WEBVTT 00:00:01.439 --> 00:00:03.600 Welcome to the Summit Church PlayStation. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:10.080 Thank you for joining us as we share weekly sermons and teachings from Summit Church in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:13.759 Our prayer is that today's message encourages your faith. 00:00:13.839 --> 00:00:16.719 It helps you grow in your relationship with Jesus. 00:00:17.039 --> 00:00:20.559 Check out our website at summitchurchtn.com. 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:25.039 Thanks for listening, and we pray this message encourages you today. 00:00:26.559 --> 00:00:28.800 So, Revelation 13 is where we're at. 00:00:28.879 --> 00:00:35.359 We'll dive straight into it so that we can get things going and make it home at a decent time. 00:00:35.679 --> 00:00:45.200 Revelation 13, the purpose and overall theme of this chapter introduces two of the most significant figures of all of end time prophecy. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:50.960 We're going to see the beast from the sea and the beast from the earth. 00:00:51.439 --> 00:00:57.200 And these two individuals will hang on just a second. 00:01:02.159 --> 00:01:02.960 That's all right. 00:01:03.200 --> 00:01:06.400 Time is oblivious to y'all, but you know, okay. 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:12.480 I'm just glad y'all balanced out the room. 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:14.400 No. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:16.000 Yeah. 00:01:16.640 --> 00:01:17.280 That's all right. 00:01:17.439 --> 00:01:23.040 We've been waiting on y'all, but nevertheless, gosh, I gotta I gotta take out a lot of this. 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:24.480 Let me restart over. 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:34.719 Hey, life's too short not to laugh at the expense of others. 00:01:35.439 --> 00:01:39.599 Uh so Revelation 13. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:41.120 That's where we're at. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:46.000 We're gonna be introduced to the beast from the sea and the beast from the earth. 00:01:46.159 --> 00:01:58.000 These two individuals become the primary instruments through which Satan is going to attempt to establish a counterfeit kingdom on the earth. 00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:05.120 Revelation 12, last week, we talked about how it revealed the dragon identified as Satan. 00:02:05.359 --> 00:02:16.400 And now, in this chapter, we're going to see how Satan's two chief agents are going to appear on the scene. 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:22.240 One is going to be a political ruler who dominates the world. 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:28.639 And contrary to popular opinion, that's not going to be Donald Trump. 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:39.840 The other is a religious leader who directs worship toward that ruler, the political ruler. 00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:48.319 Together, these two are going to form a satanic version of God's kingdom. 00:02:48.719 --> 00:02:51.520 The mockery continues in that. 00:02:51.759 --> 00:03:03.039 This chapter is going to demonstrate how Satan continues in these failed attempts to counterfeit the word of God. 00:03:03.120 --> 00:03:09.360 And I say failed because overall he loses and has already lost. 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:10.159 It's written. 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:16.159 But of course, we do know that some people unfortunately do follow the enemy. 00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:24.719 A key theme to this chapter is that Satan cannot create, but obviously he can imitate. 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:38.240 Revelation 13 reveals Satan's counterfeit kingdom, the counterfeit Christ, the counterfeit prophet, counterfeit worship, and a counterfeit mark. 00:03:38.639 --> 00:03:40.000 So verse 1. 00:03:40.240 --> 00:03:55.439 And he stood on the sand of the seashore, and I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his head were blasphemous names. 00:03:56.080 --> 00:04:01.439 So John now shifts his attention from heaven to the earth. 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:09.360 And standing on the shore, he sees this beast that is coming out of the sea. 00:04:10.240 --> 00:04:20.240 If we look in scripture, the sea can often symbolize chaos or turmoil or unrest. 00:04:20.720 --> 00:04:25.120 It can even symbolize a rebellious humanity. 00:04:25.279 --> 00:04:35.680 Throughout the Old Testament, the sea is something that is frequently a representation of forces that opposes God's order. 00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:40.240 For example, we remember when the disciples are told to get in the boat and go to the other side. 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:54.480 We know that this the Sea of Galilee, although it's not technically a sea, it's just a massive lake, but it functions like a sea, which is just crazy to think about. 00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:59.920 And if you've never been before, it truly is landlord, so it's not a sea. 00:05:00.240 --> 00:05:04.639 But it is a significantly large body of water. 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:16.879 And because of where it is and how the wind hits and how storms come, it actually uh the function of it is just like you would be out in the middle of the sea. 00:05:17.040 --> 00:05:25.759 So it really is a when you when you hear the terminology Sea of Galilee, you know, you think, well, it's got to be out in the ocean, whatever. 00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:29.360 Then when you learn that it's not, you're like, boy, they mislabeled that. 00:05:29.680 --> 00:05:34.800 But when you see how it functions, you go, wow, they labeled that correctly. 