SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7/1/2015
7:35 AM
My Worship Time Focus: Who is the False
Prophet?
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference: Revelation
13:11
Message of the verse: “11Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he
had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon.”
First I want to mention that I do not attempt to name who
this false prophet will be, but just look at his personhood. Next we want to look at the word “another” to
see what that word means. John MacArthur
writes “Some view this second beast as an institution, a form of government, or
an ideology. But the use of allos (another of the same kind)
indicates that he, like the first beast, will be a person. Further proof of that comes from 19:20 ‘And
the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the sings in
his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast
and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of
fire which burns with brimstone.’” Now
we see from this verse that what the Bible is talking about is a person, and it
also named him as the “false prophet” in Rev. 19:20.
When we were looking at the Antichrist (the first beast)
he came up out of the sea as seen in 13:1, however this second beast comes up
out of the earth. Now he too will be
indwelt with the power of a demon who is out of the abyss. As we have been studying at the book of
Revelation we have learned that there will come a time when there will be
demons who are let out of the abyss as they had been kept there because of what
they had done earlier on in the history of the world. We have also seen that Satan and his demon hoard
has lost a battle with Michael and has been kicked out of heaven for good so
they are now on the earth, and we couple this with what we will learn that the
false prophet does we have to believe that he is indwelt with a powerful demon
similar to what Antichrist is indwelt with.
John MacArthur writes the following about coming up out of the
earth: “That the false prophet arises
from the earth suggests that he will be subtler, gentler, less overpowering and
terrifying than the Antichrist. He will
be winsome and persuasive, the epitome of the wolves in sheep’s clothing Jesus
warned of (Matt. 7:15).”
Let’s look again at the description of Antichrist in 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.” Now we look again at the description of the
false prophet from Rev. 13:2b “and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon.” This false prophet is different than the
Antichrist, by what he does and how he does it through being a deceiver, but is
subtle in doing this. I suppose you
could say he was a “con man.”
Both the Antichrist and the false prophet are products of
hell, make no mistake about that for we see that the false prophet speaks as a
dragon which is a strange voice for a lamb to have. What we have here is that he will be Satan’s mouthpiece
speaking the words Satan wants him to speak.
We can see this in our own government today as there are a person behind
the scenes who do not have the ability to speak, but help put someone in power
who has the ability to speak the words of the one who helps them get
elected.
John MacArthur concludes “False prophets often appear
meek, mild, and harmless. They offer
hope and solutions to the problems troubling men and women. Yet they are ever the voices of hell, and
when they open their mouths. Satan speaks.
So it will be amid the unspeakable horrors of the Tribulation. The false prophet will come like a lamb, speaking
false, deceptive words of comfort. He
will promise the suffering, tormented people of the world that all will be well
if only they will worship Antichrist.
But those who fall for his subtle lies will face the terrifying judgment
of God (cf. 14:9-11; 16:2).”
Spiritual meaning
for my life today: During my prayer
time I pray for wisdom for myself and also for my Pastors each day. Here is what I pray “Wisdom: I Pray that the Lord will give our pastors,
and myself wisdom in all
of the decisions that we have to make today. Proverbs 3:5-6 says “5 Trust in the LORD with
all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” “I’m putting on the belt of truth. I ask You to make it very clear to me what I
am to accept into my life and what I am to reject. Help me to see clearly the motives of others
as they deal with me and converse with me.
Let me walk in Your truth, making decisions and choices according to
Your plans and purposes for my life.” The
last part is a quote from a book written by Charles Stanley in a book he wrote
about Satan.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Continue to trust the Lord even though things
in our country are not going well at this time, but remembering that God will
never leave us nor forsake us and He is sovereign who has a plan and nothing
will stop His plan from being completed.
Answer to yesterday’s Bible
question: “Christians” (Acts 11:26).
Today’s Bible
question: “According to Matthew 24:27,
with what is the coming of Christ compared”
Answer in our next SD.
7/1/2015 8:11 AM
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