Revelation 13:1-18
Please read your Bible text: Rev 13:1-18
In Revelation 13, we have the description of the antichrist in the end-times prophecy before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ for Israel to establish the Millennium Kingdom on earth. As the world is now fast culminating into ultimate chaos – the antichrist would appear with supernatural power and super-intelligence to deceive the people that he is going to be the savior of the world. He will appear seemingly to have the answers to world problems and political stalemate between Israel and the Palestinians. His sole purpose is to deceive the world, rob the Almighty God of the worship, and to bring to hell all humanity with him. Already the spirit of the antichrist has already been appearing in the world today. “But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.” (1John 4:3)
Notice the contrast between Christ and the antichrist. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God who comes from God – in contrast, the antichrist comes from Satan (symbolized by the Dragon in Rev 13) as his representative. Satan is always faking the things and the works of God. He brings in the faked Christ – “the antichrist”. The antichrist works against Christ. Christ came to save and to give life. The antichrist comes to destroy and to kill. The work of the antichrist is directly opposite of Christ’s hence his presence only tells there is the true Christ.
Antichrist Blasphemes – Christ Blesses
The antichrist, having a mouth like a lion’s (v.2), roars out blasphemies against God, against heaven, and all who dwell in heaven. Christ Jesus, on the contrary, is truly the “Lion of Judah” who roars with dignified glory. All sort of terrible cursing and blasphemous slanders would shoot out from the antichrist. But Christ glorifies God and blesses mankind. Blasphemy is demonic, and those who habitually curse can be traced to demonic roots. Paul said in 1Cor 12:3 – “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit”. As children of God – born of His Spirit, let us use our mouth to bless; even bless those who curse us.
Antichrist Fakes Miracles – Christ Works Miracles
Antichrist would be given authority by Satan (the Dragon) to perform signs and wonders; miracles of dramatic healing and even calling down fire from heaven. But all these miracles would be faked because they would be done out of stealth – to deceive the world into receiving him as the benefactor of the world! But Christ worked miracles only to authenticate His authority, to give glory to God, and always to benefit the ones receiving the miracles.
This beast that comes up out of the earth (v.11) is likely a prophet to the antichrist just like John the Baptist was a prophet, a forerunner to Jesus Christ. Like Elijah, this prophet can call forth fire from heaven. Jesus Himself did say that John the Baptist was a prophet like that of Elijah.
Antichrist’s Reign is Diabolical – Christ’s Reign is Theocratical
Notice that the antichrist is described as rising out of the sea (v.1). The sea is symbolic of the sea of nations. Therefore, the antichrist would have a vested interest in politics and the nations, to rule over the world. There would be 42 months of seemingly peace and order under the antichrist, and the world would worship him as God. But then it would culminate into the next 42 months of Diabolical reign far worst than the times of Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot of Khmer Rouge, and Idi Amin of Uganda. The Satanic antichrist regime is going to be so severely torturing that John wrote in Rev 14:10b – that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. And unless the days of Diabolism are shortened, God’s holy people could never have survived! But when Christ comes at the end to establish the Millennium rule worldwide – His reign would be theocratical. There would be a utopian regime of peace, order, and justice throughout the earth.
Antichrist’s Mark of the Beast – Christ’s Mark of His Name
Those who refuse to bow down and worship the image of the antichrist would be killed, and legislation for all humans to be given the mark of the beast (the name of the antichrist or the number ‘666′) either on the right hand or on the forehead. This would be probably written on a microchip embedded in the body. In those days when John wrote the Revelation – microchip technology was unheard of. Today, with the existence of these chips, we are awfully close to the fulfillment of the end-times prophecy. Without the mark of the beast – no one can buy or sell or seek any medical services. Those who received the mark of the beast is as good as pledging allegiance to Satan and be doomed for eternal damnation. Therefore, it is imperative for Christians never to receive the mark of the beast. To receive the mark of the beast is to worship the beast and hence forsaking Christ. This is what the antichrist wanted, to have all received the mark of the beast and be doomed in destruction at God’s final judgment. Therefore, John encouraged God’s holy people to endure and remain faithful till death or until Christ’s coming.
But for the church (God’s called-out believers – both Jews and Gentiles), that have come to salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and have kept the faith – they would receive a far better mark on their forehead. It is to be the mark of God’s name written on their forehead (Rev 22:4)!
Note:
In the new world order system, the legislation and implementation of the mark of the beast as a basic criterion to survive on earth would likely take place. This will make living exceedingly difficult especially for Christians. Without the mark of the beast, we cannot buy or sell. With the mark, this would be tantamount to denying Christ. How about our children when they are hungry? How about our aged parents or even our newborns when they need medical care? I will leave these questions for your thought. One thing I am sure of. The Lord knows how to take care of His people amid His pouring wrath in judgment on the world during the Great Tribulation.
Think: Don’t look out for the Antichrist as if he is the superstar but focus on Christ who is the bright and morning star.
Prayer: Father, thank you for the beauty of Christ Jesus we see on this page. Let the hope of your second coming for your people, purifies our lives and inspires us to live each day with and for the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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