SPEAKING LIKE A DRAGON

[tomdurst]

SPEAKING LIKE A DRAGON

by Thomas E Durst

Revelation 13:11 Common English Bible (CEB)

11 Then I saw another beast coming up from the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it was speaking like a dragon.

Everyday we see drama being acted out in some form and at the root of it all the human ego is seeking to exalt itself above God, often assuming a very pious appearance--having "two horns like a lamb" but "speaking like a dragon." The dragon, the beast and the false prophet are the unholy trinity of prophecy (see Revelation 16:13). "The false prophet" outwardly looks righteous, like a prophet or messenger of God, but inwardly lives and exemplifies ego-based ways of thinking and living and deceives many as he seeks to hypnotize the masses with things that look good but in reality are very self-serving and "me centered." The dragon and the beast are portrayed as very ugly and ferocious by the inspired apostle for indeed they can be seen as metaphors of the ugliness of the ego and the terrible evil it seeks to inflict on others.  Drama takes many forms, often in very subtle ways such as trying to prove we are right, seeking to impose our opinions and beliefs on others, drawing attention to ourselves in some way, jumping to unwarranted conclusions based upon outward appearances, and much more. I prefer to avoid dwelling on the negative and so won't elaborate on the details of ways that the old dragon-beast side of us can manifest itself. The ego ever exalts itself and that is why the news is largely dominated by people being in conflict and war with one another. Those who truly follow the Lamb of Revelation are walking a path characterized by humility, love, peace, i.e., the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The followers of the Lamb will be in stark contrast to the self-centered ways of the masses and in that sense are set apart (sanctified) as holy to the Lord. I believe that we must watch and pray always as we follow the Lamb for that old ego (called the serpent, devil, or Satan) is poised and ready to strike at every weak point in our character. We must be especially careful to avoid pointing the finger at the failings of others and remember that we all have struggles and challenges. The good news of Revelation is that the righteous will overcome the dragon, beast, and the false prophet by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11). Perhaps I could say more about that at a later time.


[Note:  I believe that all "end times" prophecies met their fulfillment in the generation within which they were given but also that there are spiritual principles in these prophecies that are timeless in their application.  Historically I believe that the dragon is the spirit of the Satan (the adversary) working through the beast (Rome) and the false prophet(apostate Judaism) to persecute the followers of Jesus.  This was indeed an "unholy trinity."  TD]

For further thoughts on the spiritual application that I'm making above I invite you to read CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST (#1 of the Galatians 2:20) which is on the link below:

CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST