What Do You Know
About LIFE?
What Do You Know
About DEATH?
Do You Know
The TRUTH?
Like the beauty of the world is for all to behold ...
may the information and articles here become precious to you.
Where will you go when it's your time to die?
You need to know this today. Tomorrow may be too late!
HINT: It is NOT through a church, baptism, or good works.
What Does The Future Hold ?
Exciting and EASY Study on REVELATION
Uneed2no.com
Here is a great church to attend in Trumbull County, Ohio
FAITH Baptist Church
1401 Shaw Avenue, Niles, Ohio 44446
(330) 652-8151
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship
6:30 p.m. Evening Worship
6:30 p.m. Wednesday Services
Pastor Lenny Towle, with wife, Mrs. Amy Towle
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 13
VERSE 1: (Chapter 13)
​
The BEAST RISES
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy."
The first section of this verse says: "And I stood upon the sand of the sea". This is John speaking. He is obeying God's command to him in Revelation 1:11 when God said: "What thou seest, write in a book". God used John to write Revelation. God is revealing all this to us so we can be prepared. God did not have to let us know about all the things that are going to happen. But God wants us to know these things. God is warning us that things are going to get real bad and we need the Lord. We need to ask God to forgive us of our sins. We need to accept Him into our hearts. This is why God let John stand upon the sand of the sea and write down what he witnessed. John did not stand in the sea. John did not stand where the beast will rise up. John stood on the sand. He was on the side lines, witnessing and writing everything down that he saw.
Next, John tells us what he saw, "a beast rise up out of the sea". This beast is the Antichrist. The Antichrist is a man. Revelation 13:18 states: "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred three score and six (666)." This man, the Antichrist, is going to "rise up" out of a nation. Satan is going to give this man power over the world. He will be the most powerful man on the earth. He will have total control over all the military and over all the economic system = buying, selling, food, housing, etc. He will make peace with the world for three and a half years (Daniel 9:27).
Daniel 8:23b - 25 describes the Antichrist: "...a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (He shall "rise up out of the sea") And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power (this power is given to him by Satan). and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall he destroy many".
Our verse goes on to tell us that the Antichrist "will have seven heads and ten horns". The seven heads are seven world governments. The ten horns are ten sections that the seven world governments will be divided into. There will be ten divisions in these seven world governments. Then this verse states that "upon his horns ten crowns". This refers to ten rulers whom the Antichrist will put in charge of the ten divisions. There will be ten governmental officials overseeing these ten divisions. There will be one satanic ruler for each of the ten divisions. These ten official government rulers are the "ten crowns". These ten officials will give account of each district directly to the Antichrist.
The last part of this verse says: "and upon his heads the name of blasphemy". These seven world governments, divided into ten sections, will have Satan's mark upon them. They will belong to the Antichrist.
VERSE 2: (Chapter 13)
​
The ANIMAL
"And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."
The "beast" mentioned here is a tool of Satan's. 2 Corinthians 4:4 titles Satan as: "the god of this world". Satan has a lot people under his control. This "beast" is under his control. This tool of Satan's is to gain even more power.
Many have heard of the "Beast of Brussels", which is supposed to be a super computer that knows everything about everyone. Some say it's true, while other say it's fiction. Either way, there are some facts to consider. In January of 1993, the European Common Market was established. It was a single market that was designed to oversee the movement of merchandise, services, capital and people, (yes, people) according to Wikipedia. Super computers are needed for these tasks. In November of 1993, the European Common Market merged into what is now called the "European Community". The main goal is to balance economic growth through a "common external tariff", have "common policies for agriculture and trade", and to "enlarge the European Community (ECC)". Remember what Satan said to Jesus in Matthew 4:9: "All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Satan offered the control of the world to Jesus. Of course, Jesus told Satan: "Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve."
Satan was showing Jesus that he, Satan, thinks he controls the world. Here in Revelation 13, we are learning about the "beast" that Satan will use to control more of the world during the Tribulation Period. Will Satan use "Super Computers" as a tool to control and ruin the world? It's very possible. Satan will also use nations just as he has done all through history.
