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The Unholy Trinity Could Becoming in Just a Few Years {Revelation 13}

9:24 AM

 Scripture Reading: Revelations 13



Satan has been called many things - Liar, Deceiver, Murderer, the Enemy, the Evil One, even the Antichrist. These are just a few of his names, and not one is ever flattering. He was revealed as the dragon in Revelations 12:17, and now here in chapter thirteen we see something more about his character that I want you to always remember.  

Satan is a counterfeit, who never has an original thought.

He has little to no imagination of his own, and often merely copies what God has already done. He demonstrates this here for us when he decides to create an unholy trinity. 

Satan, as the dragon, will set himself up as the anti-god of the “trinity” and then he recruits two helpers to join him in this war against God’s people. Together they will try to imitate God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

The Beast from the sea (Rev 13:1, 4) will resemble Jesus as the anti-christ. This antichrist will be the political “beast” of vs. 1. He will get his power and position from Satan (vs. 2), and will even suffer a fatal wound and come back to life (vs. 3). Although the anti-christ will deceive many into thinking his power comes from God, it will come from Satan (vs. 2).

The Beast from the earth (Rev 13:11-12) also called the False Prophet (Rev. 16:13, 20:10) will resemble the Holy Spirit. This beast will cause all on the earth to worship the anti-christ (vs. 12), and will also have supernatural powers, that will enable him to call fire down from heaven (vs. 13) and preform other miracles (vs. 14). The beast of the earth/false prophet will order men to create an “image to the beast” (vs. 14). His powers will even give the idol life, and the ability to speak (vs. 15). A one-world religious system will be forced into place, and he will have all that do not worship the anti-christ killed (vs. 15)! He will also demand that all must have a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads in order to buy or sell (vs. 16,17). The mark will have something to do with the number 666 (vs. 18).

I know this all sounds frightening, but thankfully this will all take place at the middle point of the seven years of tribulation. God's people will have already been raptured 31/2 years prior. 

What IS frightening is that if Jesus were to come for us today, these events could only be three and a half years away! Have you thought of that before? If Jesus came back for us today, do you personally know others who will be left to face this unholy trinity?  The Deceiver, this fake and fraud, will be able to deceive many and cause many to worship him rather than turn to a holy God. 

As I thought on this, my mind went back to Deuteronomy, chapter 6 and the Shema: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deut. 6:4-8)

The Shema to be the most important part of the prayer service in Judaism, and its twice-daily recitation as a mitzvah (religious commandment). Also, it is traditional for Jews to say the Shema as their last words, and for parents to teach their children to say it before they go to sleep at night. (Wikipedia)

The chapter goes on to warn us and command us over and over again to study, obey and teach His Word to others throughout, "Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.  Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you;  for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land... Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God and the stipulations and decrees he has given you.  Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you..." (Deut 6:13-18)

In light of all we read in Revelations, and knowing that God could see the end just as clearly as He saw the beginning, I now understand God's sense of urgency as He commands us to study, obey and teach others His commands. Can't you?

Blessings,

sue

Acts

Answering God’s Call {Acts 13:1-15:21

11:43 PM



While the church in Antioch was worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit called for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for the task of spreading the Gospel. “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work for which I have called them.” (vs. 13:2). In that moment, the two men found their lives purpose; to spread the Good News throughout the lands. So what about us? What is the calling and purpose God has for our lives? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one day we checked our phone to find a message from God listing step by step exactly what it is He wants us to do? But that’s not how God works. Although some of us may have a Barnabas and Saul experience knowing immediately and without doubt what their purpose is, others of us spend years seeking God’s calling. 

Whenever I would hear people talk about how they found God’s purpose for their lives, I couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous. I didn’t understand why God made their paths straight and clear while mine remained crooked and murky. Did they have some special phone line to Heaven that I didn’t? Why were they part of the “it” crowd while I remained on the outside looking in? I was so caught up in finding out what God had planned for me, that I forgot what His calling is truly about. It isn’t what I can do for God, but rather what God can do both for me and through me for others. For as He Himself says He, “saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”

In his book entitled, “Do You Feel Called By God?”, Michael Bennett says that God gives all of us the same fundamental calling. First, “we are called to be genuine disciples of Christ as our Lord”. “We are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor. 5:20) Second, “we are called to be holy and to grow in Christ-likeness.” “Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:24)

In searching for God’s calling what I found is what He wants most of all, is a close personal relationship with me, and with you. He desires hearts that earnestly seek His will above all else. Those who eagerly spend time daily with Him and in His Word. When our focus is on Him, our hearts and ears open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit who guides us in God’s direction. I’ve learned that instead of concerning myself with the plan God has for me, I need instead be ready and willing to go wherever He leads. To be like David whom God called, “A man after my heart, who will do all My will.” (vs. 13:22)


 Answering God’s call means submitting every area of your life to God and being obedient to the direction of His leading. And when we follow Him the Lord promises, I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go.” (Ps. 32:8) So let go and let God lead you. Answer His call, serve where you are, and know that there is no greater calling then bringing  glory to His name! 

God has a purpose, 
He had a plan
before our lives 
even began.

He knows all things, 
for our own good
will work out as 
He said they would.

But, we must love, 
God and His ways
we must have a heart 
that yields and obeys.

We need to know, 
what is God’s will
we need to wait 
and to be still.

God has a purpose, 
but, it’s up to us
to heed the calling
 of faith and trust!
                                   
                              .........Deborah Ann