Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. - Matthew 7:15
Good morning. Thank you for joining us for worship today. This morning’s sermon is the 19th message of the “Revelation” series. We are currently just over halfway through our study of this incredible book. Based upon my series outline, we should complete this sermon series a week or 2 before Christmas. So settle back and get comfortable, we still have a lot of ground to cover…
This week’s topic is the beast from the earth, the close companion and sinister partner of the beast from the sea. More specifically, they are the Antichrist (who we discussed in the opening verses of chapter 13 last Sunday) and the False Prophet (who we will discuss this morning in the closing verses of chapter 13). The False Prophet is the 3rd person of the unholy trinity, and therefore is to be contrasted with the Holy Spirit.
I. THE MISSION OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:11-12)
John saw the dragon, Satan, being cast out of heaven and thrown down to the earth. Then he saw the dragon standing on the seashore as a beast rose out of the sea, widely regarded to be the Antichrist. Finally John saw a second beast, this time rising from the earth as if coming up from underground. This beast had 2 horns, like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. In other words, it appeared to be harmless and gentle, but in reality it was evil and destructive. Looks can be deceiving! There are various interpretations as to the meaning of these horns, and I don’t particularly favor any of them.
More importantly, the second beast exercised the authority of the first beast “in his presence”. The language suggests that the second beast, widely regarded as the False Prophet, was almost always present with the first beast, serving as his chief advisor and trusted associate. The False Prophet derived his authority from the Antichrist, who in turn received his from the Devil. The beast from the earth had a singular purpose - to make all the peoples of earth submit to and worship the beast from the sea.
The beast from the earth, also known as the False Prophet, is the wicked version of the Holy Spirit. Both have a similar mission. While the Holy Spirit does many things, His primary purpose is to point people to Christ and bear witness of Him (John 15:26). The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself, but rather gives all accolades and praise to Jesus (John 16:13-14). In the same way, the False Prophet will glorify the Antichrist and compel the nations to worship him.
II. THE METHOD OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:13-15)
The beast from the earth was able to perform many great and miraculous signs before the people, such as calling fire down from heaven (which Elijah once did in the Old Testament). These signs deceived thousands of unwitting people into following the Antichrist. The False Prophet used deception as his primary tool for leading the world astray. He even convinced the people to construct an image of the first beast (who appeared to have been resurrected from the dead), perhaps like a statue or monument.
The False Prophet had the power to animate the image of the first beast so that it could speak and even kill those who refused to worship it. In other words, this image was unlike dead idols made of wood or stone. It appeared to be alive and had some sort of power and influence. Some commentators speculate that this could be some type of enhanced hologram. Also, many are of the opinion that this image is the “abomination of desolation” which will be set-up in the Temple during the last days (see Matthew 24:15).
When I think of how the Antichrist’s partner-in-crime, the False Prophet, will mislead the people into constructing and worshiping an idol, and can’t help but remember how Moses’ brother and companion Aaron did something very similar. While the stories are not exactly the same, there are clear parallels. Aaron led the children of Israel to worship a golden calf rather than God (see Exodus 32:1-6), while someday the False Prophet will encourage people to worship the image of the Antichrist.
III. THE MARK OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:16-18)
Finally, John stated that the second beast caused all of the inhabitants of earth to receive a mark on either their right hands or foreheads. No one was exempt from taking the mark. This mandate included “the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves”. The mark was an indicator of submission and allegiance to the first beast, the Antichrist.
In addition to the mark, people were compelled to bear the name and/or number of the beast from the sea. The number is said to be 666. In the Bible, 6 is the number of man, as people were fashioned on the 6th day of creation. Furthermore, 7 is considered to be the number for perfection. 6 falls short of 7, just as man falls short of perfection. Some experts have suggested that 666 is the numeric form or code of the Antichrist’s actual name and have put forward several possibilities. Some suggest the 666 reveals the corruption of all 3 members of the unholy trinity.
As you might imagine, there has been much debate over the years concerning both the “mark” and the “number” of the beast. What are they exactly? The truth is, no one knows for certain. However, Scripture plainly states that no one will be able to buy or sell anything unless they bear either the mark, name, and/or number of the first beast. These emblems are inseparably tied to commerce and the ability to exchange goods and services. In other words, those who refuse to submit to the Antichrist will be unable to purchase the things they need to survive, such as food and water. Furthermore, they will be unable to earn an income by selling the products and/or services they produce.
While such a scenario used to seem like absurd science fiction, increasingly it has become a viable possibility. With the rise of digital currency, the great decline of bartering and cash transactions, and the advent of credit/debit cards we have entered into a new age of commerce. Most modern sales and purchases are made without any actual, physical money. It’s all just numbers on a computer screen. Therefore, whoever controls the computers also controls the money and can, if they so choose, regulate which exchanges are acceptable and which are not. The ability to exercise absolute control over and to monitor all monetary transactions worldwide is no longer a novel idea. Advances in technology have made the mark of the beast possible.
CONCLUSION
To sum up, the beast from the earth is known as the False Prophet. He is the 3rd person of the unholy Trinity that will set itself up during the end times. His ministry will coincide with the Antichrist, taking place during the Great Tribulation. While the Antichrist will be more concerned with civil and political leadership, the False Prophet will have charge over religious things. Together they will be like the king-high priest duos of the Old Testament.
The beast from the earth will compel people to worship the Antichrist. He will perform miraculous signs that will deceive the masses and lead thousands astray. He will force people to take the “mark of the beast” which is a sign of allegiance and fealty to the Antichrist.
Satan, the Antichrist, and the False prophet will contend with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They will wreak havoc on the earth and cause much pain and destruction. But their days of deception will be numbered, and ultimately the Truth will prevail...
