The False Prophet (Rev. 13:11-18)
Forerunner School of Ministry
I. False Prophet’s nature: horns of lamb; words like a dragon (Rev. 13:11)
Then I saw another Beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. (Rev. 13:11)
Another beast (False Prophet) rises out of the earth (land) which is distinguished from the “beast from the sea” who is the Antichrist (Rev. 13:1). This second beast is called the False Prophet (Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). “Coming up” portrays a gradual ascendancy as a world leader emerging after the Antichrist. He has 2 horns (demonic power in religion/economics) that he deceptively uses behind a façade of being like a lamb (mild and gentle person). He spoke like a dragon (demonic inspiration, content and intelligence).
II. He mobilizes a satanic worldwide worship movement (Rev. 13:12)
He exercises all the authority of the first Beast (Antichrist) in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first Beast, whose deadly wound was healed. (Rev. 13:12)
The False Prophet causes the earth to worship the first Beast (Antichrist). Satan’s main goal is to raise up a worship movement in which he and the Antichrist are worshipped by all nations (Rev. 13:4, 8, 12, 15).
III. great miracles and fire falling from heaven (Rev. 13:13-14a)
He performs great signs...makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do (Rev. 13:13-14a)
He performs great signs (Rev. 16:14; 19:20; 13:2; Mt. 24:24; 2 Thes. 2:9) making fire come down.
IV. image of the Beast and the abomination OF desolation (Rev. 13:14b-15)
He (False Prophet) deceives...telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image (statue) to the Beast (Antichrist)...15 He was granted power to give breath to the image... that the image...should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the Beast to be killed (Rev. 13:14-15)
The False Prophet will command all to make an image (stature) related to worshipping the Antichrist (Rev. 13:14, 15; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). He will cause the image to speak, breathe (false “appearance” of life) and legislate (giving orders to kill those who resist this). Daniel provides insight of the abomination of desolation (Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11). Antiochus IV desecrated the temple (sacrificing a pig on the altar and setting up a statue of a Greek god in it) and then stopped the daily sacrifices. Paul describes the abomination of desolation (2 Thes. 2:3-4) which requires a re-built temple with a sacrifice system established in Jerusalem. The Antichrist will enter this Jewish temple to defile it and stop the sacrifices. The Antichrist will set an image of himself to be worshipped at the middle of the 7 year period. The remnant of Israel must leave Judea and flee to the mountains (Matt. 24:15-20).
V. legislation to imprison and kill (Rev. 13:15C)
He was granted power to give breath to the image of the Beast, that the image of the Beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the Beast to be killed. (Rev. 13:15)
The image will speak giving orders to kill those who refuse to worship the Antichrist. Nebuchadnezzar also demanded that all worship his statue or be killed (Dan. 3:5-6).
VI. mark of the Beast – a public mark necessary for survival (Rev. 13:16-17)
He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the Beast, or the number of his name. (Rev. 13:16-17)
A. The False Prophet causes all to receive a public mark on the right hand or forehead (Rev. 13:8; 17:8; 14:9-12; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). God will consider this as blasphemy.
B. That no one may buy or sell (basic necessities of life such as food, electricity, etc.) except one who has the mark. Economic survival will be the issue. Life without the mark will be impossible without Divine miracles. To refuse the mark is to be refused all benefits of social institutions.
C. The mark being on the right hand or forehead makes it obvious to all who refuses it. The mark will be required with severe penalties both socially and economically. This will result in relational and economic conflict and pressure on a daily basis. However, to take it is to become demonized and reprobate ending in eternal judgment (Rev. 14:9-11)
VII. the necessary Call to seek God’s wisdom (Rev. 13:18)
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the Beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Rev. 13:18)
God invites all to receive wisdom in this crisis (Rev. 13:9; 17:9). Holy Spirit discernment (understanding) will be abundant to those who diligently seek the Lord. The Church is called to understanding and to calculate the number because it is the number of a man (666).
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