He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast - all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world...
This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.
He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666." -Revelations 12:17, 13:7, 8, 10, 16-18
Every time I watch the morning news when I get ready for work, I am realizing how this world is quickly turning into something God did not intend it to be. There are the big social issues like Prop 8 being taken to the Supreme Court and Obama requiring employers in religious institutions to cover birth control in their health insurance. Then there are wars, corruption, sex trade, violence, and who-knows-what happening all around the world. Everyday you turn on the news and the stories show we live in the midst of a deteriorating world. All because of the curse of sin and the battle that has been going on since Satan got thrown out of heaven.
I didn't mean to go all deep on yall all of a sudden but we have to constantly be aware that we are part of a story! Our lives aren't just about getting our careers, making families, and retiring. As the world deteriorates, we are being renewed. Renewed in God's TRUTH every single day so we don't have to be deceived and lied to that this life is all about us. Today is NOT just another day - it's a day to live out God's purpose for us in his bigger story. As I read Revelations, God is expanding my small-minded perspective to see that we are part of HIS vision. We may have a vision for our life, but where does it fit in God's vision in his epic story of redemption?
Let's not take for granted that we have been purchased by Jesus' blood, we are set for eternity. We have our names written in the Book of Life because of Jesus' grace towards us. How would our lives be different if we weren't saved by Him? I know I would be a straight mess, inside and out. I probably would not even know you guys. But now I can call you my brothers and sisters, and together we can encourage each other every day to be who God called us out of darkness to be. Let's endure the trials and temptations on this earth patiently, be faithful to follow our Lamb, and be wise in discerning truth from the lie this world has become.
The war has begun. Are you gonna be that guy who takes his weapons and goes HARD for Jesus (Ephesians 6:10-18) or the guy who is standing around texting on your iPhone not knowing that you are about to be stampeded by the dragon?! (like me)
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