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:55.199 We also see that in um scripture, how uh in throughout the Old Testament we see different representations of the water and how that can be used and all these the sea as a symbol in Psalm 89 and 9 says, you rule the swelling of the sea. 00:05:55.600 --> 00:06:03.759 In Isaiah 57 and 20, it says, the wicked are like the tossing sea. 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:18.560 So this beast is going to emerge from a world that is often characterized by instability, rebellion, and spiritual darkness. 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:38.959 And by the way, in the United States, we have this um, we have a challenge sometimes when we get to talking about things that we can't always put into an accurate description. 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:50.399 For example, if I were to mention water spirits, most American Christians are gonna be like, that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of. 00:06:50.560 --> 00:06:51.759 And that's just ridiculous. 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:54.000 There can be no such of a water spirit. 00:06:54.240 --> 00:07:11.920 What's interesting is if you go outside of the United States, an overwhelming majority of nations will actually acknowledge water spirits because their writings have all these different types of creatures and different beings and all this. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:22.639 Their mythology incorporates it, and uh it's something that even many nations will actually worship in false idols and idolatry. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:38.879 So it's interesting because when we talk about the water, we have such an American mindset that we only think that things are, you know, we just go on cruises and you know the water's awesome, and every once in a while don't swim too deep because there might be a shark or a well or whatever. 00:07:39.199 --> 00:07:46.000 But the water is a very, it can be a very troublesome area. 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:53.360 The, like uh, for example, we have Disney fied mermaids, right? 00:07:53.920 --> 00:08:06.399 But if you study and do the history of mermaids, you're gonna find out that more than likely what was being seen is a demonic creature that lured people in. 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:12.399 But what's interesting is that story becomes an Odyssey. 00:08:12.879 --> 00:08:18.399 And the Odyssey becomes the sirens, the sirens becomes the little mermaid. 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:25.439 And we all come through this, but if you go back and trace it all, there's actually a very spiritual side of all this. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:37.679 So I'm saying this to say because when we Americanize anything that can come out of the ocean, we have a tendency to think more in the terms of free willy than we do a beast coming out of the out of the sea. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:42.000 You know, we're all excited and look how cute everything is. 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:50.639 But for the majority of the world, when we talk about something emerging this dark and this deceptive, most of the world is like, yeah, I can see that. 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:59.279 Where a lot of times as Americans, we're like, yeah, that he's just using some kind of analogy of something. 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:02.960 So let's look at the beast and exactly what it could be. 00:09:03.120 --> 00:09:07.679 The Greek word actually refers to a wild animal. 00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:21.919 The Greek also refers to a very dangerous creature, and something that is savage and destructive. 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:37.360 So if the Greek word for this is a wild animal, dangerous, savage, and destructive, it ought to throw a red flag that this thing is definitely dangerous. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:39.039 It's not cute. 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:47.440 The kingdom of this world ultimately produces leaders who reflect humanity's rebellion against God. 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:53.200 But now we're seeing this beast, and by the way, seven heads and ten horns. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:10:04.320 And those heads and those horns have ten crowns, and also blasphemous names. 00:10:04.960 --> 00:10:12.480 It's interesting because this is very closely related to the dragon in Revelation 12. 00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:23.519 Now, out of that though, is there anything that reminds you or feels very similar to this description aside from the dragon? 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:28.240 Did somebody say something? 00:10:29.440 --> 00:10:30.639 Leviathan? 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:33.679 I like that line of thinking. 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:38.799 Now let's think even a little bit more on the authoritative rule. 00:10:39.039 --> 00:10:46.159 Let's think about crowns, and let's think about names that are written. 00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:50.159 What is this potentially? 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:55.519 Why does why does why does this verse say blasphemous names? 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:58.480 Something to think about. 00:10:58.720 --> 00:11:01.519 We'll get there in just a minute, but kind of keep that in your mind. 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:09.200 The beast is getting the authority from Satan. 00:11:11.120 --> 00:11:19.200 There's obviously some kind of shared purpose, some kind of shared authority, and some kind of shared rebellion. 00:11:20.399 --> 00:11:32.000 We know, or we're going to find out, that this beast is going to be the chief representation of Satan on the earth. 