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Personalities of the Apocalypse
The Beast from the Earth
Lesson 7 08/09/15
His ProfileI saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.
Revelation 13:11
I. His ProfileJohn describes this religious leader as a “beast coming up out of the earth,” which is a metaphor to describe his predatory nature.
I. His ProfileHe is a man, and he is called “the false prophet” three times in the book of Revelation.
I. His ProfileJohn profiles the false prophet as a composite of two opposite types of animals:
I. His ProfileJohn profiles the false prophet as a composite of two opposite types of animals:• As a lamb, he will appear meek and mild – a
counterfeit of the true gentleness of Jesus.
I. His Profile• As a dragon, the false prophet will manipulate
and deceive the masses. His oratory will be able to move the masses to tears or whip them into a frenzy.
Satan
Satan
Antichrist
Satan
Antichrist
False Prophet
His PurposeHe 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, whose deadly would was healed.
Revelation 13:12
II. His PurposeReligion and political power are the two forces that exercise the most control over human life. One acts as an authority that forces, and the other acts as an attraction that draws. Combine the two, and the result is virtually absolute power.
BalaamBalak
II. His PurposeAt the end of the age, religion will be one of the tools that Satan uses to unite the world under the leadership of the Antichrist, which is why the false prophet is so essential to his success.
His PowerHe performs great signs … 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.
Revelation 13:13-14
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.
Matthew 24:24-25
III. His PowerJohn draws our attention to three ways the false prophet will enact miracles through the power of Satan:
III. His PowerJohn draws our attention to three ways the false prophet will enact miracles through the power of Satan:• Calling Down Fire from Heaven
III. His PowerJohn draws our attention to three ways the false prophet will enact miracles through the power of Satan:• Calling Down Fire from Heaven
He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
Revelation 13:13
III. His Power• Calling Down Fire from Heaven
When the false prophet performs this miracle, he is attempting to mimic God. But he is also claiming to be the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5, and attempting to convince people that He is Elijah.
III. His Power• Calling Down Fire from Heaven
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
Malachi 4:5
Signs and miracles alone are not foolproof marks of a true prophet. We know them by
their message and their fruit, not by their gifts.
III. His Power• Commanding That an Image Be Built
III. His Power• Commanding That an Image Be Built
… an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
Revelation 13:14
III. His Power• Commanding That an Image Be Built
This idol will become the center of false worship until the end of the Tribulation. The image of the beast marks the final stage of apostasy and idolatry that has always characterized false religion.
III. His Power• Commanding That an Image Be Built
When you see the “abomination of desolation,” spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place … then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains … For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Matthew 24:15-16, 21
III. His Power• Commanding That an Image Be Built
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
III. His Power• Causing the Image to Breathe and Speak
III. His Power• Causing the Image to Breathe and Speak
… give breath to the image … that the image of the beast should … speak.
Revelation 13:15
III. His Power• Causing the Image to Breathe and Speak
III. His Power• Causing the Image to Breathe and Speak
Through Satan, the false prophet will possess the ability to make an inanimate object appear to come to life.
His ProgramHe 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.
Revelation 13:16-17
IV. His ProgramThe false prophet will wear two hats. Not only will he be the world’s religious leader, but he will also become the Antichrist’s economic czar.
The Mark of the Beast vs. the Seal of God
Satan’s Counterfeit Mark God’s True MarkFalse prophet marks his followers on the forehead in an attempt to seal his people to the unholy trinity.
144,000 Jewish evangelists are sealed on their foreheads and set apart for God.
The Mark of the Beast vs. the Seal of God
Satan’s Counterfeit Mark God’s True MarkFalse prophet marks his followers on the forehead in an attempt to seal his people to the unholy trinity.
144,000 Jewish evangelists are sealed on their foreheads and set apart for God.
The mark of the beast will have no power over those who bear the authentic mark of God.
The sealed witnesses will be successful against the bearers of the mark of the beast.
The Mark of the Beast vs. the Seal of God
Satan’s Counterfeit Mark God’s True MarkFalse prophet marks his followers on the forehead in an attempt to seal his people to the unholy trinity.
144,000 Jewish evangelists are sealed on their foreheads and set apart for God.
The mark of the beast will have no power over those who bear the authentic mark of God.
The sealed witnesses will be successful against the bearers of the mark of the beast.
Satan’s seal subjects his people to harm.
God’s seal protects His people from harm.
