The Beast from the Earth - March 18, 2018 sermon

By Pastor Greg...

A Mexican bandit made a specialty of crossing the Rio Grande from time to time and robbing banks in Texas. Finally, a reward was offered for his capture, and an enterprising Texas ranger decided to track him down.  After a lengthy search, he traced the bandit to his favorite cantina, snuck up behind him, put his trusty six-shooter to the bandit's head, and said, "You're under arrest. Tell me where you hid the loot or I'll shoot." But the bandit didn't speak English, and the Ranger didn't speak Spanish.  So, the Ranger asked a local to translate his message. The terrified bandit blurted out, in Spanish, that the loot was buried under the oak tree out behind the cantina. "What did he say?" asked the Ranger. The translator replied, “This man says he no afraid to die!"

We live in a world filled with deception.  It is so bad that we have learned to trust no one.  For instance, if someone came along and offered to remove all your trials and difficulties in this life, would you accept their offer?  Naturally, you would ask, “What’s the catch?”  Nobody gives us something for nothing.  There is always something they are not telling us.  This is exactly what Satan will do one day.  Working through a false prophet – this “Beast from the Earth” – Satan will deceive all of humanity.  He will offer much, but it will come at a great cost.

In Revelation 13 we are introduced to two “beasts” who are empowered by Satan.  We meet the “Beast from the Sea” (this is the Antichrist), and the “Beast from the Earth” (this is the False Prophet).  Both of these individuals are great deceivers.

(Revelation 13:11-18)  ¹¹ Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon. ¹² He exercised all the authority of the first beast. And he required all the earth and its people to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. ¹³ He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching. ¹⁴ And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. ¹⁵ He was then permitted to give life to this statue so that it could speak. Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.

¹⁶ He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. ¹⁷ And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. ¹⁸ Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666. ^[1]

The deceptive lies performed by Satan continue in this “Beast from the Sea.”  This False Prophet will appear to be somewhat gentle and unassuming; like a lamb.  This person is given authority, as seen by the two horns, but is not a political leader; there is no crown.  Once the Antichrist kills the two witnesses from chapter 11 and takes his place in the Temple, this false prophet directs the world’s attention to that false messiah.

This false prophet erects a statue or image of the Antichrist in the new Jewish Temple (it is the Abomination of Desolation mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24:15) and forces the world to worship this image.  It seems the people will not do this freely because the false prophet kills anyone who does not worship the beast.  Through the antichrist and this false prophet, Satan will control everything.  There will be one government, one economy, and one religion.  And those who surrender to this control will receive a mark on their hand or their forehead; without it, they will not be able to buy or sell anything.

This false prophet literally decides who gets to eat.  Of course, I imagine there will be some who refuse.  After all, we know human nature.  People hate being told what they must do.  Those who refuse will have to go into seclusion; they will need to hide somewhere.  But with all the disasters that have struck the earth up to this point, surviving in the world will be difficult.  After a year of hardship, I suspect some will give in, worship the beast, and receive his mark.  I imagine that human trials and hardship cause some people to surrender to this great deception.

[Let me pause for a moment here and say that many men and women have tried to discern the meaning of the number 666.  John tells us it is the number of a man.  In other words, it represents imperfection… it is less than perfect.  The Kingdom of God is represented by sevens; Satan’s kingdom is represented by sixes.  So, it is a false kingdom; a kingdom of the earth.  My advice is to stop worrying about the number and instead focus on the fact that people will worship the antichrist either freely or by coercion.]

Let me ask you this question again.  If someone offered to take away all your trials and difficulties, would you accept?  This is what the “Beast” is offering during the Tribulation.  He is offering food and protection in exchange for the worship of the Antichrist.  And, as I said, some will comply freely while others will be coerced.  I suspect many who initially rejected will eventually surrender and receive the mark because the trials and difficulties of this life were too great.  They give in, so their present life would be more tolerable.  “What’s the harm,” they may say.  But what they fail to realize is that in the life to come they will be judged for their actions.  They will face God’s wrath on Judgment day because they traded the comforts of this life for an eternity of judgment (see Revelation 20:4).

