From the sea and the land come the beasts born of the dragon. They are blasphemous counterparts of the Blessed Trinity. Five times the Greek word, exousia, is used, translated by the English, “authority.” This is the constituting power of God alone, here usurped by evil in a sacrilegious pretence at being divine. The evil of those who bear the mark of the beast replaces God’s brand of ownership.

Chapters 12 to 14 reveal the characters that will play their parts in the second half of the Book of Revelation. Evil is portrayed in these outlandish images—the same evil of Dives who despised Lazarus.

Hear the words of Jesus in his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane: “All who draw the sword will die by the sword” (Matt. 26:52). Is there any violence in you?

Revelation 13

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Granting me grace to endure. v. 10

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read 2 Timothy and Revelation 12—22.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.