32-The Mark of the Beast - NAS

1. A Beast Rises Out of the Sea Like a Lion, Bear, Leopard, and Dragon.
Revelation 13:1-2 And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten _diadems_, and on his heads were _blasphemous_ names. [2] And the beast which I saw was like a _leopard_, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his _throne_ and great _authority_.

2. A Beast Represents a King Or Kingdom-A Civil, Or Religious, Ruling Power.
Daniel 7:17 'These great _beasts_, which are four in _number_, are four kings who will arise from the earth.

3. The Sea Represents Peoples, Nations, Or Language Groups.
Revelation 17:15 And he said to me, "The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and _multitudes_ and nations and _tongues_.

4. The Lion, Bear, Leopard, and Dragon Represent Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome.
Daniel 7:1-9 In the first year of _Belshazzar_ king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the _following_ summary of it. [2] Daniel said, "I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were _stirring_ up the great sea. [3] "And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another. [4] "The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it. [5] "And behold, another beast, a second one, _resembling_ a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth _between_ its teeth; and thus they said to it, 'Arise, devour much meat!' [6] "After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a _leopard_, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and _dominion_ was given to it. [7] "After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, _dreadful_ and _terrifying_ and _extremely_ strong; and it had large iron teeth. It _devoured_ and _crushed_ and _trampled_ down the _remainder_ with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. [8] "While I was _contemplating_ the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn _possessed_ eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth _uttering_ great boasts. [9] "I kept looking Until thrones were set up, And the _Ancient_ of Days took His seat; His _vesture_ was like white snow And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a _burning_ fire.

5. The Dragon Or Pagan Rome Gives This New Power Its Authority. Papal Rome Receives Its Authority From Pagan Rome.
Revelation 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like a _leopard_, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great _authority_.

6. The Beast Power Speaks Blasphemy.
Revelation 13:5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and _blasphemies_, and _authority_ to act for forty-two months was given to him.

7. If Any Human Being Claims He Has the Power to Forgive Sins, He Commits Blasphemy.
Luke 5:21 The scribes and the _Pharisees_ began to reason, saying, "Who is this man who speaks _blasphemies_? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"

8. The Bible Defines Blasphemy As Man Making Himself Equal to God. The Pope Has Claimed to Be God on Earth.
John 10:33 The Jews answered Him, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for _blasphemy_; and because You, being a man, make _Yourself_ out to be God."

9. The Beast Power Reigns Supreme 42 Months.
Revelation 13:5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and _blasphemies_, and _authority_ to act for forty-two months was given to him.

10. The Time, Times, and a Half a Time Equal 1260 Days Or 42 Months. During This Period, God's People Are in the Wilderness of Hiding.
Revelation 12:6 Then the woman fled into the _wilderness_ where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be _nourished_ for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

Revelation 16:14 For they are spirits of demons, _performing_ signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the _Almighty_.

11. I Have Appointed Thee Each Day for a Year.
Ezekiel 4:6 "When you have _completed_ these, you shall lie down a _second_ time, but on your right side and bear the iniquity of the house of Judah; I have assigned it to you for forty days, a day for each year.

12. One Day for a Year.
Numbers 14:34 'According to the _number_ of days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall bear your guilt a year, even forty years, and you will know My _opposition_.

Genesis 29:27 "_Complete_ the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you shall serve with me for _another_ seven years."

13. The Papal Power Which Changed God's Law Would Reign Supreme for 1260 Prophetic Days Or 1260 Literal Years.
Daniel 7:25 'He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the _saints_ of the _Highest_ One, and he will intend to make _alterations_ in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

In 538 AD the pagan Roman empire granted the pope of Rome civil and religious authority over the empire. Exactly 1260 years later, in 1798 AD, Berthier, a French general following the orders of Napoleon, took the pope captive.

 14. The Number of the Beast Is the Number of a Man. His Number Is 666.
Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has _understanding_ _calculate_ the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

In Bible prophecy 6 equals an error or imperfection where 7 equals perfection or completeness. A triple of sixes equals the great trinity of error: the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet. Here is Satan's false trinity. The number 666 is closely associated with the most exalted title of the papacy.

