SATAN’S TWO HUMAN OPERATIVES - II

Revelation 13:4-18
Bob Bonner
February 12, 2006

Last September, a Danish newspaper published twelve cartoons satirizing the Prophet Muhammad. At the time, those cartoons were criticized locally by offended Muslims, and the newspaper ceased to print them. Islam forbids any depictions of the prophet. To satirize the Islamic prophet, by direction of their religion, is in itself grounds for the launching of a holy war. If the paper did not understand that, then they should have learned from their mistake.

In January, a Norwegian paper reprinted the cartoons. Last week, under the guise of “freedom of the press” several other European newspapers also reprinted the cartoons. France and Denmark, two nations knowing full well what they were doing, published those cartoons. This has led to a religious Muslim outrage being felt all over the world by conservative followers of the prophet Muhammad, threatening the stability of major cities in India, Thailand, Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Indonesia, Syria, Lebanon, France, Norway, Austria and Denmark . There are riots in cities of London, Gaza, Beirut. Tens of thousands of uncontrollable protestors are causing riots, injuries and the number who have died already is unknown. 

One protestor, interviewed by the BBC, reporting from Afghanistan, responded to the western media’s publishing of the cartoons this way: “They want to test our feelings. They want to know whether Muslims are extremists or not. Death to them and to their newspapers!” Meanwhile, tensions build in neighborhoods all over the world. People in the U.S. wonder if or when it will begin here. Many are living in fear of what these zealous hardcore, “believe-as-I-do-or-I-will-kill-you” Muslims will do. 

In case you are not aware of it, the hardcore teaching of Islam is to convert the world to Islam. Muslims are ordered in their holy book, the Koran, to give people a chance to convert to Islam. As a Muslim, you are to be polite and peaceful with them for a time; but then, if they refuse to convert, the Koran directs its followers to execute them either individually or to declare a holy war to wipe out groups of people who refuse to follow Allah.

Who ever would have believed this could happen in our world? Just forty years ago, few in this country, ever would have guessed that one of the most explosive and divisive issues on our planet today would be a religious one.  What solutions are there, if any, to diffuse what has become a very real religious nuclear threat? 

From the secularist side, those who have no room for God in their day to day lives, privately, would like to solve the problem by simply making all religions illegal and putting to death those who choose to worship God in any form. To them, God worshipers have become a nuisance for their ideas of what a progressive society should look like. But, thankfully, those of this ilk realize that Russia and other communist countries have tried similar tactics in the past and they don’t work.

Those who believe in some form of God see as the solution just to continue to be tolerant of all religions. But, how can that work if you have one religion who refuses to be tolerant and is determined to kill you if you don’t convert? Some, privately, would like to suggest that we just kill all those who hold such extremist Muslim views, and then go on tolerating everybody else. However, the communists proved that would just push the movement underground to grow stronger only to re-emerge even more powerful and zealously dangerous.

That’s when the old idea of a state religion begins to resurface, under which historically, world powers of various types appeared to appease the god-fearers by giving them a state religion under which they could freely worship, while allowing those who want to go about the care of governing to get on with life.

Closely related to that suggestion has been the movement from among the people, those religiously utopian dreamers who have always worked toward a unitarian type of one world religion where everybody could believe the same thing and live at peace. Such dreamers have birthed such religions as the Unity Church, the Universal Church, the Ba Hai Faith, and many others. But those attempts haven’t met with much success either because each faith system has things in it that are so distinctly different that they can’t comfortably fit in with another without denying itself. 

Yet, that won’t keep many from trying to make it happen. In fact, it will be this continual pursuit of a tolerant and all inclusive world religion that will set the foundation for what we read about in the book of Revelation 17 of a one-world religion. At the time, the true Church of Jesus Christ will no longer exist, even though true believers in Jesus Christ will. But a climate is being set up for a single world religion. People will be tired of living in fear from religious terrorist groups, whether they be Irish Catholics of the past or the Islam extremists of the present, or vengeful Jews. There will arise a one-world religion. This religion won’t wipe out people who have different religious beliefs, but it will prevent religion from being a political problem. How so? That’s what we will see in our study today in Revelation 13.

