Today's Reading:
Revelation 10,11,12,13,14
Scripture
I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast. They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast. “Who is as great as the beast?” they exclaimed. “Who is able to fight against him?” (Revelation 13: 3-4)
Observation
Revelation describes the end-times and second-coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s definitely not my favorite part of the Bible and it’s not easy to understand. Even after all of these years I still struggle to make sense of these passages. One thing that’s clear is that, more and more, we will encounter false prophets. Here in chapter 13, John describes a miracle healing that convinces many to believe in a false prophet who speaks against Jesus and leads people away from the Father. This tells me that it will become increasingly difficult to differentiate the good and the bad, the wheat and the chaff because even the bad will use miracles and signs to deceive us. We must listen carefully to discern God’s voice. We must know the words of the Father so well that we can tell the difference between the original and the counterfeit. Even though I am not a Bible scholar I must consistently read and prayerfully study his word. How else will I know the fake from the real? There are so many counterfeit products out there – purses, watches, clothes – if it’s famous and valuable, there’s probably a counterfeit version of it. It’s those that study the original that can recognize an imposter.
Application
It’s becoming even more important that I read the Bible each day; that I study and think deeply about His teachings. We don’t know when Jesus will come again but we’re closer now than we’ve ever been before. I’m not a prophet, but it doesn’t take an expert to see that many of the signs of the end times are manifesting. I can prepare by knowing and recognizing the original, the master. People who train to identify counterfeit money carefully study the real thing, then when they hold a fake they can easily discern the difference. I must know my Savior so well that I can easily identify a false prophet.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Please open my eyes that I may see you clearly. Help us to discern the genuine from the counterfeits. May I help others find their way to you. In Jesus name, Amen
