“And he deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life” (Revelation 13:14).
They have not believed that Christ has risen from the dead; but they will believe that the devil can raise the dead. That is why it is called deception. It is not new but has been around since the Garden of Eden. If you read the Old Testament, you see this happening over and over again. Tantalize, get them off-track, and lead them astray. Worship an image! We have celebrities and social media influencers, but we do not worship them. Or do we?
This has been happening since Eve partook of the forbidden fruit. We fall for the immediate while ignoring the eternal. We worship the creature rather than the Creator. We fall for parlor tricks and emotional false hopes rather than come to You, the Author of creation. You have come to free the captives, open the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf, and lead those who follow You to eternal life.
Lord Jesus, You are the One we are to imitate. Whether it is the wicked one perverting the truth of who You are, or the faithful seeking to be like You, You are the standard to which we are to be transformed. Help me clearly see the nonsense of the wicked one and focus my attention upon the task of becoming like You. Guide me in the way You have established that I may walk boldly with clarity and purpose so that each day I can become more like You. Amen.
