The Antichrist and the False Prophet Part 2
• "10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the Saints." This verse begins with a Promise of Divine retribution, i.e., "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity" (Rev 13:10). "And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot" (Deuteronomy 19:21). The gravity of God's Divine Law necessitates a justice that "he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword" (Rev 13:10). "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the LORD" (Romans 12:19). Even in these Gospel times, God is still a "just God and a Saviour" (Isaiah 45:21); and, the Godly still rejoice that the Almighty performs His judgments, when the impenitent place themselves beyond His forgiveness. "1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the LORD our God: 2 For true and righteous are His judgments: for He hath judged the Great Whore, which did corrupt the Earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of His servants at her hand. 3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever" (Revelation 19:1-3).
Why does this verse of Divine vengeance speak of the "patience and the faith of the Saints" (Rev 13:10)? Since "it was given unto [Antichrist] to make war with the Saints, and to overcome them" (Rev 13:7) just previously, this Promise of retribution, most assuredly, is to those whom the Almighty asks to lay down their lives in witness of His presence, superiority, and Truth. "And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Rev 12:11). This Promise-- "faith" (Rev 13:10)-- encourages the Tribulation Martyrs to stay their course to the end-- "patience" (Rev 13:10)-- because those who will never repent, will be judged with the same certainty that the Penitent will be forgiven. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9). And, the Penitent, God will glorify. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1Corinthians 2:9).
• "11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the Earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." The Greek word therion is translated as beast in both verse one and this verse; and, another comes from the Greek word allos, which means another of the same kind, i.e., "And I beheld another beast" (Rev 13:11). Since verse one refers to the Antichrist, then verse eleven must be describing another savage creature of the same kind. "By their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20). This Beast comes "up out of the Earth" (Rev 13:11), indicating that he is a creature of the Earth and not of Heaven. "This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish" (James 3:15).
One feature of this Beast is that "he had two horns like a lamb" (13:11), meaning that he had the outward characteristics of a meek and mild lamb. This implies that this Beast will attempt to appear like the LORD Jesus Christ, who is truly the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). But, the true nature of this Beast is betrayed by the fact that "he spake as a dragon" (Rev 13:11). "And he [the heavenly angel] laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:2). Therefore, we can be assured that the Beast "out of the Earth" (Rev 13:11) must be another savage creature like the Antichrist, who attempts to shield his ferocious character with a lamb-like mask. "And He [Jesus] said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them" (Luke 21:8).
• "12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the Earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." Possibly, the Godly have mistaken this Beast "out of the Earth" (Rev 13:11) as the Antichrist; but, this Beast is clearly another personage than the Antichrist. "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him" (Rev 13:12). Since the Beast "out of the Earth" (Rev 13:11) is equal in power and authority to the Beast "out of the sea" (Rev 13:1), it must be by mutual consent that this second Beast chooses to make the "Earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast" (Rev 13:12).
A mark of distinguishment for the Antichrist will be that his "deadly [head] wound was healed" (Rev 13:12cp. 13:3). Many commentators, including this one, believe that this Beast "out of the Earth" (Rev 13:11) describes the Endtime personality that is commonly referred to as the False Prophet, i.e., he "causeth the Earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast" (Rev 13:12). The worship that the False Prophet directs toward the Antichrist will ultimately be received by Satan, i.e, "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the [Antichrist]: and they worshipped the [Antichrist], saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? " (Rev 13:4). And, Satan is willing to trade the riches and power of the world to buy himself the worship that he does not deserve. "And [Satan] saith unto Him [Jesus], All these things will I give Thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me" (Matthew 4:9).
• "13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the Earth in the sight of men," Both Antichrist and his False Prophet are liars, like their "father the devil" (John 8:44). As such, the only kind of "great wonders" (Rev 13:13) that they perform, are lies. "Even him [Antichrist], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders [performed by the False Prophet]" (2Thessalonians 2:9). We must go back to the Old Testament to recall that even a false prophet can make predictions that come to pass, just as some have thought that the astrological quatrains of Nostradamus (1503-1566) accurately predicted certain details of the French Revolution of the eighteenth century. "1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (Deuteronomy 13:1-3).