The Mark of the Beast vs. the Seal of God
Satan’s Counterfeit Mark God’s True MarkThe mark of the beast will have no power over those who bear the authentic mark of God.
The sealed witnesses will be successful against the bearers of the mark of the beast.
Satan’s seal subjects his people to harm.
God’s seal protects His people from harm.
Required of everyone. Given to a select few (144,000)
The Mark of the Beast vs. the Seal of God
Satan’s Counterfeit Mark God’s True MarkThe mark of the beast will have no power over those who bear the authentic mark of God.
The sealed witnesses will be successful against the bearers of the mark of the beast.
Satan’s seal subjects his people to harm.
God’s seal protects His people from harm.
Required of everyone. Given to a select few (144,000)
It is the tribulation trademark.
It is the sign of heavenly hope.
IV. His ProgramThe word for “mark” in Greek is charagma, and it is used eight times in Revelation in reference to the mark of the beast.
IV. His ProgramIn antiquity, this mark was connected with an emperor and often contained not only the emperor’s name but also his effigy and the year of his reign.
IV. His ProgramIt was necessary for buying and selling, and it was required on all kinds of documents as proof of their validity.
IV. His ProgramThe mark of the beast allows its bearers to conduct their affairs. It also indicates that the one wearing it is a worshiper of the beast who submits to his rule.
IV. His ProgramWhile no one can say for certain what the mark of the beast will be, Revelation gives us a clue.
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.
Revelation 13:18
Revelation 13:18
6 + 6 + 6 = 18
6 cubits tallSpear head 600
shekels6 pieces of armor
60 cubits tall6 cubits wide6 musical instruments
SIX IS THE NUMBER OF MAN
SIX IS THE NUMBER OF MAN• People were created on the 6th day.
SIX IS THE NUMBER OF MAN• People were created on the 6th day.
• They are to work 6 of 7 days.
SIX IS THE NUMBER OF MAN• People were created on the 6th day.
• They are to work 6 of 7 days.• A Hebrew could not be a slave
for more than 6 years.
SEVEN IS THE NUMBER OF GOD
SEVEN IS THE NUMBER OF GOD• He created 7 days in a week.
SEVEN IS THE NUMBER OF GOD• He created 7 days in a week.
• There are 7 colors in a rainbow.
SEVEN IS THE NUMBER OF GOD• He created 7 days in a week.
• There are 7 colors in a rainbow.• There are 7 notes in a scale.
SEVEN IS THE NUMBER OF GOD• He created 7 days in a week.
• There are 7 colors in a rainbow.• There are 7 notes in a scale.• There are 7 feasts of God.
SEVEN IS THE NUMBER OF GOD• He created 7 days in a week.
• There are 7 colors in a rainbow.• There are 7 notes in a scale.• There are 7 feasts of God.• 7 sayings from the cross.
SEVEN IS THE NUMBER OF GOD• He created 7 days in a week.
• There are 7 colors in a rainbow.• There are 7 notes in a scale.• There are 7 feasts of God.• 7 sayings from the cross.• 7 secrets in the
kingdom parables.
• Seven priests marched in front of the army,• Bearing seven trumpets,• On the seventh day they marched around the city
seven times.
Revelation7 CHURCHES 7 CROWNS
7 SPIRITS 7 ANGELS
7 CANDLESTICKS 7 PLAGUES
7 STARS 7 BOWLS
7 LAMPS 7 MOUNTAINS
7 SEALS 7 KINGS
7 HORNS 7 BEATITUDES
7 EYES 7 YEARS OF JUDGMENT
7 TRUMPETS 7 LETTERS
7 THUNDERS 7 “I AMS” OF CHRIST
7 HEADS 7 SONGS IN HEAVEN
IV. His ProgramPerhaps the most likely answer is that, in the Bible, six is the number for human beings, the number of incompleteness; while seven is God’s number, the number of completeness.
6 6 6
7 7 7
His PunishmentThe beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Revelation 19:20
V. His PunishmentThe false prophet will be cast alive into the lake of fire.
V. His Punishment• They will break out in horrible sores.
V. His Punishment• They will drink the wine of the wrath of God.
V. His Punishment• They will be tormented with fire and
brimstone.
What about those who refuse to take the mark of the beast? Their refusal will seem like a death wish, but what seems like death wish will in reality result in everlasting life.
I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4
What seems like foolishness to the world will prove to be wisdom, for these martyrs will have heeded the words of Jesus:
Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Matthew 10:28