Revelation 13:1-10
The Antichrist comes on the scene today in Revelation 13:1-10. He is depicted as "a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous name on its heads" (vs. 1). We see that Satan gives his power, his throne and authority to this beast (Antichrist) and the people marveled at the beast and they worshiped the dragon (Satan) and the beast (Antichrist) saying "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?" (vs.2-4).
What's being described and taking place in these verses is sickening and it makes me sad. Did you notice the willingness, almost an eagerness, by the people to follow anything other than God? It really gives us a good glimpse of our rebellious, self-centered human natures and how deep down we all want to do what is right in our own eyes.
So as followers of Christ our goal and desire should be to become more like Christ. But here's the thing, we still live in the flesh and our human natures are intact. We still sin, we wander and sometimes we even turn our backs on God. So what can we do to stay focused on God and living a life that's pleasing to Him? What do we to combat being pulled away and influenced by the thinking and actions of the world? Tami W.
I love how the Lord makes it so simple for us to be more like Him- pray, read His Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to move in us. I'm learning that it's important for me to not only read the bible daily but also, meditate on what I read. There's so many wonderful facets to God and I'm thankful that He feeds me with His word and watches over us.
The antichrist is real and I see his form in so many subtle ways- esp. t.v., media, movies. My husband and I simply choose to 'opt out'- we keep our t.v. watching to a minimum and I don't watch national news media because most of it is rhetoric anyway...
Being AWARE and on guard of being pulled into the world and the grasp of satan is critical and I pray the Holy Spirit will continue to engulf us with His presence, speak to our hearts, minds and conscious and that God will watch over us- His saints.
The "fear of the Lord" really is the beginning of all wisdom. A holy, humble, and healthy fear along with sensitive , open, and receptive hearts attuned to the Lord will keep us.
Eric,
Thank you for your input into my question in yesterday's blog post. That did help. Appreciate it.
HI TAMI
A GOD BLESSED DAY TO YOU AND THE TEAM.
I AGREE WITH JESSICA THAT WE HAVE TO PRAY, READ GOD'S WORD, AND ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO REIGN IN US.
HOWEVER GOD ONLY WORKS ON A WILLING, CONTRITE AND PENITENT HEART YET THE WORLD IS SO FULL OF DISTRACTIONS FROM THE ENEMY THAT WE ARE LITERALLY BEING SUFFOCATED BY WHAT SURROUNDS US DURING OUR WAKING AND EVEN SLEEPING HOURS. IT SEEMS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO ESCAPE YET, WHAT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MAN IS ALWAYS POSSIBLE FOR GOD. THEREFORE I BELIEVE OUR PERSONAL EFFORTS MUST BE CONCENTRATED ON HAVING A WILLING HEART THAT SEEKS AFTER GOD CONSISTENTLY. IF WE SIN WE MUST CONFESS AND REPENT IMMEDIATELY SO THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL COMFORTABLY DWELL WITHIN US AS IT IS ONLY HIS PRESENCE THAT WILL MAKE US SUCCESSFUL IN COMBATING BEING PULLED AWAY AND INFLUENCED BY THE THINKING AND ACTIONS OF THE WORLD.
REGARDS IN CHRIST
CECIL
What is the beast & all the imagery given supposed to represent? What is the head that was mortally wounded supposed to be?
Stand firm - that is what we need to do. By reading the Bible, praying, being faithful to God, keep trusting Him, is how we do it.
Jason, check out Dr. Woodrow Kroll's BTTB discussion on Revelation 13 today. He discusses clues about how to interpret the various imagery given in the reading. Here's the link:
http://www.backtothebible.org/index.php/Today-on-Back-to-the-Bible/Today-on-Back-to-the-Bible.html
It is and will continue to be, a human frailty to attach our selves to things that our senses precieve rather than to have the faith that God is in control. For this reason we're told to put on the full armour of God.
Jason,
One of the characteristics of apocalyptic literature (writings that deals with future events) is that it's figurative. Consider Ezekiel's "wheel within a wheel vision" (Ezekiel 15) and Daniel's statue made of different types of material (Daniel 2:31-45).
So why doesn't God just come out and tell us in plain English (or Hebrew) instead of hiding things in symbolism? I think there are a number of reasons. When Jesus' disciples asked Him why He spoke to the crowds in parables, Jesus said, "Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand" (Matthew 13:13). God doesn't share His mysteries with those who inquire simply out of idle curiosity. Many of those who hung around Jesus were just looking for something new to tickle their ears. They weren't really interested in being faithful followers. Jesus hid his true meanings behind symbolism so only those who had the eyes of faith could see.
Furthermore, while God wants to give us a general idea of what will happen in the future, He knows it is in our best interest not to know the details. God wants us to trust Him with the future, not what we know about the future.
And, lastly, symbolism speaks more vividly than mere words. For example, to see the Antichrist as a beast reminds us that there is nothing human about this person even though he will be human in appearance. God wants us to ponder on the meaning of His symbolism, to mull it over in our minds, to meditate on it. All of this is made possible by symbolism.
Our goal is not to grow in knowledge of the future, but to grow to totally trust the one who holds the future.
Allen, Biblical Correspondent at Back to the Bible
Tami, I think the only thing that we can do to combat this is to keep our eyes and heads turned to heaven, stay on our knees in prayer,and read God's word daily. Each morning that our LORD awakens us, give Him thanks for a new day and invite Him to take charge & control of our lives, total control.
In regards to Jason,let me explain having heard several sermons by Pastor John Hagee David Jeremiah as well as some others.The anti-christ will be shot in the head and miraculously return to normal in 3 days!You see,the devil/a.k.a.Satan loves to imitate Jesus but he cant show Jesus up every way!1st of all,if you believe in Jesus,you wont have to worry about anything of the anti-christ cause you will NOT be on earth!When the anti-christ comes all the christians will be removed from earth by an action we refer to as the "Rapture/Apocalypse"If you follow Revelation,this is pointed out in chapter 4 for a period of seven "God unleashing his wrath years"
ALLEN
I LOVE YOUR RESPONSE TO JASON'S QUESTION AND ALSO ERIC'S REFERENCE TO DR. KROLL'S TEACHING ON REVELATION 13 TODAY WHICH CLEARED UP A NUMBER OF DARK AREAS FOR ME.
I GUESS THIS IS WHY GOD HAS ALLOWED DR. KROLL AND HIS TEAM, VIA INTERNET TECHNOLOGY, TO BE AVAILABLE TO THOSE OF US WHO ARE GENUINELY SEEKING TO BE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, .
LETS SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT POWERED BY 4.
REGARDS IN CHRIST
CECIL
Thanks, Allen for your explanation.
Thank you, Eric & Allen.