Revelation 13

The Beast 13:1-10

The beast comes out of the sea and represents the power to persecute and especially the power to demonize the state. The beast is fierce and repulsive.

The World is fascinated by the beast but Christians have their eyes open.

The Beast combines elements from the 4 beast in . In the beasts represent the idolatrous kingdoms of the world that reign until the kingdom of the Son of Man overcomes them.

The beast of revelation is a typological representation of the kingdoms found in Daniel. The state controlled persecutions that Daniel and his friends faced suggests the same persecution to be face by the 7 churches until Jesus returns.

Christians were threatened to be killed if the did not worship the emperor in Rome and before the second coming a similar opposition will occur (Though persecution is persistent throughout ; ; ).

2 Thessalonians 2:4 CSB

He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God.

2 Thessalonians 2:4–8 CSB

He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s temple, proclaiming that he himself is God. Don’t you remember that when I was still with you I used to tell you about this? And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, and then the lawless one will be revealed. The Lord Jesus will destroy him with the breath of his mouth and will bring him to nothing at the appearance of his coming.

2 thessalonians

We must not be surprised by persecution. WE CANNOT CREATE A UTOPIAN CHRISTIAN STATE. We must persevere knowing that God is in control and His triumph is certain.

The Beast represents the demonized state power that demands worship. the state demands worship or death (S,M, A—Fiery Furnace). This also relates in general to idolatry. Citizens look to the state as a messiah like institution. State persecution runs on fear. But in many ways we are tempted to give in to anything that we fear.

Fear of man (human opinion); fear of death, fear of pain, fear of rejection or approval; fear of poverty.

BEAST= counterfeit Christ

THE BEAST is an image of Satan 13:1---->Jesus is the exact image of the Father Col 1:15

The beast has 10 crowns--->Jesus has many crowns 19:12

The beast has blasphemous names on his crown--->Jesus has worthy names 19:12

The beast has power, a throne, and great authority from Satan (Dragon)---->Jesus received power from his Father, is seated on the throne, and have authority (5:12-13; 3:21; 12:10; )

The beast is wounded and recovers--->mimicking Jesus’s death and resurrection.

The beast and the dragon receive worship--->both the Father and son receive worship

The beast attracts worldwide worship--->as Jesus is to be worshipped universally

The Beast blasphemes while Jesus praises God the Father.

The beast wars against the saints while Jesus makes war against the beast (19:11-21). The song of praise to the Beast in 13:4 counterfeits the song to God, the warrior, in .

Jesus and the beast are the two main warriors in

Jesus is the divine warrior fulfilling the imagery found in ; ; ; ; ; . The beast is the unholy counterfeit warrior, fulfilling the imagery of .

Satan mocks God the Father in bringing his image out of chaotic waters 13:1--->.

Similarly, the False Prophet, or the beast from the earth counterfeits the Holy Spirit. The FP leads people to worship the beast just like the HS glorifies Jesus. Miracles are copied and he forces a mark just like Christians are sealed by the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:13 CSB

In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.

10 horns of the beast correspond to the 10 horns of the dragon (and ten kings of 17:12) which corresponds to the 4th beast in

The 7 heads represent multiple manifestations (similar to 17:10) again imitating the Dragon in 12:3

***Christians are to be alert to the satanic influence, not only with individuals, but also with institutions and whole societies.

The Beast’s power has a definite limit. 42 months. 11:2-3; 12:6, 14

11:2-3; 12:6, 14

The saints must hear. They must take to heart the warning of Revelation and be alert against the beast.

Patient endurance

John 16:33 CSB

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

The False Prophet 13:11-18

Remember the Beast calls for the False Prophet who is a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit.

Satan uses deceit as his main weapon and he uses human instruments and institutions to magnify and propagate his deceits.

Mass Media. Educational Institutions, Advertising, anything to do with knowledge, offer the main way in which people learn and confirm their views of themselves and their world.

This build and destroys societies. Think about the re-definition of marriage. Gender. Sexuality. And culture just seems to go along with it. Evolution is assumed. The erasing of gender is assumed....etc, etc.

Humanity invents its own meanings. (Papua New Guinea)

Technology can become signs for power in our current modern view of the world.

The mark. Spiritual, not physical. Copying the seal/mark given to saints. ; ; ; )

Everyone gets it.

666—Hebrew and Greek letters are associated with numbers.

Jesus = 888 which denotes new creation and completeness whereas 666 is incomplete.