The Anti-Christ of Revelation 13

Now, John sees this beast coming up out of the sea. He has 7 heads, and 10 horns, and on his horns are 10 crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.

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

Revelation 12:11 tells us of 3 principles in overcoming satan.

Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death"


The "him" in verse eleven, is a reference to the enemy, the devil, satan.

And, the word "overcame", means, to conquer, to prevail, to get the victory. It's used in to speak of being victorious, of Jesus being victorious over his foes. Of Christians that hold fast to their faith even unto death against the power of their foes, and temptations and persecutions.
It was also used of people going to a court of law, and winning their case. So, it means to be victorious.

Verse 11 is speaking of people who during the tribulation have come to faith in God, and are being persecuted by the devil for it. And, it speaks of the fact that they were victorious and gives us the three things they did that brought them this victory.

#1. "By the blood of the Lamb" What does this mean? Well, the same author of Revelation, said s similar things in his first epistle. For example, in 1st John 5:4-5 it says, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.
Who's is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

In James we are also told about overcoming the enemy. James 4:7 says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

In 1st Peter 5:9 "Resist him, stedfast in the faith etc "

So, when you look at all of these verses, and there are many, many more in the Bible, the phrase that is used in Rev 12:11 means to simply exercise one's faith in Jesus Christ. Having faith in God. Faith in God brings us victory over satan. That's what will happen to the believers spoken of here in Rev 12.


#2. We are told, "by the word of their testimony" What does this mean? I believer it means that they were sharing their faith, they were witnessing of their faith in God. A real blessing comes into the life of the Christian, who is actively sharing their faith. If one is serving the Lord, even in the background of ministry, it still brings a blessing into their lives.

Also, if one is actually speaking to another person about the Lord, it seems to bring a blessing into the life of the one sharing. It's kind of reviving if you will. It brightens one up. It brings the truth of Jesus right into the center of your thinking. I've found it to be so in my life. I can't explain the blessing. I just know that it happens. I find strength in my life, when I'm witnessing to others about  Jesus Christ.

$3. "And they did not love their lives to the death" In other words, it did not matter to them what might happen to them. They are in love with the Lord, not themselves. They were not moved by the fact that they might lose their lives. They were ok with that possibility. They were not counting their own lives dear unto themselves. They were "all in" to say it the way we speak today. They were committed to the Lord.


So, these are principles from the Bible that explain how to have victory over satan.

1. Have faith in God.
2. Tell others about God.
3. Commit yourself to God regardless of the cost.

May you find God's blessing today in your life. If you are currently involved in some attack by the devil against you, remember to simply have faith in Jesus Christ. Tell others about Jesus Christ, and give your life completely to Jesus Christ. I believe you will experience victory over satan as a result.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Can I really know God's will ? See Ephesians 1:1

Yes you can.

Paul said he knew God's will for his life. And he is an example for us to follow and learn from.

In fact, he states here in Eph 1:1, that he was doing what he was doing by the will of God.
Paul had come to know the will of God for his life and was accomplishing God's will in his life and work. God had revealed His will for Paul, and Paul was following God's will for His life. He was actively carrying out what God had for him.

Some questions, and Biblical principles concerning the will of God.

1. What is the will of God anyways? The phrase "will of God", when examined, simply means, that which is pleasing to God. In other words, God is pleased about His plans and purposes for your life, and when you are in His will, it's pleasing to Him.

2. To say it another way, when you do what God wants you to do, then He is pleased. And, I might add, so are you. I've never met anyone who was in God's will, and was not pleased, and was complaining about it. No, it's pleasing all the way around. ( And even to the people around you, believe it or not. It's bound to bring some pleasantness into their life as well )

3. But, how does a person go about getting into God's will, or finding God's will etc. ? That's the question. How can a person know the will of God? How does God reveal His will to someone?


