Chapter 13
-This chapter exposes two beasts that rise out of the sea
and the earth. The first beast is the Anti-Christ who symbolically has ten
horns and seven heads with seven diadems on its horns. He has blasphemous names
on its heads. His appearance was like a leopard (swift) with bear’s feet
(powerful), and a mouth like a lion’s mouth (roaring and devouring). The dragon
(Satan) gives this being his power, his throne, and his authority. The beast
receives a mortal wound but is healed from it, which makes the whole earth
marvel at him and follow him, and worship him. This leads to a worship of the
dragon who works in concert with the beast to give him glory. His authority
resides for 42 months (3 ½ years) as haughty blasphemous words are given out by
him and he has great authority against the Kingdom of God even into the realm
of Heaven. He makes war on the saints to conquer them for a time and his
dominion is over every tribe, people, language, and nation causing all to
worship him (those who do not have their name written before the foundation of
the world in the book of life of the Lamb, who was slain). There is captivity
and the sword for these. There is a clarion call out during this time for the
endurance and faith of the saints (Revelation 13:1-10).
-The beast that rises from the earth is later revealed as
the False Prophet (Revelation 16:13; 19:20). He symbolically has two horns like
a lamb and spoke like a dragon. This beast exercises all the authority of the
first beast in its presence and calls all the earth to worship the Anti-Christ.
It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the
presence of people. These signs deceive people and lead them astray to make an
image of the beast. The False Prophet is given the power to give breath to the
image of the Anti-Christ beast, so that this image can speak and cause those
who would not worship it to be slain (killed). It also causes all (small,
great, rich, poor, free, and slave) to be marked on the right hand or on the
forehead with a mark of this beast. No one can buy or sell (do business,
exchange in commerce) unless they have this unholy mark. This number can be
calculated with wisdom and understanding because it is the number of a man, and
the number is 666 (Revelation 13:11-18).
-*Application* We have now seen in Revelation the revealing
of the unholy trinity in the dragon (Satan, the Lucifer angel), the Anti-Christ
beast, and the False Prophet beast. These are in union against the true Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit and will wage war on the Kingdom of God. They will manifest
themselves with great power and authority during the tribulation, but it is
only temporary. This is the way the Lord works. “The Lord is close to the
brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed (Psalm 34:18).” The
hardships in this situation, and in our own lives right now, are set ups for a
demonstration of the Lord’s greater goodness as Deliverer, Healer, Restorer,
and Ultimate Warrior on His behalf and for His glory. The bad only gives
occasion for the good to be revealed as dominate and all-powerful. Remember,
like Revelation 13:10 says, to endure and keep the faith. Don’t ever quit or
give up!
Verses to Memorize:
Revelation 13:10, 18
No comments:
Post a Comment