Scripture
“If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people. Revelation 13:10 NIV
Observation
When we read Revelations, there are many unclear things for us. Mostly because the figurative elements John uses to describe was part of a literary genre known for the culture of the Jews, the apocalyptic literature (where you can find the meaning of numbers, horns, eyes, stars, etc…)
In this chapter, John sees a dragon and a beast.
And it was given power to the beast to “wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.” (verse 7).
This verse always confuses me. Because, no one in God’s side wants to hear that the other side was given power to conquer us.
Why?
I don’t know, and probably I won’t know the answer in my life time on Earth.
As Christians, we know we are in the winning side.
Jesus conquered death, he won the battle against sin, what made us captive.
He brought us victory but still, from time to time, we struggle, we suffer.
So, what the verse 10 tells me an important life lesson: what is to happen, it will happen.
No whys, because we cannot understand, like Job couldn’t.
And those inevitable things that might happen in our lives will call for patient endurance and faithfulness to the end.
Application
Even after reading Revelation for so many times, I cannot imagine what the end of times will look like.
Although the “end” is important, I think more important is how we live our life here.
And this devotion today tells me that my struggles, problems, battles calls for patience and faithfulness, knowing that what is to happen will happen.
I need to trust in God that the things that happen today will never change the final result that already was conquered at the cross: the salvation of our sins and the eternal life you’ve promised.
Prayer
Thank you LORD for the breath of life you give me everyday. There is a typhoon coming, I pray for your protection over us. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
