The Beast

Revelation 13:1-10

The vision that John sees is seen by many to be the embodiment of Satan during the tribulation. The Beast represents all the wicked powers of the earth brought into one embodiment. The Beast will lure the people by claiming to bring peace and unity to the world. His religious rhetoric will fool many into thinking he is right and there is no other who can unity the people as one. He is the great deceiver, only those whose name have been written to the book of life will be able to discern his deception, but they pay a great price when they refuse to worship him. The beast will rule and overcome all true righteousness for the duration of 3 and half years.

Sea Monster - and saw a beast rise out of the sea

• Seven horns-the complete embodiment of Satan
• Ten horns, ten crowns- Represent the kings of the earth
• The name of blasphemy- He will seem as being sacred

Symbols of Empires – the dragon gave him his power

• Leopard- Greek- swift to conquer- Alexander the Great

• Bear- Medo-Persian- Tenacity, unyielding, no compromise
• Lion- Babylon Empire- veracity, devouring, destroying
• Fourth beast seen by Daniel- summary of all- The Romans

Similarities to Christ –who is like unto the beast- dead, yet he lives

• Head wounded to death- Appears to have been slain (wounded)
• His wound was healed- Made alive, slain yet liveth
• Appears as an angel of light, wolf in sheep skin- AntiChrist

Speaks with Blasphemy – he opened his mouth in blaspheme

• He spoke as he was God- Used sacred things for his purpose
• He took on the name of God
• He used the once sacred places of God’s dwelling to rule

Saints are Overpowered – make war with the saint and overcome

• Who are these Saints- Are they the remnant that hid
• 144,000 have already fled to the desert for protection
• These remnant gave their lives for refusing to worship

Serving the Beast –all that dwell on the earth shall worship him

• The whole world viewed the beast (Ruler) as King

• Thet Worshiped- Served this world leader
• These were those who refused to yield their hearts to Christ

Sword or Faith– must be killed with the sword

• To what degree should one defend themselves with force
• The true saint will yield to God in Faith- God’s Providence

The Seals Opened

Revelation 6: 1-6, 12-17

As the seals are open, the vision of the different horses that John saw all represented events to come. The actual events are all speculation. Some teach that these events have already occurred, other think that these are events still to be fulfilled. In conclusion, no doubt the wicked will suffer for rejecting Christ, and the righteous will be with Christ forever.

White Horse- Behold a white horse

• The first beast called- The lion- courage’s in battle-Victor
• The horse- animal of war and battle
• Victorious Trajan went forth toward the east
• The birth of the church going forth to all nations
• The Tribulation- Anti-Christ- victory through peace-diplomacy
• Christ on a white horse- He comes for the victor in all situations

Red Horse – horse that was red

• The second beast called- OX- Endurance and patience
• Decebalus, king of Dacia wars against Trajan- lots of blood
• The war against the church- persecution
• The Tribulation- War between each other- shedding of blood
• Judgment of those who reject the reign of Christ

Black Horse – and lo, a black horse

• The third beast called- The man- compassion for the suffering
• The famine in Egypt- land of plenty after the war
• A famine of Spiritual food- Church goes underground
• The Tribulation- famine- the poor suffer, the rich prosper
• Famine of spiritual food- become reprobates- mockers

Ashen Horse – and behold a pale horse

• The forth beast called- The eagle- intelligence- bird of prey
• The desolation left a weaken nation, brought death
• The church goes into the dark ages- the dead church
• The Tribulation- death come to a fourth of the earth
• Death and Hell is the final destination of those who reject

Altar of the Slain –souls of them that were slain

• The invisible world- no connection to the previous metaphor

• The martyrs, those left on earth, the angels on heaven

Black Sun & Red Moon – sun became black, moon as blood

• The destruction of Jerusalem
• Calamity to come when Christ returns
• The wrath of the lamb- Redeemer becomes judge