Tag: Revelation 13
The Mark of the Beast
Scripture reading for December 17: Revelation 13
“Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is the name of the beast or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:11-17
Much has been made of this passage concerning the beasts that arise from earth’s ‘sea’ of mankind in the last days. These ‘beasts’ are men made in God’s image but indwelt by Satan to fulfil the final purposes of God. The first beast was empowered by the dragon and had characteristics of a leopard, bear, and a lion. These beasts remind us of Daniel’s visions and the great kings who conquered the world through humanist power and ruled by occultic practices. (Daniel 7:1-8) But this beast has a fatal wound that has been healed and is the final world ruler of Satan’s rebellion and know as antichrist. (Revelation 13:1-10)
John describes a second beast who worked to bring worship to the first beast known also as the false prophet. This ‘beast’ would look like a lamb, obviously a counterfeit of Jesus Christ. However, when this beast spoke, it sounded like the dragon. This beast was allowed to do signs that would deceive those on the earth into idolatry, immorality, and ultimately receiving a mark on their right hand or forehead. The mark, 666, is the number of the antichrist’s name found on those rejecting Jesus Christ and serving the antichrist in false worship.
Does the use of the descriptions of these end-time beasts help you in understanding God’s plan? How is the worship of the beast being manifested in today’s world? What is the significance of the mark of the beast on right hands or foreheads?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I testify that You Alone are the Lamb of God Who shed blood for my forgiveness and salvation. Mark me with Your Holy Spirit that the work of my hands and the meditation of my mind and heart might please You. Amen.
The Beast Rules for 42 Months!
Scripture reading for December 16th: Revelation 13
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Revelation 13:1,5-8 “And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. . . .”The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. . .” “And he was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.”
During the tribulation satanic power will be allowed by God to exercise authority. Satan, the dragon, will empower a beast, the Antichrist, to make war against the saints and even to conquer them. During this time of trouble, many of those making the choice to follow Christ will pay for their faith with their lives. But God has promised that not a hair on their heads will perish! This time is limited to forty-two months and the beast will suffer God’s judgment in the Lake of Fire!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers are given vision and understanding about the events of the last days and great tribulation to enable them to stand firm in faith! “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.” (Daniel 12:9-10)
The Beast out of the Sea!
Scripture reading for December 17th: Revelation 13
The spiritual conflict between the dragon who tried to devour the “male child” of the woman of Revelation 12 now spreads to the offspring of those who “obey God’s commands and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” John now saw the dragon standing on the shore of the sea.
“And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, and ten crowns on his horns, and on each head, a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.” (Revelation 13:1-3)
This beast was a mixture of the beasts seen by Daniel in Daniel 7. But this beast came out of the sea, which according to Revelation 17:15, are the peoples, nations and languages of the earth. Empowering this beast was the dragon, Satan, who deceived the nations into following the beast through a miraculous healing of the apparently fatal wound of one of the beast’s heads. Satan loves counterfeiting Jesus. The beast is given authority for forty-two months–three and a half years, and he blasphemes God and those who live in heaven and is allowed power over the saints and nations. (Revelation 13:6-7) “This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.” (Revelation 13:10) The saints will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony of faith in Jesus Christ! (Revelation 12:11) This time of the seventh trumpet is a time of testing for God’s people who are left on earth.