“The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
“If anyone is to be taken captive,
to captivity he goes;
if anyone is to be slain with the sword,
with the sword must he be slain.
“Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
“Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed…
“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.” Revelation 13:5-12; 14:1-3
John’s vision of heaven includes alternating glimpses into unleashed cruelty and dreadful judgment of the wicked with those of security and joyful hope among those saved as Christ’s own. Against the cacophonous horrors and haughty blaspheming of the beasts and their followers came a new song from the undefiled. Such is the contrast of those who know God and those who reject His mercy. In every onslaught of opposition, saints of God can sing with endurance and faith.
In a season of looking back, weighing disappointments, reprioritizing efforts, looking forward, the Lord beckons our souls to remember Him. His constant activity in His children’s lives, His ongoing care and sanctification, His sustaining power, are not to be neglected or forgotten. It is easy to feel overwhelmed with difficulties or regret or the relentless drag on our joy by harsh circumstances. We can justify, even subconsciously, fearful anxiety or a cranky attitude and forget to sing. But the soul that is saved can always find a new song.
What beasts have we allowed to rule our mindset? Where are we given to worry, self-loathing, or stress, all tools of the enemy to distract us from the Lord? How will I turn blasphemies against God and attacks on His children to positive, confident, resounding praise? Who needs the hope of music? Into what ugliness will I sing today? (2 Chronicles 20:20-22)
Father, awaken my heart to praise You with a new song each morning, to Your glory.
As the rain and snow 