Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and apply

scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through Friday,

as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In under four minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's word with you, so let's get started.

Today we explore together Revelation 13. A beast emerges from the sea with ten horns and seven

heads, receiving authority from the dragon. It speaks proud and blasphemous words and wages war

against the saints for 42 months. The world is amazed and follows the beast, worshipping both it and the dragon.

Another beast comes from the earth with two horns like a lamb, but speaking like a dragon.

It performs signs, deceives people, and tells them to make an image of the first beast.

Those who refuse to worship the beast are threatened with death. It causes all people to receive a mark on their hand or forehead without which no one can buy or sell.

The number of the beast is revealed as 66, a number God gives the wisdom to understand.

The mark of the beast, we call it.

Evil often appears powerful and convincing but its strength is

ultimately limited and short-lived the beasts symbolize forces opposing god and deceiving many with

false authority and signs we must be careful not to follow what is sinful even if it looks powerful

or seems to have an unstoppable influence.

The mark of the beast represents loyalty, but we are called to stay loyal to God, even when it is hard.

Our worship belongs to him alone. Although the enemy might appear to be winning temporarily,

God remains in complete control. We should not fear those who can harm

our bodies, but instead remain faithful to the one who holds our souls. Our perseverance and

trust in Christ are our victory. Speaking to the time of the letter, many of the things were to take

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