Our verse here says: "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard". Here, John is describing the "beast" he saw. John did not see a "leopard". He saw a "beast like unto a leopard".
John also reveals that its "feet were as the feet of a bear". It did not have bear's feet, it says "were as". And lastly, John describes the beast having a mouth "as the mouth of a lion". This "beast" will actually be three literal empires. According to Doctor C. I. Scofield, D.D. on page 1341 KJV, he compares the quality of the leopard to the swiftness of the Macedonian conquest. Dr. Scofield relates "the feet as a bear" to the strong purpose of the Persian Empire, and the "as the mouth of a lion" to Babylonish voracity."
In Danial 7, we are given more information about this beast. In Daniel 7:4, the lion represented the world-empire under King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel 7:5 tells about the bear representing the world-empire under Media-Persia. Daniel 7:6 documents the world-empire of Greece under Alexander the Great. After these three "beasts", Daniel saw the fourth beast. Daniel 7:7: "...behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it; and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns." This will be the Antichrist, the "beast". Our world has gone through the first three "beasts". It is now only a matter of time before the fourth "beast" will rise up.
Satan is going to give this fourth "beast" an extreme amount of power. Our verse here says: "the dragon (Satan) gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." Satan is going to give the Antichrist his power. Satan is going to put the Antichrist on his own throne. And Satan is going to instill in him the strongest authority over all the earth. The Antichrist will be the incarnation of Satan himself. All hell will break forth. It will be a terrible, terrible three and a half years Tribulation Period upon the world.
VERSE 3: (Chapter 13)
​
IMPERIALISM
"And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast."
First, John "saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death". On page 1342 of Dr. C. I. Scofield's KJV bible, he indicates that the ancient Roman empire has always existed. Ancient Rome had an imperial form of government. An imperial government if a government overseen by one person. Imperialism also extends its power over foreign nations. This includes military and economic power.
In the 300s AD - 400s AD, the Roman Empire suffered greatly. The fall of the Roman Empire was the loss of central political control in the Western Roman Empire. This is what is meant by "one of his heads as it were wounded". In the end of times, ten nations are going to restore Rome through a federation. Then "his deadly wound was healed". Rome will be restored and put as the "head" of the one world imperial government. This "head" will be the beast, and "all the world wondered after the beast". This man, the Beast, will be an intellectual genius. He will have great political and commercial knowledge. He will have great military understanding. He will appear religious. This man, the beast, will rise up to unite the world under one government and "all the world" will be amazed with this man.
VERSE 4: (Chapter 13)
​
The BEAST is WORSHIPPED
"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto beast? who is able to make war with him?"
This verse indicates that the people of the world will worship Satan: "And they worshipped the dragon (Satan) which gave power unto the beast (the Antichrist)." People will also worship the beast.
While worshipping the "beast", the people of the world will marvel over him. They may make comments like: "There's no one like him", "Isn't he amazing?" or "He is so wonderful and caring". People will lift up the Antichrist in their conversations, in their minds, and even in their hearts.
People, especially the political and governmental leaders, will relish over the fact that the Antichrist is so powerful that no country, group, or person will be strong enough to challenge him to war: "who is able to make war with him?" Remember in Verse 2, that Satan gives the Antichrist his throne, his power, and great authority.
VERSE 5: (Chapter 13)
​
The BEAST is WORSHIPPED
"And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months."
This verse states that the Antichrist will be "given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies". Notice that all the Antichrist's power will be given to him. He has no power of his own. It is stated in the previous verse (4), that Satan is the one who gives the Antichrist all his power. Satan will give "him his power, and his seat, and great authority." The Antichrist will be "given a mouth" to speak everything Satan wants him to say. The Antichrist will be very persuasive. He will speak powerful stuff. He will also speak "blasphemies". Blasphemy means to show great disrespect to God, to God's children, to the Bible, or to anything that is God's.