 15. Nebuchadnezzar Establishes a Counterfeit Image with Dimensions of 60 and 6.
Daniel 3:1 _Nebuchadnezzar_ the king made an image of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the _province_ of Babylon.

16. The Entire Kingdom Is Summoned to Accept This Counterfeit Worship.
Daniel 3:3-4 Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the _treasurers_, the judges, the _magistrates_ and all the rulers of the provinces were assembled for the _dedication_ of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. [4] Then the herald loudly _proclaimed_: "To you the command is given, O peoples, nations and men of every language,

17. The Central Issue in This Time of Trouble for God's Faithful Followers Is True and False Worship.
Daniel 3:14 _Nebuchadnezzar_ _responded_ and said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up?

18. A Counterfeit Image Will Be Established Again, a False Standard of Truth Will Be Exalted. The Central Issue Will Be Obedience to God Versus False Worship. An Economic Boycott, Then a Death Decree Will Be Passed.
Revelation 13:13-17 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. [14] And he _deceives_ those who dwell on the earth _because_ of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, _telling_ those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. [15] And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not _worship_ the image of the beast to be killed. [16] And he _causes_ all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the _slaves_, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their _forehead_, [17] and he _provides_ that no one will be able to buy or to sell, _except_ the one who has the mark, _either_ the name of the beast or the _number_ of his name.

19. Here We Are Called to Worship the Creator of the Sabbath.
Revelation 14:7 And he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His _judgment_ has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and _springs_ of waters."

20. We Are Called to Avoid the Counterfeit Sabbath on Sunday.
Revelation 14:9-11 Then _another_ angel, a third one, _followed_ them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his _forehead_ or on his hand, [10] he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full _strength_ in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and _brimstone_ in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. [11] "And the smoke of their torment goes up _forever_ and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and _whoever_ receives the mark of his name."

21. We Are Called to Keep God's Commandments As a Sign of Loyalty to Him.
Revelation 14:12 Here is the _perseverance_ of the saints who keep the _commandments_ of God and their faith in Jesus.

22. The Issue Is More Than a Matter of Days. It Is a Matter of Masters. Where Is Our Loyalty?
Romans 6:16 Do you not know that when you present _yourselves_ to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in _righteousness_?

23. The Issue Centers Around Choosing Between the Commandments of Men and the Commandments of God.
Mark 7:9 He was also saying to them, "You are experts at setting aside the _commandment_ of God in order to keep your _tradition_.

24. Jesus Invites Us to Obey Him Because We Love Him.
John 14:15 "If you love Me, you will _keep_ My _commandments_.

25. He Promises to Shelter Us in the Time of Trouble.
Psalms 91:1-16 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will abide in the shadow of the _Almighty_. [2] I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!" [3] For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper And from the deadly pestilence. [4] He will cover you with His _pinions_, And under His wings you may seek refuge; His _faithfulness_ is a shield and _bulwark_. [5] You will not be afraid of the terror by night, Or of the arrow that flies by day; [6] Of the pestilence that stalks in _darkness_, Or of the _destruction_ that lays waste at noon. [7] A thousand may fall at your side And ten thousand at your right hand, But it shall not _approach_ you. [8] You will only look on with your eyes And see the _recompense_ of the wicked. [9] For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your _dwelling_ place. [10] No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent. [11] For He will give His angels charge _concerning_ you, To guard you in all your ways. [12] They will bear you up in their hands, That you do not strike your foot _against_ a stone. [13] You will tread upon the lion and cobra, The young lion and the _serpent_ you will _trample_ down. [14] "Because he has loved Me, _therefore_ I will deliver him; I will set him _securely_ on high, because he has known My name. [15] "He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in _trouble_; I will rescue him and honor him. [16] "With a long life I will _satisfy_ him And let him see My _salvation_."

Next Bible Study: 33-The True Church

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