Last Things 10 - The Antichrist - Polictical - Part 2 The Beast from the Earth - Revelation 13:11-18

Last Things  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  28:16
0 ratings
· 40 views

03/07/22

Files
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
View more →
Psalm 44:4–8 (ESV)
4 You are my King, O God; ordain salvation for Jacob! 5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. 6 For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. 7 But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. 8 In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah
Revelation 13:11–18 (ESV)
11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
Introduction
We have seen something of the first beast arising put of humanity with devastating and horrific powers. His aim is world domination and is at work during the whole of the Gospel Age. This second beast aids and assists in this endeavour. The same principles of interpretation apply.
Symbols – The Book is largely symbolical
Not Chronological – The Book is not a chronological account from Chap 1:1 to 22:21
Not Futuristic – The Book is not futuristic in that from Chap 4:1 we have a prophecy of what is going to occur at the end of the world.
Satan uses the beast coming up out of the sea as the Antichrist and the beast coming out of the earth as the false prophet. The one represents physical force and raw power, for he comes up out of the sea of humanity; the other stands for deceit, because he presents himself as possessing intellectual acumen and rational philosophy. The one attacks the external part of a human being, that is, the physical body, with destruction and death; the other influences the inner part of a person, namely, the mind. The second one is even more fearful than the first; he is able to make the inhabitants of the earth worship the beast that came out of the sea. He is a symbol of false religion and fallacious philosophy. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, pp. 387–388). Baker Book House.
We will consider
Origin v11a
Appearance v11b
Authority v12-13
Deception v14-15
Control v16-18
Slide

1. Origin v1

Slide
Revelation 13:11 (ESV)
11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth.
“And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth.” The second beast comes not from the sea of people as a symbol of brute force but arises from the earth in contrast to heaven. This beast stands in direct opposition to everything that comes from heaven and is devoid of anything that is heavenly. He is therefore the aggregate of sin that reaches from earth to heaven, and, as the false prophet, he stands completely in the service of the Antichrist. The false prophet is mentioned three times in the Apocalypse (16:13; 19:20; 20:10). He personifies secular philosophies, that is, the worldly theories of knowledge that influence the thinking and actions of the masses. His purpose is to set the whole world against God and his Christ, revelation, and people. Briefly, his aim is to be victorious in this endeavour, but in reality, as Revelation shows, Christ is the victor and he the vanquished. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 388). Baker Book House.
Revelation 16:13–14 ESV
13 And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. 14 For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.
Revelation 19:20 ESV
20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
Revelation 20:10 (ESV)
10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Slide

2. Appearance v11b

Slide
Revelation 13:11 ESV
11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

a. Two Horns

The lamb of the male gender appears with two horns as symbols of power and might. He had not ten horns like the dragon (12:3) but only two. The number two signifies sufficiency in respect to spreading the lie and wielding authority throughout the world. The appearance of the lamb is not merely a parody of the Lamb of God; it also appears as the embodiment of deception—harmless, lovable, and attractive. It is the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove or the wolf in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15). This beast is instigated by the father of lies (John 8:44). Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 388). Baker Book House.
John 8:44 ESV
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
b. Spoke Like a Dragon
“And he spoke like a dragon.” In the Greek text the verb “had” in the preceding clause and the verb “spoke” are in the imperfect tense to indicate the continuation of an act. That is, the lamb all along was seen with the two horns and it kept on speaking like a dragon. The dragon relates to the previous chapter, where he is identified as that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan (12:9). The word then intimates that he can speak deceptively, like the serpent who addressed Eve in Paradise (Gen. 3:1). Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, pp. 388–389). Baker Book House.
Genesis 3:1 (ESV)
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
Slide

3. Authority v12-13

Slide
Revelation 13:12–13 ESV
12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,

a. Authority v12a

Revelation 13:12 (ESV)
12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence,
The beast of the sea has received delegated authority that he shares with the beast out of the earth. The first one demonstrates power; the second one displays propaganda. But the second should never be underestimated, for he enjoys the same supremacy as the first beast, in whose interest he works. These two anti-Christian forces are united in their effort to overthrow the rule of Christ. This powerful combination of thought and authority rules on the face of the earth and controls the minds and bodies of untold millions of people. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 389). Baker Book House.

b. Worship v12b

Revelation 13:12 (ESV)
12 ... makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.
Everything on the face of the earth is to serve the interest of the Antichrist, the first beast. All the institutions of communication, all the resources of governments and administrations, all the educational resources, and all the commerce and industry must stand at the beck and call of the Antichrist. For that reason, the false prophet as the mouthpiece of the Antichrist must control and govern the human mind. This feat can be accomplished only when human beings turn away from their former allegiances and worship the Antichrist. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 389). Baker Book House.
The act of worship in the province of Asia meant to acknowledge the Roman emperor as Lord and God (chapters 2 and 3). When Christians entered a pagan temple and participated in meals offered to an idol, they were in fact participating in the worship of demons (1 Cor. 10:20–21). The number of people who through the centuries have turned away from Christ to follow idols is definitive proof of the nefarious work of the second beast. The Antichrist wants all people to worship him and thus supplant the worship of Christ. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 389). Baker Book House.
1 Corinthians 10:20–21 ESV
20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

c. Great Signs v13

Revelation 13:13 (ESV)
13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,
The great imitator accomplishes miracles comparable to those done by God’s servants. For example, the signs Elijah performed were marvelous indeed. He called to God and fire came down from heaven, burning the sacrifice and the wood on the altar and its stones, and even licking up the water in the trench that surrounded the altar (1 Kings 18:38). And he called down fire from heaven to consume two captains with fifty men each (2 Kings 1:10, 12; see also Luke 9:54–55). Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 390). Baker Book House.
1 Kings 18:38 ESV
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
2 Kings 1:10–12 (ESV)
10 But Elijah answered the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. 11 Again the king sent to him another captain of fifty men with his fifty. And he answered and said to him, “O man of God, this is the king’s order, ‘Come down quickly!’ ” 12 But Elijah answered them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.” Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.
Paul warns his readers that “the coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders” (2 Thess. 2:9; see Matt. 24:24). The two prophets whom God sends forth to present his testimony to the world had the power to spew fire from their mouths to devour their enemies (11:5). Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 390). Baker Book House.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 ESV
9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,
Matthew 24:24 (ESV)
24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
Deuteronomy 13:1–5 ESV
1 “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. 5 But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the Lord your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
Matthew 7:21–23 ESV
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Slide

