The beast from the sea Revelation 13v1-10 part 5/
How does he operate? His activities
His activities can be summed up in three ways:
- Blasphemy against God
- Deception of men
- War against the saints
Blasphemy against God.
Why would God allow such things on the earth? It is because He is completely righteous and will demonstrate to the world the true nature of sin as seen in this "man of sin." God judges sin, but only when it has reached its full proportions. He allows it to come to its worst, and this is illustrated throughout the scriptures.
- Genesis 6v11 - before He brought the flood on the earth it was said "the earth was filled with violence."
- Genesis 15v16 - He would leave the nation of Israel in Egypt for four generations. "For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full."
- 2nd Thessalonians 1v16 - "Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost."
- Revelation 18v6 - Referring to Babylon "for her sins have reached unto heaven and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled, fill to her double."
Blasphemy is verbal abuse against God. This can be done by demoting God to a human or lesser level. It can be done by outright challenge to God's authority, or imitating God, or mocking Him. It comes down to exaggerating our own powers and belittling God's. In verse 1 all the empires from which this final empire comes had "on their heads the name of blasphemy." Verse 5 says "there was given him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies." Verse 6 says "he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven." In Daniel 7v25 it says "he shall speak great words against the most high." In that day there will be a very public abuse of God.
Deception of men.
Verse 3 he creates wonder by means of miracles.
Verse 7 "power was given unto him over all kindreds and tongues and nations."
Verse 14 "He deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had the power to do." Modern man is unwilling to accept that they are being deceived by unseen forces, yet it is a biblical fact and Satan has "blinded the minds of them that believe not." This deception will become worldwide in a day to come. 2nd Thessalonians 2v7 says concerning those who did not receive the truth that they might be saved "for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe the lie; that they all might be dammed who believed not the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness." God deceives no one but He will use lying spirits more powerful than any human being to deceive because of their rejection of Him. The man the world will accept is a liar and is bringing people down.
War against the saints.
Here is a clear indication that the church is no longer on earth; in Matthew 16v18 Jesus said "I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." What is said here is that this man through this system will make war with the saints and overcome them. These are the saints of the period after the church age and God will allow this evil man his way with his people. It will be truly "the time of Jacob's trouble." In Daniel 7v25 it says "he shall wear out the saints;" this suggests a constant persecution and hounding of the people of God. There will be no public gatherings in that day. Daniel 8v24 says "and his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power, and he shall destroy wonderfully and prosper and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people."
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