revelation #9 satan’s two beasts revelation 13:1-18

Revelation #9

Satan’s Two Beasts

Revelation 13:1-18

Revelation #9- Satan’s Two Beasts 13:1-18

At the end of the previous chapter, Satan had been:

>cast out of heaven

>unable to destroy the woman who had given birth to the Messiah.

So he had become enraged and gone off to “make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.” 12:17


In this chapter, we see 2 different yet related Beasts with which Satan endeavors to make his war with the faithful:

1. The Beast out of the Sea, vv.1-10

2. The Beast out of the Earth, vv.11-18 They are from different locations and are of

different make-up, features, and angles of attack,

but from the same source and possess the same motivation- to destroy the faithful!


I. The Beast out of the Sea, vv.1-10

A. He is a political monster of horror! vv.1-2with ten horns > great power

with seven heads > great wisdom

and ten crowns > great authority

blasphemous names > great arrogance

cp. Dan. 7:7-8, 17-27 where such describes Rome!

He was also given great power by the Dragon:

like a leopard > great speed

like a bear > great power

like a lion > great ferocity


B. He was partially wounded, v.3aOne of his seven heads appeared to have been

slain.

Perhaps this refers to Nero’s death. (June 9, 68)

Christians of that time were temporarily relieved to hear of his suicide thinking the

persecutions would end.

But the apparent fatal wound had healed.

Domitian’s reign (following Nero as Emperor ofRome) was actually worse,

much like a wounded beast becomes more vicious!


C. The World followed the Beast and worshipped the Dragon vv.3b-10

Perhaps out of fear,

Perhaps out of wanting to be on the side which at least at that time appeared to be winning, cf. v.7

Perhaps because of his arrogance and boasting,

But they followed no matter the reason!

All but those whose names were in the book of life….

For all who followed were destined to death! v.10


Given these factors, the Beast out of the Sea seems to represent:

Political Power!

Now we’re ready for the next beast….

False Religion!

These two beasts would be used by the Dragon in an attempt to persecute and destroy the faithful.


II. The Beast out of the Earth, vv.11-17

A. He represents False Religion, ( cf. 16:13; 19:20 where he is “the false prophet” )-His two horns seem to be the personification

of a sacrificial lamb (or goat, thus two horns). v.11a

-But he speaks as (for?) a dragon! v.11b

-He possesses and exercises all the power ofthe first beast and makes the world worship the now healed first beast! v.12

Emperor worship was worse under Domitian than it had ever been under Nero!


B. Thus False Religion and Political Power become intertwined! vv.13-17He does so by:

-performing great signs, v.13

> cf. Matt.24:24 & 2Thess.2:8-12

-deception and idolatry, vv.14-15

> men were forced to bow and worship Domitian or be

killed!

-economic restrictions, vv.16-17

> either receive the mark or beblack-listed and starve!


C. The Mark of the Beast, v.18Unfortunately, much speculation has clouded this image. It has been variously identified as:

Nero

the Catholic Pope

Adolf Hitler

and even the International Trade System! (as the New World Order and the World Trade Organization)

Many have used complex calculations in efforts to “calculate the number of the beast” using all sorts of data and information.


C. The Mark of the Beast, v.18But if we keep things in context, and remember

a few simple things, it is neither complex nor difficult to see.

Question: What is the perfect, divine number?

Seven!

What number is affixed to this beast?

Six, Six, Six.

This beast, personifying false religion, is oneshort of the divine replicated- 666!

He appears sacred, but is FALSE! (as are thosewho receive his mark and follow him, cf. 2Tim.3:1-5)


III. Conclusion

Everyone must choose!

>Either have the Seal of God, cf. 7:3-9; 14:1

or >the Mark of the Beast, 14:9-11.

Whose image do you bear?

revelation #9 satan’s two beasts revelation 13:1-18

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