Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
He is risen, our Lord and Savior is risen. Hung on a cross He suffered, an innocent man who took away the sins of the world. A God who loves us so much He sent His only Son to die for us. Tonight, this most Holy of Holy day’s, we look into the importance of Christ’s resurrection.
Why is the resurrection of Jesus Christ important?:
1) It is a witness to the immense power of God. Believing in the resurrection is believing in God. If God exists, if He created the universe, and has power over it, He has power to raise the dead. If He doesn't, He’s not a God worthy of our faith and worship. Only He who created life can resurrect it after death. Only He can reverse death. Only He can remove the sting that is death and the victory that is the grave’s:
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
In Jesus’ resurrection, God reminds us of His absolute sovereignty over life and death.
2) The resurrection of Jesus is a testimony to the resurrection of human’s. Christianity alone has a founder who transcends death and who promises that His followers will do the same. All other religions were founded by men and prophets whose end was the grave. As Christians, we take comfort in the fact that our God became man, died for our sins, and was resurrected the third day. The grave could not hold Him, He lives, He sits today at the right hand of God the Father in heaven.
The Importance As Told By Scripture:
In 1 Corinthians Chapter 15, Paul explains in the importance of the resurrection. Some people in Corinth did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.
Paul gives six consequences if there were no resurrection:
1) Preaching Christ would be senseless (vs. 14)
2) Faith in Christ would be useless (vs. 14)
3) All the witnesses and preachers of the resurrection would be liars (v. 15)
4) No one would be redeemed from sin (vs. 17)
5) All former believers would have perished (vs.18)
6) Christians would be the most pitiable people on the earth (vs. 19)
Christ has risen from the dead and “has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (vs. 20). Assuring that we will follow Him in resurrection (vs. 23). The Word of God guarantees us (believer's) resurrection. This will be at the second coming of Jesus Christ, when He comes for His Body (the Church) at the Rapture. Such hope and assurance results in a great song of triumph as Paul writes in: 1 Corinthians 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
Paul tells us the importance of the resurrection: (vs. 58) “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
He reminds us that because we know we will be resurrected to new life, we can suffer persecution and danger for Christ’s sake just as He did: (vs. 29-31) “Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I die every day--I mean that, brothers--just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The resurrection is the triumphant and glorious victory for every believer. Jesus Christ died, was buried, and rose the third day according to the Scripture. He is coming again! The dead in Christ will be raised up, those who remain and are alive will be changed and receive new, glorified bodies.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
Why is the resurrection of Jesus important to salvation? It demonstrated that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It proves that God has the power to raise us from the dead. It guarantees that those who believe in Christ will not remain dead, but will be resurrected to eternal life. That is our blessing through Christ Jesus. I pray that you all had a Blessed Resurrection Day.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
What Is Your Legacy Going To Be ?
Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-19
Another week without a sermon until yesterday. Again, one word, Legacy. What was God trying to tell me this week? Legacy: “anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor: the legacy of ancient Rome” What we do in life is our legacy, what people see in us, what we have, and how we act, becomes our legacy. What do you want to be your legacy to be? Yesterday at Joes memorial service I saw Joe’s legacy, one of a man who led a life of up’s and down’s, but one who accepted Jesus into his heart. Joe’s legacy to some may be one of drug and alcohol addiction but to others who really knew and loved him, one of a man changed. Tonight we look into the legacy of two men, two very important men of the Bible.
The Life of Moses:
The most prominent figure in the Old Testament, chosen to bring redemption to his people. God chose Moses to lead the Israelites from captivity to salvation in the Promised Land. In Exodus 2, we see Moses’ mother placing him in a basket and putting it into the Nile to save his life. Found by Pharaoh’s daughter, and she adopts him as her own and raises him in the palace of the Pharaoh himself.
A major incident in Moses’ life is his encounter with God in the burning bush (Exodus 3) where God calls Moses to be the savior of his people. The rest of the story is well known, Moses and his brother Aaron go to Pharaoh in God’s name and demand that he let the people go to worship their God. Pharaoh refuses and ten plagues fall upon the people and the land, the final plague being the slaying of the first born. Prior to this final plague, God commands Moses to institute the Passover, which is commemorative of God’s saving act in redeeming His people from bondage in Egypt.
Moses leads the people to the Red Sea, God provides another saving miracle by parting the waters and allowing passage to the other side while drowning the Egyptian army (Exodus 14). Moses brings the people to the foot of Mount Sinai where the Law is given and the old covenant established between God and the newly formed nation of Israel (Exodus 19 - 24).
Moses’ life is broken down into three 40-year periods. The first was his life in the court of Pharaoh, as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses would have been given access to all of the perks and privileges of a prince of Egypt. He was instructed Acts 7:22 “in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds” The second was his 40 years in the land of Midian, where he learned the simple life of a shepherd, a husband, and a father. The final chapter in Moses’ life is the chapter that Scripture spends the most time chronicling, namely his role in the redemption of Israel.
Moses was a man of action, he possessed a hot temper and was prone to rash actions. Did God want to save his people? Yes. Did God want to use Moses as his chosen instrument of salvation? Yes, but Moses, acted rashly and impulsively. He tried to accomplish things in his timing not God’s.
