The Deception of the Age

If I were to list off these characteristics to you, what vocation do you believe this person would be in:

graduated with a doctorate of philosophy towards the top of their class

published 14 works

is recognized by historians as one of the greatest public speakers in history

The person who holds all these characteristics was known as Joseph Goebbels

He was the chief propagandists official of the third reich under the regime of Adolf Hitler.

Deceptive Description of the second beast (v. 11)

Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

Notice the description of this beast.

Like a lamb (a mockery of Christ)

13x’s in 12 vs. “lamb” is used in the book of Revelation. Only here does it not refer to Christ!

With two horns

Descends out of the earth.

Destructive Role of the second beast (vs. 12-18)

His role will be to bring about cultic worship of the Antichrist. (v. 12)

Notice he has the same power, but different promotion.

The Antichrist will use his power to promote himself. The false prophet will use his power to propagate the Antichrist.

His means will by miraculous events:

John uses the word σημειον, which is one of three words translated as miracle in the NT. However, it is the most purposeful of the three.

Fire falling to the earth

Return of idol worship

Enforcement through identification and commercialization

The infamous number 666