The Beast: Revelation 13

The Beast has been one of the most analyzed prophetic figures in Church history. Everybody thinks they know his identity. In my life alone, everyone from Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama, from Saddam Hussein to the Pope, have been suggested as Beasts.

God's greatest enemies in biblical history, have been humans, (yes, notwithstanding the Serpent, and the dubious "Lucifer" and tempter of Christ). Pharaoh, Saul, Judas, the Scribes and Pharisees, Goliath, etc. They all have been formidable figures that stood in the way of God's Kingdom.

So the Beast, here in Revelation 13, is definitely a man, (or woman?). But this beast is the culmination of the ages. The forces of evil combine together in this one person, for the final assault on God's Kingdom.

The idea that you cannot conduct any commerce without the mark of the Beast is a tantalizing point. Could this be Social Security? Credit Cards? Nationalized health care? It is true that in the world today you cannot do much with official government papers and forms of identification. While the initial purpose for such things was noteworthy and necessary, still it is easy to see how such a thing could be corrupted into an instrument of evil, (since evil is always wrapped up in some human's desire to control other humans!)

Who would dare attempt to live today, without a credit rating, or social security number? It's simply impossible! And the serpent has been subtle from the beginning. He always makes his purposes seem benign. He does not come out and admit "This is for evil purposes." He doesn't even believe that he himself is evil!

So look for the Beast in trustworthy places. Let the Beast be a national or world figure that masses of people seem to trust, or admire. Let him be someone that even we (those reading these words) hold high as an example and leader for us! For we have one Master, which is Christ the Lord!

And the whole world followed the beast around in amazement and adored the dragon for giving its power to the beast, and they adored the beast, saying, "Who is the equal of the beast? Is anyone strong enough to take it on?"

Is anyone that strong, indeed!