Revelation 13:1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.

What is happening here?

Now the scene has shifted from John’s heaven view. He is back on earth and looking out on a sea. The ancient Israelites did not have the same view of the ocean as we do today. They did not think of a vacationing spot or somewhere to relax. The ocean was viewed in those times as a chaotic place. A place with unknowable creatures and evil beast. Psalms74:13 You divide the sea by thy strength: You break the heads of the dragons in the waters.

John looks and sees a creature he calls a beast. This is not the dragon we studied earlier but a beast that is aligned with the dragon. Seven heads and ten horns represent power and a hard to kill entity. This is the one referenced in Daniel 7:8, Daniel 8:23, Daniel 11:36-45, John 5:43 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3. This is the anti-Christ.

What is the anti-Christ about?

Revelation 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. The plan here is to mimic what has already happened. The world does not accept Jesus and His sacrifice. The anti-Christ play the part Satan has set forth and people will see him injured in a horrific way. In John’s day this would not have been possible to know something that happened across the other side of the world but today we have social media and video.

Revelation 13:4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Seeing such an event makes people think this is the Messiah. Casting off the distant knowledge of Jesus Christ, they worship the beast. They think he dies and then resurrects. The game plan is not new. People just do not know the truth of the Bible.

What happens next?

There is definitely a lot to cover here so we will pause and come back tomorrow, God willing, and discuss this further. Here is the thing, no one knows the who of the anti-Christ. No one knows the day this will all start. But Jesus told us in Matthew 24:4-7 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”

Does this scripture sound like today’s times? You can escape the coming judgement and great tribulation! It is only through the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no other way. Buddha will not save you, Mohammed will not save you, only Jesus. Do you know Him as Savior?