Revelation 13 - Introduction

The Picture of Two Beasts Revelation Thirteen

We have already seen a war in heaven. Satan lost in the battle with those fighting for the child that brought redemption. Nothing Satan did could prevent the church from being established and salvation being made available to mankind. In fact, the early church grew rapidly as many became Christians. Having failed in destroying the church as a whole Satan now turns his attention to "the seed of the woman" or to the individual Christians.

Revelation Thirteen looks at what the Devil is doing to hinder Christianity and what God is doing to insure victory for His faithful people. In this section of Scripture we see that the Devil used the evil powers of Rome against the cause of Christ. Likewise he used false worship as many were forced to worship the Roman Emperor.

The Devil had been given a "great sword" with which he could persecute the people of God. (Revelation 6:3-4) Now the Devil has the civil persecuting power of Rome and Emperor worship as allies in his battle against the righteous. What the Devil and all that follow him must learn is that he can never win because God also has two even more powerful forces on His side. Who could stand against the Blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11), and the final judgment of the Almighty? (Revelation 14:7) The battle may be difficult but victory belongs to the people of God.