Magicians and illusionists perform their feats for entertainment or diversion. But, at what point are their tricks and illusions actually "lying wonders" (2Thessalonians 2:9) masquerading "as only a trick"? When the conjuring of their magical act seeks to draw men away from the Living God, i.e., "And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them" (Deuteronomy 13:2), then they are performing "lying wonders" . Traditionally, men such as Simon the Sorcerer used their craft to deceive people into believing that they possessed the power of God, and were, thus, His representatives. "9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God" (Acts 8:9-10). Though magic often uses mechanical props to trick the mind, the supernatural power of Satan may be illicitly employed to allow the prestidigitator to go beyond the mere "slight of hand" to accomplish what science cannot explain. "9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. 10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. 12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods" (Exodus 7:9-12).
When the False Prophet makes "fire [to] come down from heaven on the Earth in the sight of men" (Rev 13:13), he may have the connivance of some of the best scientific minds to aid him in impressing the great mass of mankind; but, regardless of any assistance from man, the False Prophet will have the supernatural aid of Lucifer the fallen angel. "And the Beast [Antichrist] was taken, and with him the False Prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the Mark of the Beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a Lake of Fire burning with brimstone" (Rev 19:20). Satan's power is greater than any man.
"4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour" (Psalm 8:4-5). But, lest the Saints should become exceedingly impressed or intimidated with the power of the Satanic trinity-- Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet-- God is greater. "3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them [Antichrist, etc.]: because greater is He that is in you [the Holy Spirit], than he [Satan] that is in the world" (1John 4:3-4).
• "14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the Earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live." Just as blasphemy is the hallmark of Antichrist's career-- speaking "blasphemy against God" (Rev 13:6)-- deception is the main feature of the False Prophet's ministry, i.e., he "deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth" (Rev 13:14). After all, without the False Prophet's deception, who would care to worship the Antichrist, if they truly believed that on account of their worship, God would damn them forever? "9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name" (Rev 14:9-11).
It will be difficult for those "that dwell on the Earth" (Rev 13:14) not to be deceived by the False Prophet's miracles, "which he had power to do in the sight of the beast" (Rev 13:14). Why? To the unelect, the miracles will speak more loudly than any previously rejected Scriptures. God will send them "strong delusion" (2Thessalonians 2:11), specifically, because "they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved" (Rev 2:10). And, the elect-but-still-lost will not yet have any foundation upon the Scripture of Truth (Daniel 10:21)-- though they may be uneasy about the False Prophet's miracles-- to resist the deception.
It is only by the "shield of faith" that we can "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked [one]"(Ephesians 6:16). The charlatanism of the False Prophet will make the pitch to the world that "they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live" (Rev 13:14). In other words, the False Prophet will convince the world that they should make the "image of the beast" (Rev 13:14); or, at least, it should be built by popular demand. "9 They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. 17 And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god" (Isaiah 44:9, 17).
• "15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." The False Prophet will be especially acclaimed for two miracles or wonders: (1) calling fire down from heaven, i.e., "he maketh fire come down from heaven on the Earth in the sight of men" (Rev 13:13), and
(2) giving "life unto the image of the beast" (Rev 13:15). He will "cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed" (Rev 13:15). And, this ought to remind us of what Jesus said during His earthly ministry, i.e.,"4 And I say unto you My friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him" (Luke 12:4-5). Pneuma is the Greek word that the Authorized Version (KJV) has translated as "life" (Rev 13:15); but, it is more commonly translated as spirit or ghost, and even as wind, i.e., "The wind [Greek, pneuma] </span style="color:darkred"> bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit </span style="color:darkred"> [Greek, pneuma]" (John 3:8). "Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life [Greek, zoe], and breath, and all things" (Acts 17:25). Therefore, the "life [Greek, pneuma]" (Rev 13:15) that the False Prophet gives to the "image of the beast" (Rev 13:15) will not be the same kind of "life [Greek, zoe]" (Acts 17:25) that only the Almighty bestows.
