Contending With Two Ferocious Wild Beasts - The Death Stroke- Conclusion

 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 State's of American moving into the dominant role.  The dual power took the lead in advocating both the Leage of Nations and the United Nations.   By the year 2005, 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 has even placed 12 men on the moon.  It is no wonder, therefore, that mankind in general has "followed  the wild beast with admiration." 

Mankind has even giveen beyond admiring the wild beast, as John 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 battle with it."  (Revelaton 13:4)  While Jesus was here on earth, Satan claime 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 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 of people worshp,  in effect, that part of the wild beast gains admiration and worshp.

Worshp in what sense? In the sense of putting love of country ahead of love of Goed.  Most people have the land of their birth.  As good citizens, true Christians also respect the rulers and the 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 devoltion to one country as against all others.  "Our country, right or wrong" is not a Christian teaching.  So Christians who worshup Jehovah God cannot share in giving prideful  patriotic worship to any part of the wild beast, for this would amount to worshipping the dragon-The source of the 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: Contending With Two Ferocious Wild Beasts - Waging War Against the Holy Ones

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