In Revelation 12-13 we have a listing of 7 personages who are involved in the events of the last days. They include: The woman, whom we have identified as Israel, The Red Dragon whom we have identified as Satan, The Male Child whom we have seen is Messiah Jesus. The Angel, Michael. Now we are dealing with the sixth personage, The Beast who is the Antichrist in Revelation 13:2 we have shown how Daniel was given a vision of him in Daniel 7. Now we learn that the Antichrist will receive a fatal wound which will be healed, which will affect of solidifying his power over the world.
Some commentators believe that the fatal head wound that is healed is a kingdom that will be destroyed and restored. They see suggest that this is a revival of the Roman Empire. The problem with that view is that there are other passages that speak of the actual death of the beast when he is slain (Revelation 13:12, 14; 17:8, 11). It may be that Antichrist is really killed, and God, for His own purposes, allows him to be resurrected.
One possible scenario is that Antichrist’s death and resurrection will be a counterfeit of Christ’s death and resurrection, staged, as one of the “lying wonders” perpetrated by the false prophet (Revelation 13:12-15). Satan is going to give the Antichrist his power of strength and energy, the power of his personality which has great ability, persuasion, and influence as well as his power of force and might. Satan will also give the Antichrist his throne, his government. He will give the Antichrist just what he offered Christ: the governments of the world (Matthew 4:8-10).
Revelation 13:4 The world’s fascination with Antichrist will quickly become worship. He will encourage and then demand worship above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). This worship will be fostered by the Antichrist’s associate, the false prophet (Revelation 13:12). In the tribulation unbelievers will worship Antichrist, and in so doing will be worshiping the dragon (Satan) because he gave his authority to the beast.
Some people will fully understand that; most will probably be deceived, like those of whom Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:20. Thinking that they were worshiping the god to whom they sacrificed, the pagans were in reality worshiping the demon impersonating that god. So it will be for many people, who will think they are worshiping a supernaturally powerful leader, but in reality will be worshiping Satan.
Revelation 13:5-7 Antichrist will be an arrogant blasphemer. God will allow Antichrist to blaspheme to the point that he will allow him sit in the temple of God, displaying himself as God (Daniel 7:25; 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:4). This was Satan’s original desire when he fell (Isaiah 14:14). Antichrist’s will be Satan’s mouthpiece, voicing his master’s rage against God. He will also be the supreme blasphemer in a world filled with blasphemers. Antichrist will include blasphemy of His name and His tabernacle (heaven; Hebrews 9:23-24), and those who dwell in heaven.
God will grant Antichrist authority to act for only forty-two months (the last three and a half years or 1,260 days of the Tribulation, the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy; Daniel 9:24). Antichrist will be allowed to make war with the saints and overcome them. The result will be a worldwide slaughter of God’s people (Revelation 6:9-11; 7:9-17; 11:7; 17:6; Daniel 7:25). This persecution will begin at the midpoint of the Tribulation, when Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27) and sets up the abomination of desolation (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). While he will overcome the saints he will only overpower them physically, but not spiritually. Genuine saving faith cannot be destroyed (Romans 8:38-39).
Revelation 13:8-10 True believers will not worship the antichrist. Believers can be loyal to his government but no true believer can give his first loyalty to anyone other than to God. True Believers as we have said are secure in the Lamb’s book of life. They are people who heed the warning of the judgment to come and repent and turn to the Lord Jesus. They know that God truly judges the evil and ungodly. The true believer is loyal to the faith and will be easily known in the end time because he will be standing fast for Christ. The Spirit of God will be as active as He has ever been giving believers the strength to stand for Christ. As a result millions will be martyred in the worst holocaust in human history. But unbelievers will worship the Antichrist, those whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life these will perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved” (2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12).
Believers are secure because the book of life belongs to the Lamb who has been slain. The vision of the beast from the sea ends with a call for spiritual understanding. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. This passage ends with the proverb: If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
This proverb contains important practical truth for those believers alive at the time of the great tribulation. They are to depend on God’s providence and not take matters into their own hands. Those believers destined by God’s sovereign plan for captivity are to accept it as God’s will. They are not to resist or fight against Antichrist. There is a warning for the Believer not to think that homicide will ever be justified, for God warns if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed (Genesis 9:5-6; Matthew 26:52). We are called not to retaliate against our persecutors, even in the worst time of evil. We are called to react as our Messiah did (1 Peter 2:23; 3:16).
Revelation 13:11 In this verse we learn of the origin and description of the second beast. He comes out of the earth. This means that he comes out from among the common people of the earth. He will be from among the masses, yet he will hold a high office and be the second most powerful man in the government of the last days. He appears to be a lamb appearing to be innocent, harmless, mild, meek, attractive, and lovable.
Most people will be attracted to him; no one will fear him. He will appear to be a follower of the Lord Jesus. He will be a religious leader but he will speak as a dragon. His voice is will betray him and will reveal that he is not a prophet of God, but a false prophet. He will not be teaching God’s Word, but the word of the Antichrist and state. He will not be speaking the truth but lies. He will not be speaking for people to support God, but for people to support the civil power.
He will become the spokesman, the great motivator of the masses for the antichrist. He will be the person who will come up with the unifying principle, the motivational spirit that will hold the loyalty of the people to the Antichrist and his state. He is called the false prophet whenever he is mentioned (Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). He will hold the second highest position of authority in the world. The Antichrist will promote him to be second in command, to be the chief executive officer of the government. He will come from a form of Christianity. He is a prophet, a priest, a minister who professes to be a follower and teacher of the Lord Jesus Christ.
