Revelation 13-15  As I read these chapters, I find myself in awe of the magnitude of all that God has revealed... the greatness of His plan is overwhelming.  I long to understand, but know that it is far beyond my capacity.  Great scholars have studied every word and yet cannot really fathom its depths. Instead, I will simply pray, once again, "What are You saying to me today, My Lord?"

Chapter 13 finds John witnessing two events,  the beast that comes from the sea and the second beast who comes out of the earth.

The first beast has ten horns and 7 heads, like the dragon in chapter 12 ( who is Satan).  The dragon gives this beast his authority and power.  The beast appears to have a fatal wound on one of his heads, but has been healed. The beast is worshipped on the earth because of his power and authority.
He is given:
an arrogant, blasphemous mouth; v5
authority to act for 42 months; v5
the power to make war with the saints ; v6
authority over every tribe, people, tongue, and nation; v7

The only ones protected from this beast are those whose names are "written from the foundation of the world in the book of life or the Lamb who was slain." v8

The second beast "exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence."  He makes the earth worship the first beast. He performs signs.  He deceives those still left on earth.  He makes an image of the first beast and is "given" the ability to give it breath and make it speak.  He establishes the mark of the beast and orders all to receive it in order to buy or sell.

Chapter 14 presents the Lamb once again.   He stands on Mount Zion with the 144,000 who have the Name of the Father and the Son written on their foreheads.  They stand in opposition to the beast and his followers.  They are pure, chaste, and "blameless".

Angels appear and bring pronouncements:
The first angel has the "eternal gospel" and calls all to "Fear God and give Him glory..."
The second angel pronounces the doom of "Babylon, the great".
The third angel warns of the judgement upon all who take the mark of the beast.
A fourth angel calls for the harvest on the earth to be reaped.
A fifth brings another sickle ;
A sixth angel calls for the previous angel to reap the ripened grapes from the earth.  These are thrown in the "great wine press of the wrath of God". 

Chapter 15 introduces 7 more angels, these carrying 7 plagues.  We are told that these are the "last, because in them the wrath of God is finished." 

Worship breaks out once again.  Those who survived the beast and did not take his number, stand before God with golden harps.  They are given the song of Moses,

"Great and marvelous are Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations. Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou alone art holy; 
For all the nations will come and worship before Thee, for Thy righteous acts have been revealed."

At this, "the temple of the tabernacle of testimony in heaven was opened,"   and the seven angels come out and are given the seven golden bowls "full of the wrath of God,who lives forever and ever."

"And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one was able to enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished." 

So, here is what I hear the Shepherd saying to me today...
God will pour out His wrath on the earth, upon all who will not repent and give Him glory.
We have every reason to fear the Lord, to bow before Him and to worship Him alone.
There will come a time when God will be finished with these judgements, when His wrath will end.
There are those who I pray for .. who I love.. who need to hear the gospel again, to seek Him and find Him before it is too late.
Saints persevere by keeping the "commandments of God and their faith in Jesus." (14:12)

Father in heaven , thank You for saving me through the blood of the Lamb.  Thank You for the great and marvelous works that You have done and will do.  You are holy and perfect, righteous and just.
Through all of my life, You have shown grace to me and I am thankful.  Thank You that my name is written in the Lamb's book of life.  May I persevere in my faith in Jesus and in obedience to Your Word, all the days of my life, I pray in His Wonderful Name, amen.