Zephaniah 1 – 3 and Revelation 13
Today’s reading contains some disturbing imagery, so readers be warned.
In Revelation 13, we find details of the person we call the antichrist. In Revelation 13:7, we’re told “He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them…” In Revelation 13:9-10 we read, “He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.
In a nutshell, we know that at some point in the future (I believe in the relatively near future), a person we call the antichrist will arise. He will deceive the nations and will control the economy such that only those who receive the “mark of the beast” will be able to buy or sell. (We will find out in Revelation 14:10 that those who do receive the mark of the beast will be tormented in the lake of fire.) And he will successfully conquer Christians.
As a Christian, this doesn’t sound very appealing. If all we’re focusing on is this life, it won’t seem worth maintaining our faithfulness to God. When that time comes, we’ll need to remember what God has promised for the wicked, as recorded in Zephaniah – also part of today’s reading.
In Zephaniah 1:2-3, we read, “I will sweep away everything from the face of the earth, declares the Lord. I will sweep away both men and animals; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. The wicked will only have heaps of rubble when I cut off man from the face of the earth, declares the Lord.”
In Zephaniah 1:18, we read, “…In the fire of his jealousy the whole world will be consumed, for He will make a sudden end of all who live on the earth.”
Zephaniah 3:8 tells us, “…I have decided to assemble the nations to gather the kingdoms and to pour out my wrath on them – all my fierce anger. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.
But then we find hope in Zephaniah 3:12-13, where we read, “But I will leave within you the meek and the humble, who trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong; they will speak no lies, nor will deceit be found in their mouths. They will eat and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.”
In short, terrible times are coming for Christians, when the antichrist will try to annihilate us from the earth. It will be critical to remain faithful to God during those difficult times, even if we lose our lives. Because ultimately, God will judge the world, and completely destroy the wicked. Even if we die, we will be resurrected to live in peace forever. While the wicked will be completely destroyed forever.
I’m reminded of Deuteronomy 30:19 where we read, “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
Choose to remain faithful to God. Choose life. Even if you have to succumb to death.
-Steve Mattison
Read or listen to today’s Bible reading passages at BibleGateway.com here – Zephaniah 1-3 and Revelation 13
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