One of the crucial issues of faith during the Tribulation Period will be: who is stronger, Satan or our Lord. For us today, this is not much of a question. Of course, the Lord is stronger; He is God, while Satan is only a created being. However, for those living in these very dark days of the Tribulation, it will appear as if Satan is stronger. He blasphemes the name of God, he claims to be divine, and God does nothing. He attacks and almost wipes out all believers on the earth, and God seems to be powerless to stop it. In these days, it will take an act of faith to hold that the Lord will prevail. The enemy may seem to be omnipotent and invincible, but, as we are emphatically told, he can only do and act as God allows him.
Beginning in chapter 12, John sees several signs. Because we are told that these are signs or symbols, we are not to take them literally; that is to say, we are not to understand that a literal dragon appears on the scene. This is a picture or visual aid that will help John, and we who read what he has written, to understand events that took place and events which will take place. The dragon represents Satan, and the woman represents believing Israel, particularly the 144,000 elected by God and protected by Him during these days. This use of these visual aids continues in chapter 13 and following where John is shown the human instruments through whom Satan works during these days, namely, the beast out of the sea or the Antichrist and the beast from the earth or the False Prophet. The text is:
Revelation 13:1-14:5
| 13:1 | And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. |
| 13:2 | And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. |
| 13:3 | I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; |
| 13:4 | they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” |
| 13:5 | There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. |
| 13:6 | And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. |
| 13:7 | It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. |
| 13:8 | All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain |
| 13:9 | If anyone has an ear, let him hear. |
| 13:10 | If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. |
| 13:11 | Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. |
| 13:12 | He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. |
| 13:13 | He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men |
| 13:14 | And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life. |
| 13:15 | And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed |
| 13:16 | And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, |
| 13:17 | and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. |
| 13:18 | Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. |
| 14:1 | Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. |
| 14:2 | And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. |
| 14:3 | And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one could learn the song except the one hundred and forty-four thousand who had been purchased from the earth |
| 14:4 | These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb |
| 14:5 | And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless. |
Chapter 13 divides into two parts, the first part dealing with the beast out of the sea or the Antichrist, the second part with the beast out of the earth or the False Prophet. In each part, the Spirit of God describes the person, tells what the person is allowed to do and then gives a warning or exhortation to the believers in light of this information. Then in chapter 14:1-4, in contrast to the false kingdom of the Dragon, John sees the true kingdom of the Lamb.
The Beast Out Of The Sea
There is a difference between the KJV and most other modern versions at the beginning of this chapter. The King James version reads, “And I stood upon the sands of the sea…” while the NASV states, “And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore.” The difference lies in which ancient manuscripts one follows. Following the better manuscript evidence, it is preferable to understand that John has not been conveyed back to the earth at this point but is still seeing these signs that began in chapter 12. The Dragon or Satan has been thrown out of heaven and confined to the earth. It is the Dragon that is standing on the seashore. As John looks on, a beast rises up out of the sea and comes ashore. This beast is described similarly to the dragon in that it has seven heads and ten horns. While the dragon represents Satan, this beast out of the sea represents the human agency through which Satan works in these last days.
Scripture tells us quite a bit about this man, the Antichrist. In the Old Testament, Daniel chapters 5 through 12 deal extensively with this man. Also, in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12, Paul describes this person.
John describes this beast in verses 1-4. This beast comes out of the sea while the second beast comes out of the land. Following other Old Testament imagery, the sea likely represents the fact that this man is Gentile rather than Jewish. On the other hand, the second beast, coming out of the land, is probably Jewish.
This beast, as with the Dragon, has seven heads and ten horns; on the horns were ten crowns and on the heads were blasphemous names. The heads, explained later in chapter 17, represent rulers of seven nations to whom at one time were or will be given authority over all the earth. Each of these international powers was a power that denied the One on the throne, worshipped other gods and thus had a blasphemous name. This man, then, is a member of this group of world potentates. The ten horns and crowns represent ten nations and their rulers who give their allegiance to this man during the Tribulation Period.
The beast is pictured as a combination of a leopard, a bear and a lion. Why did the Spirit of God choose these predators as symbols for this man and his kingdom? Perhaps because they were the symbols used by God in speaking to Daniel in chapter 7 of his book about the kingdoms which would arise and rule, the lion representing Babylon, the bear, Media-Persia and the leopard, Greece; or perhaps He chose them because they in some way represent the national powers of the day in which this man will live. The answer must await further revelation.
The next statement reveals for us the source of this man’s power. The text states, “the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.” If ever a person sold his soul to Satan, this man did. Satan personally works through this man, perhaps even possessing him. This man’s power is Satanic, and through Satan, he controls the world.
Verse 3 indicates that at some point, perhaps before Satan is cast out of heaven or just after it, an assassination attempt is made on this man. From verse 12, we understand that the attack was with a sword and that the wound should have been fatal. But it is healed miraculously, and the world is carried away in amazement at this miracle. As a result, they follow this man. Because this man ascribes his power to the Dragon, the world then worships both the Dragon and this man because they are convinced this man is unbeatable.
Following the description of this man in verses 1-4, we are told what God allowed this man to do. Even though Satan has given this man his power, throne and great authority, this man, the antichrist, can do nothing unless God allows it. While he may believe he is ruling, doing all the things he does by the power that he gains from the Dragon, the Spirit of God makes it very clear he can only do what it is given to him to do. Three times in verses 5-8, it states that it “was given to him.”
First, it is stated that it was given to him “a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months.” This man boasts. He boasts that the real power in the universe is Satan; he sets himself up above God and God’s anointed one. He does so for 42 months or 3 1/2 years, the last 3 1/2 years of the Tribulation. God allows him to boast and have authority, but for a limited time. Second, it was “given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.” He is allowed to attack the saints, with the exception of the 144,000 who are protected by God. He is allowed by God to overcome them. Third, it is stated, “authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.”
