7.q. It deceives those who dwell on earth,

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.

7.p. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.

Revelation 13:1  And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

Think of all of the ruthless, charismatic, cruel, and cultic rulers there have been over the course of history.  Some of these are recent and some more distant.  One thing is for sure they despise God and think of themselves as “god-like”.  The antichrist will rise to power through Satan and he will be worshiped by the masses.  He will persecute those Christians who have come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ during the tribulation period.  He will kill many but he will also take great pleasure in tormenting them physically, financially, and mentally.  He will do supernatural things so that multitudes of people we flock to Him.  He will have a way of convincing people to follow Him and allow how he is treating Christians.

This will not be a time you would want to live through and most definitely would not want this to be what opens your heart to the message of Jesus Christ.  Now is the time to repent and come to Him.  Now is the time of salvation.  Now is the time to live for Him.  Seek and desire Him more than the things that are keeping yours for giving Him your whole heart, mind, and soul.