“For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God’s words are fulfilled.” Revelation 17:17
The event that is being described in this passage is a time when the beast is rising in his rule over the world. All the people, nations, and rulers are giving the beast the authority to rule. Nations of the world are refusing to follow God and give Him the honor of being the ruler.
The interesting part in all of this occurring is that it is being done because God wants it done that way. God placed it in the hearts of the people to give the beast his authority.
This now draws an interesting problem: do people have free will to follow God or not to follow God; or does God make the choice for them? Although there are some that say people have no choice, that it is completely up to God, the Bible does not show that.
Jesus came to save the whole world, not just some. Any who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. God has called all to repentance.
God gives each person a choice to follow Him or not to follow Him. God in His infinite knowledge knows what a person is like and what he will do. Just as you can predict how a very close friend will most likely act in a situation, God knows this, only with perfect accuracy.
Although the world seems to think that they are in control, it is really God who is controlling events. He placed it in the hearts of the rulers to give the beast his authority and power. God is allowing depraved man to continue in his ways. Ultimately this will bring about God’s punishment and reveal His true authority.
Each day you look out, you may see the world seeming to be winning the battle. It often seems like corruption and sinful living is the only way to live. Sinful living grows more and more all the time. Rulers in power seem to be more open about sinful ways being acceptable.
Trust that God is in control and knows what is happening. Everything happens according to His plan. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep serving God with all that is in you. God will win in the end.
I pray today that God will reveal His plans for you today; that you will not get discouraged when things look bad; that God will reveal the authority He has; and that you will remain true to God in everything you do.
Leave a Reply