The Book Of Revelation (part 24)

Revelation 13: 11-18

The Beast From The Sea

11.11.2020

 

3 major sections of time – birth pangs, great tribulation, day of the Lord

Seals, trumpet, and bowl judgments are in sequence.

Bowls are about 30 days or less in length, and come during the 75 extra days mentioned in Daniel 12: 11-12

Trumpets are during the day of the Lord with the last trumpet ushering in the 2nd coming of Christ.

Rapture is during the 6th and 7th seal

7th seal starts the day of the Lord.

Revelation 4 shows God as the creator, owner, and sustainer of all things. The Sovereign. The Almighty. He alone is worthy to bring fair judgments and justice into a fallen world.

Revelation 5 shows God with a scroll in His right hand, the hand of authority. The scroll is God’s title deed to the earth, He is the earth’s rightful owner and is preparing to take it back from His enemy Satan, who took the authority over it from Adam and Eve when they sinned.

In Revelation 6, we looked at the opening of 6 of the 7 seals on the scroll on God’s right hand.

Revelation 7 is a parenthesis between the 6th and 7th seals, showing God’s protection of Jews before the Day of the Lord wrath begins, and shows the raptured saints in heaven before God’s wrath is poured out.

The rapture of the church occurs after the 6th seal is opened and the cosmic disturbances happen in Revelation 6, beginning with verse 12. The rapture ends this period of severe terror by antiChrist, and prepares the way for the 7th seal to be opened and the Day of the Lord to begin.

Revelation 8 is the beginning of the Day of the Lord, which is when the wrath of God is being poured out.

Understand that there is a clear pattern or sequence of events that are transpiring in Revelation.

The scroll in God’s right hand has been unsealed. The church of the Lord Jesus will be here for the breaking of the first 6 seals on the scroll as mentioned in Revelation 6.

But the church is taken out before the 7th seal is broken. The 7th seal opens the scroll in God’s hand. The obvious contents of the scroll are 7 trumpets which begin the wrath of God unleashed on those without Christ who follow Satan’s plans. After the 7 trumpets are 7 bowls containing the final outpouring of the wrath of God.

In Revelation 8 and 9 are the Trumpet Judgements .

First Trumpet: Vegetation Affected

Second Trumpet: The Seas Struck – Salt water affected

Third Trumpet: The Waters Struck – Fresh water affected.

Fourth Trumpet: The Heavens Struck

Fifth Trumpet – Locusts from the bottomless pit – demonic forces attack people

Sixth Trumpet – Angels from the Euphrates – fallen angels and demonic forces attack people.

Some believe that the time period of the trumpet judgments is about two years or so. It’s really hard to know for sure. We do know that the AntiChrist rules for 31/2 years and then turns against Israel. From that time to the blowing of the last or 7th trumpet is 31/2 years.

The Great Tribulation (the period of intense persecution right after the AntiChrist turns against Israel) will last for a year to a year and a half. No one is quite sure. Just think about this so that when the AntiChrist appears with the peace agreement with Israel, you will have an idea of how long we have before the rapture of the church.

Revelation 10

Revelation 10 is another interlude (pause) between events and begins a series of events that will culminate with the return of Jesus!

An angel, the Lord Jesus, appears and a scroll is opened which contains what will happen in Revelation 11 with two witnesses, the 2nd coming of Christ at the blowing of the 7th trumpet, and then the bowl judgments that will cleanse the earth during the 75 extra days after the 70th week of Daniel is completed.

 

75 additional days

After the 7 year period, there are 75 additional days added for God to cleanse the earth and prepare for the Millennial reign of Jesus. 30 of those days will be for the 7 bowl judgments to quickly bring the AntiChrist and his armies to defeat, and then 45 of those days are an interim between the battle of Armageddon and the 1000 year rule of Christ.

Daniel 12:11-13 (NKJV)

And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. (12) Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. (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.”

The time period between the AntiChrist desecrating the rebuilt temple and his defeat at Armageddon is 31/2 years plus 3O days.

Jesus’ returns when the 7th trumpet is blown, and is here during the bowl judgments. He goes back and brings believers with Him from Heaven to help Him with the last battle (Armageddon).

Revelation 11

The events of Revelation 11 are contained in the scroll in the angel’s hand in Revelation 10.

These events include the measuring of the temple, the desecration of Jerusalem, information about the ministry of the two witnesses, and the blowing of the 7th trumpet, which is the 2nd coming of Christ to earth, and the bowl judgments that will be a final cleansing of the earth from sin.

Revelation 12

Interlude. Overview.

Revelation 12 is looking back over the years of time to give us a broad view of what is happening as God retakes the earth as His own.

There is a tremendous spiritual battle that takes place, Satan and his fallen angels are dethroned from their hierarchy around the earth and they fall to the earth.

Revelation 13

In this chapter, the character of the antiChrist and what he will put the world through during the last 3 and ½ years of his rule on earth will be shown. He will lose and lose big, but he will also leave a terrible path of destruction on earth.

Some serious persecution is ahead. Get ready.