The Antichrist is also given time. However, his time is limited. It "was given unto him to continue forty and two months." Forty-two months equals three and a half years. During the first three and a half years of the Tribulation Period there will be false peace. This false peace may be used by Satan to get everything ready to put his satanic plans into real-time action. The one-world government may be at its peak of riches and power, then the Antichrist will "open his mouth". Look what he will say. It is revealed in the next verse...
VERSE 6: (Chapter 13)
​
The ANTICHRIST SPEAKS
"And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven."
Next we see that the Antichrist: "opened his mouth". This is what he will say publicly. What he says will be aired on all the news stations and in all kinds of media. This is not something the Antichrist will whisper. This is not what he may utter behind closed doors. This is going to be shouted publicly, world wide. And what the Antichrist says publicly will be blasphemies against God. He is going to curse God. He is going to curse anyone who claims the name of Christ = Christian. He is going to blasphemy God's tabernacle. The Antichrist is even going to curse God and everyone in heaven. The Antichrist is going to have extreme hate towards God, towards God's tabernacle, and especially towards God's people. ​
Then Satan will give the Antichrist another power. This is revealed in the next verse.
VERSE 7: (Chapter 13)
​
WAR Against SAINTS
"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."
At this point in time, the Antichrist is full of hate and anger toward God and anything related to God. So, when Satan gives him power to make war, the Antichrist will gladly accept this power.
The Antichrist will be given the power of war. Not just for any war. Remember, he will already have military power. This power is the power to "make war with the saints". No one can touch God's child unless God allows it. God has been protecting His children on the whole. At this time, during the Tribulation Period, God lifts His hand and allows Satan to violently attack His children. Why would God allow this?
God answers this in His Word, 1 Peter 1:7: "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory." God allows the Antichrist to attack the saints because God wants to see how much they really do love Him. God is trying their faith. The Lord says that this is "more precious than of gold". God loves all of us so very much. He died for us. He died for anyone who would accept Him into their heart. Now, He wants to see how much we love Him. Are we willing to die for our Saviour? Those who die for the Lord will receive a martyrs' crown: "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten day: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).
Here is a partial list of the persecutions that have occurred throughout the world throughout history:
​
-
Acid attack
-
Blinding
-
Being boiled alive
-
Being buried alive
-
Breaking of bones
-
Burning
-
Children taken away
-
Crucifixion
-
Crushing
-
Cutting off of limbs
-
Decapitation (beheading)
-
Eye-gouging
-
Finger or hand cut off
-
Flaying (slicing skin off layer by layer)
-
Forced from their homes
-
Forced nudity
-
Hanging
-
Kneecapping
-
Rape
-
Rat torture
-
Sawing the body in half
-
Scalping
-
Severe disfigurement
-
Slavery
-
Slow slicing
-
Solitary confinement
-
Stabbing
-
Strangling
​
The list is unending. A good book to read regarding early martyrs is the original Fox's Book of Martyrs.​
​​
​
Our verse here tells us that the Antichrist will be given the power "to overcome them". In other words, the Antichrist will torture and kill the saints of the Tribulation Period. While the Antichrist is torturing and killing saints, he will also be given power "over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations". People will be afraid. They will be very afraid of the Antichrist. They will obey all his laws and do as he says. This is going to happen all over the world ... "over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations". It won't matter where you live. It won't matter what language you speak, and it won't matter if you feel you are protected by a "free nation". The Antichrist is going to have power over "ALL" nations.
The Antichrist is going "to make war with the saints, and overcome them". Everyone is going to fear the Antichrist.
VERSE 8: (Chapter 13)
​
WORLDWIDE WORSHIP
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."
"All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him". All the people of all the different nations are going to worship the Antichrist. They will obey all his 'laws'. They will be afraid of him just like the world was afraid of Aldolf Hitler but worse.
