Book of Revelation – Chapter 18
In the previous chapter, we glimpsed at the coming Babylonian religious system and how it is used by and eaten up by the Antichrist after he has risen to power. Now we will look at Babylon, the city, its control, prosperity, and fall. As a reminder, “Mystery Babylon” was a religious Babylon with the harlot. “Babylon the great” is the commercial Babylon of the Antichrist in this chapter.
A rebuilt Babylon becomes a world commerce and trade city and a political center, destined to become the world’s capital again. Babylon will again become the home of idolatry, occultism, demonism, and false religion. All this leads to its destruction by horrible judgments from God. The apostle John gives us three reasons for Babylon’s utter destruction. Let’s look at God’s Word.
First, due to the magnitude of her sins, Babylon is destroyed. The city becomes wholly given over to demonism (a belief in the power of demons) and depravity (corruption) by this time.
- In verse 1, we are told “after these things,” which refers to the destruction of religious Babylon (or the worldwide apostate church). Next is a description of a mighty angel with a shining glory to lighten the earth. The judgment coming will be powerful and glorious to see.
- In verse 2, this angel shouts out that Babylon is fallen and has become a home for devils, evil spirits, satanism, occultism, witchcraft, and astrology (unclean and hateful birds).
- In verse 3, hailed as a center of enlightenment and liberal thinking, the city gives free rein to all forms of immorality. Because it seeks prestige and power, this Babylon promotes and joins ungodly international alliances. The world loves it. The rulers of the earth become captivated by the prospect of getting rich through her trade. There will be both legal and illicit trade (i.e.drug, sex and human trafficking trade). There is a lot of “wheeling and dealing” with Babylon by world merchants who become exceedingly wealthy. Gaining more riches remains the focus of the world merchants. Nothing deters them, not even God’s judgments destroying cities and the death of people from hunger and neglect.
Second, because of the measure of her sins, Babylon faces destruction. Many places attract or tempt men to engage in corruption, but Babylon is at a different level never seen before. People become enticed with the sins Babylon offers.
- In verses 4 and 5, another voice from heaven warns believers to come out of Babylon because her sins have reached heaven, and God has remembered her wickedness. Even though only a few believers are on earth, the warning is to have nothing to do with the city. God’s people must resist all the enticements offered to them. They are to be careful of materialism and to refrain from illegal gain through the love of the delicacies of this world.
- “There comes a time when the sins of a nation or a city reach to heaven & cry aloud for God to act. The sword of vengeance slumbers long, and heaven seems silent and indifferent to earth’s corruptions, calumnies (slanders), and crimes. God Himself seems deaf and blind, but then suddenly He acts, and the tale is told.” John Phillips commentary, page 223.
- In verse 6, with Babylon’s sins decreed, the angel cries out to God to reward her with a double punishment. As Job 4:8 states, “they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.” God cannot tolerate sin forever, and the reaping of political Babylon’s corruption must finally take place.
Third, on account of the madness of her sins, Babylon never rises again. Of the many sins committed by commercial Babylon, pride and presumption (arrogance or audacity) become her crowning sins.
- In verse 7, we see Babylon glorifying herself. Her wealthy citizens become even richer while her poor become poorer. “I sit as a queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow.” Babylon becomes the Laodicea of the world’s cities, as she becomes “rich and increased in goods” and feels her need for nothing.
Verse 8 tells us that all the vengeance of God will be released suddenly upon this city of Babylon. Plagues come in one day along with death, and then the mourning starts. Ultimately the city is burned with fire and turned to ashes, which coincides with the pouring out of the seventh bowl judgment in Revelation 16:19. Three groups mourn the loss of this city; the kings (rulers) of the earth, the merchants, and the mariners.
- Verses 9 and 10 are about earth’s monarchs and presidents mourning over the city’s loss. They helped to sponsor Babylon’s founding and construction. Most of their power was centered in Babylon. Now, these rulers stand afar off, watching its destruction. They wring their hands and recognized that the city just had a holy judgment visitation. The smoke rises to heaven.
- In verse 11, earth’s merchants also stand afar off, crying and mourning their losses because there is no one to buy their products. Their biggest buyer is gone. Verses 12 thru 16 cover everything Babylon will no longer purchase from them, which is quite a list. The merchants grew rich over the sales of the latest fashionable clothing, expensive jewelry of gold and precious gems, high-end furniture of exotic woods and ivory, beautiful oils and perfumes, the latest hi-tech transportation, and enslaved people. These merchants trafficked in every luxury the heart could desire.
- From verses 17 thru 19, all shipping to her shores stopped as they watched the destruction of Babylon. The skies filled with the smoke of her burning buildings. “What city in the world is like this great city?” They cried. Losses increased for those that had traded with Babylon the great. World trade was in ruins! Many mariners saw the smoke and flames from their ships and knew going further was no use. So the world mourned and cast dust on their heads and cried.
But in verse 20, there is cheering and rejoicing over Babylon’s demise! The news of Babylon’s fall prompts praise in heaven. You can hear the phrase, “Praise the Lord!” throughout heaven.
We see a mighty angel lift a stone (verse 21) similar to a great millstone that could be six feet in diameter and weigh as much as 3,300 pounds! This angel throws it into the sea to symbolize the violence of Babylon’s destruction. There may be some similarity between the millstone cast into the waters and the rock crushing the ten toes of the giant statue in Daniel 2:34, 44, and 45. As the stone sinks quickly beneath the seas, Babylon’s overthrow is likewise quick. Babylon disappears forever.
Still speaking of Babylon’s destruction in verse 22, entertainment ceases inside the city and surrounding area. All the craftsmen and artisans – including tool and die makers, auto mechanics, and machinists are out of business as all production halts in Babylon. No one hears music or laughter again.
Finally, in verse 23, all is dark, no lights shine, marriages cease, and heartbreak inundates (or overwhelms) the land. There is nothing left but dust and ruin.
Verse 24 wraps up Babylon’s destruction by mentioning that the blood of prophets, saints, and all earth’s slain reside there. Babylon was deliberately built to organize, control, and extend the Beast’s policies of godlessness, iniquity, oppression, and persecution. Babylon boasted wildly and arrogantly that she would see no harm. There was an unrealistic presumption about everything in her outlook and language. She was arrogant and stubborn and would not repent of her evil. All this lead to her becoming the final depository of the world’s sins. Thus, “her fall was just.” John Phillips commentary, page 227.
Next, singing breaks out in heaven again. But now, preparations are being made for King Jesus to return to earth with the Church. Is the world ready for this 2nd advent? Are we?
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Bill Wyler
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