Rev. 13:16-17 BIG MAN, BIG DEAL

"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark...And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark." (Rev. 13:16-17)

Let's move on, God says. Altho' man may think of himself as important, there really is no need to spend much time here. (Quite the opposite of what happened a few verses earlier, when GOD wanted to STOP, and it was the humiliated beast that wanted to move on. カッコワルイところはhe didn't want to have people really see. I wouldn't either!

Now this verse deals with man: small/ great, rich/poor, free/enslaved. Today, a great deal of talk is heard of equality and individualism; of how everyone needs to be allowed to reach his full potential. Yet sinful man doesn't know how to help him do that, without somewhere in there, corrupting the entire thing with oppression and power play. Often, we end up thinking "It wasn't supposed to be this way."

"My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from him." (Ps. 62:5)

"But Jesus did not commit himself unto them...for he knew what was in man." (Jn. 2:24-25)

Readers who have just jumped in may need to be told: this series is NOT a book study of Revelation. It's just that when scripture memory was being done of the book, these were some of the thoughts journaled while reading through passages being learned.

Neither is it a "Spiritual Historic Interpretation of Revelations" (that says concrete interpretations are not important but their spiritual applications are the only important thing). It is not an interpretation at all!

If you want to study the book of Revelation properly, please do it in Bible School classes or church Bible Studies set aside to teach it, ok? These journaled musings cannot give you anything near what those lessons can!

Rev. 13:15 SO...WHAT'RE THE PRICE TAGS LIKE？

"And he hath power to give" (Rev. 13:15)

Ron Sisco is the one that mentioned this: the beast can so often be seen as the one who  is richer; able to give, whereas we need to be willing to sacrifice for God and suffer the loss of all things for Him. Well, I suppose it does make sense, to serve a master that benefits, that will give you only profit; but if, when it seems disciples are willing to trade all things, and it seems like they're willing to DIE and LOSE REPUTATION, PROMOTION, COMFORT, DREAMS, RELATIONSHIP, MATERIAL PROPERTY for HIM...that simply points to the Lord's WORTHINESS!

"Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of everlasting life." (Jn. 6:68)

Exposed, Unkempt Roots

"give...life

unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the beast should be killed." (Rev. 13:15)

That is man. "I will guarantee a method of profit," says the scammer, then exacts great losses of victims. Televangelists offer freedom while enslaving disciples. Be a top athlete in history, a trainer challenges a budding youth, enlisting him in strict regimen. Latter years find him, discarded and forgotten by society, needy in meaningful relationships and broken in body. Human offers of "best" often end in "empty".

Wasn't it Jim Eliot who once said, "He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep in order to gain that which he cannot lose"?

Daddy Hospitalized in Nakagami

Those who claim to offer life in shining images of logos in shining several-hundred-storied building corporations boasting salaries in the six figures; others who claim worthy causes for millions of needs; in the end will be terminating any who do not go along with their agenda.

Rev. 13:14 WOUNDED IMAGES

"that they should make an image of the beast that had the wound by a sword, and did live." (Rev. 13:14)

Why does man desire image?

I look at that verse, and right away see the Creator has built in us the desire to make something. No other creature makes as man does; they may construct things to be useful as in abodes, shelters, or for purposes of eating and necessary preservation/hiding, etc.; but when it comes to visual beauty, that is a function seen only, it seems by the crown of creation.

Maybe that is why God's prohibition of making an image of God is so clear too. That should've been a special blessing reserved for the Creator! When I see it in this light, I see now why it seems kind of almost foolish that the created being would want to spend time working on designing his own trademark, coming up with letterheads, thinking of nicknames/pennames/screennames/logos, etc....; making "graven images," actually; while practically forgetting his Creator watching him from the sky!

Any concept of the divine, for some reason, has been changed into an impersonal almighty power instead of a Loving Father. It is only one step, is it not, to have people go one more step farther into worshipping a beast if they believe a true God is such?

And the common denominator of all humans, it seems, is the experience of being wounded. Since the beast boasts a counterfeit hurt-and-heal deal, he holds a sure grip over the majority of the people of the world.

What life does he then offer them? Well, the temporary, at best. There may be a spark to bait them, but then they would be discarded. And of course, an eternal hell awaits.

Father, those of us who are Yours and have been saved out of the grasp of this beast can only praise You for Your merciful grace to have rescued us. We feel so helpless in warning so many others who are going the same way and being ensnared, picked off like flies by the enemy.

Would You not continue to work, to use us as You will to pull others out of the fire?

Rev. 13:14 WORSE IS BETTER?

 "saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast," (Rev. 13:14)

Must say: messages to the earthlings will resonate with those who seek things of dwellings on earth, even beastly things appear attractive somehow. I do know that there is a strange occult for horror, for the macabre. The more grotesque something is, it is somehow spoken of as being higher up on the grading scale, and the person who can view it "brags" how bad he can take it, almost like the alcohol-embuing individual who "boasts" he can hold his liquor.

I am thinking the beast and his forces really laugh at the foolishness of human creatures who harm their biological bodies and then have made it praiseworthy! Demons, tho' invisible to human beings, must look at themselves, and shrug and laugh -- let them destroy themselves then talk about who can do it best! It makes their job that much easier. (Conformity to the image of the beast!)

