Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Revelation 13), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• In chapter 12 the dragon’s power over Christ’s people was broken. He still has power over unbelievers, and looks to attack the church obliquely, indirectly through them. His continuing strategy is revealed in chapter 13 as he props up counterfeits to Christ’s kingdom. His ultimatum is this: play his game in order to get along in his world—or die. Can he really make this threat? Why would believers be intimidated or persuaded by his tactics?

• [4] “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” The sea-beast signified imperial Rome, a primarily political authority with a religious tinge (emperor worship) wielding violent power to ensure conformity and compliance. The state can seem like the most powerfully impressive reality in the world. Do you live like this is true? What kind of power does the state really possess? Does it have any power over Christ and his kingdom?

• [12] The land-beast signified the primarily religious authorities in Jerusalem who had bought into the idol of state power. They resented Rome because they wanted to wield Rome’s power. Can you think of historical or current examples of religious institutions allying themselves with the state in order to feel safe or powerful? In order to accomplish their religious goals? Can you think of ways in which worldly politics becomes religious, or religion becomes political? How are these counterfeits to the true, spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ?

• [10, 16-18] The pressure to conform to the counterfeit kingdom—or be canceled—is an old strategy of the dragon and his beasts. The “mark” is the sign that one believes and belongs in the dragon’s counterfeit kingdom. The number “Six hundred sixty-six” (spelled out in the original Greek) is the number of a sellout, the number of Solomon who played the dragon’s game and multiplied wealth even though God had forbidden it (1 Kings 10:14). Solomon already had the kingdom of God, and he threw it away. We are called simply to endure in what we have already been given in the church, and not to throw it away by chasing the dragon’s promises. In Christ, we already have true resurrection life, true belonging, true unity, and true spiritual power (love). Can you think of specific ways you are tempted to believe that you don’t have these things? Can you think of specific ways that you are tempted to believe that you could actually get these things by playing the dragon’s game?