December 8

Revelation 13:7
“It was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations” — Revelation 13:77And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Revelation 13:7).
IT was God who instituted human government in the beginning. So long as magistrates and rulers recognize that they are His servants and endeavor to rule in His fear and according to His Word, governments are a great blessing to the world. But when those in authority cast off all restraint and refuse allegiance to God, impiously denying His very existence and using their power to deceive and enslave the nations, government becomes a menace to the peace of the world. The beast of John’s vision represents this very thing: power in the hands of man, used in defiance of God. Under such conditions the lot of His children becomes hard indeed, but by grace they will be enabled to overcome, and to live for His glory, no matter how bitter the persecution they may have to endure. This was so under the beast of pagan Rome of old. It will be so under the beast of the atheistic dominion of the last days.
When the demands of government come into conflict with the claims of Christ, then like those of old we must obey God rather than man.
“The serpent’s brood increase.
The powers of hell grow hold.
The conflict thickens, faith is low,
And love is waxing cold.
How long, O Lord our God.
Holy and true and good,
Wilt Thou not judge Thy suffering Church.
Her sighs and tears and blood!
Come, then, Lord Jesus, come!”
―H. Bonar.