Reviews and Views

…in my opinion.

Book of Revelation – Chapter 17

This chapter forms another pause along with chapter 18. It covers the rise and fall of the universal world church. That church pictured as a harlot or prostitute becomes the theme of this vision given to John.  

In verse 1, one of the seven bowl angels speaks to the apostle John to follow him to see the great whore or prostitute who “sits upon many waters.” This phrase speaks of exercising religious control over most of humanity internationally. Later, in verse 15, this same angel explains that the water where she sat represented peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. It shows that she has a significant influence over humanity but incorrectly assumes that her influence extends over the rulers of nations.

Verse 2, this harlot (the apostate church) has developed a religious system that holds everyday folks and leaders within its grasp. She will dominate all the unredeemed of the earth. The fornication spoken of includes all its evil connotations and associations. During the Tribulation period, a vast international religious system will create impure alignments with kings, rulers, and presidents never seen before. Humanity will become stunned and astonished as if drugged by the effects of these religious/political alliances.

What is meant by an apostate church?
It is a church composed of people who had once believed, then later totally rejected God’s truth and His Word. Instead, that church embraces false doctrines and believes in deceiving evil spirits leading to their destruction.

Now, John is carried away in the spirit into the wilderness in verse 3. There the harlot is sitting on a scarlet beast with seven heads, ten horns, and full of profanities. We know this beast as the Antichrist, representing the final stage of a Gentile world empire headed by one individual using ten subordinate kings administrating it.

The Harlot

Her sitting on the beast shows that the Antichrist temporarily supports this false religion. The beast uses this false religion to unify and control his kingdom initially. Later we will see a change in that relationship. As John looked, he noted that her attire was in purple and scarlet colors. Scarlet is the color associated with luxury, splendor, and rulership, sometimes associated with sin (refer to Isaiah 1:18) and the shade of blood. She wore expensive jewelry adorned with precious gems, gold, and pearls. All of this gives us a picture of a church composed of high-ranking members of the clergy or leaders elegantly dressed in the colors and attire of emperors, a picture of great wealth. In her grasp was a cup full of all the false, profane worship of the end times.

In verse 5, the harlot’s name of Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth, is revealed in the end times. Her prostitution or harlotry symbolizes idolatry, as noted in many places in the Old Testament. A few things to keep in mind:

  • The true Church – the bride of Christ – is in heaven (Rev 4:1).
  • This false religious system of the Tribulation hour is a complete union of the church and the world. Its members are the leftovers from all denominations. They were either doctrinally or morally wrong or both.
  • The mother church has daughters. Her offspring are groups who either rejected the founder of Christendom’s actual teachings or had a counterfeit experience with the Son of God. Among them are cultists, apostates, and unconverted professors of religion. They went through the motions but were never truly converted. 

As we move to verse 6, the woman is drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs of Jesus. John was mystified, shocked, and frightened by what he witnessed. This harlot church has a murderous lust for violence and will kill whoever gets in her way of power. 

Next, in verse 7, the angel speaks again to John, asking why he marvels. Then the angel begins to explain the mystery of the harlot and the beast in the following few verses.

In verse 8, the beast that John saw is the Antichrist, the satanic ruler of the last and most powerful empire in all of human history. The angel describes him as the beast that was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition (damnation or the lake of fire).

  • The beast was an ordinary man who was intelligent, clever, ruthless, and desired to rule.
  • But then, he was not – because being killed at the mid-point of the Tribulation, where he went to Hades (the torment side). 
  • Satan, who ascended out of the bottomless pit, retrieves the beast’s body and enters that body for the final 42-months of the Tribulation period. Hence, the Antichrist appears resurrected back to life. The world marvels after him and worships him as the messiah, with the false prophet that heads up the worldwide apostate church promoting such worship.
  • At the end of the Tribulation hour, he will go into eternal punishment or perdition along with the false prophet in the lake of fire.  