The lesson is obvious: We must be aware of not only doing God’s will, but doing God’s will in His timing. When we attempt to do God’s will in our timing, we make a bigger mess than originally existed. Moses needed time to grow and mature and learn to be meek and humble before God. Moses never set foot in the Promised Land during his lifetime, he was given an opportunity to enter the Promised Land after his death. On the mount or transfiguration, when Jesus gave His disciples a taste of His full glory, He was accompanied by two Old Testament figures, Moses and Elijah, who represented the Law and the Prophets.
The Life of Jesus Christ:
Key events in Jesus’ life:
His birth: Luke 2:1-20 No room, Sheppard's, manger, virgin birth, all these things make up the amazing story of the birth of the Savior two thousand years ago. Isaiah foretold of a virgin who would conceive and bear a son and call His name Emmanuel, which means “God with us” Isaiah 7:14
His Baptism: Matthew 3:13-17 The Father’s command, the Son’s obedience, and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment present a beautiful picture of the life and ministry of Christ.
His First miracle: John 2:1-11 The divine, glorified nature of Christ was hidden when He assumed human form. Through this miracle, His true nature burst out and manifested to all who had eyes to see Matthew 13:16. The disciples always believed in Jesus, but the miracles helped to strengthen their faith and prepare them for the difficult times that laid ahead.
His Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:1-7:29 He ends the sermon with a call to true faith for salvation and a warning that the way to that salvation is narrow and few find it.
His Triumphal entry: Matthew 21:1–11, 14–17 Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem the week before the crucifixion is the basis of what is known as Palm Sunday.
The Last Supper: Matthew 26:1-29 Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His blood, a new command that those who follow Him are to love one another and live by the power of the Holy Spirit. We remember this act each time we enter into the Christian sacrament of communion, celebrating Christ’s body which was broken for us and His blood, which was shed for us.
His Crucifixion and burial: Matthew 27:27-66 Jesus has risen from the dead in His glorified state and would appear to many to prove that death had no hold over Him.
His Ascension: Mark 16:19-20 Jesus’ final act on earth was His ascension into heaven. Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. The act of sitting down signifies that His work is done. He affirmed this before dying on the cross when He said, “It is finished.”. There is nothing more to be done to secure the salvation of those who believe in Him. His life on earth is over, the price is paid, the victory is won. Death has been defeated.
Two men, two legacy’s. Two different approaches at life but with one common cause, deliverance. Moses delivered God’s people to the promised land, he had his trials and troubles along the way. His legacy is one of trial and tribulations but one of victory as he grew in the Lord. This week we focus on the legacy of Jesus Christ, the one who delivered us from sin. Christ’s legacy was one of obedience to the Father, kindness, peace, wisdom, love and servitude. Through Jesus Christ we can make our legacy one of goodness, kindness, peace, love, and servitude. Who is going to be at your funeral? Will they remember you as a man or woman of God? Will your legacy reflect one of a righteous person?
Another week without a sermon until yesterday. Again, one word, Legacy. What was God trying to tell me this week? Legacy: “anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor: the legacy of ancient Rome” What we do in life is our legacy, what people see in us, what we have, and how we act, becomes our legacy. What do you want to be your legacy to be? Yesterday at Joes memorial service I saw Joe’s legacy, one of a man who led a life of up’s and down’s, but one who accepted Jesus into his heart. Joe’s legacy to some may be one of drug and alcohol addiction but to others who really knew and loved him, one of a man changed. Tonight we look into the legacy of two men, two very important men of the Bible.
The Life of Moses:
The most prominent figure in the Old Testament, chosen to bring redemption to his people. God chose Moses to lead the Israelites from captivity to salvation in the Promised Land. In Exodus 2, we see Moses’ mother placing him in a basket and putting it into the Nile to save his life. Found by Pharaoh’s daughter, and she adopts him as her own and raises him in the palace of the Pharaoh himself.
A major incident in Moses’ life is his encounter with God in the burning bush (Exodus 3) where God calls Moses to be the savior of his people. The rest of the story is well known, Moses and his brother Aaron go to Pharaoh in God’s name and demand that he let the people go to worship their God. Pharaoh refuses and ten plagues fall upon the people and the land, the final plague being the slaying of the first born. Prior to this final plague, God commands Moses to institute the Passover, which is commemorative of God’s saving act in redeeming His people from bondage in Egypt.
Moses leads the people to the Red Sea, God provides another saving miracle by parting the waters and allowing passage to the other side while drowning the Egyptian army (Exodus 14). Moses brings the people to the foot of Mount Sinai where the Law is given and the old covenant established between God and the newly formed nation of Israel (Exodus 19 - 24).
Moses’ life is broken down into three 40-year periods. The first was his life in the court of Pharaoh, as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter, Moses would have been given access to all of the perks and privileges of a prince of Egypt. He was instructed Acts 7:22 “in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds” The second was his 40 years in the land of Midian, where he learned the simple life of a shepherd, a husband, and a father. The final chapter in Moses’ life is the chapter that Scripture spends the most time chronicling, namely his role in the redemption of Israel.
Moses was a man of action, he possessed a hot temper and was prone to rash actions. Did God want to save his people? Yes. Did God want to use Moses as his chosen instrument of salvation? Yes, but Moses, acted rashly and impulsively. He tried to accomplish things in his timing not God’s.