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:43.919 Now, the ten horns likely represent the ten kings or kingdoms that unite under the beast authority. 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:47.679 Does that ring a bell to anybody's mind? 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:51.360 We've heard about ten kings and ten kingdoms before. 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:54.320 Anybody remember another book in the Old Testament? 00:11:55.279 --> 00:12:02.399 The book of Daniel, where ten horns represent ten kings arising from the final world empires. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:05.759 This is specifically Daniel chapter 7. 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:20.720 Now, the blasphemous names, which is very, very interesting to think about, because the beast is going to openly mock God. 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:26.559 If a name is going to be blasphemous, who's going to be blasphemous against? 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:31.120 It's not going to be blasphemous against you and I, but it is the Lord. 00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:40.720 Which means the beast is going to probably be definitely marked by pride, self-exaltation, and of course, blasphemy. 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:50.240 This beast is going to seek worship that belongs only to God and seeks to replace God. 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:57.440 Therefore, this beast is the Antichrist. 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:03.759 And because this beast is the Antichrist, it also means it's anti-God. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:07.679 Now, how do we know that this is the Antichrist? 00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:18.559 We'll get into this a lot more, of course, but a big clue to this is going back to the blasphemous names written on the beast. 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:26.559 If we remember, of course, we're not there yet in its fullness, we'll get a bigger picture of this, but it was highlighted early in the book of Revelation. 00:13:26.879 --> 00:13:33.679 Jesus has written on him King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 00:13:34.000 --> 00:13:50.000 So this is a direct mockery, a direct false representation for what Christ is portrayed to be, now the beast is saying, I'm the same thing, but of course these neighbors are going to be blasphemous. 00:13:50.159 --> 00:14:00.639 The sad thing is most of civilization will not recognize it as blasphemous because many will worship, but you know, we'll get there too. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:07.039 The Antichrist's ultimate goal is not simply opposition to God, but it is substitution for God. 00:14:07.360 --> 00:14:11.039 So here's where things are going to get really interesting going forward. 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:17.440 This is not an alternate version that is going to be given to the world. 00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:25.279 It's not like the Antichrist and the false prophet are eventually going to reveal themselves and they're going to be, hey, we think we're the better choice. 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:32.159 It is a complete setup to say it is I, not him. 00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:37.679 It's not another version, it is a complete replacement of that. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:54.799 Which is even scary to think about because there's so many people that buy into a concept of this called replacement theology, which is interesting that that's the terminology that it is, because that's exactly what the Antichrist and the false prophet is. 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:56.720 This is the replacement of God. 00:14:57.919 --> 00:14:59.840 So who's the Antichrist? 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:22.000 Although Revelation never directly uses the title Antichrist, this beast is commonly identified and um figuratively described elsewhere in the scripture that we can narrow this down and say that this beast is 100% the Antichrist. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:24.399 Although we're not going to see that verbatim. 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:28.080 Maybe you have a translation of the Bible, maybe it says that. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:29.120 I don't know. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:37.440 Most of them, to my remembrance, would say probably the message probably says the Antichrist. 00:15:37.519 --> 00:15:38.559 I really don't know. 00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:41.200 There may be another one out there, I don't know. 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:47.919 But other biblical titles in Daniel 7 and 8, we get the little horn. 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:54.559 In Daniel 8 and 23, we get the king of fierce countenance. 00:15:57.120 --> 00:16:01.039 In Daniel 9, 26, we get the prince who is to come. 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:06.639 In Daniel 11, 36, the willful king. 00:16:08.320 --> 00:16:15.679 And 2 Thessalonians 2 and 3, the man of lawlessness and the son of destruction. 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:22.240 So what does the terminology anti-Christ actually mean? 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:31.840 Well, the prefix anti can mean against Christ or instead of Christ. 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:38.240 And the crazy thing about it is both definitions fit. 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:45.279 This is someone who is definitely going to be anti-Messiah. 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:50.559 But it's not enough to be anti, they have to be instead of. 