Category: Daniel Burton

As the dragon stands on the edge of the sea, the devil begins to summon forth two beasts in chapter 13.  The first comes from the sea (vs. 1-10) and the second comes from the earth (vs. 11-18).  Each are equally frightening but different in their approach.  For both, the purpose of the beasts remains the same; to spread the false gospel that the dragon can provide life and safety to people.  At this point, the dragon knows his days are numbered and that he will ultimately see his demise and end.  Yet, the nature of the dragon seeks destruction for the people.  He deceives others in hopes of bringing the destruction that will befall him to others.

Throughout the bible, we gain the perspective from earth of God’s intervention and rescue plan for mankind.  Throughout the entirety of scripture, God remains the star as He saves those receive Him.  Yet, for the most part, this is told through the perspective of the physical.  In Revelation 12, John is given a glimpse of the spiritual story.  We gain great detail as to the consequences of the devil’s rebellion in heaven, how he came to earth, and ultimately what he will endure.  Some parts of this chapter seem to be almost a flashback of events from the past while others still are to come.  Often times, from the perspective of man, it seems as though the battle is still ranging onward between God and man.  We worry about what we face and that the trials and temptations of the world will be the end of us as the devil  tempts us.  However, we must remember that Satan, for all his accusations, has no reign or power outside of what God allows him to.  The church, no matter what, will be eternally safe against the attacks of Satan as long as the church remains and pursues the One, True Savior.  

Throughout the whole of this chapter, many times and numbers are given.  It is very likely that these are not indicative of the literal time but rather as an indication of completeness and representing God.  Furthermore, as John references the temple, it is the opinion of this author that this does not necessitate a physical rebuilding of the temple.  The temple refers to the people of God and the true believers who find their identity in the body of Christ.  In the Old Testament, the temple represented the place where the priests would intercede for mankind to God.  Now, with the coming of Jesus Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit, we as the body of Christ represent the intercession of God to the world and identifying with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. In this chapter, you see the believers begin to feel the persecution of the world.  For part of this, the people of God will be spared and for others, true believers will feel the unabated persecution.  Throughout this chapter, though, we see that God does not abandon His people.  No matter what the world does to those who believe, God will protect those who worship Him and belong in Jesus Christ.

Stop for a moment and consider what John has witnessed so far.  John has witnessed the throne room of heaven, seen the beginnings of heaven’s collision with earth, and watched as God poured out judgment on the world.  He has witnessed natural disasters beyond explanation and seen heavenly creatures roam throughout the earth.  With six of the seven trumpets having resounded their blasts, a brief interlude begins resembling the interlude between the breaking of the seven seals.  For all of the wonders that John has seen, though, at this point, it is almost as if there is still time and hope for the people of the world.

In the first four trumpets, the earth endured the punishment for the sin with a third of the world being wiped out from the first four trumpets.  The earth felt the effects of sin which cannot withstand God’s judgment.  Through the initial actions of Adam and Eve and our continued sin, we subject the earth to the judgment of God that undoubtedly will not go unnoticed by the people.  After these trumpets, the angel delivered a solemn warning of what was to come; woe to those who dwell on the earth.  For the next two trumpets, mankind receives the beginning of their judgment for their sin and rebellion.  God takes the issue of sin extremely serious.  Sin is unholy rebellion against the things of God and goes against our intended creation of how God made the world to function.  Hence, the first act of God to repair the effects of sin came in the form of sending Jesus Christ to die as the lamb of God to take away the sins of the world.  Now, the land of God stands in judgment over the world for those who do not find their identity in Him.  With the sounding of the fifth and sixth trumpet, those who persist to follow other gods will find themselves experiencing the fullness of God’s judgment but they are not outside of the reach of the hand of Jesus Christ to provide grace.