PERIOD OF HIS WORLD POWERS
- He breaks the Jewish treaty and stops the temple sacrifices
Dan. 9:27 "He shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease." This is in the midst of the week.
- He puts to death the Two Witnesses
Rev. 11:3-7 Elijah and perhaps Enoch or possibly Moses shall be killed after 3 1/2 years.
- He commits the Abomination of Desolation
Having stopped the temple worship, he sets himself in the temple and demands divine honors and worship.
2 Thess. 2:4 "he as God sitteth in the temple of God" - God claims this as His temple
Rev. 13:14-15 He has the power to put a spirit in the images "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. 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."
cf. Dan. 9:27 "And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate."
Dan. 12:11 "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days."
Matt. 24:15 "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)"
- By three means he secures worship for himself
l. By great personal ability and attraction. The human race has never gotten over hero worship.
Rev. 13:3-4 "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?"
2. By public display of super-human powers.
Rev. 13:12-14 "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 doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 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."
3. By economic and military sanctions. (Penalties, rationing, etc.)
Rev. 13:15-17 "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. 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: 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."
- This worship becomes almost universal
Rev. 14:7-12 Warning for men not to conform. "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. 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. 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, 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: 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. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."
Rev. 13:8 "All that dwell in the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life." Some will refuse: (1) Members of Apostate Church who see the truth; (2) Orthodox Jews.
- Since many Jews will resist, he becomes their persecutor and prevails against them for 32 years
Dan. 7:21-22, 25 "Saints" - Jewish saints - "Time, times, and half a time" Cf. 12:7 cf. verse 12:1
Rev. 13:5, 7 "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." "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."
Isa. 14:3-4 "In the day the Lord shall give thee rest from thy sorrows"
Matt. 24:15, 21 "The great tribulation"
- He proceeds now to destroy the apostate church
Rev. 17:16-17 "Shall eat her flesh" - Confiscation of wealth. Antichrist has no more use for the organization of the Church.
- At last he reaches the pinnacle of all earthly powers -- religious, economic, and military
Rev. 13:8 "Shall worship him" - religious power
Rev. 13:17 "Buy or sell" - economic rower
Rev. 13:4 ''Who is able to make war" - military power
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