At this point, we should be paying close attention to what follows. Exercise as much spiritual insight as needed to understand. The same angel says (in verse 9) something that seems a little off-hand, “here is the mind which has wisdom.” The angel states, ‘The seven heads (of the scarlet beast) are seven mountains on which the woman sits. Some say that the associated seven mountains are Rome because the city sits on seven hills and identifies the woman with the Roman Catholic Church. In John MacArthur’s book, Because The Time Is Near, he disagrees (see page 268). He explains that since so much of chapter 17 is symbolic, this description of the seven heads is also symbolic. Therefore, MacArthur believes that verse 10 describes the seven mountains or heads. He states that the term ‘mountains’ can represent rule or power in the Old Testament. So, which view is correct?

Personal Comment:
I believe that the Bible is to be understood literally and not symbolically unless you see the use of words “as a” or “like a” when describing something. As the Scripture states, my choice is to go with the seven heads are seven mountains, leaving us with Rome as the center of this worldwide religious system. Regardless of what form this religious system takes, it will be a significant operation with worldwide influence at its core. Many denominations with various beliefs join to form this single apostate church movement.

Verse 10 states that there are seven kings or empires. Five of these are fallen. Those five were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. And one is (meaning Rome) when John was writing the Book of Revelation, making six. And the other is not yet come, meaning the Antichrist’s worldwide empire (lasting 42-months), which makes seven. 

Is there more confusion in verse 11? “And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth (king), and is of the seven, and goes into perdition.” Who is the 8th king if there are only seven kings in the first place? Number 8 is number 7 resurrected. The beast (Antichrist) that was before his assassination and is not because of his untimely death; even he is because of his resurrection. King number seven and king number eight are one and the same person. I hope that makes it a little clearer. 

From verse 12, the ten horns are ten kings that will soon control the world, the same 10-toe western alliance in Daniel’s statue. Keep in mind that their power will be for a brief moment. Even now, we can see the world governments moving in this direction. Check out this development as part of the UN’s Agenda 21, where the world gets divided into ten regional groupings. If you want to know more, please research; the information is online.

The Ten-Nation Confederancy of UN’s Agenda 21 – can this happen?

Verse 13 reveals that this final ten-nation western federation becomes unified. Under the federation’s unification, all possessions are placed under the Antichrist’s control, including economic and military assets. They will do so whole-heartedly, giving their endorsement of the Antichrist as the supreme head of the federation. See Daniel 7:8, 24.

In verse 14, the picture is about an idiotic plan, a war to oppose the return of Christ to earth physically. How many guns, planes, and tanks would be necessary to stop the Lord Jesus Christ from setting up His kingdom? But these nations shall make war against Him upon His return to earth and those with Him. Those that come with Jesus are the called, chosen, and faithful, composed of the believers (the true Church or Bride of Christ) raptured out of the world in chapter 4, verse 1.

Verse 15 tells us that the waters are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues, representing the world church with religious control over all humanity.

This plan was placed in the hearts of these ten rulers by God Almighty! In verse 16, the ten-king federation of nations led by the Antichrist will eventually betray his religious followers, turning against the world apostate church. They will use extreme violence to obliterate the false religious system. The false world church will be hated and stripped of all her vast possessions and wealth, including lands, buildings, gold, precious stones, and all items of value of verse 4, and utterly destroying her by fire. Nothing will be left at all.

In verse 17, God’s plan always comes to pass. He sets up and knocks down world rulers at will (see Psalm 75:7). They are but pawns in the game of life (see Proverbs 21:1). God’s will prevails regardless of what humans attempt to do. 

From verse 18, this wonderful end-time city is located within the European Union. It proves that the political and religious power brokers exist together simultaneously. These elites care more for themselves than the people they oversee. They enrich themselves and rob the poor. We see this around us today. 

Today we hear about a New World Order and a one-world unified government sought for so long by humanists. Shortly, they will have their dream, but few realize it is a nightmare instead. All one-world government plans get destroyed in one great act of divine judgment.

Inevitable Truism from John Phillips commentary, page 210:
When anyone turns their back upon the truth, they automatically embrace a lie. This principle holds good whether the fact involved is a mathematical truth, a medical science truth, a biological truth, or a spiritual truth. We have witnessed this in practice over the last few years. More than ever, it’s vitally important to pay careful attention to what you believe.

