The Beast out of the Earth and the Victorious Followers of the Lamb Revelation 13:11 – 14:5

Outline of Revelation Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll (4:1 – 8:1) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets (8:2 – 11:19) Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls (12:1 – 18:24) Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20) Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20) The woman, the male-child, and the dragon (12:1-17) The woman, the male-child, and the dragon (12:1-17) The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth (13:1-18) The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth (13:1-18) The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5) The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5)

The Beast out of the Earth (13:11-18) The character of the beast (13:11) The character of the beast (13:11) A second beast ascends from the earth and plays a supporting role to the beast from the sea. This supporting role is of a religious nature, as his title of “false prophet” later in the book (16:13; 19:20; 20:10) indicates. A second beast ascends from the earth and plays a supporting role to the beast from the sea. This supporting role is of a religious nature, as his title of “false prophet” later in the book (16:13; 19:20; 20:10) indicates. In fact, all of chapter 13 is a counterfeit of the Christian era. There is a counterfeit trinity (dragon, false Christ, and false prophet), a death and resurrection, and a universal church with its special mark of membership. In fact, all of chapter 13 is a counterfeit of the Christian era. There is a counterfeit trinity (dragon, false Christ, and false prophet), a death and resurrection, and a universal church with its special mark of membership. The false prophet has only two horns, indicating that he has less power than the first beast. The false prophet has only two horns, indicating that he has less power than the first beast. His comparison to a lamb indicates that his manner is more gentle. He does not speak with the fierceness of the first beast, but his words are still satanic (like the dragon’s). His comparison to a lamb indicates that his manner is more gentle. He does not speak with the fierceness of the first beast, but his words are still satanic (like the dragon’s). As the true Holy Spirit points people towards the true Christ, this false prophet points people towards the false Christ. As the true Holy Spirit points people towards the true Christ, this false prophet points people towards the false Christ.

The Beast out of the Earth (13:11-18) The activities of the beast (13:12-17) The activities of the beast (13:12-17) He fully supports the work of the first beast; there is an intimate relationship between the two. He fully supports the work of the first beast; there is an intimate relationship between the two. He seeks to have the whole world worship the first beast on the basis of the first beast’s recovery from his fatal wound. He seeks to have the whole world worship the first beast on the basis of the first beast’s recovery from his fatal wound. He performs signs to verify his claims as a prophet. He performs signs to verify his claims as a prophet. These will be so impressive that they will almost deceive even the elect (Matt 24:24). These will be so impressive that they will almost deceive even the elect (Matt 24:24). He will command those that dwell upon the earth to make an image to the first beast, which will serve as an object of worship for the earth-dwellers. He will command those that dwell upon the earth to make an image to the first beast, which will serve as an object of worship for the earth-dwellers. By divine permission, the second beast is even able to give life to the image of the first beast. By divine permission, the second beast is even able to give life to the image of the first beast. The image of the beast will not only be able to speak but will also be able to destroy all those that do not worship the image. The image of the beast will not only be able to speak but will also be able to destroy all those that do not worship the image.

The Beast out of the Earth (13:11-18) The activities of the beast (13:12-17) The activities of the beast (13:12-17) The second beast also requires that every person receive a visible mark of loyalty to the first beast and to his worship, on either the right hand or the forehead. The second beast also requires that every person receive a visible mark of loyalty to the first beast and to his worship, on either the right hand or the forehead. The mark will probably be a branding or tattoo, similar to that given to soldiers, slaves, and temple devotees in John’s day. The mark will probably be a branding or tattoo, similar to that given to soldiers, slaves, and temple devotees in John’s day. To ensure that all receive this mark, it will be impossible to obtain even the necessities of life if one does not have it. To ensure that all receive this mark, it will be impossible to obtain even the necessities of life if one does not have it. The mark consists of a name which is also a number. The mark consists of a name which is also a number.

The Beast out of the Earth (13:11-18) The number of the beast (13:18) The number of the beast (13:18) Verse 18 says that the one who has wisdom can compute the number of the first beast. Verse 18 says that the one who has wisdom can compute the number of the first beast. “Wisdom” here pertains to a special intelligence given to believers who live during this future period, so that they will be able to unravel the mystery of the number. “Wisdom” here pertains to a special intelligence given to believers who live during this future period, so that they will be able to unravel the mystery of the number. It will probably include the use of gematria or something like it. Gematria is the practice of assigning numbers to an alphabet and then calculating a number from the letters of a name. It will probably include the use of gematria or something like it. Gematria is the practice of assigning numbers to an alphabet and then calculating a number from the letters of a name. Example: Christ’s genealogy in Matthew 1. Example: Christ’s genealogy in Matthew 1.

