The False Prophet, The Image & Mark Of The Beast

Series: Last Words

Message: The False Prophet, The Image, and the Mark of the Beast

Text: Rev. 13:11-18

Big Idea: Perhaps due to all that was 2020, not to mention the presidential election, corona virus, a toilet paper shortage and murder hornets, there has been an increased interest regarding end times prophecy. The vast array of prophecy resources available to the general public can create confusion, and some of it preys upon the gullible. The good news is that the Bible has already revealed to us what we need to know. Our goal for the coming weeks is to provide an overview of a few things that at the very least you should know.

“When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky. They’re always twenty years behind in everything.” – Mark Twain

John, who walked with Jesus as a disciple, the son of Zebedee, who’s brother James was executed by Herod Agrippa for his faith, outlives all the other apostles and has been exiled to the island of Patmos, just off the coast of Turkey. While there he begins to receive revelations regarding the End Times that are recorded for us. We’re going to be begin by looking at one of those visions that’s recorded in Rev. 13:11-18 that reveals some insights about the False Prophet, the image of the Antichrist, and the Mark of the Beast based upon revelations that are recorded in Rev. 13:11-18.

REV 13:11-18 ESV

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 earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. (many think this will be a survived assassination attempt, i.e., imagine if JFK had recovered) 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.

These Scriptures make reference to a second beast, an image of the first beast, and a mark of the beast each which are interconnected and intertwined with the antichrist.

What John describes as the “first beast” is the antichrist who will be a geo-political leader during the End Times who seeks to establish and lead a global government with him as the leader. He will seek to eradicate Christianity from the earth, and will demand to be worshipped. That’s the end game. That’s the ultimate goal. That’s what he’s always wanted.

The False Prophet is “the second beast”

SLIDE 1

1-The False Prophet is the Religious Spokesman for the Antichrist

It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast (Anti-christ) in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast (Rev. 13:11b-12a)

He appears as a religious leader, i.e., looks like a lamb, but he promotes and speaks for the devil.

When it comes to teaching, False prophets generally only serve spiritual dessert. They talk much about the love of God but nothing of His holiness, much about people who are deprived but nothing about those who are depraved, much about happiness but nothing about sacrifice. (I know of one church that forbids preaching against sin.) There’s a lot of gaps, and missing information in their teaching.

The False Prophet is the spokesperson, right hand man, and worship leader for the antichrist. The False Prophet will be a worldwide religious figure.

Currently about 600 Million people recognize the Dahil Llama as their spiritual leader.

There are about 1.3 Billion Roman Catholics who recognize the pope as their leader.

They both will pale in comparison to the following and the religious influence of the False Prophet who will be a global leader, and directing people to worship the antichrist.