Chapter 13 is an interesting one.
There are two beasts - terrible chimerical beasts - which represent Satan and kingdoms he controls. The first beast rises up out of the sea, has seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on the horns. Each of the heads bears the mark - blasphemy.
Blasphemy is a terrible sin. It has at its root a disregard for sacred things. The dictionary defines blasphemy thus:
1
a : the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God
b : the act of claiming the attributes of deity
2
: irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable
The etymology of the word stems from the same as "to blame", perhaps indicating that we place the blame on God for things. It was anciently considered such a terrible sin that it was worthy of the death penalty. Proper respect and reverence for sacred things is engendered not by a fear of God, but of an appropriate deference to His greatness, might, and power. This can be seen in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 107, where it states:
1 There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
2 Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
4 But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood
What this beast does to blaspheme is unclear. Looking at our current trend, however, towards secularism and the general degradation in most every culture of reverence for sacred things, it seems that rather than focus on one particular kingdom, the beast makes profanation and blasphemy the currency of the realm. It is interesting to note, then, that those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life are those that do not worship him. The saints are required to have patience and faith, indicating that those who do NOT have patience and faith are those who easily abandon their belief and go on to blaspheme.
Then there's another beast. This one comes out of the earth. It has two horns - like a lamb. This would seem to indicate a desire to mimic sacred things. This thought is further explained in the next few verses, where the beast performs great wonders, miracles, and deceptions through power. This beast desires a mark put on people's foreheads as well, also mimicking the marks put on the heads of those who were the 144,000 sealed up and the Father's name written on their foreheads. This reminds me of the Book of Mormon, where people are given access to sacred things for their money (4th Nephi):
24 And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.
25 And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.
26 And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.
27 And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness.
28 And this church did multiply exceedingly because of iniquity, and because of the power of Satan who did get hold upon their hearts.
I think there's a definite parallel here. The two beasts - one that deifies secularism and the abandonment of God, the other which mimics and mocks God - wreak a devastating effect on the world, just as these churches (and the one church in particular, which gave that which was sacred to those who had been forbidden to receive it) succeeded in dividing the Nephites. They were divided not only according to classes and wealth but according to their humility and belief in God and His true Church.
As I consider these things, I find myself wondering about, well, myself. Is my name written in the book of life? Where is my focus? Am I concerned about adorning myself with that which hath no life (see Mormon 8:37-39)? Am I worried about getting gain? Do I put on fine apparel (bling bling!) and abandon the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted? In short, do I sell myself for a price while neglecting the things of God?
Further, and perhaps more dangerously, do I abandon the understanding of God and His sacred truths? Do I spend my time searching for Him and His glory? Or my own? Do I act like I have not received the witnesses I have received, ashamed to own my own faith and experience? Do I act as though I were not His? Do I try to please those who have a secular mind - in essence trying not to offend the world while adhering to the precepts and love of God? The world will surely be offended because of the righteous.... Am I more worried about offending God or men? Where does my true allegiance lie?
Hmmm... I think I'll have to think it out again...
There are two beasts - terrible chimerical beasts - which represent Satan and kingdoms he controls. The first beast rises up out of the sea, has seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on the horns. Each of the heads bears the mark - blasphemy.
Blasphemy is a terrible sin. It has at its root a disregard for sacred things. The dictionary defines blasphemy thus:
1
a : the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God
b : the act of claiming the attributes of deity
2
: irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable
The etymology of the word stems from the same as "to blame", perhaps indicating that we place the blame on God for things. It was anciently considered such a terrible sin that it was worthy of the death penalty. Proper respect and reverence for sacred things is engendered not by a fear of God, but of an appropriate deference to His greatness, might, and power. This can be seen in the Doctrine and Covenants Section 107, where it states:
1 There are, in the church, two priesthoods, namely, the Melchizedek and Aaronic, including the Levitical Priesthood.
2 Why the first is called the Melchizedek Priesthood is because Melchizedek was such a great high priest.
3 Before his day it was called the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
4 But out of respect or reverence to the name of the Supreme Being, to avoid the too frequent repetition of his name, they, the church, in ancient days, called that priesthood after Melchizedek, or the Melchizedek Priesthood
What this beast does to blaspheme is unclear. Looking at our current trend, however, towards secularism and the general degradation in most every culture of reverence for sacred things, it seems that rather than focus on one particular kingdom, the beast makes profanation and blasphemy the currency of the realm. It is interesting to note, then, that those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life are those that do not worship him. The saints are required to have patience and faith, indicating that those who do NOT have patience and faith are those who easily abandon their belief and go on to blaspheme.
Then there's another beast. This one comes out of the earth. It has two horns - like a lamb. This would seem to indicate a desire to mimic sacred things. This thought is further explained in the next few verses, where the beast performs great wonders, miracles, and deceptions through power. This beast desires a mark put on people's foreheads as well, also mimicking the marks put on the heads of those who were the 144,000 sealed up and the Father's name written on their foreheads. This reminds me of the Book of Mormon, where people are given access to sacred things for their money (4th Nephi):
24 And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride, such as the wearing of costly apparel, and all manner of fine pearls, and of the fine things of the world.
25 And from that time forth they did have their goods and their substance no more common among them.
26 And they began to be divided into classes; and they began to build up churches unto themselves to get gain, and began to deny the true church of Christ.
27 And it came to pass that when two hundred and ten years had passed away there were many churches in the land; yea, there were many churches which professed to know the Christ, and yet they did deny the more parts of his gospel, insomuch that they did receive all manner of wickedness, and did administer that which was sacred unto him to whom it had been forbidden because of unworthiness.
28 And this church did multiply exceedingly because of iniquity, and because of the power of Satan who did get hold upon their hearts.
I think there's a definite parallel here. The two beasts - one that deifies secularism and the abandonment of God, the other which mimics and mocks God - wreak a devastating effect on the world, just as these churches (and the one church in particular, which gave that which was sacred to those who had been forbidden to receive it) succeeded in dividing the Nephites. They were divided not only according to classes and wealth but according to their humility and belief in God and His true Church.
As I consider these things, I find myself wondering about, well, myself. Is my name written in the book of life? Where is my focus? Am I concerned about adorning myself with that which hath no life (see Mormon 8:37-39)? Am I worried about getting gain? Do I put on fine apparel (bling bling!) and abandon the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted? In short, do I sell myself for a price while neglecting the things of God?
Further, and perhaps more dangerously, do I abandon the understanding of God and His sacred truths? Do I spend my time searching for Him and His glory? Or my own? Do I act like I have not received the witnesses I have received, ashamed to own my own faith and experience? Do I act as though I were not His? Do I try to please those who have a secular mind - in essence trying not to offend the world while adhering to the precepts and love of God? The world will surely be offended because of the righteous.... Am I more worried about offending God or men? Where does my true allegiance lie?
Hmmm... I think I'll have to think it out again...
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