All the World

In early 2020, the world was brought to its knees. The COVID-19 pandemic was a hard lesson on the quickness and ease with which the global population could become subject to an external threat. How probable would it be, then, for the devil to facilitate the beast’s “authority … over every tribe, tongue, and nation,” to bring the whole world, again, under the thrall of another power—his power? If anything, to students of the Bible, the events surrounding the coronavirus should make ever more prominent—and ever more certain—the final events in Bible prophecy.

The “him” in today’s verse is referring to the same beast, the Roman Catholic Church. We should be instantly reminded of the 42 months of verse 5, the Dark Ages. The papal power did indeed “make war with the saints”; for 1,260 years, it “[persecuted] the saints” (Daniel 7:25).

But look at this complementary verse in Daniel: “The same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom” (vv. 21, 22, emphasis added). This “same horn,” this same beast—the papacy—will be warring against God’s people until the Second Coming.

And we’ve already learned who is making war against God’s people right now: It is the dragon who “went to make war” (Revelation 12:17). Satan, through the agency of the papacy, is going to be the enemy of God and God’s followers until the end of time. Though he has spun his lies to get us to think otherwise, the devil does not care for us; the devil does not have our best interest at heart. In fact, the devil wants to destroy us.

Perhaps the Bible continues to emphasize this point because God wants us to be prepared for what is to come. When the beast’s persecution once more spreads like a virus over all the earth, will you, like the martyrs of old, stand with God? Will you remain faithful?

Lord, in the trouble to come, keep us from faltering, keep us from turning back, keep us faithful through it all.

For Further Study: Daniel 12:1; Mark 13:13; 1 Peter 4:12, 13

Key Bible Texts

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Revelation 13:7 KJV)