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John Sees the Mark of the Beast
January 10, 2015

Last week our study continued when John saw the woman clothed with the sun. This week John sees a vision of the mark of the beast.

Revelation 13:1-5
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

The vision of the mark of the beast begins with a vision of a beast rising out of the sea. John saw an animal with seven heads and ten horns, each horn with a crown. The name of blasphemy was upon each head. Perhaps this beast represents the unholy marriage between religion and money with the seven heads representing each day of the week, and the ten horns representing money, based on the decimal system. The beast might also represent the global economy with each head representing a continent with the ten horns representing the decimal-based world currencies. I'm sure there are hundreds of thoughts as to what this beast might represent. This beast had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and roared like a lion. It used its great authority derived from Satan even when one of the heads appeared to be mortally wounded. Because the beast seems to defy death, it is worshiped by people and its power extends for the same length as the testimony of the two witnesses.

Revelation 13:6-10
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The beast speaks blasphemy against God. While those identified as the saints understand the beast speaks blasphemy those who might consider themselves to be religious but indeed are not, will be deceived. This beast will be able to make war with the saints and overcome them, and for this the world will rejoice. The saints are cautioned to exercise patience and faith knowing that those who kill with the sword must be killed with the sword.

Revelation 13:11-18
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

A second beast comes upon the earth and resembles a lamb. Perhaps the first beast is the civil and military side of society, and this second beast resembling a lamb is the religious side of society. This second beast is able to perform wondrous acts which many consider to be miracles, such as calling fire from heaven. He is able to bring life to the image of the beast. This second beast causes everyone to receive the mark of the beast either in their right hand or forehead. Without the mark of the beast, the name of the beast or the number of the beast's name, a person is unable to buy or sell.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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