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It’s the End of the World As We Know It (Rev 13:1-18)

2010.08.22Rev. Eddie Byun

Revelation 13 shows a coming world government and one world religion under Satan's control, and the final days will require believers to choose Christ as their ruler, their religion, and their response now, before the day of trial comes.

The beast is a single ruler we must choose against (vv. 2-8)

In the last days, the power of all past empires will be combined into one beast, a single world government controlled by Satan. Its leader is the Antichrist, the ultimate embodiment of evil, and behind every strong nation stands a strong ruler. He will be charismatic and likable, healed from a mortal wound and worshipped by the world, and he will claim the worship that belongs to God alone. God still limits his power under his authority, so we must decide now who our ruler is.

The false prophet will call the world to one religion (vv. 11-15)

The second beast, the false prophet, looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon, and its task is to lead the world to worship the Antichrist. It will perform great signs, even making fire come down from heaven, and it will make an image of the beast that is allowed to speak. Scholar Osborne notes that the phrase to give breath points to raising the dead, not mere ventriloquism. Signs alone do not reveal their source, so the fruit of the Spirit and a relationship with Jesus will make the difference. Christianity is not a religion of doing but the finished work of Jesus on the cross, so we must choose it.

The mark reveals loyalty and ownership (vv. 16-18)

The mark of the beast, the number 666, reflects ownership and loyalty, just as God seals his people with his Spirit. Seven is the perfect number, so 666 is a threefold imperfection, the number of humanity in rebellion against God. We should interpret Scripture by Scripture, not by tabloids, movies, or technology, since such speculation has named many figures in history. Because Satan cannot read hearts, he may need a physical marker to separate the loyal from the disloyal. That marker will then control buying and selling, so religious loyalty will shape everyday life.

Faithful believers must choose their response (vv. 9-10)

God calls the saints to endurance and faith, so if imprisonment or death is his will, we must accept it, because vengeance belongs to the Lord. We do not fight the beast with physical weapons, for our weapon is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Our task is threefold: to pray, to proclaim the gospel, and to persevere until death. Our goal is not to avoid death at any cost but to love Christ until death, whatever the cost. We must learn to stand firm now, in small temptations, before the day of trial comes.

Apply to Life

  • Let us choose Jesus Christ as our ruler and Lord today, before the day of trial comes.
  • Let us choose a living relationship with Jesus over empty religion, and bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.
  • Let us pray, proclaim the gospel, and persevere in faith, leaving vengeance to the Lord.
  • Let us learn to stand firm now in small temptations, declaring as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
  • Let us make the throne room of God our favorite dwelling place through prayer.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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