For over half a century we lived in fear lest communism moved west to swallow the free world. But suddenly we witnessed a dramatic new picture emerge. News journals announced the end of Communism’s grip of power in Poland and Eastern Europe. After almost 50 years the Wall came down and the iron curtain is no more. How quickly the almost unbelievable events and revolutions of the last decade transpired. Even the most astute political observers and media commentators were taken totally by surprise.
Indeed, through many astonishing events throughout Europe and the former Soviet Union political leaders found themselves suddenly and almost miraculously transported into a New World order. A world that is perhaps being primed both politically and religiously to embrace the Antichrist power.
Why and how has all this dramatic change taken place so suddenly and rapidly? We are going to give clear Biblical answers to these important questions during our Revelation Reveals series. Discerning students of God’s prophetic word see these and other events as bold indications that the final last day events involving the Antichrist of Bible prophecy are rapidly taking shape. However, so many people do not seem to realize the extreme importance of such tremendous events transpiring today.
And so, even with such awesome prophetic events happening at such an accelerated pace, many manifest an indifferent and lackadaisical attitude toward these most important prophecies concerning the Antichrist and the last day deceptions which capture the world in its cruel grip.
Sometimes people ask me - “Is it important to know who the beast is in Revelation and what is the mark?” Like to answer that question and introduce our subject tonight by reading text in Revelation 14:9, 10.
Tonight I want you to see how extremely important a proper understanding of the Bible’s prophecies relating to the subject is.
Revelation 14:9,10 - Here we see described the most terrible punishment in all the Bible. Says there is no hope of salvation for those who worship the beast and receive his mark. No doubt this makes our subject tonight most solemn and serious that we could ever study. I tremble in fact as we cover this which means life or death to you and me.
Now some might tell us that we can’t understand this book of Revelation and those things found here. Not important others say. I don’t believe that. Apparently you don’t either or you would not be here, thank the Lord. The prophet, John, under inspiration has clearly stated that we can understand it in the introduction.
Revelation 1:1 - “Revelation of Jesus” - reveals Him and His truth as no other book. Verse 3 - blessing pronounced on those that read and understand and keep the things in this book. Someone tells you that you can’t understand, its because old devil does not want you to. This book exposes His plans to deceive and ensnare.
Listen - if I can’t understand who the beast is - what is mark? How do I know if I have mark? And the word says if have it we are lost. Therefore we need to know. Now, Popular teaching today says Christians not have to worry - Church raptured before great tribulation when Antichrist reigns. Not so according to Jesus and Paul.
2 Thessalonians 2:7-9
The inspired apostle Paul states unequivocally that the “Mystery of Sin or Lawlessness” which is the Spirit of Antichrist was already manifesting itself in his day. The Lord used Paul as well as John the Revelator to warn and instruct the church then and now. Verse 9 “working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders” – Exactly same way Rev. describes the work of Antichrist in Revelation 13:11,12
Then verses 1-4 - “Man of Sin” = Antichrist Verse 4 - “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped” This same way both Dan. and Rev. describe the great apostate work of the Antichrist - Daniel 11:36, 8:1; Revelation 13:6
Antichrist means - “In place of” or “against” Represents a substitutionary system of man – through the manipulation of the Dragon He seeks to establish a system, which substitutes pagan traditions and ideas into a grand counterfeit religion combining truth and error.
Now of course, I realize there have been many extravagant ideas and interpretations concerning this beast of Revelation 13. During W.W. II Hitler accused, more recently, Henry Kissinger was slated. Some even calling a computer over in Switzerland the beast today. One of the latest targets for speculation was, guess who? Gorbechev. These are what the Scriptures refer to as private interpretations.
The Bible warns us in: 2 Peter. 1:20 - This means we must allow the scriptures to be it’s own divine commentary.
And I tell you tonight, without a doubt, you will know. The Bible clearly identifies this strange beast of Bible prophecy. I tell you I am bothered a bit because today you can ask average Christian what all this means - Simply do not know. Yet we need to know what we believe on this most important subject. Most know little about what they believe anymore.
Heard a story of man in mental institution receiving counseling and care. Kept insisting that he was Napoleon Bonaparte.... “How did he know?”, asked counselor. “God told me,” he said. Then man in back, also patient spoke up through the silence, “No, I did not.” I tell you my friends, we must have more than a shallow assumption.
And we need not bob around like a cork on a sea of uncertainty either. God will make things clear out of this wonderful book. Too many people today figure what they don’t know won’t hurt them. How wrong. God’s Prophet warns us- Amos 8: 11,12
Go to Revelation 13:1-3 - read verses which describe the beast - our subject tonight. Who is this Strange beast? - 7 heads, 10 horns, 10 crowns. First of all must realize not a literal animal - symbolic. Daniel and Revelation most often speak in symbolic language. Which means this beast stands for something else. No one ever saw a creature like this - 7 heads, 10 horns, parts of other animals. Bible alone must give us to interpret symbols.
