Monday, 15 March 2021
So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Revelation 13:4
The beast rising out of the sea was introduced in 13:1. In 13:3, it was noted that one of its heads had been mortally wounded, and yet it was healed. With that noted, John then said, “And all the world marveled and followed the beast.”
As was stated then, this is most probably referring to a nation that suffered such a crushing defeat financially, militarily, or so on. So great was the defeat that it seemed it could not ever recover, and yet it did. It was as if it was resurrected to life. In this event, the whole world marveled after it.
This is not out of the realm of possibility. Germany was utterly crushed in the first world war, and yet they came back as a massive force within a short time. This incredible revival came to pass, and the world marveled at it. The head of this beast is miraculously healed, and John says, “So they worshipped the dragon who gave authority to the beast.”
The beast is the end-times alliance of nations described in 13:1, 2. Satan will be the force behind it, and the antichrist will be the main leader of it. Just as those who followed Hitler glorified the greatness of the empire, casting their allegiance to the satanic power behind it, so will be the case with those who follow after this beast. As it next says, “and they worshiped the beast.”
Humans are prone to worshiping powerful governments. They worshiped and followed Nazi Germany, they worshiped and followed communist regimes, and they have worshiped and followed nations like the UK and the USA. When a nation is powerful, it becomes a source of idol worship. Such an instance will be true with this end times alliance. The people will be saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
It has been the constant call of humanity for whatever great nation or alliance that has existed. It is true of the USA today. Someday, it will be true of this beast of the end times. So great will be its power that people who follow it will consider it a force above all others.
Life application: At times in the Old Testament, the question is raised, “Who is like the Lord?” One such example is found in Exodus 15:11 –
“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
There is but one God. We don’t need the Bible to be able to figure that out, however, the Bible reveals this one God to us. He is the Creator of all things. The earth is like an insignificant grain of dust in the vastness of the cosmos, and yet it is more of creation than any other being has ever created – because a created being can’t create anything.
Despite this, the people of the world will see the beast’s power and decide that it is worth worshiping. When they do this, they are actually worshiping the devil who gave the beast its power in the first place. This is the nature of all false religions. They either directly or indirectly worship Satan, because anything that doesn’t worship God – as He has revealed Himself – is wrongly directed worship.
With this in mind, John – in his first epistle – gives the main reason that Jesus came. Every other reason mentioned in Scripture for Jesus’ coming is tied up in this final concept – “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).
This is obviously not a popular concept with people who don’t align themselves with the Christian message, but either it is true, or it is not true. If it isn’t, then Jesus’ ministry was a waste of time, and He died for no reason at all. But the truth of John’s statement assures us that the whole world is under the sway of the devil. It is Jesus alone who can change that.
Calling on Jesus is the most important choice anyone can ever make. Be sure to do the research, consider what God has done, and then make the smart choice. Call out to God through His Christ. Call out to Him through JESUS.
Lord God, we wonder how anyone could be so hugely stupid as to worship the devil? But when we realize that this is the default position of all people, it no longer seems so silly. Instead, it shows us the enormity of what Jesus has done and the great work He accomplished for us. He alone can lead us back to You. Thank You, O God, for Jesus. Amen.