When praying and studying in Revelations, I looked up to the computer and saw a video, called TRUNEWS with the title, "Has the Mark of the Beast started in India?"
The Beast from the Sea (Mid-Trib)
Rev. 13:1 - I stood: The preferred reading (see marginal note) is “he stood” (that is, the Dragon). A beast rising up out of the sea is a mirror-image of the Dragon, called forth from the peoples of the world (17:15) as an ally in his war against the saints (v. 7). The crowns are on the ten horns (political power), not on the seven heads (the source of authority), which is the Dragon, who delegates his authority to the monster (vv. 4 & 7). The beast represents an incarnation of politico-social evil.
Rev. 13:2 - This monster is a composite of Daniel’s pictures of past political powers (see Dan. 7:2–7). Rev. 13:3, 4 One of his heads . . . wounded is a parody of the Lamb, as he himself suffers a mortal wound and is then brought back to life. The symbol represents either empires or individual emperors (17:10; see Introduction to Revelation: Content). (Note: 17:10 Seven kings represent the complete number of world emperors, however many there might be, and by implication the complete number of political powers that persecute God’s people throughout history).
The spiritual principle is the same with either interpretation. The first "beast" symbolizes the reality of anti-Christian government and political power (13:1-10, 13); and the second, anti-Christian religion, philosophy and ideology (13:11-17). Together they produce the ultimately deceptive and seductive anti-Christian secular society, commerce, and culture, the harlot Babylon (chs 17;18), composed of those who dwell on earth. "These thus bear the "mark" of the monster, and their names are not registered in "the Lamb's Book of Life." The Dragon continually delegates his restricted power and authority to the monsters and their followers in order to deceive and discourage anyone from God's creative-redemptive purpose.
Rev. 13:2 - This monster is a composite of Daniel’s pictures of past political powers (see Dan. 7:2–7). Rev. 13:3, 4 One of his heads . . . wounded is a parody of the Lamb, as he himself suffers a mortal wound and is then brought back to life. The symbol represents either empires or individual emperors (17:10; see Introduction to Revelation: Content). (Note: 17:10 Seven kings represent the complete number of world emperors, however many there might be, and by implication the complete number of political powers that persecute God’s people throughout history).
The spiritual principle is the same with either interpretation. The first "beast" symbolizes the reality of anti-Christian government and political power (13:1-10, 13); and the second, anti-Christian religion, philosophy and ideology (13:11-17). Together they produce the ultimately deceptive and seductive anti-Christian secular society, commerce, and culture, the harlot Babylon (chs 17;18), composed of those who dwell on earth. "These thus bear the "mark" of the monster, and their names are not registered in "the Lamb's Book of Life." The Dragon continually delegates his restricted power and authority to the monsters and their followers in order to deceive and discourage anyone from God's creative-redemptive purpose.
Rev. 13:5 He was given . . . blasphemies by the Dragon. He was given authority by God (v. 7), over those “who dwell on the earth” (vv. 7, 8; see note on 3:10). Rev. 3:10 note: "The Faithful Church", I will keep you in the Lord's assurance that according to John 17:6, 11, 12, 15, He is able to preserve His people from the hour of trial, that is in the midst of the Tribulation (8:1 - 19:10). Forty-two months: See note on 11:2, The temple of God refers to the people of God, the Body of Christ (see I Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 2:19-22), not Herod's temple in Jerusalem, destroyed in A.D. 70, nor one purported to be rebuilt in the future.
Rev. 13:6–8 Blasphemy is irreverent speech that calls what is human “divine,” what is evil “good,” and what is good “evil.” His name is the character of God revealed in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. And may also be translated “even” or “that is.” His tabernacle, those who dwell in heaven, are God’s people, the church. They are not those who dwell on the earth (v. 8; see note on 3:10). Rev. 3:10 note: "The Faithful Church", I will keep you in the Lord's assurance that according to John 17:6, 11, 12, 15, He is able to preserve His people from the hour of trial, that is in the midst of the Tribulation (8:1 - 19:10), which has been and will continue to be anticipated through many historical manifestations (including such times as Jesus prophesied in Matt. 24:21, 22). Those who dwell on the earth describes humankind in opposition to God (6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:3, 8, 12, 14; 14:3, 6; 17:2, 8). Rev. 3:7–13, (v.7) The key of David symbolizes authority (see 5:5; 22:16; Is. 22:22). (v.8) An open door: Either of service and evangelistic opportunity (1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12) or of entrance into the consummated kingdom.
Philadelphia was a faithful church in a small town that was established to be a center for Greek culture. The town was renowned for its surrounding vineyards but subject to frequent earthquakes.
The beast from the bottomless pit is pictured as actually functioning before the description of his origin, which is additional evidence that the visions are not in chronological order (see 13:1–10; 17:6–18). Make war is an appropriate description of the persecution of the church militant, as well as of the two individual prophets. Rev. 13:8 The Book of Life is God’s register of the redeemed. See note on Rev. 3:5. From the foundation of the world refers to before the creation (1 Pet. 1:20). (Rev. 3:5) note: White garments are the robes of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and thus of victorious joy. I will not blot out his name assures the certainty of the Lord’s promise. Book of Life is God’s eternal record of the redeemed (see 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; Ex. 32:32; Ps. 69:28; Dan. 12:1; Mal. 3:16; Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3).
