God's Holy Fire: 'A Glimpse at the Awful Truth'

Sunday, November 29, 2026

Then the angel carried me [John] away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
— Revelation 17:3 NIV

Key Thought

The Spirit carries John away in a vision to see the ghastly, awful truth about Satan's work to destroy the people of God. The vision exposes the great evil that Satan does and reveals his allies who do his evil work and follow his bidding. However, underneath this glimpse of evil is the truth that the Spirit comes to reveal: Despite the pervasiveness of evil in some governmental powers, religious structures, human organizations, and individuals, Jesus will triumph and bring victory for his people. We are led to recognize evil, so we are not deceived. We are not informed about Satan's influence to make us fall back in fear. This revealing of evil is to challenge us to stand firm in our faith, to trust in our Deliverer, to live holy lives in honor of our God, and to look forward to our ultimate vindication and victory. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth!

Today's Prayer

Father God, thank you for the truth - for your truth that is not only factual but is also authentic and real. Satan so easily can deceive me and blind me to your truth. Open my eyes, Holy Spirit, to see the Father's truth. Embolden me to live faithfully since I am trusting in Jesus' victory. Empower me to trust in your presence to sustain me. To your glory, O God - Father, Son, and Spirit - I live and pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

Illustration

Illustration of Revelation 17:3 NIV — Then the angel carried me [John] away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, November 29, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Bountiful Sowing' (2 Co. 9:1-8)
"Dear Father, righteous and gracious God, Create in me a holy readiness to give of that which you have given me, never as an exaction but as a willing..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Wedding Clothes' (Is. 61:10)
"I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Witnesses to Jesus' (Acts 10:39-43)
"[Peter continued his message to Cornelius and the others with him:] "And we apostles are witnesses of all [Jesus] did throughout Judea and in..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Goodness and Deception'
"Dear Beloved, Key transitions in the life and faith of My people need to be protected. In the early days of My church, this need for safety was..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations