SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 08/13/2005
My Worship Time Focus: Antichrist
the beast
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Revelations
13:1
Message of the verse: “1. And the dragon stood on the shore of the
sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads,
with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.” (NIV)
In the AV account the word “I” is used in place of the
word “dragon” and is some of the other translations the word “he” is used. It seems that most translators believe that
it was Satan who was standing on the shore of the sea. The “sea” in many parts of the Scriptures
means the nations or the Gentile nations as in a sea of humanity. The next part of this verse speaks of a beast
coming up out of the sea so this would mean that this beast is coming up out of
the Gentile nations, and because he is described as a beast he cannot be a nice
person, for this is the description of Antichrist. This beast is described to have ten horns and
seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns.
Horns usually represent power, political power, when used in the Bible
and this person will have very much power.
These ten horns represent ten nations, and most feel this is speaking of
a re-built Roman Empire. I believe that
the seven heads represent seven nations, for when antichrist comes into power
three of the nations will not want him as their leader but he will force them
to come under his power. There are ten
crowns on his horns that represent the ten rulers. As this vision of the beast,
(antichrist) continues in the later verses of this chapter it will become
clearer.
Spiritual meaning for my life today: God has allowed His readers to have a glimpse
of what will happen in the future through the writings of John in this
wonderful book of Revelations and it is important that I do not get so caught
up in what the possible meaning of this book is, even though that is important
to know, and to focus on what God would have me to do each day of my life. Prophecy is a very important part of God’s
Word, but it is important to see the whole picture and not just get caught up
in what the prophecy is all about. Jesus
Christ and the salvation He has provided is the central theme of the Bible and
I must keep my focus on that, and prophecy is a part of that.
The Word of God has challenged my heart as I read it this
morning.
My Steps of Faith Today:
Continue to trust the Lord, knowing
that He is the One who is in control, trust Him to do the things that James
wrote about in the first chapter of His letter:
2
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith
produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result,
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)
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