Contending With Two Ferocious Beasts - Conclusion of The Death Stroke

Conclusion of The Death Stroke

The world after the war was vastly different.  Satan's earthly system, although devastated by the death stroke, revived and became more powerful than ever and so won the admiration of humans because of its recuperative power.

Historian Charles L. Mee, Jr., writes:  "The collapse of the old order [caused by the first world war] was a necessary prelude to the spread of self-rule, the liberation of new nations and classes, the release of new freedom and independence." Leading in the development of this postwar era was the seventh head of the wild beast, now healed, and with the United States of America moving into the dominant role. The dual world power took the lead in advocating both the League of Nations and the  United Nations.  By the 1980's, U.S. political power had led the more privileged nations in creating a higher standard of living.  In fighting disease, and in advancing technology.  It had even placed 12 men on the moon.  It is no wonder, therefore, that mankind in general has "followed the wild beast with admiration."

Mankind had even gone beyond admiring the wild beast, as John next states:  "And they worshiped the dragon because it gave the authority to the wild beast, and they worshiped the wild beast with the words:  'Who is like the wild beast, and who can do battle with it?' " (Revelation 13:4)  While Jesus was here one earth, Satan claimed to have authority over all the kingdoms of the earth.  Jesus did not dispute this; in fact, he himself referred to Satan as the ruler of the world and refused to participate in the politics of that day.  John later wrote of true Christians:  "We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one."  (1 John 5:19; Luke 4:5-8; John 6:15; 14:30)  Satan delegates authority to the wild beast, and he does this on a nationalistic basis.   Thus, instead of being united in bonds of godly  love, mankind has been divided by pride of tribe, race, and nation.  The great majority in the land where they happen to live.  Thus the  whole beast gains admiration and worship. 

Worship in what sense?  In the sense of putting love of country ahead of love of God.  Most people love the land of their birth.  As good citizens, true Christians also respect the rulers and emblems of the country where they reside, obey the laws, and make a positive contribution to the welfare of their community and their neighbors.  (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17)  They cannot, however, give blind devotion to one country as against all others.  "Our country, right or wrong" is not a Christian teaching. So Christians who worship Jehovah God cannot share in giving prideful patriotic worship to any part of the wild beast, for this would amount to worshiping the dragon-the source of authority of the beast.  They cannot ask admiringly.  "Who is like the wild beast?" Rather, they follow the example of Michael-his name meaning "Who Is Like God?" -as they uphold Jehovah's universal sovereignty.  At God's appointed time, this Michael, Christ Jesus, will do battle with the wild beast and conquer it, even as he triumphed  in expelling Satan from heaven. -Revelation 12:7-9; 19:11, 19-21.

Next time: Two Ferocious Beasts - Waging War Against the Holy Ones

From the Book of Revelation