Revelation 13 - what a great passage of Scripture to look at during Christmas week! There is probably nothing that can crush the warm fuzzies of Christmas like the prospect of having to face the Antichrist, who will be given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. Facing the false prophet will be no less daunting - he who will be given power to give breath to the image of the first beast so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. And what about being forced to choose between taking the mark so as to engage in any financial transaction or staying true to Christ? (Rev. 13:7, 16-17)
The little Babe of Bethlehem caused quite a stir 2000 years ago, and He continues to do so today. Imagine if you were a parent living in Bethlehem with a 14 month old son at the time Herod issued his paranoid decree. At the time of Jesus' birth the angelic host gave glory to God and declared peace on earth among those with whom He is pleased. This peace is offered to all, but there are few who receive it. Jesus would later say that He came not to send peace but a sword. (Matt. 10:34)
So Revelation 13 is part of an interlude (along with chapters 12 and 14) which interrupts the progression of the trumpet and bowl judgments. If you were reading a Zane Grey novel, this would be the part where it says, "Meanwhile, back at the ranch." Here in Revelation we can read, "Meanwhile, back at the great tribulation spoken of in Matthew 24:21." We are given some insight as to what constitutes the great tribulation, and what the martyrs of Revelation 6:9-11 had faced.
In verses 9-10 of Revelation 13 we read: "If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints." It's hard to see "Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth" in that! Or is it?
How far have we come from the true meaning of Christmas? We seem to be fighting a battle just to say "Merry Christmas" in the stores where we shop. Wars are being waged over the right to display nativity scenes in public. A good Christmas is measured in retail sales. The angelic announcement has been transposed into "Peace on earth, good will toward men." In keeping with that, the true message of Christmas has been buried under all sorts of peaceful acts of good will, with no mention of sin and salvation. The manger (if it is spoken of at all) is seldom connected to the cross.
Jesus came to earth as Emmanuel (God with us), as the Word made flesh. He had to be human so that He could pay the price for human sin, and He did. Scripture tells us that as a man, He was tempted (tested and tried) like every other human, yet He committed no sin. (Hebrews 2:14-15; 4:15). Therefore, when He had paid the price (death) He sprinkled His blood on the Mercy Seat of the holy place in heaven, thus securing "an eternal redemption" for us. (Hebrews 9:11-14)
My friends, enjoy CHRISTmas, but please do not forget it's true meaning. It goes way beyond the glitter, lights. and tinsel; it goes way beyond "Silent Night." Sin is a terrible thing, and it has invaded the heart of every one of us; it has cursed every fiber of our planet; and it has required the bloody, gory death of the Son of God to purchase our redemption. It will cause much more turmoil and heartache on earth, until the King of Kings returns to exact justice and to cleanse the earth. We must embrace Him as so much more than the Babe in a manger, and much more than savior of our souls; we must embrace Him as Lord of our lives - now and forever more. Those who do so are the ones with whom He is pleased.
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