Does the Scripture give us any clue to the identity of this False Prophet? Yes. By analysis, if the Beast "out of the Earth" (Rev 13:11) is the False Prophet, and the Great Whore (Rev 17:1) is the Church of Rome, then the Pope would be the False Prophet. We are told that the Great Whore sits "upon many waters" (Rev 17:1), i.e., upon many nations, just as the Antichrist rises "up out of the sea" (Rev 13:1). BABYLON THE GREAT is the name of the Great Whore, "with whom the kings of the Earth have committed fornication [Greek, porneia]" (Rev 17:2)."17 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city [papal Rome], which reigneth over the kings of the Earth" (Rev 17:5-18). The spiritual fornication of the Church of Rome eminently qualifies her as the spiritual offspring of MYSTERY BABYLON, making her the quintessence of harlotry, and appropriately, "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (Rev 17:17).
Though the Protestant Reformers most commonly referred to the Roman pontiff as the Antichrist, more accurately, he is best qualified to be the False Prophet, because he "exerciseth all the power of the first beast [the Antichrist] before him" (Rev 13:12). Church history entered the Worldly Church phase of the Thyatiran Age (Rev 2:18-29) after the fall of Rome, and continued in it through the Dark Ages and the Middle Ages until the Protestant Reformation, for nearly a millennium (500-1500 AD). This period of world and Church history was dominated by the presence of the Bishop of Rome and the power of the Roman Catholic Church. "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel [the harlotry of Rome], which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols" (Revelation 2:20). Presently, we have yet to see when or whether the Pope will declare himself favourable or available to such attempts as the United Religions (2000), the official religious counterpart of the United Nations; but, the United Religions (presently) appears to be the most viable vehicle for the False Prophet. "Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD'S vengeance; He will render unto her a recompense" (Jeremiah 51:6
• "16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:" Verse sixteen is the first mention of the Mark of the Beast, which even the nominally thoughtful may presently detest. "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed [literally, registered or enrolled, i.e., in the public records, the names of all people, for the purpose of taxing their estates or property]" (Luke 2:1). Notice that the False Prophet instrumentally "causeth all" to "receive a mark" (Rev 13:16), meaning that, the False Prophet, not the Antichrist, is the chief promoter of the Mark of the Beast.
If the Antichrist were to solely promote the reception of the Mark of the Beast, it would be by raw force, i.e., "And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up" (Daniel 8:23). But, if the False Prophet is the prime promoter for the reception of the Mark of the Beast-- which he will-- then it will be accomplished by deceptively causing the world to desire to receive it. "[The False Prophet] deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do" (Rev 13:14). Negatively, refusal to worship the Antichrist will be punishable by death (Rev 13:15), while on the other hand, the ability to live, i.e., "buy or sell" (Rev 13:17), will be controlled by the willingness to "receive a mark" (Rev 13:16).
Three pairs are enumerated for the Mark of the Beast, showing the totality of those marked: (1) "small and great" (Rev 13:16), refers to recognized status in society,
(2) "rich and poor" (Rev 13:16), refers to net worth of possessions, and
(3) "free and bond" (Rev 13:16), refers to degree of liberty for human action. In contrast to the Mark of the Beast, the LORD marks His own. "4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 5 And to the others He said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house" (Ezekiel 9:4-6). In all, no segment of the world will be excluded from receiving the Mark of the Beast, for it will be Satan's brand upon his possessions, as much as cattle are branded by ranchers, i.e., "his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness" (Romans 6:16).
Much prophetic discussion surrounds the technology of the Mark of the Beast, i.e., the "mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads" (Rev 13:16). The use of the Social Security Number (SSN)-- employed in some form by most modern countries as a registration of its citizens, to provide a societal safety net for sickness, disability, retirement, etc.-- is most often necessary for employment, as well as the payment of income taxes. "15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth... 18 When that year was ended, they came unto him the second year, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands: 19 Wherefore shall we die before thine eyes, both we and our land? buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants unto Pharaoh: and give us seed, that we may live, and not die, that the land be not desolate. 20 And Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for the Egyptians sold every man his field, because the famine prevailed over them: so the land became Pharaoh's" (Genesis 47:15, 19-20).
