2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. S.T.A.R.T. Revelation is a pastoral book in symbolic form that encourages Christians throughout the ages. Christians need encouragement, because the evil trio are still busy with their evil deeds. As we saw in the 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). The Steps of Understanding 1. Situation

6. According to Revelation, the dragon uses his ground staff to execute this onslaught. This brings us to the other two members of the evil trio, namely the beast out of the sea (Rev. 13:1–10) followed by a beast out of the earth (Rev. 13:11–18). In this section, we will see how the beast from the sea, the antichrist, is still at work today.

7. 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.

8. 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 12-14 The Church is Victorious because of Christ’s Victory C’ Ch 15-16 Unbelievers are judged B’ Ch 17-19 Those who persecuted the church are judged A’ Ch 20-22 Christ and his victorious church on the new earth and heaven

9. 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

10. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

11. 5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

12. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 10 “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people. (NIV)

13. Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site, http://revelationillustrated.com.http://revelationillustrated.com

14. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated” site, http://revelationillustrated.com.http://revelationillustrated.com

15. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” satan Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated” site, http://revelationillustrated.com.http://revelationillustrated.com

16. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” satan symbolic dwelling place of evil. Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated” site, http://revelationillustrated.com.http://revelationillustrated.com

17. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” satan symbolic dwelling place of evil. Art used by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992. To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated” site, http://revelationillustrated.com.http://revelationillustrated.com

18. This was a strange animal with 10 horns and 7 heads. The book of Daniel can help us to understand these symbols. Daniel saw 4 animals: a lion, a bear, a leopard and a monster. The fourth animal, the monster, had 10 horns (Dan 7:19). The animal that John saw is a combination of the four animals Daniel saw in his visions (Dan. 7).

19. In the book of Daniel, the four animals were symbolic of four cruel world powers. The animal John saw personified the Roman Empire, which during John’s time was persecuting the Church cruelly. This animal is therefore the antichrist.

20. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” satan symbolic dwelling place of evil. The antichrist - personified by the Roman Empire

21. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” satan symbolic dwelling place of evil. The antichrist - personified by the Roman Empire Great power: Dan 7:7

22. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” satan symbolic dwelling place of evil. The antichrist - personified by the Roman Empire Great power: Dan 7:7 Supposed perfect ability to lay plans

23. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” satan symbolic dwelling place of evil. The antichrist - personified by the Roman Empire Great power: Dan 7:7 Supposed perfect ability to lay plans Indicates supposed royal authority

24. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” satan symbolic dwelling place of evil. The antichrist - personified by the Roman Empire Great power: Dan 7:7 Supposed perfect ability to lay plans Indicates supposed royal authority Godly titles

25. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” satan symbolic dwelling place of evil. The antichrist - personified by the Roman Empire Great power: Dan 7:7 Supposed perfect ability to lay plans Indicates supposed royal authority Godly titles One of the Caesars who lost his power

26. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” satan symbolic dwelling place of evil. The antichrist - personified by the Roman Empire Great power: Dan 7:7 Supposed perfect ability to lay plans Indicates supposed royal authority Godly titles One of the Caesars who lost his power Another Caesar continued with the persecution

27. 5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.

28. 5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. Emphasizing the subordinate role of the beast

29. 5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. The time between the first and second coming of Jesus (11:2, 3; 12:6; 12:14; 13:5) Emphasizing the subordinate role of the beast

30. 1,260 days / 42 months The woman (the Church) flees to the desert, where she will suffer for 1,260 days. This period of time probably refers to the ±3½ years (1,260 days) during which Antiochus IV Epiphanes cruelly persecuted the Jews (Dan 7:25; 12:7). According to Daniel 7:25 and 12:7, Antiochus IV Epiphanes would reign only for “a time [12 months] and times [24 months] and half a time [6 months].” This gives us 3½ years, which consists of 1,260 days.

31. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 10 “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people. (NIV)

32. Perhaps it is necessary to say something more about the antichrist at this stage. (You are welcome to disagree!) After a thorough study of the sections in the Bible that deal with the antichrist, I believe that we can draw several conclusions about this entity.

33. First, the antichrist takes on different forms in different prophecies. According to Paul, the antichrist was an individual who had not yet arrived in his day.

34. According to John’s letters, the antichrist is a group of people who advocate a dangerous heresy which originates in the Church. John saw the antichrist as a reality in his time, not as something in the distant future. (It is wise to read what John had to say on this in 1 John 2:18–23, 1 John 4:1–3 and 2 John 7.)

35. According to Revelation 13, the antichrist was a government (the Roman authority) that persecuted the Church forcefully from A.D. 63. Thus, we can say that the antichrist is mainly opposed to Christ and His ministry and that he should therefore be regarded as the false messiah of Satan.

36. Second, the antichrist imitates Jesus. The 10 crowns symbolize the false messiah’s supposed royal authority. The blasphemous names on his heads allude to the claims the false messiahs/Roman Caesars made to enable them to use godly titles. In the same way that the Lamb of God was slaughtered, the animal has scars on his head (v. 3).

37. However, his deadly wound had healed. This might refer to one of the Caesars, who persecuted the church and then lost his power. The wound had healed when another Caesar continued to persecute the Church. People follow the antichrist and worship him because they are deeply impressed by his power and his wondrous scars (vv. 3–4). He rules the world and deceives people.

38. To Conclude The antichrist takes on different forms. Individual (Paul) Group (John’s letters) Government (Revelation 13) The antichrist imitates Jesus. 10 crowns blasphemous names wound

39. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

40. 1 The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. 4 People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” A The beast B People worshipped the dragon and the beast

41. 5 The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7 It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. A The beast People worshipped the dragon and the beast B

42. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 10 “If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed.” This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people. (NIV) Christians must accept also the difficulties of being a Christian. Christianity must never be defended with force. C D A Christian’s weapon is endurance and faithfulness.

43. 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 Even today, Satan uses anti-Christian authorities to oppress the Church. However, the encouraging news is that this onslaught will only last for a short period of time! To be a Christian is not always easy but a Christian should never repay anyone evil for evil. God’s people must have faith and not give up.

44. 4. Relate the message to the broader Biblical and theological framework? 5. Test your findings STARTSTART 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. (Romans 12 – NIV) 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (1 Thessalonians 5 - NIV) Even today, Satan uses anti-Christian authorities to oppress the Church. However, the encouraging news is that this onslaught will only last for a short period of time! To be a Christian is not always easy but a Christian should never repay anyone evil for evil. God’s people must have faith and not give up. Message to the original receiver

45. Even today, Satan uses anti-Christian authorities to oppress the Church. However, the encouraging news is that this onslaught will only last for a short period of time! To be a Christian is not always easy but a Christian should never repay anyone evil for evil. God’s people must have faith and not give up. 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

46. 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

47. 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. How do you think today’s study will help you in your journey?