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:25.599 Obviously, yeah, evil to a degree, but we have to remember when the Antichrist truly appears on the scene in the beginning, he's not evil. 00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:34.640 When the Antichrist truly appears on the scene, very smooth talking, which that alone rules out Trump. 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:38.079 I mean, if we just go on that one. 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:44.720 Not a very smooth talker, very plain, blunt talker, but not a smooth talker in that sense. 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:47.279 And I'm leaving that in the podcast. 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:52.160 So y'all can email Steve at summitchurchtn.com. 00:17:56.640 --> 00:18:05.440 But eventually there will be this revelation, of course, that there is an evil desire of the Antichrist. 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:14.400 But we have to make sure that we don't get this image of just something that is so gory and dark and so on and so forth. 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:18.319 Because, first of all, let's go all the way back to Lucifer. 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:26.160 Remember, the beasts from the earth and beasts of the sea, the representative, representative agents of Satan. 00:18:26.319 --> 00:18:30.319 Okay, Satan before Satan was Satan, he was Lucifer. 00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:36.640 And as Lucifer, he is a very beautiful creation. 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:43.839 He's not the horns with the pitch tail and the pitchfork, and not really, pointed tail, sorry. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:45.680 Pointed tail and the pitchfork. 00:18:45.839 --> 00:18:48.319 That's not what Satan looks like. 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:53.920 Satan comes, matter of fact, scripture says, comes as an angel of light. 00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:59.519 So Satan's not this big boogeyman, and the Antichrist is not going to be the same thing either. 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:10.079 Matter of fact, when we study Scripture, the Antichrist is going to appear very charismatic, intelligent, very successful. 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:13.680 And let me define successful there for a second. 00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:18.400 We're not only talking about financially successful. 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:23.599 We're talking about successful, bigger than anything, successful politically. 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:43.440 Yes, business-wise or relationship-wise or negotiating-wise, but we have to keep in mind that a major glaring point of the beast from the sea, the Antichrist, is this is going to be a very key political figure. 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:50.319 It's going to be very persuasive and appealing. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:20:02.960 And again, we can sit here, and I know there's people that will say, and I keep throwing Trump because that's whatever president we have, whoever's next, is going to get called the Antichrist as well. 00:20:04.480 --> 00:20:13.119 You know, I could be funny here and say, you know, before Trump, Joe Biden was the Antichrist. 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.720 He just didn't remember it. 00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:19.359 And uh, but it'll come on. 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:20.720 That was funny. 00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.519 I mean, come on. 00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.400 That was funny. 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:27.839 No, listen, everybody goes back and says every president of the United States is. 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.519 And it's just like, come on. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:33.039 First of all, let's go back to Trump just for a second. 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:35.039 Yes, he's charismatic. 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:44.000 Yes, he is successful, but we also know that there's an overwhelming majority that is not going to view this guy as being intelligent. 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:51.200 And there's going to be an overwhelming majority that's not going to say that he's appealing. 00:20:52.799 --> 00:21:05.200 So we have to remember these things because the people that are going to fall for the antichrist is going to willingly agree with these things. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:12.480 And the people right now that are anti-President Trump right now, they're saying this stuff is not going to be. 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:17.759 So that alone, just that alone, ought to throw a flag up and go, okay, it can't be him. 00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:21.359 Now, let's take out everything else the Bible says. 00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:27.359 That should be enough, but then let's take everything the Bible does say, and we can obviously figure out it's not him. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:34.960 The Antichrist will prevent him, present himself as humanity's answer. 00:21:35.119 --> 00:21:38.240 Now I say that, and everybody goes back, well, that's Trump. 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:39.599 Okay. 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:46.880 You know, you can say that he definitely has that confidence slash arrogance. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.599 Sure. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:51.440 But again, there's more requirements. 