The lesson is obvious: We must be aware of not only doing God’s will, but doing God’s will in His timing. When we attempt to do God’s will in our timing, we make a bigger mess than originally existed. Moses needed time to grow and mature and learn to be meek and humble before God. Moses never set foot in the Promised Land during his lifetime, he was given an opportunity to enter the Promised Land after his death. On the mount or transfiguration, when Jesus gave His disciples a taste of His full glory, He was accompanied by two Old Testament figures, Moses and Elijah, who represented the Law and the Prophets.
The Life of Jesus Christ:
Key events in Jesus’ life:
His birth: Luke 2:1-20 No room, Sheppard's, manger, virgin birth, all these things make up the amazing story of the birth of the Savior two thousand years ago. Isaiah foretold of a virgin who would conceive and bear a son and call His name Emmanuel, which means “God with us” Isaiah 7:14
His Baptism: Matthew 3:13-17 The Father’s command, the Son’s obedience, and the Holy Spirit’s empowerment present a beautiful picture of the life and ministry of Christ.
His First miracle: John 2:1-11 The divine, glorified nature of Christ was hidden when He assumed human form. Through this miracle, His true nature burst out and manifested to all who had eyes to see Matthew 13:16. The disciples always believed in Jesus, but the miracles helped to strengthen their faith and prepare them for the difficult times that laid ahead.
His Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5:1-7:29 He ends the sermon with a call to true faith for salvation and a warning that the way to that salvation is narrow and few find it.
His Triumphal entry: Matthew 21:1–11, 14–17 Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem the week before the crucifixion is the basis of what is known as Palm Sunday.
The Last Supper: Matthew 26:1-29 Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His blood, a new command that those who follow Him are to love one another and live by the power of the Holy Spirit. We remember this act each time we enter into the Christian sacrament of communion, celebrating Christ’s body which was broken for us and His blood, which was shed for us.
His Crucifixion and burial: Matthew 27:27-66 Jesus has risen from the dead in His glorified state and would appear to many to prove that death had no hold over Him.
His Ascension: Mark 16:19-20 Jesus’ final act on earth was His ascension into heaven. Jesus sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. The act of sitting down signifies that His work is done. He affirmed this before dying on the cross when He said, “It is finished.”. There is nothing more to be done to secure the salvation of those who believe in Him. His life on earth is over, the price is paid, the victory is won. Death has been defeated.
Two men, two legacy’s. Two different approaches at life but with one common cause, deliverance. Moses delivered God’s people to the promised land, he had his trials and troubles along the way. His legacy is one of trial and tribulations but one of victory as he grew in the Lord. This week we focus on the legacy of Jesus Christ, the one who delivered us from sin. Christ’s legacy was one of obedience to the Father, kindness, peace, wisdom, love and servitude. Through Jesus Christ we can make our legacy one of goodness, kindness, peace, love, and servitude. Who is going to be at your funeral? Will they remember you as a man or woman of God? Will your legacy reflect one of a righteous person?
Redeemed Through The Highway
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35
Everyone is in need of redemption. Our natural state is sinful: “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) Christ’s redemption has freed us from our sinful nature, being “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24) Redeem means “to buy out”. It was used in reference to the purchase a slave’s freedom. We were slaves to sin, Jesus has purchased our freedom, and we are no longer in bondage to sin. Tonight’s scripture reading is a prophecy from Isaiah dealing with our redemption and a reflection of the passage from Egypt.
The Highway:
Vs. 8 “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.” Isaiah is using the Israelites trip from bondage as an example and prophetic look of God’s grace and promise to protect His children.
“And a highway will be there” Derived from the return of the Jews from captivity. The idea is, that there would be easy and uninterrupted passage to the promised land. The blessings of the Messiah's reign would be open and free to all. Isaiah 40:3-4 “A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”
“it will be called the Way of Holiness” No impure person should travel this Way of Holiness. Isaiah is saying, all that have favor of God, or enter his kingdom, should be holy.
“The unclean shall not journey on it” There shall be no idolater there, no one shall be admitted who is not a worshipper of Christ. We see righteousness through Jesus Christ Isaiah 49:11 “I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up.” Isaiah 62:10 “Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations.”
“it will be for those who walk in that Way” For the ransomed of Christ. We will not go alone or unprotected, as with the Israelites, it is a holy way. God was with them as He is with us. He kept them safe, He attended and defend them, the same as He protects us.
“wicked fools will not go about on it.” … Heaven will be for the saints of God and not for the wicked God will lead and guide us, just as He led the Israelites out of Egypt.
Our Redemption:
The benefits of redemption are:
1.) Eternal life: Revelation 5:9-10 “And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
2.) Forgiveness of sins: Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace”
3.) Righteousness: Romans 5:17 “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”
4.) Freedom from the law’s curse: Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
5.) Adoption into God’s family: Galatians 4:5 “to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”
6.) Deliverance from sin’s bondage: Titus 2:14 “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
7.) Peace with God: Colossians 1:18-20 “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
8.) The indwelling of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
The Israelites trusted God to guide them down the Highway to the promised land. The road was not an easy one but God never left them. In life we will have our up’s and down’s. Our Highway is Jesus Christ. Through Him we are redeemed. Because we are redeemed we are forgiven, holy, justified adopted and reconciled. We were slaves to sin. Jesus has purchased our freedom. We are no longer in bondage to sin. Redeemed through the Highway, Christ Jesus. The same as the Israelites received “everlasting joy, crowns, gladness, no more sorrow and sighing” we too shall receive these rewards in heaven.
