The Dominion of the False Christ vs. 7-10
"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 method is force that develops into armies and war. These he turns against the saints in the earth. The church is in heaven. But there are:
The reading of the text suggests that this dominion is universal. Verse 3 also suggests the same thing. By this time the other three powers of the end time may be subjugated: Northern, Eastern, Southern. The Northern power is crushed by the Roman power; so also the Southern power; and also the Eastern power (Dan. 11:36-45; Rev. 16:12; Ezek. 38-39). The Roman power, the Babylon of the end time, remains supreme (Rev. 18).
The dominion of this monarch will be such that all shall worship him. And the cause of this is doubtless twofold:
If the saint just realizes that this Tyrant continues by permission of God, will soon reach the end of his time, and be properly judged by the Lord, he will because of this faith persist on through the persecution and be spared much affliction.
The Method of his Dominion vs. 7a
"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them...."
The method is force that develops into armies and war. These he turns against the saints in the earth. The church is in heaven. But there are:
- The Jewish saints, 144,000 sealed servants of the Lord. He cannot hurt them (Rev. 7:1-8).
- There are the Jewish saints who flee into the wilderness (Rev. 12:6, 14).
- There are the Jewish saints who remain in the city of Jerusalem (Rev. 12:17 cf. Zech. 12:8-10; 14:1-4).
- There are the Gentile saints from among all the nations (Rev. 7:9-17).
The Extent of his Dominion vs. 7b
"....and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."
The reading of the text suggests that this dominion is universal. Verse 3 also suggests the same thing. By this time the other three powers of the end time may be subjugated: Northern, Eastern, Southern. The Northern power is crushed by the Roman power; so also the Southern power; and also the Eastern power (Dan. 11:36-45; Rev. 16:12; Ezek. 38-39). The Roman power, the Babylon of the end time, remains supreme (Rev. 18).
The Effect of his Dominion vs. 8
"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."
The dominion of this monarch will be such that all shall worship him. And the cause of this is doubtless twofold:
- By miraculous works and marvelous deeds he attracts the worship of the millions (13:3-4 also verses 11-15).
- By force he compels the worship of the military. Cf. Rev. 13:16-17.
The Warning of his
Dominion vs. 9-10
"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."
Here
is a divine warning for any who may be living during that period and reject
his leadership. This is the period permitted of God to this Bestial Tyrant of
the end time and therefore any display of force to withstand the might of his
dominion will be sure to result in disaster.If the saint just realizes that this Tyrant continues by permission of God, will soon reach the end of his time, and be properly judged by the Lord, he will because of this faith persist on through the persecution and be spared much affliction.
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