End-Time Insights

The Beast from the Sea is authorized to wage war on the saints on behalf of the Ancient Serpent, the Dragon – Revelation 13:6-10. The “ Dragon ” sent his “ Beast from the Sea ” to destroy the “ saints ,” and the Beast received authority over the nations to do so. In the Book of Revelation , humanity is divided into two groups: The “ Inhabitants of the Earth , ” the men who “ give allegiance to the Beast ,” and those who “ Tabernacle in the Heavens ,” namely, the “ saints .”

Following Jesus requires the willingness to suffer for him. Enduring persecution is the highest honor imaginable for his disciples . Retaliation and violence are not appropriate reactions to hostility for the disciple of Jesus. Instead, we must meet threats and assaults with humility, mercy, and forgiveness. This is what it means to “ deny yourself ,” “ take up his cross ,” and follow the Lamb “ wherever he leads .” Doing good to our “ enemies ” is how we become “ perfect as our Heavenly Father .”

Satan is the Great Red Dragon that attacks the Lamb by persecuting his followers, the men and women who have the Testimony of Jesus . The  Book of Revelation  is designed to “ reveal what things must come to pass ,” not to conceal them. Too often in popular preaching, we ignore the clear text of Scripture as Satan and his earthly agents are transformed into global political leaders that fit our political biases and expectations.

In  Revelation , John saw countless followers of the “ Lamb ” exiting the “ Great Tribulation ” after persevering through it. This striking image is central to his vision of the “ Innumerable Multitude ,” the men from every nation and people who were redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Having “ overcome ,” John saw them standing triumphantly in worship and celebration before the “ Lamb ” and the “ Throne ” in the “ Holy City, New Jerusalem .”

The  Book of Revelation  graphically portrays the cosmic conflict between Satan and Jesus, one that plays out in the daily struggles of the “ Seven Assemblies of Asia .” On Earth, the agents of the “ Dragon ” execute his attacks on the Church, especially the “ Beast from the Sea ,” the “ False Prophet ,” and “ Babylon, the Great Whore .” This “ war ” is waged by the Devil with deception and compromise even more so than persecution.

After his expulsion from heaven, Satan wages war against the seed of the Woman, those who hold the testimony of Jesus .  Having failed to destroy the messianic “ son ,” and now, thoroughly enraged, the “ Dragon ” vents his rage by pursuing the “ woman ” into the “ wilderness ,” not by waging war against the " inhabitants of the earth .” But he is thwarted in this effort, so instead, he turns his rage on her offspring – the men and women who “ have the testimony of Jesus. ”

In its task of prophesying before “ nations and kings ,” the church is symbolized by “Two Witnesses” that “ testify ” before the “ Inhabitants of the Earth .” Their work continues for the entire “ twelve hundred and sixty days ” or “ forty-two months ” until they “ finish ” their prophetic ministry. Afterward, they are “ slain by the Beast from the Abyss .”

The period when the saints endure persecution is presented in three different but equivalent forms – “ forty-two months ,” “ 1,260 days ,” and the “ season, seasons, and half a season .” These variations do not point to three separate periods. Instead, they link several visions that describe specific aspects of the persecution that takes place during this period.

In the  Book of Revelation , the “ Little Horn ” from Daniel’s visions is  NOT  referred to explicitly but its characteristics are present in the “ Beast from the Sea .” The Book does not retell the same story from  Daniel  without changes. Instead, it modifies and repurposes it to tell  ITS  story. The “ Beast ” is based on Daniel’s “ Little Horn ,” but it also is something beyond it, and arguably, far worse.

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.

Revelation is a message to the Church concerned with its real-life situation as it bears witness in a hostile world  – Revelation 4:1-3. After Jesus dictated his letters to the “ Seven Assemblies of Asia ,” John saw an “ open door in Heaven ,” and he heard the voice from his first vision summoning him to “ come up here .” Next, he was standing before the “ Throne sitting in Heaven .” Does this image symbolize the physical removal of the Church from the Earth before the subsequent visions of the Book, the so-called ‘Rapture of the Saints’?