Philadelphia was a faithful church in a small town that was established to be a center for Greek culture. The town was renowned for its surrounding vineyards but subject to frequent earthquakes.
The beast from the bottomless pit is pictured as actually functioning before the description of his origin, which is additional evidence that the visions are not in chronological order (see 13:1–10; 17:6–18). Make war is an appropriate description of the persecution of the church militant, as well as of the two individual prophets. Rev. 13:8 The Book of Life is God’s register of the redeemed. See note on Rev. 3:5. From the foundation of the world refers to before the creation (1 Pet. 1:20). (Rev. 3:5) note: White garments are the robes of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and thus of victorious joy. I will not blot out his name assures the certainty of the Lord’s promise. Book of Life is God’s eternal record of the redeemed (see 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; Ex. 32:32; Ps. 69:28; Dan. 12:1; Mal. 3:16; Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3).
Rev. 13:9, 10 The Lord’s words of judgment upon Judah (see Jer. 15:2, 3) become words of counsel and encouragement to a suffering church. The persecuted are to maintain a patient trust in God to work out His purposes and are not to adopt the methods of the Beast and the Dragon. Action: Understand that the Lord calls His people to faithfulness and patient endurance. Never give up!
Revelations 13:11-18 begins talking about the Mark of the Beast,which is the last half of the Tribulation period. We meet here the Antichrist’s religious spokesperson, who also carries out one of Revelation’s most notorious events, the sealing with the mark . . . of the beast (see note on v. 16). 13:16 - It is not clear whether or not this mark is literal and visible. Most likely, it is not (see 3:13). Action: Do not adopt the world's way of thinking or its standards of behavior. What is clear is that one’s allegiance to Christ or the Antichrist will be clear and well defined. 13:18 - Since neither the Hebrew nor Greek language possessed a separate numerical system, the letters of their alphabets carried numerical value. Hence, the symbolic number of the beast is the sum of the numerical values of the separate letters of his name. It is known as “gematria.” The monster may be the last of many pseudo-messiahs (see Matt. 24:24; Mark 13:22) to arise in history who manifest the spirit of Antichrist (see 1 John 2:18, 19, 22; 4:3; 2 John 7).
Another beast, identified as the False Prophet (16:13; 19:20; 20:10), is like a lamb, a symbol of all satanic religious cults, as evidenced in the priesthood of the imperial cult, which enforced the worship of Caesar. He performs great signs (v. 13), such as demonic magic and ventriloquism, which deceive those who dwell on the earth (see Deut. 13:1–5; Matt. 24:24; 2 Thess. 2:9). Out of the earth (v. 11): The imperial cult first arose in provincial Asia. The mark (v. 16) is a counterfeit of “the seal of the living God” (7:2–4), validating a citizen’s loyalty to the emperor.
The central message of the Revelation is that “the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!” (Rev. 19:6). This theme has been validated in history by the victory of the Lamb who is “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Rev. 17:14).
Yet, those who follow the Lamb are involved in a continuing spiritual conflict, and Revelation thus provides deeper insight into the nature and tactics of the Enemy (Eph. 6:10–12). The Dragon, frustrated by his defeat at the Cross and the consequent restraints placed upon his activity, and desperate to thwart the purposes of God before his inevitable doom, develops a counterfeit trinity “to make war” on the saints (Rev. 12:17). The first “beast” or monster symbolizes the reality of anti-Christian government and political power (Rev. 13:1–10, 13); and the second, anti-Christian religion, philosophy, and ideology (Rev. 13:11–17). Together they produce the ultimately deceptive and seductive anti-Christian secular society, commerce, and culture, the harlot Babylon (chs. 17; 18), composed of those “who dwell on earth.” These thus bear the “mark” of the monster, and their names are not registered in “the Lamb’s Book of Life.” The Dragon continually delegates his restricted power and authority to the monsters and their followers in order to deceive and discourage anyone from God’s creative-redemptive purpose. (Bible Study Notes from NSFB)
Revelation 1-22 New Living Translation (NLT)
Prologue
This is a revelation from[a] Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon[b] take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
~Bits and Pieces of study of Mid-Trib from NSFB
Yet, those who follow the Lamb are involved in a continuing spiritual conflict, and Revelation thus provides deeper insight into the nature and tactics of the Enemy (Eph. 6:10–12). The Dragon, frustrated by his defeat at the Cross and the consequent restraints placed upon his activity, and desperate to thwart the purposes of God before his inevitable doom, develops a counterfeit trinity “to make war” on the saints (Rev. 12:17). The first “beast” or monster symbolizes the reality of anti-Christian government and political power (Rev. 13:1–10, 13); and the second, anti-Christian religion, philosophy, and ideology (Rev. 13:11–17). Together they produce the ultimately deceptive and seductive anti-Christian secular society, commerce, and culture, the harlot Babylon (chs. 17; 18), composed of those “who dwell on earth.” These thus bear the “mark” of the monster, and their names are not registered in “the Lamb’s Book of Life.” The Dragon continually delegates his restricted power and authority to the monsters and their followers in order to deceive and discourage anyone from God’s creative-redemptive purpose. (Bible Study Notes from NSFB)
Revelation 1-22 New Living Translation (NLT)
Prologue
This is a revelation from[a] Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon[b] take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.
~Bits and Pieces of study of Mid-Trib from NSFB
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