REVELATION LESSON 28

REVELATION

LESSON 28

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

REVELATION 13:16-17   ¹⁶ It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, ¹⁷ so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Many prophecy experts can see the results of the number and the mark of the beast as a cashless society. Today the governments of the world want to eliminate our paper and coin money so that all transactions can track all buying and selling.

Perhaps some of the most fanciful suggestions for prophetic interpretation revolve around the meaning of this number. The text does not indicate that it somehow will mathematically speak the name of the antichrist. since the number will not be revealed until the middle of the revelation period and the church will be raptured out by then, it seems more likely that we, the church, will not be given a hint as to the full meaning or even the name of the antichrist.  

The mark of the beast is not my number, your number or even the number of anyone that can be identified at this time. I don’t think it will be your driver’s license number, social security number or even a national I.D. number.

It is not a different number for different people. It is the same mark, name or number for everyone. It is the mark, name or number of the antichrist.

Revelation 13:17   ¹⁷ so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Those who take the mark are accepting the antichrist as god. They are choosing the beast over Jesus, thereby refusing Gods offer of salvation, mercy, forgiveness and love. This will be the end of their opportunity to be saved. Everything that is needed in the form of chips and systems to enforce the mark is available at this time. These will be powerful chips, scanners the antichrist will use to keep track of everything that goes on in the world.

Chips were placed in the bodies of many of those who died in the southeast of Asian tsunami. They are placing chips in many people in several countries.

Some international financial experts are saying the coming one world government will have its own one world currency.

The global government will force people to use it by making it illegal to buy and sell in any currency except the new world currency and every transaction will include ones national global I.D number.

Bio pay systems are gaining wider acceptance and use. These systems use fingerprints and eye scan technology to debit purchases from their customers bank accounts. They offer great protection against identification theft and relieve the customer from carrying credit cards. Businesses receive their money immediately with added advantage of not getting stuck with bad credit.

These things are not the mark of the beast, but they are a giant step in that direction because they establish a system to track the buying and selling of people. One push of the computer button will provide a list of those who have taken the mark and of those who haven’t taken the mark. Scripture tells us that in the future a one world system of government will require every person to receive a mark in his or her right hand or in their forehead.

Without this mark of the beast, no one would be able to buy or sell. In years past few could envision how such a system could be. The technology at that time was not advanced enough for people to see it. Now such a thing is not only viable but probable.

Stay in the word,

Until next time,

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESSON 27

REVELATION

 LESSON 27

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 13:13-14   ¹³ And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

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.

This word “wonders” is translated as signs. the same word used by the apostle John in his gospel describing the ministry of Jesus. it’s translated also as miracles. This would lead us to believe that the false prophet will be equipped by Satan and the antichrist with authority and power to do such supernatural signs to deceive the very elect.

Satan can preform what appears to be miraculous signs and wonders, like the apostle Paul tells us, the coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan. Coming with all power, signs and lying wonders, and with all the unrighteous deception among those who perish.

It is often overlooked that even though Satan has miraculous powers, it is limited and less extensive than that of God. One of the impressive signs the false prophet will preform is that of causing fire to fall from heaven before a great multitude. This in itself will not prove he is from God.

But yet many will believe he is. He will order his followers to honor the antichrist by setting up an image or statue of the first beast. They will gladly do what he commands. When they do emphasis will be placed on the antichrists wound and what appears to be a miraculous healing and resurrection.

Many cult leaders deify themselves and with this they are attempting to humanize God. They raise themselves up as gods and bring Christ down to mere human status. The false christs of the cults are idols and the bible has warned us explicitly that when we bow down to any idol we are worshiping devils.

Revelation 13:15   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.

The false prophet will be given the power to impart breath to the image of the antichrist. When he does the image will appear to come to life. Some how he gives life to this image, the time limit on how long it will manifest life is unknown.