Everyone is in need of redemption. Our natural state is sinful: “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) Christ’s redemption has freed us from our sinful nature, being “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24) Redeem means “to buy out”. It was used in reference to the purchase a slave’s freedom. We were slaves to sin, Jesus has purchased our freedom, and we are no longer in bondage to sin. Tonight’s scripture reading is a prophecy from Isaiah dealing with our redemption and a reflection of the passage from Egypt.
The Highway:
Vs. 8 “And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.” Isaiah is using the Israelites trip from bondage as an example and prophetic look of God’s grace and promise to protect His children.
“And a highway will be there” Derived from the return of the Jews from captivity. The idea is, that there would be easy and uninterrupted passage to the promised land. The blessings of the Messiah's reign would be open and free to all. Isaiah 40:3-4 “A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.”
“it will be called the Way of Holiness” No impure person should travel this Way of Holiness. Isaiah is saying, all that have favor of God, or enter his kingdom, should be holy.
“The unclean shall not journey on it” There shall be no idolater there, no one shall be admitted who is not a worshipper of Christ. We see righteousness through Jesus Christ Isaiah 49:11 “I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up.” Isaiah 62:10 “Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations.”
“it will be for those who walk in that Way” For the ransomed of Christ. We will not go alone or unprotected, as with the Israelites, it is a holy way. God was with them as He is with us. He kept them safe, He attended and defend them, the same as He protects us.
“wicked fools will not go about on it.” … Heaven will be for the saints of God and not for the wicked God will lead and guide us, just as He led the Israelites out of Egypt.
Our Redemption:
The benefits of redemption are:
1.) Eternal life: Revelation 5:9-10 “And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”
2.) Forgiveness of sins: Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace”
3.) Righteousness: Romans 5:17 “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”
4.) Freedom from the law’s curse: Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
5.) Adoption into God’s family: Galatians 4:5 “to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.”
6.) Deliverance from sin’s bondage: Titus 2:14 “who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”
7.) Peace with God: Colossians 1:18-20 “And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
8.) The indwelling of the Holy Spirit: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”
The Israelites trusted God to guide them down the Highway to the promised land. The road was not an easy one but God never left them. In life we will have our up’s and down’s. Our Highway is Jesus Christ. Through Him we are redeemed. Because we are redeemed we are forgiven, holy, justified adopted and reconciled. We were slaves to sin. Jesus has purchased our freedom. We are no longer in bondage to sin. Redeemed through the Highway, Christ Jesus. The same as the Israelites received “everlasting joy, crowns, gladness, no more sorrow and sighing” we too shall receive these rewards in heaven.
Revelation 13 Part Two
Scripture Reading: Revelation 13
Last week we covered the first three verses of chapter 13. We learned about the kingdom and the man of the tribulation. This week we will try to finish up this extensive chapter. Let’s look deeper into the meaning of the rest of the chapter.
Religion of the Beast:
Revelation 13:4-8 “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
“They worshipped the dragon” The religion of the earth will focus on the Beast, the man indwelt by Satan. The Beast and his image will be a central part of the religion of “kingdom of Satan”. The second half of the tribulation will be an end to the “Women who rides the beast” of Revelation 17. The Beast, Satan incarnates the beast and will demand worship from the Earth inhabitants, just as he tempted the angels, man and Jesus on the mount of Temptation (Luke 4)
“Gave authority to the beast” The dragon (Satan) is the force behind the Beast’s power.
“They worshiped the beast” The beast was Satan and the soul of the Antichrist both indwelling the same body. After the “Glorious return” the Antichrist is cast into the “Lake of fire” and Satan is chained and cast into the Abyss. (Rev 19:20,20:2)
“Who is able to make war with him” The kingdom of the beast will have military superiority over the Earth and will seem invincible in the eyes of the world. Prior to the second half of the Tribulation, the Antichrist with “Great fury” meaning great heat annihilates many (Daniel 11:44). This battle corresponds with the death of 1/3 of the earth population, and the 6th Trumpet. This battle will set the stage for world domination in the second half of the tribulation. Probably during this period, three of the horns or kings rebel against his authority and are pulled up by the roots as described in Daniel 7:8 “three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots”
“Forty-two months” 1260 days, 3.5 years, the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70 weeks.
“He opened his mouth” Satan is outraged at the position he is in, He is not used to being confined to the Earth and he knows his time is short, so he rages against Heaven.
“Granted to him to make war with the saints” The saints are those who come to Christ during the 7-year period, those who were “Left Behind”. During this time, Satan intensifies his search for the offspring of the women who fled into the wilderness for 1260 days. The women’s offspring both physical and spiritual are hunted for destruction.
Matthew 24:30-31 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other”
What is the purpose of the persecution? Through the saints persecution many will come to faith, and the sins of man will be manifest. During the “Sheep and Goats judgment” (Matthew 25:31-46) the actions of those on Earth toward the saints will be revealed.God will demonstrate his righteous judgments by the way the saints were treated.
