“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon” (Revelation 13:11).

Beware of the false prophets.  Beware of those with smooth speech who deceive and lead astray.  They too are constant in this world.  The devil seeks to kill, steal, and destroy.  Coming in the guise of peacemaker, they make war.  This is why one should study to show themselves approved.  The fangs of a wolf hiding in sheep’s clothing are dangerous, even more so if you are unaware that it is a wicked one with whom you are dealing.

Lord, in this mixed-up world, help me to keep my eyes clear so that I can see things as they are.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through the false prophets and those who lead astray.  Help me to understand the truth and know the way of freedom You give.  Help me always, dear Lord, so that I may walk humbly with You all the days of my life and not wander after false teachers.

Lord Jesus, You died that those who look to You would be set free from sin, death and the devil.  But there are those who come along and want to recapture and imprison the ones set free.  Help me to live in the freedom You give, looking to You who alone have the words of eternal life.  Be my guide now and always so that I may see clearly and know when truth is being spoken, or something else.  Keep me close to You, dear Savior.  Amen.

“If anyone has an ear, let him hear.  If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints” (Revelation 13:9-10).

Some say, “Times are bad.”  There are bad times of increased violence and other times where there is less violence, but there has always been bloodshed and wickedness.  This age is not peaceful.  The peace of the Lord that surpasses understanding allows the faithful to persevere through all that happens in this age of rebellion.  Open your ears and listen to the word of the Lord.  Be guided by His goodness and mercy.

Lord, I have become used to this world and think that its masked wickedness is normal.  I cannot comprehend a place where all truly love one another and where peace is normal.  Help me to persevere through all the difficulties of this age.  Guide me according to Your will so that I may not be overcome by the times of difficulty, knowing that Your promises are always before me.

Lord Jesus, You know what it is to struggle in this age.  You too were under threat, hated, and constantly harassed.  Help me to live through these things and remain faithful.  As I struggle today, guide me in Your goodness to know that I can lean on You and that You are there to hold me up as I move through all the difficulties this life will bring this day.  Thank You for providing for my every need.  Amen.

“All who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slaughtered” (Revelation 13:8).

How foolish humans are.  We worship celebrities.  We worship what we consider to be good things.  We crawl on top of one another to be on top of the heap.  What foolishness.  Do not be fooled; the Lord is still Lord of all.  Be humble and turn to Him and He will lift you up and out of the mire of this world.  Seek the Lord while He may be found, and have your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

In what do you hope?  Are you seeking to gain the whole world?  Is it worth losing your soul?  Are you seeking fame and a good reputation?  Is it worth losing your soul?  Many will disagree – and this will change nothing – but you were created for a purpose and your Creator has called you by name to abide in Him.  Do not become caught up in the world’s game but live in the truth for all ages.

Lord, You have given me the gift of grace.  In You I have hope for all my tomorrows.  But the world has gone mad and I am often not even sure what is worth living for.  Guide me in the way You have established so that I may now and always be led by the grace You gained for us on  the cross.  Lead me according to Your purposes in the truth You have revealed and grant that my hope will always be in You.  Amen.

“It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority was given to him over every tribe, people, language, and nation” (Revelation 13:7).

Look at the world and you see the ebbs and flows of civilization.  Of late, the church has been shrinking in the west while growing in the south and east.  There is constant warfare against the faithful.  We are told all kinds of things, but the simple truth of Jesus dying for our sins and the hope that because He was raised from the dead, we too shall be raised gets lost amidst the lying antics of the devil.

Lord, help me to understand the simple truth of the Gospel so that I do not fall prey to all the lies that are out there.  Keep my eyes open so that I begin to understand what has happened.  It is not that society is smarter now and does not need you, but that they have been deceived and do not understand the truth that every child understands.  We need more than ourselves.  We were created by You, need community and desire love.

Love Incarnate, You have come to establish an eternal relationship with all who will turn to You.  No matter the cost, nor the difficulty, help me to abide in You.  Help me not listen to the world around me, which tells me to disconnect from You.  Guide me in the truth.  Your Word is truth.  Lead me as You know I need to be led and keep me from the lies of the wicked one.  Keep me in You, Lord.  Amen.

“And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:6).

The Lord is God and no one else will ever have His power or authority.  But there are those who will say they do.  The Lord is put into a sealed box and the prideful come out and act as if they had the power of the Lord.  There are those who hate the Lord. and they also hate those who follow the Lord.  They blaspheme with their arrogance and live as though no one else mattered.

Do not get caught up in the hatreds of this world.  So many act with spite and then look at those who love as if they were crazy.  In a sinful world, up is down and left is right.  Seek the Lord while He may be found and ask Him to give you a clear mind, eyes to see what is real and ears to hear the truth.  Do not fall for the tricks of the devil.  Do not get caught up in the blasphemy of this age.

Lord, I do not understand this world, but I do have hope in You and the promises You have given me.  Guide me, dear Lord, in the way of truth so that I may now and always look to You for guidance.  Do not let me be caught up with those who blaspheme, but instead, live in harmony with You and others.  Guide me in truth, dear Lord.  You are truth and You have come to lead me into all truth.  Lead me, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

“A mouth was given to him speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him” (Revelation 13:5).

