The Weekly Perspective
by Burke Shade, Associate Pastor
Every chapter of the Bible is encouraging, of course, but Revelation 13 has to rank up there as one of the tops. That might sound funny, since it isn’t a psalm or a chapter from Song of Solomon or even from the book of Romans!
But several features stand out. From heaven to earth, from sky to land, Satan the Dragon is defeated by our Lord, by our brother and sisterly martyrs, by the godly Eves/Mary’s of biblical history, by our Father who gives the woman wings to fly away. In other words, Satan is no match for God and his followers. Though he was the greatest of angels, rebellion has wasted him, rendering him but a fly in the ointment of historical disappointment. He will reign over no one, will have no kingdom at all, when he is eventually thrown in the eternal lake of fire (Revelation 20). But not you! You can resist him now, extinguish his darts, and overcome him daily in union with Jesus. You, united with Jesus, rule over angels. They are but your ministering servants! You by your prayers and perseverance, keeping your eyes on Jesus, are overcomers who cannot be mastered by Satan or his angels. What a glorious position to be in; what a glorious inheritance you have now and will have forever! Is this not the hope and demonstration of Revelation 13?
Joy to the world!