The Beast Rages War
“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints” (Revelation 13:7-10).
John saw that the beast was given the power to wage war against God’s people and conquer them. This war was worldwide. Currently, we have seen war waged against Christians in many Middle Eastern countries by members of the Islamic State, called ISIS, Boko Haram, and other demonic organizations. They are killing Christians and attempting to make many converts to Islam. They desire for Islam to take over the entire world. Even in New York City, the elected Muslim mayor Zohran Mamdani has been videoed having Islamic prayer rugs within city hall, praying to their false god, Allah. Islamists wish to take over the world, including the United States, because they do not assimilate; they attempt to take over wherever they reside. Therefore, anyone who does not bow down to this demonic religion is considered an infidel and, therefore, killed. This is also taking place in parts of Africa, such as Nigeria. Their Quran says: “But once the Sacred Months have passed, kill the polytheists ˹who violated their treaties˺ (those who helped aided Muslim’s enemies)wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them on every way. But if they repent, perform prayers, and pay alms-tax, then set them free. Indeed, Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (Sura 9:5). This is not a religion of peace, but of war for those who do not comply or agree with its doctrine.
The terrorist organization, Boko Haram, kills Christians by the thousands in Nigeria. Christian churches and businesses have been bombed due to the group’s hatred of Christianity. In many ways, other countries outside of the US and Europe are already experiencing their antichrist in the form of Islamic Jihadists, and their “beast” is the executioner who is bringing down the sword, knife, gun, and/or torch. However, this will one day hit the whole world.
Who will this beast be for the whole world? It will definitely include a government system with its antichrist leader. Those who are currently dying at the hands of Islamic Jihadists are doing so for both political and religious reasons, just as described in this chapter. This will spread all throughout the world because the devil will make sure of it. The Bible says: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). One of the important things to remember is that whoever is written in the book of Life will not worship this beast. They will remain true to God. Therefore, they will not try to hold on to their earthly lives because they know that they will receive new ones in Heaven. The Bible says: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
The devil attempts to wear out the saints through direct and indirect mental, physical, financial, and spiritual attacks designed to erode their faith, cause weariness, and initiate compromise. The devil’s strategies also include creating extreme fatigue, relationship stress, financial pressure, temptations, and discouragement, leading to a loss of focus on God's love and purpose. The Bible says: “He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25).
Main methods of wearing out the saints:
- Physical Exhaustion & Illness: Satan often targets the physical bodies of believers, causing weariness through lack of sleep or prolonged, draining, and sometimes sudden illness. One example is the hunchback woman whom Jesus healed. The Bible says: “On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God” (Luke 13:10-13).
- Financial and Economic Pressure: By limiting access to resources, the enemy creates anxiety, which distracts believers from spiritual growth and service. Satan did this exact thing to Job. The Bible says: “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face” (Job 1:9-11).
- Mental and Emotional Discouragement: Using deception, distraction, and discouragement, the enemy causes saints to lose focus on God and feel that their efforts are futile. Elijah dealt with depression after having a great win against the false prophets of Baal and Asherah. The Bible says: “So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:2-4).
- Subtle & Gradual Erosion: Attacks are often slow, reducing spiritual strength and commitment to God little by little, making it harder to notice the decline. An example of this is when the Lord warned Cain that sin was lingering around him before he killed his brother, Abel, but Cain failed to heed the warning. The Bible says: “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him” (Genesis 4:6-8).
- "Changing Times and Laws": The enemy works to alter societal norms, laws, and religious practices to oppose Christian values and wear down their resolve. The devil offers compromise and enjoys it when believers fail to uphold the Lord’s standards of holiness and righteousness. The Bible says: “He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time” (Daniel 7:25).
John was told that those who can listen must do so, for there will be persecution and martyrs, but patience and endurance must be maintained on the part of the Saints. We must hold out to the end, so that we can receive our eternal reward. Many have already become martyrs, and more will come. The Bible says: “But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13).
Remember that all whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of Life will worship the beast and his image. They will easily do so because they have rejected the Lord. Only those who have committed themselves to the Lord will be faithful to His word, and their names will be found in the book of Life, where salvation is promised for those recorded within. “The Bible says: “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book” (Daniel 12:1).
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