In Mark 8:36 Jesus says, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” ^[2]  This is the great deception happening here.  The Antichrist and the False Prophet want the world to exchange their thoughts of eternity for the comforts and safety of this life.  Satan’s greatest deception is to fool others into to thinking there is no judgment and that there is no afterlife.  Truly, Satan’s threats are empty; he can only take someone’s physical life.  The Lord warns us about this lie.  Jesus says, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Oh, I know we are not living in the End Times; the False Prophet is not here today forcing us to worship the antichrist.  But let me ask you this; have you compromised your faithfulness to Jesus?  Have you sacrificed the worship of God for the earthly pleasures and securities in this life?  Do you walk away from following Jesus because it is too difficult or too demanding?  Does obedience to Jesus “cost” too much?  Have you exchanged eternity with God for all the comforts of this world?  Are you just like those in John 6:66 (creepy, ain't it?).  According to John, many people deserted Jesus because his teaching was too hard to accept.

According to the Apostle Paul, “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” ^[3] (Romans 8:18).  How very true.  And so, the mark of a believer is someone who has their heart focused on eternity.  And they will suffer anything in this life that threatens to compromise their eternal rewards; they would rather die than worship the beast.

Sad, isn’t it, that we have become more concerned about the pleasures in this life than with where we will spend eternity.  There may not be a mark on our hand, but when we trade the eternal promises of God for the temporary pleasures and comforts of this life, a mark is placed on our heart.  For, “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal” ^[4] (John 12:25.

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^[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Re 13:11–18). Carol Stream, IL.

^[2] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Mk 8:36). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

^[3] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Ro 8:18). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

^[4] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Jn 12:25). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

The Beast from the Sea - March 11, 2018 sermon

By Pastor Greg...

It was raining hard, and a big puddle had formed in front of the little Irish pub.   An old man stood beside the puddle holding a stick with a string on the end and jiggled it up and down in the water.  A curious gentleman asked what he was doing.  “Fishing,” replied the old man.  “Poor old bugger,” thought the gentleman, so he invited the old man to have a drink in the pub.  Feeling he should start some conversation while they were sipping their whiskey, the gentleman asked, “And how many have you caught today?”  Without looking up from his drink, the old man replied, “You're the eighth.”

There are people like this old man all over our world.  It seems just about every day we read a story about this kind of deception.  Sadly, this even happens in religious circles.  And, as we read in Revelation, one day a man will come along claiming to be the Messiah.  He will mimic Jesus, but he is a deceiver; a liar driven by the “great deceiver” himself.

Revelation 13:1-10.  ¹ Then I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God. ² This beast looked like a leopard, but it had the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion! And the dragon gave the beast his own power and throne and great authority.

³ I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast. ⁴ They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast. “Who is as great as the beast?” they exclaimed. “Who is able to fight against him?”

⁵ Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months. ⁶ And he spoke terrible words of blasphemy against God, slandering his name and his dwelling—that is, those who dwell in heaven. ⁷ And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. ⁸ And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made—the Book that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered.

⁹ Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. ¹⁰ Anyone who is destined for prison

will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. ^[1]

Scary stuff, right?  This whole scene is alarming.  A leader who initiates peace is killed, but he rises from the dead, assumes power, presents himself as the Messiah, and has people follow him because of the miracle.  But he isn’t the Christ; he is the Antichrist – a false Christ – who leads the world astray.

This dictator is a Gentile (that’s what the word “sea” means in this section).  He is called a “beast” for many reasons.  He is described as a leopard, a bear, and a lion – the three “beasts” mentioned in Daniel 7.  Daniel is told these beasts represent three kingdoms; Babylon, Persia, and Greece.  And these three kingdoms were conquered by Rome; a “terrible beast,” says Daniel.   In John’s vision, Rome represents the Antichrist.  And because of this, some biblical scholars feel the Antichrist will rise to power in Rome and reunite these nations into one evil power.

This false resurrection probably happens midway through the 7-year tribulation.  As Satan is thrown to the earth, he resurrects this world leader who, empowered and influenced by Satan, marches directly into Jerusalem, kills the two witnesses, enters the Temple, and presents himself as the Messiah.

Sadly, the world is amazed by this miracle and begins to follow this “beast of a man.”  In other words, they become his “disciples.”  And as directed, they worship the dragon - which is Satan - and curse the God of heaven just like the beast.

