It seems like God is losing. The key word there is 'seems.'
Read / Listen to the chapter:
Read the chapter in an outlined format
Previous DIG DEEPER posts on Revelation
Revelation 14 Summary
When we left off yesterday, things seemed hopeless for God's people. A giant dragon and deceiving beast were having their way and causing people to worship them and be marked with both their name and number.
But at the beginning of chapter 14, a much different scene appears. The Lamb, and all those who had been sealed in His and His Father's name sing a song of triumph and victory.
Angels are dispatched both to proclaim the gospel to all people and warn them against alignment with the Beast and Babylon (who we'll be officially introduced to later).
The fourth perspective of Christ's victory ends with a voice from heaven proclaiming a truth that we still often read at funerals, that those who die in the Lord are blessed.
But there's more of the story to tell, so in v14, the narrative shifts and a new perspective, relating to the same events we've seen now four times, begins. This perspective will focus on the judgment and wrath of God upon those who reject Him.
Dig Deeper
Most people go through life stuck in a cycle of hopelessness because all they can see is the apparent victories of the dragon and beasts in this world. This is why it's so important for you to be reminded often of what the Holy Spirit enabled John to see and write down for the future generations of the church, so that you can have confidence that Jesus Christ has been, is now, and will be victorious over all things.
Verse 12 is a really good synopsis for the entire gospel, and especially what you are to remember the next time life seems dark and hope seems gone:
This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people
of God
who keep his commands
and remain faithful to Jesus.
Remain steadfast, with your feet firmly on the solid foundation of the gospel;
Remember that you are one of God's people, and you've been sealed into His covenant;
You are to keep all of God's commands, but especially His command to believe the good news (1 John 3:23).
Finally, keep your faith in Christ, even when (especially when!) it seems like the entire world is playing into Satan's hands.
AAA Prayer :
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Dear Father in heaven, you've written your name on my head (v1)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Please give me the strength and endurance I need to keep God's commandments and my faith in Jesus (v12)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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