Sermon Overview
Scripture Passage: Revelation 13
A prophecy hidden in plain sight in the Book of Daniel alludes to the full scope of the Beast’s reign found in the Book of Revelation.
In Daniel, we are given examples of four great empires, three of which are described as individual beasts: a lion to portray royalty and strength, a bear to convey massively strong claws that grasp and crush its enemies, and a leopard to symbolize rapidity and sharp speed. Each empire has its meticulous and individual method of destruction.
And the fourth empire yet to come is a mixture of them all. The fourth describes the reign of the antichrist during the Great Tribulation.
Standing in the shadows of history is a man known as the antichrist, the beast, the man of sin: Satan, the evil accuser, the decedent of torment, and the relative of evil. Despite all his names and aliases, he has only one heart and one motive which is to be worshipped.
From the beginning of time, it’s all he ever wanted. Adoration is the only currency he knows to offer to those he deceives into following him because it is the only thing he knows to care about.
His limited power is extracted solely for the purpose of being adored and worshipped. And during the Great Tribulation, he will get it one way or another. He will build his empire in a world without the Church by way of deceiving wonders through the antichrist and controlling wealth through his personal mark as a currency—666.
Today, we have a choice. You can follow the beast into the eternity of destruction, or the Lamb of God into eternity with the Heavenly Father.
Apply it to your life
The beast wants you to think you have all the time in the world to get right with God. But in reality, there is a serious urgency to confirm your salvation. One of Adrian Rogers' favorite things to say in his messages is: “People say, ‘Well, get right with God; you may die.’ Friend, get right with God, you may live.”