The people that will "worship him" are unsaved people. People who have not accepted Christ into their heart. Because these people have not accepted Christ as their Saviour, their "names are not written in the book of life". Revelation 20:21 tells us that "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire". The ONLY way to have your name "written in the book of life" is to accept the Lamb Jesus as your Saviour. Then your name would be in the book of life. If you do not want to accept Christ as your Saviour then the Bible says you will be "cast into the lake of fire". You cannot accept Christ after you die. There is no second chance. When you die, your soul leaves your body. You must decide before you die. You must decide if you want to ask Christ to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart, or you just do nothing. Doing nothing is Satan's way of obtaining your soul forever.
The rest of this verse tells us about "the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world". In Genesis 3:21, we see that God "made coats of skins and clothed" Adam and Eve after they had sinned. It was God Who took a lamb to cover Adam and Eve. When God did this, He was teaching them that He was going to provide a blood sacrifice for their sins. The lamb in Genesis 3:21 that was killed to provide the covering for Adam and Eve was a symbol of Jesus being the final Sacrifice as the Lamb on the cross for all sin. From the Garden of Eden until the Cross of Christ, people looked forward to the Cross. Everyone after Christ died on the Cross, looks back at the cross for forgiveness of sin.
"From the foundation of the world" God already had His plan laid out. He knew if Adam and Eve chose to sin, He had a blood Sacrifice ready to save mankind so Satan could not take people to hell. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
VERSE 9: (Chapter 13)
​
HAVE EARS
"If any man have an ear, let him hear."
The Lord has already said this verse before in Revelation 2:1; 2:29; 3:6; 3:13; 3:22. However, there is one major difference between the other verses and this one. In the other verses in Revelation, God said "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches". In this verse (Revelation 13:9), there is no "unto the churches". This is because in this verse the Rapture will have already occurred. This verse is addressing those who are alive during the great Tribulation Period. The church ages are gone! The Rapture has occurred, and the Antichrist is on the scene.
It is now up to every single person to decide whether or not they want to hear the Word of God. Even though the church age will have ended, even though there may not be a true Christian church during the Tribulation Period, God's Word will never fail. God's Word will always be available for those who seek it - for those who truly want to "hear" what God is saying.
"For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations" (Psalm 100:5).
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17).
"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever" (Psalm 12:6-7).
"The word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you" (1 Peter 1:25).
VERSE 10: (Chapter 13)
​
What Goes Around Comes Around
"He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."
There is a biblical principle that is taught in this verse. We have heard of the saying: "What goes around comes around". Some people call it "Karma". Actually, it is a Bible principle. The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:7-8: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Job 4:8 states: "Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same." This principle is taught all through the Bible and here it is again being taught in the last book of the Bible, Revelation.
This is a very serious verse on how saints are to conduct themselves under any circumstances. The Tribulation Period will be an extremely difficult time for saints. Tribulation saints are people who accept Christ as their Saviour during the Tribulation Period. They will endure extreme persecutions and hardships. That is why God says: "Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." Tribulation saints may have to endure "captivity". They may be tortured severely and/or killed. This is why God says that the Tribulation saints need to have extra patience and a lot of faith. There will still be more terror coming on the earth during this time period. Another beast is coming on the scene ...
VERSE 11: (Chapter 13)
​
​Another BEAST
"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon."
In the first verse of this chapter (Chapter 13:1), we read about the Antichrist coming out of the sea. The Antichrist will come from a powerful nation. He will come from the "sea" of nations and governments. He will be the most powerful man on earth. This second beast comes from "out of the earth". This beast is the False Prophet. This man may come from 'humble' circumstances. He may be unknown to most people until the Antichrist reveals him.
We are told in this verse that the False Prophet will come "out of the earth". There are two main nations that the Tribulation Period focuses on. One is the 'new' Roman Empire. The other is the land of Israel. Satan will take over the Jewish Temple in Israel. He may use the False Prophet to do this.