This is a reminder that the antichrist was once dead but is again alive. There is no doubt that it will be an incredible event that will catch the worlds attention. After the image begins breathing it will also speak. Whether it will be done by ventriloquism, demonic possession, computer or something else unsaid we do not know at this time.

Nevertheless, we know that it will be a convincing performance. The image will proclaim that all who refuse to worship it will die. Jesus warned us of this kind of persecution when he said, then will they deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for my name sake.

Matthew 24:9   ⁹ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

Paul warned us about it too when he said, but know this that in the last days perilous times will come. Perilous means dangerous and full of risks.

2 Timothy 3:1   3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

The false prophet doesn’t sound like the lamb he first appeared as is starting to sound more like a demonic inspired roaring lion. This is why he is called the false prophet. He is a religious pretender who will not hesitate to break Gods laws.

In stead of putting the bible into practice the false prophet will make every attempt possible to set it aside.

Revelation 13:16   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:

The false prophet will demand that everyone will be given a mark known as the mark of the beast. People will be allowed to select one of the two places on their bodies for the mark. The right hand or the forehead. No one will be exempt laws will be enacted to identify and punish those who do not support the world government. To have food and medical services or medicine will be a privilege to those who cooperate. Those who refuse will be denied any privilege.

John recorded that he will force everyone both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave to receive this mark so that none could buy or sell unless he had the mark. Which is the name of the beast.

Taking the mark would be like getting a license to start a business you would need the mark to sell the goods and customers would need the mark to buy them.

With this in his grasp the false prophet will force people to worship the image of the beast. In this way he will merge church and state.

Until our next lesson,

Stay in the word. 

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESSON 26

REVELATION

LESSON 26

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 13:11   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.

John saw a second beast (the false prophet). The first beast will come out of the earth, the sea is a symbol of the masses of humanity, while the earth is a symbol of the land of Israel.

The first beast will have ten horns, this is the beast that comes out of the sea. The second beast will only have two horns. Lambs do not have horns, so except for his two horns, the second beast will look like a lamb. He will try to imitate the Lamb of God. He will be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

The first beast will get his power from the dragon. The second beast will speak like a dragon. He will do a lot of talking about loving, accepting, diversity, gender equality and so forth. He will condemn racism, sexism, poverty and all forms of discrimination. Underneath he will be a slithering monster.

In other words, the snake that he is, it is important to remember that the focus of the world will be mainly upon two places during the tribulation. First the revived Roman empire with its one world government. Second will be the land of Israel with its Jewish religion, temple, the 144,000 sealed Jews and the two witnesses.

The antichrist and the false prophet are two separate individuals who will work toward a common deceptive goal. Their roles and relationship will be that which was common in the ancient world between a ruler and a high priest.

Revelation 13:12   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.

The second beast who is the false prophet will hold as much authority as the first beast who is the antichrist. The second beast will be the third member of the satanic trinity. However, he will not use his great authority to exalt himself, he will use it to exalt the antichrist. His whole purpose will be to work toward the complete dominance of the earth by the antichrist which will include a form of religion causing the earth and them that dwell on it to worship the first beast

Instead of loving and accepting everyone he will try to change everyone’s beliefs. He will attempt to merge religion and politics. By promoting a world religion and world government he will order everyone to worship the antichrist and will not hesitate to use force.

Whose deadly wound was healed refers back to revelation 13:3, it reveals that the false prophet will claim to be a healer and a miracle worker he will be what Jesus said in Matthew 24:24.   ²⁴ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

The false prophet is the satanic counterfeit of the Holy Spirit. Just as the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to give glory to Christ Jesus and to point people to him in trust and worship, the ministry of the false prophet will be to glorify the antichrist and to lead people to trust and worship him.

None of the false teachers to this time has ever possessed the supernatural powers that will be exhibited by the false prophet on behalf of the antichrist during the tribulation period.

We could ask ourselves why would God permit such power to be in Satan’s hands? It is because even during the tribulation period men will be force to worship God by faith. If all the supernatural power were on one side it would not take faith but common sense to recognize the source of power.

