Five Principal Players in the Rest of Revelation.
“He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die. He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.” – Revelation 13:15-18.NLT
Revelation 12, 13 and 14 are the central focus of the book. John has lined up the five principle characters that are involved in the rest of Revelation: the child (Christ), the women (Church), the dragon (devil), the sea beast (papal Rome), and the earth beast or false prophet (U.S.A.) In Chapter 14 he will show God’s closing work through that group mentioned in Revelation 12:17 and 14:12.
The economic temptation in our passage for today is not only an event of the End -Time, but it has also been relevant to real-life throughout Christian history. For example, John Chrysostom regularly criticized the wasteful use of wealth. He lived simply, even as bishop of Constantinople. In the process he alienated other powerful bishops and the political elite, ultimately leading to his banishment and death. The wealthy Olympias freely gave her money to the poor despite opposition. Her continuing support for Chrysostom and his positions finally led to her own banishment and the seizure of the remainder of her wealth.
Studies show that bankruptcy rates are 18% higher where there are casinos. Suicide rates are 4 times higher in heavy gambling areas. In many denominations, ministers are hired, fired and paid by local church boards. In such an environment there are financial implications in every sermon.
Do we dare take this a step further? When we buy something we don’t need because our neighbours have one, are we compromising with the world’s value system? Can we be frivolous in our spending when we know that 40,000 people die every day of starvation? What do we do when we find out that fifty cents can provide food for a child for a whole day in some famine-stricken countries? What should we do when we realize that the overtime we worked for becomes squandered money and we could have spent the time with our children or sharing Christ with a neighbour!
Revelation does not allow for divided allegiance. We must decide between God and the world and between what each side values. We are citizens of a different kind of kingdom.
I watched in amazement as COVID 19 accelerated us towards a cashless society, where now only 10% of transactions are in cash and we are told ATMs will disappear soon. The whole situation is putting us into a position of a controlled economy.
This part of Revelation 13 contains one of the clearest allusions to the Old Testament in Revelation. There are multiple parallels to the story of the three friends of Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar’s worship test on the plain of Dura.(Daniel 3) We noted these in a previous study but let me refresh your memory. In the story, firstly people from all over the kingdom are compelled to engage in an act of worship. Secondly, there is a death decree attached to the command to worship. Thirdly, both events are associated with the number 6 (all dimensions of the image in Daniel 3 are in 6’s which was the base number of the Babylonian system).
Revelation 13 indicates that in the final crisis of earth’s history, the scenario of the plain of Dura will be repeated. The experience of Daniel 3 will be visited universally upon earth’s final generation.
The time will come when a worldwide confederacy combining religion and the state, will seek to impose its will on true believers. At that time those who refuse to go along with the system will not be allowed to buy or sell. But what if that time is nearer than we think? What if this text provides a clue to how we should choose to live all the time? What if our buying and selling gives tacit approval to a system that coerces and harms people? Are there times when choosing to buy and sell is like giving allegiance to the mark of the beast?
As children of God, we need to be aware of how our lifestyle choices affect the lives of others, particularly those who cannot speak up for themselves. God calls us to defend the defenceless. Sometimes a bargain for us, is purchased through the deprivation of others. Loving things more than people is not pleasing in God’s sight. Perhaps the time has come to ask some hard questions about our buying and selling.
Revelation 13 indicates that the lamblike beast will have the leading role in the final crisis. This world power will establish a global economic system to control the worship & beliefs of people. This system will mirror medieval Christianity under papal control. The church will control the state, again. Watch and be ready Jesus told us in His end time sermon (Matthew 24 and 25). This sermon was given on the Tuesday before His own crucifixion. John didn’t record this sermon because inspiration new he would be getting an expanded version.