Revelation 13-14

I continue to look for commands that Jesus gave the church in the book of Revelation. Both 13:10 and 14:12 extend the call to the saints to endure and hold on to their faith.
Surrounding each call for faithfulness is a picture. The picture in chapter 13 centers on the beast from the sea. The picture in 14 centers on the lamb standing on Mt. Zion. Among all of the imagery of these two chapters is a profound contrast between the "kingdom" of the beast and the Kingdom of the lamb. While those of the world (remember John is writing this) follow the beast and receive his mark, those redeemed from the world follow the lamb and receive a mark as well. But the mark of the redeemed is the name of their Lord. Their worldly counterparts bear an obscure mark with no obvious meaning. It is the mark of captivity threatening punishment and death. The mark on the saints is a reminder that death has no victory in their lives. The "kingdom" of the beast is oppression and darkness. It is punctuated by boastful claims and promises of victory. The "kingdom" of the beast is filled with displays of authority and power which are substantiated by arrogant claims of superiority over God. The lamb offers his followers a song. From the vantage point of the choir the faithful witness the harvest of the wicked and crush of God's punishing wrath. The pictures offer a contrast in lords as well as eternal outcomes.
Stuart