The Beastly Demise

            Earlier in this series we got of glimpse of the rise of this final Beast in the mini-vision in Revelation 13. You may recall that he has a big-mouth, declaring his grand sinister schemes, blaspheming against God, His name, His tabernacle [the Transgression of Desolation that we just saw], and even blaspheming the raptured Bride in Heaven with our Lord. We were told that he would be allowed to do this for 42 months or 3½ years, which is the last half of Daniel’s 70th Week.
            The deceived throngs who are enthralled with this mighty mouth begin to worship the Beast and the Dragon-power behind him (Satan). Now convinced they are worshipping the mightiest of men, they dare to ask: “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Rev. 13:4).
            The value of the various mini-visions in the final Vision now comes into play. We see the answer in another mini-vision recorded in Revelation 17. You may recall that we looked at this earlier when we were examining the progression of beastly empires portrayed in Nebuchadnezzar’s statue of Israel’s oppressors. The mini-vision gave us more details about how the “little horn” was given power by the ten toes—the coalition of Islamic nations coming against Israel in the last Day.
            Verses 12-14 answer the crucial question of who is able to make war with the Beast. First, we are reminded that the ten horns are ten kingdoms. They are of “one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the Beast.” Then we get our answer: “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
            The Chronos Lesson: Did you catch that? If you are in Christ, you will be among those who get to make war with the Beast! You will be co-ruling with the Lord of lords and the King of kings and therefore part of the faithful heavenly throng who overcome the Beast and his armies. As part of the Church, you are one of the called out ones. Having overcome death through resurrection at the rapture, you are part of a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people” (1 Peter 2:9).  The co-ruling Bride!
            But we don’t overcome the Beast by stooping down to his earthly level. No, we overcome by being over him—literally residing before the throne of God in the third Heaven. We don’t fight as mere mortals; we speak what God has already declared. It’s the two-edged sword of the Spirit, and it is very, very, very effective!
            Until that appointed time, every believer is to “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light!” Knowing this appointed end makes everything we have to bear now, though difficult, pale in comparison. You see, “our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17). This doesn’t belittle our affliction; it puts it into the perspective of a glorious eternity with the Father and Son!