Hear, Hear!

When Jesus, betrayed by His disciple, was arrested by the Jewish leaders, Peter “drew [his sword] and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear” (John 18:10). But Jesus immediately rebuked him: “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Then, before being led away to His death, Jesus healed the servant (Luke 22:51).

In that single act, Christ made known what the whole purpose of His ministry is: to give everlasting life to the human race. He did not come that His own life would be spared—but that ours would be. “And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14). In a most literal sense, by healing that servant’s ear, Jesus was demonstrating to him the gospel. If anyone does have an ear, let him indeed hear the good news! “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (v. 17).

“The patience and the faith of the saints” is but a precursor to a later verse: “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). The saints, God’s people, are to follow Christ’s example. They act on faith, not force, by patience, not persecution. It is the devil who comes “to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10)—not Christ. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly,” Christ said.

The Bible indeed foretold the fate of the beast: The captor did indeed become the captive. Not only was the pope literally seized at the end of the 1,260 years, but in the final judgment, the papacy will ultimately receive its just reward: “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

Great Physician, when persecution once again reigns in the last days, may we live not by the sword but by faith in You.

For Further Study: Proverbs 22:22, 23; Jeremiah 15:2; Luke 18:8

Key Bible Texts

If any man have an ear, let him hear. (Revelation 13:9 KJV)