T |
HE first beast of Revelation 13 is the antichrist. The second beast is the false prophet who helps the antichrist in his evil plot. The dragon who empowers those two beasts will be Satan himself. So, this chapter describes the unholy trinity of evil that will rise up on this earth during the Tribulation period (Revelation 16:13, 19:20 & 20:10). The world will be swallowed up in some new & strange version of the occult, just like Daniel prophesied in Daniel 7. This is as close as Satan will ever come to realizing the idea that he had way back when he fell from heaven in the beginning (Isaiah 14:14). After thousands of years of trying & failing, he will have his moment in the sun. But it won’t last. There will only be 42 months from the time the antichrist takes over the temple until the return of the real Messiah (Revelation 13:5).
One of the key traits of the religion of the Tribulation will be blasphemy. Satan, the antichrist, & the false prophet will do everything in their power to vilify the God of heaven. And, as they blaspheme God, the devil & the antichrist will demand (& receive) worship themselves. The world will follow this satanic cult willingly & foolishly right on to their own demise & death (vs. 3 & 7-8). In that day, it will be more dangerous than ever to be a true believer. Just as God’s followers are marked, Satan will mark his as well. But all with Satan’s mark will be hopelessly condemned (Rev. 14:9-11).
No comments:
Post a Comment