Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.”
NL Daily Devotion for Sunday, August 24, 2025
by Dr. Kimberly Leetch, Clergy Stuff
Main Idea: The imagery of beasts of authority challenge us to resist the authorities of this world that lead us away from God.
This vision of beasts of worldly authority offers an unsettling view of how easy it can be to be led wildly astray from the things of God. The allure of the power and authority of these beasts can be hard to resist.
The first beast may symbolize the oppressive political powers and social ideologies that we may inadvertently put before God. The diadems may be shiny and attractive, but they still adorn the heads of a terrifying and dangerous monster.
The second beast may represent ideologies and propaganda that strive to convince us that the allures of the beast are worthy of attention. We are all capable of falling into the traps set by propaganda, even as we proclaim our unilateral possession of truth and condemn all others of falling for lies. Yet the mark of the beast has been placed on all of us, marking us all as victims of false idols and alternate facts.
This vision challenges us to discernment, looking at everything we encounter with the eyes of Christ. As we move through this world distracted by the shiny things of capitalism, the promise and illusion of safety through democracy, and certainty that we are right and chosen because we are the right kind of Christian, we must be even more diligent in our discernment and willingness to face where we are wrong, misled, or deceived.