Persecution of Saints:
Revelation 13:9-10 “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”
“If anyone has an ear” This is a call for understanding to those who are about to die. The ear is a “Spiritual ear” in much the same way the letters to the churches addressed those who had ears this is addressed to the surviving believers who are about to be killed. An interesting point can be made here, the church is not addressed, but those who have an ear. Since the church is not specifically mentioned, more then likely the church was raptured prior to the tribulation.
“He who leads” God is allowing this to happen for a purpose. In the 5th Seal, we see those who are killed in the first half of the tribulation. Here saints from the second half are prepared for what is to come. Death is not to be feared because the very next phase for the martyr is Heaven in God’s presence (Revelation 6:9-11, 7:9-11, 15:2) There is a place in Heaven waiting for their arrival.
“Here is the patience” The ability to suffer for their testimony will bring many to a saving knowledge in the last days. Much in the same way the early church spread under persecution, this last group of Gentile and Jewish faithful will grow through persecution. God is allowing this persecution, because its only temporary and exposes those who dwell on the earth for who they truly are. Daniel, also wrote about this future period of persecution for the believer.
Daniel 7:25 “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.”
Daniel also saw this period as 3.5 years (Time and times and half a time), to be followed by a period when the saints would rule over the kingdom. Because God would resurrect the martyred saints following this period of suffering, they were to endure.
Daniel 7:26-27 “But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”
Daniel 12:13 "But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days."
Revelation 13:11-12 “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, who’s deadly wound, was healed.”
“I saw another beast” This is the third member of this unholy trinity, Satan’s counterfeit of the trinity. This beast is a man called the “False prophet” (Rev 19:20). He is a religious leader who counterfeits the Holy Spirit, by pointing to the Beast (First Beast) as the object of truth and worship. The false-prophet and the Antichrist work together from the start. This new world religion will operate under the false ideal of “Relative truth”, those who insist on Jesus being the focus of objective truth will be killed during the first half of the tribulation. (Revelation 6:9-11) Jesus spoke about this individual and the antichrist in the Olivet discourse,
Matthew 24:24 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand”
“Out of the earth” (Greek .. land, earth as a standing place) Contrasted to the “Beast out of the Sea” this Beast is out of the earth. Some commentators feel this reference to the Earth means he will be an apostate religious leader as opposed to being out of the sea of humanity.
“He had two horns like a lamb” Lambs are used mainly in the scriptures as a picture of sacrifice; Jesus is called the “Lamb of God”, God’s Passover lamb. The lamb like nature of this beast demonstrates his religious aspect. The two horns have significant meaning and can be interpreted in several ways. Horns are clearly spelled out in scripture as representing seats of authority. The ten horns of the beast represent ten kings (Rev 17:12, Daniel 7:24)
In Daniel 8, the horns on the ram and goat represent the King’s of Greece, Persia and Media. These powers in the conflict, picture Greece as the one-horned goat and Persia-Media as the two-horned ram. Jesus is also pictured as a horn in Luke, He is called a “Horn of salvation”, (Luke 1:69) The two horns on this lamb can represent two distinct religious systems unified by the false prophet. There is strong evidence to suggest, this united religious system will be the adulterous church pictured in three of the seven churches (Laodicea, Sardis, Thyatira) unified with the remnants of Islam by the False Prophet.
“Spoke like a dragon” The source of this world religion will be Satan, whose goal is to destroy those created in the image of God. Biblical Christianity is exclusive; there is no room for a competing “Jesus”. Islam denies Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died on the cross. The Muslim Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible. Judaism today rejects Jesus as Messiah and labels him a false prophet. Many in the evangelical movement deny Jesus as the son of God along with countless heretical beliefs. What the bible say about those who reject the biblical Jesus ?
“Exercises all the authority” The role of this “false prophet” is to help the world accept the claims of the first beast. The first Beast is Satan manifested, so the second Beast is in complete union with him and works to bring him credibility.
“In his presence” As Aaron was the spokesman for Moses, the false prophet will represent the Beast before the world. In his name and presence he points people on Earth to the Beast.
“Whose deadly wound was healed” The death and resurrection of the Beast at the Mid-point will be in conjunction with the casting out of Satan from Heaven. His death and resurrection will be highlighted as evidence for the Beast being God on Earth. In the same way Jesus was crucified and resurrected was evidence of his being the Son of God, Satan will counterfeit the resurrection.
Satanic Signs & Wonders:
Revelation 13:13-14 “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.”
“He performs great signs” The false prophet does the signs as a means of deception … Signs are not limited to God’s kingdom alone. God allows Satan to perform signs as a way of testing people.
Deuteronomy 13:1-4 “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.”
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
A wicked and adulterous generation will turn from “Truth” to a “Lie” for the sake of a sign (Matthew 16:4) The psychics who claim to speak to the dead are in fact speaking to “Familiar Sprits”, demons posing as departed loved ones (Lev 19:31, 20:6, 20:27) This practice is old; Satan has deceived people for thousands of years. God allows the deception because those who choose to follow the practice are being disobedient and in the process failing a test. Satan’s deception will be exposed during the 2nd half of the tribulation.
