Video Title. Nicolae Carpathia
Article Title. End Times 22, Revelation 13:1-10, The Antichrist
I. In the above video we see people who have been left behind from the Rapture. The key figure is the Antichrist, as he is taking control of the world by creating ten global regions of nations that will come under his heavy-handed control (Revelation 13:1). This Left Behind movie, and others, came as a result of the Left Behind series of books that were written under the leadership of Dr. Tim LaHaye, whose credentials can be found in my “About Sources” page. The Left Behind books and movies tell of the upcoming time in our world when those whom are left behind from the rapture of the church have to deal with the persecution of the Antichrist, even more so if they come to saving faith in Christ. The Left Behind movies and books are very much in sync with the scriptures of the Bible that tell of the end of times event that we are studying, and relate heavily to the time of the Tribulation. Video details can be seen at the bottom of this page.
II. Text. Revelation 13:1-10. The Beast From The Sea.
1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
III. Translation Considerations. “The New American Standard Bible (NASB) translation was chosen for this, and other studies, because of two main reasons. First, the NASB capitalizes the first letter of pronouns that relate to God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); not all Bible translations show that same respect for God. Second, the NASB has a history of correctness in translation.”
IV. Comment Providers. BKC=The Bible Knowledge Commentary. DHC=David Hocking Commentary; HC=Holman Commentary; MSB=MacArthur Study Bible; MBC=Moody Bible Commentary; NAC = New American Commentary; NKJV= New King James Study Bible; RLT=Robert L. Thomas Commentary; RC=Ryrie Commentary; RSB=Ryrie Study Bible; SRN=Scofield Reference Notes; WRC= Walvoord Commentary. Credentials for individual commentators can be found on my “About Sources” page.
V. Comments. Revelation Chapter 13:1-10.
A. 13:1. “a beast.” The Antichrist. Many emperors of Rome defiled themselves, but Antichrist will far outstrip all of his predecessors in his blasphemous ways. “ten horns.” The 10 kings that gave their power and authority to the Antichrist (17:12-13) (RSB). The fact that the beast rises out of the sea is taken by many to indicate that he comes from the great mass of humanity, namely the Gentile powers of the world. Others take it as a reference to the Mediterranean, namely, that the beast will arise from the Mediterranean area. Probably both are true in that the beast is a Gentile and does come from the Mediterranean scene (WRC). Since Daniel identified this beast as arising from the world’s fourth great empire (Rome), this is understood by many to refer to a revived Roman empire (MBC). Daniel 7:7-8, “a fourth beast.” Rome. The 10 horns are explained in vs 24, and the little horn (Antichrist) in vs 24-25 (RSB).
B. 13:2. “the dragon gives him power.” Satan gives his power. (RSB)
C. 13:3-4. “One of his heads” may stand for a specific ruler, but more likely it stands for an empire. The unbelieving “world” is enticed (12:9) by Satan to follow and worship the beast. Those who “worshiped” the beast also unwittingly worshiped the devil, “who gave authority to the beast.” Any false worship or idolatry is ultimately demonic and satanic (see 1 Cor. 10:20–22). The beast is worshiped because the world is convinced that no one is “like” him and that no one can successfully “make war” against him. (MSB)
D. 13:5. “was given.” The sovereign God will establish the limits within which Antichrist will be allowed to speak and operate. God will allow him to utter his blasphemies, to bring the rage of Satan to its culmination on earth for 3 1/2 years (v. 5; 11:2, 3; 12:6, 13, 14). “forty-two months.” The final 3 1/2 years—1,260 days—of the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7) and Daniel’s 70th week (Dan. 9:24–27), known as the Great Tribulation (see notes on 11:2; 12:6; cf. Dan. 7:25). This last half is launched by the abomination of desolations (see note on Matt. 24:15). (MSB)
E. 13:6. “His name.” This identifies God and summarizes all His attributes (cf. Ex. 3:13, 14). “His tabernacle.” This is symbolic of heaven (cf. Heb. 9:23, 24). “those who dwell in heaven.” The angels and glorified saints who are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night. (MSB)
F. 13:6. “His tabernacle.” God’s dwelling place in Heaven. (RSB)
G. 13:6. “those who dwell in heaven.” These are they of the raptured and resurrected Church. End Times 4, Comment 4:4, following link:
https://equippingblog.wordpress.com/2020/04/19/end-times-4-revelation-41-4-john-caught-up-to-heaven/
H. 13:7. “make war with the saints.” The Antichrist will be allowed to massacre those who are God’s children (cf. 6:9–11; 11:7; 12:17; 17:6; Dan. 7:23–25; 8:25; 9:27; 11:38; 12:10; Matt. 24:16–22). See note on 17:6. (MSB)
I. 13:8. Just as the entire world is under the political domination of the beast, so all the world except the saints will worship him. All who are not saved will worship the beast; those who are saved will not worship him. These who worship the beast are described as not having their names written in the book of life, a book frequently mentioned in the Revelation (3:5; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19; cf. Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3). Those worshiping the beast are the unsaved of both Jews and Gentiles in contrast to saved Jews and Gentiles whose names are written in the book of life. (WRC). The book of life is a book of the names of those whom are saved (RSB. Rev 3:5).
J. 13:9. Cf. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22. This phrase omits “what the Spirit says to the churches” as in the 7 letters to the churches, perhaps because they have been raptured. (MSB)
K. 13:10. Assurance that God will punish evidoers sustains the faith of those who are persecuted during these days. (RSB)
VI. The Antichrist is described in Revelation 6:1-2, where he is given authority by the Lamb, “the resurrected Christ,” to deceive and conquer the nations. These two verses constitute the first of seven seal judgments of the Tribulation. Following the Seal judgments will be seven trumpet judgments, which will be followed by seven bowl judgments.
VII. Video details. Nicolae Carpathia. Carpathia establishes the 10 kingdoms on earth after the rapture. jscottonphillips.
VIII. Our next End Times article will discuss the False Prophet. Revelation 13:11-18.
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