Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God. ... Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven. And the beast was allowed to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God's holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. Revelation 13:1, 5-10 (Underlined for emphasis.)
Meditate. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.
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That vision of a seven-headed beast with ten horns is confusing—scary. It seems to be attributed to the power of nations represented by those creatures, similar to animals described in the book of Daniel. Nations make up the beast.
Note that people are going to prison…and that God’s holy people—those who truly worship Him—will be persecuted. I assume it will be worldwide—those in the United States will not escape it. Endure. Endure patiently. This is the point at which we need to listen up. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. Remain faithful.
In Jesus’ own words—be prepared. Be ready (Matthew 24:44). It doesn’t matter if there is some beast—we belong to Jesus. It doesn’t matter if we have to face persecution—we belong to Jesus. Just be ready. Listen and understand.
Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are awesome—and I appreciate the warning…Be ready. Forgive me for my attitude…and the sins You know I have committed. That is my first step to “being ready.” Please continue to show me what You want me to do so that I can serve You…as I serve others for You. That is my second step to "being ready." Thank You.
Verse of Salvation ~ Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, "It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10 (Read the verse in context of the chapter.)
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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