Part 6 of 12 of the theme 'Lessons from Revelation ' by Gijs van den Brink

The era of Christianity that began with the first Christian emperor Constantine in the 4th century ended for the West in the second half of the 20th century, according to American theologian and ethicist Stanley Hauer.^e century. The church is again a minority in western Europe as it was in the first four centuries. In the previous centuries of Christian state churches focused mainly on Rom. 13 as far as government is concerned. In Revelation, Christians are a small persecuted minority. In Op.13 we encounter the government (the Beast) as a representative of evil, as an anti-Christian and oppressive government. This is again a reality in many countries around the world today. The book of Revelation provides prophetic criticism of any government that goes against God's laws.

It is revealed to the apostle John how such a government operates. One important means of power is boycott. We read that in Rev. 13:17. He who does not bear the mark of the beast cannot buy and sell. Anti-Christian governments often involve boycotting dissenters and minority groups. Those who do not accept the system of the dominant beast religion cannot work in government agencies, cannot go to college, cannot travel, cannot register their own businesses, etc.

In a vision, in Rev. 13, it is revealed to John how this antichrist system has spread throughout the world in the last years before the return of Jesus, dominating all nations. A man forewarned counts for two.

Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine

This is part 6 of 12 concise blog on the topic of "Lessons from Revelation" from Study Bible Magazine, Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!