Deeper Life Search The Scripture 11th April 2021 Lesson 995

Deeper Life Search The Scripture 11th April 2021 Lesson 995

Topic: The Rise And Reign Of The Antichrist (STS 5 April 2021)

MEMORY VERSE: “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” (Revelation 13:8).

TEXT: Revelation 13:1-18

Deeper Life Search The Scripture 11th April 2021 Lesson 995

This chapter presents to us the appearance of two beasts: one from the sea, the other from the earth. The first is the Antichrist; the second is the false prophet. The Antichrist will be the political power leader while the false prophet will be the religious leader. They both derive their power from the dragon. From this episode, we have an unholy trio namely, the dragon, which is Satan, the Antichrist and the False Prophet. This unholy trinity will work together during the time of the great tribulation, and will counterfeit the Holy Trinity. The dragon is anti-God (Revelation 12:3,4,9), the first beast is anti-Christ, the son of perdition (Revelation 13:4-7; 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4), and the second beast, which is the false prophet is anti-Spirit (Revelation 13: 11-15). Satan is the master counterfeiter with the grand purpose and plan to deceive all people. The main function of the Holy Spirit is to direct praise and glory to the person of Christ. Here, we see the false prophet counterfeiting the Holy Spirit by directing people s praise and worship to the Antichrist who is the second in the unholy trinity (Revelation 13: 12, 13). Essentially, the events of this chapter will occur at the mid-point of the seven years of the great tribulation.

Question 1: Identify the two beasts in our text, and tell us when their operations will take place.

THE RISE, RIDE AND REIGN OF THE ANTICHRIST (Revelation 13:1-10; Daniel 9:27; Revelation 16:13, 14; 6:17; 1 John 2:18,22; 4:1,3; 2 John 1:7)

The Antichrist is going to come from the raging, tumultuous sea of chaotic humanity. “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy” (Revelation 13:1). The appearance of this beast is really horrible, terrifying, fierce and fearful. He is the great final tyrant that will rise and ride, rule and reign all over the world in the authority and power of the dragon, the Devil, at the time of the great tribulation. “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority” (Revelation 13:2). From this account, there are six glaring characteristics about the Antichrist: First, his portrait; “…having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy’. The climax of his description is that “upon his heads the name of blasphemy”. It is obvious that his main purpose is to denigrate the personality of the Trinity.
Second, his position; he is the second in the unholy trinity. The dragon, the Devil, is going to delegate his authority and power to him, like Jesus Christ has been given all the power in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18). Third, his power, “…and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority”. Fourth, his popularity; “…and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast…” He will become so popular that all the World will wonder after him. He will use oratory and blasphemy to deceive many. Five, his pride; “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven” (Revelation He will exalt himself above measure making himself God, and will blaspheme the Holy God. Six, his programme, “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” (Revelation 13:7). His plan and programme is to make war, persecute and conquer the people. He will carry out his nefarious act wickedly. The Bible is replete with the fact that so many antichrists are already in the world (1 John 2:18).

Question 2: What are the main characteristics of the Antichrist?

THE RULE, RUSE AND RUIN BY THE FALSE PROPHET (Revelation 13:11-18; Daniel 8:3,4)

The second part of this chapter reveals to us the second beast which will come out of the earth. “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” (Revelation 13: 11). The beast is here described as having horns like a lamb but it speaks like a dragon. HIS DESCRIPTION (Revelation 13:11,12; Daniel 8:3,4,25; 2 Corinthians 1 1 : 13-15; Matthew 24:21-26; 1 John 2: 18; 4:1). Personal attributes are ascribed to the beast. He comes from the earth. He speaks, exercises power, influences people, does great wonders and deceives them that dwell on the earth. He looks like a lamb, but has the voice of a dragon. He puts on a pleasing personality and the calmness of a lamb, but in reality, has the nature and wickedness of a lion, the dragon. He has been described as the False Prophet. HIS DECEPTION (Revelation 13:13-15; 16:13, 14; 11:3-5; 19:20; 20:10; Matthew 24:24; 7:15-23; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). “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…” (Revelation 13:14). The False Prophet, like present-day false prophets, will be a greater deceiver in spite of his softness and gentleness, The lamb-like mien is an imitation, a counterfeit. He will perform miracles, wonders and signs through evil spirits. During this period of the great tribulation, the false prophet will use several means to win many people to himself and make them worship the Antichrist, First, he will make them believe in lying wonders. He will do great wonders, call down fire, and will give life to the image of the beast. The lying wonders with his oratory power will make many to follow him. Second, he will use flattery; he will do everything to convince many people to follow him by talking them into deception. Third, fear will be another weapon which the false prophet will use against the people. He will intimidate, terrorise, kill and do some similar evils in their presence which will force them to succumb. Fourth, the false prophet will use famine; the people will not be able to buy or sell without the mark of the Antichrist. “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13: 17). Fifth, he will control financial transactions to make to follow and worship the Antichrist. People living the time of the great tribulation will not have money to spend except they have the mark. Finally, he will use force to cow people; ” and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed ” He will be fierce and forceful in approach, and many will bow to his deception and remain his follower forever. All those who will be deceived will be doomed and damned and sent to the lake of fire forever.

Question 3: What methods Witt the false prophet use to deceive the people who miss the rapture?

HIS DOMINION (Revelation 13:16). “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” (Revelation 13:16). The false prophet, through deception and force will cause all and sundry at this period to receive the mark of the Antichrist, He will exercise great power and dominion over sinners and backsliders who miss the rapture and people who are under his authority. “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” (Revelation 13:12). These unbelievers, careless believers and Israel in particular will come under severe deceptive dealings, torture and torment of the Antichrist and the false prophet. The latter will be the rallying point for the dragon and the Antichrist. HIS DEMANDS (Revelation 13: 12, 14, 15, 17; Matthew 4:9, 10; Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 5:8). The false prophet will make certain forceful demands, which include: one, the worship of the Antichrist; two, taking the mark of the beast; three, erecting the image of the beast; four, that nobody will buy or sell without the mark of the beast. The devil has always demanded worship. He demanded same from Jesus without success. He is still demanding worship today from believers and unbelievers. The word of God has instructed us that only God deserves our worship — not man, not angels, nor any other creature. “And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:9,10). This demand is going to be granted by many “…and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast.” Even now, many are already yielding to the persuasion and demand of the antichrists and false prophets to worship Satan, his cohorts and beggarly elements. The demand of identification mark is now possible in this age of information technology. Planting a chip in the hand or on the forehead in order to buy or sell is now possible, and is being experimented. The people who will refuse to take this mark will be killed or starved to death Whoever yields to them either now or then is deluded, has distaste for the truth, and is departed from the faith. Such persons will come under divine displeasure and eventually death and eternal damnation will be their final portion.

Deeper Life Search The Scripture 11th April 2021 Lesson 995

Question 4: Mention three demands of the false prophets in our passage.

HIS DISHONOUR (Daniel 9:27). At the mid-point of the seven years of the great tribulation, the sacrifice and oblation will be caused to cease. There will be intense persecution and total dishonour and disparage of the God of Israel. It is this development that will make Israel know that they have been betrayed and deceived; and they will begin to long for the Messiah. The Antichrist and false prophet will have no regard at all for God, His temple or the saints. “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:6).

THE RESTRAINTS, RESTRICTION AND RESPONSE BY THE FAITHFUL PILGRIMS (Revelation13:9,10, 18; Nahum 2: 1; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 5:22; 6:14; I John 5:21; Revelation 16:15; 3:10)

We are near the end of time and the stage is set for the Antichrist and his false prophet. The rapture has not yet taken place; the great tribulation will begin after the rapture. “If any man have an ear, let him hear” (Revelation 13:9). The faithful pilgrims should not relent in their battle to remain rapturable. They should deploy all restraints against encroaching vices and continue to watch and pray. They should never give in to any temptation or trials of their faith. Instead, they should keep themselves in the love of God and from all idols. Their response should be to rescue souls from the impending calamity and catastrophe. The day of the Lord is not a day to be taken for granted. It is going to be a day of His wrath and great indignation. Faithful pilgrims must exercise patience in all things and especially in waiting for the Lord either to avenge us or take us home before the great tribulation. “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” (Revelation 13:10). Believers must know that God cares for His own, and will definitely avenge and vindicate His saints.

Question 5: What should be the attitude of the faithful pilgrims as the day of the Lord approaches?

Believers must have proper knowledge of the rapture, the great tribulation, and the evil marks that will be given to those who will partake of the great tribulation. They should be wise unto salvation, live transparent holy lives, make their calling and election sure, keep spreading the gospel, separate themselves from idols, and remain pure and rapture-ready. Those who miss the rapture will be forced to take the mark of the beast 666. “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six” (Revelation 13:18). Under no circumstance should we give-in to the enemies’ deceit to lower our spiritual guard. May the Lord find us watching, waiting and worthy when He comes.

Thanks and God bless for reading Deeper Life Search The Scripture 11th April 2021 Lesson 995