Revelation 13

As John describes a beast that did rise up out of the sea, even though I have no idea what the symbolism of the heads, horns, and crowns on the beast, I have to assume that it represents the power of Satan and his great organization and the differing wicked philosophies in the last days. But what caught my attention was -

"...all the world wondered after the beast.
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" (New Testament | Revelation 13:3 - 4)

In my mind, the world began to agree and follow all the wickedness that it represented, even such that -

"...there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies..." (New Testament | Revelation 13:5)

I can't help but think of all the political correctness, personal rights and privileges, and tolerance being argued in our day in justifying and allowing the wickedness of men.

What else caught my attention was -

"...he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (New Testament | Revelation 13:16 - 17)

A mark of the beast on their foreheads would suggest that their thoughts and works at after the doctrine of the beast. As John wrote -

"...that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark..." (New Testament | Revelation 13:17)

...would, in my mind, suggest financial economics after the doctrine of the beast. My first thoughts was that that would lead to the great disasters described in the latter days - that is debt. The Lord counseled latter-day saints -

"...verily I say unto you, concerning your debts—behold it is my will that you shall pay all your debts." (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 104:78)

This is in total contrast to the economic teachings of the beast. Would witness the great chaos today with sovereign, corporate, and personal debt aquired for personal and political gain and satisfaction. L. Tom Perry, and Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ taught the will of the Lord -

"...avoid excessive debt. Necessary debt should be incurred only after careful, thoughtful prayer and after obtaining the best possible advice. We need the discipline to stay well within our ability to pay. Wisely we have been counseled to avoid debt as we would avoid the plague. President J. Reuben Clark fearlessly and repeatedly counseled members of the Church to take action.

“Live within your means. Get out of debt. Keep out of debt. Lay by for a rainy day which has always come and will come again. Practice and increase your habits of thrift, industry, economy, and frugality” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1937, p. 107). We should have displayed in a prominent place President Clark’s description of interest:

“Interest never sleeps nor sickens nor dies. … Once in debt, interest is your companion every minute of the day and night; you cannot shun it or slip away from it; you cannot dismiss it; it yields neither to entreaties, demands, or orders; and whenever you get in its way or cross its course or fail to meet its demands, it crushes you” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1938, p. 103).

Incurrence of debt is such an enticement. Accompanying the ease with which we can obtain debt should be the great caution of avoidance. Take the opportunity to compute how much you would add to your personal net worth if your home mortgage was only for ten or fifteen years instead of thirty. Compute the value of sweat equity if your time and your talents are invested in adding to the size and comfort of your home.

It is so easy to allow consumer debt to get out of hand. If you do not have the discipline to control the use of credit cards, it is better not to have them. A well-managed family does not pay interest—it earns it. The definition I received from a wise boss at one time in my early business career was “Thems that understands interest receives it, thems that don’t pays it.” (October 1995 Address, “If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear”)

The Lord's doctrine is not debt that we consume upon our flesh. Isn't it interesting that John said that he (so we would have to assume also the beast} -

"...stood upon the sand of the sea..." (New Testament | Revelation 13:1)

That Savior taught the consequence when one builds upon the foundation of sand.