Study #6
THE IMAGE TO
THE BEAST
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Do not begin study #6 until you have completed studies #1 through #5.
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We live in the age of political correctness. Parents are unable to discipline their children according to God's Word for fear that Social Services will take their children away. One group is super sensitive to the feelings of another and tries so hard not to offend. In most situations, that's a good thing. But when a priest or minister is withholding precious truths from their congregations, and preach smooth things instead, that's another matter altogether. See Isaiah 30:10 "Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:"
This is not a new problem. By now you have realized that we have not tried to soften or withhold the truth of God's Word. You get the straight, and painful truth. God does not change, Malachi 3:6 "For I [am] the LORD, I change not;"
He demanded the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets to, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression," Isaiah 58:1.
We are commanded by the authority of God's Word to tell it straight. The eternal life of every soul hangs in the balance of exactly how they receive the cutting truth of God's written word, and then what they do with the truth as it relates to their own life. The important thing is, what are you going to do with the truths you are learning?
God says through His prophet Elijah, "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him:...." 1 Kings 18:21. God says today as Joshua recorded back then, "....choose you this day whom ye will serve;" Joshua 24:15. We can not and will not apologize for what the Holy Spirit has led us to prepare from God's Word, for your learning and spiritual growth in Christ. Time is too short.
And now from God's Word, the study on "The Image to the Beast". Do not begin this study unless you have completed Studies 1-5.
BEFORE WE BEGIN, we must read Revelation 13:10-7 and learn about the second beast of Revelation 13.
13:11 "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.
13:12 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.
13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
13:14 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.
13:15 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.
13:16 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:
13:17 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.
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1. According to Revelation 13:11 "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." John saw another beast rise up out of the earth about the time the beast of verse 1 & 2 (Papal Rome) ended it's period of rule, verse 5 (In 1798 as studied), due to receiving a deadly wound, verse 3, and was taken captive, verse 10. Who do you think this beast is that John saw?
Note- We have learned that a beast coming out of waters is a nation or kingdom arising in an existing nation or populated area. But this beast or nation is arising out of the earth or dry land. Therefore it had to be a country that had a very sparse population and would have been rising to power somewhere in the late 1700's. His beginning would be gentle as he is compared to a lamb with two horns. No other country but the United States can fit here. It was in 1776 that the United States of America declared her independence. The two horns represent the two principles that formed the basis of her government, civil and religious liberty.
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2. What does this Nation end up speaking like? Revelation 13:11, "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 spake as a _____________________."
Note- In a previous study we learned that Satan is the dragon, Revelation 12:8, and he gave power and authority to the first beast, Revelation 13:2. But verse 11 is saying that the USA is going to speak like a dragon.
3. What two tragic things does this second beast cause people to do? Revelation 13:12, 16
"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 causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:"
"....to _____________the first beast" and "to receive a mark in their right hand or in their _________________________:"
Note- The Papacy has been urging the government of the United States to tear down this wall of separation between church and state. Five Roman Catholic Supreme Court justices are anxious for just that event. Prophecy never fails. God has warned us and the US Government is going to fulfill it. They will pass a National Sunday law and they will enforce it. John says the book of Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ according to Revelation 1:1 and that there is a special blessing for reading and keeping those things written in it.
Keeping God's fourth commandment Sabbath will become the focal issue and heaven is watching how we take our stand. If not a commandment keeper, we will receive the mark of the beast and be lost. America will lead out in forcing people to receive the mark of the beast. This magnificent country will soon repudiate religious freedom and will force people into false worship.
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Not anytime soon? Soviet communism seemingly crumbled overnight, when many never thought they would see that in their lifetime. There are many in congress who would gladly vote for a National Sunday law. As of March 2009, there is no legislation before or pending in congress regarding a National Sunday law. But there are grass root organizations who have formed with that task as their goal. As they continue to swell and their cries become louder and louder, their organizations will become very large with many prominent religious leaders in the forefront. That coupled with a sudden increase in natural disasters along with disease and judgments falling on our land, the blame will be put on the moral decay and efforts will be underfoot to right the wrongs. A National Sunday law will get the attention of Congress.
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4. How will the second beast convince people that they should listen to him? Revelation 13:13, 14
13:14 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.
13:15 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.
5. To whom will this second beast make an image? Revelation 13:14
"saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should _________ an __________ to the_____________, which had the _________ by a sword and did ___________ ".
