"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalms 119:18 (KJV)
Daily Devotion of Revelation 13
Daily Nugget:
An unholy character, the dragon (Satan), has already been prophesied to be involved in the last days from the previous chapter (Revelation 12:3, 9). This enemy of God and man has little imagination and often counterfeits what God has done. Satan will do this when he creates, not a holy trinity as is God, but an unholy one. This “dragon” will set himself up as the anti-god of the “trinity.” Two more of his wicked companions are introduced in this chapter.
In Revelation 13, Satan will provide the second part of his threesome by bringing on the scene the antichrist. This antichrist will be the political “beast” of Revelation 13:1. He will get his power and position from Satan (Revelation 13:2).
The antichrist will suffer a fatal wound and come back to life (Revelation 13:3), duplicating the supernatural resurrection of the two witnesses and Jesus. Although the antichrist will deceive many into thinking his power comes from God, it does not. It will come from Satan (Revelation 13:2).
This first beast certainly will not be holy. This man (Revelation 13:3) is ungodly and is against (“anti-”) all that Christ has done and represents. Instead of bringing honor and glory to God the Father, the antichrist will have all worship him (Revelation 13:8). He is rightly named a “beast,” as he will blaspheme God (Revelation 13:6) and make war against those who get saved during this time (Revelation 13:7, 12:17).
The third member of the unholy “trinity” will also appear on the scene (Revelation 13:11). He will be a “religious” beast, the anti-holy spirit. He will be the false prophet referred to in Revelation 16:13 and Revelation 19:20. This “beast” will cause all on Earth to worship the antichrist (Revelation 13:12). He will also have supernatural powers that will enable him to call fire down from Heaven (Revelation 13:13) and other miracles (Revelation 13:14).
This religious leader will order men to create an “image to the beast” (Revelation 13:14). His demonic power will even give the idol life, and it will speak (Revelation 13:15).
A one-world religious system will be forced into place, as the false prophet will have all that do not worship the antichrist killed (Revelation 13:15)! To increase his control over man further, this false prophet will demand that all must have a mark on their right hands or foreheads (Revelation 13:16). If they do not, they will not be able to buy or sell (Revelation 13:17). The mark has to do with the number 666 (Revelation 13:18).
There are many suggestions, determined by other prophetic scriptures, on who these unholy characters may be. Revealing current events also adds to the possibilities of who these men could be. Truthfully, although biblical knowledge can give some insight and discernment, no one will know who the two characters are until that time arrives (II Thessalonians 2:3)!
Today’s Thought:
“Satan is never original; he is only capable of counterfeiting.”
Today’s Reading:
Revelation 13
1 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.
2 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.
3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 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.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 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.
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.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 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.
11 ¶ 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.
12 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.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 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; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
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:
17 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.
18 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.