Martyrdom
The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.<o:p></o:p>
Revelation 13:5-8<o:p></o:p>
This first beast of Revelation who has the power, throne and authority of the dragon will devastate God’s people, or at least conquer them. Many who remain faithful will die by the authority of the beast. The second beast is like the first. People will be forced to receive the ‘mark of the beast.’ “This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness and the part of the saints” (Revelation 13:10).<o:p></o:p>
There will be saints who will remain faithful to Jesus and will die instead of worshipping the beast or his image. As hard as this seems, it’s better to die for the One who has the power to raise you from the dead into eternal life than to live for the one whose destiny is eternal death. This, for sure, requires great faith!<o:p></o:p>
This day I can die to myself and the ways of this world and experience the new resurrected life that Jesus came to bring me. I can pursue His holiness and worship Him. This self denial will be good practice for the day that I publically will need to say that I will worship and serve no other.<o:p></o:p>
Lord Jesus, You alone are worthy of worship. No other has done what You have done! There are forces of evil that rival for Your Glory, but You alone will receive the worship of my life. Prepare me for what You have for me this day. <o:p></o:p>
