Revelation 13:11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
We get to some very interesting passages now. Satan was cast down from heaven, he gave certain powers to the antichrist, and now we have the false prophet introduced. He also has the same powers that were given to the antichrist but goes one step further in that he is able to get people to actually worship the antichrist. He sets up a one-world economy and everyone must either take the mark of the beast or be persecuted and likely put to death. The shadow of this prophecy certainly will be seen in part by those alive just prior to the rapture and the beginning of the Tribulation period. It will be very hard to imagine what the world will be like and what chaos will arise when the rapture occurs. Certainly, there will be much confusion, anger, fear, uncertainty, and turmoil for all who remain. Imagine in the 7 years of the tribulation period, Satan is cast out of heaven down to earth, the antichrist comes into power, the antichrist sustains a mortal wound, the false prophet comes into power, the antichrist is given life, an image is erected of the antichrist is erected, this image is able to speak, people are swayed into following and worshipping the image, and a one-world economy is set up with the requirement of taking a mark on either your forehead or right hand. Wow, this is quite a bit to happen in a short time but make no mistake it will happen and those who come to Christ during this period of time will face trials and death for their belief in Christ. This false prophet will do things that many will think him a god. He will lead them astray and on a path directly into hell. He who has an ear let him hear. All of this will happen and as the day approaches more and more people are rejecting any need for Christ. They seem to be willing to take the chance they are good enough or that they will have more time. We don’t have to read many obituaries to know that death comes without warning many times. We do not get to pick the day or time, it just happens. Now is the day of repentance, redemption, and salvation. Open your heart to Jesus Christ and humbly honor, follow, worship, trust, and obey Him.
