Revelation 13 is an enlarged picture of Satan's hatred for and persecution of the Church of Christ described in chapter 12. Chapter 12 closes with these words: "The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed (the saints of God), which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Though Satan has been defeated by Christ, though his power has been broken, though he has but a short time before his final destruction under the wrath of God, he still makes war against the church of Christ. "Having great wroth," being full of hatred for Christ, he does everything within his power to destroy the Church of Christ. In chapter 13, John is given a vision of the agents of evil which Satan, the old dragon, uses against the Church of Christ. These agents of evil are The Beast And The False Prophet.
Remember, the Church, the woman's seed, are those men and women throughout the world, who are born of God. They are God's elect, those who are redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, regenerated and called by the Holy Spirit, those who worship God in Spirit and in truth. Satan has no power by which to destroy the people of God. He cannot destroy Christ's Church (Matt. 16:18), or even hinder its progress. But he never ceases to try.
Satan's agents of evil are described as two beasts, full of anger and wrath, bent upon the destruction of God's elect.
"The first (beast) is a monster of indescribable horror. The second has a harmless appearance and for that very reason is even more dangerous than the first. The first beast comes up out of the sea. The second arises from the land. The first is satan's hand. The second is the devil's mind. The first represents the persecuting power of satan operating in and through the nations of this world and their governments. The second symbolizes the false religions and philosophies of this world. Both of these beasts oppose the church throughout this dispensation" – (William Hendriksen).
Proposition:In this vision, the Lord Jesus is telling us that Satan's warfare against his church will never end until time shall be no more; but he is also assuring us that Satan's wrath against us shall never be successful.
The seed of the serpent persecutes the seed of the woman. It always has. And it always will, until at last the seed of the woman sits in judgment over and destroys the seed of the serpent. As Cain hated Abel, and Ishmael hated Isaac, and Esau hated Jacob, and Saul hated David, so it is to this day. The world hates the Church of God, because the world hates God. And the one great cause of the world's hatred, that which stirs up the wrath of the serpent's seed is the gospel of the grace of God which we preach. The offense of the cross has not ceased. Christ is even the cause of great division. The world is very tolerant of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The preaching of Christ crucified, the cross of Christ. The preaching of Christ crucified, the cross of Christ always stirs up the wrath of the devil's children. Cain hated Abel because Abel declared that blood atonement is the only ground of acceptance with God. Ishmael hated Isaac because Isaac was the heir of covenant grace, the child of promise, and he was the son of a bondwoman, the result of fleshly works. Esau hated Jacob because Jacob was the object of God's love, the object of sovereign election. And the world is opposed to the Church of Christ because the true Church of Christ declares, most plainly, that "all flesh is grass" and that "salvation is of the Lord!"
Now let's look at the vision which John describes in this chapter. It is a vision of Satan's wrath against the Church. But it is also a vision of God's immutable grace toward his own elect.
Divisions:
1. The Beast rising up from the sea represents all the civil, political powers of the world bent upon the destruction of Christ's Church (vv. 1-7).
2. Though relentlessly persecuted, God's Church is always safe and secure, preserved and protected by Divine Grace (vv. 8-10).
3. The Beast coming up out of the earth represents all the false religion of the world, by which the multitudes are deceived (vv. 11-17).
4. The number of the beast is the number failure, frustration, and defeat (vv. 18).
I. The Beast Rising Up From The Sea Represents All The Civil, Political Powers Of The World Bent Upon The Destruction Of Christ's Church (vv. 1-7).
The sea represents the nations of the world and their governments (Isa. 17:12; Rev. 17:15). Many have sought to marry the church and the state. But it always results in evil. Secular, civil, political governments are ordained of God for the protection of society as a whole. And it is our responsibility to obey the powers that be in all matters of civil responsibilities (Rom. 13:1). But there never has been a christian nation in the world, nor even a government devoted to Christian principles, including the United States of America. From the very beginning of this age, all secular, governmental power has been opposed to Christ and his Church. It was a Roman governor who had our Lord crucified. And it was by civil authority that the apostles and churches of the New Testament were relentlessly persecuted. Times of persecution and times of religious tolerance are entirely matters of political expediency. Sometimes God providentially restrains the persecutor's powers of this world are always opposed to the Kingdom of God.
A. This First Beast Symbolizes The Persecuting Wrath And Power Of Satan, The God Of This World, Embodied In The Nations Of The World Throughout History – (Eph. 6:12).
The beast is world dominion, governmental power directed against the people of God, whenever and wherever it appears in history. This beast assumes many different forms at different times. Sometimes the persecution is open and brutal. Sometimes it is subtle and deceiving. But it is always inspired by Satan. "The dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and his authority."
NOTE: In Daniel's vision (7:2), he saw four beasts, representing four successive world empires. Here, John sees all the empires of the world combined as one. The picture seems to suggest that as the time of Christ's second coming draws near, we will see more and more civil, governmental opposition to the Church of God throughout the world. The name of secular, political power throughout the world is "Blasphemy"!