The Value of David’s Name a = 1 a = 1 b = 2 b = 2 g = 3 g = 3 d = 4 d = 4 h = 5 h = 5 w = 6 w = 6 d w d = 14

The Beast out of the Earth (13:11-18) The number of the beast (13:18) The number of the beast (13:18) Verse 18 says that the one who has wisdom can compute the number of the first beast. Verse 18 says that the one who has wisdom can compute the number of the first beast. “Wisdom” here pertains to a special intelligence given to believers who live during this future period, so that they will be able to unravel the mystery of the number. “Wisdom” here pertains to a special intelligence given to believers who live during this future period, so that they will be able to unravel the mystery of the number. It will probably include the use of gematria or something like it. Gematria is the practice of assigning numbers to an alphabet and then calculating a number from the letters of a name. It will probably include the use of gematria or something like it. Gematria is the practice of assigning numbers to an alphabet and then calculating a number from the letters of a name. Example: Christ’s genealogy in Matthew 1. Example: Christ’s genealogy in Matthew 1. The false Christ’s number will be 666. The false Christ’s number will be 666.

Overview of Revelation 14 The whole of chapter 14 is proleptic, i.e., the scenes are described from the vantage point of a future point in time. The whole of chapter 14 is proleptic, i.e., the scenes are described from the vantage point of a future point in time. The first 5 verses feature the Lamb and His follower’s victory over the beast. The first 5 verses feature the Lamb and His follower’s victory over the beast. The rest of the chapter furnishes an outline of both the catastrophes and the bliss that will be treated chronologically and in more detail in 16:17-22:5. The rest of the chapter furnishes an outline of both the catastrophes and the bliss that will be treated chronologically and in more detail in 16:17-22:5. Thus chapter 14 provides an important word of encouragement for the faithful by describing the ultimate triumph for those who refuse the mark of the beast and the doom of those who do receive it. Thus chapter 14 provides an important word of encouragement for the faithful by describing the ultimate triumph for those who refuse the mark of the beast and the doom of those who do receive it.

The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5) The figure of Christ as a Lamb represents not only His meekness and sacrificial death, but also His resurrection and ultimate victory, for it is through His shed blood that such a victory comes. The figure of Christ as a Lamb represents not only His meekness and sacrificial death, but also His resurrection and ultimate victory, for it is through His shed blood that such a victory comes. The 144,000, earlier sealed and protected from the wrath of God and now resurrected after being slain by the beast, stand victoriously with Christ after He has returned to the earth as a warrior-king and reigns during the millennial kingdom. The 144,000, earlier sealed and protected from the wrath of God and now resurrected after being slain by the beast, stand victoriously with Christ after He has returned to the earth as a warrior-king and reigns during the millennial kingdom. Mount Zion is the site of the temple in Jerusalem. Mount Zion is the site of the temple in Jerusalem.

The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5) After seeing the 144,000 standing with Christ on Mount Zion, John heard a loud voice from heaven singing a new and beautiful song, like harpists playing on their harps. After seeing the 144,000 standing with Christ on Mount Zion, John heard a loud voice from heaven singing a new and beautiful song, like harpists playing on their harps. Though not explicitly identified, the singers here are probably a large angelic multitude (as at 5:11 and 7:11) who sing before the throne of God. Though not explicitly identified, the singers here are probably a large angelic multitude (as at 5:11 and 7:11) who sing before the throne of God. Note the elders and four living creatures are part of the audience. Note the elders and four living creatures are part of the audience.

The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5) No one could learn this new song except the victorious 144,000, who had been purchased from the earth. No one could learn this new song except the victorious 144,000, who had been purchased from the earth. In the OT, the “new song” was typically one of praise to God for new mercies (cf. Pss. 33:2,3; 40:2,3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isa 42:10). In the OT, the “new song” was typically one of praise to God for new mercies (cf. Pss. 33:2,3; 40:2,3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isa 42:10). This song also resembles the one sung by the Israelites when they were delivered from Egypt (Exo 15:1-18). Such a song celebrates the mighty acts of God. This song also resembles the one sung by the Israelites when they were delivered from Egypt (Exo 15:1-18). Such a song celebrates the mighty acts of God. Here in Revelation 14 the song is in celebration of the new age about to come, a song of victory based on the sacrificial death of the Lamb. Here in Revelation 14 the song is in celebration of the new age about to come, a song of victory based on the sacrificial death of the Lamb.

The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5) Several characteristics distinguish this group: Several characteristics distinguish this group: They are men only, and they have had no sexual intercourse with women. They are men only, and they have had no sexual intercourse with women. They are followers of the Lamb wherever He goes, having been loyal to Him even unto to death. They are followers of the Lamb wherever He goes, having been loyal to Him even unto to death. They are “firstfruits” to God and to the Lamb. They are “firstfruits” to God and to the Lamb. While this Greek term () sometimes means the first of a larger group to follow, it also frequently conveys the idea of a special, one-time contribution to God, without a larger group to follow. While this Greek term ( avparch. ) sometimes means the first of a larger group to follow, it also frequently conveys the idea of a special, one-time contribution to God, without a larger group to follow. These men are also distinguished by their truthfulness, particularly in a time when lies and false worship dominate like never before. These men are also distinguished by their truthfulness, particularly in a time when lies and false worship dominate like never before. Like the OT sacrifices, they are “blameless”, without flaw and therefore fit to be offered to God. Like the OT sacrifices, they are “blameless”, without flaw and therefore fit to be offered to God.

Next Week: Four Climactic Announcements and the Harvest and the Vintage (Rev 14:6-20) Read Rev