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Revelation 13:11-18 King James Version
Two beasts dominate this chapter of Revelation. Both of them are servants of the Dragon, (Satan). The first seems to represent the Roman Empire at its peak of political power. The known world was dominated politically. At that time Greek was spoken throughout the empire, roads were built to enable the military to travel rapidly to far-flung cities where there might be rebellions. But. in time there arose another beast.
This is the one we are concerned here, because the message is still that of Satan, but the emphasis here is more of a spiritual nature, and believers are especially targeted. Satan is the master of “half-truth” lies, so this message often sounds good, but soon twists the conclusion to be revealed, a lie. His specialty is a multiplicity of “churches.” The protection is to know the word so that these are evident, and to make it possible to have an answer. Scripture speaks of “false prophets,” and “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” We can recognize them by their lives, and words. This text speaks of “horns like a lamb,” but, one who “speaks as a dragon.” (demon)
ANOTHER BEAST
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
(Revelation 13:1, Revelation 16:13, Daniel 8:3, Revelation 13:4)
This second beast has all the power and the message of the first, but he claims to follow Christ, just twisting the truth into a lie. He has added religion to his political power. His purpose is the same, to destroy the faith of all believers. As an empire, he failed, but as an apparent believer, he will succeed for a time.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
(Revelation 13:4, Revelation 13:14, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:15, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 16:2, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 13:3)
PERFORMS MIRACLES
The wonders he performs, added to his deceptive message will convince many, and masses will flock after him. We see it in the mega-churches of today, in the masses of responses to “miraculous” healings, the hypnotic effect of following the masses attracted by music copied from the world.
We have yet to witness the fire from heaven, but it will come. The talking image is already not only possible but here. How many have heard all the toys that talk just as you pass by, or the greeting cards that sing and speak?
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
(Revelation 12:9, Revelation 13:8, 2 Thessalonians 2:9, Revelation 13:12, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 13:3)
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
(Matthew 24:24, Revelation 16:14, Revelation 19:20, 1 Kings 18:38, Luke 9:54, Revelation 11:5, Revelation 20:9)
DEATH TO THOSE WHO REJECT
The time is near when these will be placed in religious images, if not already, and a built in camera will record if you have “paid homage” to the idol or not.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
(Daniel 3:3, Revelation 13:12, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 16:2, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:4)
HIS MARK
The name of this second beast is not given, but his number is. I have in my Bible collection, a New Testament called the Numeric Translation. That is a version based on number values for the letters and words. Very evident is the fact that our computers are all based on numbers, not letters of the alphabet. The number of the second beast is 666.
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
(Revelation 11:18, Revelation 19:5, Revelation 19:18, Galatians 6:17, Revelation 7:3, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 20:4)
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
(Galatians 6:17, Revelation 7:3, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 20:4, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 15:2)
HIS NAME
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
(Revelation 17:9, Revelation 21:17)
Whether it is physically or emotionally, the forehead, and mind, and the hand and serve, are the same. Revelation 19:20 reveals the judgment for either.
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012
DECEMBER
18th. Sunday – Nehemiah 10, 11, Revelation 14:9-20, Proverbs 30:24-33
19th. Monday – Nehemiah 12, Revelation 15, Psalm 145:1-7
20th. Tuesday – Nehemiah 13, Revelation 16:1-11, Psalm 145:8-13
21st. Wednesday - Esther 1, 2, Revelation 16:12-21, Psalm 145:14-21
22nd. Thursday - Esther 3, 4, 5, Revelation 17, Proverbs 31:1-9
23rd. Friday – Esther 6, 7, 8, Revelation 18:1-11, Psalm 146
24th. Saturday - Esther 9, 10, Revelation 18:12-24, Psalm 147:1-11
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Revelation 13:8
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MERRY CHRISTMAS
Bob and Phyllis Mills
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