Ten horns, seven heads, body like a leopard, feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion? Yikes, weird has got to be the word. (If any of us saw something like this, we'd run the other way.) But that's how John describes the beast "out of the sea." Although the name isn't used, this language in Revelation 13 is referring to the "Antichrist." He doesn't appear until after Christians have been taken to heaven. He is given the power, throne and authority of the dragon (Satan), and his mark (the number 666) will be put either on the right hand or the forehead of anyone who wants to buy or sell during this time.
Now maybe you're thinking I've read about the antichrist somewhere else in the Bible. You'd be right because 1 John 2:18 talks about antichrist and antichrists. ("Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour.") The thrust of this verse, though, is really about people who have set themselves again Christ and everything He stands for. There have been many of those in the past and there are plenty in the here and now.
So what do we do when we encounter someone like this? It would be to our benefit to be ready to respond, to have a strategy in mind. Any ideas? How can we stand firm against this negative influence and yet keep the channels open to share the Gospel with them? Tami W.
Having a great knowledge of Gods words is key. We cannot be decieved if we understand the words of God and live according to his word.Remember when Jesus was being tempted by the devil, the devil uses the words from the bible ,only he did not know how to apply those words but Jesus knows and understands Gods word and he was able to overcome the devil with the same words. In this instance we should not just look for the antichrist as in the form of a beast but rather as humans who does not believe that there is a God let alone that he will return for his people and bring judgement on the earth. We simply have to know God and stand for righteousness, there are those who hate God and his people but some are changed when they recieve the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit because with God all things are possible. We as christians have to stand for what we believe and in who we believe and upon Gods unchanging words- and live a righteous life.
We have to spend time every day in God's Word (Bible) so we will know His Word and have His Word in us because when this happens, who knows if anyone will have access to a Bible so we will have to have God's Word in our hearts to be able to speak it those who don't know about God. This world may die and be destroyed but God's Word will live on forever!!
I agree with both Kathryn and Dian M..... But we must remember what is written and as we seek to be like God we can not be fooled by the clever ways the enemy will try to cut us down we have to remember every trial is a test from God to show us our growth in him cause he knows but he allows us to see...
in the event that we are tricked remember what Revelation 13:9-10 says:
He who has an ear let him hear.
if anyone is to go into captivity,
into captivity he will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sowrd,
with the sword he will be killed.
This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the
part of the saints.
We also have kind of a saying:-
sudden death instant Glory...
we as God's Children have to be willing to step out and take all the persecution that is tossed at us...
Thy word i have hide in my heart that i may not sin against thee...
Great comments. I don't think I can add much more. Personally I try to stay in God's word. I need to know it in our hearts. I think we also have to be careful as some people just want to pick something to argue about.