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:59.440 The deception of the beast, the Antichrist, is powerful because he appears to offer what people desire. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:02.160 Apart from God. 00:22:03.680 --> 00:22:08.319 And the greatest deception often resembles the truth. 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:17.680 The Antichrist will not initially appear as a monster, but as a counterfeit savior. 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:23.119 Which here again, you're going to have the anti-Trumpers say, Well, that's Trump in and of itself. 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:25.119 He appears as a savior. 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:28.000 And I say you're not paying attention. 00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:35.839 Because, I mean, even Trump himself says, I hope that I'm doing enough to get to heaven. 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:41.039 If he thought himself to be the savior, he would just say, I'm going no matter what. 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.400 Verse 2. 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:57.599 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion, and the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 00:22:58.079 --> 00:23:01.440 So now let's imagine what John just describes here. 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:06.240 Leopard, feet of a bear, mouth of a lion. 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:10.000 Have you ever read that description anywhere in the Bible before? 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.599 Yeah. 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.759 Daniel chapter 7. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:22.799 And Daniel, we know the lion represents Babylon. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:27.119 The bear represents Medo-Persia. 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:30.880 And the leopard, Greece. 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:37.519 All of these represent these former world empires. 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:41.200 So what does this mean? 00:23:41.440 --> 00:24:06.720 Well, it means that the final kingdom is going to possess the authority of Babylon, the power of Persia, the speed of Greece, and the brutality of Rome. 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:20.319 The final world system gathers together the worst elements of all of human government throughout history. 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:31.039 Which again, we're seeing some of this unfold right now to a degree, not where we're at as far as the timeline of this. 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:35.359 But right now we're dealing with a nation called Iran. 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:42.000 But Iran are not Iranians, they're Persians. 00:24:42.640 --> 00:24:44.240 That is that region. 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:47.279 And how's that going for us? 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:51.200 Negotiations is a little tense. 00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:54.880 And once you think we get something negotiated, what happens? 00:24:56.480 --> 00:25:02.160 You know, they're, geez, this is a lot of fun dealing with them, right? 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:05.279 Well, there's a whole big purpose of all that. 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:10.720 John declares that the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 00:25:10.880 --> 00:25:12.640 So we have to remember something. 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:17.200 The Antichrist is not being empowered by the Holy Spirit. 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:20.000 The Antichrist is being empowered by Satan. 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:25.440 Whereas you and I, we're empowered by Holy Spirit. 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:36.319 The Antichrist authority is ultimately satanic in origin, though it's still subject to the sovereignty of God, which is just wild to think about. 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:48.240 Verse 3, and I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain in his fatal wound as it was healed, and the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast. 00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:53.599 All right, before we go anywhere, what did that just tell you? 00:25:58.640 --> 00:26:00.799 A resurrection from what? 00:26:06.160 --> 00:26:12.799 The beast is going to be executed and it's going to rise from the dead. 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:19.680 How many know someone in the history of time that was executed and rose from the dead? 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:28.079 This is again, this is there's this purpose behind all this. 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:37.599 Many believe that this is going to be one of the most influential moments. 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:39.759 And how could it not be? 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:55.119 How could it not be this charmer, this schmoozer of a politician all the sudden is, I mean, we've all seen the video of John F. 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:57.839 Kennedy when he was executed, he was assassinated. 00:26:58.000 --> 00:27:04.240 Imagine seeing that in today's time, and all of a sudden, a couple days later, they're walking around. 00:27:04.400 --> 00:27:07.519 That would be something kind of wild, right? 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:12.559 Well, people are going to fall for that, and they're going to be smoozed over with that. 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:21.839 What's interesting about it is the two witnesses go through the same thing. 