The Revived Empire
Things to Come • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 10 viewsNotes
Transcript
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.
Introduction:
I feel as though today’s text is far more relevant to the problems and forces that have shaped our current global situation.
This world, not just America, is a cancerous cesspool of unholy wickedness!
You can believe that it’s neutral and somehow Benin.
You can believe that there is a pervasive goodness to all mankind.
You can even believe that together we can change the future.
But when compared to the Word of God , it is all a fairy tale.
So what is John seeing in this passage?
Well first, he says, “I stood on the sand of the sea”
There is a textual variant here that makes a difference as to whom is standing on the sand of the sea.
the Greek ESTATHEN = I stood
the Greek ESTATHE = He stood.
Most Scholars believe that it is more probable that the Nune was accidentally dropped than added.
He sees a beast.
But not just any beast, but the same beast that Daniel spoke of in chapter seven of his book.
The similarities between these two beasts give no room for any other viable understanding, than that John is describing the same beast that Daniel described just 500 years previous.
This none other that the revived Roman empire!
Daniel spoke of it coming in the future.
John spoke of it while living in it, as coming again.
The revived Roman empire
The Global ruling force
Deriving its power from the dragon
An empire predicated by evil
I. It is currently taking form.
I. It is currently taking form.
This week our nation will vote for not just the president of this country, but congressional seats and the senate as well as many positions of influence in all sectors of government.
There is an increasing belief that we can stop the spread of wickedness by how we vote!
We may have a small part in stalling it, but the unholy one world government is coming like a steam roller, and it will flatten anything and everything that stands in its way!
And I base that strictly upon the scriptures!
A. Through the means of good intentions.
B. Through questioning everything that is good and holy.
II. It is an unholy thing.
II. It is an unholy thing.
In a society that prides itself on tolerance, it is truly amazing at how much intolerance it has for godliness.
A. It has confused good and evil.
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
B. It hides under a pretence of love.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
The world’s love is sensual and reflects bias and prejudice. It is defined by excusing everything sinful for the benefit of the flesh!
Some Christians live in this definition of love, but it’s not the love of Christ.
The world’s love is false and it will not stand in the judgement.
III. It will turn upon the righteous.
III. It will turn upon the righteous.
As this beast begins to emerge, it will change laws that once protected the innocent.
It will give more and more legitimacy to paganism, science, dubious role models and all forms of ungodliness over God’s word.
It will marginalize the saints of God.
Perpetrate them as evil workers, hateful brute beasts who should be stripped of their freedom, because they stand in opposition to their hedonistic values.
Silence them through legislation. Confiscate their properties, and possessions.
Reprogram their children!
All things we see beginning to develop and put into effect now!
See what Paul wrote to Timothy.
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
In a few days, this country will most probably be in another frenzied demonstration of division and political unrest.
Regardless of who becomes president, the divisiveness is here!
They will blame the president, congress, etc.
But they will not blame the one they worship - the beast.
What are we to do you may ask?
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
