3 minute read
The Scariest Chapter In The Bible
from March 2021
by Brent Goodge
Some Bible students could debate this, but Revelation 13 can make a great case for being the scariest chapter in the Bible. Two conglomerate beasts unite their forces with Satan to compel a one-world religion. Amazing miracles apparently substantiate their claim to worship. Those who refuse to worship in direct opposition to the God of Heaven will face economic sanctions and finally a death sentence.
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This chapter definitely makes me feel a little nervous, especially when it feels like our world is on the precipice of the final fulfillment of this prophecy. But did you know that most of Revelation quotes or refers back to passages in the Old Testament? Could there be anything in the Bible that will give us assurance for such a time as this?
The grand majority of Revelation 13 is borrowed language from the prophecy of Daniel 7 and the story of Daniel 3. Care to check it out? Daniel 2 is the backstory of Daniel 3. Nebuchadnezzar went to bed hoping that his mighty Babylon would be an eternal kingdom. Through the prophet Daniel, God told Nebuchadnezzar that the only eternal kingdom would be the Kingdom of Jesus.
Nebuchadnezzar was initially impressed, but then he decided he didn’t like the way that story ended. He would rewrite the story. In Daniel 7, Babylon is represented by a beast, a winged lion. In Daniel 3, this beast kingdom sets up a false image, demanding worldwide worship of the false God in direct defiance of the Word of God. All who refuse will die. The measurements of the image are even 6 by 60, for what it’s worth. Sound similar to Revelation 13?
If you aren’t familiar with the story of the Hebrew worthies, please read Daniel 3. It’s among the most fabulous stories in the Bible. Nebuchadnezzar tries to give them another chance, and they say, “No need—our God will save us, but even if He chooses not to, we still won’t worship your lifeless idol!” (Daniel 3:16-18). In absolute rage, Nebuchadnezzar has the boys thrown into the hottest fire he can produce.
But then Nebuchadnezzar looks in and sees the faithful three walking around unharmed in the flames: with Jesus Christ. The dream of a worldwide Babylonian religion is over as the rage of false worship pales against the power of the True One. The Babylonian king is compelled to declare the power of the God of Heaven and praise the faithfulness of His servants on earth.
But why does Revelation 13 leave God’s people at the death decree? That doesn’t sound fair to save the Hebrews and let the Christians walk alone. It’s because John didn’t give us the chapter breaks. Man did. Finish reading the story. Just as Nebuchadnezzar looked at the fire and saw the Hebrews with Christ, Revelation 14 looks and sees the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the “Consuming Fire” and “Everlasting Burnings,” walking with the saved, and they have no hurt (Revelation 14:1-6; Hebrews 12:29; Isaiah 33:14-16).
About The Author Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County and desires to walk with Jesus, whatever conditions that might lead to.
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