The Great Conflict - Part 3

REVELATION 13 v 11-18

How often as Christians are we sucked in by the world?

I don't necessarily happen a lot but sometimes it is just the small things.

The beast from the sea was the anti-Christ and the beast of the earth is the false prophet, the counterfeit Holy Spirit. The beast of the earth gains authority and power from the other beast. The beast of the earth eves sets up an idol to the other beast. King Nebukenezzer set up an idol for himself and 3 people stood out among many. Daniel 3 v 1, 9-12 - "¹ King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon... ⁹ They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “May the king live forever! ¹⁰ Your Majesty has issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, ¹¹ and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. ¹² But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up." They were willing to stand out and be countered for God. How willing are we to stand out for God? How willing are we to go through persecution?

The beast of the earth deceived people by the works he did and the miracles he performed. Romans 3 v 28 - "God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does." Our deeds should be an out pouring of our faith. This beast had no faith and therefore his deeds were worthless. He was doing miracles to capture people’s minds and deceive them in believing lies. We can only do miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit. When Peter and John healed the lame man in the temple in Acts 4 they didn't do it to gain attention a d followers for themselves they did it to glorify God. There are people in this world that can do things which seem impossible but are only made possible by a power which is NOT from God. The Devil has some power, just nowhere near as much power as God has. The keys to this are wisdom and discernment. We need to ask God for Wisdom and discernment.

Are we sometimes attracted by what the world has to offer? Is X-Factor more important than God? We seem to make sure every Saturday night (when it is on) to not allow anything to disturb it. This could also be with reading, or games console or doing work or work for church. None of these things are bad but we can teach ourselves a lesson from them that the time we give to those things and that nobody is allowed to disturb them is a great principle. So why don't we apply it to our relationship with God. I think there are two key important things - 1) It is a relationship so we can't just put it in a 1 hour slot a day. 2) We need to set aside time to be in the word, worship and prayer. How can you apply the do not disturb X-Factor principle to your life?

God is the real deal. It says in Revelation 7 v 3 - “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” God puts His seal on us. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego stood out to be sealed by God, to where the mark of God. God doesn't want anyone to wear the mark of the beast but unfortunately some people probably will. How willing are we to stand out in the crowd for God?

Sometimes we are sucked in and influenced by the world. But I believe we are called to influence the world.

How will you influence the world with the love of God?