Scripture: Revelation 11-13
Observation:
This section brought two things to my mind. 1) An epic film. It seemed like a Harry Potter or a Lord of the Rings movie or something like that. Can't you see it? 2) Evil is all around us, isn't it? And at the end of this section, evil seems to be winning...
Application:
I honestly spend too much time watching the TV show Criminal Minds. I love trying to figure things out. I love the characters. But the personification of evil on the show cannot be denied. And in a lot of ways, that's what the text shows us. There's a dragon and two beasts and more. They control everything! Our world may not be that exactly--but evil shows itself clearly every day.
The coworker who has it out for you. The way that awful word slips out of your mouth in traffic. The feelings of jealousy or rage that cause you to do things you never meant to do. The way people cheat on their spouses or hurt small children. People who break into cars or homes or pick pockets! I could go on, but you know what I mean.
I guess the question is, how do we handle evil? How do we guard ourselves against it? And more, how do we keep our world from letting evil win? I pray that I can always keep my eye on the Truth. On God. And that my love, God's love will always be stronger than the evil. I know the Lamb is coming. I just hope he hurries!
Prayer: Oh, Lamb of God! Let me always look for your love. Let me always see your grace. Let me fight evil at every turn--not with sticks and stones and more evil, but with your love and grace. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Blessings!
Pastor Emily
2 comments:
Love will ever conquer evil though, sometimes, that's hard to see in the day-to-day world where there is so much sadness, malice and heartbreak. Yes, we must show Christ's love and grace and mercy to a hurting world in everything we do.
In verse 10:6 the angel says, "NO more delay!" It's good to know that there will come a day when God's will be done and all his promises are fulfilled.
Then in 12 we read that Satan if filled with fury at being thrown out of heaven and his time is short. He makes war against those who obey God. No wonder we experience all that evil. Just like the persecuted Christians John was writing to. But we overcome the devil by the blood of the Lamb and by our testimony for Jesus. Tell others the Good News that Jesus gave his life and his blood for our salvation and that God reigns!
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