“A BAD BEAST” (REV. 13)

INTRODUCTION:

1. One of the people I met while in Russia was a young man named Sasha.

2. Out of all the people I met on my trips, I best identified with this Russian.

3 Sasha and I are about the same age. We were both in the military.

4. The dates of our military service were quite close.

5. While he was in the Russian army he was told that American wanted to attack Russia.

6. When I was in the military I was told that Russia wanted to attack America.

I. THOUGH SASHA DID NOT BECOME A CHRISTIAN IN THE TIME WE SPENT TOGETHER, WE DID HAVE SOME GOOD DISCUSSIONS.

A. One of the things Sasha liked to discuss was the book of Revelation.

B. Sasha had so many unique things to say about this book that when I returned to the United States I wrote him a letter.

C. I asked him to repeat, in written form, some of his explanations for the book of Revelation.

D. Tonight I want to offer you some of his comments based upon Rev. 13.

E. What you will hear is a Russian perspective of this book.

F. Verse 3 – READ.

(1) John describes a “beast”.

(2) My Russian friend believes this beast was Lenin.

(3) This beast was wounded in the head.

(4) Sasha concluded that Lenin was wounded in the neck but he recovered … just like the beast.

G. Verse 5 – READ.

(1) This beast “blasphemed”.

(2) The beast offered great opposition to God’s people.

(3) Sasha wrote, “Lenin was a terrible atheist. He condemned many believers and caused them to be killed.

H. Verses 11-12 – READ.

(1) Who is beast number 2?

(2) The correspondence I received says, “Perhaps this is Stalin.”

I. Verses 13-14 – READ.

(1) How might this be tied in to the country of Russia?

(2) The text says that great signs were done.

(3) Stalin made the Soviet people excel in science.

(4) Lenin was essentially worshipped. Statues wee everywhere.

J. The man I spoke to about salvation has some other ideas about Revelation.

K. Enough of his conclusions have been presented to make this point:

L. There are many ideas about Revelation, especially this chapter.

M. This chapter has some difficult parts to it.

II. I DO NOT CLAIM TO BE AN EXPERT ON REVELATION. HOWEVER, THE EXPLANATIONS OFFERED BY MANY ARE NOT IN HARMONY WITH THE REST OF THIS BOOK.

A. Let’s quickly review the last couple of lessons.

B. In Rev. 12 there is a woman, a dragon, and a child.

C. The dragon is used to symbolize Satan.

D. Satan wanted to destroy the child (Christ); it didn’t happen.

E. All of Satan’s assaults were brutal; but they were unsuccessful.

F. Starting with verse 7 we read about a “war in heaven”.

G. We concluded that this does not describe a war at the time of creation.

H. This war was after the “child” (Messiah) was born.

I. Satan tried an all-out assault against the church.

J. This battle was one of Satan’s best chances to win against God.

K. The devil lost. The devil will always lose when he goes against God.

L. The rest of Rev. 12 says that Satan has now turned his attention to the earth.

M. He has decided to pick on churches and individuals.

N. Rev. 12:13-17 – READ.

O. Rev. 12 closes with the devil doing all he can to destroy individual Christians and the church.

P. This sets the stage for Rev. 13.

(1) As we prepare to read this chapter, remember that chapter 12 says Satan wants to do all he

can to destroy God’s people.

(2) He wants to be like a giant wrecking ball.

(3) To make the worst mess that can be made Satan signs up some helpers.

(4) We will only look at one of his helpers in this lesson.

(5) Rev. 13:1-8 – READ.

Q. The dragon and his work are introduced in Rev. 12. Now in chapter 13 we find that the dragon

(Satan) had some helpers.

(1) The devil does not believe in working alone.

(2) This chapter tells us about two of his assistants.

(3) There is a “sea beast” (beast that came from the sea) and a “land beast” (that came up from the earth).

(4) We will not deal with both of these creatures tonight.

R. My only observation tonight about the second beast will be this:

S. At times we hear people use the word “trinity” to describe God.

T. There is a trinity it Rev. 13 – an unholy trinity.

(1) The first member of this group is the devil.

(2) The second and third members of this trio are beasts.

(3) The first of these beasts came from the sea.

(4) This assistant is described in careful terms – verse 1B.

(a) There were 10 horns and 7 heads.

(b) On the horns were 10 diadems; on his heads were names of blasphemy.

U. Who is this sea beast?

(1) All kinds of answers have been given to this question.

(2) Some say Stalin and Russia.

(3) Others insist this is the Catholic Church.

V. At the beginning of this study we drew the conclusion that John wrote for the people in his day.

(1) What John wrote had relevance to those in his day and time.

(2) We have seen this point made again and again in this book.

W. With this foundation under us, should we jump to the conclusion that Russia is being described?

X. Do we have the foundation to conclude that the Catholic Church is the beast?

Y. I find these conclusions to be shaky at best.

Z. John lived under Roman rule. We know what Rome did to Christians.

A. Thus I am proposing this beast was Rome and her emperors.

(1) Rome had various heads (emperors).

(2) Concerning the 10 horns, this figure points to officials.

(3) Let’s look at Rev. 17:12.

(4) A long time ago I said that some symbols are explained in this book.

(5) The 10 horns are one symbol that John explains.

(6) READ Rev. 17:12. The “horns” were some type of ruler.

(7) Back in Rev. 13 John also spoke about “words of blasphemy”.

(8) In looking at Rome, words of blasphemy are easy to explain.

(9) Many of the emperors demanded to be known as gods.

(10) From heaven’s perspective, this is blasphemy.

(11) Some of us have read Acts 14 many times.

