Satan’s Deceptive Religious Leader: The False Prophet Series

Alpha and Omega, Part 39, Revelation Part 16

Satan’s Deceptive Religious Leader: The False Prophet

Revelation 13:11-18

Introduction

- Been studying Revelation together, to understand God’s plan for creation

-- REM: Redemption of sin is granted through Jesus; and yes, we have a choice

- Last time, we discussed the arrival of the Antichrist and his purposes

-- He is shown to be Satan’s deadly political leader – a global leader of 10 nations

-- We also discussed his rise to power and how he gains control:

• He will secure power because of the Earth’s ungodly people (v4)

• He will secure power through military and economic strength (v4)

• He will secure his power through false hope and blasphemy (v5)

- His dominion and rule will only be because God allows it to happen, because,

-- RE: Antichrist is part of God’s judgment for our unrepentant wickedness (sin)

- Today we will examine his partner in the last days: The False Prophet

-- His purpose is simple: to rally the nations to worship the Antichrist

- Know this: the Antichrist will have a big problem that he must solve

-- Humanity does not willingly submit to authority – esp. spiritual authority

-- Not front-page news: we know what’s wrong, yet we do it anyway

-- But we are inclined to accept things that we find personally appealing, so,

-- What could possibly bring them all together and allow him to control it all?

- Read Revelation 13:11-18 / Pray for discernment

- TR: This is a key chapter of Revelation

-- It covers the depth of Satan’s wickedness, his vengeful plan against humanity

-- What it MUST do for us: Serve as a reminder to run to God’s salvation

Point 1 – The False Prophet’s Origin and Description

- He comes out of the earth, rising to power like the Antichrist did (v11)

-- Meaning: He will (also) come from the people who are living on the earth

-- This is the same pool of people who will see the Antichrist come from them

- He appears as a lamb; w/ two horns who looks peaceful; Greek: arnion; a lamb

• Appears innocent, harmless, meek – a pacifist who is not threatening

• Presents as a follower of God – religious and ceremonially clean, BUT,

• He will speak like the dragon – his words will be what show him as unholy

- He is called a false prophet because:

• He will not be teaching the word of God, but the submission to Antichrist

• He will not speak in favor of God, but for humanity to adore the Antichrist

• He will not promote Jesus Christ, he demands the worship of the Antichrist

- APP: In simple terms: The 2nd beast is a spokesman, the best salesman ever!

-- He is a great motivator to draw people in, and then force global obedience

-- He presents a “unifying value”, something the world can follow easily

-- However, his unity causes humanity to choose to worship evil over good

- After this passage he is continually called “the False Prophet”

-- Rev 16:13, Rev 19:20, Rev 20:10 all confirm this title bestowed on him

- But see this – he is not “new” to religion, he actually comes FROM religion

-- Know this and let this sink in: He will be a religious world leader

-- He may be someone who once professed to follow God or Christ

-- He may even be a man who claims to follow Christ (as a minister or …)

-- Get this: You can claim to follow Jesus and go to hell too (Depart from me…)

- Now, hold onto yourself, because this is NOT a new revelation of the faith!

-- We’ve already seen this and have been warned that this already happens:

-- Paul: 2 Corinthians 11:10-15, “As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this. Why? Because I don’t love you? God knows that I do. But I will continue doing what I have always done. (watch this) This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.”

-- John: 2 John 1:7, “I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.” Lesson: Be sure WHO you are following!!