Mark of the Beast

The Beast and the Antichrist


One of the most feared events that are mentioned in the Holy Bible is the Great Tribulation. The reason for this fear is not only because of the genocide and mass destruction that would occur during the Great Tribulation but also because the Second Beast of Revelation 13 would emerge and create unimaginable havoc and have absolute control in most aspects of our civilization.  This is the prophecy of our Lord Jesus Christ.  “For then there will be Great Tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.  And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” (Mt. 24:21-22) 

 

Many Christians believe they will be raptured (taken up) into heaven before the Great Tribulation occurs.  That is not what our Lord said.  Read this. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”(Mt.24:29-30)  Our Lord Jesus Christ said that He would return after the Great Tribulation and not before.  This means Christians will go through the Great Tribulation.  It is my personal belief that we are experiencing the Great Tribulation right now.


Nature of the Beast

Of all the subjects concerning the End Time the mark of the beast is the one that most Christians like to study.  First of all we need to understand the nature of the beast that has the mark.  The beast is distinguished from man who is created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7; Ecc. 3:21).  The beast has no spirit therefore has no God consciousness.  In Scripture it is figurative of the sensual, ferocious and brutal natures that belong to the wild and untamed animals (Ezek. 5:17; 14:15, 21).  The word “beast” is used figuratively of brutal men (Ecc. 3:18; 2 Pet. 2:12; Jude 10).  Hence, the apostle Paul wrote: “I have fought with beasts at Ephesus” (1 Cor. 15:32).  A wild beast is the symbol of a selfish, tyrannical monarchy.  The four beasts in Daniel 7:3, 17, 23 represent the four kingdoms (Ezek. 34:28; Jer. 12:9).  In the book of Revelation the beasts obviously mean worldly powers, whose rising out of the sea and the earth indicate they owe their origin and power to the commotion of the people (Rev. 13:1; 15:2; 17:8)

Spirit  of  the  Antichrist

The beast is also called the Antichrist.  Here is the definition of the Antichrist.  “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God.  And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” (1 Jn. 4:1-3)  “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” (1 Jn. 2:18)  


Many Christian eschatologists are looking for one super-powerful individual to fit the role of the Antichrist.  In truth the Holy Bible informs us there are many antichrists in the End Time.  The Antichrists are those that deny the Lord Jesus Christ is God who manifested Himself in the flesh and they are strongly opposed to Christianity. Antichrists can exist anywhere and in any age.  


Mohammed is the Archetype of an Antichrist

According to Islam, the only official prophet of God is Mohammed ben Abdallah.  He was born in Mecca in 571 A.D. to poor parents of the Beduin tribes of Arabia. When he was twenty-five years old he married a rich widow by the name of Khalidja who was fifteen years older.  They had six children, two boys and four girls. Unfortunately they all died young except Fatima.  Mohammed carried on as a merchant until he was forty years old. He then decided to spend his life in the service of Allah and taught his people to worship a single God whom he called Allah.   Consequently he withdrew to the caves around Mecca, where he had several visions. Being illiterate, his assistants wrote down the heavenly messages that were used to codify the holy book of Islam, the Qur’an. 

When one reads the Qur'an what becomes apparent is that it teaches many things that contradicts what the Holy Bible teaches about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Sura 19:20,34, Jesus praised his birth and then said, “I am the servant of Allah.” And Allah teaches, “It is not for God to take a son unto Him.” Here we have Jesus speaking denying everything he said in the Bible concerning Himself.

In Sura 10:68-70 They say: “God hath begotten a son!” - Glory be to Him! He is self- sufficient! His are all things in the heavens and on earth! No warrant have ye for this! say ye about God what ye know not? Say: “Those who invent a lie against God will never prosper.” A little enjoyment in this world!- and then, to Us will be their return, then shall We make them taste the severest penalty for their blasphemies.”  Mohammed denies Jesus is the Son of God.

Sura 5, section 16, verse 119, reads: “And behold! God will say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Didst thou say unto men, “Worship me and my mother as gods in derogation of God”? He will say: “Glory to thee! Never could I say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, thou wouldst indeed have known it. Thou knowest what is in my heart, though I have not known what is in thine. For thou knowest in full all that is hidden.” Mohammed denies Jesus is God.

What we have is a revelation of Mohammad that came after 550 years of the last revelation by Jesus and his appointed apostles.

It is possible that Mohammad had come to this same conclusion from his own environment. Sura 3:59: “The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: “Be.” And he was.”

So it is interpreted Jesus is just a human being that is a no different than any other except that He had a virgin birth. He is a prophet as there are other prophets, and that is all that He is.

Any Muslim who believes Jesus Christ is God has committed the unforgivable sin, that will send him to hell. Sura 43:59 states “Jesus was no more than a mortal whom Allah favored and made an example to the Israelites. They are unbelievers who say God is Messiah, Mary’s son.” Mohammed is indeed a false prophet and an Antichrist in the very sense of the word. Today's teachers and followers of Mohammed are also the antichrists


Essential Difference between Christianity and Islam

Historic Christianity contends that the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, dead, and buried outside of Jerusalem. Christians contend that there is Biblical and historical evidence for the crucifixion, and that it was significant theologically in providing an atonement for the sins of all who would/will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Muslims dispute the fact of Jesus' crucifixion, arguing that Allah would never have dishonored His prophet by allowing Him to undergo such a death. Muslims believe that Jesus was miraculously caught up into heaven and that someone (perhaps Judas Iscariot) secretly took His place on the cross. What a big lie!

Does it really matter?

