Ch 1
Rapture
Return of
7 Churches Ch 2-3 4:1 Christ ch
19 New Heaven
Trib ch 6-19 Millenium ch 20 &
New Earth
Vision
of
Reign of Christ ch-21-22
Throne ch 4-5 1000 years
Lesson
35
Revelation
Chapter Thirteen
The Rise and reign
of the Beasts!
Intro: 13:1-10
- We find here an expansion of details about
him, his rule, his character because from here on, during the last half of the trib. he is the central player! This is his day in the sun!
13:1 Arrival of the Beast on the scene.
"And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea,"
- Why beast? Why
this term? qhri,on
- does so from the standpoint of God's perspective, vpt.
Reason is that both are dominated by the power and the
objectives of Satan!
Really appears as a counterfeit Messiah promising peace,
prosperity and will be unable to deliver.
- The beast here at this point we will find is the kingdom out of which
will come the GWD and is the same as the 4th beast in Daniel 7.
- There are some parallels between the 2 beasts of Dan 7 and Rev 13.
1. Both come out of the sea. (the mass of
humanity) Dan 7:2-3
There are 3 stages to this 4th
beast;
#1. beast =
historical
#2. the 10
horn stage; RRE (EC, 1st half of Trib)
#3. the
little horn stage; (the period of the rule of the kingdom by the GWD;
This 3 stage understanding of the 4th beast is reinforced
by Rev 17:8;
2. Both have 10 horns; horns are
symbolic of political power
3. Both are said to make war with
the saints. Dan 7:21, 25; Rev. 13:7
4. Both are said to dominate the
world. Dan 7:24; Rev 13:4,7;
5. Both are said to rule for 3 1/2
years. Dan 7:25; Rev 13:5
6. Both are terminated by God who
establishes His Eternal kingdom.
Dan 7:26-27;
"Seven heads" = speaks of the succession
of kingdoms that came together to make up what became the
"diadems" = the
crowns are symbols of ruling power;
"blasphemous
names" = indicates their open opposition to God and to Christ!
13:2 The beast's character described;
- Leopard = swiftness of conquest
- the bear = strength and
tenacity
- the lion = majesty and great
power
- Note: the order of the beasts is
different from Daniel.
Daniel >>
Lion, Bear, leopard << John
- This verse adds a very important point! Link back to Satan is reiterated!
- Satan and the beast are seen linked in 12:3 by the
description.
- There is a difference; between 12:3 and 13:1;
How does the beast gain his power and influence over
people?
How does he attract the following that he will have?
He is the great counterfeiter empowered by the great
counterfeiter, Satan! 2 Ths 2:8-10
<2:9> More Info on the working of the A/JC.
1. The coming of the lawless one
will be with great power, the power of Satan; use of parousi,a of Satan adds to the fact that he will be a counterfeit Messiah. (coming/presence of
a king a dignitary)
2. Activity; evne,rgeia =
power in action; effective work (in action);
in contrast to another word for power, du,namij = inherent power/ability
- Eph 1:19-20; Eph 3:7; Eph 4:15-16; Phil 3:21;
3. His authentication is based on
three things (all of which are used of Jesus also Acts
#1 - power; du,namij points to what the event, the
miracle displays;
#2 - signs; shmei/on; sign
as an authenticating mark; to demonstrate that supernatural power is behind it.
#3 - wonders; te,raj; points to effect the manifestation
of power has on the observer; awe, marvel;
4. All of his works are saturated
with falsehood,
yeu/doj, they're real, but not from God;
therefore are counterfeit.
5. The people will have their eyes
on the man, his power displayed and not discerning his message at all; th4 are
deceived.