February 20, 2007
Y To receive the greatest possible blessing from this Bible study, please take a moment to read the passage.
€ Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, at times your words and symbolisms are hard for me to understand. Give me insight and wisdom to rightly divide Your word of truth. Prepare me to tell others about Your coming judgment and opportunity for acquittal through the blood of the Lamb. And make me wise to the deceptions of the enemy. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Y Introduction:
A few weeks ago, my husband and I went to a sportsman show to see a trophy buck which holds the world’s record for a typical buck according to Boone and Crockett.
After gawking at the exhibit of about two dozen trophy bucks, Gene whispered, “So where’s the Hansley trophy?” To which I replied, “Right over there silly,” and pointed to a full-body mount. I wondered how he could have missed it.
When we walked away, Gene laughed and said, “That was a reproduction.” He had seen the real rack on a TV hunting show. It was ahead mount. To those of us who didn’t know the difference, the one we were goggling over looked authentic and impressive. My husband explained that they sell the rights to have master craftsmen make molds of the antlers. Only a few are reproduced and then the molds are destroyed. Disillusioned, I walked away feeling rather silly about being in awe of a fake.
We live in a world full of reproductions, duplications, and facsimiles. From art to vitamins, humanity has recreated everything in a generic form. We surround ourselves with silk flowers, drink artificially flavored beverages, and imagine ourselves to be gods because of our accomplishments.
In spite of our achievements, we are not capable of duplicating God’s salvation plan. However, Satan will duplicate the Holy Trinity deceiving many in the last days.
€ The Lesson:
In chapter thirteen, John reveals Satan’s unholy trinity. Verses one through eleven reveal the beast, known as the antichrist. Verses twelve through seventeen reveal a second beast referred to as the false prophet. Of course, Satan himself represents the head of his trinity and gives his power to the other two; thus duplicating the Holy Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In this outline, we will reflect on the first and second beasts who duplicate the second and third persons of the Holy Trinity.
Verses 1-10: the beast coming out of the sea— here the sea indicates the mass of people not the ocean.
W Seven heads with ten horns and ten crowns denotes political and religious rule. Although people have fought to separate church and state for centuries, it virtually cannot be done. Government is ruled by people. People are governed by their beliefs. Thereby rendering the separation of the two impossible
W The beast resembled a leopard, had feet like a bear, and a mouth like a lion indicating the fierceness, strength, and swiftness of its rule. This beast bares a striking resemblance to the four beasts described in Daniel 7.
W Satan being the first person in his trinity, this beast represents the second and duplicates Jesus Christ in that he
± Receives his power from Satan (the dragon)—Jesus received his power from God—“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19 NIV).
± Receives a fatal wound and is healed—Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead—“This man [Jesus} was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him (Acts 2:23 & 24 NIV).
± Claims to be God (this is the blaspheme he utters)—Jesus claimed to be God—“I and my Father are one” (John 10:30 NIV).
± Sits on the throne in the temple to be worshipped as though he were God—Jesus sits on the throne of at the right side of God—We do have such a high priest [Jesus], who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man (Hebrews 8:1 NIV).
± Is given authority over all the kingdoms of the earth—Jesus is given authority over all the nations of the earth—Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18 NIV).
± Is permitted to exhibit his authority for 3 ½ -years—Jesus’ ministry lasted approximately 3 ½ years
± Will be worshipped along with the dragon (Satan)—God the Father and the Son are worshipped—see Revelation chapter 4.
Verses 11-18: the second beast comes out of the earth
W resembles a lamb but speaks like a dragon
W the false prophet or the third person of Satan’s trinity duplicates the Holy Spirit in that he
± Exercises all authority of the first beast on his behalf—the Holy Spirit is given all authority—But, when he, the spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come (John 16:13 NIV).
± Will make the earth’s inhabitants worship the first beast—the Holy Spirit guides into worship of Jesus Christ through his teachings—But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:26 NIV).
± Has power to do wonders, signs, and miracles—the Holy Spirit has power to do wonders, signs, and miracles—Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ (Romans 15:19)
± Will place his mark in the heads or in the hands of his worshippers—the Holy Spirit marks the true believer-- And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). Also see Revelation 7:3.
Note: the potential of the mark of the beast is now available with modern technology. The microchip makes it possible for all of our records—financial, medical, personal—to be inserted in the hand or forehead. With the trend toward world government and a cashless society, the possibility is even more threatening that the time is coming when it will be impossible to buy, sell, or trade without this handy device.
