This now brings us to Revelation 13, again. I want to touch on the important points of this study.
The Catholic Church, the beast that comes out of the sea, was given the authority of the dragon. Why? Because Satan saw that his paganism was not catching on with the world. He had to change his form from a dragon and become a beast. Jesus is known as a lamb, and a lion which is a beast of the field. Satan wanted his own “beast” power.
What Satan did was wrap his (dragon) power under the cloak of a lamb, churches, which would speak like beasts, lions. So the dragon “gave the beast (Catholic Church) his power and his throne and great authority.” Vs 2. That is exactly what happened. The dragon, the pagan empire of Rome, gave its power to the Pope of Rome. Now the devil could work his pagan power under the “Christian” cloak of the church. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15.
It goes on to show the terrible things it would do during the 1260 years it would rule Europe. After its deadly wound was healed in 1929, it would continue to grow. The Bible says that all “inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast – all whose names have not been written in the book of life…”. Verse 8. That word “worship” is an interesting word. The definition goes like this.
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- {Proskuneo} (pros-koo-neh’-o) is the word used for “worship”.
- From “pros” and a probable derivative of koo’-ohn (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand)
- To kiss the hand, in token of reverence
- Among the Orientals, esp. the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence
- In the New Testament by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication.
Now let me ask you a question, is that kind of worship to be given to any man? Not even God requires us to act like a dog and lick his feet. Yet that is just what the Pope requires. Watch the multitudes and what they do when he comes to town. Watch what they do when they get up to him. That is devil worship.
Since the church is not allowed to use force or violence on its own, it always uses the state to be its enforcer. France and the nations of Europe were used to enforce the church’s rules during the Middle Ages. It will use the state to enforce its laws in the not too distant future.
Verse 11 tells us that just such a state would emerge. The United States (the beast with two horns like a lamb, but speaking like a dragon) would come to the rescue of the Catholic Church. Working in unison, they would “cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed”. Verse 15.
The image is the international Sunday Law. The Sunday laws are already on the books in most states known as “Blue Laws”. Most countries of the world have and enforce Sunday laws. Here in the United States they are not being enforced at this time. But they will be. There is a movement going on now to mandate the shutdown of all businesses on Sunday for the “good” of the people.
The devil wants to force “everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark…”. Verses 16, 17.
How is this going to happen? What will be the catalyst that will activate such wickedness? Let’s read on and the Bible gives us the answers. God always wants His children to be aware of what’s going on. He has given us His prophecies so we won’t be asleep like the five foolish virgins. Let us stay awake and learn what is going to happen next in our lifetime.
John’s eyes have been riveted on the scenes before him. He sees the beast power hurting, killing and destroying the church of God. I can imagine that he was not feeling very good at this time. It must have hurt him to watch all this madness. But then his eyes are directed up to heaven. There he sees the end result of all this. He sees the reward of those who are the children of God.