NO ONE is "his own person" but ENSLAVED when he has to sin, altho' he lives in denial of it and says he is free and choose to sin -- ha; he couldn't live righteously if he tried, not for 24 hrs.! (Otherwise, the outrageous sacrificial death of the Cross wouldn't have been necessary!)

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)

MALFUNCTIONING EYES?

"sight of the beast; saying to them" (Rev. 13:14)

I wrote once about the malfunctioning mouth, that had been created to praise God but ended up blaspheming Him instead. Well, it seems another part is malfunctioning. The eyes were made to let in light, truth, and blessing; but seem to have been a large cause to lead the creature into temptation and lusts.

"he deceiveth them...by the means of those miracles" (Rev. 13:14)

So just as some believers operate by direct inspiration and claim they get messages from God Himself, are impelled to move by the supernatural and prophetic; here the beast is shown doing the same thing. He too is able to "do great wonders" (13:13) even causing fire to come out of the sky, making himself look like Elijah.

Those who would want to follow truth cannot be handicapped to rely on only miracles and wonders, the sensational and instantaneous, the visible and tangible. Again, we must learn to walk by faith, not by sight. Every word of God, mundane, tried, line upon line, precept upon precept, tried through life.

We should've learned to testify: GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS through them, not because of instant shouts sent out when marvelous performances are enacted. Those things can be manufactured for the moment and fizzle out. "The God before whom I stand" does not.

Rev. 13:10 "SAME DIFFERENCE" OR SAME WORDS BUT DIFFERENT？

"Here is the patience and the faith" (Rev. 13:10)

Patience and faith. We need to exercise care when we hear these sounds out in the world. If you really think about it, they are two words that unregenerate, modern man often mouth but actually despise, the real things, I mean. When the natural man speaks of "waiting", he usually has at the back of his mind, a set time limit considered "reasonable." True patience in waiting doesn't say: I have paused for long enough and want to return to normalcy now.

And altho' there are many who say they are people of "faith," what they often mean is they are people of their own belief systems, not the faith in the God of the Bible nor do they submit themselves to the demands of the Bible. 

The phrase "man of faith" means little more than saying Satan is a being of faith, which he is. As far as believing God from the bottom of the heart; knowing the Word inside out; knowing God is in control and answers prayer; Satan's faith is way above any of ours. It's just that this kind of faith does not have anything to do with loving the Lord Jesus, repenting of sin, or submitting to truth. I too can know a lot of facts about the Bible (even memorize it!) but not have a vital, loving relationship with the One speaking its words. I too, can be a "person of faith" ...like Lucifer!

The fallen angels, since the time they were cast out of heaven and hurled down to earth under Lucifer's command, did their work to tear this world apart. Their patience has continued to show itself for thousands of years too.

Patience and Faith. Is it a big deal that I don't want to be identified with these fallen, unregenerate created beings, and find myself asking God to constantly make me have a walk that would be DISTINCTLY, DEFINITELY HIS?

"...patience and faith of the saints" (Rev. 13:10)

Rev. 13:10 BIG DIFFERENCE!

"He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity" (Rev. 13:10)

The other day, I saw another video in which scripture was supposedly read from. It said "and next, the Promised Land." Altho' the portion referred to was Gen. 12:1, where Abram leaves Ur: "Get thee up out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house," I didn't know I'd gone over that passage so many times I'd memorized it. The next phrase is: "unto a land that I will show thee." NOT "and next, the Promised Land."

Some people will say, what's the big deal? It's the same thing, isn't it? That's what the enemy wants you to think. Eyes are quickly taken off the PROMISER. And the one really praised after that is the human recipient for courage and determination in the quest of the land promised. Attention is riveted to problems of injustices and matters of the heart, relationships, social situations needing change, etc.

The enemy will have succeeded in leading men to become captive to themselves and to earth's limitations instead of becoming "prisoners of Jesus Christ and shackled to His emancipation of all Heaven has to offer man: not only complete pardon and release from sin but full sonship to a Divine Father, and instant and permanent friendship with the most Faithful, Wise, Powerful, and Loving Confidant!

Rev. 13:9 GOLDEN SPEARS NEARBY

"If any man have an ear let him hear" (Rev. 13:9)

What expression is the most plentiful in the entire Bible, Ron Sisco once asked while teaching Revelation, and then informed the congregation it was this, not "God is Love" or the concept of our faithful obedience, or peace among brethren!

God seems to be more interested in our LISTENING TO HIM more than how we look, what we think of Him, or the service we give Him. Even our acts of OBEDIENCE have little meaning, unless they're caused as a result of what we've heard the Father speaking to us. Let me be careful how I state this...

The "obedient Christian" needs to have, at the bottom of his heart, the desire to make his FATHER happy. When the Christian wants to exercise disciplines because they make him feel feel good about HIMSELF, GOD ABHORS THAT. The external actions could be IDENTICAL. But God sees the ears that caused it. He looks on the heart.

Are my ears bent towards him, as a loyal canine's might be? And would I be as quick to lunge at whoever would harm my Master? Do my ears work?

