Kingdom Disciples

The Beast of Revelation is the embodiment of the ancient power that has been stalking the saints since the fall of Adam .  History repeats itself. It is littered with past efforts by tyrants and regimes to dominate the Earth. Each may experience some success, but so far, every empire that has appointed itself sovereign over humanity has floundered in the end. For example, the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar and Caesar’s imper9al realm both ceased to exist thousands of years ago.

The subject of the Antichrist raises common questions. Who is he? When will he appear? How will we recognize him? What is his “ mark ” or “ number ”? In popular preaching, he is a global political leader who uses military might to subjugate other nations and attack Israel in the Middle East. However, if Satan is truly cunning, why would he do the very thing we expect?

The Book of Revelation uses “war” and related terms to illustrate Satan’s attacks against the followers of the “ Lamb .” The Book shows little, if any, interest in conventional or nuclear warfare between nation-states. Instead, the “ Dragon ” strives mightily to annihilate the saints before his allotted time expires. To do so, he employs deception, compromise, and on occasion, outright persecution. The target of his hostility is the Assembly of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Revelation provides a graphic picture of the cosmic battle that is raging between Jesus and Satan, between the “ Lamb ” and the “ Dragon .” The stakes are high, and the pivotal battlefield is the “ Assembly ,” the Body of Christ. The Devil has no hope of victory if he fails to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ, and so all his resources are focused on accomplishing this goal.

The Book of Revelation graphically portrays the ongoing cosmic conflict between Satan and Jesus that manifests itself in the daily struggles of the “ Seven Assemblies of Asia .” On Earth, the agents of the “ Dragon ” execute his attacks on the people of God, especially the “ Beast from the Sea ,” the “ False Prophet ,” and “ Babylon, the Great Whore .” This “ war ” is waged by the Devil with deception and compromise even more so than outright persecution and violence.