Guide & Record of your thoughts 6/20/10 Week 25 - Revelation 13:1 - 10

Following the Message: 1. The antichrist – the counterfeit Christ will:  Execute and seek to exterminate God’s people  Rewrite history to suit his purpose  Institute a new world wide religion  Bring a reign of evil through a one-world empire 2. A glimpse of the antichrist reveals that:  He will be a king who will arise  He will be insolent and skilled in intrigue  His power will be mighty  He will destroy, prosper and perform his will  He is shrewd  He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence  He will magnify himself in his heart  He will oppose the Prince of princes (Jesus) 3. The antichrist will make a pact of peace with Israel for 7 years. Halfway through the 7 years he will break that covenant and attack the Jewish people with the intent of wiping them out and preventing the establishment of the coming kingdom. 4. (13:1) “sea and sand of the seashore” symbolize the nations. 5. (13:1) “Horns” symbolize strength/power and in this verse represent the great power of the kings who will rule under antichrist’s absolute authority. 6. (13:3, 4) The antichrist’s death and resurrection, a counterfeit of Christ’s death and resurrection, will solidify his world-wide fascination, and the world will worship him. 7. (13:7) The antichrist’s power to overcome the saints does not mean he will have the power to destroy faith. He will overpower them

physically, but not spiritually. Genuine saving faith cannot be destroyed. 8. Summary of the antichrist, he:  Rises from the seas – nations  Resembles the dragon – origin  Has composite animal features – character  Is dragon empowered – source of power  Wounded to death, but healed – counterfeit  Blasphemes God for 42 months – arrogance  Makes war against believers – destroyer  Those who follow him, bear his mark/name - 666

Greek and Hebrew words used today: Daniel 8:23, Insolent – Hebrew: az, az; strong, vehement, harsh: - fierce, + greedy, might, strong; raging – Lit. strong of face. Daniel 8:23, Intrigue – Hebrew: chiydah, khee-dah’; a puzzle; hence a trick, conundrum; dark saying (sentence, speech, hard questions, proverb, riddle. Revelation 13:1, Beast – Greek: therion, thay-ree’on; a dangerous animal;(venomous, wild) beast Psalm 18:2, Horn – Hebrew: qeren, keh'-ren: a horn (as projecting); by implication a flask, cornet; by resemblance an elephant’s tooth (that is, ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively power

Reflecting on the Text Brief review of terms: Woman clothed with the sun – Israel; Red Dragon – Satan; Male Child – Jesus; Archangel – Michael; Beast from the sea – antichrist; Beast from the earth – false prophet The world will adopt the antichrist’s leadership and role in a desperate attempt to escape the dilemma of seemingly unsolvable world problems. To whom do we turn in times of crises; a political leader or our Sovereign God? Remember, this 42 month reign of terror by the antichrist will not last forever. The purpose of the Tribulation for judgment upon sin, for world wide revival, and for the repentance and restoration of the Jews will be accomplished. Even though the antichrist’s world dominance, through Satan’s empowerment, will be permitted, God never relinquishes His absolute control and His Sovereignty. In every age, God speaks to those who will hear. In every age, there is a tendency for citizens to acknowledge, “Caesar is Lord.” Let us not be deceived, and, as true believers, take our stand for Christ.