In Whom Do You Place Your Trust?

Read Revelation 13:1-10

Prayer

Introduction: One of my favorite things to watch on TV is the History Channel. In fact, as long as I’ve been able to remember I’ve been interested in reading and watching stuff about the past. One event that’s always been of interest to me is WW2. I guess it’s because both of my grandfathers were WW2 veterans. One Christmas several years ago I was watching a show about world situation that led up to WW2; it centered on Adolf Hitler and the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany during the 1930’s. One part of the show that caught my attention and has always stuck with me was a scene showing a group of small children singing the German Christmas carol O Tannenbaum (You know it as O Christmas Tree) for Adolf Hitler. After finishing the song, they all snapped to attention, saluted him, and extended their arms saying in unison “Heil Hitler”, meaning “Hail Hitler”. What amazed me about seeing this was the way these children, and their parents, viewed Adolf Hilter. They were actually looking at him and the governmental system he brought as some kind of messiah figure, a savior if you will. ---- Do you know why I found that scene in the show so amazing? ---- It’s because when I took a minute to think about it, those kids, and their parents, were people just like me and you, and they were in a situation where a man with a message presented himself as being so hopeful that they were all willing to buy into it. They were willing to give him their allegiance, some of them even to the point of death. I think it’s highly likely that none of them realized that the man they were saluting, Hitler, would eventually order the slaughter of over 6 million Jews, countless numbers of his own countrymen, and bring the world to its knees within just a few short years. What I saw in that show can be described with one simple word, trust, albeit a very, very naïve trust, which brings up a really good question each one of us needs to ask ourselves, in whom do we place our trust? ---- In whom do you place your trust? Do you place your trust in Jesus, or do place your trust in the things of this world, be it a person or a governmental system? You see, even though trust is a simple word it can at the same time be a really complex subject, especially when it comes to where we place our allegiances. I believe Revelation 13 speaks a good word into this because here John tells us that Satan uses the spiritual forces standing behind evil human governments to attack God’s people and deceive the lost, and this morning I’d like to take just a few minutes and look at it. So, let’s jump in and see what this amazing chapter has to tell us.

13:1-4 “The Beast and It’s Power Source”

-Verses 1-4, the beast and it’s power souce.

