SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SEPTEMBER 17, 2022 (THE GREAT DECEPTION)
TOPIC: THE GREAT DECEPTION
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, make me more like you through the power of your word as I meditate on it.
Scripture: Revelations 13:1‐18
Question(s) for Reflection
• Is there any warning for me to heed?
• Is there any other Biblical passage that can help me understand this passage better?
MESSAGE
The devil always seeks to imitate the power and works of God. What are some of the characteristics of the beast that God detests (vs.5‐6)? Observe some of the features of the beast that rises from the sea to persecute Christians. Believers suffer under the first beast, which is believed to have taken place under the Roman Empire as described by Daniel (Daniel 7:2‐7).
The beast got his power from the Dragon, which is the Devil, who gives power to his worshippers to perform ‘miracles’. They disguised their true stand but that does not last for long because they would be exposed for who they are. This is a lesson to us as believers. Not all purported miracles are from God. We are advised to test all spirits (1 John 4:1‐6). The second group are those who truly belong to Christ. They have been purchased by the blood of the Lamb.
They would not accept the mark of the beast or worship the beast. What are some of those gods that seem to demand worship in our world today? Currently, there are many Christians across the world who are persecuted and martyred because of their faith in Christ. The world system can destroy the body but not the soul. And as the Lord has promised, the gates of hell cannot prevail against His church (Matthew 16:18).
• Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Closing Prayer
• Thank God for the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus.
Prayer for the week
• Pray for brethren who were once one of us but have backslidden. Believe God as you continue to pray, visit them and bring them back to the fold.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with
Genesis 22:17; Daniel 5, 6; Job 3; Psalms 119:49‐72
Daily Guide 17th September 2022 | Scripture Union
