If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 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, (13:9-10).
That important admonishment comes again: “If anyone has an ear, let him hear.” It is a call to listen with ears of faith, to decipher the times of this world according to the Truth of His Word.
And while things may seem to be careening out of control, His Truth is revealed; Destiny is Decided by His Decisive Dominion.
Today we are introduced to the enemy’s unholy trinity, the dragon (12:1) who gives his power to the beast who was mortally wounded and resurrected, thus causing the whole earth to follow him for a given time (12:5). And another beast (12:11), arises who performs great signs and deceives all those who dwell on the earth to make them worship the beast whose fatal wound was healed (12:11). This second beast is later identified as the false prophet.
And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone, (Revelation 19:20).
The enemy, the deceiver and father of lies, the incessant counterfeiter of Truth, forms his own ungodly alliance, his unholy trinity. And through his demonic, yet miraculous powers, in another counterfeit move against the Truth, and through his control over all commerce, he coerces his followers to be sealed and marked by his number.
and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name, (13:17).
And all those who have ears to hear and hearts to understand, will know his number.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six, (13:18).
As we remember we are still in that interlude of the great signs revealed to John, we must also remember the Authority of His Christ has not ceased and that all of this occurs under His Decisive Dominion Over Destiny.
Consider His Decisive Dominion Over Destiny
Destiny: “that to which any person or thing is destined; a predetermined state; a condition predestined by the Divine; the fixed order of things; an irresistible power or agency conceived of as determining the future, whether in general or an individual.”
Today, in the midst of what seems to be pure pandemonium, we see His Decisive Dominion Over Destiny.
- His Decisive Dominion is Over the Destiny of the actions of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.
- His Decisive Dominion is Over the Destiny of those who are deceived so as to worship the beast and then receive the mark of the beast.
- His Decisive Dominion is Over the Destiny of those who persevere in faith.
His Decisive Dominion Over the Destiny of the actions of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet Determines what they are allowed to do and for how long.
There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him, (13:5-7).
His Decisive Dominion Over the Destiny of those who are so deceived as to worship the beast and receive his mark has been Decreed from the foundation of the world.
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain, (13:8).
His Decisive Dominion Over the Destiny of His saints Discloses the wisdom needed to persevere in faith.
If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 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, (13:9-10).
How do we respond to His Decisive Dominion Over Destiny?
He has told us that our perseverance and faith will be upheld and strengthened by His wisdom as we learn to decipher the times of this world according to the Truth of His Word.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six, (13:18).
Reading the last verse in this chapter made me think of that saying, “I’ve got your number.” We use it to mean that we understand the true purpose behind someone’s actions; that we really know what kind of person someone is; when we detect someone’s true motivations or intent; or when we discern that someone is secretly trying to do something bad.
We’ve got the enemy’s number; 666. And we’ve also considered the number seven, used 52 times in the book of Revelation, that always symbolizes perfection and completion. And though the enemy tries to come off as an equal, his number reveals that he is weak and imperfect; but oh, he will be finished… by God’s Decisive Dominion Over the Destiny of the dragon, the beast and the false prophet.
Today, may we truly find comfort in the prophecy of this book. For we’ve got the enemy’s number. But more importantly, because He has Revealed Himself, His Promises, and His Plans to us in every page of His God-Breathed Word, we can trust Him to perfectly complete His Purpose in our lives as we rest in our Faithful, Holy, Almighty God and His Decisive Dominion Over our Destiny.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified, (Romans 8:30).