Let’s study beast more carefully - notice comes out of the sea. What does sea represent? Revelation 17:15 No room for doubt - “peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues.” Bible serves as it’s own divine commentary. This provides us with a dynamic key - understand prophecy. How clear, simple - not yours or mine or some church. In common speech today refer to a large crowd of people as a “Sea of humanity.”
So God clearly says what water means. Water symbolizes population or people in Bible prophecy symbols. Beast then would arise among established civilizations and nations. The largely populated geographical area of the world at the time of the beasts’ inception, - in Europe.
Now a question we need to address. - Why Beast like lion, leopard, feet of a bear? To get answer - go back to Daniel. As we have said Daniel and Revelation explain each other – Prophetic Twins - Daniel 7:2,3
Daniel saw same prophetic water. . . only 4 beasts.
Wind = Strife - War Jeremiah 49:36,37; 51:1
Four beasts - What do they represent? Daniel 7:17 God used beast to represent nations. Same as American eagle, Russian bear today.
Verse 23 really makes it clear. “Fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon the earth.” So other kingdoms also. Clear - simple when remember only 4 world impires from Babylonian times. Same symbolized by metals in Daniel 2 - Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. Repeat and enlarge - a form of Hebrew parallelism. So we have some keys to interpret Bible symbols; Le’ts look at each one of these beasts.
Daniel 7:4 - First like a lion Grand empire of Babylon - fitly represented by king of beasts. Wealthiest, strongest of nations. Notice - wings- used to describe speed. Habakkuk 1:8 - describes the Babylonian army as launching its attacks as swiftly as eagles. So arose quickly, became ruler of world 605 to 538 BC
2nd beast – Bear - Daniel 7:5 - Medo-Persian empire. Raised up one side - Persia stronger. 3 ribs - symbolize 3 states, Babylon, Lydia, Egypt. Now, In 331 BC, Medo-Persia fell. All who studied history know Greece then came upon scene of world history.
Daniel 7:6 – Leopard, Greece 4 wings Leopard - great speed - Alexander the Great took just 8 years subdue the world. Alexander died at 33 of malaria.
4 heads - 4 divisions of kingdoms among 4 generals - Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and Selucus. Brings us to 168 BC - so for every detail of prophecy exactly fulfilled. Let’s go to the 4th beast.
Daniel 7:7 Strange, gastly monster which defies zoological classification. “Dreadful and terrible” - great IRON teeth - 10 horns. Rome no doubt here - Gibbon historian calls it “Iron Monarchy” “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”, Edward Gibbon – “The images of gold, silver, or brass, that might serve to represent the nations and their kings, were successively broken by the Iron monarchy of Rome.” Extension of its cruel dominion well documented. Augutus Ceasar reigning - Christ born. Herod who ordered babies killed. Tiberius Ceasar reigning - Christ died. But this powerful nation also divided. Daniel 7:24 10 horns - 10 divisions
AD 476, Northern tribes swept down - divided into 10 divisions:
Modern nations of Europe
1. Anglo-Saxons 6. Visigoths
2. Alemanni 7. Suevi
3. Heruli 8. Lombards
4. Vandals 9. Burgundians
5. Ostrogoths 10. Franks
So we have Four Beasts – Then 10 Divisions from 4th Beast
Then a Little Horn Arises This is where the prophecy gets very interesting!Daniel 7:8
Who is Little Horn? - Must be careful because will prove - Antichrist power – We do not want to falsely accuse.
Must let God’s word tell us.
Ten marks in Bible itself - be absolutely sure, no guessing or speculation.
1st -Arose out of the 4th Beast Daniel 7: 7,8
2nd -Came up among the 10 Daniel 7:8 - Means geographically in Western Europe
3rd -Came up after the 10 Daniel 7:24 - 10 arose in 476 AD - Little horn reign after this date.
4th - Uproot 3 of the 10 Daniel 7: 8, 24 - Verse 8 - uproot, verse 24 says subdues 3 kings.
5th - Eyes like a man, mouth speaking Verse 8 - Indicates a human man at head.
6th - Diverse from other horns Verse 24 - Means different than purely political kingdoms before it.
7th - Identified in Daniel 7:25 - Speak - Great words against Most High. Grievous sin to speak against God. But this is what the Antichrist is all about. He is against the true God. Puts self in place of God and truth.
8th –Persecute the saints of Most High. Daniel 7: 25 - War with God’s people – puts many to death.
