Revelation Chapter 13 part 2
Overview and Review
Church history in a nutshell
First 300 years – work of Satan dominated by Paganism – The great red dragon
Christianity overcame the dragon by the word of their testimony an they loved not their lives unto death
The came the gradual apostasy of Christianity and the rise of Papal Rome (Catholicism)
This Beast held power for 1260 years
Tonight, we will see a shift in Satan’s form deception
Rev 13:11 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.
Rev 13:12 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.
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Rev 13:14 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.
Rev 13:15 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.
Rev 13:16 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:
Rev 13:17 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.
Rev 13:18 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.
Beast with 2 horns
Rev 13:11 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.
Rev 13:12 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.
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
We see another beast arising at this conclusion of the 1260 year period. You will recall that this 1260 year period limited the beast in prevailing against the saints, and also brought to a conclusion the period of time the woman was in the wilderness. Thus, we can expect God’s true people and God’s work on earth to again come into view.
This occurred during the Reformation of the 16th century. Glorious truth and light broke forth and the power of darkness was broken. It is during this time that we see the second beast arise. This beast has 2 horns as a lamb but spoke as a dragon. We can see this beast to be a continuation of the work of Satan, as again it’s speach betrays it. We are going to identify this second beast as Protestantism, and I hope this interpretation becomes clearer as we progress through this passage. Shortly following the Reformation, Protestant state churches began to arise. If we remain consistent with the horns representing kingdoms, these two horns are undoubtedly England and Germany. We will mark the time of the rising of this beast to be 1530, when the first Protestant creed was written.
This beast is deceptive. It deceives by the means of the great wonders and miracles it does, in so much that it even makes fire come down from. Whether this refers to real miracles, or supposed miracles, I am not certain. Almost every Protestant sect began with a real awakening and movement of God’s Spirit and later degraded into yet another sect. Some interpret the miracles and wonders in this light, but I am not thoroughly convinced this is a correct interpretation. Either way, this beast is very deceptive. In subsequent chapters, this beast is referred to as the false prophet.
2. Image of the Beast
(Rev 13:14 KJV) 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.
(Rev 13:15 KJV) 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.
An image is a copy. This second beast, then, is to create something in imitation of or copy of the first beast. This I believe to be the ecclesiastical organizations in imitation of the hierarchy of Rome. In chapter 17, they are referred to as the harlot daughters of their prostitute mother. Life was given to the image, that is to say it had a life of its own, self perpetuating. These organizations are not dependent upon the Spirit of God for life, but rather the organization reproduces like kind and continues. They are self-governing and their decrees possess authority.
You will notice the beast also has power to cause all who will not worship the image to be killed. The history of Protestantism also contains shameful persecution of those who differed with their creeds. A notable history familiar in our area is the persecution of the Anabaptists.
This beast is also said to cause people to worship the first beast. In what manner does Protestantism cause its adherents to worship the Church of Rome? In the same manner that Catholicism caused its followers to worship Paganism, namely by accepting its doctrines and practices. The most universal error is that a human organization is necessary to complete the church of Christ on earth.
3. Mark of the beast
(Rev 13:16 KJV) 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:
(Rev 13:17 KJV) 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 mark is to be received in the forehead or right hand. Without it, or the name of the beast, you cannot buy or sell. I believe this mark in the forehead to be the creeds of these sects (i.e.…you must accept their doctrine as your rule of faith and belief). The mark in the right hand is the symbol of fellowship. Without their name, an affirming of their doctrine, an acceptance into their fellowship, you cannot “buy or sell” spiritually, you cannot have part in their religious activities.
4. The number of the beast
(Rev 13:18 KJV) 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.
Much significance has been given this verse and the number 666. None of the explanations are satisfactory to my mind , thus I will simply say this remains a mystery to me. Perhaps someone else will care to enlighten us on this matter.
Vicarius Filii Dei
Vicar of the Son of God
V 5 F 0 D 500
I 1 I 1 E 0
C 100 L 50 I 1
A 0 I 1 _______________
R 0 I 1 Total 666
I 1
U 5
S 0
·
Vicar, or governor
True “ vicars” - Word and Spirit