Beastly Worship

American author David Foster Wallace wrote, “There is no such thing as not worshipping. Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what to worship.” This is counsel that every Christian should already know. “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

The option does not lie in whether or not you are a servant. That’s a given: You were made to worship. But worship doesn’t necessarily involve altars or genuflections or sacred rites. Worship is better understood as obedience. Jesus said, “In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). Obedience to Christ’s will means that you are worshiping Him; obedience to the devil’s will means that you are worshiping him. Only those two options exist.

Today’s verse clinches it: Those who “[follow] the beast” (Revelation 13:3) are worshiping the devil—even if they don’t realize it—because the beast is merely carrying out the devil’s will (v. 2). When the beast’s wound is fully healed, “all the world” (v. 3) unites to accomplish this.

“Who is like the beast?” they praise. But that’s a statement attributed to Christ: “Who is like You, O LORD” (Exodus 15:11)? Another of Christ’s monikers, Michael (Revelation 12:7), actually means “Who is like God.” The world will one day give to the beast what is rightfully God’s; mankind will one day believe that the beast is God.

“Who is able to make war with him?” they taunt. But the ultimate answer can be found in Bible prophecy: “I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and …. cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Revelation 19:19, 20). The “Him” in question is “The Word of God” (v. 13), Jesus (John 1:1–3). It is Christ who will make war with and defeat the devil.

God, “You alone are the LORD; … the host of heaven worships You.” Let us worship You for eternity!

For Further Study: Exodus 34:14; Isaiah 46:5; Daniel 7:21, 22

Key Bible Texts

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Revelation 13:4 KJV)