March 13, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Last Days, Revelation, Security & Safety | , , , | Leave a comment

Book of Revelation – Chapter 16

What follows now are the seven bowl judgments in this chapter. The vials are shallow bowls used in temple worship, filled with God’s wrath. These swallow bowls pour out swiftly upon the earth. The judgments are daunting and terrifying to consider as they fall on sinful men. We should regard much of what follows as literal.  

The First Bowl (verses 1 & 2)

God gives the command to go and pour out the bowls. Each bowl pours out one after another in quick succession. With the first bowl poured, an ulcerated and foul-smelling sore appears upon those with the beast’s mark and who worship his image. These sores bring physical torment to those rejecting Jesus Christ. They cannot find a way to relieve the pain and suffering. The following calamities hit far too rapidly for any explanation other than they come from God Himself. 

The Second Bowl (verse 3)

The second angel poured out his bowl upon the sea. The sea became “as the blood of a dead man,” and every living thing died in the world’s oceans. This is not a red tide of algae growth but something entirely different. Consider that oceans cover about 70% of the earth’s surface. Now all living things in the seas and oceans are dead. We can imagine that this judgment ends the beast’s shipping and fishing industries. Remember that such a massive change in oceanic waters could drastically affect weather patterns and rainfall. A primary worldwide food source is gone, and a reduction in oxygen from aquatic plants as the sea completely turns to blood. We can now see how this alone would start a countdown to the extinction of all life on earth.

The Third Bowl (verse 4)

The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and fountains of water, and they became blood. Freshwater is in critically short supply, causing unthinkable hardship and suffering to man and animals. But why would a compassionate and loving God cause this to happen? Look at verses 5 thru 7 for the answer.

A pause in the bowls judgment occurs as the “angel of the waters” speaks, praising God for these judgments. It is fitting (appropriate) that the water becomes blood since so much innocent blood has been spilled by those guilty of doing so. The altar speaks, representing the prayers of Tribulation saints. “They deserve it.” God is holy and just. 

The Fourth Bowl (verses 8 & 9)

The fourth angel pours out his bowl on the sun to scorch men with fire from the fierce (intense) heat. The most incredible heatwave in all history takes place. This is not global warming and is nothing that man can control. Many people will perish, and electrical use and costs sky-rockets. Systems fail because they cannot keep up with demand to keep the air-conditioner units operating. No one can work outside as the air becomes hard to breathe, and everyone’s strength wanes or fades. In reality, all the polar ice caps melt. Transportation by sea will become nearly impossible. Yet people will still not repent.

The Fifth Bowl (verses 10 & 11)

The fifth angel pours his bowl on the throne of the Beast. A judgment of darkness covers his kingdom, which is worldwide. This darkness looks pretty similar to the darkness that covered Egypt (Exodus 10:15). No amount of artificial light can chase the dark away. The dark surprises and terrifies the unrepentant. The plague of darkness will be intentional. The Jews have a historical story that the darkness was so dense that everyone stayed home with only a few courageous souls that went from the chair to the bed and back again. Terrified by the unknown, some believed that evil spirits appeared or made dreadful sounds and murmurs or experienced horrors of their consciences. Still, “they did not repent of their deeds.” This passage is the last reference to their unwillingness to repent. God made his final call to repentance in the first five plagues, with the unrepentant confirming their unbelief. The final two bowls to be poured out will include the severest of all the judgments. 

The Sixth Bowl (verses 12 thru 16)

The sixth angel poured his bowl upon the great river, the Euphrates, resulting in a dry river bed. Why? The drying up of the water prepares the kings of the east to cross into the Middle East. The time for the final war is about to take place. The Holy Land is the stage chosen by God. John tells us that he saw three unclean spirits “like frogs” come out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan), the beast (Antichrist), and the false prophet. These spirits of demons work miracles, which go forth to the kings and rulers of the earth to gather them to battle, to their doom at Armageddon. Many come to show their support for the Antichrist, while others desire to wrestle control of the world from him. Men are fooled by these spirits and incited to war. Kings and rulers believe that a stunning victory is theirs. But the evil spirits sow seeds of hate. Passions are inflamed while stirring up the world to gather together – East against West, West against East, all against God and His King, the Lord Jesus Christ. In reality, the battle of Armageddon is a fight against the Lord Jesus Christ and His hosts. We will see more of this in chapter 19. A few things to point out:

  • The symbolism of frogs speaks of uncleanness. 
  • A pause or lull appears in verse 15 before the storm. God says He will come as a thief.
  • The Tribulation saints receive instructions to watch for His coming and to continue walking in the pathways of holiness. The command here is to be prepared and remains valid for believers today. 