The general religious character of the Great Tribulation is graphically portrayed in Revelation 13. This chapter reveals how, during the Great Tribulation, Satan will bring about this one world religion. In chapter 13, we are given more details about this last conflict on earth between Satan, the dragon and those true believers in Jesus Christ who will be alive during this period of the Great Tribulation. In this chapter, we see that it is Satan’s desire that the entire human race fall on their faces to worship him rather than Jesus Christ. In order to bring that to be, we are introduced to Satan’s two key human operatives on earth, whom he hoped would do his bidding and lead him to victory over the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ.

Last week, we began looking at the first of Satan’s two human operatives who will be on earth fulfilling his schemes. The first human operative, mentioned in 13:1-10 is called the “beast of the sea.” In examining verses 1-3, in light of the other Scriptures, we discovered that this beast will be the final world ruler, who will in the end, lead all of the people in the world to worship Satan and to fight for Satan the final battle against Jesus Christ, commonly known as the battle of Armageddon. The popular name for this world ruler, although never mentioned as such in the book of Revelation is the antichrist.

This morning, we want to finish getting an overall understanding of this beast before moving on to the identity and role of the second beast mentioned in verses 11-18. Let’s read verses 4-10 first, and then categorize some findings about this person called, the antichrist, the “beast of the sea.” We read, ⁴They worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” ⁵There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. ⁶And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. ⁷It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. ⁸All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. ⁹If anyone has an ear, let him hear. ¹⁰If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.

As to the timing of when this beast will really take charge and the culture will reveal that it stands in awe and in worship of the beast, I see it at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. I see the Abomination of Desolation taking place as a direct result of Satan being cast out of heaven having lost the angelic battle against Michael the archangel recorded in Revelation 12. This view is supported by verse 5, which tells us that this beast will operate this way for three-and-a-half years. This adoration of the beast marks the final world apostasy against God. According to verses 4 and 8, all but followers of Jesus Christ will adore and worship the “beast of the sea.” 

We see the character of the beast revealed in verses 5 and 6.  Verse 5 describes him as an arrogant blasphemer. The term “blasphemes” does not refer to cursing but to claiming godlike powers or to claim oneself to be God or to identify God with lesser persons or objects. According to 1 John 2:22, part of the arrogant blaspheming attitude of the antichrist will also be to proudly declare that Jesus is neither the Messiah nor God. 

In 2 Thess. 2:3,4, the apostle Paul addresses the character and actions of this arrogant blaspheming beast. In response to a concern that the Thessalonians had heard that the “day of the Lord,” or Jesus’ second coming, had already taken place and they had missed it, and must face the Tribulation Paul writes, ³Let no one in any way deceive you, for it [the second coming of Christ] will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

Furthermore, in Revelation 13:6, we are told that this arrogant, blaspheming beast not only denigrates God and exalts himself, but this beast also declares God’s people to be less than what God says they are. Apparently, the beast will find his great joy in mocking believers, especially those he has already killed and who are presently in heaven.

It is one thing to claim oneself to be deity and to blaspheme God, but it is quite another thing for people to believe you and to worship you. So, what is it that causes people to fall all over this human being? Verses 1-3 remind us that this human being will be given supernatural power and authority over people from the dragon or Satan. It will be for this reason that the people will be deluded into believing and worshiping the beast.

In verse 7, we see the domain of the “beast of the sea.” Basically, it covers all the peoples of the earth. His only resistance will come from Tribulation followers of Jesus Christ, and he will make all-out war against these believers, no matter where they live on the planet. This is what’s described in the third seal of chapter 6.

In summing up this first half of chapter 13, the Spirit of God moves John to record a divine warning to the citizens of the world. We read, ^“If anyone has an ear, let him hear.” This was the same closing line Jesus gave at the end of each of His letters to the seven Churches, in chapters 2 & 3. It was meant to be a serious alert. To those in the churches who were not saved, it was to encourage them to trust Christ. To those in the churches who were saved, it was to encourage them to hold the course. Although this is a similar divine warning, there is the obviously missing phrase, “unto all the churches” that was repeated seven times, once in each letter to the Churches. That phrase is missing here, because there are no Churches at this point. Those Christians have already been raptured. PTL! 

What is it that Jesus wants us to pay attention to? Verse 10 tells us, “If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.”