“Makes fire come down” An impressive sign to those on the Earth who are being deceived, but a clear identifier to believers who are waiting for the return of Christ. Who will be able to question such signs without knowing the Truth? This is also counterfeit of the two witnesses who called down fire on their enemies.
“He was granted to do” Satan can only do what he is permitted to do as we see in Job. Man is not being tempted beyond his ability to say no but the test on earth will intensify because time is short.
Job 1:9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?
“The Image of the Beast” ( Greek…eikon... a likeness, that is, (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance:—image., an icon). Those deceived will demonstrate their worship by making an image of the Beast. This is similar to Satan’s deceptions throughout history. Man’s nature is to be worshipped if ultimate power can be obtained. Great military leaders eventually viewed themselves as god on Earth, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the great, and Julius Caesar are 3. The 20th century, has had their share of leader worship transferred to man made images Lenin, Hitler, and Sadam Husain are recent examples. Man worship will ultimately be played out as Satan inhabits the body of a man and demands the world worship him as god.
Satan will immediately break 2 of the 10 commandments. 3 You shall have no other gods before me and 4 You shall not make for yourselves an idol. Do not worship the image. The resurrection of the Beast will be the focus of the image for those dwelling on the Earth.
In Daniel 3, the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is a look into what is to come. Three men choose death rather then worship the image of king Nebuchadnezzar. They were thrown into the furnace. They were not harmed for the “Son of God” rescued them. (Dan 3:25) The message in Daniel is to the whole world, if three men could survive a fiery furnace because the “Son of God” was with them, then we can survive because the “Son of God” has redeemed us, but we must not submit to the Beast.
Through the book of Daniel, God demonstrates the way of salvation for those living in the tribulation period. The picture of Daniel 3 when contrasted to Revelation 13 is unreal.
The image of the Beast:
Revelation 13:15 “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”
“He was granted power” The image created by men of the Beast seemingly comes to life. This Satanic miracle is allowed to take place by God. Man is being tested by this part of the strong delusion that God is allowing to fall on those who refuse to believe the “Truth”. The “Image” of the Beast comes to life further validating the identity of the “Beast” … Those who know the scriptures will have a clear choice.
“The image of the beast” The Beast-Image is able to expose all who refuse worship … those who refuse are executed. Worldwide hunts will begin for those who are identified by the Beast for refusing to worship. Many will go into hiding and it will take the Angels at the return of Christ to find them and bring them to meet their Lord.
Matthew 24:30-31 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
The Economic system of the Beast:
Revelation 13:16-18 “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”
“He causes all” The False Prophet will implement a system to demand worship from all. The rich and powerful will not be able to escape the requirements. All people will need to submit to worshipping the Beast.
“To receive a mark” (Greek…charagma ; a scratch or etching, that is, stamp (as a badge of servitude), or sculptured figure (statue):—graven, mark.) The Greek word indicates the mark to be an outside mark demonstrating loyalty and submission to the Beast. The location of the mark is either on the forehead or on the hand.
“That no one may buy or sell” The mark will be a system that allows control of the individual. Without submission to the Beast there will be no ability to participate in the economic system. Bio-metrics has been developed to track and control segments of the population. With terrorism at an all time high, little resistance is being met today. Fear of terrorism has removed many of our concerns of intrusive government; citizens want to know who is a threat. One way is to have everybody marked and accounted for.
“Let him who has understanding” Here is another call of understanding to those who are alive at the Midpoint. This is one more piece of evidence for those who are alive not to accept the mark.
“The number of a man” The Antichrist is a Man, his name or some identifier is listed as a number. Each letter in a name has a numerical equivalent. When the letters in a name are added the total numerical value is the number of the name. Most interpreters of revelation feel this is what is meant by this verse. Whether the name uses a Greek or Hebrew letter is not known.
18 verses, so much information and all dealing with what is to come. The stage is being set for a terrible time ahead. If were not raptured prior to the Tribulation are you going to be prepared? Will you still name the name of Jesus? Will you be able to survive the Abomination of Desolation? I like to be prepared, I pray that you are as well.
Last week we covered the first three verses of chapter 13. We learned about the kingdom and the man of the tribulation. This week we will try to finish up this extensive chapter. Let’s look deeper into the meaning of the rest of the chapter.
Religion of the Beast:
Revelation 13:4-8 “So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
“They worshipped the dragon” The religion of the earth will focus on the Beast, the man indwelt by Satan. The Beast and his image will be a central part of the religion of “kingdom of Satan”. The second half of the tribulation will be an end to the “Women who rides the beast” of Revelation 17. The Beast, Satan incarnates the beast and will demand worship from the Earth inhabitants, just as he tempted the angels, man and Jesus on the mount of Temptation (Luke 4)
“Gave authority to the beast” The dragon (Satan) is the force behind the Beast’s power.
