(See Revelation Chapter 13)End-Time Spirituality
The Bible presents us with conflict from beginning to end, from the "enmity" (Genesis 3:15) between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman, to the dragon making "war on the rest of her children" (Revelation 12:17). And the New Testament gives us some great images of conflict for end-time spirituality:
· We have the example of Jesus, driven by the Holy Spirit into the desert, where Satan offers him the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would worship Satan. (See Matthew 4:8-11 & parallels)
· St Paul gives us the prophecy of the great apostasy and the coming of the “wicked one” (anti-Christ) who will take over God’s sanctuary. And he encourages us to stand firm. (See 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2)
· The Book of Revelation has a dramatic scene (see Chapter 13) featuring the dragon and the two beasts. The dragon is Satan, the first beast is Caesar, and the second beast represents the advocates of emperor worship.
“Take care that no one deceives you” (Mark 13:5) is the hallmark of this spirituality. Jesus spoke a lot about deception in his end-time talks. Deception is a major weapon of an intelligent enemy.
The ascetical dimension of end-time spirituality is about shouldering the burden that the world gives us as we walk in the path of Jesus (See Mark 8:34-38 and parallels.) It is not so much about fleeing from the world or confronting internal demons or doing great penances as it is about facing the pain of the conflict with the sinful world.
The mystical dimension of end-time spirituality is the realization that God is walking with us as we carry out our mission (See Matthew 28:20 and parallels). As the experience of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane shows, Jesus not only faced the pain, but he was still using the familiar term “Abba” (Mark 14:36) for God and he was encouraged by an angel (See Luke 22:43).
End-time Spirituality is future-oriented. The Spirit, our advocate in the conflict, “reveals the things to come” (John 16:13) and gives us a longing to hear those words from Jesus, when he returns to judge the living and the dead, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21) And as we look at the evil around us now, the Spirit gives us an understanding of what the world will be like when the effects of sin are finally cleaned out and we have a “new heaven and a new earth.” (Revelation 21:1)
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Who's Who in Revelation, chapter 13
There are two beasts (Jude 1:10-11, Titus 1:12, 2 Pe.2:11-13 below) that play the key role in prophetic Bible prophecy. Although the beasts are described differently in the chapters of the books of Daniel and Revelation, these Scriptures are referring to one or the other of the TWO.
The beast of Revelation 13:1 is seen in the book of Daniel as the fourth beast (Dan.7:7). He is one of the kings of the four kingdoms that will stand up out of the (single) nation (Dan.8:22). He is the "the other" (seventh) king, who must CONTINUE a short space (Re.17:10), three and a half years.
The beast of Revelation 13:11 is seen in the book of Daniel as "another little horn" (Dan.7:8). He is seen as "a king of fierce countenance, … ." The beast of Revelation 13:11 is the false prophet. He is seen in Revelation chapter 17 as "a scarlet colored beast" once he sits in the temple of God showing himself he is God (2 Thess.2:4, Dan.8:11, Dan.8:25, Dan.11:36-37). He is "the eighth", who is of the seven, that goes into perdition (Re.17:11, Re.17:8, Re.19:20).
At the battle of Armageddon, the beast of Revelation 13:1 is seen as "the beast". The beast of Revelation 13:11 is seen as "the false prophet" (Re.19:20).
The beast of Revelation 13:1 has the number 666 (Re.13:17); it is the number of a MAN (Re.13:18).
Beasts -
Jude 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.
Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
2 Pet 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
2 Pet.2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
2 Pet.2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
Patricia © Bible Prophecy on the Web
Author of the self-study aid, The Book of Revelation Explained © 1982
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BibleProphecy
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