The False Prophet will have "two horns like a lamb". A lamb does not have horns. A lamb has two little 'bumps' until he grows into a ram, then it is no longer a lamb. The False Prophet will come as a 'lamb'. He will be sympathetic. He will display himself as meek and harmless. However, the False Prophet will have power. His horns indicate his power. He may look innocent but he will be very destructive. The False Prophet will be a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Just to show you how close we are to the Rapture and the coming of the False Prophet, I want to share this article with you. It is by Danny Van Vleet and appeared on NEWSBREAK and News Radio 610KONA. The heading reads: "Satanic Temple Coming To Spokane" (Washington). The article states that this 'temple' will be a 'safe haven'. The article is indicating that The Satanic Temple wants to help unite people from various backgrounds and offer 'personal freedoms'. The article goes on to say they (the TST=The Satanic Temple), wants to endeavor to give people more choices and personal freedoms. They want to 'support rights that benefit everyone'. Sounds good doesn't it???!!!
The False Prophet will speak "as a dragon". This means he will speak persuasively to turn humans away from God. His main job will be to cause people to worship the Antichrist. The False Prophet will have the power to make great signs and wonders to occur. He will even be able to bring fire down from heaven (verse 13). This power will be given to him by Satan. He will be able to persuade people into worshipping the Antichrist. Just like God is a trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit), Satan has his unholy trinity (the Devil, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet). God's trinity is truth, love, and goodness. Satan's unholy trinity is deceit, hatred, and evil.
The very next verse goes on to describe the False Prophet and his powers ...
VERSE 12: (Chapter 13)
​
​The FALSE PROPHET
"And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed."
It is normal to perceive the False Prophet and the Antichrist as horrible looking creatures. It is normal to think that people won't be persuaded by them. But this is not true. They will NOT be horrible looking creatures. They will be handsome. They will be very persuasive and kind at first. This is exactly why God is informing us about the Antichrist and the False Prophet. God knows Satan will have his Antichrist appear as a handsome, intelligent man. He knows the False Prophet will appear as being so innocent that the majority of people will believe and follow him. God knows the power that these two will possess. God is warning us. He is giving everyone all the warning signs. God is revealing to people the characteristics of the Antichrist and the False Prophet. He wants people to know the truth and turn to Christ. If all this were not true, then God would not have written it down. Satan, too, knows this is very true!
The False Prophet will have "all the power" that the Antichrist will have. We mentioned some of the power of the Antichrist in verses 3 - 7 (Chapter 13). For example; the Antichrist will have the power to unite the world into one government; he will cause people to worship him; he will speak lies; he will blasphemy God; and he will make war against the saints and win. The False Prophet will "exerciseth all" these powers. The False Prophet will also have the authority to make all the people of "the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast (the Antichrist). The False Prophet does not exalt himself. He exalts the Antichrist and causes the world to worship the Antichrist.
The False Prophet will sound very sensible. He will persuade millions by what he says. He will try to change everyone's beliefs and will attempt to merge religions. He will also attempt to promote a world government with a world religion.
The False Prophet will also claim to be able to heal people and perform miracles. But Jesus forewarns us in Matthew 24:24; the Lord says: "For there shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
The last part of this verse is simply reaffirming that the Antichrist had a "deadly wound" that was healed. This refers back to verse 3 (Chapter 13): "...his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast". (Refer to verse 3 for more info).
VERSE 13: (Chapter 13)
​
​GREAT WONDERS and FIRE
"And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,"
This verse is still talking about the False Prophet. He will literally make real fire come down out of the sky. The fire will come down and touch the earth. The False Prophet will do this in front of the whole earth. People will be able to see him do this on their TVs, computers, iPhones, or in person.
Keep in mind that Satan likes to copycat God. There are several times recorded that God brought fire down from heaven (Genesis 19:24; 2 Kings 1:10,12; 1 Chronicles 21:26; 2 Chronicles 7:1; 1 Kings 18:38; are just a few examples). It is also recorded that Satan instigated fire to "fall from heaven" and destroyed Job's flocks (Job 1:16). If you refer back to Chapter 11:5 of Revelation, we studied that God's two witnesses will be given power over fire. So here we have Satan being a copycat. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 says: "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;" God's Word says that Satan transforms himself into 'light'. Satan copycats God, for God is Light. The Antichrist and the False Prophet will appear 'good' like God is good. But God says BE NOT DECEIVED.
