[Originally preached 26 October, 2003]
Revelation 13.11-18
This morning we look at another beast. This is the second beast that arose from the earth. Again, John uses vivid images to communicate his thoughts. It isn’t my goal this morning, nor has it been for any of the sermons in this series, to explain all that is going on in our text. I will try to explain those things that I think you need to hear. The goal is not that we become experts in this book of the Bible. The goal is for us to hear from God so that we might live faithfully in this present evil age. So, let’s take a look at this beast.
First, his goal is clear. It has to do with worship. His goal is to make all the earth worship the first beast. He doesn’t focus on himself but rather on the beast that comes up out of the sea. He points to the state. John uses certain language that will help us understand his task better. In verse 12 John tells us that this beast ‘exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence’ or ‘on his behalf’. The old KJV has ‘before him’. And that is helpful. Back in chapter 11 we read about the two witnesses. There they were described as those who ‘stand before the Lord of the earth’. The phrase in our text translated ‘in the presence of’ is the same translated in chapter 11 in terms of standing before God. Here, again, the Old Testament comes into play. Listen to how Elijah described himself.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." 1 Kings 17:1
Elijah stood before God. The second beast stands before the first beast. This is the language of being a prophet in the service of his God. And the role of a prophet is to call people to worship that God. And that is what the second beast is all about. He is a prophet who calls all to worship his god, the first beast. And so, we, again, have the theme of counterfeit. The second beast is a false prophet advocating a false religion with a false messiah and a false god.
Let’s see how this false prophet goes about his task. First, we should note that he uses words. Verse 11 tells us that he speaks. The power of words is underestimated. The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about the power that our words have, power to heal or to hurt. History reminds us of great orators who moved multitudes of people to action. I understand that Hitler was a very fine speaker and we know the results of his words. And what, after all, is a sermon but an attempt to change your life by the use of words? One of the powerful tools of this false prophet is words. But listen again to how he is described.
Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. Revelation 13:11
Once again we see the theme of deception. To all appearances the false prophet is innocent, gentle, harmless. He is quite appealing. He looks like a lamb. But what about the words? The words have all the evil and the power of Satan, the dragon. Behind the smooth words is great danger to those caught in his net. Jesus warned us about this sort of thing.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15
Multitudes are deceived all the time by those who appear to be honest and caring and all the rest, and yet who are actually part of the scheme to make sure that they worship the beast. A lack of discernment costs them their souls.
Let’s consider another tool of this false prophet.
It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Revelation 13:13-14
Here we encounter the realm of the miraculous. The false prophet bolsters his bold words with miracles. Does this mean that he is able to actually do the supernatural? There have been situations where agents of Satan have been able to do exactly that. One example would be the magicians in Pharaoh’s court in the days of Moses. But I don’t think that what John is saying requires this ability. It can also include the dramatic, the unusual or the striking, things that impress – and persuade – the people. We hear the language of miracle used this way. When someone says, ‘It was a miracle that he wasn’t hurt worse’, he isn’t talking about something supernatural, just something very striking. This is in addition to the supernatural. Of course, John could also be including the different ways that people are simply fooled by charlatans. But again you see the theme of counterfeit. The Gospel came in word and in sign. This false gospel also comes in word and in sign. And again Jesus warned us.
Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Matthew 24:23-25
Then we come to the third tool mentioned: economic oppression.
Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. Revelation 13:16-17
Now, what is this ‘mark of the beast’? It’s helps to remember the theme of counterfeit here. Is there some Christian equivalent to this mark? Yes, there is the seal of God on the forehead of the saints. We saw it back in chapter seven, and, interestingly, we’ll see it in the very next chapter. The mark of the beast is a counterfeit of this seal. Just as Jesus marks His own, those who worship the beast are likewise marked. Now, is the seal of God something physical? Is it a visible marking? No. Should we expect the mark of the beast to be physical and visible? No, but it is something that will manifest itself in the life of the bearer. This is where the placement of the mark is significant: the right hand or the forehead. This kind of language shows up in the Old Testament. When Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the priesthood Moses applied blood to the right ear lobe, the thumb of the right hand and the big toe of the right foot of each of them. The symbolism should be obvious. They were consecrated in terms of what they heard [ear], what they did [hand], and where they went [foot]. Their whole lives were consecrated to Christ. Those with the mark of the beast are likewise consecrated. They have bought into the lies and deception of the worship of the first beast and it shows in terms of what they do [right hand] and how they think [forehead].