Why do you suppose John shared these visions with the Church?  Why is the image of this beast so important?  If the Church is called to Heaven several years before this event, why warn people of this great deception?  I think it’s because Satan is already attempting to deceive the world; he is busy trying to influence men and women right now.  And John knew this.  In 1 John 2:18, he says that many antichrists have appeared.  Of course, John is not speaking about “The Antichrist,” but instead about individuals who deceive and lead people astray in the spirit of the Antichrist.  We have seen world leaders over the years who behave like the Antichrist, but they are not empowered by Satan, merely influenced by him.

And they are still among us today.

I understand if you have some concern about being deceived.  Perhaps you wonder if one of these antichrists has led you astray.  Paul assures us that no one can say “Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3).  It is God’s Spirit who helps us know the difference between Truth and Lies (1 John 2:21).  It is the Holy Spirit who causes us to lift our hands toward Heaven and cry “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15); “Abba means “papa.”  If the Holy Spirit lives in you, you will not curse Jesus.  If we have been led astray by one of these “little antichrists,” we would be led to curse Jesus or deny that He is fully God – to deny His deity.  We would deny the fullness of His work on the cross.  However, because we believe these things and worship Jesus as Savior and Son, we can be sure our faith is grounded in Truth.  As John says, “Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son” ^[2] (1 John 2:22). 

John wrote these things as a warning; there will be people in this world who, in the spirit of the Antichrist, attempt to lead you away from Jesus (1 John 2:26).  For this reason, God gives each believer His Spirit.  And God’s Holy Spirit teaches us what we need to know.  Realizing that Satan is even now attempting to deceive us, Christians need to remain steadfast in their faith and trust the words written by those who walked with Christ.

I find it sad that during this Tribulation people will be so thirsty for the truth that they will even believe a lie.  They will want answers; they will long for someone to save them but will be deceived by a counterfeit.  And in a way, I think the same thing is happening today.

Although there are many people today who want to deceive the world (1 John 2:26), we have the Spirit of God to keep us from being deceived.  But what about the rest of the world?  Is there some way they can tell the difference between lies and the Truth?  Of course, a faithful Christians could lead someone to Christ; that should be our highest priority as a church.  But Peter challenges Christians to, “Live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world” ^[3] (1 Peter 2:12).  According to Peter, a Christian’s honorable behavior becomes a testimony to the Truth of God. 

Since there are many deceivers, the Church must live in such a way that the people of this world recognize the Truth through us.  And when something counterfeit comes along, they will see it for what it is; deception from the enemy.

For I am convinced that there are many people in our world today who are thirsty for the Truth; I pray they might see and hear the real message of the cross through us before it is too late.

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^[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Re 13:1–10). Carol Stream, IL.

^[2] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (1 Jn 2:22). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

^[3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., 1 Pe 2:12). Carol Stream, IL.

The Woman and the Dragon - March 4, 2018 sermon

By Pastor Greg...

          Two kids are talking to each other. One says, "I'm really worried. My dad works twelve hours a day to give me a nice home and good food. My mom spends the whole day cleaning and cooking for me. I'm worried sick!"  The other kid says, "What have you got to worry about? Sounds to me like you've got it made!" The first kid says, "What if they try to escape?"

          See parents, your children DO notice all the little things you do for them. 

It seems the Lord notices the small things we do for Him as well.

         

Right after the Seventh Trumpet is blown, John is shown a significant event that takes place in Heaven.  It involves a woman, a dragon, a son, and a battle between angels.  It’s a pretty wild story.

Revelation 12:1-18.  Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ² She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth.

³ Then I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads. ⁴ His tail swept away one-third of the stars in the sky, and he threw them to the earth. He stood in front of the woman as she was about to give birth, ready to devour her baby as soon as it was born.

⁵ She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne. ⁶ And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her for 1,260 days.

⁷ Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. ⁸ And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. ⁹ This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last—

salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. ¹¹ And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. ¹² Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.”

¹³ When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. ¹⁴ But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time.

¹⁵ Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth. ¹⁶ But the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon. ¹⁷ And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.

¹⁸ Then the dragon took his stand on the shore beside the sea. ^[1]

Wow!  Dragons, fighting, torture, giants, monsters, chases, escapes...  And you thought the Bible was just another book. 

In this chapter, we are introduced to a woman, a dragon, and her son.  The appearance of this woman was a “great sign;” it marked something of significance.  Who was she?  Although it seems to speak of Mary giving birth to Jesus, this is most likely a reference to Israel.  Genesis 37 describes Jacob and Rachael as the Sun and the Moon; Jacob’s name was changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28), and he had twelve sons – the twelve tribes of Israel.  So, the context here seems to imply that the woman is Israel; Israel was about to “give birth” to the Son.  And the Dragon – Satan – was attempting to stop His arrival.