VERSE 14: (Chapter 13)
​
The BEAST is SET UP
""And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live."
This verse tells us that the False Prophet will deceive the people of the world because he will do so many miracles. People will think that he is wonderful because he will be able to do such amazing things. He will bring 'peace' and stop riots. He will cause the economy to prosper. And he does this "in the sight of the beast".
In verse 2 of this chapter (Chapter 13), we saw this "beast" mentioned. We studied about the Beast of Brussels and enlargement of the European Community. This "beast" will be Satan's tool to control and ruin the world. The controller of the "Beast" will be the Antichrist. The False Prophet will cause the people to "make an image to the beast". It does not say they make an "image of the beast". It says they "make an image to the beast". All our computers, phones, social media, banking, etc., are all linked "to the beast". The False Prophet has the power of this technology ... "he had power to do in the sight of the beast". The False Prophet will be right there in the control room, having all the power in his fingertips to control the world.
The image the False Prophet may require everyone to "make" could be a computer chip, or perhaps a laser imprint. It will be an "image" that people will be required to 'show' "to the beast". The "image" will be used to buy, sell, travel, etc., etc.
The last part of this verse says: "which had the wound by a sword, and did live". This is referring back to verse 1 of Chapter 13.
VERSE 15: (Chapter 13)
​
​The IMAGE is LIVE
"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed."
We are told in this verse that the False Prophet will have the "power to give life unto the image of the beast". Most of us have heard of the term that a wire is 'live'. In other words, when it comes to electricity, it can be 'live'. If the electricity running into our homes were not from a 'live' source, we would not have the electric energy needed to run our appliances. This verse tells us that "life" is given "unto the image". The "image" will have no power of its own. Power is given to it by the False Prophet. The "image of the beast" is like an appliance. The "power" comes from an outside source, the False Prophet.
Centuries ago, people knew nothing about electricity or its power. Early settlers did not even know what a computer was. But God knew and He wrote Revelation for us. We are living in the age of advanced technology; we can relate to the computer world. God knew Satan would use technology to usher in his mark. I'm not saying technology is bad or wrong. We need it just like we need electricity. Our world depends upon technology. Technology has and will be used for a lot of good in our world. But that doesn't stop Satan from using it either. Satan is called "the price of the power of the air" in Ephesians 2:2. News stations say they are "On Air" when they are broadcasting. There are radio waves sent out "over the air". We have a space station. Our phones use icloud storage and the list goes on. Mankind has leashed onto many benefits of airwaves and space. Satan knows how to control and interfere in these wonderful assets that God has allowed us to use. Remember, Satan is called "the price of the power of the air". Satan is prince of "the power of the air" He is not prince of the air, but prince of "the power".
Satan is going to raise up his False Prophet to control his "power of the air". Technology is advancing very rapidly. It is very difficult to keep up with it today. Our verse here tells us that the image will "speak". We see this today. Robots have great abilities. Not only can they "speak" but they can also recognize people ... facial, eye, and voice recognition. There are some robots that seem almost human. They can "think and make decisions". Holograms have also been created and are very lifelike. However, all this has to be programed into the computer first. That is where the real control is. And it will be the False Prophet that will have "the power to give life unto the image of the beast". It will be the False Prophet, at the head of the control tower, imputing everything into the beast that the Antichrist dictates to him.