Explanation: John begins chapter 13 with the words, “And I saw …” which tells us that this is the beginning of another vision. He then says that he saw “1 … a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads. On its horns were ten crowns, and on its heads were blasphemous names.” Next, in v.2, John describes the beast saying that it “2… was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. (Then he tells us that) The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority.” (Then finally, in v.3 John says he noticed that) “3One of its heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but its fatal wound was healed. (And to his astonishment) The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.” Now, the obvious question most people today are going to ask when they hear or read this is, “What on earth is John talking about, is this literally a ten horned seven headed beast (something like the Hydra of Greek mythology), or is there more going on than meets the eye, or even better, the ear?” I, for one, would be willing to argue on the strongest terms that there’s much more going on here than simply some kind of wild low budget horror movie. Like many other places in Revelation, John is taking his que from the OT, to be precise, the 7th chapter of Daniel where Daniel had a dream in which he saw some pretty amazing things! In his dream Daniel saw the great sea being stirred up and from it came four beasts. The first one looked like a lion with eagle’s wings, which, after a period of time was replaced by a second beast that looked like a bear with ribs in its mouth. Then, that second beast was replaced by a third resembling a leopard having four heads with four wings on its back similar to a bird. Then finally, a fourth beast replaced the third, and it was more frightening than any of the others because it was incredibly strong having fierce iron teeth (You can read all of that in Dan. 7:2-7a). The question is, how are we to take what Daniel saw in his dream? Is it simply some kind of jacked up zoology or is there more lurking below the surface? If you’re thinking there’s got to be more below the surface, then you’re thinking correctly because in the OT, animals, when they’re talked about like that, are taken to be symbolic representations of empires and kingdoms. Bible scholars take Daniel’s dream to be a reference to four empires. The lion is Babylon; the bear represents the Medo-Persian empire; the leopard is the kingdom of Alexander the Great who’s empire was divided into four parts or heads upon his death; and finally, the last kingdom is taken to represent the Roman Empire with its powerful war machine. Personally, I agree with this and it’s how I understand Daniel’s dream. That said, the message of Daniel’s dream actually seems to be rather straight forward. The point is that God’s OT people were going to be oppressed for a period of time by these evil kingdoms rising from the wind stirred sea. The sea, obviously being a reference to the world at large given the fact that these animals are symbolic representations of world empires. Now, to drive the point home that this is what Daniel’s dream is referring to (and I, at least, find this to be interesting). If you interpret Daniel’s dream in chapter 7 in light of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a giant statue as described in Daniel 2, which Daniel interpreted by the way, you find out that it’s during the fourth kingdom (which, remember, would be Rome) that a stone/rock cut from the mountain smashes all of the other kingdoms and establishes a kingdom that will ultimately, one day, fill the entire earth. That kingdom is none other than the kingdom established by the Messiah, Jesus, in his first coming. The Kingdom was inaugurated during the period of time when the Romans were in power, and that matches exactly with what we’re told in Daniel. ---- The question is, however, how does all of this play into and illuminate what John saw in his vision in Revelation 13? ---- If I take all of what you read in Daniel and go back to Revelation 13, and John’s vision of the beast, what seems to be going on is this. (Let’s back up slightly into Revelation 12 to give ourselves some context and a starting point.) In the first few verses of Revelation 12, particularly Rev. 12:5, we’re told about a woman who “gave birth to a Son (that’s the birth of Jesus) who is going to rule all nations with an iron rod,” then we’re also told that he was “caught up to God and his throne” (that’s the ascension of Christ). After that, in Revelation 12:6 we’re told that after Jesus’ ascension the “woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, to be nourished there for 1260 days.” Then, in the rest of Rev. 12 we read of how the dragon (that’s Satan) persecutes the woman, but we also read of how she’s protected. That brings us up to Rev. 13. Now, here’s the thing, Revelation 13 follows on the heels of chapter 12 and seems to depict what happens to the woman during the time she’s protected in the wilderness for 1260 days, but in Rev. 13:5 we’re told that it’s during this period of time that the beast exercises its authority for 42 months. Because of that many interpreters believe that the 1260 days and the 42 months are not two different periods of time, but the same period looked at from two different perspectives. On the one hand, chapter 12 gives you some perspective on God’s people being protected, but on the other hand, chapter 13 gives you the perspective of God’s people as they’re being persecuted. These interpreters would say that this is happening right now as we speak. In other words, the 1260 days / 42 months is the period of time from the ascension to the return of Christ. On the other hand, some interpreters hold the view that the information given to us in Revelation 13 is referring to a future period of time, future even to us not long before the return of Christ when the anti-Christ will rule the earth. Some say this is the second half of a seven-year period of time, while others say the 42 months is simply symbolic of a short period of persecution. ---- Which one of these views is correct? ---- My honest opinion is this, they’re both probably right, and here’s why I take that view. In 1 John 2:18 we’re told, “18Children, it is the last hour. And as you have heard that antichrist is coming (that’s obviously future), even now many antichrists have come (that’s obviously present, even during the time John wrote). By this we know that it is the last hour.” (By the way, this is the same John who wrote Revelation!) Also, Paul in his letters to the Thessalonians points us to “the man of lawlessness/sin” (2 Thess. 2:3), a final anti-Christ figure. That said, however, it’s pretty interesting to note that all of words in the Greek text of Rev. 13 used in referring to the beast are in the Greek, neuter (not masculine), meaning that the correct translation in referring to the beast should be rendered as “it” and not as “he”. This means that, at the least, the beast spoken of here in Rev. 13 doesn’t necessarily have to be referring to someone but could be referring to something, and that something may well be a symbolic representation of the evil world system, or human governments empowered by Satan to act out in persecution of the God’s people. During John’s time the way the beast manifested itself was in and through the Roman Empire; during our time the beast manifests itself in any kingdom/empire, or governmental system that’s hostile to God’s people and the message of the gospel, though I do believe there will be a final, and ultimate, manifestation of the beast right before the return of Christ. That said, if you want to know why your brothers and sisters in Christ across the sea are being murdered for their belief in Christ, Revelation 13 points you to the answer! If you want to know why people are persecuted here for their stance on moral issues directly related to the truths taught in Scripture, or why they’re told they can’t spread the gospel in certain places, Revelation 13 gives you the answer. Ultimately, the power source for the beast is Satan, and that leads to the question of why do people follow like the beast like sheep? ---- Take a look at v.4 because it gives you the answer. “4They worshiped the dragon because he gave authority to the beast. (Pay close attention here) And they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against it?”

