(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.
Although the Antichrist is empowered by Satan, he will look attractive to the world, and many of the things he says and does will seem to be good. Halfway through the Tribulation, the abomination of desolation will take place, as Daniel chapter 9 prophesies...
The Antichrist will pretend to die and rise again which will establish himself in the temple as the only one to be worshiped. (Again - a classic-Satan-like-tactic to mock Jesus and His work on the cross - in order to lead people astray.) For the second half of the Tribulation, his power and reign on the earth will be practically unrestrained...
(Revelation 13:3-6) I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; 4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” 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. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
All unbelievers are going to worship the Antichrist. And although, the Antichrist's power will be strong and he will pursue the believers, he will not be able to take their salvation away from them...
(Revelation 13:7-10) It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, every one whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
Today's takeaway: the world's wisdom can sound good, because the "world" tells us things that we WANT to hear - and not want we NEED to hear. This is where people easily become confused, because the one who teaches truth is the one who actually loves and cares about you. A loving parent would not say to their child, "Of course, if you believe you can fly like a bird - and it feels right - and you want to do it - you can! Just go for it and jump!"...
(2 Corinthians 11:3-6) But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. 5 For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things.
(2 Corinthians 11:12-15) But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.
(Galatians 6:7-10) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
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