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:36.720 But what they're doing is a thorn in the flesh of those that are in sin versus this guy is going to be like, see, it was meant for me to be able to be here and all this. 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:46.000 Throughout Revelation, Satan is repeatedly copying everything that God does. 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:55.680 Counterfeit Christ, counterfeit prophet, counterfeit resurrection, counterfeit worship, and we're eventually going to be reminded of the counterfeit mark. 00:27:57.279 --> 00:28:04.400 Satan imitates God's work because imitation is his greatest tool of deception. 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:11.279 One of the things that we have to remember, and this is hard, and I get it at times, it's definitely hard, but we have to remember this. 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:20.319 There is nothing, not one thing, not in the history of the created time, nor in our destined futures. 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:25.759 There is nothing that Satan can or has ever created. 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:29.279 He does not have a creative ability. 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:31.119 He cannot create. 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.559 Why? 00:28:52.799 --> 00:29:01.680 Because Satan doesn't create sons or daughters, but Satan can manipulate that and convince you that you are an orphan. 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:09.920 And Satan doesn't create orphans, but the manipulated version of sonship is orphan. 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:20.559 So there's manipulation behind all this, but it's so much easier to point it out after the fact than it is during the act. 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:33.839 Verse 4, and they worship the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worship the beast, saying, Who is like the beast and who is able to wage war with him? 00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:37.599 It's like what a statement. 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:48.240 I read this verse every time, and I have kind of like a, I don't know, like a just mentality of like, uh God. 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:51.599 I mean, let's start there. 00:29:52.000 --> 00:29:57.119 But it's it's like as if they've never heard of anything or seen this before. 00:29:57.279 --> 00:30:00.559 Now, to us, that's hard to imagine, but here's the reality. 00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:05.519 There's still a large population on the earth that's never heard the name of Jesus. 00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:08.640 We can't comprehend that. 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:26.240 Um I listened to a podcast a lot out of Alabama, and um the the main host, he said him and his wife were visiting their kids in New York City. 00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:32.640 And said when they were visiting their kids, the son and the daughter-in-law are actors. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:46.240 So they were up visiting, and they'd went to some kind of play that they were in, and then they went to somewhere in Times Square, if I'm not mistaken, it was somewhere near that or in Times Square. 00:30:46.480 --> 00:31:10.640 And his wife just got to talking to some younger people, probably in their 20s, and she starts witnessing to them, and three people in particular, and all three had never even heard the name of Jesus, had never heard the gospel preached, and right there the wife led two of the three to the Lord. 00:31:11.680 --> 00:31:13.680 Now that's just hard for us to imagine. 00:31:13.759 --> 00:31:16.000 How can you have not ever heard that before? 00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:18.400 But it's possible. 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:21.279 It just legitimately is possible. 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:22.960 And that's in the United States. 00:31:23.119 --> 00:31:35.039 Think of all these other countries that, you know, we think everything is connected by Wi-Fi, but there's still a lot of regions that have never even had Wi-Fi, much less a cell phone tower in that. 00:31:35.119 --> 00:31:37.119 And that's just hard to imagine, but it is. 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:41.519 Throughout history, Satan has always desired to be worshipped. 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:45.119 He sought worship from Jesus in Matthew 4 and 9. 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:51.599 All these things I will give you if you fall down and worship me. 00:31:52.240 --> 00:31:57.200 Now the world is giving him what he has always desired. 00:31:58.400 --> 00:32:00.480 So why do the people follow him? 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:09.359 Well, he appears invincible, obviously successful, and obviously powerful. 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:16.319 And it is a reminder how easy it is for humanity to mistake power for truth. 00:32:18.160 --> 00:32:24.480 But if you don't think it's possible, just look on social media and see how popular a lot of ministries are. 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:29.200 And they appear to be powerful, but they're not presenting you with the truth. 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:33.920 Many people will follow the beast because they are captivated. 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.880 And that's it. 00:32:37.920 --> 00:32:39.519 Verse 5 through 6. 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:57.519 And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for 42 months was given to him, and he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God to blaspheme his name and his tabernacle, that is those who dwell in heaven. 