Some additional facts about God's will:

1. We can pray for it. See the Lord's prayer Matt 5:10 "Your will be done etc, "
Jesus instructed us to pray for God's will in our lives. So, this is a major starting point for the Christian, to simply talk to God and ask that His will might be done in your life. That He might reveal His will to you.

2. God has already prepared His will for you, He did this long ago, even before the creation of the world. See Eph 2:10 "Which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them"

3. God reveals His will to people. He did so in Paul's life. See Acts 9. God told Paul just exactly what He wanted him to do. Same with Jeremiah the prophet, Abraham the father of our faith, and so many others down through the Bible, from Gen to Revelation. So, you can be confident that God will reveal His will to you. God is not a respecter of persons.

4. Is there something I must do to know God's will. Yes, pray and ask the Lord to show You His will. Again, Matt 5:10, and in James 1, we are encouraged to ask God for wisdom. 1st John tells us that when we pray according to the will of God, we can be sure God will show us the answers. It's always God's will to seek God's will. He is very willing to reveal it to anyone who wants to know.

5. Is it really that simple? Yes. And, sometimes no. God is not a genie, and He is not our servant. We are His servants. But, He very much wants to lead us and guide us into His will. God has His own timing as well. He is not on our schedule, but has His own timing in all that He does. We do not need to fret, He will take care of it.

6. God's leads us into His will by putting His desires into our hearts. See Ps 37:4

7. Another thing God does is to honor our humility and trust in Him. See Prov 3:5-6

8. God's will often deals with very specific things that are applicable to each and every Christian.
For example, It's God's will to avoid sexual immorality, and getting drunk, and all of what's said in the Ten Commandments. See 1st Thess 4, Eph 5, and Exodus 20.

9. Perhaps the largest, or biggest part of God's will goes by almost without notice. And that is to love the Lord, one another, and follow Jesus Christ with our whole being.


More principles about knowing the will of God, taken from Paul's own life and conversion



1. Christ revealed Himself to Paul. And, He will reveal Himself to you through His Word.

2. Paul asked Christ about His will. You also can ask God to show You His will.

3. Christ answered Paul, and gave him instruction about what to do. You can ask God also.

4. God's will was to be revealed step by step. This is generally how God does it.

5. The Lord used other people to help Paul move forward in God's Will.

6. You can expect the Lord to use some of His people to help you also.

7. God chose Paul, and appointed him to His will.

8. God has a particular plan that He has appointed for you also,

9. Paul took the next step as advised by Jesus.

10. Might you also take the next step that God has shown you to take also.

Revelation 12:12-17

The call now, "rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the seal! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time"

John goes on to describe how the dragon, satan unleashed persecution upon Israel. However Israel is given two wings of a great eagle, to take her to a place of safety where she would be nourished for "a time, and times and half a time" from the presence of the serpent.

The devil at this point spews water out of his mouth like a flood against Israel. He wants to destroy Israel.

Satan become enraged with Israel and goes to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.


Thoughts for reflection, explanation, and application.

1. Interesting to note that heaven is called to rejoice.
2. More judgement was coming. Woe is always used to speak of judgement coming.
3. Specifically the judgment will be against those who have the seal of God, or God's people.
4. Satan is an intelligent being, and he will know the timetable of his future as it were.
5. We see Satan's hatred for God, vented against Israel.
6. We see this today on every news channel.
7. We also see that God will step in to comfort Israel at this time.
8. Satan feels the same way about anyone who truly commits their lives to the Lord. He hates it.

More thoughts for reflection explanation and application.

1. Can you imagine the massive amount of joy there will be in heaven.
2. How many people will be in heaven?
3. That's how much joy there will be.
4. If you throw in the angels, the joy just went up exponentially.
5. The hatred from Satan has been around for a long time.
6. His army of evil/fallen angels share in his hate towards God's people.
7. We are motivated by love, they are by hate.

Even more thoughts for reflection, explanation and application

1. Comfort and love come from God
2. Hatred and evil trouble come from satan.
3. God's comfort is superior to satan's hatred and evil.
4. God's comfort can be found and realized and enjoyed.
5. God has ways to help us that can't be thwarted by satan.
6. God's people, keep His Word, and have the testimony of Christ.

Final thoughts from this chapter.

1. How close do you think we are to these events coming to pass?
2. The problems with Israel and it's enemies are in the news daily.
3. Iran's leaders speak regularly about wanting to obliterate Israel completely.
4. What might happen to the world if an attack takes place in the middle east?
5. Will Iran attack Israel first?
6. Will Israel attack Iran first?
7. Will Russia come against Israel?
8. The Bible says when they do, 5/6ths of their army will be destroyed.
9. Could we really be that close to the end times scenario playing out?
10. I personally believe we are.
11. Everything that God says will happen does happen,
12. Jesus will return for His people.
13. The church will escape the wrath of God.
14. The anti-christ will be revealed and come into power
15, Etc, etc, etc. See Revelation 13-19

May God bless you today. May you fall in love with Jesus Christ all over again. May you find yourself committed to Him, with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Revelation 12:1-11

Now, John sees a great sign appearing in heaven. It was a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of 12 stars.

Then, she being with child, cried out in labor and in pain to give birth, and another sign appeared in heaven: A great, fiery red dragon with 7 heads and 10 horns, and 7 diadems on his head.

The dragon's tail drew 1/3 of the stars of heaven and threw the down to the earth. And, the dragon then stood before the woman was about to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.

The male child was born who was to rule all the nations with a rod of iron, and her Child was caught up to God and to His throne.

At this time the woman fled into the wilderness, where a place had been prepared for her by God, that they should feed there for 1,260 days.

War broke out in heaven, Michael one of the arc angels, along with his angels fought with the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought. But, they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So, the great dragon was cast out, and the serpent of old, called the Devil, and Satan, who deceives the whole world, he was also cast to the earth and his angels were cast out with him.

It was then, that John heard a loud voice in heaven saying, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God and the power of His Christ have come, because the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God night and day has been cast out. And, they overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Some explanation, application, and reflection...........

1. It's believed the woman represents the nation of Israel.
2. Israel will be severely persecuted during the last half of the tribulation period.
3. Satan of course is believed to be the dragon.
4. The 1/3 of the stars may refer to Satan's past rebellion and the angels who followed him.
5. Satan of course persecuted Christ right from His birth, attempting to kill Him.
6. Jesus, will eventually rule the world during His 1000 year reign on earth.
7. Israel will flee during the latter portion of the tribulation period.
8. God will provide shelter for her at that time.
9. The war in heaven speaks angelic warfare.

More explanation, application, and reflection........

1. Satan and his angels do not win this battle.
2. Satan is said to deceive the whole world, this is what he does.
3. Satan is said to be the accuser of the brethren.
4. Satan is said to be overcome by God's people.

Final thoughts......

1. Spiritual warfare has been going on since the start of time as it were.
2. Always the efforts are against God and His people and His plans.
3. The primary focus of God's work is Jesus Christ.
4. Right to the end of time, satan will be actively opposing God and His work and His people.
5. God's people can and do prevail.
6. Overcoming is through our Savior.
7. Sharing Christ is a point of overcoming for God's people also.
8. Selflessness, is part of how we overcome also.

Just a few more final thoughts........

1. There really is something called spiritual warfare.
2. Paul speaks of it in Eph 6, and other places in the NT.
3. We stand against satan by putting on the armor of God in our lives.
4. One day the battle will be over.
5. Right now, we are in the thick of the battle.
6. Overcoming is our heritage, not defeat.
7. Defeat is what awaits satan and his angels
8. Victory and eternal glory awaits the people of God.
9. Do as he may satan will not prevail at the end of the day.
10. Stay in the Word of God and you will overcome the enemy of your soul.