The Seventh Seal (verses 17 thru 21)

The seventh angel pours out his bowl into the air. God declares, “It is done!” The atmosphere is dramatically affected by violent flashes of lightning, thunder sounds and peals, and a great earthquake. The effects of this calamity carry to the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on earth.

No one has seen or experienced such an extreme earthquake as this one, even in the historical record. 

  • This great earthquake is so strong as none has been like it since man has been upon the earth. The major cities of the nations fall from this great earthquake; cities such as Paris, Berlin, London, Beijing, St. Petersburg, Washington D.C., Los Angels, Dallas, and Atlanta, to name a few. Jerusalem (the great city) splits into three parts. Elevated, the city of Jerusalem stands above the surrounding region, flattened into a plain. A series of geophysical alterations to Jerusalem and its surrounding area will conclude when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. When He steps onto the Mount of Olives, the mount will split in two, and a new valley running east and west will be created. A spring of water will flow year-round from Jerusalem to the Mediterranean and Dead Seas, causing the desert to bloom like a rose. The final effect of this great earthquake is to prepare the earth for the millennial rule of Christ. Please refer to Zechariah chapter 14 for more details. 
  • This earthquake is so massive that the topography of the entire earth is changed. Where mountains existed before now, only flat plains mark the landscape. Every island on the planet disappears. This is due to extreme tectonic plate movement. Will the earth’s landmasses look like they did pre-Flood in Noah’s time? Some scholars think so, creating one continent so travel during the millennium kingdom period could be made without ships or planes. Yet, the Scripture remains silent about modes of travel during the period of the Millennial Kingdom.

Those who survive this devastation caused by the earthquake face bombardment with giant hailstones, about 100-pounds each. The damage is unimaginable. John MacArthur stated, “The Greek term translated ‘about one hundred pounds’ described the most weight a normal man could carry, anywhere from 90 to 135 pounds.” Refer to his book Because the Time is Near, page 259.

The seventh bowl is the 21st judgment upon the earth and the planet’s inhabitants. It is the final judgment. You should note that this final bowl judgment does not bring about the world’s end. Instead, the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth at this time, establishes His earthly kingdom, and rules for one thousand years (chapter 20). Yet, still, it is the end of civilization as we have known it. 

Next, the Religion of Babylon – Chapter 17

March 13, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Last Days, Revelation | , , , | Leave a comment

Book of Revelation – Chapter 15

Welcome to the shortest chapter in Revelation. It serves as a preview of the rapid judgments of chapter 16. Here we join John as we witness the final divine punishments of God’s wrath against sinful and rebellious humanity. In this great scene, we see a sea of glass mixed with fire and countless Tribulation saints victorious over the Beast, his image, his mark, and the number of his name. They stand on the sea of glass with harps. Such a marvelous sight to behold, I’m sure.

  • The sea of glass speaks of tranquillity (peacefulness and calmness). The scene before us is calm and stable and typifies the Church at rest and God’s living Word.
  • The sea of glass mixed with fire is a picture of believers standing firmly for Christ under the test of fire, having their feet planted on the Word of God.

They begin to sing the song of Moses (Exodus 14) and the Lamb. It is about the Lord Jesus Christ’s millennium kingdom reign.

NOTE:

In Zechariah 14:16-17, all the world shall go up from year to year to worship the KING, the LORD of hosts, and keep the feast of tabernacles. No rain falls on those that do not attend worship annually.

In verse 5, John explains that the doors of the heavenly temple open, and out walks seven angels, each prepared to deliver the final judgments of God. They dress in pure white linen, fastened with golden belts (verse 6). Each angel receives a bowl full of the wrath of God from one of the four beasts before God’s throne (verse 7). This site was both breathtaking and frightening as we watched.

