COUNTERFEITED BY THE BEAST FROM THE PIT.

Revelation 13

Part 7

The Antichrist will be the Evil Shepherd (Zech. 11:16-17) 16 For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land,

which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken,

nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.

17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye:

his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

CHRIST is the Truth (John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

The Antichrist will be “the lie” (2 Thess. 2:1-11) 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,

 and by our gathering together unto him,

2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that

the day of Christ is at hand.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man

of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the

temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy

 with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

Christ is the Mystery of Godliness, God manifested in the flesh (1 Tim. 3:16) And without controversy great is the

mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles,

 believed on in the world, received up into glory.

The Antichrist will be “The Mystery of Iniquity,” Satan manifested in the flesh (2 Thess. 2:7-9), the living son of Satan

The phrase “inhabiters of the Earth” (or “them that dwell on the Earth”) is found twelve times in Revelation

 (3:10; 6:10; 8:13; 11:10 [twice]; 12:12; 13:8,12,14; 14:6; 17:2,8).

It means much more than “people who live on the Earth,” for that is where all living people reside.

Instead, it refers to a kind of people: those who live for the Earth and the things of the Earth.

These are just the opposite of people who have their citizenship in Heaven (Phil. 3:18–21).18 (For many walk, of whom

I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working

 whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

John described this worldly sort well in his first epistle (1 John 2:15–17), and later in this

prophecy he again makes it clear that “earth-dwellers” are not born again (Revelation 13:8).

 (1 John 2:15–17) 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

 God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

(Revelation 13:8) 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.

APPENDICES:

THE PRINCE THAT SHALL COME

 The Coming World Leader–commonly known as the Antichrist –has 33 titles in the Old Testament

 and 13 in the New Testament.

One of these, The Prince That Shall Come, comes from Daniel 9:26-27 in which the people of the Prince that

shall come would destroy the city and the sanctuary. The fulfillment occurred in history when the Roman

legions under Titus Vespasian destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD.

This reflexive reference to the Romans in Daniel 9:26 is one of several reasons why most Bible scholars

view the future Prince that shall come as a Roman, or European.

EXEGETICAL NOTES ON: REVELATION 13:

THE FIFTH AND SIXTH PERSONS: THE TWO BEASTS.

* The beast out of the sea (vs. 1-10).

* The Roman Empire is in view in vs. 1-3;

* The last individual emperor is seen in verses 4-10 (Scofield, Pentecost, Scott, Ironside).

* He is the Roman prince of Daniel 9 who will break his covenant with the Jews at the middle of the week.

* He is the Antichrist, the man of lawlessness (Pentecost, Seiss, Newell).

* Some think that he is raised from the dead – Seiss, Newell (v. 3).

* The beast out of the Earth (vs. 11-18).

* He is a religious leader, the false prophet, apparently a Jew, who causes men to worship the first beast.

* He has the power to do miracles to deceive men (vs. 14-15).

* Some call him the Antichrist, the one instead of Christ (Scott, Ironside, Gaebelein, Kelly).

* It is better to make Antichrist one opposed to Christ (Pentecost, etc.).

* These beasts can make war with the saints and overcome them (v. 7).

* All who are not elect will worship the first beast (v. 8).

* By economic warfare they can starve out those who will not worship the first beast (vs. 16-17).

SOME INTERESTING INSIGHTS ON THE BEAST

* THE PEACEMAKER (Rev. 6:1–2). Certainly, this man will be on the scene before the Rapture of the Church.

He will be a peaceful political leader who unites ten Nations of Europe into a strong power bloc (see Rev. 17:12–13).

The rider on the white horse imitates Christ (Rev. 19:11ff).

He goes forth to conquer peacefully: he has a bow, but no arrows. He will bring a brief time of peace to

the world (1 Thes. 5:1–3) before the storm of the Day of the Lord breaks loose.

1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a

woman with child; and they shall not escape.

* THE PROTECTOR (Dan. 9:22–27). We cannot examine the exciting details of this prophecy, but it is important to

note several facts.

