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Revelation 13:9-10
Jesus uses the words of Revelation 13:9 in Matthew 11:15 and Mark 4:9 as He taught about two very important parts of His ministry in pronouncing John the Baptist as the coming Elijah, and the importance of sowing the seed of the Gospel. The important message that is attached to the call to hearing is that of Revelation 13:10 (NKJV) which states, “10He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” There are several interpretations of Revelation 13:10 but I believe that the key to this verse lies in Revelation 13:10b – the last part as it gives direction to who the hearers are – the saints, or the believers in Jesus Christ. This verse further describes the “patience and faith” of the saints. God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), and in following in the ways of God through the love that He has shown us through sending His only begotten Son Jesus to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17), this verse reads as a caution or warning that retaliation is prohibited in the life of the saint/believer, and that patience and faith is the way that we should seek.
This is a command for the saints/believers to be patient and faithful in the Lord.
This is a command for the saints/believers to not exercise vengeance.
The Apostle Paul teaches in Romans 12:17-21, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” [Deuteronomy 32:35] says the Lord. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of
fire on his head.” [Proverbs 25:21, 22]
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Dear LORD,
It is the battle of our human lives to overcome evil with good. This is something we cannot do by ourselves as the evil ways of the devil are more powerful than us; but You are more powerful than the devil and You have promised us that if we put our faith in You through the One You sent to overcome evil with good – Jesus – then You will see us through all troubles, temptations, and tribulations. Please let it be so LORD in all our lives – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.