(12) Paul and Barnabas were called gods by some well-meaning people.

(13) When this was said, these preachers ripped apart their clothes. They ran to the people and

issued frantic denials.

(14) These preachers understood how serious it is for men to be worshipped.

B. When emperors claimed to be divine, they were guilty of blasphemy.

II. WE HAVE BEFORE US SOME OF THE GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIRST BEAST. WHAT SPECIFIC THINGS ARE WE TOLD ABOUT THIS CREATURE?

A. Verses 1-2 provide more detailed information.

B. The beast that came out of the sea (Rome) was like a leopard.

(1) The feet on this creature were like (as) the feet of a bear.

(2) The mouth of Satan’s helper was like a lion.

(3) This creature received power from the devil.

(4) In earlier studies we noted that much of Revelation is related to the OT.

(5) John’s description of this beast is very similar to material in the book of Daniel.

(6) For example, in Daniel 7, Daniel saw 4 great beasts.

(7) The first was like a lion (Dan. 7:4); the second was like a bear; the third was like a leopard (v. 6) and the last beast was unusual – it was terrible and powerful.

C. Daniel said these beasts are 4 kings and kingdoms. (Dan 7:17)

(1) Babylon (the lion) was the first.

(2) The Medo-Persian kingdom was compared to a bear.

(3) The leopard was likened to the Macedonian kingdom.

(4) The terrible beast referred to Rome

(5) John did not see 4 beasts like Daniel did – he saw 1 beast.

(a) All the qualities in Daniel 7 are found in this one beast.

(b) This describes the awesome power of Rome.

(d) Rome was like the Medo-Persian kingdom – being like a bear, Rome crushed

others.

(e) Rome was like the Macedonian kingdom (leopard) – she was swift and ferocious.

(f) This beast had some of the best qualities of the force of evil.

D. I would not like to meet one of the creatures Daniel described.

E. John takes three vicious creatures and combines them into one.

F. This beast was going to be the powers of Rome (government).

G. The devil gave power to Rome and will use Rome to carry out the plans of hell.

(1) What about our day and time?

(2) Is Satan still interested in using people in positions of power?

(3) Would Satan stoop to use governments to oppose the church and Christianity?

(4) Satan has not changed. He is just as wicked as ever.

H. If the enemy of God can use officials in the county and town governments, he will.

(1) He will use people in our state and federal offices.

(2) He will use our Senators, Congress members and our President.

I. We have previously shown that Satan will use family members, church members, and self.

J. Now we find that Satan also uses governments to carry out his plans.

(1) If we want a close look at how clever the devil is;

(2) If we want to see how low this creature will go;

(3) If we want to see that Satan has absolutely no ethics;

(4) A study of Revelation is essential.

K. If we did this type of study we would need to ask, if governments are used by Satan, what about

God?

(1) Does God also use governments and officials?

(2) Is Satan the only one who has access to kings and rulers?

L. At times we speak about the providence of God.

(1) God is not dead. He is not asleep.

(2) God is not sitting in heaven with His hands tied.

(3) God is also able to use government officials.

(4) Think of the matter in this way –

(a) If we teach that God uses us as tools to evangelize the world, and this teaching is

accurate,

(b) Why not also teach the flip side of the coin? The devil uses people to carry out his

will.

M. While in Michigan City a man asked me a question.

N. He wanted to know if Satan could possess people if they were not resistant.

O. I am inclined to believe many have wondered about this matter.

P. Can Satan possess us if we are unwilling receptacles?

Q. This question could have taken the entire 45-minute class period.

R. I gave him a response that is related to what is now being said.

(1) Throughout history God and the devil have worked in the same way.

(2) When the age of miracles was ongoing, both God and the devil performed miracles.

(3) Both demonstrated miraculous power.

(4) The devil possessed people. Christ expelled demons.

(5) Now that the miraculous age is over, the devil and God still work in the same way.

(6) Now (in our day and time) both work through men. (Rev. 13)

(7) Since God is not raising the dead (performing miracles), the devil is also bound by some restraints – he cannot possess people against their will.

(8) The devil must work as God does – through men and women.

S. In Rev. 13 John wanted his readers to know that:

(1) Christians had already suffered;

(2) Brethren had been opposed (living under microscopic conditions) and died;

(3) However, the worst was yet to come – the unholy trinity – a powerful “beast” was on the way.

(4) Emperors would arise and promote a massive persecution.

CONCLUSION:

1. Though this chapter has some definite difficulties, we may walk away with 3 points:

2. #1 – the devil uses anyone and everyone he can.

(a) He has used governments and rulers in the past to successfully persecute God’s people.

(b) This tactic is still in his bag of tricks.

3. #2 – Satan cannot possess people like he did in the first century.

(a) Demonic possession, in NT times, is presented as Satan making the choice about

possession.

(b) From Rev. 13 we have evidence to show this no longer happens.

4. #3 – is that the world likes the life offered by Satan.

(a) Look quickly at 3B; 4; 8A.

(b) Satan can make life a lot of fun, easier; he offers a way of pleasure.

(d) Christians were materially oppressed; people of the world were materially blessed.

(e) These people had their party – 2,000 years later they are paying for it.

5. What kind of party (life) is worth a debt that’s paid on for 2,000 years?

6. What kind of party is worth a debt that lasts 10,000 years?

7. 100,000 years? A million years? A billion years? Eternity?

8. The devil offers a life of pleasure.

9. If people were to read the fine print on his contracts, his offers would be rejected by all rational

people.

10. The devil and his helpers won many souls in the first century.

11. There is more space for souls in the devil’s kingdom.

12. Do you want to be with him or with God?