Revelation 13:2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
Here are the nightmare images of Revelation in vivid force. A powerful, blaspheming leopard/bear/lion whose power and authority come from Satan and who rules for 42 month? Yep. That’s frightening.
Revelation 13:5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months.
And “the mark of the beast,” 666, which has such evil connotations in our culture. I’ve been guilty of throwing a pack of gum on the conveyor belt when the cost of a few items rang up to $6.66.
Revelation 13:9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.
Lord, Revelation 13:9 makes me think that our fears and superstitions are off base. With the prophetic dream of Revelation, You are trying to get us to see, hear, and understand so that we can draw closer to You. But as so often happens, we get it wrong. We get caught up in fear and superstition. Give us ears to hear You, Lord. Help us to draw near. Amen.
Revelation 13:18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.
Have a blessed day.