22 And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.

23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved:

 therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end

of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision

and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the

 Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall,

even in troublous times.

26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that

 shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the

war desolations are determined.

27 And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and

 the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation,

 and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

First, the prophecy applies to Israel, Jerusalem, and the Temple, and not to the Church.

Second, it announces the time when Messiah will come and accomplish certain purposes for the Jewish people.

The word week refers to a period of 7 years; 70 weeks are equal to 490 years. Note that these 490 years are

divided into three parts: 7 weeks or 49 years, during which the city would be rebuilt; 62 weeks or 434 years,

at the end of which time Messiah would come and be cut off; 1 week or 7 years, during which a “prince” would

have a covenant with Israel. The seventieth week will start with the arrival of Antichrist. He will make a

covenant with Israel to protect her and permit her to rebuild her Temple. This covenant will be for seven years.

He will temporarily solve the Middle East crisis. Israel will rebuild her Temple in peaceful times. It is the

signing of this covenant, not the Rapture of the Church that signals the start of Daniel’s seventieth week,

that seven-year period known as the Day of the Lord.

* THE PEACE-BREAKER (Dan. 9:27). After three and one-half years,

Antichrist will break his covenant with the Jews and take over their Temple. This was what Paul termed “the falling away” (2 Thes. 2:3b).

A better translation would be “the rebellion, the apostasy.” Not simply a rebellion, but the rebellion.

Up to this point, Antichrist has been a peacemaking leader of ten European Nations, obligated to protect Israel.

But now he reveals his true character by taking over the Jewish Temple and demanding that the World worship him

(see Rev. 13). Since the Antichrist will be energized by Satan, it is no surprise that he will seek worship; for

Satan has always wanted the worship of the World. There have been various “apostasies” in church history, when

groups have turned away from God’s truth; but this final rebellion will be the greatest of all. The man of sin

will oppose everything that belongs to any other religion, true or false. He will organize a world church that will,

by worshiping him, worship Satan. Our Lord predicted this apostasy; He called it “the abomination of desolation”

(Matt. 24:15), a clear reference to Daniel 9:27. The World will wonder at this great leader who, with Satan’s power,

will perform signs and wonders and deceive the Nations.

*THE PERSECUTOR (Rev. 13:15–17). Most prophetic students

agree that the abomination of desolation will occur three and one-half years after the Antichrist makes his covenant

with the Jews. (Dan. 9:27—“in the midst of the week” or three and one-half years.) This will usher in a period of

intense persecution and Tribulation. Jesus said, “For then shall be great Tribulation” (Matt. 24:21). Satan will vent

his wrath against Israel. He will so control the World’s economic system that citizens must bear “the mark of the beast”

to be able to buy and sell (Rev. 13:16–17).

*THE PRISONER (Rev. 19:11–21). Keep in mind that God has a timetable.

Satan will not be permitted to control the World forever. Jesus Christ will return “in power and great glory” and

take Antichrist and his associates prisoner—and also Satan—and cast them into the bottomless pit (Rev. 20:1–3).

This will be the climax of the great Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:16) during which the Nations of the World unite

with Satan to fight Jesus Christ. This leads to our next event.

THE SYMBOLS OF THE BEAST  The seven heads represent

seven mountains (Rev. 17:9); and since Rome was built on seven hills, this must be a veiled reference to that powerful

 city (see Rev. 17:18). It would be a most meaningful allusion in John’s day! The ten horns represent ten Kingdoms

(Dan. 7:24; Rev. 17:12). It appears that “the beast” will head a “United States of Europe,” a revived Roman Empire,

before taking over as World dictator. All Nations will no doubt admire and thank him for the “peace” he has achieved,

little realizing the sorrow and destruction he will bring to the World.

