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Revelation 13:15-18
Plumstead 2nd April, 1997
The book of Revelation is a very orderly book. Without going into the details one would just mention two aspects of that order which may be introductory to our present consideration. From chapter 4 to the end of chapter 11 we have largely the prophetic outline from the rapture until the introduction of the world to come. In this section the throne is prominent and also God's dealings are in righteousness. From chapter 12 to the end of chapter 18 we can distinctly observe that the emphasis is rather upon the religious aspect. We have a tracing of God's ways from the woman and the man child, Christ Himself, to the conclusion of God's dealings in judgement - the wrath of God - and in chapter 19 the wrath of the Lamb. These two sections seem to be clearly marked and in this section that we now embark upon it is not so much the throne but the temple and the emphasis is not so much on righteousness as upon holiness. Now with that brief outline we might notice that Revelation has blocks of teaching. The section that we are now considering from chapter 12 to chapter 14 is a period commencing with the birth of Christ and ending with the harvest and vintage judgements: again a complete period is covered in this section.
In 2.Thessalonians chapter 2 we have reference to the man of sin sitting down in the temple of God making out that he himself is God and confirm the point that you made as to the temple and to holiness.
And it was given to it to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should also speak, and should cause that as many as should not do homage to the image of the beast should be killed.
verse 15
Where we finished last year we noticed that the enemy was in every respect imitating what God had set up. If the Lord Jesus was marked by signs and miracles and wonders so likewise antichrist is marked by signs and miracles and wonders for falsehood. Likewise we noticed that there are other features of deceit such as fire coming down from heaven: it was reality in the case of Elijah but with antichrist it is falsehood and where we started in verse 15 we find this matter of giving breath to the Beast which again seems to be an imitation of God breathing into the nostrils of Adam making him a living soul.
This verse is a consolation to those who will suffer at the hand of such that there is a limit put upon the enemy's power. It was "given" and therefore not of his own power or origin or source but even that which is energised and inspired by Satan can only go as far as God permits. Now that is in keeping with the general tenor of the book. It helps to keep suffering in balance when we notice that the enemies of God can only go as far as God permits.
At no time are we to underestimate the power of the enemy. Here we have none other than Satan himself described in the fullest terms and using the two beasts of chapter 13, political and religious. We find that we are in fact moving on to that climax. It is in the light of this superlative power that you need superlative power to meet it and we shall see how God graciously comes in to encourage the remnant in that circumstance. If we get the atmosphere of this as an introduction, it will prove very helpful for us in understanding the detail.
There is no doubt that the enemy has great power but still there are limits he is subject to. And this becomes clear particularly in verse 15. We see that the enemy always tries to imitate God but here he is reaching his limits. We read that he was able to give breath or spirit to the image of the Beast but I do not believe that this is true life. It is reserved to God to give life. We see this in the instance of Pharaoh with the magicians when it was a matter of producing insects from the dust there the enemy had reached his limits and then the men said to Pharaoh: This is the finger of God. (Exodus 8:19). I believe what we have here in verse 15 is an occult phenomenon which makes a voice proceed from this image. It is certainly a climax of the activity of the enemy - but giving life is a matter that has been reserved for God.
Are we right or have we been right in our assumptions with regard to this chapter that this image is the same as the abomination that maketh desolate as referred to in the book of Daniel (chapter 12) and referred to by the Lord in the 24th chapter of Matthew? It is very striking because what it says is, of course, that because of this abomination there is going to be terrible problem, the northern power is going to sweep down, the overflowing scourge and so on. Are we in these circumstances there, are we right in the middle of that last part of the last week of Daniel's prophecy. Are we right in saying that this image is the same as the abomination that maketh desolate? I am asking the question. It has often been affirmed but can it be confirmed that it is so?
In the book of Daniel reference is made to the abomination in connection with the king of the north that when Antiochus Epiphanes came down into the holy land then there was set up in the holy place even such an abomination that it is described as the abomination of desolation, a sow was offered upon the altar. Now this is one historical picture that has to be relegated to the past, perhaps about B.C.163. But what we have here quite clearly is the abomination of desolation which is referred to in the 11th chapter of Daniel. This is the occasion when the Jewish sacrifices are ended and this is the point where in the middle of Daniel's week we are introduced to the time of Jacob's troubles, the latter half of Daniel's seventieth week.
