Revelation 17
Together they will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord over all lords and King over all kings, and his people are the called and chosen and faithful ones. – Revelation 17:14 NLT
Have you ever felt like things just couldn't get any worse? Like God has some how lost control and your world is spinning out of control, with nobody in charge? Well, read the 17th chapter of Revelation and you will get an idea of what things must feel like to those who are in Christ during the final days of the tribulation. A false religious system will have sprung up during the first half of the tribulation period and it will have millions of adherents (Revelation 17:15). This will be a worldwide and ecumenical, and will have its headquarters in the newly established Rome, where the Antichrist will reign. This church will be apostate, yet powerful and influential. There will be a ten-nation federation that joins forces with the Antichrist with one common purpose: To wage war against Christ and His kingdom (Revelation 17:14).
But in the midst of all this news of impending doom is the reminder that God is in control. "Together they will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord over all lords and King over all kings, and his people are the called and chosen and faithful ones" (Revelation 17:14 NLT). God will be victorious over this ten-king federation because of Jesus Christ. He and His followers who are alive during those days will resist the attacks of Antichrist and his followers. Christ will defeat them and those who are in Christ will share in His victory because they have remained faithful in spite of all the difficulties surrounding them. Isn't that what we are called to do? To remain faithful in the midst of all the persecution, pain, and temptations to give in? If we do so, we will share in His final victory. We must remind ourselves constantly that God is in control and nothing happens that He is not intimately aware of and ultimately in control of. John is reminded of this in chapter 17. "For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes. They will mutually agree to give their authority to the scarlet beast, and so the words of God will be fulfilled" (Revelation 17:17 NLT). What these ten kingdom leaders will do, they do because God has put the idea in their heads. They will be carrying out the very purpose of God when they attack the people of God. They will align themselves with the Antichrist because that is exactly what God wants them to do – all so that the will and the word of God might be fulfilled. God is in control. That seems to be the over-arching them of this book. What a timely reminder to those of us who live in uncertain times. God is in control. He is in control of kings, presidents, nations, organizations, economies, armies, and every individual who walks the face of the earth. Sure, they may reject Him and live under the false impression that they are independent agents, but at the end of the day, they are all under His sovereign control.
God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne. – Psalm 47:8 NLT
He determines the course of world events; he removes kings and sets others on the throne. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. – Daniel 2:21 NLT
The purpose of this decree is that the whole world may understand that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses––even to the lowliest of humans. – Daniel 4:17 NLT
I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him. He has the power to do as he pleases among the angels of heaven and with those who live on earth. No one can stop him or challenge him, saying, "What do you mean by doing these things?" – Daniel 17:34-35 NLT
Our God reigns. Our God rules. Our God wins! In spite of all that we see going on around us, we have to constantly remind ourselves that He is in control. He has a plan. He is going to complete that plan to perfection and in His time. We can trust Him.
Father, thank You for this reminder that You are in control – of kings, presidents, and rulers. You are in control of nature. You are in control of my destiny and the destiny of this world. I can trust You – even when things look bleak. Forgive me for letting anxiety and doubt to rule in my heart so often. You have never given me a reason to doubt You. And You never will. Amen