an !) finally vs 39 ” we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved.”I remember as a young adult, my grandmother, (who enjoyed a good debate) asked me (who does not) if I was pre-mid-or post trib. (Asked is really too mild.-She shared her points and was waiting for the debate to ensue if I didn’t agree.) I really didn’t know for sure what I believed, but my answer, I felt like the Spirit gave me. I said, “Grandma, I don’t know what I believe for sure. I hope it is pre, but if it is not, my prayer and plan is, just hold on to Jesus.” The air sort of went out of her sails. She thought for a minute and then said, “Well, I guess that will be okay.”
I recognize that I do not have the depth in theology and Biblical studies that many do. But, we have the same Holy Spirit, Lord who died for us, and Father who loves us. I don’t believe He gave us Revelation to stress us out. He is God. He is Love. Love for us, Love for those who do not love Him. He will use the information He gives according to His will. Instead of getting overly stressed by what I can’t figure out, I just ask Him to hold my hand and help me through, as He wills, and, He does. Can/Should I dig deeper? Absolutely, but I guess for me, I don’t stress about the knowledge, I just try to grow closer.
That is where I am. We all have different gifts and callings. When God calls, He provides – our job is to obey. We are presently loved where we are and growing every day. Lord give me wisdom and courage in You. Amen.
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Angie,
I also can’t take it all in, but I love how you put it. That God would give me wisdom to discern right from wrong, and to know that all I need to do is hold on to Him.
Thank you for your thoughts. Keeping you all in prayer. -
Thank you Angie… for all that you have written . I’m going to let the Holy Spirit take a the lead in my bible studies
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Angie, So beautiful. Your comment really helped me. Thank you!
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Angie- this perspective really helped me. Thank you for sharing.
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This is so wonderfully put. Sometimes I feel like we’re supposed to have all the answers, but then I realize as long as I trust God and His Word, even if I don’t know exactly what everything means, it’ll be okay, and He will reveal what I need, when I need it as long as I’m pursuing Him.
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I remember growing up in the church and hearing the missionary stories of how people were persecuted and killed for their faith. Many prayers of my childhood bounced back and forth between thanking God that I was born in a country where I was free to worship God and where being a Christian was the norm to asking God to grow my faith so that if I ever faced persecution I would be able to stand up boldly and endure it for Christ’s sake.
All the while realizing how unlikely that would be living in this Christian nation in this modern world. Now, 40 some odd years later, my faith is not the norm. I live in a culture I no longer recognize. My values are no longer main stream. When I share my ideas, I am often laughed at and dismissed for my closed-minded and unenlightened views. Christians have been targeted and murdered by school shooters and Isis terrorists and more. Still I turn to my God and realize that my prayer is the same: By Your grace and Your mercy grow my faith so that no matter what may come I will stand when asked “Are you a Christian? Do you believe in Jesus?”-
I feel like I could’ve written this! Praying our faith is strengthened, that our testimony would be we always proclaim Christ no matter who challenges us and no matter what circumstances should come upon us.
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Shawn, your replies are always so insightful! Thank you for your comments!
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I am confused also C. I don’t understand this. Need to find a small group who wants to understand and help us to understand.
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I realize I can be offended and my feelings hurt when my faith is ridiculed. But harsh words pale in comparison to “having possessions confiscated” or undergoing true persecution. I’ve read Robert Morgan’s book On This Day which recounts the martyrs and what they endured, how they suffered and died. It is sobering. It is not for the faint hearted. I believe that Christians alive on the earth at the time of Jesus’ second coming will be raptured to heaven before the Great Tribulation begins. While that gives me comfort I also believe that there will be those who turn to Christ during the Tribulation and they will experience what we’ve read about in today’s Scripture. And I know that there are those right now in various parts of our world, here and there, who are targeted because of their faith. How do any of us stand firm without prayer, without a personal relationship with Jesus? I would give my life for my family. Would I give my life for Jesus, to bear witness of Him? Discomforting questions requiring prayers for conviction and endurance.
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I began writing down tools I would need to face temptations. Prayer, His daily Word, His Holy Spirit, community,
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A new film based on the book “Tortured for Christ” is on Netflix now (June,2019). It’s hard to watch but worth it to make it to the end. Romanian Christians tortured because of their faith.
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I like that you recounted the suffering of the martyrs—my flesh is so vehemently opposed to suffering I feel myself bury my head in the sand with regards to the extreme suffering of others—but that’s not Galatians 6:2. We are called to carry one another’s burdens. Your comment ties everything up so beautifully: prayer really is the answer. After reading Revelations 13 I do feel led to pray; for courage, endurance, the spreading of the gospel, and for the strengthening of this present during the great tribulations to come. And certainly for the grace to accept the uncomfortable and to be present and prayerful over those who suffer greatly here and now.