Good morning. Thank you for joining us for worship today. This morning’s sermon is the 19th message of the “Revelation” series. We are currently just over halfway through our study of this incredible book. Based upon my series outline, we should complete this sermon series a week or 2 before Christmas. So settle back and get comfortable, we still have a lot of ground to cover…
This week’s topic is the beast from the earth, the close companion and sinister partner of the beast from the sea. More specifically, they are the Antichrist (who we discussed in the opening verses of chapter 13 last Sunday) and the False Prophet (who we will discuss this morning in the closing verses of chapter 13). The False Prophet is the 3rd person of the unholy trinity, and therefore is to be contrasted with the Holy Spirit.
I. THE MISSION OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:11-12)
John saw the dragon, Satan, being cast out of heaven and thrown down to the earth. Then he saw the dragon standing on the seashore as a beast rose out of the sea, widely regarded to be the Antichrist. Finally John saw a second beast, this time rising from the earth as if coming up from underground. This beast had 2 horns, like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon. In other words, it appeared to be harmless and gentle, but in reality it was evil and destructive. Looks can be deceiving! There are various interpretations as to the meaning of these horns, and I don’t particularly favor any of them.
More importantly, the second beast exercised the authority of the first beast “in his presence”. The language suggests that the second beast, widely regarded as the False Prophet, was almost always present with the first beast, serving as his chief advisor and trusted associate. The False Prophet derived his authority from the Antichrist, who in turn received his from the Devil. The beast from the earth had a singular purpose - to make all the peoples of earth submit to and worship the beast from the sea.
The beast from the earth, also known as the False Prophet, is the wicked version of the Holy Spirit. Both have a similar mission. While the Holy Spirit does many things, His primary purpose is to point people to Christ and bear witness of Him (John 15:26). The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself, but rather gives all accolades and praise to Jesus (John 16:13-14). In the same way, the False Prophet will glorify the Antichrist and compel the nations to worship him.
II. THE METHOD OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:13-15)
The beast from the earth was able to perform many great and miraculous signs before the people, such as calling fire down from heaven (which Elijah once did in the Old Testament). These signs deceived thousands of unwitting people into following the Antichrist. The False Prophet used deception as his primary tool for leading the world astray. He even convinced the people to construct an image of the first beast (who appeared to have been resurrected from the dead), perhaps like a statue or monument.
The False Prophet had the power to animate the image of the first beast so that it could speak and even kill those who refused to worship it. In other words, this image was unlike dead idols made of wood or stone. It appeared to be alive and had some sort of power and influence. Some commentators speculate that this could be some type of enhanced hologram. Also, many are of the opinion that this image is the “abomination of desolation” which will be set-up in the Temple during the last days (see Matthew 24:15).
When I think of how the Antichrist’s partner-in-crime, the False Prophet, will mislead the people into constructing and worshiping an idol, and can’t help but remember how Moses’ brother and companion Aaron did something very similar. While the stories are not exactly the same, there are clear parallels. Aaron led the children of Israel to worship a golden calf rather than God (see Exodus 32:1-6), while someday the False Prophet will encourage people to worship the image of the Antichrist.
III. THE MARK OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:16-18)
Finally, John stated that the second beast caused all of the inhabitants of earth to receive a mark on either their right hands or foreheads. No one was exempt from taking the mark. This mandate included “the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves”. The mark was an indicator of submission and allegiance to the first beast, the Antichrist.
In addition to the mark, people were compelled to bear the name and/or number of the beast from the sea. The number is said to be 666. In the Bible, 6 is the number of man, as people were fashioned on the 6th day of creation. Furthermore, 7 is considered to be the number for perfection. 6 falls short of 7, just as man falls short of perfection. Some experts have suggested that 666 is the numeric form or code of the Antichrist’s actual name and have put forward several possibilities. Some suggest the 666 reveals the corruption of all 3 members of the unholy trinity.
As you might imagine, there has been much debate over the years concerning both the “mark” and the “number” of the beast. What are they exactly? The truth is, no one knows for certain. However, Scripture plainly states that no one will be able to buy or sell anything unless they bear either the mark, name, and/or number of the first beast. These emblems are inseparably tied to commerce and the ability to exchange goods and services. In other words, those who refuse to submit to the Antichrist will be unable to purchase the things they need to survive, such as food and water. Furthermore, they will be unable to earn an income by selling the products and/or services they produce.
While such a scenario used to seem like absurd science fiction, increasingly it has become a viable possibility. With the rise of digital currency, the great decline of bartering and cash transactions, and the advent of credit/debit cards we have entered into a new age of commerce. Most modern sales and purchases are made without any actual, physical money. It’s all just numbers on a computer screen. Therefore, whoever controls the computers also controls the money and can, if they so choose, regulate which exchanges are acceptable and which are not. The ability to exercise absolute control over and to monitor all monetary transactions worldwide is no longer a novel idea. Advances in technology have made the mark of the beast possible.
CONCLUSION
To sum up, the beast from the earth is known as the False Prophet. He is the 3rd person of the unholy Trinity that will set itself up during the end times. His ministry will coincide with the Antichrist, taking place during the Great Tribulation. While the Antichrist will be more concerned with civil and political leadership, the False Prophet will have charge over religious things. Together they will be like the king-high priest duos of the Old Testament.
The beast from the earth will compel people to worship the Antichrist. He will perform miraculous signs that will deceive the masses and lead thousands astray. He will force people to take the “mark of the beast” which is a sign of allegiance and fealty to the Antichrist.
Satan, the Antichrist, and the False prophet will contend with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They will wreak havoc on the earth and cause much pain and destruction. But their days of deception will be numbered, and ultimately the Truth will prevail...