4. Deception v14-15

Slide
Revelation 13:14–15 ESV
14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.
For the devil and his henchmen, deception is a way of life. For them this word spells a complete abandonment of truth, honesty, integrity, righteousness, and honour as they seek to use the people living on this earth. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 390). Baker Book House.
John notes that these signs are to be performed in the presence of the first beast, who desires to be worshipped by the masses of humanity. This is to be done by having the people erect his image by which he acknowledges their homage. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 391). Baker Book House.
The influence of the beast should not be limited to the end of the first century, because its authority is worldwide, appears in numerous forms, and lasts until the consummation. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 391). Baker Book House.

5. Control v16-18

Slide
Revelation 13:16–18 ESV
16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

a. Categories

The second beast not only executes those who decline to worship the image of the first beast, but he also forces all categories of people to receive p 393 a distinguishing mark that sets them apart from Christians. The expression all does not signify that every single human being is included but rather that people from all walks of life are intended. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, pp. 392–393). Baker Book House.

b. Mark

The explanations for this word range from slaves being branded to people placing a tattoo on their right hand or forehead. History is replete with accounts of slaves, soldiers, or zealots being branded or tattooed. The verse, however, specifies that the purpose for bearing the mark of the beast is to be able to buy or sell merchandise, and that includes a much broader category than a small segment of the population. Some scholars put the sentence in the historical context of Caesar worship, so that only those people who had received an ink mark on either their wrist or forehead might enter the marketplace. The difficulty with this interpretation is that Roman historians report nothing concerning such a practice in the empire. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 393). Baker Book House.
If we understand John to write not for a particular moment in time as he reflects on a local incident, but for the universal church of all ages and places, then we need to interpret this verse more broadly. First, let us notice that the word mark appears a number of times in Revelation. John mentions it in 14:9, “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives the mark on his forehead and his hand” (see also 19:20; 20:4). And in 14:11 he writes of “anyone who receives the mark of his name.” Therefore, having the mark of the beast leads to acts of worship and the bearing of his name. It designates a person as a devotee and true follower of the beast. It indicates a person who is hostile to God, his Word, and his people; he or she bears the mark of the Antichrist on the right hand or forehead. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 393). Baker Book House.
Revelation 14:9 ESV
9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
Therefore, having the mark of the beast leads to acts of worship and the bearing of his name. It designates a person as a devotee and true follower of the beast. It indicates a person who is hostile to God, his Word, and his people; he or she bears the mark of the Antichrist on the right hand or forehead. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 393). Baker Book House.
Next, the symbol of the right hand means friendship and fellowship (Gal. 2:9); it is a sign of working together in a common cause, namely, to oppose God. The mark on the forehead implies that these people are influenced by the same philosophy and thought patterns. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 393). Baker Book House.
Galatians 2:9 ESV
9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
As the devotees of the Antichrist have the mark of the beast on their forehead or right hand, so the servants of God have received the seal of the Lord and the name of both the Father and the Lamb on their foreheads (7:3; 14:1). If the mark on Gods people is invisible, I interpret also the marks on the unbelievers as invisible. And last, receiving the mark of allegiance to the beast is in itself a travesty of the pledge made at Christian baptism. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, pp. 393–394). Baker Book House.
Revelation 7:2–4 ESV
2 Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3 saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4 And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
Revelation 14:1 (ESV)
1 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
Slide

c. Trade v17

Slide
Revelation 13:17 ESV
17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
Revelation 2:9 (ESV)
9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

d. Wisdom v18

Revelation 13:18 ESV
18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
Revelation 5:12 (ESV)
12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing!”
Revelation 7:11–12 (ESV)
11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Slide

e. Number v18

Slide
Revelation 13:18 ESV
18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
“Let anyone who has a mind calculate the number of the beast.” Persons who have intelligence enlightened by the Spirit will be able to understand. This does not mean that only intellectual people have the mental capacity to interpret this passage; everyone with the Spirit’s aid will readily see its meaning in terms of Christ versus the Antichrist. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 394). Baker Book House.
In view of these difficulties I opt for a different approach. John puts the entire chapter in the framework of symbolism, so the reader may expect that the number in verse 18 must also be taken figuratively. The number seven signifies completeness; six, incompleteness. Satan, the great imitator, strives to achieve the sum total of seven but always falls short and ends up with six. .... Satan’s work always results in failure. “The number of the beast is 666, that is, failure upon failure upon failure!” Although the devil has tried to eliminate all of God’s people from the death of Abel to the present, he has never succeeded. In this age-old conflict not Satan but God is in charge. In conclusion, the number 666 belongs to Satan and not to one particular individual who did the devil’s work in history. Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, pp. 395–396). Baker Book House.
Conclusion
Revelation 14:1–3 ESV
1 Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, 3 and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
Related Media
See more
Related Sermons
See more