John describes Satan as a dragon with 7 heads, each wearing a crown.  This represents Satan’s control over world empires during the great tribulation; the 10 horns symbolize his power over 10 specific kings during this period.  This is mentioned in Daniel 7:7 and Revelation 13:1.

Also described here is a war in heaven; Satan and his fallen angels are forced out of Heaven.  When does the battle take place?  Since Peter and Paul speak of Satan’s present activity in their letters, (see 1 Peter 5:8, for example), most scholars feel this battle takes place midway through the Tribulation.  As Satan and his fallen angels are thrown to the earth, they pursue the woman (Israel), but God rescues her and transports her into the wilderness.  She (Israel) is protected for 3 ½ years… probably the second half of the Tribulation.  Jesus speaks of this narrow escape in Matthew 24:16.  It is at this point – when Satan is angry (verse 17) – that he kills the Two Witnesses (chapter 11), and two-thirds of the Jewish people (see Zechariah 13:8).

Yes, the woman, the child, the dragon, and the angels are all quite fascinating.  And typically, they become the focus of our attention.  However, I want to draw your attention to a small detail mentioned in verse 11.  The loud voice in Heaven tells us how Satan and his fallen angels are defeated.  The voice says that Michael and his angels overcame Satan and his army “because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.”^[2]  The Angels of God overpower Satan because of Christ’s sacrifice (the Blood of the Lamb), but also because of those who faced death without wavering in their faith (word of their testimony).  People of faith equipped Michael and his Holy Angels in their battle over Satan.  People.  Faithful Christians strengthen God’s Holy Angels.  We often think of the angels strengthening us, but here, it seems, we strengthen them.

How is that possible?  How can we - simple Christians struggling to live a holy life - make a difference in the battle that will unfold in Heaven?  May I offer you a possible suggestion?  I don’t know if this is true, but then again, it just might happen this way.

We do know that once God calls Christian to Heaven (both the living and the dead), all believers will stand before Christ.  Paul teaches this in Romans 14:10-12. Christians will be examined at this point; the Lord will judge their works… the things you and I do in the name of Jesus.  This is not “judgment” to earn our salvation; this is a judgment to determine our rewards.  In 1 Corinthians 3:13-15, Paul talks about our Christian works being put through a fire.  And the Lord will reward our work that survives.

Don’t view this judgment from a negative perspective.  I know we could, but I think each of us will be surprised at what endures.  What I suggest to you is that during this examination process, Satan will probably still be present in Heaven.  And I can picture him during this judgment process standing by pointing out our “spots and wrinkles.”  I know he accuses us now; perhaps he will accuse us then… which is probably why John calls Jesus our Advocate (I John 2:1).  As Christians like you and I pass through this judgment fire and are found to be holy, we will come through God’s examination and shine in the full glory of Christ.  And at that moment, Satan will realize that we, the Church, have loved the Lord more than our own lives.  I believe this is what causes Satan to become so angry that He threatens the throne of God and this war in Heaven begins.

Satan is cast out of heaven because of two things: the Blood of the Lamb covered the sin of humanity and Christians placed their faith in Jesus.  The Lord and the Church stand before Satan, and he is defeated.  I love that image.

My friend, remember the parable of the Mustard Seed (see Mark 4:30-32).  Jesus reminds us that what may seem small at first will grow quite large.  The work that you and I do in the Lord’s name may appear simple and insignificant.  However, we need to remember that the small seed we plant in others may one day change their entire life.  These are the works that endure; these are the works that pass through the judgment fire. 

As I said, this is merely a suggested answer why the “word of our testimony” equips the angel Michael and his army to forcibly remove Satan from Heaven.  It’s almost as if Satan will one day no longer be able to accuse Christians of sin.  Once we pass through the judgment, Christ will present us to the Father “having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that [we] would be holy and blameless” ^[3] (Ephesians 5:27).  So please remember, no deed done in the name of Jesus is too small or too insignificant.  We are called not to judge the size of the deed or the simplicity of the message we shared.  We are called to be faithful, and let God do the mysterious work within this world.

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^[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (3rd ed., Re 12:1–18). Carol Stream, IL.

^[2] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Re 12:11–12). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

^[3] New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Eph 5:27). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.