THE
TWO BEASTS - REVELATION 13
In
our messages THE BEAST AND THE TEN = ELEVEN and ISRAEL
AND THE UNITED STATES, we briefly discussed the Gentile
beast, who is "the prince that shall
come" (Daniel 9:26); "the little horn" (Dan. 7:8);
"the beast out of the sea"
(Rev. 13:1) "the king of Babylon" (Isaiah
14:4); and most commonly known as "the antichrist." Many
correctly say the antichrist is a Gentile. Some say the antichrist
is a Jew. Some correctly say the antichrist can be identified
before the Rapture. Some say the antichrist won't be revealed
until after the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way at the Rapture.
Some believe the antichrist will sit in the rebuilt Jewish temple claiming
to be God. The confusion disappears when it is understood that there
are two beasts and both are antichrist. It is important to understand
their differences and the relationship between the two. The Bible says:
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea..." (Revelation 13:1).
Here we have the beast out of the sea. Occasionally, 'sea'' in Scripture is symbolic for Gentile nations. Such is the case in Rev. 13:1. An excellent proof text is found in Isaiah 60:5:
"Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the SEA shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the GENTLIES shall come unto thee" (Isaiah 60:5).
Clearly, the beast out of the sea is a Gentile. Anyone who is not a Jew is a Gentile. From Rev 13:1 through 13:8, we learn a great deal about this man. For example, we learn in 13:1, that when the beast rises from the sea, he already has the ten horns. These are the 10-nation confederacy of Daniel, chapter 7. Thus the beast and the ten = eleven. In Rev. 13:5, we learn; "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."
The beast and the ten will have world dominion for 42 months. This is the last half of the 7-yr. tribulation. During the first half of the tribulation, the ten-nations from within the old Roman Empire will unite to form an independent world power. The Gentile beast will conquer them near the end of the first half of the 7-yr. tribulation (Dan 7:8 & 24); (Rev. 17:16 &17). See our message entitled THE BEAST AND THE TEN = ELEVEN. More is said about the Gentile beast in verse seven:
"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints (those who believe during the tribulation), and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (Rev. 13:7).
In the verse above we learn that the beast, who now has the ten, is given authority over all families (kindreds), languages (tongues), and nations (countries). Is not the U.S.A. a nation? Yes, the beast will have power (authority) over the U.S.! This means that one of two things must happen; either the U.S. will produce the beast, or will be conquered by him. In verse 4, the Bible says:
"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him" (Rev. 13:4)?
They will be saying these things after the beast has conquered the Ten. Even now, I ask, who can make war with the U.S.? For the first time in history the U.S. has no formidable military foe. No, dear reader, the U.S. isn't going to be conquered anytime in the foreseeable future. In all likelihood, the U.S. will produce the beast. Is he in the White house now? Watch and see who confirms (guarantees) the coming Israeli-Palestinian covenant.
In Revelation 13:11, we are introduced to another beast:
"And I beheld ANOTHER BEAST coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon" (Rev. 13:11).
This second beast is out of the earth. He is not out of the sea. Since he is not a Gentile, he must be a Jew, out of the earth (land). The Bible goes on to say:
"And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the would by a sword, and did live" (Rev. 13:12-14).
Notice please, dear reader, it is always the second beast, the Jew, who is a miracle worker. Now let's go to Rev. chapter 19, where we learn the destiny of the two evil antichrist men when the Lord Jesus returns to earth the second time:
"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These BOTH were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Rev. 19:20).
Here the second beast from the earth, the Jew, is called 'the false prophet." The term, 'false prophet' is a Jewish term. It is never used in Scripture for a Gentile. Again in the verse above, it is the Jewish beast who is the miracle worker. They BOTH were cast into the lake of fire. Yes, there are two beasts. Let's go now to II Thessalonians 2, where we'll learn more about the miracle-working Jew; the false prophet:
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea..." (Revelation 13:1).
