Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday February 20, 2011 

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The Beast - Part 2

Revelation 13:3-10

What have we learned about the beast in vv1-2?

    * He is the antichrist – comes from the nations/Christ from above
    * He is Satan possessed
    * He is the future world leader prophesied by Daniel

This is further described in Rev. 17:8-12

The seven heads are seven world empires/ten horns are the kings that make up the 7th empire.  Another horn (beast) will pull down three of these horns and dominate the rest.   

    * He will survive what should have been a fatal wound   3

He will survive an assassination attempt that should have killed him – his wound is called fatal.  Zechariah speaks of this -

Woe to the worthless shepherd who leaves the flock!  A sword will be on his arm and on his right eye! His arm will be totally withered and his right eye will be blind.  Zech. 11:17

Some say resurrection, some say supernatural healing.   

    * His healing will serve to heighten his fame/power   3

His escaping certain death will only make him look more powerful than he already is.  Cf. Acts 28:3-6  From He’s a goner to He’s a god!  Both Paul/beast were super-naturally sustained - from goner to god.   

When the beast was healed, the people were drawn to worship.  When Paul was healed, the people were drawn to worship.  When people see you go through hardship that weighs you down/wears you out and they see that you are not just surviving, but thriving – they are drawn to spiritual things.  (gg & Muslim man)

    * Satan will be worshipped   4

There are two main schools of Satanism: Traditional/Modern. Satan is viewed differently in these two schools. In Traditional Satanism, he is thought to be a personal spirit-being - believers participate in worship/prayer/ rituals - adore him/pray to him/seek things from him/have ceremonies centered around him. Modern Satan worshippers believe Satan is an impersonal entity. In this school, hedonism is key. allabouttheoccult.org/satan-worship.htm

The worship of the dragon will be Traditional Satanism/not Modern Satanism.  Today, 60% believe he is symbol of evil, 35% believe that he is a literal person.  Any questions as to his literal existence will be removed.  He won’t be seen as an impersonal force, but as a literal person.

Satan has always wanted to be worshipped and this is what he has been scheming for.  But we know how the story ends and so does he – he has read the book, too.  So, why does he keep doing what he’s doing when he knows it is doomed to fail?  From the beginning, Satan has been blinded by pride/lust.  When ur blind – can’t see.   

I remember a softball game where I hit the ball hard/kept running/easily thrown out at 3rd plate.  Why did I go from 2nd to 3rd?  All I saw was glory of a home run!  I didn’t keep my eye on the ball.  I was blinded by lust.  Even if I had kept my eye on the ball I probably would have gone anyway – pride makes you feel invincible/leads u2 make stupid decisions.   

    * The beast will be worshipped  4, 8

The wonder of v3 turns into the worship of v4.  The supernatural work of v3 gives way to the spiritual worship of v4.  This lines up w/ other passages describing the antichrist.  Daniel 9:27; 2 Thess. 2:1-4

    * He will be invincible   4

Who is able to wage war with him?  The thought may be that if he can survive an assassination attempt and is empowered by Satan, why even resist him?  Pockets of resistance will fold as the whole world comes under his sway.

The assassination attempt demonstrates that he has enemies.  But his enemies are dealt a crushing blow by his miraculous healing and the worship of the people.  It is in human nature to worship and it is in human nature to rebel.  Rev. 12:12 For one hour, the other horns give him their full support.  Cf. Dan. 11 – antichrist has enemies that he needs to go an deal with.

    * He will have limited authority   5

V2 – the dragon gave him his power/throne/great authority.  V5 – this is limited to 42 months – 2nd ½ of the tribulation.

All earthly rule is limited and subject to God’s good pleasure.  Cf. Daniel 5 – God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it/weighed in the balances and found wanting/kingdom divided and given to others…

    * He curses God   6   Daniel 7:23-25

No fake piety – won’t go to Baptist church on Sunday to give appearance of religion.  What would happen in Nov. 2011 if Pres. Obama were to routinely curse/blaspheme God now?

    * He kills the saints   7

And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve.  And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them.  Luke 22:3-4

The early Christians were called atheists because they wouldn’t worship Caesar/Roman gods.  They were required to burn incense before a statue of Caesar and say, “Caesar is Lord.”  They refused to do this/persecuted.  The Romans saw it merely as an act of political allegiance, but the Christians saw it as an act of religious worship.   

This has been the hallmark of the true followers of Jesus through history – they will not bow to anyone but Jesus – not the Caesars of Rome/gods of Hinduism/god of Islam/political ambitions of man.   

In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in violent attacks on Christians in India. From 1964 to 1996, thirty-eight incidents of violence against Christians were reported. In 1997, twenty-four such incidents were reported. In 1998, it went up to ninety. Between January 1998 and February 1999 alone, there were one hundred and sixteen attacks against Christians in India. Between 1 January and 30 July 2000, more than fifty-seven attacks on Christians were reported. The acts of violence include arson of churches/ forcible conversion of Christians to Hinduism/distribution of threatening literature/burning of Bibles/murder of Christian priests/destruction of Christian schools-colleges-cemeteries.   

In two millennia of Christian history, about 70 million faithful have given their lives for the faith, and of these, 45.5 million -- fully 65% -- were in the 20th century…   www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=26402

    * He is not worshipped by followers of Jesus   8

He doesn’t just want political power, but religious/spiritual adoration.  Not just followers, but worshippers.  Ultimate ego trip.

He can snuff you out, but not erase your name!

An encouragement    9-10

It looks like everything is out of control.  The antichrist/Christian killers/Satan worshippers are out in full force, they’ve won the day – or so it seems.  But hear this, all who come against you will soon vanish like the vapor and you will inherit the kingdom..  Ps. 34:1-17