In a word, what we have exemplified here is the law of divine retribution. Jesus’ point is that those who join in with the beast to persecute the Tribulation Christians and lead them into captivity must in turn suffer the righteous wrath of God. Hence, in the end, with the ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ over the antichrist and Satan, judgment upon the wicked is promised; the remembrance of this promise is something in which those who suffer under the beast will find encouragement during harsh times of persecution. The point being made to the future people who may read this during Tribulation times is to say, “Don’t let the injustice and slaughter of the day hinder your faith. Hang in there. Keep the faith baby!”

At this point, beginning with verses 11-18, we come to the second key human operative that Satan, the dragon will use on earth. He is called “the beast of the earth.” Let’s first read the passage and then make this beast’s identity. Evaluate his character, authority and purpose.

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. ¹²He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. ¹³He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. ¹⁴And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. ¹⁵And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. ¹⁶And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, ¹⁷and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. ¹⁸Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

The identity of this “beast of the earth” is revealed elsewhere in the book of Revelation. In Revelation 19:20. There we read, “And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.”  According to Revelation 13:14, the only one mentioned who would use signs to deceive and convince the populace to worship and follow the beast of the sea is the beast of the earth. In fact, Revelation 13:11 is the only place that this human operative of Satan is called “the beast of earth.” The three other references to this human being in the book of Revelation refer to him as the “false prophet” which better describes his role and function in the end times. Hence, this “beast of the earth” is one and the same with the false prophet, the right hand man, the gopher boy of the beast of the sea, the antichrist.   

One other bit of information that may help you as you continue to read through Revelation, from this point on, whenever you read the term “beast” it only refers to the “beast of the sea” or the antichrist.

What can we learn about this false prophet’s character? According to verse 11, he is specifically described as “another beast.” In Greek, this word, “another” refers to one of the same kind or from the same source or origin as the “beast of the sea,” the antichrist. “Speaking as a dragon” indicates he will be motivated by the power of Satan who is the dragon. Basically, the character of this human being will be the very same evil character as the antichrist/Satan. He whose origin or source of power and life comes from Satan. There is nothing good in either of these two men, yet our world will entrust their lives to them! How tragically deceived we can be.

Verse 11 also describes this prophet being a lamb, which together with the term “prophet” seems to indicate that he has a religious character. In addition, appearing as a lamb is most deceptive in appearance. Nobody is afraid of a lamb. A lamb is gentle, harmless, innocent and ceremonially considered clean. But this is all a cover-up for this false prophet. 

Typically, lambs don’t have horns, but this one does. Its horns reveal the true temperament of this person. Horns typically point to strength or power. Hence, this false prophet will be anything but gentle and harmless. According to verse 15, he will be the antichrist’s ruthless hatchet man when it comes to carrying out the execution of anyone who refuses to worship or follow the beast.

Verse 14 reveals that this prophet will be a deceiver, a liar, just like his spiritual father, Satan.

In verses 12-17, we see that, clearly, this false prophet’s authority comes from Satan. He not only speaks with the authority of the dragon, but he will have supernatural powers, such as casting down fire from heaven. Some say he will be able to raise the dead and make the image of the beast speak, and this alone will cause the world to rush to give him the worship and obedience he demands.

By the way, in verse 15, the image mentioned here will be placed in the Temple in Jerusalem and when that happens, it will mark the beginning of the Great Tribulation. This will be the “Abomination of Desolation” that Jesus speaks about in Matthew 24, where the beast calls the world to worship him through worshiping his image.

In addition to his authority coming from Satan, we are also told that his purpose or role will be to enforce the wishes of the “beast of the sea.” He will convince the people to follow the beast and will enforce the beast’s wishes by doing four things:

a. By the performance of miracles. v. 13

b. By the making and animating an image of the “beast of the sea.” vv. 14,15

c. By sentencing to death those who disobey. v. 15

d. By requiring the mark of the “beast of the sea”. vv. 16, 17

At this point, having demanded that all carry the mark of the beast, the state, the government will be god in that day, demanding support and wielding total control over the lives of its citizens.

As it concerns the mark of the beast, the number 666, there has been endless speculation as to the meaning of this number and how it will be applied. Today, we already know that we have several different means by which to code the human body for identification purposes. But as to the “how” of calculating the meaning of this number, all the theories I have read thus far are rather complicated, and something inside me tells me that the more complicated it gets the greater the probability that the solution is incorrect. Probably, the correct understanding of this mark will come shortly before this world enters into the Tribulation period.

