The Economy Of The Beast

The Economy of the Beast

Revelation, Part 20, Revelation 13:13-18

Introduction

- The second half of Trib. involves the revelation of a one world religion

-- Humanity will worship Satan in the person of the Antichrist

-- Those that refuse will be killed … bottom line (there is NO escape)

- People will not be able to buy or sell anything unless they submit

-- Submit in life, in worship, in finances, etc. (personal and public)

-- Daniel foretold this nature of the Antichrist over 2500 years ago. He says in Daniel 11:37, “He shall regard neither the God of his fathers nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall exalt himself above them all.”

- 2 Thess 2:11-12 predicted EXACTLY how God will allow this to happen, and why He will do it: “And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

- Read Revelation 13:13-18

Point 1 – Satanic Signs & Wonders (v13-14)

- He performs great signs

-- The false prophet does the signs as a means of deception

-- Signs are not limited to God’s kingdom alone

-- God allows Satan to also perform signs as a way of testing people

- How amazed would you be if one could call fire down from the Heavens?

-- Admit it … that would be a pretty neat trick

-- This man has power to create signs and wonders to fool all who live

-- APP: We are a people who demand proof (show me); Satan knows it

- When we demand a sign from God to prove, two things happen:

-- The first is that (and most dangerously): We are testing God

-- How dare we (as the creation) be so presumptuous as to demand anything?

-- We are telling God that unless he shows us something we will not believe!

- The second is that the devil knows that we “need” to have proof

-- He knows that we demand “signs” to prove claims are real

-- APP: Think for a moment of the extraordinary efforts that science has put out to discredit God, to discredit creation, and to discredit the things which are considered “holy”.

-- The devil is counting on this doubting on our behalf!

- So, how tough would it be to get people to believe in this false Christ?

-- It wouldn’t, as a matter of fact – it is already being done today

-- Consider the amount of “successful” religions (Mormon, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Islam, etc.) that take away the deity of Jesus Christ today

-- The anti-Christ’s power will be given by God to do what he wants to do

-- APP: Fooling us will be his easiest task because we will allow it

- Ref: Exodus 20 (10 commandments)

-- One of the first acts of Satan does is by discrediting God’s commands:

-- 1. There is no god but God

-- 2. Do not make an image

-- 3. Do not worship an image

-- APP: Satan has succeeded in breaking the first three commandments

-- Think of the authority he must have been given by God!

-- Think of the absolute hatred he must have for God to do this so publicly!

Point 2 – The Image of the Beast (v15)

The image created by men of the Beast seemingly comes to life

-- This Satanic miracle is allowed to take place by God

-- Man is being tested by this part of the strong delusion that God allows

-- The “Image” of the Beast comes to life and further validates his identity

-- Those who know the scriptures will have a clear choice today:

-- APP: Accept it or to turn away and go into hiding

- This is why it is SO important for us to spread the Gospel!

-- We must know the truth … we must be involved in sharing the truth

-- IMP: We must NOT sit back and wait for someone else to do it!

-- APP: God has called you to do it; failure is your disobedience

-- People need to be told … This is the duty of the church, period

- A hunt across the entire world ensues to kill all those who fail to worship

-- APP: Just as God knows where you are, the devil is given control also

- If you think today you can hide from God, think for a moment about hiding from a hunter who is specialized and trained in killing and destruction!

-- 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

-- You let a lion out of a cage, he does not need training