Revelation 11:1-14:20
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Today in Revelation chapter 11 we read about the Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet bringing the third terror!  The two witnesses in today's reading are modeled after Moses and Elijah.  They may be representing two actual believers who will be martyred or they may be symbolic of all testifying believers in the final days.  Below are two incredible pieces of artwork from Pat Marvenko Smith of the two witnesses prophesying and being taken up to heaven:

In verse 11:7 we have the first mention of the beast in the book of Revelation - the enemy that comes from the bottomless pit and wages war in the hearts and lives of men and women.  In verse 11:8 allowing dead bodies to lie out in the street is a major violation of decency.  In verse 15 things begin to shift in big ways as we read: "Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: "The whole world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.""  Is the whole world now part of the kingdom of God?  What are some examples of why or why not?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Revelation chapter 11 titled "The Temple, the Two Witnesses, and the Seventh Trumpet" is at this link.

In Revelation chapter 12 today we read about the Woman and the Dragon!  The woman is representative of the believing Messianic community and the twelve stars represent Israel’s twelve tribes.  The red dragon is Satan.  In verse 5 we read about Jesus: “She gave birth to a boy who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And the child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne.” The “caught up” part of this verse is representative of Jesus’ ascension into heaven.  Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith's "The Woman and the Dragon" -

In verse 7 we read about Michael the Archangel, who we recently read about in the book of Daniel chapter 12 verse 1 when Daniel is prophesying about the end times: “"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered.”  In the remainder of the chapter we see a war in the spiritual realm, with Satan becoming alarmed that his time is short and increasingly angry at those who love God.

Verse 10 stood out to me in today’s readings: “Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, "It has happened at last--the salvation and power and kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ!”  What a great proclamation!  Are you looking forward to the salvation and power and kingdom of God?   And do you believe in the authority of Jesus Christ?

Below is an incredible image for verses 13 & 14: "When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.  But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time."

And below is an incredible image for verses 15-17: "Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth. But the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon.  And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus."

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Revelation chapter 12 titled "The Angelic Conflict" is at this link and "This Means War!" is at this link.

Today in Revelation Chapter 13 we read about the beast that comes out of the sea and the beast that comes out of the earth.  This is a pretty intense chapter that ends in the infamous number of the beast, 666.   One thing I learned from reading Tyndale's One Year Bible Companion book today is that the 3 sixes could represent the unholy trinity of Satan - which is comprised of Satan, the first beast, and the false prophet coming up in Revelation chapter 13.  Also, the number 666 was probably applied to the emperor Nero, whose Greek letters in his name represent numbers that total 666, by John's 1st century readers.  The other way to look at this number is that each of the numbers fall short of the holy numbering of 777 - which represents complete perfection.  Below is artist Pat Marvenko Smith's take on "The Three Beasts and 666":

In verse 1 we read: "And written on each head were names that blasphemed God."  Back in the Roman empire many emperors assumed titles of deity and require worship of them, which would obviously be blasphemous to God.  An example was the emperor Domitian (AD 51-96) required people to address him as Dominus et Deus, which means "our lord and our god".  Below is an ancient bust of Domitian:

Verses 13 - 15 should be warning to us to not fall for false signs and wonders that do not come from God...  as we read about the beast from the earth -  "He did astounding miracles, such as making fire flash down to earth from heaven while everyone was watching. And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people of the world to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. He was permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die."  The danger of these above verses can best be demonstrated by Deuteronomy chapter 13 verses 1 through 4 - "If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a miraculous sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them,"  you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him."  How do these 2 sets of verses - from Revelation and Deuteronomy - speak to you?  Are there possibly even false signs and wonders and false idols in our world today which draw our attention away from loving God with all of our heart and soul?  Will you hold fast to God?

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Revelation chapter 13 titled "The Beast and The False Prophet" is at this link and "Here Comes The Beast" is at this link.

Today in Revelation chapter 14 we read about Jesus (the Lamb) and all believers (the 144,000) in the heavenly Jerusalem (Mount Zion).   I love verses 4 and 5 in this chapter: "For they are spiritually undefiled, pure as virgins, following the Lamb wherever he goes. They have been purchased from among the people on the earth as a special offering to God and to the Lamb. No falsehood can be charged against them; they are blameless."  Are these 2 verses attractive to you?  Do you want to be like this someday in heaven?  Spiritually undefiled?  Pure?  Following Jesus wherever he goes?  Blameless?

We then read about the Three Angels and In verse 8 we read: "Then another angel followed him through the skies, shouting, "Babylon is fallen--that great city is fallen--because she seduced the nations of the world and made them drink the wine of her passionate immorality.""  Babylon, as we know from our recent readings in the Old Testament, such as Daniel, was in ancient Mesopotamia and the commercial, political, and religious center of a world empire led by Nebuchadnezzar.  Some commentators believe that John is writing about Rome here when he says Babylon - and that John uses the term Babylon because it would be too dangerous for him to say Rome.  Some others believe this reference to Babylon refers to the time of the antichrist in the end days, and represents the corrupt political and religious systems of the world in the end times.

Verse 12 is likely referring to the end times, but it does make me think about the persecuted Christians in our world today - "Let this encourage God's holy people to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying his commands and trusting in Jesus."  There are thousands, if not millions, of Christians in our world today who suffer for their belief in Christ.  They are persecuted.  Today.   How can we encourage these holy people of God who are enduring persecution today?  Prayer is certainly one thing we can do, as a starter.  Have you heard of the International Day of the Persecuted Church?  Please visit their website by clicking on this link - and then click on the links on their home page to check out some great ministries that are serving the needs of the Persecuted Church.  Thank you for considering praying and getting involved in the Persecuted Church.

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Revelation chapter 14 titled "Special Announcements" is at this link and "The Grim Reaper and the Grapes of Wrath" is at this link.

YouTube - Today's readings in Revelation 11:15 reminded me of Handel's Messiah "Hallelujah Chorus:"

Do you know Jesus, who will reign forever?  Click here and meet your eternal King!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: 'Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.'" Revelation 12:10 (NIV)

Prayer Point: Pray in thanksgiving that God wins! Pray in thanksgiving that good wins. Pray in thanksgiving if you are in God's hands, through a saving faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

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