Satan and His Two Helpers
The dragon is mad and makes war against Jesus’ followers at the end of earth’s history (Rev. 12:17). Do you want to know more about this war? Who are the main characters? What are they like?
Revelation chapter 13 describes the main characters. The dragon (aka Satan) recruits two helpers to join him in this war against God’s people.
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The beast from the sea (Rev. 13:1,4)
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The beast from the earth (Rev. 13:11-12) Also called the False Prophet (Rev. 20:10)
The Unholy Trinity
The dragon, the sea beast and the earth beast are very deceitful (Rev. 13:14). They imitate God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. You might call them the “unholy trinity”. This would fit their character because the Bible tells us they try to take the worship and authority that are God’s alone. But don’t just believe what I say. The Bible says to prove or test all things (1 Thess. 5:21).
The dragon, the beast, and the false prophet
Check out these clues from God’s word and tell me if you think these three characters are up to something tricky and bad. Looks like a serious case of identity theft if you ask me!
God vs. Trickster #1
He has a throne (Rev. 4:2,10; 19:4)
Gives power, throne, &Â authority to Jesus (Matt. 28:18; Rev. 5:13)
He is worshipped (Rev. 4:10; 15:4)
He lives and reigns forever (Rev. 4:9; 11:15)
He has a throne/seat (Rev. 13:2; 2:13)
Gives power, seat, & authority to sea beast (Rev. 13:2,4)
He is worshipped (Rev. 13:4)
He is destroyed forever (Rev. 20:9-10)
Jesus vs. Trickster #2
Comes from water to begin his ministry (Luke 3:21-23)
Has many crowns (Rev. 19:12)
He was slain (Rev. 5:6)
He was resurrected (Rev. 1:18)
Received worship after resurrection (Matt. 28:17)
Targets the whole world (Rev. 5:9; 10:11)
Comes from water to begin his activity (Rev. 13:1)
Has 10 crowns (Rev. 13:1)
He was slain (Rev. 13:3)
Came back to life (Rev. 13:3)
Received worship after mortal wound healed (Rev. 13:3-4, 8)
Targets the whole world (Rev. 13:7; 17:15)
The Holy Spirit vs. Trickster #3
Called the Spirit of truth (John 15:26; 16:13)
Christ-like (John 14:26; 16:14)
Exercises all the authority of Christ (John 16:13-14)
Directs worship to Christ (Acts 5:29-32)
Performs great signs (Acts 4:30-31)
Comes in fire at Pentecost (Acts 2:3-4)
Gives life/breath of life (Rom. 8:11)
Applies the seal on the forehead (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13; 4:30)
Called the false prophet (Rev. 16:13; 19:20)
Lamb-like (Rev. 13:11)
Exercises all the authority of the sea beast (Rev. 13:12)
Directs worship to sea beast (Rev. 13:12, 15)
Performs great signs (Rev. 13:13; 19:20)
Brings fire down from heaven (Rev. 13:13)
Gives life/breath to the beast’s image (Rev. 13:15)
Applies the mark on the hand or forehead (Rev. 13:16)
The God-Head or the Fraud-Head
Discovering this identity theft going on blew me away. The dragon, sea beast and earth beast are a false trinity. You might call them the fraud-head (instead of the God-head). This end-time deception must have a “christian” cloak on it. It looks christian, it’s called christian, but it isn’t. Wow! That is deceptive.
When we study Revelation and ask for the Holy Spirit to open our eyes, we begin to see who Jesus really is. God through his Holy Spirit will help us begin to separate truth from error. Let’s keep studying Revelation to learn who or what these beasts really are. They certainly aren’t God the Father, God’s only begotten son Jesus Christ, or the Holy Spirit but they sure are trying to make the world believe they are. Very intriguing!
[bctt tweet=”The dragon, sea beast and earth beast. A case of identity theft? “]
