Before we go further, I want to pause and help everyone to understand where we are. And how we got there. I see the linear portions of text moving chronologically. Intermittently there are nonlinear interlude portions. The nonlinear style of writing placed in these interludes assists in the understanding of the passages. Furthermore, these interludes provide also one brilliant beam of Hope amid horrific times of darkness and despair.
Thus far we have witnessed the Revelation of Jesus with Chapter 1. This demonstrated His deity, as well as the absolute Sovereignty, Power, Grace and Glory of the Triune God. Remaining in chronological order then the church age was present in chapters 2 and 3. As Chapter 4 occurs, we are introduced to the throne room as the rapture has just occurred. There is great celebration and rejoicing as Jesus steps into take the title deed to the earth in chapter 5. But that begins the opening of the seven seals in chapter 6.
Each seal judgement represented the evil perpetrated by humanity’s own hand. Pride, selfishness, and hunger for power. As we reached the 7th seal and it’s impending 7 trumpets, we paused for an interlude. There we were introduced to the 144,000 Jewish missionaries. What a brilliant beam of Hope amid horrific darkness. God never abandoned His plan of Salvation even when watching the worst of human behavior destroying itself. Also in Chapter 7 we are introduced to the martyrs. Multitudes of every tribe and nation are saved at that time.
Brilliant Beam of Hope Amid the Trumpet Judgements
Lest anyone lose hope while reading the book of revelation, God stops to explain with these nonlinear interludes. Some of these interludes span from before the point we are currently looking at. And then overviews into the hope filled future. Some find these interludes confusing. But one must read them as they truly are. That is with the mindset recognizing many of these span a much larger story. Their purpose are to make sense of the current linear story.
That is where we have been. The first 4 trumpet judgements were presented in Revelation 8. They occurred immediately following a great global earthquake precipitated by the hurling of a fireball to earth. This meteor made up of all the agonizing prayers of the saints set on fire. Satan and his demons are released on the earth to hurl their wrath. Satan is angry because he no longer had access in heaven to accuse the brethren. In chapter 9, more demons are released that to further torture humans. These had been chained until this point in time. Particularly, they desire to torture the Jewish nation and anyone who professes Christ as Lord and Savior.
A Closer View Before Moving Forward
Chapter 10 is a reminder of the bitter-sweetness of Jesus reclaiming the earth. Bittersweet because next come the bowl judgements. These judgements come from the Holy Tabernacle of God in heaven. These judgements are necessary to cleanse the nation of Israel and the earth. Nothing occurring to this point persuaded hardened rebels to repent. Instead, many became more insolent with time.
This is followed by chapter 11. Therein, the tabernacle on earth is measured and found wanting. Proof that none are righteous, no not one. Yet, once more we are told of God’s gracious love. He provided two witnesses to lead the people toward righteousness. But they were rejected as well. Indeed, the people rejoice at the death of these witnesses. They do not repent. This despite watching them come back to life. Not even as they see them transported into heaven. All this right before their eyes.
A nonlinear chapter that Brings explanation, fear and hope
As we looked at chapter 12, we were introduced to the story of Satan and Israel. Certainly, he has desired to destroy every remnant of Israel. He thought he could prevent God’s plan from coming to fruition. Yet even in Chapter 12 we see God’s brilliant beam of hope as He promises to protect Israel. He will do this even as the worst of the tribulation unfolds.
So, we have reached chapter 13. This chapter describes a nonlinear view of the unholy trinity. Although these span the full time of the tribulation, we are introduced to their details. Satan always wants to micmic God. The unholy trinity consists of Satan, the Anti-Christ, and the false prophet. Therefore this chapter is to give further details of them. Thus, expanding our knowledge of what has been happening.
The Unholy Trinity and Their Darkness upon the Earth
And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore.Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads were blasphemous names. Revelation 13:1 (NASB)
Most manuscripts read “he stood,” referring again to the dragon, or Satan (cf. 12:9, 17). He takes a position in the midst of the nations of his world, represented by the sand of the sea. a beast. Lit. “a monster” (cf. 11:7), which describes a vicious, killing animal. In this context, the term represents both a person (Antichrist) and his system (the world). The final satanic world empire will be inseparable from the demon-possessed man who leads it. 1
Satan has been searching for the perfect Antichrist for ages. He has no idea when Christ is returning. Therefore, he has prepped many throughout the ages. Each time God thwarted his plan of annihilation of the nation and the Savior. But finally, one emerges who fits all the criteria. This is the antichrist that emerges at the beginning of the tribulation. He will be part of the final Roman empire which may begin with the alliance of 10 countries. One will arise as the emperor who promises peace. Watch this as John describes the antichrist as multiple animals representing his strength being a culmination of all the empires that came before—Bablyonian, Persian, Greek, and then Roman.