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:59.200 Okay, here we go. 00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:01.839 Now we're getting another time reference again. 00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:05.519 How long is the 42 months? 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:09.119 Three and a half years. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:24.799 Now we're getting an understanding that the Antichrist is definitely going to be revealed, but in a bigger way of being revealed, the Antichrist is being worshipped. 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:27.599 And that's a big red flag. 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:37.599 Because what happens is we know that in the first half of the three and a half years, the beast isn't revealed. 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:49.440 But there's this person that is, for lack of better words, has all the characteristics and is making its waves and negotiating peace deals and all this stuff. 00:33:49.680 --> 00:34:01.279 But at this moment, after they're executed, after they're resurrected, and the worshiping starts, we get the time frame that this is only going to last for three and a half years. 00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:06.160 So now we're also getting in this chapter a reference point. 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:18.639 So the Antichrist is going to be acknowledged or revealed somewhere in the halfway point of the seven-year tribulation or Daniel's 70th week, right? 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:20.400 So we're kind of getting this in. 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:30.159 And again, this is where it gets, you know, chapter 12, 13, and 14, timeline-wise, is extremely challenging. 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:32.719 And I'm going to admit that wholeheartedly. 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:41.440 It is very, very difficult because the chapters go from this point to way over here to back over here to here and there. 00:34:41.760 --> 00:34:47.920 But we have to go along with what is being said right here, and that pulls us back to a direct reference. 00:34:48.320 --> 00:34:54.559 So the beast receives its authority, 1,260 days, 42 months. 00:34:55.199 --> 00:35:00.960 And this speech is filled. 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:03.360 I love how the New American says this. 00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:06.880 He was speaking arrogant words. 00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:08.559 I love that. 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:27.199 Now, you may not think that that could be possible, but just think right now how many people openly mock and criticize Christianity. 00:35:27.840 --> 00:35:37.840 And this is a drop in the bucket compared to how intensified this is going to get once this guy gets things rolling. 00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:48.480 Notice, though, in these verses, the phrase that it was given to him. 00:35:50.159 --> 00:35:55.519 Even the Antichrist operates only within the limits that is established by God. 00:35:56.800 --> 00:36:02.239 The Antichrist may appear unstoppable, but he remains under God's authority. 00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:05.119 That's why we can't lose hope in all this. 00:36:06.559 --> 00:36:13.280 No earthly ruler possesses authority independent of God. 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:18.239 It's why the scripture says all kings are subject to him. 00:36:20.400 --> 00:36:30.719 It doesn't matter president, vice president, king, pope, queen, prime minister, they all submit to him. 00:36:31.199 --> 00:36:32.719 Verse 7 through 8. 00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:53.679 And it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them in authority over every tribe and people, given tongue and nation, was given to him, and all who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written in front, written from the foundation of the world in the book of life, and the Lamb who was slain. 00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:58.239 What's the beast granted authority for? 00:36:59.280 --> 00:37:02.559 To make war with the saints. 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:11.760 Now, let me just kind of put something right here and just chew on this because I'm not trying to argue, debate one way or the other. 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:22.159 But we do talk about throughout this whole whole course, we've talked about how people will say that, you know, pre-trib here, mid-trib here, we'll eventually get into post-trib rapture. 00:37:22.400 --> 00:37:29.440 You got people that said the rapture is not ever going to happen until, you know, everything, nothing, it's never going to happen, so on and so forth. 00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:34.639 Those that would be pre-trib have a bit of a challenge here. 00:37:34.800 --> 00:37:39.840 Those that are mid-trib or post-trib, this is where they kind of hang their hat on a lot of times. 00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:42.960 It's not the only thing, but obviously it's a major thing. 00:37:43.599 --> 00:37:46.320 The Antichrist is going to make war with who? 00:37:47.360 --> 00:37:48.559 The saints. 00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:57.599 So if the bride of Christ is not here, what saints are we talking about? 00:37:58.400 --> 00:38:03.519 And of course, will people be born again during tribulation? 00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:04.400 Yes. 00:38:04.719 --> 00:38:05.440 We know this. 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:07.760 We talk about this nearly every single week. 00:38:07.920 --> 00:38:12.480 There will be people, there'll be multiple raptures, there'll be martyrs, those will happen. 