Here we have the beast out of the sea. Occasionally, 'sea'' in Scripture is symbolic for Gentile nations. Such is the case in Rev. 13:1. An excellent proof text is found in Isaiah 60:5:
"Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the SEA shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the GENTLIES shall come unto thee" (Isaiah 60:5).
Clearly, the beast out of the sea is a Gentile. Anyone who is not a Jew is a Gentile. From Rev 13:1 through 13:8, we learn a great deal about this man. For example, we learn in 13:1, that when the beast rises from the sea, he already has the ten horns. These are the 10-nation confederacy of Daniel, chapter 7. Thus the beast and the ten = eleven. In Rev. 13:5, we learn; "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."
The beast and the ten will have world dominion for 42 months. This is the last half of the 7-yr. tribulation. During the first half of the tribulation, the ten-nations from within the old Roman Empire will unite to form an independent world power. The Gentile beast will conquer them near the end of the first half of the 7-yr. tribulation (Dan 7:8 & 24); (Rev. 17:16 &17). See our message entitled THE BEAST AND THE TEN = ELEVEN. More is said about the Gentile beast in verse seven:
"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints (those who believe during the tribulation), and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (Rev. 13:7).
In the verse above we learn that the beast, who now has the ten, is given authority over all families (kindreds), languages (tongues), and nations (countries). Is not the U.S.A. a nation? Yes, the beast will have power (authority) over the U.S.! This means that one of two things must happen; either the U.S. will produce the beast, or will be conquered by him. In verse 4, the Bible says:
"And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him" (Rev. 13:4)?
They will be saying these things after the beast has conquered the Ten. Even now, I ask, who can make war with the U.S.? For the first time in history the U.S. has no formidable military foe. No, dear reader, the U.S. isn't going to be conquered anytime in the foreseeable future. In all likelihood, the U.S. will produce the beast. Is he in the White house now? Watch and see who confirms (guarantees) the coming Israeli-Palestinian covenant.
In Revelation 13:11, we are introduced to another beast:
"And I beheld ANOTHER BEAST coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon" (Rev. 13:11).
This second beast is out of the earth. He is not out of the sea. Since he is not a Gentile, he must be a Jew, out of the earth (land). The Bible goes on to say:
"And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the would by a sword, and did live" (Rev. 13:12-14).
Notice please, dear reader, it is always the second beast, the Jew, who is a miracle worker. Now let's go to Rev. chapter 19, where we learn the destiny of the two evil antichrist men when the Lord Jesus returns to earth the second time:
"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These BOTH were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Rev. 19:20).
Here the second beast from the earth, the Jew, is called 'the false prophet." The term, 'false prophet' is a Jewish term. It is never used in Scripture for a Gentile. Again in the verse above, it is the Jewish beast who is the miracle worker. They BOTH were cast into the lake of fire. Yes, there are two beasts. Let's go now to II Thessalonians 2, where we'll learn more about the miracle-working Jew; the false prophet:
"Even
him, whose coming
is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying
wonders" (II Thess. 2:9).
Which beast has the power of Satan to work signs and lying wonders? Yes, it's the miracle-working Jewish false prophet. That man of sin is the miracle-working Jew, "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (II Thess. 2:4).
Which beast has the power of Satan to work signs and lying wonders? Yes, it's the miracle-working Jewish false prophet. That man of sin is the miracle-working Jew, "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (II Thess. 2:4).
Soon the
Jew's temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem and the Jewish false prophet
will sit in it as God. A Gentile in the temple claiming to be
God wouldn't fool the Jews, but a miracle-working Jew, yes! Jesus
made reference to this man during His earthly ministry; "I
am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall
come in his own name, him ye will receive" (John 5:43).
In the
book of Daniel we find a companion passage to the Jewish false prophet
in the temple in Jerusalem:
"And
THE KING shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt
himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous
things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation
be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. NEITHER
SHALL HE REGARD THE GOD OF HIS FATHERS, nor the desire of
women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.
