Job 12-14; Psalm 100; Revelation 13

Job 12-14

Amid his suffering, Job debates with both his friends and God. Struggling to comprehend his afflictions, he challenges his friends:
“Doubtless, you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you!” (Job 12:2).
“What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you” (Job 13:2).
He rebukes them for their false conclusions:
“But you smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom” (Job 13:4-5).

Despite his frustration with his friends, Job turns to God, longing to plead his case before Him:
“But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God” (Job 13:3).
Acknowledging that God is behind his suffering, Job maintains hope:
“Though He slays me, yet I will hope in Him; I will surely defend my ways to His face” (Job 13:15).

Even as Job presents his case to God, he wrestles with profound questions:
“Why do You hide Your face and consider me Your enemy?” (Job 13:24).
“Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one!” (Job 14:4).
And the most critical question of all:
“If someone dies, will they live again?” (Job 14:14).
While Job will later find the answer to this question, it reflects his deep longing for understanding amid suffering.

Psalm 100

A call to praise the Lord, serving Him with joy. This psalm invites worshipers to acknowledge the greatness of God and His sovereignty:
“Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:3).

Revelation 13

This chapter describes the unholy “trinity”: the Dragon (Satan), the Beast rising out of the sea (the Antichrist), and the Beast rising out of the earth (the False Prophet). These entities will gain significant power and authority over all peoples and nations for 3.5 years, compelling the world to worship the Beast (except those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life).

During this period, they will establish a global control system, prohibiting anyone who does not receive the mark of the Beast from engaging in any economic activity. This mark symbolizes allegiance to the Antichrist and total submission to his authority.