Sound The Trumpet : Revelation 13:2

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“Revelation 13:2”
by Art Sadlier
August 12th, 2009

"And the beast which I saw". This beast is first seen as a great empire rising out of the midst of a troubled world. Secondly this beast is an actual man, the Antichrist, he does not simply represent a movement. It is sometimes difficult to separate the king from the kingdom, the term beast is used interchangeably for the man and the kingdom.

Daniel foretells of four great world empires that were to come, each one is represented as a beast. Babylon was a lion, Medio/Persia was a bear, Greece was a leopard. Rome is represented as a composite figure. The beast that represents Rome is a fierce creature made up of all of the characteristicsof the first three. In our text today the beast represents the Revived Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Antichrist.

After the church is raptured Antichrist will appear on the scene as the head of the Revived Roman Empire. We learned in verse one that this kingdom will be made up of ten kings, as represented by the ten horns of Daniel's vision.

This leader will have great power over the whole world. The source of his power will be Satan himself, "And the dragon gave him his power,", The dragon is Satan, and he gives this power to his chosen man. We are reminded of Satan offering the Lord Jesus this same power in Luke 4:5-6. "And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, showed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, And the devil said unto him, all this will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it." Our Lord refused Satan's offer, but Antichrist will accept the offer.

Notice it refers to, "His seat", Satan will make his man the absolute ruler of the entire world. We read that ultimately no one will buy or sell without the permission of this man. "And great authority", God has granted Satan great authority over the kingdoms of this world. We read in 1 John 5:19, "....and the whole world lieth in wickedness". The word wickedness is translated in verse 18 as "wicked one", So we actually can read, "The whole world lieth in the wicked one". For a time God will allow Satan total domination over the kingdoms of this world, and that authority will be placed in this man Satan has chosen.

Antichrist will be Satan incarnate. That which Antichrist will accomplish will be due to the working of Satan. "Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders" (2 Thess. 2:9).

This coming hour will be the moment which Satan has longed for since his rebellion against God in heaven. Remember his boasting, "I will be like the most High", it is as if the Lord is saying to Satan, go ahead Satan, see what you can do. The record will show that Satan is totally inadequate to rule this world, the world will be in ashes as Satan's opportunity comes to an end. That truth has to be revealed before the true ruler, The Prince of Peace comes in power and glory to bring peace and righteousness to the world.

Even at this moment the infrastructure of the Revived Roman Empire is being prepared. Satan no doubt, has his man in readiness to come to power.

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13