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C, I read this commentary on the scripture. It may help: https://www.christianity.com/bible/commentary.php?com=mhc&b=66&c=13
He talks about those persecuted, but saved for eternity. Also, I just watched this show that people ask questions to a panel of pastors. One of the questions was about allowing suffering. Obviously, they are asking about suffering now and not as we are studying, but they had some good things to say. Here is the link if you want to watch it. This question is part way into the show: https://youtu.be/m7uB-Py7BkE
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Wow! It’s amazing how God ties studies together. The scripture from Proverbs above goes with the scripture from the First 5 app from Proverbs 31 Ministry. It is: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!”
Psalms 111:10 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.111.10.esv
When I see these words multiple times in a row, I feel I should definitely take note of this. I used to misunderstand the fear of the Lord. It is when you are in awe of Him. I want to live like that. I want to be humble and remember my scripture from the Bible app yesterday: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 ESVThank you for the reminder to pray for the persecuted church. They may have been rejected by family and community for their faith. They face danger that we may not be able to comprehend.Yet, they remain faithful. I heard a story of a group of men held in a storage container for their faith in Jesus. They prayed and worshiped. After release, they said that they missed the container bc His Presence was so strong. (I’m paraphrasing.) That’s amazing! He was right there in their suffering and captivity. We may face some opposition bc the Gospel is offensive to people. They don’t want to hear that Jesus is the only way, but that’s what Jesus said. My pastor just preached a great message on truth and grace. Jesus showed grace and compassion, but He always spoke truth. We can’t say one without the other. Please go to MAOG.org and hit the Livestream. The teaching was on 5/26. It’s worth listening to, and it helped me think of how to talk to others about Jesus.
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Wow! The scripture above in Proverbs and the scripture I’m reading today on the First 5 app at Proverbs 31 Ministry both talk about the fear of the Lord. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!”
Psalms 111:10 ESV
https://www.bible.com/59/psa.111.10.esv
I used to misunderstand the fear of the Lord. Now I know it is a healthy fear, to be in awe and have adoration for God. When teachings come together, it really makes me think and amazes me when God does that. I think these words are something I should take note of. I want to have the fear of the Lord. I want to walk in that always. I want to be humble and live a life pleasing to Him. I want to remember as my verse of the day yesterday said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5 ESV
My church has a room set aside for prayer for the persecuted church. People have to go through this so much in other parts of the world. We can face it here too by other people that think we are wrong and intolerant. The Gospel is offensive to them. They don’t want to hear that Jesus is the only way, but that’s what He said. My pastor just preached a message about truth and grace. We need to show both. Jesus have grace, but He always spoke the truth. This is a very good message. We can’t just tell one without the other. This is worth listening to. I will find the link and post it in another comment. I’m thankful for this reminder to pray for those being persecuted each day. They are sometimes exiled fro family and friends for their faith in Jesus. They face danger all day long, but remain steadfast. They definitely need prayers and has she mentioned above, to pray for them to feel His Presence. I heard a story of men kept in storage containers for their faith. I can’t remember for how long, but tried to imagine what that would have been like. They prayed and praised God together.When released they actually said that they missed that time in captivity, bc they felt His Presence at such a deep level. (I’m paraphrasing, bc I don’t remember the exact words.) That’s amazing to ponder. -
How would we disappear if this is going to happen to the ones who “hold firm” to God? I am confused wouldn’t we be in heaven and if not why would God torture his children and believers like that?
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Those of us who are believers in Christ before the rapture will not be here to experience this tribulation period. “The ones who hold firm to God” is speaking about people who will be saved during the tribulation, and will have to face severe persecution.
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I believe all Christians before the tribulation begins, will be in heaven. They will be raptured up. Those who have not heard the gospel before, but hear it during the tribulation and choose Christ…will be some of the Christians this verse is referring to. I certainly don’t understand all of God’s will and plan for us, but He has consistently, throughout history, allowed for the persecution of His church. These will be the final days before Christ’s final return and we know the devil will be growing increasingly more mad and hate the people of God. He will be pouring out his evil on those Christians….very scary to think about.
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Throughout the Bible God has allowed persecution and suffering of His people for His future Glory (Job, “sifting of Peter”, the Israelites by Pharaoh) but He is always there with them with comfort and support. God’s glory is more important than mans comfort, sometimes it’s hard to step out of ourselves to embrace that.
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