But everyone is doing it
How often do we base our decisions and direction on “conventional wisdom”. We look at trends of what is hot in fashion. We pay attention to polls for the direction of the populous. We pay attention to ratings and reviews of what others think about vacation sites, restaurants and shops. We have never lost the argument we used as kids that everyone else is doing something. And, we continue to ignore our mom’s argument that if everyone else jumped off a bridge would you do it as well.
The fact is, we live in a fallen, broken, sinful world. If the majority is doing something, odds are it is wrong or sinful. As followers of Christ we are promised trials and difficulties, not majorities and power. If Jesus was hated and unfairly condemned, why should we expect more.
That does not mean we just throw up our hands and say, “oh well.” It doesn’t mean we give up and go along with what everyone else is doing. We are foreigners on this earth and our home and kingdom is in another place, in the heavenly realms.
Our direction should come not from what everyone else is doing, but what the bible commands and what Jesus gave. We follow the spirit of the Holy Ghost, not popular opinion or polls. We take definitions of truth from what God commands in His Holy Word, not by what is trending in popularity.
When the beast emerges from the waters everyone follows him, everyone worships him. There is a remnant that does not and for 42 months they suffer and endure. Right is right, now and then, but it is seldom what is popular.
My Answers:
3.
a.
10 horns, 7 heads, 10 crown on its horns and on each a blasphemous name. resembled a leopard but had feet like of a bear and a mouth like a lion. one of the heads had a fatal wound had been healed. dragon gave power, throne, authority, people worshiped
b.
that people were so accepting and worshiped the beast – this is weird and strange. Why would this be worshiped (right now people reject worship of anything but themselves)
4.
Jesus spoke with authority (Mar 1:27), authority he received from God (authority to forgive sins Luk 5:24, drive out demons cure disease Luk 9:1, The Father living in me who is doing his work Jhn 14:10). But Jesus used his authority to teach and help and cure and support, not as a means of power or control over people. He was worthy of worship, but chose to submit to persecution
5.
a.
By testing it against scripture, by counsel with other believers, through prayer
b.
I have gotten myself back on track of being detoured by sinful thinking and enticed by things such as greed or self-worth by being confronted by the truth of the scriptures and the words of Godly people.
The Notes are Good 