In The Word
Read: Revelation 13:11-18
The Beast from the Earth
11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life. 15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
The antichrist will enlist a partner called the false prophet to help carry out his mission to deceive mankind. The false prophet is described as having horns like a lamb but no crown, which could signify peace and kindness but no authority. Satan will give him the same power as the antichrist to perform great signs and wonders, which he will use to replicate the miracle of fire by the two witnesses (Revelation 11:5) and will cause an image of the antichrist to come to life. If people do not bow down to the image they will be killed. He will also require people to get a mark on their hand or forehead, or else they will not be able to buy or sell. The false prophet will use his power, position, and influence, even intimidation, as a religious leader to entice the world to follow and worship the antichrist, not God.
The Bible warns that many people, including Christians, will be deceived away from the faith during the last days by satan’s agents. Although we have not yet reached the dark days described in today’s reading, we are clearly in perilous times spiritually as the enemy is using many methods to deceive Yahshua’s followers, even using intimidation. But God calls us to stand firm in our faith no matter the temptation, pressure, or intimidation by using the armor of God (Ephesians 6). Have you made a decision to boldly stand for Christ no matter the enemy’s tactics you may face?