For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect.

— Mark 13:22

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world

— 1 John 4:1

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

— 2 Corinthians 11:3

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

— James 4:7

8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.

— 1 Peter 5:8-10

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, salvation and joy from Jesus Christ to you.

Satan has always tried to defeat God by corrupting humanity. The devil’s power and subtle deception will delude even the most insightful human being, apart from God’s protection and an awareness of Satan’s evil ploys. John portrays Satan’s agents exerting both authority and influence over the entire world. This scene appears seemingly to be a win for Satan. How do believers balance the steadfast hope God promises and the reality of Satan’s war against all that God upholds? The Bible warns of Satan’s damaging ploys but also calls believers to primarily focus on God’s sustaining strength and overcoming power. Though outnumbered and seemingly overcome by the cruel authority of Satan, believers remain faithful because their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of life and because God sustains them in His strength, not their own.

John, in exile himself, called believers to patient endurance, faithfulness, and wisdom. Those who resist falsehood, refuse the mark of Satan’s agent, and remain loyal to the truth add to Satan’s defeat by their steadfast witness and endurance. God’s people know He remains faithful to His Word. The blood of the Lamb has already defeated Satan. The Lamb’s followers stand against Satan and His agents. Their faith in the God of true authority, salvation, and eternal triumph holds them secure.