How does this relate to the issue of buying and selling? This is economic pressure to conform. In Asia Minor in the first century you couldn’t have a job unless you were a part of the guild. But you couldn’t be a part of the guild unless you offered sacrifice to the image of the emperor. Failure in this meant poverty, economic distress. And here just remember the church at Smyrna. What we are seeing are the different institutions of society pressuring the people to conform. It’s compliance in terms of what you do and what you think, your actions and opinions. Is there evidence that you bear the mark of the beast? Are you complying? If you are, then all is well. The alternative, however, is exclusion. Some of the time exclusion has economic implications. Refusal to bear the mark can bring poverty. This leaves the last tool that the false prophet has at his disposal and that is death. This is viewed as the ultimate threat but for the Christian there is no threat in death. The point of the mark of the beast is simple. Are you devoted to the beast? If you are, fine. If not, you’ve got troubles.
Now, what this would look like in the first century is fairly obvious. The first beast is the Roman Empire. The false prophet, the second beast, isn’t an individual. That wouldn’t work. The false prophet is the different social institutions that pressure the population to worship the beast. At the top of the list of these institutions of that day would be the cult of the emperor with its temples and images of the Caesar for the people to offer sacrifices. This is how the Christians in those seven churches would have understood John as they faced the pressure to conform and to pledge their allegiance to the beast. All of this applies in other eras. Some Christians had to face the Inquisition of the 15th and 16th centuries. Other Christians have had to face indoctrination in the teachings of Karl Marx, the founder of communism. Imagine being a Christian in North Korea. The details may differ but the principles are the same. The false prophet is the persuader. By deceptive words and striking events he works to make all the people to conform in this one thing: the worship of the beast. As long as you are a faithful part of the group, you’ll have no problem with the false prophet. It’s when you stand against him that you face difficulties.
Does this relate to our day? We certainly don’t have an inquisition to face nor are there any temples to Caesar but there is something going on. Remember that the key goal of the false prophet is the worship of the beast. Last week I told you that the beast is the state when it turns against the Church. Also remember that I said that we’re not in that situation. But the possibility is always there. The danger is real. And there is a bit of pressure building in that direction. Let me offer an example. Recently, out of the blue, I received a letter from the Social Security Administration. I was informed that Gabrielle and I are qualified for financial benefits as a result of Linda’s death. All I need do is sign a form and provide a birth certificate for Gabrielle. Gabrielle and I discussed and agreed that we would decline these benefits. Now, what do you think that average man on the street would say about that? ‘Hey, what’s the matter with you? It’s free money from the government. Why are you turning it down?’ What is that but subtle pressure to conform in what you do and what you think; subtle pressure to depend on the state? The issue is not political. Don’t get sidetracked by that. The issue is spiritual. This is just one expression of the battle between Satan and us. This is just one method of preparing the way to make it easier for us to worship the beast. Again, as I said last week, our government is not in the position of being the beast. It has not turned against the Church to persecute it. But do you see that the possibility of that happening is real? Do you see the possibility of there arising a false prophet in our social institutions so that we all would be persuaded to look to the beast instead of looking to our God? Now, if that should come about, are you prepared to stand against it? Are you prepared to do stand if it costs you your job or some other economic suffering? Our situation is not the same as the situation of the seven churches of Asia Minor. That means that there is time to be prepared in case it ever does become as bad as that. How are you doing standing against the pressures that you now face? Is that an area that needs some work?
There is something else that comes out of this. I want you to think about how you understand Satan’s temptations. I want you to think about the nature of spiritual warfare. The common assumption is that Satan’s tactics are usually small scale. It’s him against me and the point of his temptation is for me to do some specific act. I hope that you are seeing now that his tactics are also large scale. His methods include more than getting you to lie to get out of some difficulty. He perverts and then uses the basic orientation of a society. Satan isn’t just a little demon on your shoulder. He uses well-regarded institutions with established roles in a society. He uses large-scale agents in his war against you. And he uses them so subtly and deceptively. Everything looks okay. But remember that the false prophet looks like a lamb. So, the need of the day is for you to become more sophisticated in your understanding of Satan and his ways. You need to develop a growing discernment about his methods. Your weapons in this are the Word and prayer. Use them. Your soul is at stake.