The three animals named in Revelation 13:2 remind us of the four beasts Daniel saw in his dream (Dan. 7):

A lion (Babylon),

A bear (Media-Persia),

A leopard (Greece),

and a “terrible beast” (the Antichrist). John saw these animals, or Kingdoms, in reverse order since he was looking back,

while Daniel was looking ahead. The final World empire will be rooted in all the previous empires and unite in one their

evil and power. Added to the ferocity of these beasts will be Satan’s own power, throne, and authority! Once Satan presents

his great “masterpiece,” the counterfeit Christ, to the World, what will happen next?   First, there will be WONDER

(Rev. 13:3). Certainly a terrified World will wonder at Antichrist’s power and his sudden rise to international fame

and authority. But mankind will also wonder at the healing of his “wound.” What is this “wound”? John does not explain it,

but perhaps what he later wrote (Rev. 17:9–13) can help interpret the symbolism. This “wound” must be important, because

John mentioned it three times (Rev. 13:3, 12, 14), including the fact that it was sword inflicted.   The seven heads represent

seven mountains, but also seven Kings or Kingdoms (Rev. 17:10). Antichrist or “the beast” is one of these seven kings

(Rev. 17:11), but he is also the eighth. Apparently, he reigns twice; but how can this be? The suggestion has been made

that “the beast” will be a European leader who will form a ten-nation federation (Rev. 17:12), but be slain in the process.

Revelation 11:7 and 17:8 states that “the beast” will ascend out of the abyss. Is it possible that Satan will

(with God’s permission) resurrect a man from the dead? If Satan has power to give life to a dead idol (Rev. 13:15),

could he not also give life to a dead body?   If “the beast” that ruled as one of the seven KINGS was slain, and then

raised up again, he could rule as the eighth king. If, on the other hand, the image is seen representing KINGDOMS rather

than individuals, we would have the reemergence of a “dead kingdom” on the World scene. However, it would be difficult to

understand how a kingdom could be slain by a sword. It is best, I think, to apply this prophecy to individual persons.

Not only will there be wonder, but there will also be WORSHIP (Rev. 13:4). Worship is the one thing Satan has always wanted

(Matt. 4:8–10), and he will receive it through “the beast.” The second “beast,” described in the last half of this chapter,

will organize and promote the worship of Antichrist, making it the official religion of the World!

There will also be WORDS (Rev. 13:5–6). Almost all dictators have risen to power by controlling people with their words.

Some of us can recall when Adolph Hitler was rising to power, and know now how he mesmerized huge crowds with his speeches.

Satan will make “the beast” a great orator, whose addresses will blaspheme God, His name, His Tabernacle (Heaven), and the

saints in Heaven. Since Satan will have recently been cast out of Heaven, this blasphemy is to be expected.   Finally,

there will be WAR (Rev. 13:7–10). God will permit the Antichrist to war against His people (“wear out the saints,” Dan. 7:25)

and even to defeat some of them. John prophesied that some of the saints will be captured and some will be martyred. But

because of their faith, they will have patience, or endurance (see Heb. 6:12; Rev. 1:9), and will not deny the Lord in spite

of persecution and death.   The World’s population will be divided: those who are saved, with their names in God’s Book, will

not submit to “the beast”; those who are lost—the earthdwellers—will worship “the beast” and do his bidding. Note that

Revelation 13:9 applies this truth to “any man,” no matter in which age he may live. Certainly in John’s day, this was

meaningful; for every Roman citizen had to acknowledge, “Caesar is Lord.” Likewise in every age of the Church, true believers

have had to take their stand for Christ, come what may.  What is “the abomination of desolation”? It is the image of “the beast,”

set up in the Temple in Jerusalem. An idol is bad enough; but setting it up in the Temple is the height of all blasphemy.

Since Satan could not command worship in Heaven, he will go to the next best place—the Jewish Temple in the Holy City

(see Dan. 8:9–14).   The false prophet, energized by Satan, will perform his “lying wonders” and even duplicate some of

the signs performed by the two witnesses (Rev. 13:13; see also 11:5). Up to this time, the two witnesses have been

ministering at the Temple in Jerusalem, but “the beast” will slay them and take over the Temple. When God raises the

two witnesses from the dead and takes them to Heaven, the false prophet will answer that challenge by giving life to

the image of “the beast.” Not only will the image move, but it will speak!   Not content to control people through religious

deceit, the false prophet will institute strong economic measures as well. Everybody (except believers; Rev. 20:4) will

receive a special mark in order to buy or sell; but the only way to get that mark is to submit to “the beast” and worship him.