1. The seven heads of this beast represent the universality of his influence.
2. The ten horns represent the power, both legislative and military, by which he imposes his policies of persecution.
3. The crowns upon his horns, rather than upon his heads, suggest that it is the dragon. Satan, who rules, executing his wrath by the governmental powers of the world (Compare 12:3 and 13:1).
4. This beast, the political powers of the world, is full of wrath, strong and furious, having the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion.
B. One Of The Beast's Heads Was Wounded To Death And Then Healed, Causing All The World To Wonder After Him (v. 3).
This death stroke that was healed represents the destruction and restoration of some great world power, known for its persecution of the Church of Christ. Two in particular come to mind:
NOTE: It must be constantly remembered that the beast is not opposed to religion. He is a promoter of religion. He is even a promoter of tolerance for all religious opinion, except the gospel of Christ, the gospel of God's free and sovereign grace, the gospel of accomplished redemption in a Substitute.
C. In Those Days, Which Precede The Coming Of Christ, The Whole World Will Be Engulfed In The Religion Of Antichrist (vv. 4-7).
The old writers mistakenly limited the worship of the beast, described in these verses, to the papacy. Without question the religion of the pope is antichrist. But antichrist is a beast with many claws. The worship of the beast is not worshipping a single man, but rather doing the service of the beast, worshipping according to the will of the beast. It is all worship that blasphemes the name of the one true and living God. The religion of the beast is the religion of man.
The universal spread of idolatrous, free-will, works religion will ultimately result in the apparent overthrow of the Church of God and the truth of God – (compare Rev. 13:7 and 11:7). But this overthrow of the Church is only an apparent overthrow, not a real one. The Church will be in such minority that it will seem to be annihilated. The governments of the world will support and defend the religion of the world and viciously persecute the Church of God.
II. Though Relentlessly Persecuted, The Church Of God Is Always Safe And Secure, Preserved And Protected By Divine Grace (vv. 8-10).
Even in these dreadful days of darkness and persecution. God will not be without a witness. There will be believers upon the earth even then, and they will be safe in the hands of Christ as always.
A. There Is An Elect People In This World Who Cannot Be Deceived And Destroyed By The Religion Of Antichrist (v. 8).
The tribulation of these days is so great that if it were possible the very elect of God would be deceived. But, thank God, his elect cannot be deceived. Christ's sheep will not hear the stranger's voice. In this verse John gives us two reasons why God's Church, his elect ones, cannot be engulfed in and destroyed by the religion of antichrist.
1. Their names were written in the book of life before the world began; and the purpose of God according to election cannot be frustrated (II Thess. 2:13).
2. They have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, The Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world; and the blood of Christ cannot be shed in vain – (Isa. 53:9-10)
The governmental powers of antichrist may destroy our bodies, but it cannot destroy our souls. And those who carry God's saints into captivity shall be carried into captivity by God. Those who kill God's saints with the sword of persecution shall be slain by the sword of God's inflexible justice. "The apple of mine eye".
C. And In The Midst Of Persecution And False Religion, The Patience And Faith Of God's Saints Will be Evident (v. 10).1. The true believer will patiently endure all tribulation and persecution, knowing that even these days of great tribulation are ordained of God for our good and his glory, ruled by God for our good and his glory, and shall be terminated by God at his appointed time for our good and his glory (Rom. 8:28; 11:36).
2. It is the believer's faith in Christ that causes him both to resist error and endure persecution – (I Cor. 11:19; I John 2:19-20; Matt. 10:20).III. The Beast Coming Up Out Of The World Represents All The False Religion Of The World, By Which The Multitudes Are Deceived (vv. 11-17).
This second beast is the false prophet (16:13; 19:20). It is the spokesman of the first beast, the messenger of Satan. This false prophet is not one man, but the symbol of all false religion and all false prophets throughout this age. Antichrist is not a single man, but a system of religion opposed to Christ and the gospel of his grace. Antichrist is the religion of the earth, the religion of the world (I John 4:1-6).
Notice this beast, the false prophet, arises up out of the earth. His wisdom and his religion is of the earth. It is human religion inspired by Satan and pleasing to the flesh (James 3:15; Phil. 3:18-19; Col. 2:16-23).
The appearance of the beast, the appearance of the false prophet is always deceiving. He does not have ten horns, like a furious monster. He only has two little horns, like a harmless lamb. But he speaks like a dragon. That is to say, He speaks by the inspiration of Satan (Matt. 7:15). He looks so innocent. But his doctrine, his speech is the speech of the old serpent. This second beast, the false prophet, is the lie of Satan dressed up to look like the truth of God. It is the messenger of Satan masquerading as a shining angel (II Cor. 11:1-4, 13-15).
A. It Is The Purpose And Design Of The False Prophet To Turn Men Away From The Gospel Of Christ.
As time draws near its end, as this gospel age comes to its close, as the day of Christ approaches, the power and influence of the beast will increase. False prophets will abound on every side, teaching lies (II Tim. 3:1-117; 4:1-4).
1. The false prophet preaches Jesus, but he is another Jesus, a Jesus whose blood was shed in vain, a Jesus whose power to save depends upon the will of man, a Jesus who is weak, helpless, frustrated, defeated, pathetic.