Rev. 13:8 WORTHY OF SO MUCH MORE

"of the Lamb slain" (Rev. 13:8)

Would people look to the Lamb of God? There are people who talk about "believing in God" or "a man of faith" or of "believing, you gotta keep on trusting," but...you rarely hear of people who are in love with, who are grateful for JESUS, who bled, was willing to be shamed in our place! No wonder Christianity is so weak today. And national citizenship means very little to most people; there is no way they would die for the president of their country!

I've heard there actually is a small nation, nomadic peoples ruled by a King. The world can call them backwards, but they are a happy people, and modern society may look down on them and insult them as still being in a feudal system, but it is an orderly country with a very low crime rate and high patriotism. Its residents do not seek emigration, are content. Isn't it possible they have something other countries do not?

A tourist to that country heard from every person in that land: he LOVED THE KING. He wasn't just glad to be its citizen. Isn't that vital to the strength of any conviction: loving a PERSON?

You can't just believe fate, trust metaphysical powers, and practice morality/religion...then really think that's going to hold any water when things get rough. No way.

Yesterday, I heard the retelling of a Bible story of a person who didn't just own a set of noble principles, but loved the Lord Jesus, and ended up radically breaking a container of high-end perfume to pour out on Jesus' head.

As nations look down on this nomadic country, some believers criticized this "wasteful" act. But Jesus saw something there they did not have. She gave, as a show of her love for Him, 300 denaris' worth -- a year's wages -- for Jesus.

In the very next chapter, one of those criticizing believers sells Jesus for 30 pieces of silver -- just the price of one slave. An intentional insult meant to point to the contrast. HE IS NOT WORTH 300 DENARIUS, it was clearly implied.

300 Denarius? Heaven knows Jesus is worthy of oh so much more! He had to be to be broken and poured out to pay for the souls of the world as He did!

Rev. 13:8 THEY WON'T TELL YOU, GOD'S LITMUS TESTS

"all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him" (Rev. 13:8)

So, in order to get all to worship the beast, the enemy will get people to stop worshiping God, right? Let's see...I used to think the United States was the country most mercifully blessed by God with lighthouses of truth, and I still do. But there are fakes all over the place as well.

Hundreds of videos on YouTube show characters "saying grace" by joining hands and bowing their heads while a cute little child recites a poem. G'zillions think "Amen" and "Dear Lord" and "Love God" means you're a Christian. The characters make no mention of Christ's death for us, our need to repent of our sins AND NOT JUST BELIEVE GOD LOVE US!

People can believe that God exists and that He made man and He is in control. They can "have faith" in all of this and still go to hell when they die. After all, demons believe all this. (They won't tell you they believe that too.)

The enemy knows that there are nations that teach about God freely. So he will make sure there is much stuff spread abroad about God that doesn't hurt him!

And of course, he will capitalize on "religious hypocrites." If there is a moment of stumbling in a truly born-again soul, he will broadcast and magnify that instance to make it look like a lifestyle, accusing the penitent of being a hypocrite when he'd just lost his balance for a moment. Then he will whistle and call over hired, completely unsaved cronies to imitate the believer in his wavering so it can be said "they are all alike, those Christians." (They won't tell you they are specialists at falling.)

GOD'S LITMUS TEST

"whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb" (Rev. 13:8)

I can almost see it:

"Just ask, and I will answer all your prayers, He says." As soon as the Father finishes speaking in soft whispers of His protective, providing love to the children in His arms and sets them down on the floor, Street Urchins bang open the door and rush into the room, claiming God has to keep them comfortable too, and if He doesn't "answer prayer," they have every right NOT TO BELIEVE HE EXISTS!

This is one of the funniest things I have ever heard. Is it reasonable to demand God's promises made to somebody else -- His child -- be kept to the street urchin? But we hear this all the time. The person who decides he doesn't believe God anymore usually says, "God doesn't answer prayer!" He doesn't even know for sure he's going to Heaven, one basic sign of being God's child -- to which the promise was made, yet he speaks like this.

No; the genuine child of God would never say such; the child loves a trustworthy parent; and even when it looks like he's been betrayed can know the parent is doing something in wisdom and trusts Him. A street urchin does not know him yet and cannot dare to do so.

Perhaps it is unanswered prayer that shows the clear difference between the two; I am beginning to wonder if God doesn't send even unanswered prayer situations, as uncomfortable as they may feel to us, as litmus tests to show humans, who cannot see the heart.

Is it possible trusted friends of wonderful character -- but not really born again -- might've been made spiritual heads (which would've ended up leading weaker Christians astray)? God in Wisdom sends a litmus test of unanswered prayer, and on their own, they openly declare they don't believe in God, so of course they're not considered for places of leadership...just one possible scenario; I'm not saying Providence always happens like this!

Rev. 13:7 I WISH I COULD DO MORE LINGUISTICALLY...

"power was given over him over all kindreds, and tongues" (Rev. 13:7)

Something just hit me HARD. I'd been seriously contemplating Greek and getting into the Greek testament...I know I've thought about studying Hebrew and plowing into Jewish manuscripts and the Old Testament too. (No; of course I'm not even imagining getting anywhere close to attaining the proficiency of someone who actually studies the languages in school!) And of course, I've always carried with me the urge to be more fluent in Japanese.

