Pay Now or Pay Later

Read Revelation 12:1–14:20

9. A third angel followed them, shouting, “Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand
10. must drink the wine of God’s anger. It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb.
11. The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.”
12. This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.
13. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this down: Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit, they are blessed indeed.” Revelation 14:9-13

“No money down! No payments for a year! Zero percent financing!” Sound familiar? You know the deal. You also know that they are not going to give you something for nothing, so you had better find out what the catch is. Somewhere down the line, you will pay for that too-good-to-be-true offer.

In this passage, John tells of a bad deal that many will make with the beast from the sea in the end times. At first the deal looks good, but that is because the real payment—the eternal consequences—has not yet come due. As you read, determine not to fall for Satan’s sales pitch.

The rest of this reading contains a retelling of the Christmas story and a heavenly war. Michael and the other angels fight for God, while Satan enlists the help of a strange beast. The battle is on.

Those who worshiped the beast suffered the consequences (Revelation 14:9-12). At first it appeared that Satan had offered a better way—just take this mark, worship the beast, and all will be well; you’ll be able to buy food for your family. But the price was eternal punishment.

Satan often comes along to deceive us, and the only way to avoid falling into his trap is to trust and obey God. Satan will try to make his way seem more attractive, easier, less painful, and more pleasurable than God’s. But just beyond Satan’s attractive, painless solution lies a more painful consequence.

When God’s way seems to exact a price, trust in his plans for your future. Though you may pay a short-term price for obeying God, trust that he will reward you greatly for your obedience. You can be sure that the reward will be well worth the sacrifice.