Revelation 13.11-18
This morning we look at another beast. This is the second beast that arose from the earth. Again, John uses vivid images to communicate his thoughts. It isn’t my goal this morning, nor has it been for any of the sermons in this series, to explain all that is going on in our text. I will try to explain those things that I think you need to hear. The goal is not that we become experts in this book of the Bible. The goal is for us to hear from God so that we might live faithfully in this present evil age. So, let’s take a look at this beast.
First, his goal is clear. It has to do with worship. His goal is to make all the earth worship the first beast. He doesn’t focus on himself but rather on the beast that comes up out of the sea. He points to the state. John uses certain language that will help us understand his task better. In verse 12 John tells us that this beast ‘exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence’ or ‘on his behalf’. The old KJV has ‘before him’. And that is helpful. Back in chapter 11 we read about the two witnesses. There they were described as those who ‘stand before the Lord of the earth’. The phrase in our text translated ‘in the presence of’ is the same translated in chapter 11 in terms of standing before God. Here, again, the Old Testament comes into play. Listen to how Elijah described himself.
Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." 1 Kings 17:1
Elijah stood before God. The second beast stands before the first beast. This is the language of being a prophet in the service of his God. And the role of a prophet is to call people to worship that God. And that is what the second beast is all about. He is a prophet who calls all to worship his god, the first beast. And so, we, again, have the theme of counterfeit. The second beast is a false prophet advocating a false religion with a false messiah and a false god.
Let’s see how this false prophet goes about his task. First, we should note that he uses words. Verse 11 tells us that he speaks. The power of words is underestimated. The book of Proverbs has a lot to say about the power that our words have, power to heal or to hurt. History reminds us of great orators who moved multitudes of people to action. I understand that Hitler was a very fine speaker and we know the results of his words. And what, after all, is a sermon but an attempt to change your life by the use of words? One of the powerful tools of this false prophet is words. But listen again to how he is described.
Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. Revelation 13:11
Once again we see the theme of deception. To all appearances the false prophet is innocent, gentle, harmless. He is quite appealing. He looks like a lamb. But what about the words? The words have all the evil and the power of Satan, the dragon. Behind the smooth words is great danger to those caught in his net. Jesus warned us about this sort of thing.
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Matthew 7:15
Multitudes are deceived all the time by those who appear to be honest and caring and all the rest, and yet who are actually part of the scheme to make sure that they worship the beast. A lack of discernment costs them their souls.
Let’s consider another tool of this false prophet.
It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Revelation 13:13-14
Here we encounter the realm of the miraculous. The false prophet bolsters his bold words with miracles. Does this mean that he is able to actually do the supernatural? There have been situations where agents of Satan have been able to do exactly that. One example would be the magicians in Pharaoh’s court in the days of Moses. But I don’t think that what John is saying requires this ability. It can also include the dramatic, the unusual or the striking, things that impress – and persuade – the people. We hear the language of miracle used this way. When someone says, ‘It was a miracle that he wasn’t hurt worse’, he isn’t talking about something supernatural, just something very striking. This is in addition to the supernatural. Of course, John could also be including the different ways that people are simply fooled by charlatans. But again you see the theme of counterfeit. The Gospel came in word and in sign. This false gospel also comes in word and in sign. And again Jesus warned us.
Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. Matthew 24:23-25
Then we come to the third tool mentioned: economic oppression.
Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. Revelation 13:16-17
Now, what is this ‘mark of the beast’? It’s helps to remember the theme of counterfeit here. Is there some Christian equivalent to this mark? Yes, there is the seal of God on the forehead of the saints. We saw it back in chapter seven, and, interestingly, we’ll see it in the very next chapter. The mark of the beast is a counterfeit of this seal. Just as Jesus marks His own, those who worship the beast are likewise marked. Now, is the seal of God something physical? Is it a visible marking? No. Should we expect the mark of the beast to be physical and visible? No, but it is something that will manifest itself in the life of the bearer. This is where the placement of the mark is significant: the right hand or the forehead. This kind of language shows up in the Old Testament. When Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the priesthood Moses applied blood to the right ear lobe, the thumb of the right hand and the big toe of the right foot of each of them. The symbolism should be obvious. They were consecrated in terms of what they heard [ear], what they did [hand], and where they went [foot]. Their whole lives were consecrated to Christ. Those with the mark of the beast are likewise consecrated. They have bought into the lies and deception of the worship of the first beast and it shows in terms of what they do [right hand] and how they think [forehead].
How does this relate to the issue of buying and selling? This is economic pressure to conform. In Asia Minor in the first century you couldn’t have a job unless you were a part of the guild. But you couldn’t be a part of the guild unless you offered sacrifice to the image of the emperor. Failure in this meant poverty, economic distress. And here just remember the church at Smyrna. What we are seeing are the different institutions of society pressuring the people to conform. It’s compliance in terms of what you do and what you think, your actions and opinions. Is there evidence that you bear the mark of the beast? Are you complying? If you are, then all is well. The alternative, however, is exclusion. Some of the time exclusion has economic implications. Refusal to bear the mark can bring poverty. This leaves the last tool that the false prophet has at his disposal and that is death. This is viewed as the ultimate threat but for the Christian there is no threat in death. The point of the mark of the beast is simple. Are you devoted to the beast? If you are, fine. If not, you’ve got troubles.
Now, what this would look like in the first century is fairly obvious. The first beast is the Roman Empire. The false prophet, the second beast, isn’t an individual. That wouldn’t work. The false prophet is the different social institutions that pressure the population to worship the beast. At the top of the list of these institutions of that day would be the cult of the emperor with its temples and images of the Caesar for the people to offer sacrifices. This is how the Christians in those seven churches would have understood John as they faced the pressure to conform and to pledge their allegiance to the beast. All of this applies in other eras. Some Christians had to face the Inquisition of the 15th and 16th centuries. Other Christians have had to face indoctrination in the teachings of Karl Marx, the founder of communism. Imagine being a Christian in North Korea. The details may differ but the principles are the same. The false prophet is the persuader. By deceptive words and striking events he works to make all the people to conform in this one thing: the worship of the beast. As long as you are a faithful part of the group, you’ll have no problem with the false prophet. It’s when you stand against him that you face difficulties.
Does this relate to our day? We certainly don’t have an inquisition to face nor are there any temples to Caesar but there is something going on. Remember that the key goal of the false prophet is the worship of the beast. Last week I told you that the beast is the state when it turns against the Church. Also remember that I said that we’re not in that situation. But the possibility is always there. The danger is real. And there is a bit of pressure building in that direction. Let me offer an example. Recently, out of the blue, I received a letter from the Social Security Administration. I was informed that Gabrielle and I are qualified for financial benefits as a result of Linda’s death. All I need do is sign a form and provide a birth certificate for Gabrielle. Gabrielle and I discussed and agreed that we would decline these benefits. Now, what do you think that average man on the street would say about that? ‘Hey, what’s the matter with you? It’s free money from the government. Why are you turning it down?’ What is that but subtle pressure to conform in what you do and what you think; subtle pressure to depend on the state? The issue is not political. Don’t get sidetracked by that. The issue is spiritual. This is just one expression of the battle between Satan and us. This is just one method of preparing the way to make it easier for us to worship the beast. Again, as I said last week, our government is not in the position of being the beast. It has not turned against the Church to persecute it. But do you see that the possibility of that happening is real? Do you see the possibility of there arising a false prophet in our social institutions so that we all would be persuaded to look to the beast instead of looking to our God? Now, if that should come about, are you prepared to stand against it? Are you prepared to do stand if it costs you your job or some other economic suffering? Our situation is not the same as the situation of the seven churches of Asia Minor. That means that there is time to be prepared in case it ever does become as bad as that. How are you doing standing against the pressures that you now face? Is that an area that needs some work?
There is something else that comes out of this. I want you to think about how you understand Satan’s temptations. I want you to think about the nature of spiritual warfare. The common assumption is that Satan’s tactics are usually small scale. It’s him against me and the point of his temptation is for me to do some specific act. I hope that you are seeing now that his tactics are also large scale. His methods include more than getting you to lie to get out of some difficulty. He perverts and then uses the basic orientation of a society. Satan isn’t just a little demon on your shoulder. He uses well-regarded institutions with established roles in a society. He uses large-scale agents in his war against you. And he uses them so subtly and deceptively. Everything looks okay. But remember that the false prophet looks like a lamb. So, the need of the day is for you to become more sophisticated in your understanding of Satan and his ways. You need to develop a growing discernment about his methods. Your weapons in this are the Word and prayer. Use them. Your soul is at stake.
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