LIVING LIFE WITH A PURPOSE! What does it mean to live life with purpose? It’s a question that we all should greatly consider, for every moment we breathe is an opportunity to create something meaningful, to do something that reaches into eternity.
We continue our study of the three angels’ messages in Revelation 14; within this context, we look at our purpose and where we fit in this battle between good and evil that has existed down through the ages and the final conflict between God and Satan.
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Let Us Invite God’s Presence:
Holy Father, help us to wake up each day with the intent of living every day with a purpose that reaches into eternity. In Jesus’ Name Amen
Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that life’s journey is a casual stroll through the corridors of time. No, it is far more. Life is real. Life has its challenges, yet it is filled with awful importance that cannot be ignored. Life is a relentless call for us to wake up and assess our eternal responsibilities and recognize the profound impact our choices have on ourselves and those around us.
When we open our eyes to this truth, when we see the seriousness of life, then we will begin to sense the desperate need to live each day with a purpose, a divine purpose that extends beyond this world and into eternity. This requires that in the depths of our souls, we realize that a life without Christ, a life without His divine guidance, a life without His grace, a life without His great love—will only lead to utter failure. In other words, a life without Christ will leave us always yearning for something more, searching and reaching for something that escapes our grasp. Without Christ, we cannot reach the high standard God has set for us.
This is what makes understanding the message of Revelation so important. The messages in Revelation are end-time messages. Because we are in the end times, the book is very relevant today.
Hence, the enemy’s aim is to distract us. He creates distractions designed to keep you busy putting out perceived fires that are not real so that you do not have the time needed to understand and know what is coming ahead. He does not want you to live out your divine purpose.
Little do many realize that the prophecy regarding the Mark of the Beast is about intolerance, economic boycott, persecution, and, eventually, a death decree.
But mingled in this prophecy is a message of encouragement. Even in the worst of times, God has promised to sustain his people. Who are his people?
They are, according to Revelation 14:12, those who “keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus.” The Commandments of God include the fourth, which involves the seventh-day Sabbath found in Exodus 20:8-11.
We covered the meaning of the faith of Jesus in the previous lesson. Part 3 The Cosmic Struggle. You can review it at SabbathSchoolDaily.com.
Now, the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13 talks about Satan’s worst attack ever. Revelation 13 is a special message about a great and terrible-looking beast rising out of the sea. Know that this beast is symbolic. It is not an actual beast. It is a power that is both religious and political and worst than anything we have ever seen.
Revelation 13 also shows us there will be terrible times ahead. It will be a time when economic sanctions will be placed on God’s people, and they will not be allowed to buy or sell without having the mark of this beast. This will happen in the near future. It is a time in which Satan, the devil, will work through an earthly religious and political power, referred to as the beast, to force his agenda. Remember, Satan’s agenda is to seize God’s power and ultimately get us humans to worship him rather than God.
Thus, those who refuse to worship the beast, this religiopolitical power, will be attacked, mistreated, and persecuted for standing firm for their faith in God. In fact, prophesy indicates that in the end, a law will be made to kill them.
But no need to fear or be dismayed. In those awful times ahead, God has promised a reward that reaches into eternity for those who endure until the end. This reward is for those who live daily with a divine purpose that reaches into eternity.
Revelation 13 shows us the worst that Satan will do to God’s people in his evil attempt to get humanity to worship him. Religious attacks are nothing new. In Genesis 4:1-8, we find that Cain killed his brother Abel for worshipping the way that God has instructed them to worship (Genesis 4:1–8).
Cain killing his brother Abel was just the beginning of a chain link of Satan’s attacks on God’s people for doing what God has commanded them to do.
Jesus, while on this earth, warned that more attacks against His followers were coming. These attacks will happen until the end of time. This we see in the following scriptures:
John 16:2
2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. (John 16:2)
Matthew 10:22
22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:22)
I Peter 4:12
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; (1 Peter 4:12).
As said, the beast that rises out of the sea in Revelation 13 is a religious-political power that attempts to force everyone to get a mark. His aim is to will be forced everyone to accept the religiopolitical power’s teachings and worship the way he says we must worship. This attack against God’s people from this religiopolitical power is the final link in the ungodly chain that Satan has used down through the ages to attack God’s people.
Revelation 13:15–17 tells us what will happen to God’s people in this final test.
15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,
17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:15-17)
So, Revelation 13:15–17 tells us about Satan’s final attack on God’s people. This prophecy tells us that persecution for the people of God will start with economic sanctions: it tells us that Satan will start with money. “No one can buy or sell” unless they have “the mark.”
When this public policy becomes law, most people will go along with it. However, anyone who refuses to accept the mark will be told that they will be killed.
How is Satan preparing profess Christians to accept this mark?
One word: Compromise. He is now influencing people to do things they know are wrong and go against Bible truth. Our strength during this time is found in our love for God and having the faith of Jesus. God’s love and having the faith of Jesus will make His people strong and keep us safe during this terrible time that is coming.
The truth is, when Jesus abides with us when His presence permeates every corner of our being, we discover the transformative power that infuses our existence with meaning and purpose.
In His divine embrace, we understand that we are not aimless wanderers drifting through life’s currents. No, we are called to something greater. We are called to live for a purpose, a divine purpose that transcends our own desires and selfish ambitions. A purpose that aligns with the high standard that our Creator has lovingly placed before us.
The thing is, we cannot wait until religious persecution is upon us to decide we are going to live life with a purpose that aligns with the high standards God has set for us; we must live it now. Otherwise, we are being set up to be deceived according to Galatians 6:7-9 which warns us:
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (Galatians 6:7-9)
The good news is, there is a reward for those who do not grow weary in doing good, for those seeking to live their divine purpose daily. What is the reward? View Part 5: Those who follow the Lamb
Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church
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Houston, TX 77088
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