Summary:
In the previous chapter we were introduced to the dragon, Satan, who would be the father figure of the false trinity. Now, the beast, who is commonly referred to as the Antichrist, is added as the son figure of the false trinity. Last is the false prophet which will cause people to worship the Antichrist just as God’s Holy Spirit points people to Jesus. This will be a horrible time and the consequences for not worshiping the Antichrist will be severe. What would you do in that situation? Would you worship the beast?
Key Points:
- One of the penalties for not worshiping the beast and taking his mark is being excluded from all commerce. Would you be willing to suffer financial devastation in obedience to Jesus? Do you practice honoring Him with at least a fraction of your wealth now?
- Another consequence of not worshiping the beast is that he will make war with you and put you to death. Would you be willing to lose your life in honor of Christ? Are you willing to lose your life to the will of God today in turning away from sinful pleasures and the sin that keeps us from running the race He has set before us? (Hebrews 12:1)
- Before we begin with boastful imaginations and claims of what we would do for Christ in the hard things, let us learn to be faithful in the easier things.
- Here’s a great verse through which to seek the Lord regarding this principle—Jeremiah 12:5.