1. Evil Triumphs—Or So It Seems! (Rev 5: 1-6) Agenda: Revelation 3. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The Dragon (Rev 12: 1-6) 2. What does the future hold for us? (Rev 7: 9-17) 4. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The Antichrist (Rev 13: 1-10) 5. The Onslaught of the Evil Trio: The False Prophet (Rev 13: 11-18) 6. Another Strategy of the Evil Trio (Rev 17: 1-6) 7. From Paradise to Paradise (Rev 22: 16-21)

A P P L I C A T I O N Message to the original receiver 21 st Century COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING Revelation 13 The GPS DIFFERENCES of Language Tradition Time Situation History

The First Process: Understanding 1. S ituation 2. T ype of literature 3. A nalyze the passage 4. R elate the message to the rest of the Bible 5. T est your findings S.T.A.R.T. Message to the original receiver UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING

S.T.A.R.T. As we saw in a previous reading (Rev. 12:1–6), the dragon (Satan) could not prevent the birth and ministry of the child (Jesus), so he then focused his attack on the woman (the Church). According to Revelation, the dragon uses his ground staff, the antichrist and the false prophet, to execute this onslaught. The Steps of Understanding 1. Situation

In the previous lesson we saw how the beast out of the sea, the antichrist, is used against the church. In this section in Revelation, we see how the next animal, the beast out of the earth, is used against the Church.

The Steps of Understanding 2. Type of literature 1. Situation PROSE Narrative ProcedureExplanationInstruction POETRY in PsalmsProphets Wisdom Literature S.T.A.R.T. Apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic.

A Ch 1-3 Christ, and his battling church and suffering church on earth B Ch 4-7 Persecution and trials of the church C Ch 8-11 Unbelievers are warned and punished D Ch The Church is Victorious because of Christ’s Victory C’ Ch Unbelievers are judged B’ Ch Those who persecuted the church are judged A’ Ch Christ and his victorious church on the new earth and heaven

3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Look out for symbolism and contrasts 3.2 Mark the main themes 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver

Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site,

11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated” site,

15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666. Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated” site,

11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

The false prophet-religious arm that propagates the political power of the antichrist (16:13; 19:20).

Revelation 16: 13 Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (NIV)

11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. The false prophet-religious arm that propagates the political power of the antichrist (16:13; 19:20). Antichristian wisdom comes out of the earth

James 3: 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (NIV)

Philippians 3: 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. (NIV)

11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Reveals its true character. On the surface it looks gentle but from the inside it is evil. The false prophet-religious arm that propagates the political power of the antichrist (16:13; 19:20). Antichristian wisdom comes out of the earth

11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Reveals its true character. On the surface it looks gentle but from the inside it is evil. One of the Caesars who lost his power The false prophet-religious arm that propagates the political power of the antichrist (16:13; 19:20). Antichristian wisdom comes out of the earth

11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Reveals its true character. On the surface it looks gentle but from the inside it is evil. One of the Caesars who lost his power Another Caesar continued with the persecution The false prophet-religious arm that propagates the political power of the antichrist (16:13; 19:20). Antichristian wisdom comes out of the earth

11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Reveals its true character. On the surface it looks gentle but from the inside it is evil. One of the Caesars who lost his power Another Caesar continued with the persecution Reminds us of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 18:38) The false prophet-religious arm that propagates the political power of the antichrist (16:13; 19:20). Antichristian wisdom comes out of the earth

1 Kings 18: Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” (NIV)

11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Reveals its true character. On the surface it looks gentle but from the inside it is evil. One of the Caesars who lost his power Another Caesar continued with the persecution Reminds us of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 18:38) Most likely a reference to the statue of a Roman Caesar who had to be honored during John’s time. The false prophet-religious arm that propagates the political power of the antichrist (16:13; 19:20). Antichristian wisdom comes out of the earth

15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

This means that all people can therefore be identified: the servants of God are marked by a seal on their foreheads (7:2–3), and those who worship the beast also carry a mark.