“They worshiped the beast” The beast was Satan and the soul of the Antichrist both indwelling the same body. After the “Glorious return” the Antichrist is cast into the “Lake of fire” and Satan is chained and cast into the Abyss. (Rev 19:20,20:2)
“Who is able to make war with him” The kingdom of the beast will have military superiority over the Earth and will seem invincible in the eyes of the world. Prior to the second half of the Tribulation, the Antichrist with “Great fury” meaning great heat annihilates many (Daniel 11:44). This battle corresponds with the death of 1/3 of the earth population, and the 6th Trumpet. This battle will set the stage for world domination in the second half of the tribulation. Probably during this period, three of the horns or kings rebel against his authority and are pulled up by the roots as described in Daniel 7:8 “three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots”
“Forty-two months” 1260 days, 3.5 years, the 2nd half of Daniel’s 70 weeks.
“He opened his mouth” Satan is outraged at the position he is in, He is not used to being confined to the Earth and he knows his time is short, so he rages against Heaven.
“Granted to him to make war with the saints” The saints are those who come to Christ during the 7-year period, those who were “Left Behind”. During this time, Satan intensifies his search for the offspring of the women who fled into the wilderness for 1260 days. The women’s offspring both physical and spiritual are hunted for destruction.
Matthew 24:30-31 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other”
What is the purpose of the persecution? Through the saints persecution many will come to faith, and the sins of man will be manifest. During the “Sheep and Goats judgment” (Matthew 25:31-46) the actions of those on Earth toward the saints will be revealed.God will demonstrate his righteous judgments by the way the saints were treated.
Persecution of Saints:
Revelation 13:9-10 “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”
“If anyone has an ear” This is a call for understanding to those who are about to die. The ear is a “Spiritual ear” in much the same way the letters to the churches addressed those who had ears this is addressed to the surviving believers who are about to be killed. An interesting point can be made here, the church is not addressed, but those who have an ear. Since the church is not specifically mentioned, more then likely the church was raptured prior to the tribulation.
“He who leads” God is allowing this to happen for a purpose. In the 5th Seal, we see those who are killed in the first half of the tribulation. Here saints from the second half are prepared for what is to come. Death is not to be feared because the very next phase for the martyr is Heaven in God’s presence (Revelation 6:9-11, 7:9-11, 15:2) There is a place in Heaven waiting for their arrival.
“Here is the patience” The ability to suffer for their testimony will bring many to a saving knowledge in the last days. Much in the same way the early church spread under persecution, this last group of Gentile and Jewish faithful will grow through persecution. God is allowing this persecution, because its only temporary and exposes those who dwell on the earth for who they truly are. Daniel, also wrote about this future period of persecution for the believer.
Daniel 7:25 “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.”
Daniel also saw this period as 3.5 years (Time and times and half a time), to be followed by a period when the saints would rule over the kingdom. Because God would resurrect the martyred saints following this period of suffering, they were to endure.
Daniel 7:26-27 “But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”
Daniel 12:13 "But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days."
Revelation 13:11-12 “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, who’s deadly wound, was healed.”
“I saw another beast” This is the third member of this unholy trinity, Satan’s counterfeit of the trinity. This beast is a man called the “False prophet” (Rev 19:20). He is a religious leader who counterfeits the Holy Spirit, by pointing to the Beast (First Beast) as the object of truth and worship. The false-prophet and the Antichrist work together from the start. This new world religion will operate under the false ideal of “Relative truth”, those who insist on Jesus being the focus of objective truth will be killed during the first half of the tribulation. (Revelation 6:9-11) Jesus spoke about this individual and the antichrist in the Olivet discourse,
Matthew 24:24 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand”
“Out of the earth” (Greek .. land, earth as a standing place) Contrasted to the “Beast out of the Sea” this Beast is out of the earth. Some commentators feel this reference to the Earth means he will be an apostate religious leader as opposed to being out of the sea of humanity.
“He had two horns like a lamb” Lambs are used mainly in the scriptures as a picture of sacrifice; Jesus is called the “Lamb of God”, God’s Passover lamb. The lamb like nature of this beast demonstrates his religious aspect. The two horns have significant meaning and can be interpreted in several ways. Horns are clearly spelled out in scripture as representing seats of authority. The ten horns of the beast represent ten kings (Rev 17:12, Daniel 7:24)
In Daniel 8, the horns on the ram and goat represent the King’s of Greece, Persia and Media. These powers in the conflict, picture Greece as the one-horned goat and Persia-Media as the two-horned ram. Jesus is also pictured as a horn in Luke, He is called a “Horn of salvation”, (Luke 1:69) The two horns on this lamb can represent two distinct religious systems unified by the false prophet. There is strong evidence to suggest, this united religious system will be the adulterous church pictured in three of the seven churches (Laodicea, Sardis, Thyatira) unified with the remnants of Islam by the False Prophet.
“Spoke like a dragon” The source of this world religion will be Satan, whose goal is to destroy those created in the image of God. Biblical Christianity is exclusive; there is no room for a competing “Jesus”. Islam denies Jesus is the Son of God, and that He died on the cross. The Muslim Jesus is not the Jesus of the Bible. Judaism today rejects Jesus as Messiah and labels him a false prophet. Many in the evangelical movement deny Jesus as the son of God along with countless heretical beliefs. What the bible say about those who reject the biblical Jesus ?
“Exercises all the authority” The role of this “false prophet” is to help the world accept the claims of the first beast. The first Beast is Satan manifested, so the second Beast is in complete union with him and works to bring him credibility.
“In his presence” As Aaron was the spokesman for Moses, the false prophet will represent the Beast before the world. In his name and presence he points people on Earth to the Beast.