Having identified who these two human operatives are and what their function will be in the future, I’d like to stop to make a couple of observations that should affect the way we look at the remainder of our days and how we live them here on earth.

As we consider our lives today, we must keep in mind that Satan has had a long-term purpose in his life, which he declared before God created human life. The late Dr. John Walvoord summarizes Satan’s purposes this way. He writes: “The purpose of Satan to take the place of God in this future Great Tribulation is the motivating power behind Satan’s activities today. Satan’s desire to be like God originally plunged the universe into sin (Isaiah 14:14). His program has never changed, and he is seeking today, as throughout his career, to lure men to obey him instead of God. In the Great Tribulation this purpose will be transparently clear, and after its manifestation it will be brought into divine judgment.”

Throughout the history of the human race, Satan has been playing man against God to his own advantage, that in the end, he might be worshiped like God. However, as we read in Revelation 12, in the future when Satan will be tossed out of heaven and sent to earth, this will set in motion his plan for his last stand against God with the hopes that he will be worshiped. In order to succeed, notice the final form that his counterfeit religion plan will assume.

Together with himself, Satan will form his own unholy trinity with these two human operatives we have been studying in Revelation 13. This unholy trinity will stand in a paralleled contrast to the Holy Trinity. Whereas the Holy Trinity involves God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, the unholy trinity involves Satan, the antichrist and the false prophet. Notice how the roles of each person of these two trinities is similar. Under the Holy Trinity, the role of the Spirit is to point to and to glorify Jesus Christ, the son. The Spirit never glorifies himself, only Jesus. In turn, Jesus came to point us to our heavenly Father as the creator and lover of our souls who is deserving of our worship. Jesus doesn’t even glorify Himself. He is the Father’s servant. On the other side, we have the false prophet, whose job it is to point to, to uphold and support all that the antichrist attempts to do. It is to draw people’s attention to the antichrist so as to worship and submit their lives to him. The false prophet does not draw attention to himself. In turn, the antichrist works to glorify his master Satan by fulfilling Satan’s plans on earth.

So, how does this relate to what’s happening today within the religious sector of our world? What does this have to do with religious terrorism and pressure forming for a one world religion? Everything! Everything that is happening in the religious realm today and the closer we come to the Tribulation period will reveal that there is a move toward a peaceful resolve over religious tensions by having a one world religion. Any who choose to worship differently than with this one world religion, but especially followers of Jesus Christ, will be persecuted to the fullest extent. Therefore, as you see it taking place, don’t panic! Don’t live in fear, for if you know Christ, your future is secure. You know who wins and where you will be. Instead of worrying, or trying to protect yourself or to insure yourself from any kind of loss, refocus your energies and attention toward loving people in Christ’s name so that they will know Jesus and not succumb to the enemy. 

Finally, this chapter, and the ones to come, makes it abundantly clear that those Christians who hold to the dream that, if we love people in Jesus’ name and stick by our morals, we can make this world a better place to live....they are believing in a fantasy. Instead of the world getting better, all the historical evidence and all of the biblical prophetic evidence we possess points to the only conclusion that our world is going to hell in a handbasket and there will be nothing we can do to stop it. Delay it? Maybe. Prevent it? Never.  

However, God’s goal for us has never been to save this world or to delay its inevitable destruction. Rather, His goal for us is to live in such a way as to point people to Jesus so when the last day comes, they will be rescued from the hands of our evil enemy. Our enemy is not Islam or the Muslims. They and others and even sometimes ourselves are nothing but pawns in the enemy’s hands. The apostle Paul told us that back in his first century letter to the Church at Ephesus. He writes in Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” The evil forces of darkness are real and powerful and ever present, but not to be afraid of. Why? Because greater is He who has called us and who lives in us, to protect us and to make us successful in defeating the enemy and drawing others to Christ.   

So how do we go about fighting this spiritual war? The apostle Paul models for us just how we are to spiritually fight in this war. In 6:19-20 he asks his readers, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” It always begins with prayer for boldness and opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ at any opportunity we are given. The war we are fighting for is the rescuing of the eternal souls of all our loved ones and friends.

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