The second beast
Day 710, Wednesday, July 22
Revelation 13:11-18
We can only hope the first readers of this vision understood its layers of meaning better than we can 2,000 years later. The second beast seems to reinforce the message and power of the first through its powers or accomplishments: “Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth.”
Verses 16 and 17 refer to the second beast requiring all people to receive a mark on their right hands or foreheads; without the mark they cannot buy or sell. While this has often been interpreted as referring to new technologies, there is no clear explanation of the verses’ meaning. It could relate to Ezekiel chapter 9 in which people are marked on the forehead to be saved or not.
It could simply refer to economic persecution of those who do not think (forehead) or act (hand) in accordance with the demands of an evil world. Even in our time that takes place at times.
Verse 18 introduces us to the “number of the beast,” which is 666 (or sometimes translated at 616). Many have associated the number with Emperor Nero. Historically people have been able to “prove” that the number represents a particular leader they consider to be evil. (With a quick internet search you can find claims that 666 represents President Trump, or Biden, or Obama, or Bush, or dozens of other people. All are equally unconvincing.)

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Wednesday meditation

Song of Solomon 1:9-17
He
I liken you, my darling, to a mare among Pharaoh’s chariot horses. Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. We will make you earrings of gold, studded with silver.
She
While the king was at his table, my perfume spread its fragrance. My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh resting between my breasts. My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms from the vineyards of En Gedi.
He
How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.
She
How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how charming! And our bed is verdant.
He
The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are firs.

Prayer focus
Protect us from the tempation to sacrifice our commitment to you for the fleeting benefits of the world.