Tues.’s Devo - The Beast

Read Rev. 13:1-3 This beast rising up out of the sea is the Roman Empire. The ten horns are the ten kings of the Holy Roman Empire who were crowned. They were considered divine and took names that were blasphemous. Nero claimed to be “Savior of the World” on the Roman coins. There was a rumor going around after he committed suicide, that he would rise from the dead and join their enemy, Parthia in conquering Rome. The king who was probably was king during the time that Revelation was written was Domitian. His name meant “Our Lord and God”. This emperor cult influenced the church who wanted to appear to be loyal supporters in exchange for protection, and prosperity. They didn’t want to seem unpatriotic to their nation by not paying homage to Rome and the emperor. Satan was the dragon who gave the kings their power, their position, and their authority. (vs. 2) He was cast down out of heaven in chapter 12 and now we see him rising out of the sea in the form of a beast. The womb was healed when political Rome was merged with papal Rome. All the world marveled and followed the beast. I remember watching on television a new Pope coming to office and how ritualistic it was. It was a big deal when the Kennedy’s came to office and they were Catholic. The world thought they were going to set up the Pope in America and they were outraged. His religion almost cost him the Presidency. Now it is the popular thing to show a Catholic mass instead of the traditional church service in a television program. There are many Christians in the Catholic religion, but their doctrine is mixed and unbiblical. God is calling us back to the purity of the Word. We don’t need to add anything to it or take anything away. Lord, help us to know how to think during the age we are living in. Give us your heart and your thoughts. We want to honor You above all.