John goes on to describe the beast, he was like a leopard, a bear, a lion. The dragon, or satan gives the beast power, a throne, and great authority.
Then John sees one of the beasts heads, as if it had been mortally wounded, but his deadly wound was healed. And the entire world marveled and followed the beast at this point.
We are also told that "they worshipped the dragon' or satan who had given authority to the beast. And, they also worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
The beast was also given a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue 42 months. It is at this point that he opens his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle and those who dwell in heaven.
It was also granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue and nation, ( or the entire world )
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. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
We are then given this statement, this principle of reaping and sowing as it were. The one who leads into captivity will himself go into captivity. The one who kills by the sword will die by the sword. This is the patience and faith of the saints.
Some thoughts for reflection, explanation and application......
1. This anti christ has been known to have been coming. See 1st John 3-4
2. Anti Christ, means, against and instead of.
3. Thus, the anti christ is someone who will be against the true Christ.
4. He will rise to power by satan's power. He is supernaturally empowered.
5. He will suffer a deadly wound to one of his heads.
6. He will be healed, or raised from death.
7. The world will marvel at his healing or resurrection.
8. The world will follow this resurrected satan empowered man.
More thoughts for reflection, explanation and application.
1. Satan will also be worshipped.
2. The anti-christ will be worshipped.
3. The world will see the anti christ as above everyone else.
4. No one will be able to fight and win against the anti christ.
5. He will speak great and blasphemous things for 42 months.
6. He will speak against God, God's name, God's tabernacle, and those in heaven.
7. He will make war against believers.
8. He will have power over the entire world.
9. The world will worship him. ( those who are not in the book of life )
10. Anyone who has an ear, is asked to listen.
A few more thoughts.
1. We are told what will happen to the anti christ.
2. This is a principle of sowing and reaping.
3. The anti christ will one day come to an end.
3. God is going to judge this person.
4. This coming judgement is also called the patience and faith of the saints.
5. In other words, it's comforting to know that God will one day bring judgement.
Last few thoughts.
1. This is all going to happen.
2. This person is probably alive today ( assuming we are indeed in the last of the last days )
3. Satan will have a field day as it were.
4. Satan will think he is getting what he has always wanted, ( to be worshipped like God )
5. Satan's power to deceive will affect all but believers.
6. Believers as we will see will suffer greatly from the anti christ.
7. All of this happens today in much smaller ways.
8. The church will already be raptured when the anti christ comes on the scene.
9. The saints of Rev 13, are those who come to faith after the rapture.
10. God will judge the anti christ one day.
11. It's comforting to know God will judge him and all those who persecute the saints.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
