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[expand title=”Devotion Text”]Revelation 13:1
The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.
Revelation 13 describes the Antichrist, the person that will rise up to oppose Christ and His followers in the last days. While we do not know who this person will be or when he will appear on the world scene, John describes three characteristics of this great enemy.
It will be a powerful political leader.
In Scripture, the sea often represents the Gentile nations. Many believe the Antichrist will be a leader of a European country that will form a confederacy of ten nations and bring a time of peace to the Middle East (See Revelation 17). John describes the beast as a “leopard,” which was a symbol of the powerful Greek empire under Alexander the Great.
It will be a “Christlike” figure.
The Antichrist will imitate the death and resurrection of Jesus. John writes that it “seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed” (Revelation 13:3; see also 13:12,14).
It will accept and expect worship.
The Antichrist will utter “proud words and blasphemies” that denigrate and defame the living God. While it tries to tear God down, it will build itself up. People will bow before the Antichrist and worship.
Throughout history, many have thought a particular leader was the Antichrist. And one day it will arrive on the scene. But all those who know Christ do not have to worry. We do not have to become anxious about the events of the last days. Regardless of when and how history winds down, we belong to Jesus. And this we know for sure: Jesus wins!
Father, may we place the future in Your hands. We know that when You are for us, nothing can stand against us. We live in confidence knowing that we belong to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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