The proliferation of computers, databases, credit and debit cards, scannable bar codes (UPC), and wireless satellite Internet, data, and telecommunications-- they all facilitate the tracking of the movements and activity of much of the developed world, in addition to the myriad of records traditionally kept by all governments. "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the Words, and seal the Book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" (Daniel 12:4). Possibly, all that would remain, would be the employment of a type of programmable, scannable "smart chip" that would be implanted under the skin of "their right hand, or in their foreheads" (Rev 13:16)-- as has been done with pets and livestock-- that would enable a cashless society, as well as for identification and tracking, i.e., medical information, military status, immigration records, criminal records, etc. "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come [quickly], LORD Jesus" (Rev 22:20). Amen, and Amen.
• "17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Even if one were to evade the death penalty for not worshipping the Antichrist, still, he would not be able to "buy or sell, save that he had the mark" (Rev 13:17). The Almighty will finally allow Satan the use of this mark to force the issue with all the inhabitants of the world-- "Who is on the LORD'S side?" (Exodus 32:26). As in the end game of a chess match, the LORD of the Harvest (Luke 10:2) must skillfully position His game pieces to harvest all the Elect, while carefully punishing only the wicked. "Whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:12). When the LORD Jesus Christ returns at His Second Coming, and "every eye shall see Him" (Revelation 1:7), He will carefully separate for judgment and damnation ( Rev 14:9-11), the "tares" , which are the recipients of the Mark of the Beast. "28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.
The servants said unto Him, Wilt Thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But He said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares [a kind of darnel, which is a poisonous grass], ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into My barn" (Matthew 13:28-30). Thus, the Almighty's use of the "wrath of man" (Psalm 76:10) in the form of the Mark of the Beast, will "praise" (Psa 76:10) Himself, when He separates for judgment the wicked, and preserves all the remaining Righteous ones. "[Jesus prayed immediately before the Garden of Gethsemane:] While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy Name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled" (John 17:12).
The "mark [Greek, charagma, or imprint], or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Rev 13:17) connects the mark with the name and the number of the Beast. If the Mark of the Beast is initially sold to the world as a helpful or convenient identifier of the recipient, then the Scriptures reveal the true motivation for the device-- to brand every human being as the personal property of the devil. "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do" (John 8:44). In other words, the Antichrist's name will be digitally expressed and encoded into the mark, which will also uniquely identify and control the recipient. "Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin" (Rev 8:34).
• "18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." Some have explained the "Six hundred threescore and six [666]" (Rev 13:18) as an adding of the numerical equivalents of the Hebrew, Greek, or Latin letters of the Antichrist's name. For instance, it is said that Caesar Nero is spelled Kaisar Neron, if written with Hebrew endings. Accordingly, the sum of the letters that would be Hebrew consonants, would total 666, i.e., K equals 100, S equals 60, R equals 200, N equals 50, R equals 200, O equals 6, and N equals 50. But, the verse begins with the expression, "Here is wisdom" (Rev 13:18); and, wisdom or "knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth" (Proverbs 14:6). Biblical numeric's are appropriate for the Saints to study; but, like all lawful endeavours, Biblical numeric's can only be properly understood when they are submitted to the guidance of the Spirit of God through His God Breathed Word. "16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2Timothy 3:16-17).
This writer has found satisfaction with the understanding that the number 666 represents the "number of a man" (13:18). Since man was created on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26-31), the number six represents man. When it is repeated three times, it is the LORD emphatically stating that the Antichrist is not God, but merely a man... a man... a man. Nebuchadnezzar, who finally came to the "knowledge of the Truth" (1Timothy 2:4), would undoubtedly vouch for the position that the Antichrist is nothing but a mere man. He suffered the humiliation of being treated as a beast, because of his pride and arrogance. "32 And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will...
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto Heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honoured Him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation: 35 And all the inhabitants of the Earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the Earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou? 36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. 37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of Heaven, all whose works are Truth, and His ways judgment: and those that walk in pride He is able to abase" (Daniel 4:32, 34-37).