It is the reference in chapter 11 that the Lord Jesus refers to in Matthew 24 and in Mark 13 in the verse of that particular Scripture, the abomination, the correct reading is "the abomination that maketh desolate", there is a desolation brought upon the nation because it has allowed this idolatry to be set up again. Therefore it is called the abomination that maketh desolate. I think that it is quite clear in Matthew that when the Lord refers to this matter, He was referring to the second part of Daniel's seventieth week.
In chapter 11 of Daniel there is this abomination which caused. In Daniel 9 there is a prediction of the abomination and because of them there will be a desolator. Now, basically the abomination is an idol and especially an idol in the temple. And if we read in 2. Thessalonians 2, there the antichrist is making himself worshipped in the temple. Here it is the worshipping of the image, the image of the first Beast. So it seems to me that there are two different things but clearly both are an abomination, both are idols and both are imitation of the Trinity. The final purpose of the enemy is to put God completely outside the mind of man and to get worship for himself. And we are always to ask ourselves who we are worshipping, not only simply worshipping on Sunday morning but really in all our paths, our walk, in all our pathway, in all our thoughts, are we trying always to give honour and homage to our God and Father and to His Son.
It might be helpful to mention that the antichrist is the wilful king of Daniel 11. It seems that in the first half of Daniel's seventieth week his rights as king are foremost. But in the middle of the week, when he sets up the abomination of desolation he surrenders his territorial rights in favour of becoming a false prophet and as the false prophet with the abomination of desolation the cessation of the Jewish sacrifices occurs. This is the signal for the commencement of this awful period known as the time of Jacob's troubles. I do not think we can connect the abomination of desolation with the first half of the seventieth week, that is when he gives himself out as king and even calls himself God according to 2.Thessalonians 2. I think that it must be very clear in our minds that the abomination of desolation is the setting up of the idol when he comes out as the false prophet and adoration is directed to the Beast.
I just want to add to what was said earlier with regard to this being an occult phenomenon and also regarding the question of whom we are worshipping. We must be sure Whom we are worshipping. This verse has really something to say to us in this day because Satan craves worship, he desires worship and he will use any means to secure worshippers by this means, yes, but in our day there are plenty of occult manifestations, even in Christendom, particularly in the charismatic movement and Satan will cause people to be deluded and to be deflected from giving worship to the Father and the Son. And so we need to be fully aware of this great influence and not ignorant of its subtleties. It may even clothe itself in the name of religion or some fair purpose but Satan is a deceiver and we need to have our eyes opened to this danger even in our day which will be fully manifested in the times referred to in our Scripture.
And one result of Satan acting this way is to first create a vacancy (or a vacuum) in the house and then the seven worse spirits come (Matthew 12, verse 44.45). Then he may also create a vacuum in the mind and if the word and the Spirit are not giving us the food of our Lord Jesus Christ then there is a great risk to have other kinds of idols which will fill the vacancy. And surely there is the danger of occult practices, but let us not forget that there are all kinds of idols which can take place in our mind and soul. We are appearing to be the remnant carefully proving of whom we are occupying our mind and there are so many idols - that idol of lust of the youth - which are trying to enter into our minds.
While we consider the Scripture in its context we cannot miss the moral lesson for us that comes out so very clearly in so many places. Having that put to our credit, having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, that is the negative side and very necessary but it is not with the intention that a vacuum is left but that having done rightly in getting rid of that which is negative and against God, we should live soberly, righteously and godly.
It is very important for us regarding the prophetic thoughts we have before us here has some moral effect upon us here and today. We have been allowed to see a little that worship is the most important point among the Christian activities we are engaged in on this earth. Why is that so? Gospel preaching is very important as well, studying the Scriptures is very important. What we are doing here these three days, we will no longer be doing this in heaven, but we will still worship the Father and the Son. So we realise the eternal character of worship and once we have understood that our highest, most excellent activity is worship then we would also realise that it must be the chief aim of the enemy to destroy this worship. The enemy does not want the Gospel to be preached, he also confuses the hearts of believers and makes them unhappy but his chief aim is to take away worship from God. We should bear that in mind regarding the meetings for the Breaking of Bread. Among us there is the danger to lose some of the importance of these meetings which the word of God has given them. This is another aspect of the application of these thoughts we should make to us.
Just to continue that thought a little: In Peter when the priesthood is referred to we have first the holy priesthood and then the royal priesthood and in Revelation, when the priesthood is referred to it is the kingly side first and then the priestly side and it seems to suggest to me that in this dispensation the paramount thing for the Christian is approach to God in worship. In the kingdom age it will be a question of power downward as the king and power upward as the priest but it seems to me the order is reversed in the kingdom, is that correct?