But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom
his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with
precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the
most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and
increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and
SHALL DIVIDE THE LAND FOR GAIN" (Daniel
11:36-39).
Three things from
the above passage I want to call to your attention. This miracle-working
Jewish false prophet is also "THE KING."
Since Israel's rebirth in the Promised Land in 1948, the political
head is called Prime Minister. "NEITHER
SHALL HE REGARD THE GOD OF HIS FATHERS." That
statement underscores the fact that he is of Jewish descent. And
"SHALL DIVIDE THE LAND FOR GAIN." President
Bush's 'Road Map' for peace in the Promised Land is to divide the land
into two political states; one for Israel and one for the Palestinians.
Israel's current prime minister has endorsed the 'Road Map' plan.
The 'Road Map' to peace is diametrically opposed to the promise of God.
God has promised that land exclusively to Israel! To plan otherwise,
is no less than unadulterated blasphemy!
JERUSALEM, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Israeli military forces expect to be out of Gaza in mid-September, completing a withdrawal from the territory after 38 years of occupation, Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Wednesday.
Israel finished removing 15,000 settlers and supporters from Gaza and some of the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, two weeks ahead of schedule, under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's plan to "disengage" from conflict with Palestinians seeking statehood.
U.S.-led mediators hope the pullout will jumpstart a Middle East "road map" peace process.
At this very moment,
to 'divide the Land' for "gain"' is the primary objective of Israel's
present king (prime minister) Ariel Sharon.
They
agree to divide God's Promised Land.
See
Joel 3:2 and Daniel 11:39
Some erroneously
believe the Pope will be the Jewish false prophet. The "MOTHER
OF HARLOTS" (Roman Catholicism),
along with its head, the Pope, will be destroyed by the beast and the
ten immediately before the middle of the tribulation:
"And
the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the
whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh,
and burn her with fire" (Revelation 17:16).
The Pope will meet
his 'Waterloo' just prior to the second half of the tribulation.
Then, during the second half of the tribulation, the king (prime minister)
of Israel will exercise all of the authority of the first beast and
enforce the mark of the beast in Israel:
"And
he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth
the earth (Israel) and them which dwell therin
to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed" (Revelation
13:12).
"And
he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,
to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads" (Revelation
13:16).
Please note: In
Revelation 13, 'sea' is symbolic for the Gentile nations and 'earth'
symbolizes Israel. Please read Revelation 13:13-18 for more
deeds of the Jewish false prophet king of Israel, which he does on
behalf of the Gentile beast from the 'sea' (Revelation 13:1-8).
The "MOTHER
OF HARLOTS" (Revelation 17:1-5) and all her harlot
daughters will be destroyed. The Pope is never going to
be elected prime minister (king) of Israel.
This maverick miracle-working
Jewish false prophet king will demand worship for himself and for
the Gentile beast and for the image of the Gentile beast which
will be placed in the temple at the middle of the seven years of tribulation.
Also, it
is the Jewish false prophet who is to be revealed 'to the world' after
the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way at the Rapture. The Bible says:
"And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (hinders) will let (hinder), until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked (one) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with power and signs and lying wonders" (II Thessalonians 2:6-9).
Clearly, the Jewish false prophet, who is the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, won't be revealed 'to the world' until after the Rapture. But, Christians can and should recognize the Gentile antichrist before the Rapture. Jesus said, Watch and know the hour (Rev. 3:3).
"And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth (hinders) will let (hinder), until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked (one) be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with power and signs and lying wonders" (II Thessalonians 2:6-9).
Clearly, the Jewish false prophet, who is the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, won't be revealed 'to the world' until after the Rapture. But, Christians can and should recognize the Gentile antichrist before the Rapture. Jesus said, Watch and know the hour (Rev. 3:3).
Retired Baptist pastor/teacher I am: