Lesson 218 . And They Worshipped the Beast

There was a time when God’s people warned everyone living on earth that the end of all things was approaching and that the history of our Earth was coming to an end. We were regarded as fanatics and sectarians, and people mocked us.

The events of recent months have changed people’s attitude toward reality. And very many thoughtful people have begun to feel anxious and ask questions to which it is impossible to give exhaustive answers.

Satan has his own army. It includes all the fallen angel-deceivers and those people who, knowingly or unknowingly, have devoted their lives to serving the enemy of the human soul. And Satan is alive, and he is a very active entrepreneur. His task is to convince people that he does not exist, that everything happening is accidental, and that there is nothing to fear, while at the same time he sets traps and nets into which all who live on Earth fall.

We read the most dreadful warning for the world in Revelation 13:3–4: “...and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” This speaks of worshipping the dragon and the beast. The dragon is Satan, who is invisible to us, the spirit of the prince of this world who rules in the air. The beast is a religious-political structure—the representatives of Satan—who are under the direct influence of spiritual wickedness in high places and who bring into the life of this world all the plans of the evil one that God permits and allows to be carried out.

I in no way wish to defame the Name of God by making Him an accomplice in evil, but I want to make it clear that God, in His love and respect for human freedom of choice, allows people to do what they have chosen and to establish the regimes and authorities that they devise in their political and religious activity. At the same time, however, the Lord offers a better alternative and has His own people and His own nation through whom He carries out His plans.

But it is written that everyone will worship the beast and the dragon. Could God’s children be included in this number—“everyone”?

The first angel in the prophecy of Revelation 14:7 calls people to worship Him Who made Heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. People will also respond to this command, but not many—not everyone. Everyone will worship the beast and the dragon.

And this prophecy identifies the reason why very many of God’s children will fall into the trap: “...and all the world wondered after the beast.”

Whom are you watching, friends? Are you interested in observing, listening to, and analyzing what the beast and the dragon are doing?

Interesting events are now taking place in the world, and one way or another we learn about them, but is it worth devoting to their study the precious time that Jesus desires to receive in exchange for His blessings? Every day Satan reports in the news what he has done and what he plans to do. And while in the past very much was done in secret, now many of the evil one’s plans are already presented to us openly, without fear of resistance or outrage. And the world is expiring from fear and says, “We shall all soon die!!!” And the interesting thing is that this is exactly what will happen.

When the Titanic set out on its maiden voyage, no one knew that it was doomed to destruction; no one prophesied about it. But disaster struck, and the ship sank. Not everyone died, but many learned a lesson from this story.

Now, however, there is a clear warning that all those whose names are not found in the Book of Life will perish without any hope.

Our planet is doomed to destruction, and all who live on it will die at the Second Coming of Christ, and this will happen. But those who receive the seal of God and those whose names are written in the Book of Life and are not blotted out of it will be saved. And I believe that this event is worth devoting all my time to, so that I may be ready, understand where I am and with Whom I stand, and receive from God what will help me to stand.

What should God’s children be watching? I watch to make sure that not a single dirty or defiling spot remains in my heart and that my mind is clean from sin. I am very interested in studying the character of Jesus and discovering new qualities of His kind heart. I want to know where my Saviour is now, what He is doing, and how this affects me. I am very interested in discovering new facets of God’s love and sharing these discoveries with other people. I find the journey into the world of the Bible and God’s revelations about everything that is happening to me and everything that must come to pass very fascinating. I greatly enjoy beholding Christ, and as I behold Him, I very much desire to be like Him. I want to be just as loving and kind a friend, but this must be learned—learned from Him—and I am learning and sharing with others what I have learned, and it is so interesting.

I am ashamed to admit it, but I am completely unaware of everything happening in the world. From what I hear, I have a general idea, but I have no time to watch the beast and wonder after it. I so enjoy sitting at the feet of Jesus and heeding everything He reveals. Although I live in the world, I am not of this world, and my dream is that these would not be mere words, but the reality of my life.

Unfortunately, I sometimes read headlines about current events, and with sorrow I see that the world is very rapidly sinking into darkness from which no one will escape without God’s help.

Wars and rumours of wars do not frighten me. I have decided to be a peaceful person and to love my friends and enemies, and I ask God to teach me this art now so that I may be ready in the hour of trial.

But the saddest thing I see in all of this is that I am a sinner who very, very much needs the Saviour. And the more God reveals to me and reveals Himself to me, the more clearly I understand how unclean I am and how much more God must do in me so that I may stand in the last day. I am so grateful to Jesus for His righteousness, which He first imputes to me and then imparts to me, according to His love and mercy.

I see that the end of all things is approaching, and I understand that I greatly need agape love so that in this spirit I may face every trial and treat people exactly as the Heavenly Father desires and as Jesus does.

I see my helplessness in being unable to stop Satan’s destructive machine from destroying this world, and my attempts to save even someone are very small. Having so much light and so much love, I long to share them, but all around there are only obstacles, indifference, and mockery.

And it is strange when you offer people life in its pure form and love in all its fullness, yet they turn toward the cup of the wine of Babylon and drink it with pleasure, showing you their backs. What can be done for these people? Pray for them? Yes, that is all that remains. But I want not only to pray, but to rejoice with them over salvation, share revelations about love, speak of my love, think about their happiness, and purposefully plan it. And where can one find someone who will be interested in a person like you?

I know, friends, that many of you are open to me and to my words, and I greatly value this, rejoice in it, and accept it. But I am also interested in those who stand with their backs to Jesus, desire to have salvation but do nothing for it, and worship the beast in their ignorance. How can they be helped?

I hope that they will awaken and turn to God. But I love.

Homework 218

1. In the light of our lesson, please read Ephesians 6:10–18; Titus 3:5–7; 1 Peter 4:7–8; 5:8–11; Luke 18:7–8; Matthew 5:44, 48; Revelation 12:9, 12–13; Matthew 24:4, 6–14; Revelation 13:3–4; 2 Timothy 3:15; Malachi 4:1–2, 5–6; Revelation 17:1–2, 4–5, 8; and Ezekiel 9:4.

2. What new things did you learn in this lesson?

3. How do you understand the warning written in Revelation 13:3–4?

4. Who are the dragon and the beast?

5. Why does God allow the beast to carry out its plans?

6. How can God’s people avoid falling into the dragon’s trap by watching the beast?

7. What work must be accomplished by each of us?

8. What does God expect to give us in answer to the prayer of faith?

9. What role does love play in these last days?