The False Prophet And The Mark Of The Beast - Esg, Biotechnology, And The Internet Of Things (Iot) Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

www.mycrossway.org

Watch this message at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/150073

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. (Revelation 13:11–18)

As the world moves closer to the return of Christ, you can be sure that we will also see increased efforts in Satan to implement his grab at world dominance. This also means an increase in deception and acclamation. The closer we get to the end, the more Satan will escalate the efforts of false prophets.

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (Matthew 24:11)

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. (Mark 13:22)

Over the last several weeks we’ve considered the powerful work of the Antichrist. We’ve considered the nature of his power (Satan) and the extent of his dominion (global). The deception of this man indwelt by Satan himself will be vast, universal, and repressive. Those who are alive on this earth will be enamored by this charismatic and evil leader. So much so, that anyone who dares question his ability, morality, and power will find themselves completely on the outside of all society.

When Hitler came to power, he did so much the same way progressivism is coming to power today. While the Nazis were focusing on putting Germans back to work in the midst of the Great Depression, they also unleashed attacks on their political opposition as soon as Hitler became chancellor. On the evening of February 27, 1933, alarms suddenly rang out in the Reichstag as fire destroyed the building’s main chamber. Within 20 minutes, Hitler was on the scene to declare: “This is a God-given signal! If this fire, as I believe, turns out to be the handiwork of Communists, then there is nothing that shall stop us now from crushing out this murderous pest with an iron fist.”

Hitler and the Nazis convinced the populace that those who were the greatest threat to Germany and the peace were living among everyone and the only way to rid their society of these ‘national threats’ was for the people to report to the authorities who these threats were. This also included the Jews.

Much as the Nazis used the populace to keep watch and weed out those who will not comply with their rules, so it will be with the antichrist. This is the danger we find today with ‘cancel culture and how big tech uses censorship in the name of controlling ‘misinformation.’

Now, as the Antichrist rises on the scene at the consummation of the Tribulation, he will demand full global loyalty. He is described in the first half of this chapter. This first beast out of the sea, this antichrist, is also called, by Daniel, the little horn, the king of fierce countenance or fierce face. He is called the willful king. He is called, by Paul, the son of perdition and the man of sin. He is a blasphemer who makes war with the saints. He embodies all the evil powers of all world empires.

His partner is the final false prophet. The Antichrist is primarily a political and military leader. The false prophet is a religious leader. I believe and based on how the world is moving today that the world system is inseparable from the worship of that system. In other words, the demonic system of the world is synonymous with its religion. You can see that in environmentalism, entertainment, and even in the medical community with the COVID-19 Vaccine and treatments. The emphasis is always on compliance, cohesion, and control.