00:38:12.800 --> 00:38:20.559 So in some ways, you can say that the rapture hasn't happened because they would have to be a large number of saints. 00:38:20.719 --> 00:38:29.920 However, you can also say that there was a pre-trib rapture, and these saints are the saints that came after that, which could still be a significant amount of people. 00:38:30.320 --> 00:38:35.039 So it's one of those things that I don't think you can 100% say one way or the other. 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:43.440 I think the thing you can say 100% is there's going to be some saints here, and Satan, through the Antichrist, is going to make war with them. 00:38:43.679 --> 00:38:49.039 The number of those saints and what that looks like, I don't think you can 100% say. 00:38:49.199 --> 00:38:50.559 But that's just my opinion. 00:38:50.719 --> 00:38:53.119 So take that for what it is on that. 00:38:53.679 --> 00:38:58.960 Obviously, this is going to become a very dark point in the history of mankind. 00:38:59.360 --> 00:39:02.320 Does the beast defeat the saints? 00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:05.599 Physically, yes. 00:39:07.360 --> 00:39:09.360 Spiritually, no. 00:39:11.199 --> 00:39:13.760 The beast obviously is going to take lives. 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:19.119 But you can't destroy what doesn't belong to you. 00:39:20.480 --> 00:39:22.559 The book of life is mentioned. 00:39:22.880 --> 00:39:33.039 Those who worship the beast, but then there's those who are written in the book of life and of the lamb who has been slain. 00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:36.079 The distinction is very clear. 00:39:36.400 --> 00:39:40.079 The redeemed belong to the Lamb. 00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:44.639 John describes it as the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 00:39:44.800 --> 00:39:46.239 Who is that lamb? 00:39:46.559 --> 00:39:48.000 Jesus Christ. 00:39:48.320 --> 00:39:52.000 This is re-emphasizing God's eternal plan. 00:39:52.320 --> 00:39:56.639 Before creation, redemption was planned. 00:39:56.800 --> 00:40:00.159 Before creation, the cross was known. 00:40:00.480 --> 00:40:05.119 Before creation, salvation was already prepared. 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:07.440 It's why it's always fun. 00:40:07.519 --> 00:40:09.440 I've done it before, if you'll remember. 00:40:09.519 --> 00:40:10.000 I love it. 00:40:10.159 --> 00:40:12.159 I love having fun at people's expense. 00:40:12.320 --> 00:40:14.000 Sorry, it's a flaw of mine. 00:40:14.239 --> 00:40:17.599 But I love to say when was Jesus Christ crucified? 00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:28.320 Most people try to put 0 A.D., 33 A.D., 33 years old, and the scripture says he was slain before the foundation of the earth. 00:40:28.480 --> 00:40:33.360 It's just a little fun, I know, I get it, but it's fun for me, nevertheless. 00:40:33.440 --> 00:40:34.639 I enjoy it. 00:40:36.400 --> 00:40:41.039 God's plan was never an afterthought. 00:40:41.360 --> 00:40:48.719 He didn't create man and woman, put them in the garden, then the serpent came in, and then God was like, oh no, what shall I do now? 00:40:49.679 --> 00:40:53.360 Before man was ever created, he already had a plan. 00:40:54.000 --> 00:41:01.760 Which is just wild because the great question that many have is why did God create man if he knew man was going to fail or man was going to sin? 00:41:03.440 --> 00:41:07.360 You know, truthfully, the answer is because he had a plan. 00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:11.039 I mean, that's just the truth of the answer. 00:41:11.599 --> 00:41:16.079 Whatever Satan was going to try to do, it was never going to topple God's plan. 00:41:17.280 --> 00:41:19.199 Yes, humanity falls. 00:41:19.440 --> 00:41:21.679 Yes, redemption is necessary. 00:41:22.079 --> 00:41:27.679 But Christ was and did come, and he's coming again. 00:41:28.239 --> 00:41:29.920 Verse 9 through 10. 00:41:30.239 --> 00:41:32.239 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:35.920 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes. 00:41:36.000 --> 00:41:39.440 If anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. 00:41:39.679 --> 00:41:45.599 Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. 00:41:46.880 --> 00:41:56.079 That's interesting because all of a sudden, this is the first time in a long time we've heard if anyone has an ear, let him hear. 00:41:57.119 --> 00:42:03.920 As believers, they're called to patience, they're called to faithfulness, and of course, endurance. 00:42:06.239 --> 00:42:10.639 Of course, those who persecute God's people is ultimately going to face God's judgment. 00:42:10.800 --> 00:42:11.760 We know this. 00:42:12.079 --> 00:42:15.840 God sees every act and he remembers every injustice. 00:42:16.239 --> 00:42:19.440 God's justice is going to prevail. 00:42:19.679 --> 00:42:28.960 It's just going to come in a way that we're probably not all going to be excited about, especially if you're here during that time and you're probably being brutally executed. 00:42:29.039 --> 00:42:31.599 You're not going to be like, yay me. 00:42:33.920 --> 00:42:35.039 Just being honest. 00:42:35.199 --> 00:42:43.599 We complain when someone says something about us on Facebook or Instagram or X or TikTok or whatever. 00:42:44.159 --> 00:42:47.440 Or if nobody gave us credit for something. 00:42:48.000 --> 00:42:50.559 And we're talking about real stuff here. 00:42:51.840 --> 00:42:52.960 Verse 11. 00:42:53.199 --> 00:43:00.719 And I saw another beast coming out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. 00:43:01.280 --> 00:43:02.320 Good grief. 00:43:02.480 --> 00:43:06.000 If it doesn't get any worse, here comes this Joker. 00:43:06.880 --> 00:43:09.119 You know, here's another beast. 00:43:09.440 --> 00:43:11.519 But this one appears harmless. 00:43:11.679 --> 00:43:13.760 Why does it appear harmless? 00:43:16.320 --> 00:43:17.679 Like a lamb. 00:43:19.760 --> 00:43:21.280 So what does it mean? 00:43:21.760 --> 00:43:27.360