Different rulers have ruled different lengths of time and one day there will be the final earthly ruler.  They all have this in common: they are arrogant, boastful and their mouths are filled with blasphemy.  Humans fall for the strongman.  Those who do not are forced to follow him.  This is the way of the world and one more reason to realize that we need to be saved.  Rulers of the world are temporary. The Word of the LORD is forever.

Lord, You are the beginning and the end.  All things are in Your hands.  Open my eyes to see the handiwork of Your creation which the world does not see.  Open my ears to hear the beauty of this creation, knowing that You have created this to be beautiful, shared, and enjoyed.  Guide me in the way I need to go despite whomever is leading us.  Let me see that all things here are temporary, but You are forever.

Jesus, King of the universe, through whom all things have been made, lift me up to see You more clearly.  Regardless of my circumstances, help me to have a clear vision of the hope You give.  Even if the strongman of ill-health becomes dictator of this life, help me to keep my eyes upon You and the promise which is mine in You.  Take me beyond the arrogant words of this world to live in the hope of Your eternal word.  Amen.

“I saw one of his heads as if it had been fatally wounded, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”  (Revelation 13:3-4)

We humans are impressed by such simple things while often ignoring what is truly profound.  A man tells you he is powerful, and we worship him.  The Creator of the universe invites us into friendship, and we are too busy for such things.  We worship what we know is fake and ignore what we know is real.  The Lord our God is holy, just, merciful, and kind, but there will come a time when one goes one way or the other.

Lord, I do “worship” the people of this earth.  “Oh, look at them!”  But all of that is so trivial.  Lord, help me to see things the way they truly are.  Keep me sober-minded so that I do not fall for the tricks of the devil.  Guide me according to Your word to live as You have created me to live.  The world will continue to be crazy and chase after smoke, but I do not need to join them.

Lord Jesus, once again I see the places where I need to be saved.  I ignore You, but I am impressed with the latest dictator of whatever.  Fashion, trends, health, celebrity, or whatever seem to wow me when all of creation is before me telling me who You are.  Lift me up, Lord Jesus, and help me to live into the life You give by grace, seeing things as they really are.  Amen.

“And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne, and great authority” (Revelation 13:2).

Throughout history, there have been despots who arise and demand obedience.  The devil gives them their power which is merely deception.  They have come and gone and will come again.  Look to the One who is forever, for He holds all power and authority.  The rulers of the earth rule for a time; the Ruler of the universe created time.  Do not be afraid for the Lord of hosts is with you always and will never leave you.

 Lord, I do not understand why you allow despots to come and rule.  Yet, there are many things that I do not understand.  Help me to look to You, seeking faith, grace, and mercy.  Guide me in such a way that no matter the circumstance, I know that all things are in Your hands and that You have a reason for everything.  Lead me, Lord, and let me see through the temporary nature of this world and its folly.

Lord Jesus, You came to save all who would turn to You.  This is not just a momentary thing, but a reality of life forever. You have told us that he who endures to the end will be saved.  Guide me, dear Lord, to know that in You alone can I live without fear even when times are fearful.  Help me to live by faith.  Help me to live through whatever this world brings, knowing that You will work all things together for our ultimate good because You love us.  Thank You, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

“And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore.  Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads were blasphemous names” (Revelation 13:1).

If at first you don’t succeed, try something else.  The devil loses at every turn, but he won’t give up.  So deep is his hatred that he turns this way and that.  He will do the same with you.  But, the Lord’s love is so great that it never wavers and will not change.  The devil will be allowed to raise up blasphemous leaders who will lead the nations astray, but the Lord is still Sovereign.

Lord, I have been blessed, and forget about the faithful who had to live in times of great persecution.  Lead me to know that You not only know about these times and situations, but that Your promise has accounted for all these things, and You shield Your faithful.  Wicked rulers may arise, but You are always greater still and provide in every season for those who love You.  Lead me into Your love.

Lord Jesus, You came into the world in one of those times where a despot ruled.  There was blasphemy upon blasphemy and You grew up, lived, and ministered to us in such a time.  Guide me in the goodness of Your grace and mercy to walk humbly with You no matter what.  According to Your purposes, help me to live in every situation in the hope You give knowing that because You live, I too shall live.  Amen.   

“So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Revelation 12:17).

The wicked one is always enraged.  He is a loser.  He will never prevail against the Lord.  He cannot prevail against you if the Lord is with you.  But he will make war.  He will make life as uncomfortable as possible.  So what?  What are a few days of discomfort compared to eternity with the Lord?  Keep the Lord’s commandments, looking to the Lord and knowing that He will fulfill all of His promises.

I see the anger and hatred of this world, Lord.  So many are tossed about by the lies of the wicked one.  Help me to not fall prey to the wiles of the devil, but to hold fast during this time of wrath.  Keep me in the bond of Your love, the grace You purchased, the gift of redemption You have given, so that I may grow to be more like You every day.  You know what is needed and the times at which it needs to be given.

Lord Jesus, there are many times when I do not understand why the world is so crazy.  But I do see and understand that wickedness has been unleashed.  Help face my fears and build up my faith so that in every circumstance I know that You are the author and finisher of all creation.  Guide me to trust in Your word, believing in the hope that all shall be as You have promised.  Keep my eyes upon You, Jesus, in every time and place.  Amen.