December 14: FAITHFUL TO THE END
These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. Revelation 17:14
It was granted to [the beast] to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 13:7
Question: so, who overcomes who? In the world’s current state, it seems as though Satan is winning. Nevertheless, any apparent victory for the side of lawlessness is only temporary. All of the punishments and sufferings inflicted upon the Lamb will only create a more magnificent contrast on the Day of His return (since the risen Lamb is out of Satan’s reach, he makes war with the followers of the Lamb still alive on the earth) …Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented — of whom the world was not worthy… And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us. (Hebrews 11:35b-40). That Day is getting closer!
Those who identify with God’s last-day people will undergo various intensities of testing, the least of which will be a trial of mockings. Unfortunately, those of weak character will easily fall away due to valuing human opinions over God’s truth. Peer pressure is a form of coercion. As the pressure intensifies, we are told that commandment-keeping people (12:17, 14:12) will not be allowed to buy or sell (13:17). We are also told of a death decree (v.15).
The three descriptive terms in our verse today - called, chosen, and faithful - are extremely helpful and encouraging to anyone who understands our need for the Savior. Because He desires all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), you may be absolutely certain that He is calling you! The word that is translated chosen can also be translated elect. This is what follows being called. It is acceptance of His ‘proposal of marriage’. Those who accept the call become the ‘bride-elect’ of Christ. Such are His betrothed (2 Corinthians 11:2). His chosen bride becomes the acute target of Satan. This is why we are given the third descriptive term: faithful. This is the fruit of true and lasting commitment. Empowerment to endure comes by the Holy Spirit. Grace! – readily dispensed as needed. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise (Hebrews 10:36, see also 12:1)
The chief characteristic of Babylon’s counterfeit system of worship is that of unfaithfulness to Christ, the Word of God (John 1:1, Revelation 19:13). This system is at war with the faithful. A better question to ask is: To whose authority am I submitting? And [the religious leaders] said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” (Mark 11:28) Beloved, if you are rebuffing the Holy Spirit’s leading to be obedient to Christ on any given point, you will suffer loss of discernment and will not even recognize when you are bowing to the will of the enemy (see v.33).