-
The Risen Beast Series
Contributed by Martin Holland on Feb 7, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: In chapter 13 of Revelation we discover the rising of a beast from the sea and the meaning of this passage.
The Risen Beast
Revelation 13:1-10
The world is evolving into a system that will become suitable for a world leader once again. As we saw in Chapter 12 of the book of Revelation Satan is he that is fashioning it. In this chapter we see the development of this world leader in the first ten verses.
See: Rev. 13:1
1. His Wound
Vs.3 One of his heads as it were wounded to death
Mention: Vs.2 This beast was like unto a leopard…feet of a bear…mouth as a lion
See: Daniel 7:7 The fourth beast
See: Daniel 7:1-6 Note that Daniel is interpreting a dream and visions that was given unto him by God.
Vs.2-3 four winds of heaven strove upon the great sea and four great beasts came up from the sea…
Sea= the populace of people or simply the world
Beasts= the beasts are the world empires that emerge with a leader
History tell us that there has been four major world empires (Babylon, Persia, Greece and Roman Empire)
The amazing thing here is Daniel writes about these empires without seeing the last two because of his death.
The wound that John writes about in Revelation 13 is the reference to the Roman Empire that discontinues to exist as a world empire but one day will be healed and reassume power once again.
Special Note: Daniel writes lion, bear, and leopard and John writes them in reverse order and this is because one is seeing the future and the other the past existence of these empires.
Also understand that this reemerging of the Roman Empire will be with a leader we know as the antichrist.
See: Daniel 7:8 The little horn speaking great things
See: Rev. 13:5-6 The blasphemy against God
2. His Wonders
Mention: Rev. 13:2 the dragon gave him his power and his seat and great authority
2 Thessa. 2:9 Tells us that this beast the antichrist will be after the working of Satan.
We sometimes say that God has put this person in this leadership position but is that the right way to put it? No, because God only approved the position and not necessary the person. We the people are influenced to vote in the man and the question is for the people by what principles do we do this? God’s or the likening of Satan?
See: Rev. 13:3 all the world wondered after him
Mention: Rev. 6:2 A crown was given unto him in which I believe the world will crown him as their leader.
3. His War
Vs.7 Tell us that he the antichrist will make war with the saints, and to overcome them
See: Daniel 7:24-25 Daniel hundreds of years before John write the same thing
Listen even now it seems like we Christians are losing the battle for right according to God’s word, but mark it down it is only for a season, because in the end we win.
The last conflict is a future event in which Christ will appear to break the nations with a rod of iron as we saw in Rev. 12:5.
4. His Worshippers
See: Rev. 13:8 All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb.
“Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world”
Here we see truth about worship and whom we worship. First of all there are only two masters in whom one can choose to worship and that is Jesus the Christ or Satan. Those who are not serving Jesus the Christ are serving Satan.
Note: Rev. 13:9-10 He who hath an ear let him hear…
The point is made here is those who adhere to God’s Word may be led into captivity or even martyrdom but we are told to exercise patience and faith.