The Rise of the Beast
Notes
Transcript
v.1:
The term "beast" represents both a person (Antichrist) and his system (the world).
The final satanic world empire will be inseparable from the satan-possessed man who leads it.
v.2:
The leopard, bear and lion represent attributes of the Greek, Medo-Persian and Babylonian empires.
The leopard, bear and lion represent attributes of the Greek, Medo-Persian and Babylonian empires.
Daniel 7:4-6
Daniel 7:4-6
The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.
“And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’
“After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.
The lion is ancient Babylon.
The bear is the Medo-Persian empire.
The leopard is a picture of Ancient Greece.
This beast will head the final world empire, which will include the strengths of these previous empires.
As strong as this empire will be, it will be destroyed.
As strong as this empire will be, it will be destroyed.
Daniel 8:19-25
Daniel 8:19-25
And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be. The ram which you saw, having the two horns—they are the kings of Media and Persia. And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king. As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.
“And in the latter time of their kingdom,
When the transgressors have reached their fullness,
A king shall arise,
Having fierce features,
Who understands sinister schemes.
His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power;
He shall destroy fearfully,
And shall prosper and thrive;
He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.
“Through his cunning
He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule;
And he shall exalt himself in his heart.
He shall destroy many in their prosperity.
He shall even rise against the Prince of princes;
But he shall be broken without human 4means.
What do we know about this antichrist?
Daniel refers to the antichrist/beast as a “little horn”
Daniel refers to the antichrist/beast as a “little horn”
Daniel 7:8
Daniel 7:8
I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.
Daniel 7:24
Daniel 7:24
The ten horns are ten kings
Who shall arise from this kingdom.
And another shall rise after them;
He shall be different from the first ones,
And shall subdue three kings.
Daniel 8:9
Daniel 8:9
And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land.
The fact that the "horn" in question is referred to as a little horn, signifies that this will be someone who is generally considered insignificant.
He will begin in a very unassuming manner.
People will believe his lies.
People will believe his lies.
2 Thessalonians 2:11
2 Thessalonians 2:11
And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
He will be a man of “peace” who will “solve” the Arab/Israeli problem.
He will be a man of “peace” who will “solve” the Arab/Israeli problem.
Daniel 9:27
Daniel 9:27
Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.”
He will blaspheme God, and eventually convince the world that he is a god.
He will blaspheme God, and eventually convince the world that he is a god.
Daniel 7:25
Daniel 7:25
He shall speak pompous words against the Most High,
Shall persecute the saints of the Most High,
And shall intend to change times and law.
Then the saints shall be given into his hand
For a time and times and half a time.
Revelation 13:5-6
Revelation 13:5-6
And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
He will be the ruler of the world, and will control not only the economy but also the religion.
He will have no regard for any religion except his own.
He will have no regard for any religion except his own.
Daniel 11:37
Daniel 11:37
He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.
“desire of women”: Some say that this refers to homosexuality.
Some say that it refers to his disdain of the sacred covenant of marriage, and that he has no regard for the Jewish women who desire to bear the child of God.
His lack of “desire of women”, may simply be a disdain for marriage.
His lack of “desire of women”, may simply be a disdain for marriage.
1 Timothy 4:1-3
1 Timothy 4:1-3
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
It could even be a combination of homosexuality and a disdain for marriage.
Even today there is a disregard for Biblical marriage.
Add to that the LGBT push, this would be an easy sell for him.
The antichrist has not yet been revealed , so we don't know who he is.
The antichrist has not yet been revealed , so we don't know who he is.
2 Thessalonians 2:7-8
2 Thessalonians 2:7-8
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.
v.3:
This most likely refers to an illusion of death and resurrection enacted by the Antichrist, as part of his lying deception.
He will perform fake miracles.
He will perform fake miracles.
Revelation 13:12-14
Revelation 13:12-14
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. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 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.
2 Thessalonians 2:9
2 Thessalonians 2:9
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,
People will be astounded when the antichrist appears to rise from the dead.
His charisma, and illusion of power will cause the world to follow him unquestioningly.
v.4:
When people worship him, they will actually be worshiping Satan.
v.5:
His authority has a time limit, and these 3 ½ years of rule will be satan's final stand.
Christ is where our focus should be. He is the one we are to watch for.
Christians; however, should be watching for Christ.
Christians; however, should be watching for Christ.
Matthew 24:42
Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
1 Thessalonians 5:6
1 Thessalonians 5:6
Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
Mark 13:35
Mark 13:35
Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—
Nowhere in scripture are we told to watch for the antichrist. that’s because our focus should always be on Jesus.
We have talked about the antichrist, because the Bible talks about him, but he is not our main concern.
The simple truth is that any believer alive today, will not have to deal with the antichrist.
If you are a believer, Christ has already delivered you.
You are a citizen of His kingdom, which will last forever.
We should be determined to bring as many as possible into His kingdom.
The Gospel message is simple.
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Christ is the only way, and salvation is God’s gift to us.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
