27 Time is near 13-1-10

The Call to Resist

Bible Passage: Revelation 13:1–10

This past week has been rather difficult for me.

I’ve had to consider the implications of a man being gunned down in the public arena.

He was obviously killed because of his beliefs, political and/or religious.

That made this assassination very personal for me.

Because of all that has gone on this week the message God has given me is that much more important.

You notice that I have returned to the series on Revelation beginning anew with the 13th chapter.

So let’s remember where we were.

Chapter 12 reminded us of the characters involved in this spiritual war

Israel-the woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. and she was with child.

Satan-the great red dragon with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 diadems

Jesus-the child, a son, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron and her child is caught up to God and to His throne.

As you know there was a battle in heaven and Satan lost.

He was thrown to the earth with a third of the angels

He came to the earth with a lust for blood for anyone who serves the Lord especially the people of Israel.

Think about that as we look at the things happening in the middle east.

Most of Israel’s neighbors plan for Israel is to destroy them.

Chapter 13 introduces 2 more characters that will appear at the beginning or during the tribulation period.

The one we will look at today is the beast that rises from the sea.

The imagery of a beast rising from the sea symbolizes the oppressive forces of evil that wield power over humanity,

This beast compels people to conform and submit to false ideologies.

This passage serves as a stark warning to believers

about the dangers of complacency

and the seductive nature of worldly powers

These all seek to distract from true devotion to God.

This week has proven we live in a world ruled by false ideas.

Charlie Kirk battled that realm-just as you and I do

He battled in a very public arena

Perhaps in the heart of those arenas where these false ideas are birthed and nurtured.

You and I are also at war with these ideas and nothing has proven that more than this death has.

2 worlds are colliding...

The heavenly

And the Hellish

Big Idea:

Believers are called to resist the seductive allure of these worldly powers,

We are to affirm our commitment to Christ and His truth amid external pressures and trials.

Prayer

1. Deceptive Dominions Arise

Revelation 13:1–4 NASB95

1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”

These verses depict the emergence of powerful entities that captivate and deceive many.

Revelation 13:1 NASB95

1 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names.

V.1 the dragon stood

The beast arose form the sea.

The sea often refers to Gentiles.

This scene occurs in heaven but is played out on earth in John’s vision.

Notice the beast is described much like one of Daniel’s visions.

Revelation 13:2 NASB95

2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.

The beast derived his power from Satan

Revelation 13:3–4 NASB95

3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”

Satan often mimics or counterfeits what God made perfectly.

Notice how one of the 7 heads had a fatal wound but he was still alive.

This means this beast represents the antichrist.

Our world is full of false ideas that lead many astray.

The idea that we are the masters of our own futures.

God tells us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.

The world says seek me and my will.

Buy this vacation, these shoes, this computer.

But none of it satisfies.

The world is very seductive

Worldly powers seek to draw us away from God.

We are encouraged to critically examine cultural influences that may tempt us to compromise our devotion to Christ,

Instead we must assert our allegiance to Him amidst external pressures.

2. Discernment Against Deception

Revelation 13:5–8 NASB95

5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

The man of God must know His Bible absolutely.

This arrogant beast will arise spewing words that are wrong.

Words that mislead.

But according to these verses he will lead for 42 months.

During that time he will blaspheme God

Make war against the saints.

He will force those who live on this earth to worship him.

It seems clear to me that by the middle of the great tribulation to become a believer will mean almost immediate death.

Matthew 10:28 NASB95

28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

We must never fear those who can kill us.

God has given us a Spirit that will deliver us.

Not that we will live but that our souls will live forever.

I was reminded of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s “Cheap Grace” as I thought of the deception of this world.

One of the ways he deceives us is to make God’s grace cheap.

We too often forget the horrible price paid for our deliverance.

Revelation 13:8 NASB95

8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

Not only did Jesus die on the cross for our sins but many have given their lives in pursuit of our freedom to worship.

Just this week a man was killed who invited open debate on the issues facing our communities.

Undoubtedly many others will die as well.

Certainly this passage seems to say so.

Grace is not cheap and living out our grace is not cheap either.

Make certain your name has been written in the book of life of the Lamb.

Listen to verses 9-10.

3. Defying the Darkness with Faith

Revelation 13:9–10 NASB95

9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.

Over the past several months we discussed Gideon who overwhelmingly defeated a much larger enemy by obeying the Lord.

The same is true today and will be true in the future as the enemies become more numerous.

Our faith Defies the darkness

Our faith overcomes our fear.

Our faith brings glory to God.

Through perseverance our faith is made strong.

Faith is a must to defy the darkness

Conclusion

This passage is very dark and paints a very gloomy picture of what is ahead.

If your hope is in this world your future is very dark.

If your hope is in this world you really have no hope at all.

But my hope is in the Lord.

The only question I have is...

will I stand or will I fall to my knees before my Savior.

I Can Only Imagine-MercyMe