An Enlightening Comparison: Revelation 12:10 and Revelation 13:2
One of the fringe benefits of doing word studies, is that you occasionally bump into profound comparisons. Such happened to me recently while studying the Greek words for “authority” and “power.”
I came across two very similar verses that describe two very opposite kingdoms. Let me quote them one after the other so you can see the comparison. Look for the words “authority” and “power” in each verse.
“10) Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.” (Revelation 12:10)
“2) And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.” (Revelation 13:2) Did you see the comparison? Both verses use the exact same Greek words for “authority” and “power.” Tuck that away for a later discussion. It seems that both kingdoms are grounded in “authority” and in turn grant “power”. That may sound trivial, but I suspect it is important.
The dragon, which is another tern for Satan, is infinitely inferior to God in both authority and power, yet he works overtime trying to convince people that he is equal too or greater than God in both categories. Unfortunately, most people … including many Christians a deluded by his lies.
As the end times approach, he will deceive many and offer them a small share of his inferior authority and power. Many will fall prey to his lies. They will indulge in fun and pleasure, maybe enjoy the illusion of success and have influential positions in this present darkness; but their end will be eternally disastrous. (Revelation 19:20-21; 20:10)
So how vast is the difference between the authority and power of the two kingdom? That is a very important question! 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12 tells the end story. Even though Satan has some power to do false signs and wonders, he will be slain by a whisper from the mouth of Jesus at the appearance of His coming. Revelation 19:11-21 paints in the full picture. The difference is monumental.
Unfortunately, most Christians have no idea of the divine authority and power they have available “in Christ.” As a result, they live and walk very natural and ordinary lives and are often victims of the one who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10). By default, they fall short of the abundant life available “in Christ.”
If you fail to understand and embrace the difference between the authority and power of these two kingdoms, you will forever be fearful, timid, distracted and defeated. You will never live in Zoe life or enter into “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places “in Christ.”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
One of the fringe benefits of doing word studies, is that you occasionally bump into profound comparisons. Such happened to me recently while studying the Greek words for “authority” and “power.”
I came across two very similar verses that describe two very opposite kingdoms. Let me quote them one after the other so you can see the comparison. Look for the words “authority” and “power” in each verse.
“10) Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.” (Revelation 12:10)
“2) And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.” (Revelation 13:2) Did you see the comparison? Both verses use the exact same Greek words for “authority” and “power.” Tuck that away for a later discussion. It seems that both kingdoms are grounded in “authority” and in turn grant “power”. That may sound trivial, but I suspect it is important.
The dragon, which is another tern for Satan, is infinitely inferior to God in both authority and power, yet he works overtime trying to convince people that he is equal too or greater than God in both categories. Unfortunately, most people … including many Christians a deluded by his lies.
As the end times approach, he will deceive many and offer them a small share of his inferior authority and power. Many will fall prey to his lies. They will indulge in fun and pleasure, maybe enjoy the illusion of success and have influential positions in this present darkness; but their end will be eternally disastrous. (Revelation 19:20-21; 20:10)
So how vast is the difference between the authority and power of the two kingdom? That is a very important question! 1 Thessalonians 2:8-12 tells the end story. Even though Satan has some power to do false signs and wonders, he will be slain by a whisper from the mouth of Jesus at the appearance of His coming. Revelation 19:11-21 paints in the full picture. The difference is monumental.
Unfortunately, most Christians have no idea of the divine authority and power they have available “in Christ.” As a result, they live and walk very natural and ordinary lives and are often victims of the one who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. (John 10:10). By default, they fall short of the abundant life available “in Christ.”
If you fail to understand and embrace the difference between the authority and power of these two kingdoms, you will forever be fearful, timid, distracted and defeated. You will never live in Zoe life or enter into “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places “in Christ.”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