“Whose deadly wound was healed” The death and resurrection of the Beast at the Mid-point will be in conjunction with the casting out of Satan from Heaven. His death and resurrection will be highlighted as evidence for the Beast being God on Earth. In the same way Jesus was crucified and resurrected was evidence of his being the Son of God, Satan will counterfeit the resurrection.
Satanic Signs & Wonders:
Revelation 13:13-14 “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.”
“He performs great signs” The false prophet does the signs as a means of deception … Signs are not limited to God’s kingdom alone. God allows Satan to perform signs as a way of testing people.
Deuteronomy 13:1-4 “If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known—‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.”
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
A wicked and adulterous generation will turn from “Truth” to a “Lie” for the sake of a sign (Matthew 16:4) The psychics who claim to speak to the dead are in fact speaking to “Familiar Sprits”, demons posing as departed loved ones (Lev 19:31, 20:6, 20:27) This practice is old; Satan has deceived people for thousands of years. God allows the deception because those who choose to follow the practice are being disobedient and in the process failing a test. Satan’s deception will be exposed during the 2nd half of the tribulation.
“Makes fire come down” An impressive sign to those on the Earth who are being deceived, but a clear identifier to believers who are waiting for the return of Christ. Who will be able to question such signs without knowing the Truth? This is also counterfeit of the two witnesses who called down fire on their enemies.
“He was granted to do” Satan can only do what he is permitted to do as we see in Job. Man is not being tempted beyond his ability to say no but the test on earth will intensify because time is short.
Job 1:9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side?
“The Image of the Beast” ( Greek…eikon... a likeness, that is, (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance:—image., an icon). Those deceived will demonstrate their worship by making an image of the Beast. This is similar to Satan’s deceptions throughout history. Man’s nature is to be worshipped if ultimate power can be obtained. Great military leaders eventually viewed themselves as god on Earth, Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the great, and Julius Caesar are 3. The 20th century, has had their share of leader worship transferred to man made images Lenin, Hitler, and Sadam Husain are recent examples. Man worship will ultimately be played out as Satan inhabits the body of a man and demands the world worship him as god.
Satan will immediately break 2 of the 10 commandments. 3 You shall have no other gods before me and 4 You shall not make for yourselves an idol. Do not worship the image. The resurrection of the Beast will be the focus of the image for those dwelling on the Earth.
In Daniel 3, the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is a look into what is to come. Three men choose death rather then worship the image of king Nebuchadnezzar. They were thrown into the furnace. They were not harmed for the “Son of God” rescued them. (Dan 3:25) The message in Daniel is to the whole world, if three men could survive a fiery furnace because the “Son of God” was with them, then we can survive because the “Son of God” has redeemed us, but we must not submit to the Beast.
Through the book of Daniel, God demonstrates the way of salvation for those living in the tribulation period. The picture of Daniel 3 when contrasted to Revelation 13 is unreal.
The image of the Beast:
Revelation 13:15 “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”
“He was granted power” The image created by men of the Beast seemingly comes to life. This Satanic miracle is allowed to take place by God. Man is being tested by this part of the strong delusion that God is allowing to fall on those who refuse to believe the “Truth”. The “Image” of the Beast comes to life further validating the identity of the “Beast” … Those who know the scriptures will have a clear choice.
“The image of the beast” The Beast-Image is able to expose all who refuse worship … those who refuse are executed. Worldwide hunts will begin for those who are identified by the Beast for refusing to worship. Many will go into hiding and it will take the Angels at the return of Christ to find them and bring them to meet their Lord.
Matthew 24:30-31 “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
The Economic system of the Beast:
Revelation 13:16-18 “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”
“He causes all” The False Prophet will implement a system to demand worship from all. The rich and powerful will not be able to escape the requirements. All people will need to submit to worshipping the Beast.
“To receive a mark” (Greek…charagma ; a scratch or etching, that is, stamp (as a badge of servitude), or sculptured figure (statue):—graven, mark.) The Greek word indicates the mark to be an outside mark demonstrating loyalty and submission to the Beast. The location of the mark is either on the forehead or on the hand.
“That no one may buy or sell” The mark will be a system that allows control of the individual. Without submission to the Beast there will be no ability to participate in the economic system. Bio-metrics has been developed to track and control segments of the population. With terrorism at an all time high, little resistance is being met today. Fear of terrorism has removed many of our concerns of intrusive government; citizens want to know who is a threat. One way is to have everybody marked and accounted for.
“Let him who has understanding” Here is another call of understanding to those who are alive at the Midpoint. This is one more piece of evidence for those who are alive not to accept the mark.
“The number of a man” The Antichrist is a Man, his name or some identifier is listed as a number. Each letter in a name has a numerical equivalent. When the letters in a name are added the total numerical value is the number of the name. Most interpreters of revelation feel this is what is meant by this verse. Whether the name uses a Greek or Hebrew letter is not known.
18 verses, so much information and all dealing with what is to come. The stage is being set for a terrible time ahead. If were not raptured prior to the Tribulation are you going to be prepared? Will you still name the name of Jesus? Will you be able to survive the Abomination of Desolation? I like to be prepared, I pray that you are as well.
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