You are probably turning us to the 8th chapter of Revelation where the Lord Jesus is seen as the Angel Priest, in the 10th chapter where He's seen as the Kingly Priest so it is still following the order that has been indicated, God first and man second.
But following it up a little bit further we could say that in the epistle to the Corinthians we get the matter of our associations in chapter 10, then in chapter 11 the Breaking of Bread, in chapters 12 to 14 the ministry to the saints and, finally, in 1. Corinthians 15, the Gospel. So that we have to start from the beginning and we work from within out, at all times, if the heart is right then the feet will follow.
With regard to the expression 'worshipping', there are other wordings which are close to each other. According to the Darby translation, it is to do homage and there are also other wording, such as to glorify. But the general idea is the same. In Romans chapter 1, verse 21, it is the same "because knowing God they glorified Him not as God neither were thankful but fell into folly in their thoughts and their heart without understanding was darkened". So it is really a very important point to understand that the very starting point of getting darkness and of losing any chance of understanding in the thought of God is not to glorify Him and the man having known Him through the creation that they have not glorified Him. And it is a permanent teaching of the Scripture that we have to glorify Him. At the end of Galatians there is another warning which is a little bit different but again it is related to the question of boasting: "Far be it from me to boast save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ through Whom the world is crucified to me and I to the world". That is in other words, far be it from me to find any glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. And really this is a point which should impress all our souls. To whom are we giving worship? Is it the cross of Jesus Christ or is it the world?
It is true to say that Satan wants everything that belongs to Christ. He wants His place, His power, He wants His glory and he wants His worship. Satan wants everything that belongs to Christ.
Following that up, it might be helpful to recall that historically the mark on the forehead and on the wrist was particularly connected with three groups of persons: with worshippers, with soldiers and with slaves. Now, you can see that the Beast wants to bring death into these areas and, beloved brethren, we are all three, worshippers, soldiers and slaves. We do not want death but life and in these three areas, if we can be preserved for God, then there will be a yielding to Him. When the Beast is trying to kill then the support of God will enable us to live in these three areas of worship, warfare and service.
In this international company, if I may mention it, I am going to quote something from Scotland. I was brought up in Scotland and when I went to church in the catechism others taught that man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever, that is the first line in the Scottish catechism.
Verse 15 states that the Beast should speak. If he cannot tell him what he should say but it is evident that the intention is that Satan should be worshipped. And in the commencement of this chapter the first Beast has the name of blasphemy and further we see he blasphemes the name of God. And in the second Beast we see that he speaks like a dragon and his intention is to deceive the people and thereby Satan is worshipped and we can understand what is said now, the same spirit is breathing out what he breathes in the first and second Beasts.
God has given us His word, and the Lord Jesus is the word of God. The antichrist is trying to imitate that by giving it his own words and the remedy to all that is the attitude of the Philadelphian to keep the word of God and not to deny His Name. We have here basically two especially important criteria which we should applz in our walk upon the earth in order to keep us in our pathway. One criterion is: who comes first, the Lord Jesus or anything else? The second criterion is: is it according to the word of God or not? And with these two criteria we may choose practically everything in the right direction and our young people have to bear this in mind very carefully these two criteria. There are so many choices to be made at the beginning of the life and the choice should be according to these two criteria.
We read the warning in Revelation, 'He that has ears, let him hear'. The people here who are deceived by the second Beast they use their eyes. I think these two things are very important, what you see and what you hear. The second Beast looks like a Lamb but speaks like a dragon. So it is important for us to know that it is not according to what we see but according to what we hear. Faith is by hearing and this is illustrated often in the Old Testament. I think of the story of Isaac when he was deceived by his son. He could not see quite clearly but he says 'The voice is the voice of Jacob but it feels like Esau.' So Isaac has to learn that he must trust his ears and the Lord Jesus did not say that His 'sheep recognise the Shepherd by what He looks like' but that they 'recognise His voice.' This is important. It has been mentioned that young believers have to learn to discern what the Scriptures say. That is in fact an encouragement here that when the earth dwellers were deceived by the second Beast that we have a group of people in verse 15 who are not deceived. We find this group later in chapter 21 where you have the three groups of people who are going to reign during the thousand years. First group, the twenty-four elders, second group, the martyrs from the first half of the last week of Daniel and here in this verse 15 we have the martyrs of the second half year of the last week of Daniel.
