As we read in Rev verse 13-19 we see so much stuff going on. So much deception, lies, falsehoods! What do we believe? When would probably say we will never follow the beast, receive the mark or give in into this period of testing. Fact is so many of us would be thinking, feeling, and doubting what we know. God desires us to stand firm in our faith not to waiver during our trials. Here is a summary of chapters, I put all of the scripture references in Italics for Identification purposes.
Chapter 13: The first Beast comes out of the seas. It has ten horns, seven heads containing crowns and blasphemous names. Like a leopard, but paws like a bear and mouth like a lion. It is given power a throne and authority by the Dragon. One head was mortally wounded and healed. In wonderment, the whole world followed after the Beast. People worshipped the Beast and Dragon. Their authority to last about 42 months. Given authority over all people, nations and races. Worshipped by all those who do not have their names in book of life. Let him who has ears heed these words: If one is destined for captivity, into captivity he goes! If one is destined to be slain by the sword, by the sword he will be slain! Such is the faithful endurance that distinguishes God's holy people.
The Second Beast comes up out of the Earth. It used the authority of the first Beast to promote its interests by making the world worship the first beast whose mortal wound had been healed. The second beast also performs great miracles, leads away Earth's inhabitants by telling them to make an idol of first Beast. Life is given to the image of the Beast, and the power of speech and the ability to put to death anyone who refuses to worship it. Forces all men, rich and poor to accept a stamped image on right hand or forehead. No one allowed to buy or sell at all anything unless first marked with the name of the beast or the number that stood for it's name. A certain wisdom is needed here; with a little ingenuity anyone can calculate the number of the beast, for it is a number that stands for a certain man. The man's number is six hundred sixty six.
Chapter 14: We have the Lamb who appears with the 144.000 faithful ones. Angels warn about accepting the mark of the beast. The Son of Man appears with sickle and harvests the Earth. He harvests the grapes of God's wrath. They are taken to a wine press outside of the city. So much blood pours out that for two hundred miles, it is as deep as a horse's bridle.
Chapter 15: Seven angels holding seven final plagues that would bring God's wrath to a climax. Given seven bowls containing God's wrath.
Chapter 16: The Angels are told to go pour out bowls of God's wrath on the Earth. 1st Bowl: Boils on men who accepted the mark of the beast.
2nd Bowl: The sea turned to blood like a corpse. All sea creatures die.
3rd Bowl: Rivers and springs turn to blood.
4th Bowl: Burned men with fire. They do not repent.
5th Bowl: Plunged into darkness.
6th Bowl: Poured out on the great river Euphrates. It's water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East. Three unclean spirits come from the mouth of Dragon, Beast and False Prophet. They perform miracles, and assemble the kings of the Earth for battle. Be on your guard! I come like a thief. Happy is the man who stays wide awake and prepared. Devils assemble the kings in a place in Hebrew called Armageddon.
7th Bowl: Loud voice says, "It is finished." Suddenly, the worst earthquake ever. The Great City is split into three parts. Other Gentile cities also fall. God remembers Babylon the great, giving her cup of His blazing wrath. Islands, mountains disappear. Giant hailstones fall.
Chapter 17: Babylon as harlot on a scarlet beast. I will explain to you the symbolism of the woman and of the seven headed and ten horned beast carrying her. The beast you saw existed once but now exists no longer. It will come up from the abyss once more before going to final ruin. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits enthroned. They are also seven kings. Five have already fallen, one lives now and the last has not yet come, but when he does come he will remain only a short while. The beast which existed once but now exists no longer even though it is an eighth king, is really one of the seven and on his way to ruin. Ten horns represent ten of the kings which have not yet been crowned. They will display their power on the beast and fight against the lamb. The ten kings will turn against her and destroy her.
Chapter 18: Another angel comes to Earth, Calls out: "Fallen is Babylon the great." Kings lament. Merchants lament. Sailors lament. Saints, apostles, prophets rejoice.
Chapter 19: There is loud singing of victory from Heaven. John falls at feet of a great angel. He is told to get up, worship God alone. Heaven opened up, a rider on a white horse emerged, his name was "The Faithful And True" Justice is his standard. His eyes are like fire. The armies of Heaven are behind him. The armies do battle with the Beast. The Beast is captured, along with the False Prophet. They are hurled down into the fiery pool.
Christianity in the Edo Period. Memorial to Nagasaki martyrs
Persecution of Christians that began before the Edo Period continued during it. Ieyasu outlawed Christianity and the Tokugawa shoguns eradicated it within 50 years using murder, persecution and decrees. In 1638, 37,000 people, mostly Christians, were massacred during brutal crackdown after the Christian-led Shimbara Rebellion. As a result of this oppression it was thought the number of Christians was reduced to near zero. Christians were forced to tread on fumi-e ("pictures of Mary with Jesus to step on") to show they had renounced their religion. Christians who did not comply were tortured with heavy stones that were placed on their legs until they abandoned their religion. Some of these stones have been used to make the Kashiragahima church in the Goto Island.
In one particularly nasty method of torture called "anazuri" a person suspected of being a Christian was hung upside down for days in a hole. So that the person would be in pain for as long as possible a small hole was bored behind the person's ear so that the person would die as his blood slowing dripped out drop by drop. In the decades that followed Christianity was practiced in secret after Commodore Perry arrived in 1853. He was amazed to see how much the church had thrived during this time.
What does this mean to us today? Some of us may sit here and think….. "What would I have done if faced with this decision"? Would I have renounced Christ as Peter did? Or would I be strong in my faith?
The answer is not to wonder if you would die for Christ, but rather how are you living for Him? Because if you live for Him there will be no question that if and when you are faced with persecutions you would make the right choice!
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Chuck Goulart
President
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"Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes."
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