I don't know where, in my talk with God, it came, but He seemed to say to me: "June, if I'd wanted you to understand the Jewish mind and their longing for the Messiah, do you think it would've been that difficult for me to have you born back then and in that culture?"

"Similarly, if I wanted you to understand the Greek language -- and you have heard how difficult it would be for you, now an "American mind", to learn it at 68 years of age, especially -- to get a better grasp of New Testament writings in the first century church; don't you think you would've been one of the little daughters running around the cobblestone streets of the city back then...when Rome oppressed, when females, incidentally, were kept silent much more than they are today."

"If I'd wanted you June, to be super smooth in Japanese as well as English, I could've so easily had you be born in a family and environment where operating in those languages were your second nature."

"But do you not trust ME to be wise and sovereign to know that actually You would desire most to know a God in Heaven desires and has chosen you as you are because He wants you specifically as you are, not wanting to acquire another ability you do not have to better yourself (altho' at some time He may tell you to gain something for the sake of furthering some purpose for Him -- the way God equips men in the pastorate to edify the flock; the way He anoints missionaries to communicate the Gospel)."

"God needs to use someone humble enough to know GOD is the One supplying all the power, an instrument pliable enough to let Him choose how to do it. A born expert is less prone to be this way -- someone stumbling about is much more likely, wouldn't you say? It's the 'Stumbler' I really want!"

A bumbling idiot was one sure offer I could make, I thought.

Rev. 13:7 APPOINTED, OVERCOMING

"it was given unto him to make war with the saints" (Rev. 13:7)

Hm; so this "war" is appointed by God. People say you can't say a battle is anointed, but in the sense that it was sent by God as shown here, I guess you'd have no choice but to say HE DID ORDAIN IT TO BE SO! When we see wicked men rising to power and persecuting the redeemed, we need to look back at this passage -- sometimes, even our mighty Father would allow our enemy freehand to work mischief!

We cannot claim to understand the wisdom of God, merely know the greatness of the Father to the furies of hell at Calvary; and as Jesus "learned obedience by the things He suffered," so those of us who follow Him, tho' we do not fully understanding all these things, want God's purposes realized thru' our lives too.

O Lord, would You not cause the offenses in our lives, the unsolved puzzles and even oft-shameful blind spots we possess, to glorify Yourself?

Recently, a church worker mentioned seeing some misplaced emphases in the children's outreach ministry. God, I don't want to sow dischord among brethren, stepping in and planting negative remarks if the Holy Spirit Himself can teach and untangle snarls among those who sincerely love and want to serve God.

Even if they're "out of step," it's different from the completely unregenerate, who are looking for excuses to mess up the work in the church! Lord, let us perceive the difference between those who don't walk straight, "wearing braces and crutches, using wheelchairs" compared to those who stir up trouble "wearing brass knuckles and iron stirrups, and riding small carts thru' flower beds".

Until Your return Lord Jesus, we're to let the wheat grow with the tares in the church, so let us know how to move.

"...to overcome them" (Rev. 13:7)

...for the enemy to OVERCOME the righteous? Is that possible? Readers know that in a broken world, there have been innocent, perhaps even praiseworthy people, sentenced unjustly.

That should come as no surprise, especially to those of us who have at least once heard the Lord's voice saying, "If they have persecuted ME," they'll do it to you too. Even more to those who've continued to read His written messages to us, that the enemy WILL OVERCOME us! And the use of that same word?

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Rev. 12:11)

How?

Actually, the "how" was in the first clause: by the blood of the Lamb. That has to be the real "meat," the reason behind why we can "stand it"; the rest of the verse is what therefore shows up in life.

Rev. 13:6 ARRANGEMENTS

 Part of journal entry:

"And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." (Rev. 13:6) 

The child of God sees God's dwelling and those who have gone on before in ways pretty distinct and impossible to understand to the natural mind. The contemporary "utopia" is merely a mental reference point, not actual place, to those who do not know God; while I can stay secure because I know it is.

I've heard people say of a deceased loved one, "he lives on in our hearts." Yes, but there should be more! "We can meet again." Yes, but there should be even more than that! There should be anticipation of surety of joining up with them when spirits are pure, will not misunderstand, hurt, reject, kill in any way, but will accept, listen, love, and work together to praise God together. That is filled with anticipation, and "let's just wait until we meet again" just doesn't do it!

It is not just how a person lives when everything is honky dory that matters. It is how a person lives when he sees he may be approaching the gates of his eternal abode. And the measuring rod, to me, is not so much about what a person says about the living ones around him (anyone can put up a good front) but how does he feel about meeting them again in the afterlife? Would he be able to look them in the eye? Or would he be rushing into their arms for a long-sought-for embrace?

God's tabernacle. Would he be saying, "So this place really existed..."? or would he plop down all happy relief and weary, laying down arms, looking for the Lord of the Manor, though the body would no longer able to move, heart and eyes longing to see HIM?

IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL WHEN WE SEE JESUS!

Rev. 13:5 THEY ENVY US HUMANS WITH MOUTHS!

