A Mighty Fortress is Our God

Introduction:

Did you know that there is a mystery man standing in the shadows of history? He will one day stand up and make himself known to the world. The Bible calls this figure by several names: the man of sin, the man of lawlessness, and the Antichrist.

Several people throughout history have matched his description:

Napoleon had a thirst for world dominance.

Attila the Hun was ruthless and had an almost unstoppable army.

Gangues Kahn was ruthless and conquered more land mass than any world leader in history.

Adolph Hitler — was ruthless, power hungry, evil to the core, persuasive, and had a hatred for the Jewish people. He murdered over 6 million Jews during the Holocaust. Indescribable evil!

Revelation 13 tells of a leader who make Adolph Hitler and Attila the Hun look like Cub Scouts. Let’s read Revelation 13:1-10 but we will be looking at the entire chapter.

Revelation 13:1–10 NKJV

1 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.

This morning, I want us to be aware of the movements and limitations of the Antichrist.

The Devil Masters in Politics.

The Rise of the Antichrist.

This leader who is empowered by Satan himself will rise out of obscurity. The sea is symbolic of the multitudes of people, and the chaos and disorder of the world.

The antichrist will be a darkhorse who rises to prominence.

He will quickly rise to political power.

His authority will be derived from the dragon. Notice that he has 7 heads just as the dragon in Revelation 12:3

Revelation 12:3 NKJV

3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.

This leader has ten nations under his control as indicated by the horns and the crowns.

Don’t forget that 10 is the number of completion. The world will consolidate into one government with this leader in control.

John describes his ascension to power using the same symbolism as Daniel did of the nation in Daniel 7:1-8, except he list them backwards in order.

The Leopard — Speed

The Bear — raw Strength

The Lion — power and fear.

The antichrist will be a political leader who will quickly take control and win the people over. His apparent resurrection from a deadly wound will capture attention and propel him on the world scene.

In addition this political leader will be charismatic and cunning. The people will gladly worship him because he is so captivating.

Adolph Hitler was ruthless maniac who killed more than 6 million people. I looked through some pictures and videos of that time. There is one account of a young Jewish women and her 2-3 year old daughter. The mother is stripped and placed in front of a firing squad with 30 other women. Her and her daughter were executed and dumped into a mass grave. I thought as I read this; how can anyone do this to another human?

Do you know how Hitler did it? He convinced a huge portion of the German population that Jews were not human. He began by boycotting Jewish businesses and then escalated to the point of murdering millions.

The world is a sitting duck for this kind of leader now. One politician is quoted saying; “If the devil could get us out of our economic dilemma I would vote for him for President.”

I want to say something that some of you may not like, but that’s okay. Politics is not the answer to the world’s problems. The devil is into politics and if you place your hope in governments and politics, your playing his game!

Jesus is the answer to the world’s problems!

The Gospel changes lives!

God’s kingdom is my country!

His reign is my hope!

The Devil Majors in Religion.

The second beast that the dragon summons is from the earth. He looks like a lamb but he speaks like a dragon.

The dragon, beast of the sea, and the beast of the earth make up an unholy trinity.

The dragon — demonic father

beast of the sea — Antichrist

beast of the earth — unholy spirit

Some call it the devil, Antichrist, and false prophet. Either way there is a religious element to this trio. Isn’t that what Satan has desired from the beginning? Isaiah 14:13-14

Isaiah 14:13–14 NKJV

13 For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’

This false prophet will be a crafty Charlatan.

He performs deceptive miracles.

Brings fire down from heaven

He creates a beast that talks. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 speaks of this deceptive religious leader.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 NKJV

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

I love how Thessalonians calls it lying wonders.

This religious man will deceive people into worshipping the beast by these false miracles.

I had someone ask me once if I believed in miracles. I said no, I believe in God who all true miracles come from. I don’t worship the miracle or follow for a sign. I worship God because of His nature and I follow Him to bring Him glory.

As the political leader brings the world under one government, the false prophet will bring all unsuspecting worshippers under one religion.

Did you know that the idea of a one-world religion is not a new one? A man named Benjamin Creme began in the 70’s attempting to bring all religions together. He proposed one called “Maitreya” as the unifying Messiah of this one-world religion in 1994.

Creme said this about “Maitreya: “To the Christian, he will be the second-coming of Christ; to the Jews, the Messiah; to the Muslim, the Inman Maude; to the Hindus, Krishna; and to the Buddhists he will be the fifth Buddha.

Not only will the false prophet bring all religions together but he will demand worship for the beast by requiring a mark that indicates his name to buy food or any necessity.

Do you know what this should sear into our minds this morning?

Discipleship is important. Just riding the pew with no attention upon spiritual growth is not good enough. Deepen your faith!

Doctrine is important! Especially the doctrine of God, the doctrine of the Bible, and the doctrine of salvation.

Who leads and what they believe is important!

The shallow state of churches and Christians poises us for a charismatic leader like this. It should concern us.

The Devil’s Deceit Misses the Saints

Those who are written in the lamb’s book of life will not be deceived, they will not take the mark, they will not follow the beast.

This discussion goes back to how do you know a counterfeit?