Introduction

Revelation 13:1-10 ESV  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.  (2)  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.  (3)  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.  (4)  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?”  (5)  And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.  (6)  It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.  (7)  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,  (8)  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.  (9)  If anyone has an ear, let him hear:  (10)  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.

For the next three Sundays we are going to be going over the two beasts of Revelation.

The first beast we have just read about is the beast from the Sea.

The second beast comes from the very next verse, it is the Beast from the Earth:

Revelation 13:11 ESV  Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

• It is the second beast that will institute the infamous mark of the Beast, which we will read about at the end of this chapter:

Revelation 13:16-18 ESV  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,  (17)  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.  (18)  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.

• So, we have two beasts, one from the Sea, one from the Earth, and then we have the mark of the beast…
• But before we get into it, let’s talk about the two beasts and who they represent in the end times…
  • The first beast, the beast that comes out of the water represents a human leader that likely comes from a gentile nation.
    • Someone who is not Jewish, but is a world renowned leader.
    • We say this for a variety of reasons, first because without exception, water based beasts have been used in the Bible to describe people or nations that persecute Israel.
    • And second because the word “water” is often used to mean “a great many people” or “a gathering of many peoples and nations”
  • Now the second beast, which we will go into in our next sermon in this series, comes from the land.
    • This beast is a religious leader. He is called a false prophet who upholds the first beast with false prophecies.
    • It also may be that the second beast is Jewish, as the phrase “out of the earth” is sometimes used to describe Palestine. But even if not, we knew this beast will be very religious and will bring about the Mark of the Beast.
• So we have these two beasts, one a strong political leader, and one a strong religious leader.
  • And they will demand that they are worshiped and they will tirelessly persecute the church.
  • So over the next three sermons we are going to talk about these two beasts and the mark…
  • We are going to talk about evil that comes out of politics, and evil that comes out of the church, and finaly we are going to talk about the evil of Situational Ethics and how the mark of the beast will take advantage of that…
  • These are the topics of chapter 13 and thus these are the topics of our next three sermons:

Church and State, A beast from Each

• Part 1 – Discerning Evil in the Government
• Part 2 – Discerning Evil in the Church
• Part 3 – The Mark and the Problem with Situational Ethics

So today we are going to talk about that first beast, the one that comes as a world renowned leader, almost certainly a political leader…

Church and State, A Beast From Each – Part 1: Discerning Evil in the Government

Let’s read again about this first beast…

Revelation 13:1 ESV  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.

• 10 Horns, Seven Heads, and 10 Crowns…
  • Daniel speaks of Rome as a beast, and look how he describes how Rome will turn out in the end of days:

Daniel 7:24-25 ESV  As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings.  (25)  He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.

• Revelation 17 also gives us more details about this beast and what it’s symbols are:

Revelation 17:9-10 ESV  This calls for a mind with wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated;  (10)  they are also seven kings, five of whom have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he does come he must remain only a little while.

• So the 10 Horns represent 10 kingdoms and The Seven heads represent 7 Mountains and 7 Kings.
  • And Daniel says this beast comes out of Rome…
• We also get this imagery of this first beast:

Revelation 13:2 ESV  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.

• These animals are symbolic represent different nations that have persecuted God’s people Biblicaly.
  • In Daniel 7 the lion Represents Babylon, The Leopord is Greece, and the Bear is Persia.
  • It stands to reason that this Beast will be as evil as all three of these nations were combined, it will be swift to conquer like a leopard, powerful as a bear, and as greedy as a hungry lion.
    • So the complete picture that we get is that there will be a grouping of world powers, 10 nations in all.
    • They will be European, around the Roman area.
    • They will be powerful and will quickly rise as a global power.
    • And there will be 7 leaders in charge of these 10 kingdoms.
      • Now take note… The Beast is NOT the 10 Kingdoms, and is NOT the 7 kings… those are things that adorn the beast… those are things that define the beast… but the beast is a single person.
      • Someone lifted up by these kings and kingdoms.
  • I should also note that either this beast, is who we refer to when we talk about the antichrist…
    • This first beast is the Antichrist…the ruler who sits in the Holy of Holies in the new temple. The leader who betrays Israel and makes her to flee.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ESV  Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,  (4)  who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

• So, when we are looking for signs of the end times, one thing we should take particular note of is grouping of nations, particularly European Nations, that amass power and respect.
  • It is for this reason that I only extend limited trust to groups like the European Union and the United Nations… for it is very possible that they could produce the antichrist.
    • And should you see a leader rise out of one of these groups, BE VERY VERY CAUTIOUS!
• That brings us to point one this morning:

Point One – Don’t Be Gullible, Politicians are Evil

• BAM! Did you see that one coming? Don’t be Gullible, Politicians are Evil.

Revelation 13:4-8 ESV  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?”  (5)  And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.  (6)  It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.  (7)  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,  (8)  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.