"a mouth speaking great things" (Rev. 13:5)

"Si yo hablase lenguas humanas y angelicas," I just wrote about. The writer of the first 5 books of the Bible wrote: "Who made man's mouth?" (Ex. 4:11), and ESPECIALLY thru' his life, we see it really does not matter what kind of mouth we have. Aaron was born with a mouth speaking well (4:14).

What "matters" is what we choose to do with what God gives us. God had given Moses only a long stick. What is that in your hand, he was asked, and learned to pick it up on the end (treating it as a serpent) or to divide seas or sweeten bitter waters. The shepherd boy David went into battle against a giant armed with a sling instead of the king's armor. Samson had the jawbone of an ass. Gideon had a torch and broken pitcher. A widow had a cruse of oil. A lad in a crowd of thousands had two fish and five loaves. A disciple found one coin in a fish's mouth. Yet another widow had two mites.

There is a song that says, "Little is much when God is in it." It is not referring to the original raw material, but the created handiwork that bears the inscription of God, which just about all things we possess. Yes, even those mouths speaking great things attributing origin to Him. It is, however, referring to the Intentional, conscious yielding to the Holy Spirit's control of those things, whatever they be.

As the farthest gleams of light can come from "GREAT" orbs in the sky, called sun, moon, stars; so can the ~nth microorganism reflect God's incredible wisdom: how He manages to pack so much perfect harmonic functioning of needs in this time/space for the mindboggling number of existing beings there are, and to do it with so much beauty and with no loss/waste/harm.

Maybe it's just me, but it just "feels like" all creation somehow senses its rightness in declaring the glory of its creator, and if it were given a will and could "declare the glory of God," it would want to shout out His wonders, want all to acknowledge Him!

In fact, it might even lean back in amazement and disgust at some entities who are given mouths to speak great things praising Him and do not; spend it elsewhere!

Rev. 13:5 THE WAY THE CREATOR GIVES

 "And there was given unto him" (Rev. 13:5)

I didn't like it when the preacher said the beast actually gives good gifts. But then he explained himself that what the beast really does is "gives" bait for his purposes. When God gives, unlike the "giving" of the dragon, which may be more like "scamming", or as Judge Judy raises her eyebrows when speaking of "those pyramid profiteering schemes;" God actually endows with blessing for He is Love. This is the way God gives:

• God can AFFORD to give. He owns all in existence; He is the originator of it. He wiill be no poorer in "giving," because He can always create and "replace" anything He has released.
• God is UNSELFISH,  wants our good. He's already at the very top and cannot better His own situation; can only seek the benefit of those below Him. That's not true of anyone under the Creator; no matter how well-meaning they are; they have to have a drop of self-improvement; it's only the Creator Who has the right to say "it doesn't get better than this."
• God has the WISDOM to know how to do it. Didn't even know how to write about this one. The adage "too much of a good thing" or the oft-seen humble, well-intentioned and hard-working person developing into a proud, powerful person who forgets friends, family, and former values when given too much is so sad. This kind of tragedy can happen to the once consecrated young man in the pulpit when success is handed him too early in his ministry.
• God LOVES. This one, I will take a lifetime struggling to understand, yet I will die not fully comprehending. God gives because He loves. He gave His only begotten Son in the covenant for our souls because He couldn't bear the thought of our being lost to the enemy's kilns. The dragon "gave" because he was looking for fuel, for something to toss into his flames and stoke the fires of his own greatness proclaimed by the bottomless pit. God somehow wants to make into His beloved sons that which the dragon displayed as fit for only ashes. "Give them back to Me," He says to the dragon, "and I will breathe into them love and life, paint them with incredible beauty, forever call them my Own."
• The kind of God my God is?  He gave not only:

1. to the Son (sign of a good Father, yes?);
2. to the angel host who worshiped and served Him (good Sovereign);
3. to created beings like myself who would repent and turn to Him (harder to comprehend); but even
4. to the dragon himself (Gotta be kidding!!!) But that's today's verse...

DRAGON...fly

Rev. 13:3 GETTING AWAY WITH IT

"and all the world wondered after the beast." (Rev. 13:3) 

No One Sees

The wonder, the ability to make oneself look younger, feel better, be stronger, surroundings look nicer seems to appeal to the man of the world. Many scammers thus have come up with visual appeals: "We've come up with a discovery that defies science, to make life easier, more beautiful, the way you want it to be, quicker and cheaply! for a limited time only!"

Paying After All

And, like King Amaziah in the Old Testament, they say "Everything is by the books" (2 Chron. 25:4) and think they get away with something and grin real big, not realizing Whom they have wronged Who pulls all the wires of the universe, and HE always gets the last laugh. No doubt there are humans paying for their dishonesty with mental illness, unexplained misfortune, family disharmony, health problems, unaware they are having to deal with the Hound of Heaven.

Children of God really shouldn't chuckle. We should know better. But we pull stunts like not obeying right away or doing things halfheartedly, AND WE KNOW OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SEES, but we do it anyway! Delayed/Partial Obedience is DISOBEDIENCE and, while the unregenerate may get a prison sentence, we'd be looking to receive parental discipline and training. What shape that SPANKING may take is up to God; all I know is it's not pleasant but gets its job done.

