Satan, the dragon, now seeks to carry out his war against the followers of Christ, and he will use people to do so. The main player through the second half of the Tribulation will be the false christ, the antichrist, here depicted as the beast. He will rule the final world empire.
He has ten horns, seven heads, and there are crowns on the horns. The horns would seem to be “kings” or major rulers aiding Satan during this time. They will be ruling at the same time. The heads, however, appear to be successive rulers (in chapter 17, one head at a time is on the beast), and the seventh head appears to have been fatally wounded at one time. Verses 12 and 14 equate this head with the whole beast.
In line with visions in Daniel, blasphemy of God will be magnified by this beast. Given that the dragon, Satan, is the source of the beast’s power and authority, what else would one expect?
Satan seeks to mimic Christ as he fools the world. The false christ requires a sign on the forehead or hand, just as Christ sealed believers with a sign on the forehead. Both have swords, both are slain, and both rise to new life and authority (how God allows the antichrist to be raised is unknown. Is Satan granted that power, or is this an amazing deception by Satan?). Both claim power over the whole world. Only one will be around eternally in heaven, as we will discover later. The dragon’s attempt to counterfeit Christ’s death and resurrection is shown in the slain head of the beast which will appear as a miraculous resurrection.
The wonder of the people evolves into their worship of the beast, which is worship of the dragon. In Daniel 7 and 12 the little horn blasphemes God and seduces mankind. He diverts attention from God, and directs it toward civil power. Antichrist’s physical reign on the earth will be one of political and civil power. He will dominate the same people for whom Christ died and rose again.
As hard as it might be to understand, God shows His sovereignty over world governments and powers. The antichrist is “allowed” to do what he does for these 42 months. Remember, this is a time of judgment of the enemies of God, in addition to God’s reclamation of His people Israel. God can and will use whatever means He chooses to carry out His justice.
People have always opposed Christ, and I would argue that it is even more fashionable to do so now. In the Tribulation period, people will be even more enthusiastic in opposing Christ, and they will just as eagerly worship the beast and dragon during this period of time.
Finally, the Book of Life described here can spur disagreement among believers. One author (Thomas) believes this to show that all names are originally in this book, and some are then subsequently removed when those people die in an un-regenerated, unsaved state. Others believe the names are added as people get saved. Since the book appears to be present before God before the foundations of the world, I would side with the first option. Otherwise, as I see it, we end up with predestination ideas where God decided before creation those who would and would not get saved.
What is known from this part of this chapter is that the beast will indeed have some victory over the saints in this period. Thankfully, their defeat is momentary, as they are then transferred to glory to be with Christ forever.
SO WHAT…?
So, it is very easy to think we are so near the end of time as we know it, just by observing the world around us. Maybe we are, maybe not. Regardless, people still desperately need the gospel, and we need to tell them.
So, I am thankful to know my name is written in that Book, “written down in Glory…bound for heaven, never more to roam”.
So, I rest in the assurance that this world, its workings, and the plans for all of eternity are safely in the hands of Almighty God.
No comments:
Post a Comment