Appeal: How many of you have heard the old saying, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”? Church, Satan makes the system of this world look so enticing that people can’t help themselves, but don’t fall for it! Charismatic leaders will come and go, governments will rise and fall, but the kingdom of Christ will triumph and last forever! Let me ask you, in whom do you put your trust? If you haven’t placed your trust in Jesus as Savior, why not call out to him today!

13:5-8 “The Beast’s War on God’s People”

Explanation: Let’s turn now to vv.5-8. In these verses John tells us about the beast’s war on God’s people, and particularly how that war is waged. Verse 5 says that “5The beast was given a mouth to utter boasts and blasphemies” for a period of time, and then we’re told in v.6 who these blasphemies are directed towards, “6It began to speak blasphemies against God: to blaspheme his name and his dwelling—those who dwell in heaven.” By the way, that word blasphemy refers to a contemptuous, irreverent, deliberate and insolent utterance of defamation and slander.[1] In other words, imagine someone saying something about you, or directed at you, that totally devastates the opinion others towards you. The amazing thing is that the blasphemies of Rev. 13:6, are directed towards almighty God! Now, if that’s not enough, look at v.7. Verse 7 says that the beast “7 … was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. It was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.” Did you catch all that was said there in v.7? ---- First, you’re told that the beast “7 … was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them.” How is the beast able to do this? Did you notice that it’s because the beast was “permitted to”? You see, even though the beast might think its power is total, in reality it’s completely under the sovereign finger of God! Second, look at the last portion of v.7. The beast “7 … was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.” This beast, while it’s waging war against the people of God, has been sovereignly permitted to have control over the rest of the world. I take this to be a reference to unbelievers because of what’s said in v.8. Now, here’s a really good question, how do you think the beast is waging war against, and conquering, the people of God? ---- The second portion of v.7 and v.8 seems to answer that question. Because the beast has been “given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. (What going to happen?) 8All those who live on the earth (in Revelation that phrase all those who live on the earth always refers to unbelievers) will worship it, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.” The beast uses what it’s been given to go after, persecute, and attempt to conquer God’s people, those who are believers. Any idea as to where we might see this happening today? ---- You see it when our brothers and sisters in Christ are killed in China because they attempt to hold a church meeting. You see it when a pastor in Canada is jailed for simply preaching the gospel, and you see it in our own nation when the powers that be refuse to allow God’s people to meet and hold a worship service.

Appeal: I ask you once again, in whom do you place your trust? Is your faith firmly seated in what Jesus has done, or are you relying on something else? Today is the day of salvation! Give your life to Christ!

13:9-10 “A Call for Endurance and Faithfulness”

Let’s finish up by taking a quick look at vv.9 and 10, a call for endurance and faithfulness. Verse 9 begins, “9If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.” That’s the same phrase repeated by Jesus in his message to each of the seven churches in Rev. 2 and 3. It’s also the phrase both Isaiah and Jesus used when they taught, particularly when they began to teach in parables and through prophetic action. I find that to be very interesting because when they began to teach that way one of two things happened to their listeners. Those who were believers would perk up and listen while those who were not only hardened themselves more to the truth being taught. One commentator puts it like this, “In presenting these visions, John draws attention to their shock value. These are images meant to jar believers out of their worldly complacency and warn them of the threat at hand. At the same time, they further harden the hearts of “earth-dwellers” who cannot make any sense of them. Even as the exhortations given to the seven churches were directed toward believers, so also is this appeal. Believers will suffer as the beast makes war on them and in some cases appears to conquer them. Yet they are to persevere in faithfulness in spite of suffering, because they know their names are written forever in the book of life which has just been mentioned. Meanwhile, the judgment of God on the unbelievers who persecute them (and presently seem triumphant) is certain.”[2]

Appeal / Conclusion: As I was preparing this sermon and I came to the concluding section, I racked my brain in an attempt to think of a good way to end, but when it was all said and done, I could think of nothing better to say to you than what John writes in vv.9 and 10, “9If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen. 10If anyone is to be taken captive, into captivity he goes. If anyone is to be killed with a sword, with a sword he will be killed. This calls for endurance and faithfulness from the saints.” That’s you church! Are you a faithful follower of Jesus Christ today? Have you placed your faith in him? I want to ask you this question once more before we pray and go home, in whom do you place your trust?

Invitation

Closing Prayer

[1] Donald Mills, “Blasphemy,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

[2] Campbell, David. Mystery Explained: A Simple Guide to Revelation. Trinity Press, Toronto. Kindle Edition.