From God’s glory and His power, smoke begins to fill the heavenly temple. So thick is the smoke that no man could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were satisfied. At this point, the temple area remains sealed or shut to angels and men during the Tribulation hour’s final 42-months (or 3.5 years). God’s throne, which symbolizes mercy and love, is closed to the public until this period of judgment ends. When completed, all may approach the mercy seat again. But until that time, all is hazy and dark because of the smoke filling the temple (verse 8).

Next, in Chapter 16, the Bowl Judgments

March 4, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Last Days, Revelation | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book of Revelation – Chapter 14

The picture that has unfolded thus far…is that of a world ruined by man. With the seals broken and restraint removed, passions in the human heart, long restrained by God, have been allowed to come to full flower and fruit. The harvest has been one of complete chaos on earth. Trumpets blowing, a world ruled by Satan casts a picture of an even darker hue over the planet. The world has united beneath the banner of the Beast. Hailed as a messiah, the Antichrist receives worship for himself and the dragon. John Phillips commentary, page 177.

What proceeds next is not a chronological sequence of events but rather panoramically (or wide view) with details that follow later.

Before us is a picture of a world rescued by God; starting in chapter 14 to the end of chapter 20. This period covers the final throes (violent pain and struggles) of the Great Tribulation, the Battle of Armageddon, the Golden Millennial Age, the last rebellion of Satan, the Great White Throne Judgment, and on to the edge of eternity. John Philips commentary, page 177.

In chapter 14, our view returns to heaven as celebrations and preparations occur. In verse 1, we have the Lamb (the Lord Jesus Christ), a heavenly mount Zion (since Christ has not come to earth yet), and the 144,000 Jewish evangelists. None of the 144,000 are missing. They stand before God, the living creatures, and the 24 elders in heaven. When they arrived or how they got there is untold to us. These 144,000 are with Jesus wherever He goes. They will enter the millennial kingdom as living men, most likely continuing their evangelistic work throughout the 1,000 years. While only redeemed people will enter the millennium kingdom, the children born to them will not all believe in Jesus, hence the need for evangelism.

144,000 are with Jesus wherever He goes.

A magical sound of harps and voices fills heaven and earth with joy. There is something unique about these 144,000 besides their new song. No other age has produced a company like this, a veritable army of militant believers marching unscathed through every form of danger. They denied the dragon (Satan), baited the Beast (Antichrist), and gave the lie to the False Prophet.

DEFINITION:
To “give the lie” is an English expression meaning exposing a lie or showing a thing is not as represented.

Three angels appear, commissioned with messages, announcements, and warnings for the earth’s inhabitants. 

  1. The first angel preaches the everlasting gospel to everyone on earth (verse 6). The message is in verse 7. God remains merciful and willing to forgive the sinner. Humanity has a final call from God to repent or die. The angel appears in the sky, “flying in mid-heaven,” where the sun appears at its high point at noon. He is out of the reach of the Antichrist, and his ministry is unhindered.
  2. A second angel (verse 8) cries out, “Babylon is fallen.” This proclamation anticipates the complete collapse of the Beast’s political, economic, and religious system. Revealed details are in chapters 17 and 18.
  3. A dire (terrible and urgent) choice is the subject of this third proclamation. The third angel declares the final judgment for those who worship the Beast or his image or receive his mark. The punishment is to be torment with fire and brimstone in the presence of angels and the Lord Jesus Christ. This judgment is horrendous, a never-ending agony never meant for man, but evil men will face it for eternity.

But God’s warnings go unheeded by most of the sinful world. With issues now apparent, the alternatives are unmistakable. “Worship me, or be doomed!” cries the Beast. “Worship Me or be damned!” declares the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice that the message is urgent, short, plain, and unique. No hope exists for those who worship the Beast, bow before his image or receive his mark.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them. During the Tribulation, the saints’ labors will be exhausting and challenging work. But when they go to heaven, their record will follow with them.

Now we view two harvests: the grain harvest and the grape harvest. John sees a white cloud, one sitting on the cloud, a golden crown, and a sharp sickle. 