Moreover, the entire world, everyone except the elect of God, will worship him. God allows him this authority and this worship. Now while it will certainly appear that this man is invincible, that he has all but defeated those who believe in the one true God, this is simply an appearance; it does not represent the true state of affairs. God has allowed him to achieve this.
Because God has allowed this man to have this authority and power, an exhortation is given to the saints, those who believe that the true king, the Messiah, will return. It begins with the familiar statement, “If anyone has an ear, let him hear.” If one has the spiritual capacity to hear and understand what God says, then heed this! The message is this: “If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.” This means that if a person is destined for captivity, he will go into captivity. God has already decreed that this man will have power over the saints. Resisting him will be futile. If a person resists with violence, that one will only meet a violent end! This will be the test of the perseverance and the faith of those that truly believe. The enemy may seem invincible, but he can only do and act as God allows him.
The Beast Out Of The Land
Next, John sees another visual aid. Another beast appears. This one comes up out of the land. If the sea represents the Gentile nations, the land represents Israel. This man, it seems, will be Jewish. He has two horns like a lamb, but he speaks as a dragon. While this man appears to be like a lamb in imitation of our Lord, he, in reality, speaks for Satan the Dragon. Satan is imitating the work of God. He has a false Messiah, and just as God sent two spokesmen, two prophets to witness to the world, so Satan has his false prophet, this spokesman for himself.
While he is in the presence of the Antichrist, he exercises all the authority Satan has given this man over the earth. It is his task to cause all on earth to worship the Antichrist who was miraculously healed from the fatal wound he had received. Just as the two prophets could call down fire from heaven to consume those that attacked them, so also this man is empowered to call down fire from heaven before the eyes of the public. Because of this miraculous ability and probably others as well, he is able to deceive the population of the world.
John describes one miracle in particular. This false prophet calls on the public to make a statue of the Antichrist. Once made, He is allowed by God to give it a semblance of life in that it could speak. He then causes all on the earth to worship this statue under the penalty of death.
Just as God providentially marked the 144,000 in a particular way, indicating they were his, so also Satan imitates God in this. This false prophet causes everyone on earth to receive an identifying mark either on the right hand or on the forehead. This identifying mark is either a generic identification, being the name of the Antichrist, or it is an exclusive identifying number of the individual himself, much like a social security number used today. If one does not have this identification, he will not be allowed to buy or sell. Today we know that such identification may not necessarily be a visible tag; it might be one that can be seen only under certain conditions, such as with ultraviolet light or with a computer scanner. But however it is done, it provides a means of control over the world’s population.
The Spirit of God then concludes this section on the False Prophet with a warning as He did the section dealing with the Antichrist. We are told, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.” The number of the beast, his personal identification number is six hundred sixty-six. There have been volumes written on the significance of this number. Is it a code? Does it represent a personal name? What is the numerological significance? The short of the matter is that we do not know at this point. We do not even know what number base is used, decimal (666), hexadecimal (29A) or some other. Believers in this day will have a much clearer picture and much more information than we do today.
The Lamb with The 144,000
John, in the first five verses of chapter 14, sees another sign or symbol. He sees the Lamb, our Savior, standing on Mount Zion, that is, in Jerusalem along with the 144,000 who have His name and the name of God the Father written on their forehead. This is in direct contrast to what John has just seen with the False Prophet. This, too, is part of the signs or symbolic presentations that John is viewing, which began in chapter 12. We are not to understand that Jesus Christ is on the earth in Jerusalem at this time with the 144,000. In fact, we know they are hidden away from the Antichrist and the False Prophet in a special place they cannot find. This probably is not on Mount Zion! Why then are they pictured here? Our Lord wants us today and believers in this day to realize that although the enemy’s kingdom may appear to be so strong as to be almost invincible, the only power he has is what God has allowed him to have. The outward picture is deceiving! The enemy is not really in control. Here is a picture of the true kingdom. Our Lord will come to Jerusalem as King! The Lamb will defeat the Dragon; it is assured. When our Lord comes to Mount Zion as king, those that follow Him will be with Him, the 144,000.
Then John hears music, a voice or a choir with accompaniment. A new song is sung before the throne and those present. This is a special song for only the 144,000 are able to learn and sing it. This is their song.
They, John tells us, are not defiled by sexual impurity, for they are chaste. They follow the Lamb wherever He leads them. They have been purchased from among men as the first fruits to God and the Lamb. They are the first fruits of the Kingdom. Many will be added to the Kingdom, and it will grow, but these are the first citizens of that earthly realm. They are blameless, and no lie is found in their mouth. Just as we have been redeemed by the blood of our Savior, so they too are redeemed. Just as we stand blameless before Him in His righteousness, not our own, so they too stand in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, their Lord. These are the citizens of the true and lasting kingdom, not those who have bowed in worship to the man Satan has put on the throne and have received His identifying mark. While Satan and his chosen instruments may look like they are in control, they, as the saying goes, have been given a little rope to run with. The noose will soon be drawn tight!
We do not live in those days yet. However, even in our day, it often appears that those who deny the faith and our Lord are the ones in control and in power. It often seems as if they can act with impunity, that crime often does pay, that being obedient to our Lord will not get one very far in life. It will be much more intense in the years of the Tribulation. It will seem as if the enemy is invincible. Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 10: “Then that lawless one will be revealed … that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish…” But he also tells us that this Lawless One, the Antichrist “the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming.”
The Lord will win. That is certain. One can count on it. Any picture to the contrary, no matter how convincing it might be, is deceiving! While the enemy may seem to be invincible, he can only do and act as God allows him in that day as well as ours.
