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 .”

Before the End, Satan will launch his final war to exterminate the Church, the men and women who have the Testimony of Jesus . At the end of the present age, Satan will launch his final war to annihilate the Church. Several passages in the  Book of Revelation  describe the ongoing cosmic battle between “ the Dragon ” and “ the Lamb ,” a process that will culminate in this last confrontation on “ the great day of God Almighty ” at the place called ‘Armageddon’.

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.

At the end of the age, Satan will wage his final war on the saints, the followers of the Lamb . The  Book of Revelation  portrays the ongoing Cosmic War between the “ Dragon ” and the “ Lamb .” It is being waged on the Earth as Satan’s servants, both human and nonhuman, seek to destroy the followers of Jesus.  The conclusion of this war will affect the entire Cosmos. Following the Lamb’s final victory over his enemies, life will be changed forever throughout the Universe, and death and evil will be no more.

The False Prophet employs economic pressure to coerce men and women to swear allegiance to the Beast from the Sea . The “ False Prophet ,” the “ Beast from the Earth ,” uses economic force against men who refuse to swear fealty to the  World Empire , and the “ mark of the Beast ” is his tracking and enforcement mechanism. The ability to impose monetary penalties and sanctions on nations and individuals is key to the political power of the First Beast.

The Inhabitants of the Earth refuse to follow the Lamb, choosing instead to swear allegiance to the Dragon and his Beast . In the  Book of Revelation,  there are no geographic restrictions on the reign of the “ Beast .” All the “ Inhabitants of the Earth ” take the Beast’s “ Mark ” or “ Number ” and venerate its image. No national government resists the monster from the Sea, for it is granted “ authority over every tribe, people, tongue and nation .” There are no exceptions.

The “ Beast ” is a single history-spanning entity that has existed since the dawn of human civilization, beginning when Babel “ SET UP a high tower to make us a name, lest we be scattered upon the face of the earth .” That incident is alluded to by Daniel when describing how Nebuchadnezzar subjugated Jerusalem and took the “ vessels of the house of God into the land of Shinar to the house of his god .”

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. ”

The saints overcome the Dragon through the death of the Lamb and their faithful witness even unto death  – Revelation 12:11.  In Chapter 12 of the book of  Revelation , the “ sign of the Great Red Dragon ” appears in the heavens, signifying that the “ war ” has commenced between his forces and those of the “ son ” who is destined to “ shepherd the nations .” But the result of Satan’s attempt to destroy the “ son ” is his expulsion from “ heaven ,” and the proclamation of the victory of the “ brethren. ”

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.

In Chapter 12, John saw a new “ sign ” in the heavens, the Woman “ clothed with the sun, and the moon beneath her feet .” She was wearing a “ crown of twelve stars .” She was pregnant and about to give birth to one identified as “ son .” He appeared in fulfillment of the Messianic promise in the  Second Psalm , the King and Son of God who was destined to “ Shepherd the Nations .”