15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666. This means that all people can therefore be identified: the servants of God are marked by a seal on their foreheads (7:2–3), and those who worship the beast also carry a mark. Their ability to work has been affected

15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666. This means that all people can therefore be identified: the servants of God are marked by a seal on their foreheads (7:2–3), and those who worship the beast also carry a mark. Their ability to work has been affected Their ability to think has been affected

15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666. This means that all people can therefore be identified: the servants of God are marked by a seal on their foreheads (7:2–3), and those who worship the beast also carry a mark. Their ability to work has been affected Their ability to think has been affected

6 6 6 Unfortunately, throughout the ages so much time and effort has been spent trying to establish who 666 is that the essence of what he does has been overlooked. We do not know for sure who 666 is— some people argue that it is the number of a person, while others believe it to be the number of the evil trio. In addition, if 7 is the number of perfection, and 777 is ultimate perfection, it would mean that 666 is symbolic of ultimate deficiency.

In ancient times, numerical values were assigned to the letters of the alphabet. Someone’s name could therefore be expressed in numerical form. It is interesting to note that the numerical value of Nero’s name in Aramaic (John’s mother tongue) was 666. The early Christians therefore associated Caesar Nero with 666, because he persecuted the Church terribly. During the Second World War, people associated 666 with Hitler.

It is interesting to note that if you give the first letter of the al- phabet (a) a numerical value of 100 and add one number for each consecutive letter (b=101, c=102, d=103, and so forth), the numerical value for Hitler would be 666. H= 107 I= 108 T= 119 L= 111 E= 104 R= 117 Total= 666

There is much to speculate about. Whichever way we want to apply the number, it remains a symbol of the supposed supremacy of evil in the world that seeks to destroy Christ’s work. The false prophet does this by means of his propaganda, which includes false ideologies and philosophies. If we consider the background of the Roman Empire during the time of John, we realize how false religions and anti-Christian governments worked together to persecute the Christians.

Throughout history, governments have used religion and ideologies to promote their ideals. In the twentieth century, communist countries were known for their propaganda that promoted the communist ideology. Today, governments continue to use religion and ideologies to promote their ideals. This can be very dangerous. The Church should never be an instrument in the hands of the state. For this reason, many people feel that the Church and the state should not be associated too closely.

15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666. This means that all people can therefore be identified: the servants of God are marked by a seal on their foreheads (7:2–3), and those who worship the beast also carry a mark. Their ability to work has been affected Their ability to think has been affected symbolic of ultimate deficiency.

11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

15 The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

3. Analyze the passage 3.1 Look out for symbolism and contrasts 3.2 Mark the main themes 3.3 Conclude and summarize the message to the original receiver Throughout history, governments have used religion and ideologies to promote their ideals. Today, governments continue to use religion and ideologies (false prophets), to promote their ideals. This can be very dangerous. The Church should never be an instrument in the hands of the state.

4. Relate the message to the broader Biblical and theological framework? 5. Test your findings STARTSTART 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. (2 Cor 11 – NIV) 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matthew 5- NIV) Throughout history, governments have used religion and ideologies to promote their ideals. Today, governments continue to use religion and ideologies (false prophets), to promote their ideals. This can be very dangerous. The Church should never be an instrument in the hands of the state. Message to the original receiver

Throughout history, governments have used religion and ideologies to promote their ideals. Today, governments continue to use religion and ideologies (false prophets), to promote their ideals. This can be very dangerous. The Church should never be an instrument in the hands of the state. A P P L I C A T I O N Essential = Moral Essential = Moral COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING 21 st Century Incidental = Cultural, Ceremonial & Civil Message to the original receiver

A P P L I C A T I O N 21 st Century The GPS COMMUNICATIONCOMMUNICATION Small Group Message to the original receiver UNDERSTANDINGUNDERSTANDING

Please answer the following questions. 1. What (do you think) does this passage proclaim?What (do you 2. What are the implications of this proclamation for us in the 21 st century? 3. “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool.” —Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968) Why do you agree or disagree with this statement? 4. How do you think today’s study will help you in your journey?