May God richly bless you with His peace and His grace, and His mercies, which are new every morning,

Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Revelation 11:1- 19

In Revelation 11:1-2, the location of this temple it would seem is actually the temple in Jerusalem.
We do know from the NT, that the Anti-Christ will be very active in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
Daniel speaks of this, and so does 2nd Thessalonians 2.

We also know that there will be great trouble coming against Israel in the last days, and in 11:2, it speaks of a timeline of 42 months, or 3 1/2 years, ( this could be the second, or last part of the seven year covenant made by the Anti-Christ )

The Bible teaches that the coming of the Anti-christ, will also bring a 7 year covenant, that will bring peace to Israel, and the nations that have been involved in war with her.

We will see more of this revealed in the next few chapters in Revelation.

Now, on to the 2 witnesses.........


The two witnesses, will be active on earth, ministering the Word of God for 3 1/2 years also. Their ministry will probably take place during the last or second half of the tribulation period.

The two witnesses, will be given power, ( the power of the Holy Spirit ) to carry on their ministry, just as we are today.

These two witnesses are the two olive trees etc, etc, See 11:4 Olive trees are used in the OT as symbols of God's people. They are also called the two lampstands. They stand before the God of the earth.

The 2 witnesses will respond with fire coming out of their mouths towards anyone who wants to harm or hurt them. The fire we are told will devour their enemies. Additionally, if anyone wants to harm the 2 witnesses, they will be killed.

The power the Lord gives to His 2 witnesses is such that they can prevent rain from falling to the earth, ( always related to droughts ) They also can pollute the water supply, and then to strike the earth with plagues. They can do these things repeatedly, or as often as they desire. This seems to indicate that these droughts, these pollutions, these plagues will be repeated over and over again during the time of their ministry. No end to them as it were.

When their testimony, or their ministry is completed, the Lord will allow the beast ( more to be said about who he is in the next few chapters as well ) but, the beast, will make war against them, and he will overcome them, and he will kill them.

The world will see as their bodies lie dead in the streets of Jerusalem, and the world will prevent their bodies from being removed and buried, for 3 1/2 days. The world will be so happy, they will be rejoicing over the deaths of these 2 witnesses. I suppose one could say the world will view them as terrorists, who have now met their fate as it were. The world's population will be rejoicing over their deaths.

A miracle of God will take place at the end of the 3 1/2 days. God will breathe His life into these two corpses, and they will come to life, and stand up on their feet for all to see. The world that was rejoicing will now be fearing as a result of this resurrection. It will be seen by the entire world as it were.

A loud voice from heaven will be heard saying to them, "Come up here" and they will then ascend up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies will see this miraculous ascension.

Right at that same time, there will be a great earthquake, and 1/10th of the city of Jerusalem will be destroyed, along with 7000 people being killed in the quake, and the rest will become afraid and begin to give glory to God. Thus in the midst of this particular judgment, there will be those who at least recognize it's from the Lord, and or are brought to their senses as it were, and give God the glory He deserves.

We are told that the 2nd "Woe" is now past, and their is 1 more to go, in fact, it's coming quickly.

At this point, the 7th angel sounded, and in heaven are heard voices declaring, "The kingdoms of the world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever" So, this shift takes place, or the answer to prayers finally is coming to pass. "Thy Kingdom come etc, "

In closing out this chapter we see........

1. The 24 elders fall on their faces and worship God.

2. The content of their praise is explained. See 11:17-18, which essentially says,

We give you thanks O Lord God Almighty.
You are the eternal God, You were, You are, and You are to come. ( constant refrain the Bible )
You have taken Your great power and reigned. You are moving Lord to reign now on the earth.
The nations were angry.
Your wrath has come.
The time of judgement is coming
The time to reward Your servants is coming, the prophets and the saints.
The time to judge both small and great is here.
The time for You to destroy the earth is here.