Cleanup After Rain

I remember when we lived up in Koriyama near a stream and saw how silt dirtied it after every  rainshower. But the city came in and took care of all the dead debris, then used a small pump until the water ran clean. Sure, it meant we couldn't use the footpath a while, and that machine was a little noisy. But I don't think anybody wanted that creek left alone. We were glad for whatever it took to keep it clean.

Our Creator can do whatever it takes to accomplish what He wills.

Rev. 13:3 I WANT TO GAZE ON CHRIST

"And I saw one of its heads as though it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed," (Rev. 13:3)

Claims of "after death" experiences have been going on forever, yet every time there are reports of what it was like to watch the hospital room from outside the body, what it was like outside the body, in heaven/hell, etc..., there is a big to-do. Yes, "Being given a second chance at life" sounds so good.

But...what about the medical personnel who worked so hard to keep patients alive? And what about all the Bible says about what it's like in Heaven and the afterlife? These two things are just swept away in one stroke.

Well, when the beast comes along and claims to be healed of a deadly wound, it'll be the same thing. He's hoping to do so, anyway: to sweep away Jesus' death and resurrection with one stroke and have everyone's eyes on himself.

I need to remember to keep my heart-eyes glued on the Lord Jesus, I reminded myself; when often I find myself wondering if I shouldn't be knowledgeable about new ways of thought, phenomena around the world, philosophies, apologetics, etc... All may sound good. But the most important thing is to keep my focus on the Atoning Blood at Calvary, no matter how old-fashioned it sounded.

I mean, sometimes I'd listen to talk shows when many popular speakers or panel discussion folk would banter about modern subjects seriously being considered by the contemporary Christian community, and after a few minutes; I wondered if I was really functioning in the English Bible I read. "Positive Relationships. Mental Energy. Supernatural Unity."

I decided not to get tired trying to untangle everything and thought of Joni Eareckson who said when battling in her darkest nights of pain, she just sings hymns of the Cross and sees Christ hanging there. 

                                        WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS

                                        by Isaac Watts

                                        When I survey the wondrous Cross

                                        On which the Prince of Glory died

                                        My richest gain I count but loss

                                        And pour contempt on all my pride

                                        Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,

                                        Save in the death of Christ my God!

                                        All the vain things that charm me most,

                                        I sacrifice them to His blood.

                                        See from His head, His hands, His feet,

                                        Sorrow and love flow mingled down!

                                        Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

                                        Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

                                        Were the whole realm of nature mine,

                                        That were a present far too small;

                                        Love so amazing, so divine, 

                                        Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Rev. 13:2 BETTER FEAST AND REST

"And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion;" (Rev. 13:2)

Father; before I begin writing anything down, I gotta say -- it is always so good to spend time with YOU.  Let me remember that. There are so many times my mind says, Let me skip my time with God, I can do that later, and get on with my blogging, or writing the book, or financing, or doing other practical stuff (surely God wants me to get that done, right?), and I could get back to devotional, to heart-time with Him later. The truth of the matter is that it is getting together with Jesus-God that my soul really needs, that my heart absolutely finds every time. I do spend with Him oh more than worth its rejuvenating, invigorating power!

How did Takeshi put it concerning coming out to MCC online prayer meetings: so often, he has felt too tired to attend before he goes and has considered skipping it. But almost every time he goes, he has heard something that makes him feel more encouraged, energized; he has left, deciding he would continue to go. I suppose it is a little like the person who feels too tired to walk to the drugstore to pick up medicine to give him PHYSICALLY a higher functioning level! Lord, would You lean down for me?

The leopard runs fast, too fast and leaves slow runners behind, doesn't have time for some of us older ones who can't speak cyber-talk, still use analog appliances plugged into the wall. The bear is strong, can take care of many things at once, would not value those that do not have flesh to bear weight and medicinal ability to function in summer temperatures, perhaps. The allusions to speaking like a lion...so many thoughts rush in all at once. Human leaders need to be careful; those under them feel they cannot speak out without being seen as rebellious thus leaders' authority can be abused to wreak cruelty on subjects.

The Beast: Fast, Strong, Unfeeling...Hm; yeah, I think I'd rather spend more time everyday with Jesus. Scripture says He slows down for us, He is strong for the weak, and that He speaks to the Father for us with groans too deep for words. That's my Jesus!

Rev. 13:1 GOTTA JOIN IN, ANOINTED WITH TEARS

GOTTA JOIN IN

"having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns," (Rev. 13:1)

Is this a repetition of the beast seen in 12:3, "having seven heads and ten horns," only the number of the crowns have increased from seven to ten? Several thoughts --

Seven Heads -- I said to myself, unregenerate man thinks to himself about life, he has it covered, he's okay, since part of his reasoning may say he can see things from EVERY PERSPECTIVE now. But what comes next is the CONFUSION since some of those opinions, without question, will contradict, collide with, each other! The compassionate, creative values will definitely war with factors valuing lasting strength, practicality etc... 

