The Unholy Trinity

Verse 8

Not only will he have authority - but will actually be worshiped. Halfway through the Tribulation he will actually declare himself to be God as Paul said in 2 Thessalonians and Daniel in chapter 9. Everyone will worship except those that are or will become believers in Jesus Christ.

This brings up an interesting dilemma - the names were written before the foundation of the earth, so why is there any need for someone to decide to become a Christian? While I won’t get into a discussion of predestination and free will - suffice to say that God makes decisions, and we make decisions and they both count. We don’t understand how things work in God’s dimension - but He’s told us enough to trust that this can happen and it’s still fair.

Verses 9-10

These verses speak to the Tribulation saints - that some are destined to be taken captive and some killed - but that they should endure. (verse comes from Jeremiah 15:2).

So now we get introduced to the Second Beast - often overshadowed by the first.

The second beast is the unholy spirit - the agent of the Dragon and the Antichrist. He runs a worldwide religious system that even has control over the economy. Surprised that religion appears in the Tribulation? It will actually be a very religious time:

2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, 10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false..."

People will buy what the False Prophet (so identified in chapters 16, 19, and 20) sells hook, line, and sinker.

Verse 11 The False Prophet sounds gentle - but the words are poison.

Verse 12 His job is to be the "cheerleader" for the Antichrist - mirroring the Holy Spirit

Verses 13 - 14 Just as the Holy Spirit came by fire, so too this False Prophet will do "miracles" - at least enough to convince people to worship the Antichrist. He tells them to make an image of the beast - interesting in light of the fact that God said in Exodus 20 to make no image of God.

Verses 15 - 18

It’s not that the image is really alive - but has "breath" so appears to be alive. It might be a demonic possession or some technological trick - but the image itself has voice and power.

Many people have suggested that a computer system in Brussels, called "The Beast" will eventually become the "image." It makes some sense - until only the last few decades have computers come to control much of our life - how would you do any work or banking without a computer these days - and now with the Internet, it is all connected.

Each person - during this time - will receive a "mark" that identifies them as part of the Antichrist’s religion. It is a mark of allegiance - but it will be used as a way to control the economy as well. People ask - will people be forced to take the mark just to survive - isn’t that unfair? It will be very clear during that time that taking the mark means accepting Satan as your lord and savior.