Sermon Tone Analysis

Text: Revelation 13:11-18

Theme: As we continue our study Revelation we learn that a coming deceiver called the False Prophet will aid and abet the antichrist and will force the world to worship him strengthening his global leadership.

Date: 09/16 /2018 File name: Resurrection30.wpd

ID Number:

It's hard to deceive somebody who knows the truth.

When it comes to truth those of us who know the real Jesus Christ know that the time is coming when a False Christ will appear upon the world seen.

He will deceive the whole world.

Already, in the world, there are those men claiming to be the second Advent of the Savior, or a reincarnation of Jesus, and are leading multitudes of people astray.

The Bible tells us this would take place.

In the late first century, when the apostle John is living, and writing, and ministering, he tells us that "already there are many antichrists in the world."

In our studies in the Book of Revelation the letter predicts a future ruler who will be a false Messiah — he will present himself as another Christ.

This morning’s text tells us that he will not act a loan.

As we arrive at the second half of Revelation 13 we see that the devil's agenda includes raising up a compatriot to the antichrist — someone who will aid him in his agenda of deceiving the whole world in turning men to the worship of Satan.

In chapter 13 the apostle John refers to him as "the beast out of the earth" but in later chapters he is identified as the False Prophet.

I. THE BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH — HIS PERSON

“Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth.

He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon.”

(Revelation 13:11, NIV84)

1. having seen the terrifying vision of the first beast in 13:1–10 — whom we know better as the Antichrist — John then sees another beast

a. this beast comes out of the earth

b. in the ancient world, the earth was less mysterious and foreboding than the sea

2. that this beast arises from the earth suggests that he will be subtler, gentler, less overpowering and terrifying than the Antichrist

a. this is a gentler kinder beast ... but he’s still a beast

b. he will be winsome and persuasive, the epitome of the wolf in sheep’s clothing

A. HIS DESCRIPTION

1. the description of the first beast, with its ten horns, seven heads, ten crowns, and seven blasphemous names, is grotesque and frightening

a. in contrast, the second beast is said to be a lamb with two horns

1) this indicates that he is not characterized by the same massive might as the Antichrist

b. and unlike the savage, ferocious, fierce, and deadly Antichrist, who is likened to a leopard, bear, and lion, the false prophet seems as harmless as a lamb

1) compared to the description of the first beast, how scary is a lamb; right?

2) he does not come as a conquering dictator, but on the surface appears as meek and gentle, though not without great authority

2. this second beast will aid and abet the antichrist and this second beast will force the world to worship the Antichrist thus strengthening his global leadership

3. this second beast is better known to us as the false prophet

a. we know this from other verses in Revelation

b.

Revelation 16:13, 19:20, 20:10 all identify this second beast as the False Prophet

“Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.”

(Revelation 16:13, NIV84)

4. as in the case of the first beast, many believers and bible students view this second beast as an institution, a form of government, or an ideology

a. I’m in that group of interpreters who take these events more literally, even while recognizing they are highly symbolic

b. as with the first beast, I believe that the false prophet will be a real person who leads a real religious movement, and that they will be so closely identified that you’ll not be able to think of one without the other

B. HIS DECEPTION

1. despite his deceptively mild appearance, the false prophet is no less a child of hell than the Antichrist

a. that is evident because he spoke as a dragon

1) that means that the false prophet, whoever he is, will be a mouthpiece for Satan

2. false prophets often appear meek, mild, and harmless

a. they offer hope and solutions to the problems troubling men and women

b. yet they are ever the voices of hell, and when they open their mouths, Satan speaks

c. so it will be amid the unspeakable horrors of the Tribulation

3. the false prophet will come like a lamb, speaking false, deceptive words of comfort

a. he will promise the suffering, tormented people of the world that all will be well if only they will follow the Antichrist

b. but those who fall for his subtle lies will face the terrifying judgment of God

4. The Coming False Prophet Will Be a Person and He Will Be Personable

II.

THE BEAST OUT OF THE EARTH — HIS POWER

“He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.

13 And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men.

14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth.

He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.”

(Revelation 13:12–14, NIV84)

1. though primarily a subtle deceiver, the false prophet will not be impotent

a. John notes that he exercises all the authority of the first beast, that is the Antichrist

b. what John is saying is that the false prophet will exercise the same kind of demonic power and authority as the Antichrist does, since both are empowered by the same hellish source

2. there seems to be a symbiotic relationship between these two beasts

a. symbiotic relationships are a special type of interaction between species that benefits both

b. in nature these symbiotic relationships are essential, and they provide a balance that can only be achieved by working together

1) the false prophet performs all its miracles and signs on behalf of the Antichrist which encourages the inhabitants of earth to worship the Antichrist

“Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth.

... .”

(Revelation 13:14, NIV84)

a) by doing so the False Prophet exercises the authority given him by Satan — an authority equal to the Antichrist’s

2) the Antichrist is able to deceive the whole world because of the wonder-works of the False Prophet

3. the first beast could not exist and could not exercise his authority and would not be worshiped without the work of the second beast

4. and the second beast would have no reason to exist and to work, were it not for the fact that this first beast must reach his full power

A. THE FALSE PROPHET WILL DECEIVE THROUGH POWERFUL SIGNS

1. the false prophet “ ... made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.”

(Revelation 13:12, NIV84)

a. how will he accomplish such a feat?

2. he will perform great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men

a. does that miracle sound familiar?

... it’s right out of the Old Testament and the ministry of Elijah

ILLUS.

Do you remember the story of Elijah and his contest with the prophets of Baal?

The people of the nation of Israel had fallen into idolatry.

Very few have remained faithful to the Lord.

As a result the prophet Elijah is at King Ahab’s palace and tells the king that because of Israel’s idolatry there will be no rain or dew for three years.

Elijah’s prophecy comes true.

Israel becomes desperate.

At the end of those three years Elijah appears once again and challenges Ahab’s profits to a contest.

They will go to the top of Mount Caramel.

The prophets of Baal will build an altar and sacrifice an ox upon the altar.

Elijah will do the same.

Neither side shall light the fire to consume the ox as a burnt offering, but instead each side will pray for God to send fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice.

Elijah will let the prophets of Baal go first.

They pray and chant half the day.

They even mutilate themselves to encourage their god to send fire.

He doesn’t.

Then Elijah prays, and God sends fire from heaven.

The fire not only consumes the sacrifice it consumes the rocks the sacrifice is laid upon and even licks up the dust around the altar.

The people of Israel fall on their faces saying, “The Lord he is God, the Lord he is God.”

b. whatever kind of fiery miracle the false prophet creates it causes the world to fall at the feet of the Antichrist and worship him as Lord and god