The principal of salvation as a gift of God will still rest on the basis of faith.

Hebrews 11:6   ⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Until the next lesson,

Stay in the word,

Brother Andy

REVELATION LESSON 25

REVELATION

LESSON 25

ARE WE LIVING IN THE END TIMES?

Revelation 13:7-10   ⁷ And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

⁸ 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.

⁹ If any man have an ear, let him hear.

¹⁰ He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The scriptures leave no doubt that this is an actual political government that extends over the whole globe. The tribulation saints will face the most intense persecution the world has ever known. Their future will be bleak, but in the long term their future will be bright.

The antichrist will receive power from Satan to conquer everyone who turns to God. He will go out in a rage to destroy all believers. Many will be slaughtered so a one world satanic religion can be established. No place on earth will be safe for the Christians.

The antichrist will extend his domain to include every tribe, every tongue, and every nation on the Earth. Everyone must submit to him or be killed. It will be a one world government and religion.

Revelation 13:8   ⁸ 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.

It is difficult to imagine a world filled with Satan worshipers, but that is the way the word reads. The only ones who will not worship the antichrist will be those whose names have been written in the Lambs book of life. Satan can rage but God is still in control. There are some who cannot be separated from the love of Jesus.

People of the bible are opposed to the merging of religions. All who dwell on the earth means one world religion. Satan wants to exclude Jesus so people refuse to accept Satan as Lord and savior, knowing that they will spend eternity in the lake of fire if they do.

The book of life belongs to the Lamb that was slain. He knows who will worship the antichrist and those who will not. He has already entered the name of those who will not fall into his book of life. He planned to die for them before the world was created.

Jeremiah 1:5   ⁵ Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

God was saying to Jeremiah that before he created him in his mother’s womb he knew him. The same with us today. That is how he knows who will fall and those who won’t.

What a difference between Christ Jesus and the antichrist. One willing to die for the godly, the other willing to kill the godly.

Revelation 13:9-10   ⁹ If any man have an ear, let him hear.

¹⁰ He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

As observed in the letters to the seven churches, invitations are given to the individual. “he who has an ear let him hear” if anyone is going into captivity he will go, if anyone is to be killed with the sword, by the sword he will be killed. This calls for patience, endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

The invitation here is not addressed to the churches as in Revelation 2:3 since the Church has already been raptured, but to individuals. The saints can rest in the fact that God honors sincere faith in coming to him.

Though this may not prevent them from being martyred, it assures them nevertheless eternal blessing in the presence of God. On the other hand, those who are wicked and who deserve punishment will receive it in eternity.

The saints recognize that God is not settling all accounts in this world should have patience and endurance, trusting God who is handling their personal life. No one has to go through the tribulation period. God loves everyone. He is warning everyone, anyone who commits his or her life to Jesus before its too late will leave in the rapture.

At the end of each of the seven letters to the seven churches, John said, anyone that can hear what the spirit says to the churches in this verse is an indication that the churches are not on earth during the tribulation period. The absence of the churches indicates a pre-trib rapture.

If a tribulation saint kills someone, even in self-defense, he will be killed in a similar manner. If an unbeliever kills a tribulation saint, he will be killed in a similar manner. Sin will have its own reward. This is the way it was in the old testament days. It is commonly called an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

In the new testament Galatian 6:7 say it like this. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. If to sow wheat, you get wheat if you sow con you get corn. During the tribulation period if you kill you will be killed.

For the believer this will require patience and faith, it will be the only way to stand up under the terrible persecution of the tribulation period. Believe in God, trust in God and Jesus, look to the time when you will live again, leave revenge to the almighty.

In the old testament when a person killed someone they were put to death. That worked well in Israel for several hundred years. To teach the people to value human life. Things have changed in this century, murderers usually serve less than seven years. This teaches society to disrespect human life. God has his eyes upon this earth. He will see justice done.

Until our next lesson

Stay in the word,

Brother Andy