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The Beast at War

By David Maas
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In Revelation, the language of war is used metaphorically to portray the attacks of the beast against the saints .  Revelation  uses “ war ” and related terms to illustrate Satan’s attacks against the followers of the “ Lamb .” It shows no interest in conventional or nuclear warfare between nation-states. Instead, the “ Dragon ” strives mightily to annihilate the church before his allotted time expires, and, to do so, he employs deception, compromise, and persecution - [ Photo by Jemima Whyles on Unsplash ].
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Counterfeit Christ

By David Maas
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The Beast from the earth, the False Prophet, mimics the Lamb and presents a counterfeit of the true faith of Jesus . In chapter 13, John sees a “ Beast   ascending from the earth ,” one whose purpose is to deceive the “ inhabitants of the earth .” The latter is characterized by political power, and the former by its ability to use religion to deceive and the economic power that it wields against anyone who does not submit to the first “ Beast .” - [ Caracalla - Photo by Ian Noble on  Unsplash ].
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Embracing the Mark

By David Maas
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The inhabitants of the earth willingly venerate the Beast and receive its mark, although Christians are not immune from its allure . Discussions on the “ mark of the Beast ” focus on questions about what it is - a medical implant, barcode, tattoo – and the significance of its “ number ,” ‘ 666 .’ As important as these questions are, far more critical is the question -  How is the mark implemented, and how does the believer avoid taking it or the “number of the beast” ? - [ Federal Reserve Chicago - Photo by  Joshua Woroniecki  on  Unsplash ].
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Beastly Mark

By David Maas
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All men who refuse to follow the Lamb will render homage to the Beast and take its mark – Revelation 13:16-18.  The “ False Prophet ” uses the power of the first “ Beast ” against anyone who refuses to give full allegiance to it. Its “ mark ” is an economic tool. Commerce is the lifeblood of the World Empire , and leveling sanctions against nations and peoples is its enforcement mechanism. Economic restrictions mean deprivation and suffering for their victims - [ Money - Photo by Dmitry Demidko on Unsplash ].
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Mouth Speaking Great Things

By David Maas
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The mouth speaking great things in Daniel appears in Revelation in the description of the Beast from the sea and its war against the saints . In the book of  Revelation , the “ little horn ” from  Daniel  is  NOT  explicitly named but its characteristics are present in the “ Beast from the sea .” But the book does not retell the same story without changes; instead, it modifies and repurposes it to tell  ITS  story. The “ Beast from the sea ” is based on Daniel’s “ little horn ,” but it also is something beyond what Daniel saw, and arguably, something far worse - [ Photo by  Joshua Earle  on  Unsplash ].
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