• ten horns - instead of looking to God, wouldn't man want to look to themselves and divide up into ten smaller units crowned to administer compromises?
• Hm. John saw the elders seated on their thrones in heaven casting their crowns at the feet of the Lamb who sat on HIS THRONE and worshipping, crying, WORTHY IS THE LAMB "TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND POWER FOR THOU HAST CREATED ALL THINGS, AND FOR THY PLEASURE THEY ARE AND WERE CREATED." (Rev. 4:11)
• What a contrast from how the enemy bribes humans with crowns, thrones, to somehow set up rulers of the earth for the enemy...ultimately to crush it. 
• It seems to be the theme for much seen on earth: emphasis on increased numbers -- we have so many millions following, supporting, believing; you should join us! Tattoos (branding, actually) can be attained for a very low fee.

I know, I know. Present teaching of the text meaning speaks of actual political nations. I was just journaling the worldly thinking that "streamed" into my mind as I was reading this portion.

ANOINTED WITH TEARS

"and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." (Rev. 13:1)

Distill. I was just thinking Father, of how little Your children know how to do this. The majority seem to know how to turn up the volume and merely observe as things happen. This is the generation of people who don't want to get personally involved; who don't want to get their hands dirty.

Then there are folks who think they're better because they "get personally involved." To the extent that means listening to or reading about others and getting emotional about it. 

But a third group goes even a step farther and makes a volitional, active decision, "sits in the seat of the scornful" by doing something himself. While this should actually be commended as being the most mentally sound and courageous of the three, I have noticed: some leaders are spending an unbalanced amount of time tearing down opposition and decrying evil and not enough time loving Jesus and praising God.

Does the man in the pulpit find his HEART BREAKS when he speaks of another brother who has fallen in sin? Such servants of God are few today; if God has blessed your church with such a leader, thank God and pray much for him. It is not his merit yet rare raw material chosen for God's glory, and despite any other weakness and stumbling detected in his life, GOD WILL USE HIM -- PRAY HARD!

The dragon may arm himself with a person of impressive degrees and a blaspheming mind; God anoints His undershepherd with tears in the heart.

Rev. 13:1 STANDING ON SAND

"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea," (Rev. 13:1)

Not just one grain; that would appear ludicrous to even the most foolish. But it seems possible when multiple grains have gathered under the feet, giving the appearance of some form of foundation -- altho' after any amount of time, if there is weight and mass applied to it, all will prove to be sinking quicksand and suck in the life of any who entrust sustenance there. After all, even scripture tells us the beast rises up out of the sea. It is something wet and horrible from a threatening deep. There is no beckoning to "Come up higher" as from a heavenly Father but a clawing, grappling, "Aha! Gotcha where I want ya!" Wet sand is heavy; it doesn't float up to heaven but tends to sink down to the bottom of the murky sea.

「そして、彼は、海べの砂の上に立った。」黙示録12:18？

Yes; I was confused when Saaya and Rana came Wed. and I tried to open to the last verse of Rev. chapter 12 in my Japanese Bible and couldn't find it. As it turns out, the 新改訳 is based on a different manuscript, so its 12:18 in my English KJV, was at 13:1 in the Shinkai Yaku!

At any rate, it made me really think of how important it is where our feet are and what they are doing:

1. WHERE THEY ARE - Altho' the sandy seashore may not be that far away from the "house the wise man built on the rock," we can see these undesirable threats lie very close to dwellings based on solid foundations...that they are set up by contractors that offer fast, easy gains but rob you blind and offer no guarantees. We need to abstain from the appearance of evil (I Thess. 5:22).
2. 
   WHAT THEY'RE DOING - "Standing on truth" isn't good enough. Even the devil knows how to do that. The foolish man is the one hearing truth and disobeying it. There are many who claim to be Bible-preaching or God-fearing Christians but live for their own agendas as if there was no Greater One to obey; that is the foolish man who built his house upon the sand, no matter how loudly he announces he stands on truth. That "truth" may be sand that'll crumble after it gets wet, and the beast rising up out of the sea may bring enough water (worldly allure) to make sure that happens. 

THE BACKUP SQUAD DAVID FORMED FOR SAUL (I Sam. 22, 24)

"And every one who was in distress, and every one who was in debt, and every one who was discontented, gathered themselves unto him, and he became a captain over them; and there were with him about four hundred men." (I Sam. 22:2)

"I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed." (I Sam. 24:10)

All the disgruntled, restless men that gathered around David expected him to lead them in revolt. But as far as David was concerned Saul was God's anointed, and as long as Saul was alive, David would be a loyal subject --because he was God's and not his own person. David's men were led to understand because the King was God's anointed, no matter what, they too would be his subjects!

What pastor would not want prayer support like that? 

Well, I suppose the proud leader would say, "What? I want people to think I am worthy of supporting!" It would be the difference between Peter before and after breaking. Anyone who realizes he is the "least of all saints" rejoices in backing, in unconditional backup, because he is so aware of his own weakness.

* In holding together this band and keeping them from an uprising, David may've helped steer their heart-eyes onto the lovingkindness and goodness of YAHWEH GOD. May we ever keep our hearts set on HIM.

Rev. 12:17b THEIR TESTIMONY IS SO MUCH MORE INTERESTING!

"the dragon...went to make war with...the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Rev. 12:17)

That is really it, isn't it? When Paul Washer's son asked his father what he did, he replied, "I fight dragons," THIS is what he was referring to. The dragon wouldn't be interested in us except for the Name of Christ. We are His, so He wants to crush us; we are at war. Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the Cross! Lift high His royal banner; we must not suffer loss!

