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Showing posts from September, 2020

Beast's Global Dominion

The kings and the inhabitants of the earth refuse to follow the Lamb. Instead, they give homage to the beast .  In  Revelation , there are no geographic restrictions on the reign of the “ beast .”  ALL  the “ inhabitants of the earth ” take its “ mark ” and bow to its “ image .” Not a single government resists the final incarnation of the “ ancient serpent ,” for it is granted “ authority over every tribe, people, tongue and nation .”

Babylon's Fall Announced

Angels announce the judicial sentence on Babylon and the inhabitants of the earth, but "rest" awaits the followers of the Lamb .  Next, “ another angel ” announces the “ fall of Babylon ,” and he is followed by “ a third angel ” who pronounces the judicial sentence on the men who gave their allegiance to the “ Beast ,” namely, torment by “ fire and brimstone .” God is about to vindicate His “ martyrs .”

Everlasting Gospel - Final Harvest

Whether one follows the Lamb or the Beast, he will reap everlasting consequences as a result in the coming final harvest  - Revelation 14:6-7.  The preceding sections presented two very different groups - the “ inhabitants of the earth ” that render homage to the “ Beast ,” and the  priests of God , the “ first fruits ” of the earth purchased by the blood of the “ Lamb .” Now, an angelic herald issues the final summons to humanity to repent and pay homage to God while time remains and before the “ final hour ” begins.

144,000 Priests on Zion

The 144,000 males on Mount Zion comprise the first fruit of the final harvest, the priestly company that follows the Lamb  – Revelation 14:1-5.  Previously, John saw the 144,000 “ males ” from the tribes of Israel encamped in the wilderness. Now, they appear together on “ Mount Zion ” as a priestly company, the “ first fruits ” of the greater harvest to come. They stand with the “ Lamb ” in contrast to the “ inhabitants of the earth ” who bow and give total allegiance to the “ Beast from the Sea .”

The Beast Goes to War

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The  Book of Revelation  uses “ war ” and related terms to illustrate Satan’s attacks against the followers of the “ Lamb .” The Book shows little to no interest in conventional or nuclear warfare between nation-states. Instead, the “ Dragon ” strives mightily to annihilate the saints before his allotted time expires. To do so, he employs deception, compromise, and on occasion, outright persecution. The target of his hostility is the Church of Jesus Christ.

Mark of the Beast

All men who refuse to follow the Lamb will render homage to the Beast and take its mark  – Revelation 13:16-18.  The “ False Prophet ” uses the power of the first “ Beast ” against anyone who refuses to give full allegiance to it. Its “ mark ” is an economic tool. Commerce is the lifeblood of the  World Empire , and leveling sanctions against nations and peoples is its enforcement mechanism. Economic restrictions mean deprivation and suffering for their victims.

Beast from the Earth

The Beast from the earth mimics the Lamb. It is the mouthpiece of the Dragon and the propagandist of the Beast from the sea .  In chapter 13, the “ great voice in heaven ” pronounced “ woe ” on the “ inhabitants of the earth and sea because the Devil has descended to you, having great wrath .” He then launched his war against the “ seed of the woman ” by summoning his own “ seed ,” namely, the “ Beast from the sea ,” and now, the “ Beast from the earth. ”

War Against the Saints

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In John’s vision, the “ Dragon ” tasks his “ Beast from the Sea ” with the destruction of the “ saints ,” and the “ Beast ” receives authority over all nations to do so. Humanity is divided into two groups: The “ Inhabitants of the Earth ” who “ render obeisance to the Beast ,” and those who “ tabernacle in the heavens ,” namely, the “ saints .” The “ Beast ” attacks the followers of the “ Lamb ,”  NOT  the nations of the Earth.

Beast from the Sea

The Dragon begins his war on the seed of the woman by summoning his seed, the beast from the sea  – Revelation 13:1-5.  In chapter 12, the “ Dragon ” is poised to attack the “ seed of the woman ” as he stands on the seashore while summoning his “ seed ”; first, the “ beast from the sea ,” then, the “ beast from the earth .” Having failed to destroy the “ son ” and the “ woman ,” he sets out to annihilate her “ seed ,” the men and women who have the “ testimony of Jesus. ”

The Son and the Dragon

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In Chapter 12, John sees a new “ sign ” in the heavens, the Woman “ clothed with the sun, and the moon beneath her feet .” She is wearing a “ crown of twelve stars ,” and she is pregnant and about to give birth to one identified as a “ son .” He appears in fulfillment of the messianic promise in the Second Psalm, the King and Son of Yahweh who is destined to “ rule the nations .”

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