Cross Before Crown
12/15/25 Bible Thought (Revelation 13)
The Christian follows in the footsteps of their Lord in that victory comes through suffering.
A Look at Revelation 13
As we turn to Revelation 13, we’ll see the consequences of the dragon’s wrath that the previous chapter predicted was coming.
That said, today’s reading introduces us to two beasts. One rising from the sea (the antichrist) and one rising from the earth (the false prophet). Together with the dragon, scholars have called them the “unholy trinity” as they parody the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In the apostle John’s day, the original understanding of the two beasts would have certainly been the Roman empire and its imperial cult. But certainly, there are beasts yet to come, one scholar has concluded:
“The beast is that spirit of imperial power which claims a religious sanction for its gross injustices. Yet the beast is more than the Roman Empire. John’s vision grew out of the details of his own historical situation, but its complete fulfillment awaits the final denouement of human history.”[1]
People will be deceived and worship the beast and its image. In fact, people from every tribe, people group, language, and nation—truly, all people whose names are not written in the book of life will worship it (Rev. 13:7b-8).
This beast is given authority by God to make war against the saints and to conquer them (Rev. 13:7).
As such, this chapter does not promise divine escape but rather issues a call for perseverance. John forewarns, “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints” (Rev. 13:10b).
Later, the second beast would promote worship of the first and full allegiance to it, wherein is found the greatly feared “mark of the beast” (Rev. 13:16-17).
What is important for us to see, though, is that this mark is a contrast to the seal that was given to the people of God in chapter seven.
That is, no believer will have the mark of the beast. One scholar has explained:
“Both God’s seal and the antichrist’s mark signify ownership.”[2]
Our goal in this chapter should not be striving to determine who the beast is, who the false prophet is, what the mark will be, or the significance of the beast’s number that has eluded people for 2,000 years.
Instead, our response should be to solidify our hearts in the truth that, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Josh. 24:15). We must be resolute that no matter what comes our way, we have cast our lot with Jesus, and nothing will change that.
This future period might bring about unprecedented suffering for the church, but let us be encouraged, the Christian’s victory comes through suffering.
Just as in the example of our Lord Jesus, the cross comes before the crown.
Bringing it Home
Hence, the call throughout Revelation is one of faithful endurance. Suffering may abound. Tribulation will come. Believers will be hated by all nations for the sake of Christ’s name (Matt. 24:9). Yet, no beast or devil in hell is given authority over the believer’s eternal standing.
For the Christian, death is merely the entrance to glory. As we have seen, the saints of God are gathered around the throne in perfect, tear-wiped-away peace for all eternity.
The Christian’s seeming defeat is truly their conquest. We saw this in the martyrs’ example who conquered by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death (Rev. 12:11).
This is the resounding call of Revelation—that we would faithfully endure. That our allegiance to Christ would be stronger than any temptation to escape hardship by betraying Him, and that we would cherish our Savior more than even life itself.
Challenge for Today:
Would I be ready to suffer for the cause of Christ?
It’s easy in the modern age, especially in the West, to believe that faith will spare us from hardships. However, according to Revelation, our faith will actually be the basis for hardship in the future. Are we ready for that?
[1] Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1997), 246.
[2] Grant R. Osborne, Revelation: Verse by Verse, Osborne New Testament Commentaries (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016), 234.