Today’s reading is Revelation 19.
PATHS of Righteousness
If you’ve followed along this week, you already know we are using the meditation prompts from our acronym PATHS of Righteousness to garner insights from Revelation 19. We’ve consider Praise, Admonition, and Trust. Today, we ask how Revelation 19 prompts or improves Hope.
The Beast and the False Prophet
In Revelation 13:1-10, we witnessed a seven-headed monster rise up out of the sea. It was a chimaera, a mixture of incredible creatures all rolled up into one. It was terrifying. It was given authority and allowed to make war on the saints and allowed even to conquer them. As if that wasn’t enough, Revelation 13:11-16 revealed another monster rising up out of the earth. Though it had horns like a lamb, it spoke like a dragon. By his authority, those who refused to worship the the first monster were slain. Those who weren’t slain were starved because they refused to bear the mark of the first monster.
Those two monsters are called The Beast and The False Prophet. And separately, they are each horrific enemies. Together, they are an overwhelmingly formidable foe. Like Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:12, we beg God to execute judgment on them and the army they have arrayed against us. “For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (ESV).
But just like that ancient enemy was destroyed by God’s power before Jehoshaphat and the Judean singers who worshiped Yahweh, the Beast, the False prophet, the kings allied with them, and the hosts who followed them in battle are conquered. The Beast and the False Prophet are thrown into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. The rest are slain by the sword coming from the Lamb’s mouth. And the birds gorge on their flesh.
No matter what the enemy brings against us. No matter how an enemy state governs against us. No matter how false religion attacks us. No matter what forces the dragon arrays against us, we are not hopeless. The hordes seem overwhelming, but our King is stronger.
Sometimes, as I strive to simply survive the days, I can begin to think I have no hope of making it to victory. However, Revelation 19 reminds me I’m not fighting the Beast and the False Prophet. I don’t have to defeat them. I just have to hang on to the King who will.
And that gives me hope to press on one more day. How about you? Can we help you press on? If so, let us know in the comments below.
Tomorrow’s reading is Revelation 19.
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PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Revelation 19 prompt or improve your hope in God?
Read the Bible 