Note- An image is a copy. The first beast supported false worship by the arm of the state and persecuted and killed those who refused to comply. The second beast will do the same. We see the uniting of church leaders and government leaders to enforce religious morality to stem the tide of evil in our decaying society. Their motives are very good, but forced worship is always evil. Forced prayer in schools and forced Sunday laws can be dangerous for the same reason. God has never forced worship on anyone. The second beast, the USA, will utilize boycott and death threats to force people into line. Revelation 13:15-17
13:15 "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.
13:16 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:
13:17 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."
Verse 15 shows this law and the violation will ultimately lead to the death penalty. Verse 16 says he will cause all to receive the mark. Verse 17 infers that some will stand opposed and lose their right to buy and sell.
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God's true followers will be in the minority
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6. Who could this little group of people be that refuse the Mark of the beast? Revelation 12:17 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God,"
Note- This end time prophecy is talking about God's true church, represented by the woman, and Satan causing persecution to this remnant group of believers. (A remnant is the very end, like a carpet) Only God's people will be Ten Commandment keepers. All the rest of the world will bear the mark of the beast.
In persecuting God's commandment keepers, they will actually believe that they are doing the Lord's work. Remember Paul, one of the greatest Christians that ever lived? He was once Saul the persecutor. He rounded up the Christians that were eventually fed to the lions. He believed he was doing the Lord's work. It is possible to be sincerely deceived.
A thorough understanding of the light God has been pleased to shine on this book of Revelation can keep you from forfeiting eternal life. God said through the prophet Hosea, "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge...." Read all of Hosea 4:6. He's not talking about world loving hopeless sinners, He's talking about believers. "My People" And here in the time of the end, He is calling His people to come out of Babylon. See Revelation 18:4.
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7. What can I do to make certain that I will not receive the mark of the beast? Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
"Here are they that keep the ________________ of _________and the ______________ of __________________."
Note- Revelation 14: 9-11
14:9 "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." warns against receiving the mark of the beast."
Verse 12 tells what the victorious saints do to avoid the mark. They keep the commandments of God, all ten of them, and have Jesus' faith. It is Jesus' faith that makes the miracle of commandment keeping possible.
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GOD'S LAST WARNING MESSAGE TO THE WORLD is given in the three angels messages of Revelation 14: 6-12
14:6 "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
14:7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
Note-In verse 6 John saw that a special gospel message, had to be preached in a loud voice to the whole world. It is an end-time JUDGEMENT HOUR message that says we are to, "Fear God and give glory to Him", and we are told to worship the Creator in verse 7, which means I keep the sign or mark of His creatorship, His Sabbath. To fear God is to show Him respect and honor. Note that verse 7 for emphasis, even quotes Part of the Sabbath commandment: "made heaven and earth and the sea", Ex 20:11 It's time for those who are God's people to step out and respect His Sabbath and honor Him with the obedience that is the evidence of our love for Him.
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The second angel's message, verse 8, warns us that Babylon is fallen. Babylon comes from Babel and means confusion. The Babylon here is the beast, the religious system of Papal Rome, which created the false Sabbath and those denominations who embrace the counterfeit day of worship.
The third angel's message, verses 9 & 10, gives the solemn warning, that if anyone worships the beast and his image, (apostate Protestantism that embraces false worship of the beast) they receive the mark of the beast and will drink of the wine of the wrath of God's wrath.
Worship by definition is the act of showing respect, honor or reverence to God or a god or something considered sacred. Friend, if you defend Sunday, your worship is given to the system whose authority comes from Satan.
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Do you now understand that a person who receives the mark of the beast is lost?
8. When you decide to accept Jesus and follow Him ALL the way, what happens? Matthew 11:28-30
11:28 "Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
11:30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light."
"....I will give you ___________." "....ye shall find ___________ unto your souls.
For My yoke is ________ and My burden is ___________."
Note- The word Sabbath means "rest" and deciding to follow Jesus fully and to accept His holy sign, brings rest, joy, happiness and blessings, as well as release from the burdens of life.
10. Jesus waits at the door of your heart, Revelation 3:20. Have you heard His voice? The Holy Spirit has brought the marvelous truth on this subject home to your heart. While your heart is soft, accept and receive God's seal. Indecision is dangerous as it gives Satan time to harden the heart which leads to rejection and loss. See Hebrews 3:7, 8
3:7 "Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:"
Now read Hebrews 4:4,7-11
4:4 "For he spake in a certain place of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works."
4:7 "Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his.
4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
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