• Clearly this BEAST is Evil.
  • Clearly. If you missed that, go and read Revelations 13:4-8 again. This beast is EVIl.
    • This beast is also a politician.
      • Therefore we can say without a shadow of a doubt that there will be at least ONE evil politician.
      • And we can certainly name other evil politicians. Hitler, Stalin, Bin Laden, Sadam Husain…
      • So we can certainly say SOME politicians are evil.
  • But can we say that ALL politicians are evil?
    • NO. We certainly can not say that.
    • But what we can say is that all Politicians who are not Christians are evil.
      • Why can we say that? Because the Bible TEACHES that all people are evil without Christ. As I was before Christ, as you were before Christ.
      • All people are evil without Christ.

Romans 3:10-18 ESV  as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;  (11)  no one understands; no one seeks for God.  (12)  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”  (13)  “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”  (14)  “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”  (15)  “Their feet are swift to shed blood;  (16)  in their paths are ruin and misery,  (17)  and the way of peace they have not known.”  (18)  “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

• That verse describes ALL people who are not born again.
  • They are worthless, evil, not doing good, not even one of them. They are liars, they cause others to sin, they are quick to violence… they are wicked.
    • The fact that man is naturally evil is a tenant of Christianity. It makes us unique. We say “no, man is not good, man is evil and in need of a savior.”
• Now most of us, if asked, would agree that all men are evil without Christ.
  • But for some reason when it comes to certain professions we want to believe these people are good.
    • Doctors, Musicians, Police Officers, Scientist, Politicians…
      • Sure, we are happy to say that Lawyers and tax collectors are evil… but not doctors and musicians right… they just want to help people.
        • But the Bible says that ALL people are evil. Your profession doesn’t change that.
          • NOW HEAR ME SAINTS.
            • I am not saying the position of Police Officer, or Doctor, or Scientist, or Politician is evil.
            • I thank God we have police, and scientist, and doctors, and a government.
            • But I am say that many if not MOST of the people in those positions are evil.
              • I am also not saying that everything these people do is evil. I am simply saying that without Christ all people are evil. Can we agree on that?
• But there are two positions that are the MOST dangerous to have evil people in… Politicians and Religious leaders.
  • When evil people run nations and churches… BAD THINGS HAPPEN.
  • And thus we see the two beasts… a politician and a religious leader.
• DON’T BE GULLIBLE, Politicians are evil.
  • Church we have been groomed… we have been conditioned… to think that politics is a battle between left and right.
    • We are convinced that… well… they are just democrats and that’s what they believe…
    • And, if they are a republican then they are really trying to do good.
      • No, it doesn’t matter if they are a republican or democrat… it’s not a matter of policy… if someone is not a Christian they are evil. PERIOD.
        • And look at what politicians have done in the past few years.
          • In California Churches were forced to close because of the Pandemic, but Strip clubs were allowed to remain open. EVIL.
          • In Canada the politicians party without masks, but they arrest pastors for having church… EVIL.
          • Public schools run by elected officials are now full of homosexual and transgender propaganda, with libraries that include GRAPHICLY pornographic materials… even in our own state! EVIL EVIL EVIL.
          • Nearly a million babies are aborted every year before they get a chance to see their mother’s face. EVIL.
            • And it’s clearly not a republican verse democrat thing… because WE HAVE A REPUBLICAN SUPREME COURT…. Dear SCOTUS… how many more babies have to die before you get around to ruling on Row Vs. Wade?! How many murders must take place before you definitely say that it is illegal to murder babies?!
              • Well it’s not that simple pastor… THE FACT THAT IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE SHOULD PROVE TO YOU THAT POLITICIANS ARE, BY AND LARGE, EVIL.
        • If I was president the first thing I would do would be to mobilize the national guard and forcibly shut down every abortion clinic in the Nation!
          • But that wouldn’t work, why? Because politicians from both sides and every branch of the government would oppose me. EVIL EVIL EVIL.
• Politicians who are not born again are evil, and evil people do evil things.
  • Why is this important? Because the Anti Christ will be a politician, and he needs to convince you, the church, that he is good.
    • He will feed the hungry, and conquer the bad guys.
    • He will bring peace, at least for a time, to places you didn’t think there could be peace.
    • He will unit nations and bring promises of wealth and prosperity.
      • YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO LIKE HIM. YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO TRUST HIM.
        • But HE IS EVIL.
      • You must begin to distrust the world. In every area. Don’t be gullible! Just like Pastor Mike Preached.
• How many times in the last two years have you heard “They are doing this for your own good”?
  • How much more so will you hear that about the antichrist?
• So what are we to do? Are we to become anarchists? No! Of course not. We should desire that our politicians are not evil.
  • It starts by voting for Christians. Upright and trustworthy, in every candidacy…

Exodus 18:21-23 ESV  Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.  (22)  And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you.  (23)  If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”

• Second, we should pray for our leaders. That they might be saved, redeemed, restored, no longer evil…

1 Timothy 2:1-2 ESV  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,  (2)  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

• Finally, we should continue to live Christian lives as we respectfully honor our political leaders…

1 Peter 2:17 ESV  Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Point Two – Because Politicians Are Evil, We Will Be Persecuted

Revelation 13:7-10 ESV  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,  (8)  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.  (9)  If anyone has an ear, let him hear:  (10)  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.

