Observation: In a mystic vision, John of Patmos sees a final battle taking place. Satan gathers a vast evil army "as numerous as the sands of the sea," and they surround the camp of the saints (holy people of God). But as quickly as they gather, they are destroyed by fire from heaven. Not a single sword is lifted, and not a single bullet or missile is fired. God wins the day.
Application: Revelation can be a confusing and terrifying book for modern readers, but the take-away for believers is so very simple: God is in control. When things look dire and evil seems to surround and overpower us, it is not by brute force or military might that the forces of good will triumph. It is by faithfulness to God. The fire that does the devil in does not come from the camp of the saints. It comes from heaven.
It is tempting to go down a deep rabbit hole of interpretation in the Book of Revelation, so we can be ready to combat evil when "the Beast" rears its ugly head. But even though the imagery in Revelation is colorful, at every step of the journey it is God who takes action, and it is the people's job to continue to be faithful, trusting God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. At no point do our standing orders change, no matter what we may suspect will or will not happen at the end. The battle belongs to God. The victory is already ours.
Prayer: God, help us to be faithful. When times are frightening, help us double down on being peacemakers, in the name of the one whose peace passes all understanding, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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