Is Your Name Written in the Book? | Revelation 13 | Author Joe Consford

Intro Revelation chapter 13 is one of the most serious and sobering passages in all of Scripture. It describes a beast rising out of the sea, empowered by the dragon, and demanding worship from the whole earth. It speaks of power, deception, and the infamous number 666. Yet, for the believer in Christ, it is not a chapter of fear but of assurance — because we have the promise that Jesus will come for His church before these events unfold. Today we read Revelation 13, and then we’ll hear a story that brings these truths close to home. Scripture Reading (Revelation 13, KJV) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 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? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 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. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. Story: Gateways in the Night Hafiz had been an English teacher in Ghazni, Afghanistan. For years he quietly taught young women at night—not officially, because after the fall of Kabul, the new regime forbade female education outside rigid oversight. Hafiz knew danger, but he also knew hope. When the Taliban offensive swept across provinces and Kabul fell in mid-August 2021, it felt like the sky darkened in a heartbeat. The police left their posts. The government collapsed. Everywhere, there was chaos, fear, rumors. Hafiz’s family pleaded with him to flee, but travel was dangerous: checkpoints, harassment, violence, uncertainty. One evening, Hafiz received a text from a friend inside an evacuation coordinating group: “Be at the airport by dawn. I have your name on the manifest.” That night, he packed a small bag: a Bible, his teaching notes, a photo of his mother, and the few documents proving he worked with foreign NGOs. He stepped out into the darkness with his younger sister, walking through back alleys so as not to attract attention. Taliban patrols were present; shadows moved. Their hearts pounded. At the airport, crowds pressed against the gates. Lights, shouting, babies crying, documents waved in desperation. When Hafiz showed his paperwork, a guard squinted and said, “You are on the list.” Relief surged. But then came the crushing news: “All those without proof must remain.” Hafiz had his documents. His sister did not. He kissed her forehead, promising he’d return. Then, with tears burning his eyes, he boarded a C-17 cargo plane. The engines roared. Kabul shrank beneath him. He whispered, “They cannot take this from me.” Later he told me: “It wasn’t about being strong or weak, rich or poor. It all came down to one thing: is your name on the list?” Reflection: Revelation 13 & The Blessed Hope That day at the Kabul airport felt like a picture of something far greater. Revelation 13 tells of a future time when those without the mark will not be able to buy or sell, and the whole world will follow after the beast. But Christians have the sure promise: before that day comes, Christ will return and take His church out. Like the evacuation, the difference is simple but eternal: if your name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you will be taken. If it is not, you will be left behind to face the darkest days this world has ever known. For the saved, Revelation 13 is not a cause for fear, but a reminder to rejoice in the certainty of our rescue. For the unsaved, it is a wake-up call: the last gate will not stay open forever. Outro Thank you for joining me today as we read through Revelation chapter 13 and considered both its warnings and its promises. The message is clear: Christ will rescue His own, but those who do not know Him will be left to face what comes next. Tomorrow, we turn to Leviticus chapter 13 — a passage that might surprise you with how much it has to say about purity, holiness, and the seriousness of sin. Don’t miss it. It will be a powerful continuation of our journey through God’s Word.