A new Congress is in place and yet it looks like it is politics as usual being done there.  Partisanship is the order of the day.  Attacks on the President and his policies becomes the rule of thumb as even members of the Republican party in  Congress begin to distance themselves from the President.  His speech last night is a case in point.  It is undoubtedly true that Iraq is in a quagmire, and it is further true that American policies in Iraq have often left a lot to be desired.  I think the war illustrates the principle that Jesus used when he said that before a king goes to war he had better count the cost.  It is obvious that our President did not do that as carefully as he has.  Yet, because of the war the world has one less manical madman to worry about.  If we pull our forces out of Iraq, the sectarian violence will increase as the Sunnis and Shias battle for positions of power.  If we remain in Iraq, even with a troop buildup, as President Bush wants, the violence might subside, but then escalate as soon as we leave.  I look at it as a "lose-lose" proposition.  As my Grandfather used to say, "It looks bad no matter how you slice the cheese."  Lately I have read several books that take a prophetic look at the Middle East, particularly at the relationships between Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Russia.  I have found them to be fascinating.  As one writer put it, we are poised on the brink of another great world war.  I am keeping my eyes upon the Middle East...that is where our focus should be.  But don't fail to look up and to listen for the shout of the archangel.  We are getting close to that time.

 

Our study this week, interestingly enough, focuses upon the two beasts found in Revelation 13.  The first one is known to us as the Antichrist; the second one as the false prophet.  Although space does not permit a lengthy discussion of this chapter, let me share with you some significant truths.

 

I.  The Antichrist - Revelation 13:1-10

 

    A.  The beast is seen as a great empire rising out of the midst of a troubled world - Daniel 11:21-23

        

          1.  He has "seven heads and ten horns" - referring to a kingdom of ten nations - Daniel 7:24; this refers to the last form of world government which arises from the area of the ancient Roman Empire

          2.  He bears a name of blasphemy, by making himself equal with God and taking God's place - 2 Thessalonians 2:4

          3.  The description of this beast is a composite of the characteristics of the other beasts mentioned in Daniel 7:

 

                a.  It will have the brilliance, culture, swiftness of a leopard - a reference to the previous Greek culture of Alexander the Great

                b.  It will have the tremendous strength, tenacity of purpose, and brutality of a bear - a reference to the Medo-Persian Empire

                c.  It will have the autocratic and majestic power of a lion - a reference to the Babylonian Empire

 

          4.  Satan gives this beast great power - 2 Thessalonians 2:9

          5.  Satan gives this beast a throne from which he will exercise authority over the kingdoms of this world - Luke 4:5-8; 1 John 5:19

 

    B.  The Masterpiece of Deceit - Revelation 13:3-4

 

          1.  Satan's strategy is to imitate Christ's death and resurrection - one of the heads appears to have died, but the text does not state that the head actually died.  It really is a ruse, a deception - John 5:40, 43

          2.  All those who had not received Christ will worship this beast

 

    C.  Turning point of the Tribulation - Revelation 13:5-6

 

          1.  It begins the final three and half years of the Tribulation

          2.  The length of time for the Antichrist to blaspheme and make war against the saints is limited to 42 months or three and a half years

          3.  NOTE: Even in the midst of all this control by Satan, the Bible emphasizes that Satan and the Antichrist can do only what is permitted by God; note the phrase "it was given to him."

          4.  What will the Antichrist blaspheme?

 

              a.  He will blaspheme God

              b.  He will blaspheme God's name - the truth found in the name of God is the deadliest weapon the Antichrist has to face

              c.  He will blaspheme God's tabernacle - God's throne in heaven

              d.  He will blaspheme those that dwell in heaven

 

    D.  A warning and a comfort - Revelation 13:9-10

 

         1.  Warning - not to resist the beast; this is his day and God is letting him go to the limit; believers are better off dead during this time so it is best if they do not resist

         2.  Comfort - this again emphasizes that God is sovereign.  Satan cannot move without God's permission.  Everything is totally under God's control. 

 

II.  The False Prophet - Revelation 13:11-18

 

    A.  This wild beast who comes up out of the earth is a great religious leader.

 

    B.  What is the role of this second beast?

 

          1.  He supports the activity of the first beast.

          2.  He directs worship to the first beast even as the Holy Spirit directs worship to Christ.

          3.  He is described as a horn (speaks of strength) and as a lamb (speaks of an outward appearance that covers up his inner corruptness)

 

    C.  His authority and his miracles - Revelation 13:12-14

 

         1.  At no time during his few years does the false prophet promote himself; he is only concerned about promoting the first beast

         2.  Is this false prophet the leader of the apostate church during the first half of the Tribulation?

 

             a.  The apostate church must be destroyed to achieve the aim of a one-world religion with the Antichrist as its head

             b.  The false prophet, while possibly a leader of the apostate church, turns traitor and heads a movement to destroy this world church, which is the harlot mentioned in Revelation 17

             c.  After the destruction of this one-world church, the false prophet can and will offer the world something to worship, the beast, the Antichrist

 

         3.  Satan enables the false prophet to do great deceptive miracles during the tribulation

 

    D.  An image and a mark - Revelation 13:15-18

 

         1.  Image will be placed in the temple in Jerusalem at the middle of the tribulation and those living on earth will be forced to worship it - Matthew 24:15-16

         2.  This deception will last for only three and a half years - Daniel 9:27

         3.  The false prophet gives life to this image, imitating the creative act of God

         4.  All who do not worship this image will be killed

         5.  What is this mark of the beast?

 

             a.  A short answer is that we do not know with certainty what it really is.

             b.  Let it suffice to say this: it has something to do with man's thinking he can be just like God; but it does not work