REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 13.5

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Thirteen

The Great Tribulation

A Parenthesis

The Seven Trumpets

Trumpet Number 7: Woe Number 3

 

Tribulation Characters

 

 

6. The Wild Beast of the Sea

Continuing…

Introduction

The first ten verses of Chapter 13 present a vivid description of a great charismatic evil world dictator who will promise anything. He will reign over a ten-nation confederacy deemed as the revived Roman Empire. His main objective is to force the entire world to worship him and Satan. However, according to Verse 15, God will continue to be in sovereign control.

 

Antichrist will unmask himself as an angel of light at the middle of the seven-year Tribulation period when his appearance in the Tribulation Temple results in its desecration. At this juncture, the peace treaty with Israel, which he forged at the outset of Tribulation, will be broken (cf. Daniel 9:27; Matthew 25:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) and concurrently this event will follow his death and revival (cf. Revelation 13:3).

[Read Daniel Chapter 11].

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

Characteristics of Antichrist

If you combine the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, a true representation of the Antichrist’s character suggests:

1.  He will be an oratorical genius

He will express himself:

1. Eloquently

2. Dynamically

3. Convincingly

Daniel 8:23 -       And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance (face), and understanding dark sentences (mysteries, riddles), shall stand up.

 

2.  He will be an Intellectual genius

Daniel 11:36 - And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous (astonishing, outrageous) things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation (rage, wrath, fury) be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

 

3.  He will be a political genius

Antichrist is described as the little horn (cf. Daniel 7:8 and   24), the eighth king that subdues the other kings who willingly hand over their authority to him.

Revelation 17:11-12 - And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition (perishing and destruction). And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

 

4.  He will be a commercial genius

 Daniel 11:43 - But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.

 

5.  He will be a military genius

Revelation 6:2 - And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he (Antichrist) that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

 

6.   He will be a religious genius

Revelation 13:8a - And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him.

 

7. He will possess the qualities of seven American presidents:

1.  The leadership of a Washington or Lincoln

2.  The eloquence of Franklin D. Roosevelt

3.   The charm of Ronald Reagan

4. The charisma of John F. Kennedy

5.  The military genius of Dwight D. Eisenhower

6.  The political savvy of Lyndon B. Johnson

7.  The Intellect of Thomas Jefferson

 

The antichrist will be compelling, attractive, and super charismatic, and draw the adoration of the whole world. Six times in this chapter it records: power was given unto him. Although he is energized by Satan, it is God who will allow him to come with lying signs and wonders.

 

 

(Verse 6)

 

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His Tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven.

 

Blasphemy is a word that means evil speaking, railing, or cursing. Antichrist will openly blaspheme:

1.  God’s name

 

2.  God's home (the Tabernacle)

 

3.  God’s people (those who dwell in Him)

 

Such actions were foretold by Daniel the prophet:

Daniel 7:25 - And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

The flag of the Antichrist will someday fly over the capitals of every nation. Energized by Satan, this beast will persecute and martyr most Jewish and Gentile saints (holy ones, believers) during Tribulation.

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

The text clearly states all. However, all hermeneutically is considered a synecdoche. Synecdoche is a figure of speech used where a part is utilized for a whole or a whole is applied to a part. For example:

1.  Genesis 6:17a - behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh.

In this instance all flesh was destroyed, however, Noah and his family were exempt.

 

2.  Joshua 6:21 - And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

Here, Jericho was destroyed but Rahab and her people were spared.

 

3.  Luke 3:21a - Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized.

The region of Judea was baptized, but, in this instance, the Pharisees and Sadducees did not respond.

 

Therefore, it is convincing that many will not be under the rule of the Antichrist. There will be a little group of people who refuse to worship him or take the mark of the beast (cf. Revelation 13:8). His power has limitations to certain areas of the ten kingdoms.

 

Whose names are not written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world

The book was written in eternity past. A register exists in Heaven of all who belongs to God. In the original text, it reads either-or, i.e., names (plural), or name (singular) is not written. These people not written in the book or ledger are unbelievers. Believers, on the other hand, go to be with the Lamb.

 

Does the passage read that the Book of Life was written from the foundation of the world? Or does it read the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world?

 

Two possibilities arise from the preposition from:

A. From the foundation of the world

Revelation 17:8 - The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

 

B. Before the foundation of the world

This meaning would presume God has chosen His own, in Jesus Christ, from before the beginning of time, nonetheless, before the foundation of the world

1 Peter 1:19-20 - But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.

 

Both propositions are true. Before and from the beginning of time, that is to say, Jesus Christ was already commissioned to be the Redeemer of mankind.

 

The Doctrine of Election

Simply stated, the Doctrine of Election teaches God’s grace is given indiscriminately to all men by allowing the ability to have a choice in the matter of submission to Him. Between God’s sovereignty and man’s voluntary will, the key is salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

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.

 

John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.

 

 

(Verse 9)

 

If any man have an ear, let him hear.

 

Please notice the omission of let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. These things from verses 1 through 8 will imminently occur.

 

This is a motion for solemn attention. The statement is for anyone to listen with an ear of faith, and it is also intended to be used as an evangelistic tool, i.e., to lead others to believe in Christ's death, burial, and Resurrection so they may receive eternal life rather than everlasting Hell.

 

The best path for anyone to take is to get saved, get raptured, and don't worry!

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

The Law of Divine Retribution

Verse 10 is a word of great comfort that calls for patient endurance and perseverance on the part of the saints. Those who have asked, How long? in Chapter 6:10 will know for certain the wicked will finally be judged and punished by God. This is the patience of the saints: Not one day more. “I’m coming,” says Jesus Christ. “Your names are written in the Book of Life.”

 

Moreover, the persecutors of the Church shall suffer that which they inflicted on the saints. A person’s sin will be made known. Sin must be recompensed and judged by God - The doom of the wicked. This is exactly what Paul cautioned the Galatians:

Galatians 6:7-8 - Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

 

In conclusion, loyalty and fidelity should never waiver in devotion to the Master. It is futile to take up arms or retaliate and resist. For example, Jeremiah’s message to Israel was that resistance to the invading Babylonians would be useless. Understand: God is always in sovereign control. He pronounces three things:

1.  Have faith

2.  Have patience

3.  There will be justice

 

During the next study, the last of the seven Tribulation characters will be introduced.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   What is Antichrist’s main objective during Tribulation?

2.   Name three of the Antichrist’s characteristics.

3.   What will Antichrist curse?

4.   How does Antichrist receive his power?

5.   What does Antichrist do with his power?

6.   Will anyone escape Antichrist's persecution?

7.   How is the law of divine retribution best explained?

 

 

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