It's at this point that the temple in heaven ( remember there is a temple in heaven ) it is opened and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. ( can this be the original ark that was in the original temple?. Or is it the same one that has been there, from which the earthly one was modeled after ? ) I don't know. I do know, it's now seen there.

And, there were lightings, noises, thunderings an earthquake and great hail, on the earth it would seem.

Some thoughts for reflection, explanation, and application.

1. God's plan according to this chapter, begins to move to it's finality. There truly as has been mentioned no more delay.

2. Even though God is witnessing to the earth in a spectacular and miraculous way, the enemies of God will not concede, they continue to resist leading to their own destruction.

3. God's plan will unfold according to His will, and not rushed or stopped by anyone. He will complete His plan in His good time.

4. Currently, Satan is the god of this world. But, the shift of him losing his power really begins to take place in this 11th chapter.

5. The plan of God is going to culminate in the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ, and the establishing of His kingdom on the earth.

6. Just as there has never been tribulation like what is coming, so there has never been heaven on earth such as there will be, no not even in the garden of Eden.

7. We are moving towards the events seen in this book. In fact, we could ( I personally believe we are ) right on the edge, or right at the last moments of the worlds historical existence as we have known it, and the coming of the Lord for His church etc. In other words, we I believe are closer then we have ever been to seeing the Lord.

8. Even as I write this devotional, the nation of Israel has issued a warning today, that they will not "notify the US ahead of time if they launch an attack against Iran" This attack ( and I also believe is going to happen very soon ) could very well trigger with a rapidity, the events of revelation.

9. One of the things that we know will happen according to Scripture is that Russia will come against Israel, and 5/6ths of their invading army will be destroyed. The Anti Christ will rise into power. This 7 year covenant bring peace will begin.

10. The next few chapters in Revelation really focus on the anti-christ and all of his doings.

May God bless you in these days. May the power of His Spirit come upon you, and fill you, and lead you, and use you in these last days.

In Jesus name,
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Revelation 11:1-6 The Two Witnesses Part 1

John was given a reed, that was like a measuring rod. He was told by an angel to get up, and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

He was also told what to leave out, or not measure. And, it was told John what would happen to the Holy City, ( Jerusalem ) for 42 months.

Additionally, it was told John, what the Lord would give to His two witnesses, and what they would do, and what they were, and what would happen to anyone who sought to harm them.

The 2 witnesses, would have power to keep the rain from falling, to turn waters into blood, and to strike the earth with plagues as often as they desired to do so.

We will look more closely at these two witnesses tomorrow, but below are just a few thoughts for your consideration and prayer.


Thoughts for reflection, explanation and application. 11:1-3

1. Just as John was given a task to do, so, God has given to each of us task also.
2. Our task, or our ministry comes from the Lord in each of our lives.
3. John's task, included detail as to what to do, and what not to do.
4. God is the one who sets the parameters of our ministries.
5. Jerusalem, will be undergoing some "treading upon "


Some additional thoughts for reflection, explanation and application: 11:4-6

1. God's two witnesses will be given power.
2. God will be "witnessing" to the world during the tribulation.
3. God will give power to these witnesses, just as He does to us today.
4. Acts 1:8 speaks of this great Holy Ghost power for God's people.
5. Jesus wants us to be a witness also.
6. The Holy Spirit gives us power to be witnesses.
7. Prophesy is the proclamation of God's Word.
8. The true witness is one who declares God's Word to others.
9. God sets the time and the limits for our ministries.
10. God's witnesses are in His hands, and He oversees them.
11. God's witnesses have very specific callings from Him.

Lastly......

1. What has God called you to do?
2. What is God calling you to do?
3. Are you doing what God has called you to do?
4. God has power for you, it comes from the Holy Spirit.
5. Jesus is coming, and now is the time for His servants to be active not sleeping.
6. Let God use you, it is the greatest blessing in our lives.
7. God used someone to affect your life, now it's your turn to be effective for God.
8. Praise the Lord what a joy to be moving along in His will.


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia