The book of Revelation is really about the Jewish people. It completes the Jewish revelation in God's program. The first part of ch13 we saw a beast, a wild crazy animal. This beast stands on the Mediterranean Sea, a political empire that rises from the Mediterranean area. We also get the antichrist, an individual, from the same area. Ch 13 goes back and forth with the word beast, from the empire to the individual. There will be 10 major power players from the old Roman Empire, morphed into a new modern-day form. 3 will fall, 7 will remain.
THE BEAST AND THE EARTH
Vs11: another beast came out of the Earth – from mankind, like an office or position that's already there. He assumes the position, power given by men. A world-king position is created. Has 2 horns like a lamb, the image of a lamb, in presented to the people, he's shown as a good guy. He looks nice, but he speaks like a dragon. He presents himself as good, sweet, nice, kind, but he's Satan. Horns = power in scripture, so 2 sources of power is represented here. Political system= head, religious system = a head. But behind it all is Satan.
Vs12: It appears that the antichrist, the individual, suffered some kind of assassination attempt and the world thought he was dead, but he came back to life.
Vs13: Remember Satan is an imitator. He imitates everything God does. Satan transforms himself into an angel of light, as does his army of angels. This is why lots of things look good but aren't. |