  • One sitting like a son of man is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the reaper here.
  • The white cloud represents His glory and majesty.
  • The golden crown is not a king’s crown but the crown worn by victors in war or athletic events.
  • Used to harvest grain, the sharp sickle, held with both hands spread apart and swept back and forth, would cut off the grain stalks to ground level.

In verse 15, a 4th angel comes out of the heavenly temple. This angel is coming from the very presence of God the Father. Given the go-ahead to execute the judgment, the angel tells Jesus to “Put in your sickle and reap…” It is now time! Earth’s harvest is ripe.

Such a harvest is related to Christendom or its remains, since this harvest is religious. The great separation of the wheat (true believers) from the tares (weeds or false believers) begins. So Christ thrust his sickle on the earth, reaping done (verse 16).

Now a 5th angel emerges from the temple in heaven in verse 17, from the presence of God the Father. He carries a sharp sickle and is identified as the reaper of this next harvest and not Jesus, who was the reaper in the first harvest. Followed by a 6th angel who has the title of “the one who has power over fire.” This harvest has to do with the world. Since the 6th angel comes from the altar, his appearance means that it is time for those prayers of the Tribulation saints to be answered. He shouts to the 5th angel with the sharp sickle, “put in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters from earth’s vine because her grapes are ripe.” So the angel swings his sickle, gathers the clusters, and throws them into the winepress of the wrath of God (verse 19).

Verse 20 tells us blood flows from the winepress of God’s wrath. So much blood that it is 4 feet deep (up to a horse’s bridle) and stretches 200 miles (about the length of Israel). In a series of purgings, we start in the Valley of Jezreel on the plain near Megiddo. The 6th angel from the altar is in charge, but the scene is the work of both angels (5th and 6th). Eventually, the Battle of Armageddon encompasses the entire nation of Israel. This Battle is global in its involvement as the world’s armies meet in the Middle East for the final holocaust of history. They are there to fight against Christ taking earth over as the rightful King, who holds the deed to the earth. As the Battle of Armageddon rages, the Church will not be present as the Rapture occurred before this Battle (chapter 4, verse 1).

“Still, it is difficult to imagine that they could produce a flow of blood ‘up to the horses’ bridles’ for a distance of 200 miles. A better interpretation, whether there are actual horses involved or not, sees this as hyperbole to suggest the slaughter in which blood will splatter into the air profusely along the whole length of the Battle. When the slaughter reaches its peak, blood could flow deeply in troughs and stream beds. As this passage indicates, Armageddon will be a slaughter rather than a battle.”

Refer to John MacArthur, Because The Time Is Near, page 242.

Next is the shortest chapter in Revelation, Chapter 15.

February 25, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Last Days, Revelation | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Book of Revelation – Chapter 13

The Two Beasts: Antichrist and the False Prophet

First, we will look at the Antichrist, sometimes referred to as the Beast. He has all the devil’s characteristics, a political figure who knows no bounds in achieving what he desires. If there ever was a violent and deceptive leader of men, he is it. The Antichrist will be the final or last of the Gentile kings. Crowned by an apostate world, he will accept the title of Lord and Messiah. The world will obey him because of love or follow him through fear.

Out of the sea (of humanity) rises the first beast in verse 1. He is handsome to look upon, but the good looks hide the awful secret inside. There are seven heads, ten horns, ten crowns, and the name blasphemy written upon his heads. Sounds fantastic, not really. He is the visible expression of the invisible devil in every way. As he gathers power, he rules over a ten-nation confederacy from the old Roman Empire. Though the Antichrist wears ten crowns, Jesus Christ wears many crowns.

In verse 2, the Beast has characteristics like a leopard. It describes his nature as ferocious (brutal and cruel), wild, harmful, and immutable (unchanging). And his feet were like the feet of a bear which represents how he treats those in his way. The Beast leaves a trail of blood behind him. With no remorse, any enemy caught in his tenacious (firm or tight) grip is torn to pieces and left to bleed to death. Like the mouth of a lion, he is raging and tearing and harmful. Out of his mouth proceed great blasphemies of profanities against God.