The Antichrist is going to give all the orders to the False Prophet. The False Prophet will make sure that the orders are carried out. The main order from the Antichrist is in this verse. Our verse says that people will be ordered to "worship the beast". Back in biblical times, people may have thought that this meant to bow down and worship an idol. However, today it has a different meaning. Worship does not necessarily mean just to bow down and worship something. Worship also has the definition of "due respect; the rights and traditions of others, to esteem." The False Prophet will enforce "due respect" from everyone. He will enforce a law that will require "the rights" for everyone to buy or sell by requiring people to obtain proper identification. This "identification right" will be in "a mark". According to the dictionary, a "mark" is "any symbol made as an indication or record of something. A visible impression." The "worship" that will be required by the Antichrist will be "the respect" of receiving his mark. People will be ridiculed who do not want to follow this "law". Not only will people be ridiculed, cast out, hated, etc., but they will be killed ... "as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed". The computer already has all our social security numbers. All our information has already been programed into it. The Antichrist will know exactly who will not conform to his policy. He will know who to go after, and whoever will not comply will "be killed".
VERSE 16: (Chapter 13)
​
​A FORCED MARK
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:"
We are continuing here with the False Prophet. He will require "all", everyone, to accept the "lawful requirement" of a "mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads". This "mark" will be a mandate. God's Word says here: "both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond". It won't matter if you are a blue-collar worker or a white-collar businessman, you will be required to "receive a mark" on your body. If you are very rich or very poor, you will be required to get this mark. No matter if you are traveling around the world or if you are in a jail somewhere, you will be made to accept this required 'mark of society'.
VERSE 17: (Chapter 13)
​
GOING HUNGRY
"And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."
This verse tells us why the False Prophet will enforce the "mark". Satan wants to control the whole world. We need food to survive. Satan thinks that if he can control the food, then he would be able to control man. So Satan has devised this plan to control all the buying and selling of everything. Satan will use this tactic to force people to get his "mark". Satan is ready to do this whenever he sets up his Antichrist.
No matter how much Satan would like to believe that he is in control, it is God who is really in control. God never leaves people without hope. In the second half of this verse God tells us that people will be able to use "the name of the beast, or the number of his name" to buy food and necessities.
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee".
(Deuteronomy 31:6)
​
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
(Hebrews 13:5)
​
VERSE 18: (Chapter 13)
​
666
"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."
God says "Here is wisdom". God also says: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5). The Lord is handing us wisdom. God says that if we do not understand something, then ask Him. And He says if we ask Him, then He will give us the understanding and wisdom we ask for. God does not lie. "Upbraideth not" means that once God gives it to us, He will not take it back away from us. He promises to give wisdom to us IF we ask. Sometimes God gives us wisdom even when we don't ask. Like this verse, for instance, I didn't ask to know the number of the beast, but God is revealing it to us anyways so we can understand and have wisdom about the beast. This will help people during the Great Tribulation Period.
There will be many people who do not want to know about the 'beast'. They may just want to 'stick their head in the sand', sort of speak. They may not want 'to get involved'. That will be their choice. However, the Lord directs this verse to people who "hath understanding".
God clarifies that the "beast" is "a man". Then He tells us that people can identify this "man", the "beast", by "his number". The Lord goes on to reveal the number of the Antichrist. God tells us that it is 666. Six hundred = 600 + threescore (1 score equals 20 so 3 score equals 20 times 3 = 60). So we have 600 + 60 + 6 (and six). Total 666.
Many years ago, some people thought that the number 666 would be stamped on people. Others have thought that the number 666 could stand for six numbers down in a row and six numbers across with six numbers diagonally. While there are others that have said that the barcodes used to scan products are the "mark of the beast" and that someday they will put that barcode on people. There are also people who believe that the "mark" refers to a computer chip because some computer programs start with 666. In 2005, the United States Senate passed the 'Real ID Act' that forces states to transform driver's license numbers into National ID numbers. This information is entered into a national database which is linked to databases in other countries. There are also Radio Frequency Identification tags (RFID). This makes it so that any one tag can be read by every scanner on earth. Any person who pays for any item using credit, cash, or any other type of payment will forever have their names and information linked to that item. However, one thing is for sure, it is that people will fully understand that they will be required to receive this "mark" in order to purchase items, go to a hospital, or to just survive in the "new world order".
_edited.png)
_edited.jpg)