Return to list of sermons M - S
 




TITLE: Mark of the Beast

TEXT: Revelation 13:16-18

PROPOSITION: The church is at war against Satan.

QUESTION: Who?

KEY WORD: Participants

SCRIPTURE READING:

INTRODUCTION:

  1. Revelation was written to a persecuted church – to encourage them.
  2. Any interpretation must focus on things "at hand" (1:3; James 5:8)
  3. I am not getting into methods of interpretation, date for the book.
  4. I will deal with two things –
    Confusing explanations of 666.
    What is involved?

Confusing Explanations of 666. Who is the beast?

  1. Nero Caesar – Hebrew letters = Nron Ksr – Roman numerals = 666
  2. Historical view – Latenios (Greek for Latin – Roman Empire) – Greek values=666
  3. Vicar of God (Vicarus Fili De) – Roman numerals - 666
  4. Hitler – A=100, B=101 – Total=666
  5. Cute Purple Dinosaur – (Barney) = 666
  6. Reduced to an absurdity = Not correct.
  7. The NUMBER is important – Not the NAME.

Revelation 12-20 = War between God (church) and Satan (forces of evil).

Evil Forces at War

  1. Dragon, Satan, Devil – 12:3-4, 7-17
  2. First beast – 13:1-10 – civil government, great power
  3. Second beast – 13:11-17 – Committee in alliance with the great power
  4. Babylon, Mother of Harlots = immorality

The Forces of Righteousness

  1. Led by God – 14:1-20
  2. The Lamb standing on Mount Zion – 14:1-13
  3. Faithful Christians (14:1-6)
  4. Their weapon – the sickle of divine judgment – 14:14-20

The Conclusion:

  1. Satan loses; God wins.
  2. Satan, beast, false prophet, Babylon (immoral) cast in lake of fire.
  3. Servants of God win – heaven, eternal life, no fear of second death


Return to list of sermons M - S