But, in verse 3, it appears that the Antichrist is assassinated or killed midway through the Tribulation hour (see Daniel 11:45). Satan uses this opportunity to perform a resurrection, a counterfeit to Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Once the Antichrist appears alive, his prestige soars. Afterward, the Antichrist will declare himself God and sit in the Temple in Jerusalem during the Tribulation (2 Thessalonians 2:4 and Matthew 24:15). After this happens, alive again, all the world wonders after him. Humanity is overwhelmed by the Antichrist’s power and authority that Satan has given him.

Verse 4 states that millions will now believe in the Antichrist and begin to worship him and the devil, Satan. Later, we see that the second beast (false prophet) enforces this worship.

As discussed earlier, the Antichrist has a big mouth and spouts off a lot of profanity concerning God and heaven. He mocks the Almighty and continues to do so for the last 3.5 years of the Tribulation period. Satan intensifies this profanity because the devil speaks through the Antichrist since his “resurrection.” Let’s consider the following thought-provoking theory:

  • During the first 42-months (of 3.5 years) of the Tribulation, the Antichrist acts under the influence of Satan.
  • In chapter 12, Satan is cast out of heaven and sent to earth, where he incarnates himself into Antichrist’s dead body. By doing so, the beast resurrects from the dead though mortally wounded. The counterfeiter (Satan) dwells in the Antichrist’s body for the final 42-months or 3.5 years, claiming deity.

The fight is on for the Tribulation saints during these final 42-months as we pass verse 7. It is good to remember that this is not the Church since it is in heaven already. Satan will battle the Church as we return with Christ in chapter 19, verse 14, and those who also refused the beast’s mark in chapter 20, verse 4. The Antichrist controls the whole world by this time because so many stand amazed by this self-styled deity taking control. They willingly submit to his authority. But a remnant will not bow. Verse 9 tells us to take heed to these words and think seriously about the days in our future.

Revelation 13:10 speaks of captivity and dying by the sword. This verse is meant to be a caution to the suffering saints of the Tribulation. During this time, there is nothing for them but to endure to the end. God’s people are called to endurance and faith. The world is engulfed in a great hour of trial and temptation. All but the elect of God are deceived. As the first beast is to be met by patience and faith (verse 10), the second beast must be opposed by true wisdom (verse 18). Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible commentary.

Next, we will look at the second beast, the False Prophet. This mysterious person acts as the propaganda chief for the Antichrist. In verse 11, this beast came out of the earth, not the sea. Out of the earth may indicate that the False Prophet is Jewish with his chief function is to glorify the first beast (i.e., the Antichrist.) In the description of two horns like a lamb identifies him with Christianity and speaking as a dragon ties him in with Satan. The False Prophet is a liar. He has a deceptive appearance and is a religious fake fulfilling Matthew 24:24.

But he will have a dynamic appeal. Exercising all the power of the Antichrist, he will cause all of earth’s inhabitants to worship the Antichrist, especially after he is wounded, dies, and regains life again. He performs outstanding (or “lying”) wonders, making fire fall from the sky for all to see. Why does he do all this? To deceive everyone and urge them to set up an image of the Antichrist in the new Temple in Jerusalem. Doing so prepares the earth’s inhabitants for idolatry. Once installed, Antichrist’s statue becomes alive with the ability to speak. To not worship this image means death to anyone refusing. Loyalty to the Antichrist will mean a mark of “666” will be given to all, both rich and poor, free or enslaved men. This mark must be in their right hand or foreheads. Those who do not have this mark may not buy or sell anything—computer systems will enslave the earth’s population during the Tribulation hour. We don’t have to look much farther than the Social Credit System used in China today (2022) to understand how this is possible—acting as an international identification system utilizing a laser tattoo or implant device placed in the right hand or forehead. Somewhere in the individual’s ID number will be the number “666,” similar to a prefix. We cannot know who the Antichrist is until he arrives on the scene. And he cannot arrive on the scene until the Church is raptured home to heaven. Still, God’s Word admonishes (advises) the Christian to be wise (see Matthew 10:16), especially as the day of Christ’s return approaches (see Hebrews 10:25).

BE FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.

Next, in Chapter 14, the world is rescued by God, preparations in Heaven.

February 15, 2024 Posted by | Bible, Last Days, Revelation | , , , , | Leave a comment

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