08
Prepare
Carl HigashiRevelation 13:5-8
5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
This particular (first) beast was given a mouth to speak proud words and words directly against God. Not only does he say things against God, he slanders Him, and where He dwells...He will bad mouth His people, His church.
The beast had to be given power to wage this war against the people of God, to conquer them. This authority covered every person in the whole earth. All people of the earth will worship the beast, but those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. The Lamb was slain, that Lamb is Jesus.
The beast is persuasive, cunning, articulate, will promote self over God, and will be readily accepted by many. The beast will want to be worshiped and will be worshipped by many.
As the beast is a master presenter of deception. He uses things like being self-righteous,pridefulness, arrogance and self promotion. His tools for distractions are many, I need to be all the more prepared for the things God has placed in my responsibility as a means to present the gospel at all times.
The enemy will do his best to tempt people with the things of the world, but God's goodness and the glory and our inheritance of His kingdom far surpasses anything that the devil has in this world.
I must always be prepared to present God's glory that He has given to us as that which is far surpassing that of anything in this world.
Lord your word says that as ministers of your gospel, kingdom priests of the Most High God, I must always be prepared to deliver a message from You. I pray that as I spend increased Tim in your presence, I will be better equipped to present your gospel that people be saved and equipped for the work of Your ministry.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