• Some political leader, the anti-christ, is going to make life REALLY REALLY REALLY bad for Christians… and even today Political leaders are making life hard for Christians… what do we do with that?
  • Well, Romans 13 says to be subject to the governing authorities…

Romans 13:1-2 ESV  Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.  (2)  Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

• I was asked by a friend: “what does this mean for Christians… how do we live out Romans 13 when a politician tells us to do something against the Word of God.”
  • My response was “We honor politicians the same way we honor our parents… honoring does not mean blind obedience… it means respecting them, treating them with respect and dignity, not resisting their commands… but not necessarily always obeying them either”.
    • Let me explain… imagine you are 12 years old and come to know Christ, you get saved, born again! But your parents hate God.
    • You know they hate God and wouldn’t approve, but you also know you need to be reading the Bible.
    • One day your mom finds you in your room reading your Bible and flips out, she burns your Bible and grounds you for a month.
      • Your Biblical duty is to take that grounding like a man, even at 12, to respect your punishment.
      • During that time you should be praying for your mom.
      • And when you are free to go, you should right away get another Bible… and if you get grounded again you take the punishment respectfully.
        • What you SHOULDN’T do is call your mom names, or fight her, or sneak out of the house and go over to Jimmies house to play video games even though you know you are grounded.
        • You honor and obey God, and honor your parents.
• The same is true with us as Christians and we see this time and time again in the Bible.
• Remember, this point is “Because Politicians are Evil, We Will Be Persecuted”.
  • Look at how many political leaders persecuted the saints in the Bible.
    • King Saul tried many times to kill David.
    • King Nebuchadnezzar put Daniel in the Lions Den.
    • King Herod tried to kill Jesus.
    • The Roman authorities arrested Paul and put him on trial.
  • These evil politicians persecuted the saints and even Christ… but how did they respond?
    • Did they name call? Did they riot? Did they rebel?
      • No, they obeyed God while still showing honor to the governing authorities.
• Look how David talks to Saul even after Saul has tried to murder him multiple times…

1 Samuel 24:9-10 ESV  And David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’?  (10)  Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the LORD gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s anointed.’

• David refused to kill Saul. He spoke to Saul with respect and honor, he refused to curse him and instead chose to bless him.
• How about Daniel… He was ordered by the government not to pray. But he prayed anyway. When he was arrested, he did not fight, instead stayed and was thrown into the lions den. When the king came to see if he was dead, look how Daniel, who was saved by the hand of God, responds to the king who just through him in the lions den!

Daniel 6:21-22 ESV  Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!  (22)  My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

• “Oh King, Live forever” he says! What respect he shows the murderous king! Then he uses this as an opportunity to evangelize to the king “My God sent his angle to shut the lions mouth!”.
• This same thing happens all throughout the Bible.
  • The king commanded all male babies to be murdered, did Jesus’ parents obey? No, of course not.
    • But Jesus would still grow up and tell people to pay their taxes to Ceaser… Jesus could have grown up bitter and started a rebellion, instead He obeyed what would later be written in Romans 13.
  • Paul was arrested a few times… he never fought, he never ran. Even given the chance to escape prison, he stayed and converted the prison guard.
• What does this have to do with Revelation?
  • The truth is, there is a time to fight… I preached on this last year… and we should stay ready to fight… we should take our swords with us… but we only fight when God tells us to.
  • And when it comes time for the end, we are told this in revelation:

Revelation 13:9-10 ESV  If anyone has an ear, let him hear:  (10)  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.

• If I am going to be arrested for my faith, then I will be arrested.
• If I am going to be killed for my faith, then I will be killed.
• My job is to endure! My job is to have faith! My job is to obey God and live at peace with others as much as it is possible with me.
  • Saints, I won’t be surprised if I one day end up in jail for my faith. I won’t resist it… but I won’t stop preaching the Gospel.

Conclusion

Turn On Children’s Blessings Lamp

• Let me conclude with this… we must stay plumbline church.
• We must stay plumbline….
• You know what a plumbline is? It is literally a plum tied to a string. Ancient architects would hang the line and it would hang straight up and down, this would give them a starting point for the building. If the first wall is  plum, and all other walls are built off it, the building will be plum.
• We must be a plumbline as persecution arises… not moving to the side of obeying the government blindly, but also not moving to the other side of rebelling against the government without the Lord’s command.
• We will see more of the importance of being in plumbline as we go through these next few messages. But for now, let’s close with the Gospel.
• Gospel Call