Most christians in America are simply NOT ready for the antiChrist to appear. MOST christans think we are going to be whisked to heaven in the rapture before he appears. But as I have been teaching, I do not see the rapture occurring before the 7 years of what people call the Tribulation.

We will be here for the first few years. Jesus warns us to be ready. Many are NOT. This yeast has been a dry run for what will occur in the future as the antiChrist seeks to take control of the population of the world.

Jesus warned us:

Matthew 24:15-26 (NLT)

The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) (16) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. (17) A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. (18) A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. (19) How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. (20) And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. (21) For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. (22) In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.

(23) “Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. (24) For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. (25) See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. (26) “So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it!

During this time, it will look and feel as if evil is winning. Prepare NOW to live by faith. If you give in NOW to feeling, culture, and circumstances, you may easily give in during this time – when things get really tough.

Revelation 13:1-10 describes the beast from the sea of humanity – the antiChrist and his diabolical reign on earth.

Revelation 13:1 (NKJV)

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. (2) Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (3) And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.(4) 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?” (5) And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. (6) Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. (7) 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. (8) 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. (9) If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 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.

Today – The Beast from the earth

Revelation 13:11 (NKJV)

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.

This is more than likely a religious leader. He seems gentle like a lamb on the outside but his voice defies his gentle demeanor. He speaks like a dragon!

Horns represent authority, so he has two horns signifying a great amount of authority.

He is called the false prophet:

This may easily be a religious leader that is recognized all over the world.

Revelation 16:13-14 (NKJV)

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Revelation 19:20 (NKJV)

Then the 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 20:10 (NKJV)

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Revelation 13:12-13 (NKJV)

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, whose deadly wound was healed. (13) He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.

The second “beast,” the false prophet, exercises an authority given to him by the antiChrist. This is more than likely a religious leader that deceives people through miracles he performs. Many will be deceived into thinking that he is the real deal and a real believer. All he does points to and gives credence to the antiChrist, aiding the antiChrists deceptive reign.

Notice that he copies the miracles performed by the two witnesses in Revelation 11:5:

Revelation 11:5 (NKJV)

And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner.

Revelation 13:14-15 (NKJV)

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. (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.

This second beast, a false prophet, deceives just like the antiChrist. They are motivated by the same demonic force.

Revelation 12:9 (NKJV)

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NKJV)

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

The deception we see everywhere today is but a precursor of the deception by which the antiChrist will rule the world.

So many today believe what they hear. THey lack discernment, and the ability to hear beyond what is being said and see the bigger picture.

Have you been deceived by what you have heard from the media? This is a small glimpse of life under the reign of antiChrist.

It was common for an image to be erected and worshipped in the 1st century.

Revelation 13:16-18 (NKJV)

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, (17) 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. (18) 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.

God marked the 144,000 Jews that would go through the trumpet and bowl judgments with His protection.

This is Satan’s counterfeit.

666 (Holman Christian Standard Study Bible)

Greek – hexakosioi hexekonta hex

No biblical number has received as much attention as 666. Much that is said about this mysterious number in popular literature is misleading, but reasonable explanations exist. One explanation applies Gematria. This practice of representing words by numerical equivalents was found in extrabiblical religious sources and was based upon the fact that Hebrew and Greek attached a numerical value to each alphabetical letter. Thus every word could be assigned a numerical value by summing the values of its letters. Thus the beast’s name could be deduced from his number (Rv 13:18; 15:2). Others believe 666 is one example of John’s normal figurative use of numbers (cp. 5:11; 7:4,9; 9:15; 20:8), none of which were ever intended to be calculated. In this view, the number six indicates incompleteness and serves as a contrastive counterpart to the occurrences of seven (signifying completeness) in the book of Revelation. Triple repetition of six would indicate the absolute sinful imperfection of the beast.

Walid Shoebat in his book – God’s War on Terror, says it is the Sharadatan – Allah is the only God and Mohammad is his messenger – worn as an arm band or as a scarf by Muslims today.

What others say –

A digital marker enabling a person to participate in commerce worldwide.

Some suggest that the Covid 19 “pandemic” will push the world towards digital currency – eventuating in a mark under the skin that will contain health information such as vaccinations, tests, etc, and will enable the bearer to travel with ease.

I will personally choose NOT to revive this mark or click on a box that forces me to adapt to what I do not believe.

Revelation 14:9-12 (NLT)

Then a third angel followed them, shouting, “Anyone who worships the beast and his statue or who accepts his mark on the forehead or on the hand (10) must drink the wine of God’s anger. It has been poured full strength into God’s cup of wrath. And they will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the Lamb. (11) The smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night, for they have worshiped the beast and his statue and have accepted the mark of his name.” (12) This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.

If anyone tells you that you can receive this mark or whatever without penalty as a Christian, do not believe them. You will go to hell.

The reign of the antiChrist and the false prophet will seem as though all is lost. But, God answers this time with the The Day of the Lord Trumpet Judgments and then at the very end the Bowl Judgments. And, the rapture occurs probably a year and a half or so after things get really, really bad.

Action Points:

1. Are you ready and willing to be persecuted?

2. Are you stirring up faith by reading the word and putting it into practice right now?

3. If necessary are you prepared to die for what you believe?