Prayer Focus: Prayer Networks

Bible Reading: Revelation 14-18

Scripture

8 “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come. (Revelation 17:8)

14 These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:14)

Observation:

Revelation brings out such an ambivalent feeling in me. . . It’s so wonderful to be reminded of the Victory that Jesus will bring when He returns, but there’s so much sadness at the cost – the fall of Babylon and all the people it represents who will end up in a place they were never intended to be. It would be so easy to stay in chapter 15, a scene of Heaven, where the angels are singing praises. . . but there is more to the story and it’s ‘the more’ that rests at the heart of God, His heartbeat, if you will.

Application:

Over and over throughout Scripture, God reveals His heart for the nations. It’s the reason for everything, and in this context a reminder that even God’s patience has limits. The time will come (but not Dec 21st 2012) when He will send His son. God waits for the perfect appointed time that only He knows. Is it any wonder? Jesus’ birth was at the point, Scripture tells us, when the time had ‘fully come.’ Peter reminds us that God is not slow in keeping His promises – but lingers so that none would perish. God’s love and mercy . . . should we have any less?

We know that the enemy cannot create, he can only destroy. Society and history are littered with things that Satan has taken and obfuscated or completely twisted to deceive us into trading the genuine for the lie. So, as scary as this passage can be – all this talk of bowls of wrath and beasts and horns, etc. . . . even talk of the one who is and will come . . . Cannot compare to the ONE who was, who IS, and who is to come. It is in HIM we are to trust, and He who we are to worship. The beast, thinks he is coming to win, he will use his power, but it will not be enough. The Lamb will be victorious.

The Lamb will be victorious!

May we be on task to bring as many people as we can to join us and stand with Him – as the called, chosen, and faithful.

Prayer:

Father I don’t claim to have even a basic understanding of all that Revelation has to tell us. But I do have a child’s understanding – the kind that says my Father knows and I can trust Him. Help me to have compassion for those who are yet deceived. Who have despised the Truth and forsaken the Promise for instant gratification. Help me to be faithful . . . in obedience, to make disciples, to share Your story, to share my story . . . so that many will be saved. Amen.