The world's man speaks of making a name for yourself, of making a difference, of being good enough, etc...ALL ME.

They've got it wrong from the get-go, do not realize they've been duped by the dragon's foil. The thing he yanks our sights away from, because it would be his undoing if we held it there, is The Testimony of Jesus Christ. It's when they set their vision on Him and make Him their lives and their powers, the enemy will be licked.

In their puny created forms, they are nothing, but with Jesus Christ, the enemy does not stand a chance. So...he tries to have humans think about how important their feelings are, their aspirations, their rights, their offenses, their need to vindicate, their relationships, their rewards, and of course will accentuate their virtues, blessings, needs. He wants to keep their puny minds occupied with their lives until He can tumble them over the edge of eternity where there will be less to adore and worship the God he despises.

Incidentally -- the red dragon isn't so stupid he wouldn't think to DISGUISE himself. In today's world, he might camouflage himself in 3-piece suits, riding chauffered limousines heading powerful, successful corporations; or he could be an attractive youth owning depth of character and worthy values, driving an SUV.

But make no mistake about it, there will be NO ADMISSION of any agreement with the Creator or wrong in his enemy's rebellion against Him, no acknowledgement made of Jesus Christ's Redemption of Humankind.

Rev. 12:17 DRAGON DOESN'T WANT US FIGHTING BACK

"and went to make war with" (Rev. 12:17)

Yet somehow people think a peace treaty can be drawn up with the world. Seriously. For some reason, the Father of Lies deceives people with notions that it's the "Christian" thing, the "loving" thing, to be open and accepting towards the enemy.

After all, didn't Jesus say, "Forgive"? Didn't He say, "Bless those who persecute you"? And altho' the dragon's full intention is to annihilate and destroy, well, it's as they say: all is fair in love and war. And he is making war with his arch enemy, God, and His creation, the earth. We have been warned, earlier in the chapter (v. 12), that the devil, with his great wrath, was cast out of heaven, down to earth, and had only a little time to work out his vengeance.

I think we can see that when a fallen angel desires to have any kind of intercourse with man, it is not for repentance -- there is no record of an angel who has "come back to the Everlasting Father," decided to leave the ranks of the former arch angel of light to return to the service of Him Who is "Eternal Light and Life" -- there is NO RECORD of any dialogue beginning with "I have been wrong; I will amend my ways and return obeisance to my Creator."

Rather, any parrying is for the thought that he be given some sort of benefit in return. Any looking in the Bible can see how this has ended up, and NOT BE DUPED. The only problem is, the devil FIRST has people seeing the Bible as archaic so that people who base thinking on what it says are spoken of as "backward," "old school," "they don't know better." That way, he disarms folks from his biggest threat: truth, and it will be that much easier to fool them.

There was a movie about a man who wanted to get steer (cows) out to a ship in the deep. Well, he found he could manage them a lot more easily when they didn't have their feet on solid ground, tied their horns to crossbows of rowboats in a place just above their heads then took them out to the larger ship where they were hoisted on board by slings.

I know what I'm trying to say here. The attempt of the enemy was to get rid of the "solid ground" which made the opposition strongest, hardest to fight. Taking care of that was half the battle. Right. In this case, it's the Church who are in the place of the resisting animals, and the enemy in the place of the one who is trying to see the best way to handle them.  Christians want to think of themselves being on top all the time, with the world and opposing forces "beneath" them; so some might find this explanation-illustration offensive.

Well, this is not full truth: only an attempt to shed light on one aspect of it. And I do not claim to be Christ or enlightened in the way those who wrote the parables of scripture were.

But I still hold to the truth that the words of the Bible make very clear, very simply, with no need for complicated explanation. The words say plainly that the dragon MADE WAR.

The child of God may sit in his tent with his Father-God at his side and just marvel at the undeserved everlasting love, grace, life, protection we have, yes. But when we step out of the tent onto the battlefield, there is no call to be "chill" and "loving, caring, holding hands with everybody, looking up at the sky and being one." NO! Our Father is watching us from inside the tent, and He sees the dragon is out to make war. We should be ready to do battle when we step out into the fray.

BUT WE DO NOT FIGHT THE DRAGON'S WAY!!!

When the dragon strikes at our sense of self achievement, certain we will swing back outraged, we must counter with Christlike willingness to at times be demoted and lose paychecks if it means DOING THE RIGHT THING; when he swings at pride again, we must go down on our knees and up to be unlawfully sued when UPHOLDING RIGHTEOUSNESS; when he presses down with forces, he should be met with alarming endurance of discomfort/obscurity for the NAME OF CHRIST; and even when not for self but for another, the dragon should discover God's own able to forego self-vindication in love for COVERING A BROTHER'S WOUND. THE CHURCH OF GOD NEEDS TO FIGHT LIKE THIS, and to PRAY WITH FURY for ALL THE FORCES OF HEAVEN to fight for her -- they will, they really will, if we will pray. God's wisdom is on our side.

But I think most of the church aren't really aware we're in a real fight. And that's just the way the dragon would have it.