And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name,
and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
And it was given unto him to make war with the
saints, and to overcome them: and power was
given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,
whose names are not written in the book of life
of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that
leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity:
he that killeth with the sword must be killed
with the sword. Here is the patience and
the faith of the saints.
Revelation 13:1-10
A problem that exists among those who attempt to give some meaning to symbols, and words is that they only apply that to a single event. For instance: Rome is used in many cases to determine Scripture. It may be true that Rome can be said to fit a symbol, or section of verses. But, the Bible exists several thousand years from the time Rome was a power. Can a symbol have more than one application? Yes, that is, if that application is the same in meaning and according to the original Greek, or Hebrew for that matter. Let us look with critical thinking these verses.
A beast rises out of the sea. Who is the beast? Who or what is the sea? Well, we know the beast is not Satan, but receives power from the dragon who is Satan. The word sea often refers to people: "But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt" (Isaiah 57:20). Daniel under inspiration tells of a great beast that came upon from the sea (Daniel 7:3). Later we will study that the sea gave up the dead in it, and it does have a literal translation, but with all the Scriptures, and I only listed two. the sea represents people, both good and bad. This beast had seven heads, and on those heads ten horns and on those horns ten crowns. The beasts rises out of the sea of mankind and is complete, the number seven, and power as horns represent power and authority as crowns represent authority. We have had throughout the ages of Christianity men, and women, who teach what they say is the truth, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, and other so-called "Christian" Churches that include heresy as with the Bethel Church and school here in Redding. This beast speaks blasphemy against God. These blasphemous Churches have such heresies as the "Sozo Movement" long determined to be heretical. They are like a leopard fast, quick and strong as it is with a bear, and they roar their blasphemy as a lion roars to scare up prey. The teach that they have authority, and they do: from the Dragon. How else can it be for they speak as hidden in a veil blasphemy, false teaching. This beast seems so wonderful that many come to them and believe in them, but not forever for it is only a short time that God will allow this blasphemy to occur.
We are in a war! We are to fight against such blasphemy! I am afraid that many, even Authentic Christians, have fallen asleep. We must remember: Our names have and are written down in the Book of Life, so live as what you are, overcomers. You cannot be an overcomer in name only, it takes action, and determination to bring the truth to your world. The Greek word translated as patience means in Greek: endurance. Yes! Endurance! There is no endurance to just come to Church on Sunday, or to some Bible Study, at least not in the United States, to go to Church and then leave never to discuss the sermon, but to go after fun things, those things that you have determined as OK, but leaves little time to worship God. Is this not what we are to do? Yes! Do you want to show your faith to all who will see or hear about you? Then live your faith. Do not be one who hears and then goes away to other things rather than to God.
The beast has risen, and the Dragon has given him power, but you have a power greater than the Dragon, the Beast, you have the Holy Spirit. Fight, or run! It is your choice!
For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace,
and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest,
until the righteousness thereof go forth as
brightness, and the salvation thereof
as a lamp that burneth.
Isaiah 63:1
Be an overcomer
Richard L. Crumb
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