Then the angel carried me [John] away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
—Revelation 17:3 NIV
The Spirit carries John away in a vision to see the ghastly, awful truth about Satan's work to destroy the people of God. The vision exposes the great evil that Satan does and reveals his allies who do his evil work and follow his bidding. However, underneath this glimpse of evil is the truth that the Spirit comes to reveal: Despite the pervasiveness of evil in some governmental powers, religious structures, human organizations, and individuals, Jesus will triumph and bring victory for his people. We are led to recognize evil, so we are not deceived. We are not informed about Satan's influence to make us fall back in fear. This revealing of evil is to challenge us to stand firm in our faith, to trust in our Deliverer, to live holy lives in honor of our God, and to look forward to our ultimate vindication and victory. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth!
Father God, thank you for the truth — for your truth that is not only factual but is also authentic and real. Satan so easily can deceive me and blind me to your truth. Open my eyes, Holy Spirit, to see the Father's truth. Embolden me to live faithfully since I am trusting in Jesus' victory. Empower me to trust in your presence to sustain me. To your glory, O God — Father, Son, and Spirit — I live and pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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—Revelation 17:3 NIV
Key Thought
The Spirit carries John away in a vision to see the ghastly, awful truth about Satan's work to destroy the people of God. The vision exposes the great evil that Satan does and reveals his allies who do his evil work and follow his bidding. However, underneath this glimpse of evil is the truth that the Spirit comes to reveal: Despite the pervasiveness of evil in some governmental powers, religious structures, human organizations, and individuals, Jesus will triumph and bring victory for his people. We are led to recognize evil, so we are not deceived. We are not informed about Satan's influence to make us fall back in fear. This revealing of evil is to challenge us to stand firm in our faith, to trust in our Deliverer, to live holy lives in honor of our God, and to look forward to our ultimate vindication and victory. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth!
Today's Prayer
Father God, thank you for the truth — for your truth that is not only factual but is also authentic and real. Satan so easily can deceive me and blind me to your truth. Open my eyes, Holy Spirit, to see the Father's truth. Embolden me to live faithfully since I am trusting in Jesus' victory. Empower me to trust in your presence to sustain me. To your glory, O God — Father, Son, and Spirit — I live and pray. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2020 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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