Reading
Revelation 12:1-13:18
Drawing Near
1. How do the media and Hollywood films portray supernatural evil and demonic activity? Is this accurate according to the Bible's view?
2. Have you ever been in a situation or around a person that seemed to epitomize "evil"? Describe your experience of coming "face-to-face" (either literally or figuratively) with such blatant, intense wickedness.
3. What speculations have you heard about the identity of the Antichrist?
The Context
Our world is the theater where God's glorious story of redemption is played out. Satan and his demonic hosts have attacked the human race, turning the earth into the main battleground in their cosmic war against God, the holy angels, and the elect. This study focuses on the terrible three enemies to come: Satan (the dragon), Antichrist (the first beast), and the false prophet (the second beast). The beasts represent the final Antichrist, whose career spans the same time period as the seal and trumpet judgments.
In the future, Satan will serve God's purpose by being permitted to launch another deadly assault against the human race. That attack will take place during the Great Tribulation. He and his demonic forces will unsuccessfully battle Michael and the heavenly host (that is, the holy angels of God). As a result of their defeat, the devil and his demons will be permanently cast down to the earth. With his theater of operations then restricted and his time running out, Satan will marshal all of his malevolent, fallen angels in an all-out attempt to deceive and destroy the souls of men.
Chapters 12-14 are actually a digression in John's vision, taking readers back through the Tribulation from Satan's perspective. These chapters are filled with difficult apocalyptic imagery and symbolism. Take your time as you work through these chapters. It would benefit you to use a commentary or concordance as you study.
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2 comments:
1. They show them as great powerful and mighty forces. This is not accurate because in the Bible we see that they have power but it is nothing compared to God's power.
2. I have never had such encountered, but I have met people who have had this time of encounters and they say that is a horrible experience. One feels trapped.
3. That he will be a powerful politician who will come from the area of Europe.
1. They make them out to be these ugly, huge beasts that come and kill people and they have great power that at times can overtake the good people. It's not accurate because the devil and demons were once angels and are actually beautiful and satan may have power, but it is still limited by God.
2. yes. I was scared to be around them and i just wanted to be away from them ( i ran into someone in the store once who literally acted as if he was demon possessed).
3. That he will come from the middle east, he will have been stabbed by a spear when he was younger and die but like come back to life, he will tell people that he wants peace, after God comes and like 3-4 years after He does the Antichrist will be killed and rise three days later and satan will have taken over his body,he will make everyone take a mark and if you do not have the mark you can not buy anything,and he will kill Christians and make them out to be the bad guys.
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