Surely this is a strong allusion to the Caesar worship in the Roman Empire, but political leaders throughout history have

used this same policy.

This special mark is the name or number of “the beast”—the mystical 666. In the ancient world, the letters of the alphabet

were used for numbers, both in Greek and Hebrew; and Bible students have been attempting for years to unravel the mystery

of this name and number. If you work at it hard enough, almost any name will fit!   Since man was created on the sixth day,

six is the number of man. Creation was made for man and likewise has the number six stamped on it: twenty-four hours to a

day (4 x 6), twelve months to a year (2 x 6). Seven is the number of perfection and fullness, but six is the “human number,”

just short of perfection.   Despite all man’s imaginative calculations, we must confess that no one knows the meaning of this

number and name. No doubt believers on Earth at that time will understand it clearly. The “satanic trinity” cannot claim the

number seven; it must settle for 666.   This much is sure: in recent years, we have seen a worldwide increase in the use of

numbers for identification. In the United States, a person’s Social Security number is indispensable. In fact, numbers are

more important to computers than names! Perhaps this is an advance warning of what will happen on Earth when “the beast” is

in control.   We have reached the middle of the Tribulation in our study, but we are not yet ready for the return of the Lord.

Before John revealed how the great drama will climax, he paused to overview great events to come; and that will be our next

topic.   An anti-Christian system pervades our World, and true believers must not be a part of it (1 John 2:15–17).

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is

not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father,

 but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

We must shun false worship

(1 Cor. 10:14–22)

14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

That we may be found faithful to the Lord in these last days!

(2 Tim. 3)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

WHAT ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS?

In 2 Peter 2:3, Peter pointed out that the false teachers used “feigned words.” The Greek word

is plastos, from which we get our English word plastic. Plastic words! Words that can be twisted to mean anything you want

them to mean! The false teachers use our vocabulary, but they do not use our dictionary. They talk about “salvation,”

“inspiration,” and the great words of the Christian faith, but they do not mean what we mean. Immature and untaught believers

hear these preachers or read their books and think that these men are sound in the faith, but they are not. Satan is a liar

and his ministers are liars. They use the Bible, not to enlighten, but to deceive. They follow the same pattern Satan followed

when he deceived Eve (Gen. 3:1–6). First, he questioned God’s Word—“Yea, hath God said?” Then he denied God’s Word—“Ye shall

not surely die.” Finally, he substituted his own lie—“Ye shall be as gods.”

Keep in mind that these apostate teachers are not innocently ignorant of the Word, as was Apollos (Acts 18:24–28).

They know the truth but they deliberately reject it. I read about a liberal pastor who was asked to read a paper at a

ministerial conference on “Paul’s views of justification.” He read a paper that superbly presented the truth of the Gospel and

justification by faith. “I didn’t know you believed that,” a friend said to him after the meeting. “I don’t believe it,”

the liberal pastor replied. “They didn’t ask me for my views of justification. They asked for Paul’s!”

When it comes to application, our Lord’s atonement is limited to those who believe.

They especially deny the deity of Jesus Christ, for they know that if they can do away with His deity they can destroy the entire body of Christian truth. Christianity is Christ, and if He is not what He claims to be, there is no Christian faith.   It must be made clear that these false teachers are unsaved. They are compared to dogs and pigs,

not to sheep (2 Peter 2:22). Jude describes these same people, and in Jude 19 he clearly states, “having not the Spirit.”

If a person does not have the Spirit of God within, he is not a child of God (Rom. 8:9). He may pretend to be saved and

even become a member or an officer in a Sovereign Grace church, but eventually he will deny the Lord.

Every good and godly Christians may disagree on fine points of doctrine, but they all agree on the person and work of

Jesus Christ. He is the Son of God and God the Son. He is the only Savior. To deny this is to condemn your own soul.