A Powerful Antichrist With Characteristics of Every Prior Emperor
And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne, and great authority. Revelation 13:2 (NASB).
Satan attempts to imitate the healing power of Christ. He displays publically recovery of a badly wounded Antichrist. But it is appearance only. Despite this imitation, the crowds believe. Then the crowds begin to worship both Satan and the Beast.
I saw one of his heads as if it had been fatally wounded, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; Revelation 13: 3-4(NASB)
The Antichrist was very elegant of speech with great authority. This was easy for 3.5 years during the first half of the tribulation. Remember, he came to rule promising peace. Then he becomes more tyrannical. The people still worship him.
A mouth was given to him speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. Revelation 13:5 NASB)
Then, half-way through
And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Revelation 13:6 (NASB)
He became more and more aggressive toward the saints.
It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority was given to him over every tribe, people, language, and nation. All who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slaughtered. Revelation 13:7-9 (NASB)
A Brilliant Beam of Hope in Darkness
Notice that all those who are written in the book of life of the Lamb since the foundation of the world cannot be touched by the Anti-Christ. He may be able to torment, torture, and even kill the body—but not the soul.
If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. Revelation 13: 10 (NASB)
The Third part of the Unholy Alliance—the false prophet.
This spiritual leader will come out of the one world church. He will draw all to worship Satan and the Anti-Christ. He will do so with a lamb like voice. But his words are like a dragon creating discord.
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who live on it worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the presence of people. And he deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image to the beast who *had the wound of the sword and has come to life. Revelation 13:11-14.
A False Prophet Who Leads the Apostate Church with Fake Miracles
So, this false prophet who leads the people in worship is all about their worshiping the Antichrist. He creates a monument or statue for them to bow before. This image or statue then becomes representative of their worship of the antichrist. The false prophet then causes the image made to appear to speak and breath. Maybe an AI version?
And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause all who do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And he causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, and he decrees that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. Revelation 13: 15-18 (NASB)
One Brilliant Beam of Hope Amid Such Dark Times
It is no wonder that God in His grace once more reminds us that we are safe and secure in Him. After revealing the darkness of the earthly realms under the rule of Satan, the Antichrist and the False prophet. He now leaps forward to the Millenium for a moment so we might see what awaits the faithful who belong to Him.
Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads. Revelation 14:1
The Lamb will stand upon Mount Zion to reign during the millennial reign of Christ. But for now, He wants us to see that this is the truth we hope for. This is the graciousness of God toward us. In such dark times, lets us look forward. There we look toward the beam of hope yet to be ours. He did not lose even one of the 144.000. They were sealed by the Holy Spirit.
And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder, and the voice which I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps. And they *sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders; and no one was able to learn the song except the 144,000 who had been purchased from the earth. These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are celibate. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from mankind as first fruits to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless. Revelation 14: 2-5 (NASB)
Vision of the Angel with the Gospel—Another Beam of Hope
And I saw another angel flying in midheaven with an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people; and he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth, and sea and springs of waters.” Revelation 14:6-7 NASB
Wow. In addition to the 144,000 and the two witnesses, there will be an angel teaching the gospel message as well to all who might listen.
And another angel, a second one, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who has made all the nations drink of the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” Revelation 14:8
This was big and great news. Yet, as we move forward through the book, we will be given two full chapters devoted to Babylon. Remember this interlude has jumped way past all of the remaining plagues and the battle which is called the battle of Armageddon which happens with the second return of Christ.
Doom for Worshipers of the Beast
Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:9-11
The Ultimate Beam of Hope for Those who Believe in Him
What a wondrous God to place these nonlinear interludes so we might better understand His magnificent patience in dealing with all the people of this world.
Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and [their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.” Revelation 14: 12-13
Never forget, we too are sealed by the Holy Spirit as noted in Ephesians 1:13,14. We will not be present for the tribulation if we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of our life. Yet, knowing all this we must be ever busy telling others about Christ. And we, above all others, need to lay aside all else to follow Him.
1 McArthur, John; McArthur Study Bible Revelation13:1
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
For Prayer or Comments
If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here
Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here
PREVIOUS
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2025
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)
The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.
New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New English Translation (NET)NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Amplified Bible (AMP)Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.