9th -Intends to change times and laws. Daniel 7: 25 - In its opposition to God tries to change great law of God. Notice - says “Intends” - can never do.
Final mark, verse 25 - Tells us how long power to rule.
10th -Times, times and dividing of time. Daniel 7: 25
This is a very Prophetic term - Bible explains in: Revelation 12: 14
Same exact words - now read Revelation 12:6
1260 DAYS
Time = 1 year Times = 2 years
1/2 Time = 1/2 year 3 1/2 years = 1260 days
Now we are ready for another great principle of prophetic interpretation.
A day stands for a year – Ezekiel 4:6 and Numbers 14:34 - “Appointed each day for a year” - The days he was to lie there symbolized a year of actual time. We see it illustrated again in - Numbers 14:34 Again each day stood for a year. A principle used throughout the Bible.
Now we have a list of 10 specific characteristics from the Bible not man.
1. Arose out of the fourth beast – Daniel7:7, 8
2. Among the first ten horns – Verse 8
3. Would arise after – verse 8 (After break-up of Roman Empire around 476 AD)
4. Uproot three of the ten – verses 8, 24
5. Eyes like a man – verse 8 (In the Bible, a prophet is called a “Seer” because he sees with God’s eyes – A human religious system based on man’s teachings)
6. Diverse – verse 24
7. Speaks pompous (great – KJV) words – verse 25
8. Persecute the saints – verse 25
9. Intends to change times and law – verse 25
10. Time and times and half a time – verse 25 (Time of initial rule) – Revelation 12:14, 6
Time = 1 year; Times = 2 years; ½ Time = ½ year
1 year = 360 Days; 2 years = 720 Days; ½ year = 180 Days; Total = 1260 Days
What do these point to?
Any good librarian, historian can tell you. God has not left us in the dark - no need to guess. Do you want me to tell you or send to the library? Well, you know I’m going to tell you anyway, but not tonight. I promise you are going to know. But we need to cover a few other subjects and then were going to come back to this on one of the coming nights. We need much more important background. Found out about what’s behind this power and some important Christian issues related to this.
This is not a subject to satisfy our curiosity. It is a most important discovery of Bible truth which people living in these last days must understand. Must Pray earnestly about this.
Before we go home tonight some may be wondering how we ended up in Daniel 7 talking about a Little Horn when started in Revelation 13 dealing with the Antichrist Beast. Well, let me remind you. Daniel And Revelation go together. Both symbols represent the same power.
Revelation 13: 5 - 42 Months = 1260 Days
Notice they do the same things Verse 7
Verse 9 says: “If anyone has an ear, let him hear.”
Nothing is more important for our lives or family than what God is trying to say to this planet today through the prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation.
Who is this Beast? What on earth is going to happen in the future? We all need to know and Jesus is trying to show us.
Close:
Thomas Carlyle, the great English philosopher, found himself one evening in a house full of guests, attending a New Year’s Eve party in a home in northern England. As the evening dragged on, the idle chit-chat and the frivolous banter of the party-goers began to wear on his soul. Deciding to leave the crowd to its dance and song, Carlyle slipped out of the house and stepped into a black and ominous night.
The stars shut away by the angry storm clouds that spanned the night sky. A chilly and moaning wind tore at the cloak he pulled tightly about himself. Through the darkness, Carlyle found his way down to the pounding sea. Alone he stood there on the English shore. As the windswept breakers crashed at his feet, the midnight thunders roared over his head, the blackness of the sky spilled into the darkness of the deep.
And then, as the old year vanished before the new, the soul of the great philosopher, caught up in the enormity of it all cried out: “I stand at the center of immensities, at the conflux of eternities!”
Is it any different for us today – we who stand on the ragged shoreline of events so dramatic and awesome that the headlines can hardly keep up! Carlyle, wearied by the idle party, cried out “I stand at the center of immensities, at the conflux of eternities!” And so do we today! You see my friends, the party is soon to cease. It is time to leave the idle distractions behind. Time to step into the gathering midnight storm of a planet and a civilization on an irrevocable collision course with eternity.
A far greater reality overshadows the freshly exploding history on the evening news than most people realize. Silently and unnoticed by the majority on this planet – and unreported by the press – a marshalling of unseen forces is taking place. Forces whose agenda for this planet is to deceive and capture, to conquer, destroy and crush. Somebody has got to read God’s last warning. Somebody has got to be ready for history’s last act.
Are you that somebody whom the aged, weather-beaten disciple John had in mind when he penned his opening beatitude there on Patmos’ rocky shores in the clear blue waters of the Aegean Sea: Revelation 1:3
“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Do you want to get serious with God and ask Him to help you to know and understand these eternal truths found in Bible prophecy?