In Scripture, the mark is in the forehead, which represents the place of logic and will; and in the right hand, which denotes activity. People will not receive the mark of the beast inadvertently. They will knowingly pledge their allegiance to the beast and willing serve him.
Read carefully verse 8: All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. This reassures us that it will not take anyone unaware. Everyone will have the knowledge and understand the consequences. Unfortunately, most will cling to their temporal wealth.
Y Conclusion and Challenge:
Chapter thirteen of Revelation reassures us that Satan’s power is limited. He will only deceive those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. We can rest assured that our names are written in that book only if we repent and receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord according to Scripture. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4: 12 NIV).
Although other religions claim their founders will turn from the dead, only Jesus Christ conquered death and has the power to return as promised. How can we be sure? We have the first-hand testimony of His apostles, over 500 witnesses to His appearances after His resurrection, and the written confirmation of people such as Josephus, who were not believers, but historians recording the facts as they occurred.
If you were about to spread a lie, would you do it in a city where everyone within a fifty-mile radius witnessed the truth? Would you risk your life for a known lie? Would you pledge allegiance to a dead messiah? Of course, not. No one would, including the Jesus’ disciples. The night Jesus was arrested, these men hid in fear. Out of 12 men, least one of them would’ve cracked when faced with persecution. Yet, each one of them withstood torture, humiliation, and imprisonment; and all but one died a horrendous death at the hands of the enemy. Their crime—proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thomas said he would not believe unless he saw the risen Christ with his own eyes and placed his hand in His pierced side. Yet, he died by the sword for professing Jesus Christ as the living Son of God in India. Again, no one dies for a known lie.
Paul and Peter spoke boldly in the face of the same people who crucified Jesus. These men watched Him hang on the cross until dead, yet, did not accuse the apostles of lying nor could they produce a body to as proof of a false proclamation. The evidence of the Truth is phenomenal. We can be certain that we serve the risen Savior—the Lamb of God.
€ Prayer Requests:
Chapman family, Heintzelman family, Showers family, Rachel, Nancy, Gloria, Glen, Trista, Pastor Maloney, Amber, Shirley & Ryan, Gary, Jo, Barb, Bob, Melinda & Barry and family, Phyllis and husband, Don, John, Ray, Conner, Elizabeth, Mary, Irene, salvation for unsaved, April, Tony and Kathy, Carl and Thelma, Ann, Pauline, revival—In our hearts, in our churches, and in our communities, cancer victims, our Bible Study, special unspoken needs, and remember me, Brenda Hendricks.
Y Praise Report:
Wayne and April are expecting their first baby April 2007. Congratulations.
Shirley’s surgery went well and the doctors believe they got all the cancer cells.
Jace came through his surgery with positive results again.
Ruth is mending from her surgery and everything looks good for her.
I had the great pleasure of hearing the testimony of one of my loved ones who is now saved. WOO HOO!! God is so good—always, all ways.
We are looking forward to your praise reports. Please keep us informed so we can share the wonderful grace of Jesus.
€ Next Weeks Study:
Our next Bible Study is February 27, 2007. Read Chapter 14, The Fall of Babylon.
Y Invitation:
Although we have not chosen to be, we are all born into sin because of the fall of man. It sounds hopeless and unfair. Nevertheless, in His infinite wisdom and abundant love, God has provided a choice for us. We can choose to repent of our sinful nature and believe in Jesus Christ. He is faithful and will cleanse us from sin and give us His Holy Spirit to equip us to live for Him. If you’ve made your choice to repent and believe in Jesus, we’d like to hear about it.
If you are free in Christ Jesus, pray for those who remain captive. Tell others, Christians as well as non-believers, what Jesus has done for you. Your testimony will benefit them and help you to strengthen your confidence in Christ’s work in your life and in the future.
If you’d like to participate in our Bible Study, please contact us with your comments, questions, and prayer requests at twosmallfish@verizon.net. Be sure to put today’s Bible study in the subject line or I may delete it unopened.
€ A special reminder: to find out what other readers have to say check out the comment page. To view the previous chapters of our study on the book of Revelation, follow this link: http://www.twosmallfish.org/revelation_bible_study.htm
€ To view our previous Bible studies, follow this link: http://www.twosmallfish.org/Archives/index.html
May God grant you safety, reassurance of His love, and the revelation of Jesus Christ,
See you in a twinkling,
Y Brenda Hendricks.
You turned
my mourning into dancing
You stripped me of my sorrow and clothed me with your joy
I cannot be silent, I will sing Your praises forever. Psalms 30:11&12
(paraphrased by me)
