The Beast or the Lamb

The Beast or the Lamb

“And all the world marveled and followed the beast.” Rev. 13:3. “These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” Rev. 14:4.

“And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.” Rev. 13:8-9. “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.” Rev. 15:2.

When it is written that they had the victory over the beast, it does not mean they could obstruct or stop the work of the beast, because power was granted to the beast to do his work. Ch. 13:7, 15. However, it does mean that they resisted the temptation to submit to the beast and its image. They were obedient to the Lamb and followed Him instead.

We read in Chapter 13:7 that it was “granted to him [the beast] to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue and nation.” This does not mean that the beast overcame them in the sense that they submitted to him, worshiping him and taking his mark, but it does mean that 1) the beast hindered and stopped their work and 2) they were killed. They could kill the body, but every beast and every spirit power is powerless when confronted by the spirit and the power that dwells in God’s faithful saints. God be praised!

We are going to see remarkable things, brothers! God is seriously going to produce some dramatic and stunning end-finales, showing mankind what “great” things they are capable of without God and against God and His saints and against God’s own incredible power and glory!!!

I am thoroughly convinced that most worshipers of God will fail, following the beast instead of the Lamb. It takes great powers of godliness to resist future spirit powers that fight against God. Most worshipers of God prove daily that they are far from possessing such powers. They fail for the sake of trifles. They have practiced failing for years on end, whereas the bride, who follows the Lamb wherever He goes, has exercised herself for years in not failing at any cost. Practice makes perfect—the one in failing, the other in remaining steadfast.

Alas! Alas! The reward they receive for failing! If you want to familiarize yourself with the laws of retribution, you should read much in the book of Revelation. Even if we suffer martyrdom and long-lasting torments that precede it, it is, nevertheless, nothing compared to the righteous vengeance that the Lord will execute on all those who have failed.

“If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehand or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image . . . .” Ch. 14:9-11. Poor people!

How can anyone who has really sought God fail Him so miserably that he takes the mark of the beast? By being unfaithful in small things he eventually manages to be unfaithful in great things! Thus he gradually falls under the sway of the beast. In order to save his life, he explains away to himself and to others the terrible fact and the significance of what he submits to.

“The integrity of the upright will guide them . . . .” Prov. 11:3. Let us watch and pray and strengthen ourselves in the Lord our God, brothers!