2. The false prophet preaches a spirit, but it is another spirit, not the Spirit of grace but the spirit of covetousness, not the Spirit of irresistible power but the spirit of sentimental emotionalism.
3. The false prophet preaches a gospel, but it is another gospel, not the gospel of free grace but the gospel of free-will, not the gospel of sovereign mercy but the gospel of good works.
4. The false prophet preaches righteousness, not the righteousness of God in Christ but the righteousness of men.
5. The false prophet is a preacher of legality, separatism, and abstinence (I Tim. 4:1-5). He speaks of outward evil, but denies the evil of the human heart.
6. The false prophet preaches up religion, promotes form, ceremony, ritualism and the saying of prayers, but denies the power of God's free grace.
7. The false prophet preaches fables, religious lies and turns men away from the saving truth of the gospel.
a. God loves everybody.
b. Christ died for everybody.
c. The Holy Spirit is trying to save everybody.
d. Salvation is by the will of man.
8. And those who receive the false prophet's doctrine shall be damned with him forever (Gal. 1:6-8; 3:1-3; 5:1-4).
B. This Beast, False Prophets, Has Great Power To Deceive The Souls Of Men (vv. 12-17).
Whether his power is real or fake is not important. The point is, men will be convinced that his power is real and they will look upon the signs and wonders performed by him as evidences that he is of God.
NOTE: Reading this chapter, no one can dispute the fact that the modern revival of Pentecostalism is but one of the many signs of the ever increasing power of antichrist in this world. No one can doubt it, except those who have been deceived by the beast!
1. The religion of antichrist embraces the whole world (v. 12).
It is not always called by the same name. But it always is the same in its essence. It is the religion of man.
2. The false prophet causes men to worship, that is to serve, bow before and adore the first beast, "whose deadly wound was healed." (v. 12).
I will not limit the interpretation of this passage to one thing, or even to several. It is far wider in its scope, I am sure, than we can imagine. But it certainly includes these things.
3. The false prophet promotes image worship – (vv. 13-15).
Again, there can be no question that the idolatry of papacy, worshipping crucifixes, relics, places and images of saints and angels is included here. But it is a mistake to limit this idolatry to Rome. False religion universally embraces idolatrous image worship.
NOTE: The Image of The Beast is not a single graven image that looks like the beast. It is any religious image or "holy thing" inspired by and sanctioned by the beast. Sometimes men are so stupefied by their images that they even think they speak.
4. And False religion is always persecuting religion (vv. 15-17).
As the coming of our Lord draws near false prophets will increase more and more. By showing great signs and wonders (Matt. 24:24), they will gather many disciples. And by the sheer mass of their numbers they join hands with the governments of the world to persecute the Church of God. In the name of God and Christ, these wicked men shall put the saints of God to death (John 16:1-2).
5. This beast, the false prophets of the world, causes all men and women, old and young, rich and poor, bond and free to receive the mark of the beast (vv. 16-17).
Whenever and wherever the beast appears, you will find the mark of the beast. That simply means they own the beast's religion as their religion. The mark of the beast is man's professed allegiance to the religion of antichrist. In his head, the deceived man receives the doctrine of antichrist. And by his right hand he performs the work of antichrist. And those who receive not the mark of the beast, but continue in the way of faith and allegiance to Christ, will be boycotted, isolated, and persecuted.
NOTE: All of this may seem shocking and uncontrollable. But remember, our God is still in control. He is the one who gives this power to the beast and the false prophet (v. 7). And in all these things he is sovereignly accomplishing his wise and holy purposes of grace toward his own elect (II Thess. 2:1-14).
IV. But be sure you notice how this chapter closes. John gives us this word of comfort and assurance – The Number Of The Beast Is The Number Of A Man, The Number Of Failure, Frustration And Defeat (v. 18).
There is no cause for alarm or despair. The number of the beast is the number of a man. It is 666. Man was created on the sixth day. Six is not seven, and never shall be seven. Seven is the number of perfection, victory and triumph. Seven is the number of completion, conquest and joy. Six is one short of seven. Six misses the mark. Six never comes to completion. Six is always failure. Let all who worship the Lamb and receive not the mark of the beast rejoice. Victory is ours! The number of the beast is 666, that is failure upon failure upon failure! It is the number of a man. The beast and the religion of the beast glories in man. Therefore it must and shall fail. So again we are assured that, though we must pass through much tribulation, "we are more than conquerors through him that loved us"!
Application:1. If you care for your soul, you must ever beware of and avoid the religion of antichrist.
2. If God has taught you the gospel, saved you by his grace and delivered you from the apostate religion of antichrist, you have great reason to adore him and praise him for his electing grace (II Thess. 2:11-14; I Cor. 4:7; 15:10).
3. In these days of darkness and apostate antichrist religion, I urge you to persevere, enduring all things, holding fast the word of truth firm unto the end (II Tim. 1:13; 3:13-17; I Cor. 15:1-4; Jer. 6:16).
Grant, Lord, that as I preach our hearts may be fixed not upon antichrist but upon the greatness, glory and grace of Christ. Let us see him, trust him and worship him.
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