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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Monday, 18 December 2023:
Zechariah 5:1-4 – Again I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll! And he said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.” Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole land. For everyone who steals shall be cleaned out according to what is on one side, and everyone who swears falsely shall be cleaned out according to what is on the other side. I will send it out, declares the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.”
Those who disobey God’s laws are cursed.
That which doesn’t meet God’s standards is wickedness and evil and has great destructive power that God must judge (Zechariah 5:1-11).
Revelation 13:7-10 — Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
For a time, the saints are conquered by the beast and will require patient endurance. Revelation warns the saints to grow in endurance through persecution in order to be ready for greater persecutions and greater opportunities to glorify Him.
Revelation 13:8 – …and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
Only God’s people oppose satanic systems. Are you opposing the satanic system or relying on it?
Revelation 13:16, 17 – Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
Satan’s ungodly system involves control of commerce. To trade, people will have to endorse sin. Most people will tell themselves they are still godly.
Revelation 13:18 — This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
There are many theories about what the number 666 really means. When you come across Bible verses you don’t understand, pray for enlightenment, trust in the LORD, and remain faithful to what you do understand. If you are faithful will little, you will be given more.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 18 December 2023: Give thanks to God for the grace that you have received through Jesus, and show your gratitude and love for Him by obeying Him regardless the personal cost.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 