The historical reality of Jesus' crucifixion is an essential doctrine of the Christian faith. Without the crucifixion the resurrection becomes irrelevant, and without the resurrection Christianity itself is rendered meaningless, i.e. I Corinthians 15:14 "And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain, your faith is also vain." "But what does it say? 'The word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation." (Rom. 10:8-10)

The Qur'an actually contend that Jesus was not crucified.

Surah 4:157-158 states: "That they said (in boast), 'We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah' -- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, but only conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not -- nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself."

The Lord Jesus Christ have so often predicted His crucifixion and resurrection.

Matthew 17:22-23 says "Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, 'The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.' And they were exceedingly sorrowful." Consider also Mark 9:31; Luke 9:22; John 12:32-33. Jesus stressed this over and over again. Believing in the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the gospel that saves us. Islam is definitely anti-christian.


The  First  Beast

In Chapter 13 of Revelation there are two beasts.  The first beast rose out of the sea (Rev. 13:1-10).  Let us try to identify the First Beast.

“Then I stood on the sand of the sea.  And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.” (Rev. 13:1)

The beast with seven heads represents 7 previous empires that have ruled in the Middle-East -- Mediterranean region. The ten horns will be 10 Islamic nations that join forces to conquer the world, which has been the goal of Islam from its beginning.

When Mohammed came to power in 622 A.D. he conquered all of Saudi Arabia and made its king subject to his teachings. Mohammed's followers conquered all the 17 kingdoms of the former Kings that formed the Arab Muslim Abbasid Empire of 750 A.D. Many of these kingdoms in the Middle East are now powerful members of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). for "The Beast Empire in the World" Web Site

“I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed.   And all the world marveled and followed he beast.” (Rev. 13:3) 

In the first battle Mohammed fought against the Meccan people he was wounded in the head by a sword.  His army thought that Mohammed was dead, but he was only wounded.  His recovery was amazing and this gave credence to his followers that he was a true messenger of Allah.

“So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, say who is like the beast?  Who is able to make war with him?” (Rev. 13:4)

Ever since Islam began it has been waging a literal war against Christians and Christianity. The first Islamic empire started in Arabia and waged war against the Byzantine Empire, which was officially Christian, for 800 years until Byzantium was totally defeated under the second Islamic empire that was the Ottoman Empire. The capital city, Constantinople, was renamed Istanbul. The Arabic empire went from Morocco to China, and included Spain and the Balkans. Many millions of Christians have suffered and died at the hands of Muslim invaders.

“And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.  Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.” (Rev. 13:5-6)

The religion of Mohammed has darkened the minds of men for centuries. The message of Jesus is either forbidden or greatly inhibited in the lands associated with The Prophet. Those lands from Gibraltar to the Indus have been held under the cloud of Islam for over 1300 years.

The Muslim distinguishes the Allah they worship with the God that Christians worship.  The Muslim’s God did not manifest Himself in the flesh as the Lord Jesus Christ.  Five times every twenty four hours at dawn, shortly after midday, in late afternoon, at sunset, and at bedtime the muezzin (Muslim crier) mounts a minaret (tower attached to a mosque) to sound the adhan, or call to prayer: "Allahu Akbar (God is most great)! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! I bear witness that there is no God but Allah. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah. I bear witness that there is no God but Allah. I bear witness that Mohammed is the Apostle of Allah. I bear witness that Mohammed is the Apostle of Allah. I bear witness that Mohammed is the Apostle of Allah. Come to prayer! Come to prayer! Come to prayer! Come to success! Come to success! Come to success! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! There is no God but Allah!" Let us not forget that Allah is not the same God that Christians worship. Every time a Muslim prays: "Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! There is no God but Allah!" he or she is blaspheming the One True God in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“And it was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them.  And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev. 13:7-8)

When Mohammed went about converting the world to Islam he did not give people a choice of believing or rejecting his message.  He gave them a choice of believing or die at the hands of His followers.  Mohammed and His followers conquered all of the Middle East. From Babylon to Africa the same choices faced all whom they came in contact with. Worship my God or die.  Believers in Christ would not worship and many were killed.

The  Second  Beast

Now we come to find out who is the second beast in Revelation 13.  “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” (Rev. 13:11) Animals use their horns for combat. In Scripture horns symbolize strength and honor (Psm. 18:2; Dan. 7:7; Lk. 1:69).  This Second Beast has the appearance of a peaceful and docile lamb but he spoke like the devil (dragon).  Remember our Lord Jesus Christ had given His disciples this warning: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly the are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits.  Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?” (Mt. 7:15-16)  The second beast is the one that has the mark (Rev. 13:16-17)

Prophecy  of  a  Wild  Man

Who is this Second Beast?  We may have the clue to his identity by going back about four thousand years to trace the origin of the Semitic race.  Abraham had two sons.  The first son is called Ismael and the second son is Isaac.  Here is what the Angel of the LORD prophesied about Ismael: “He shall be a wild man; His hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him.  And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” (Gen. 16:12)  The prophecy concerning Ismael describes the beast very well.  Ismael is the progenitor of the Islamic people who live in the Middle Eastern countries.  In recent times we have seen two persons that fit the role of the Second Beast.  One is Saddam Hussein of Iraq and the other is Osama bin Laden, an exiled person of Saudi Arabia who now lives in Afghanistan.  Osama is the “wild man” who has been portrayed as a beast who has no conscience when he was identified as the person responsible for killing thousands of innocent people in the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.  By his wicked and vile actions Osama’s “hand is against every man, and every man’s hand against him.”  There is a heavy price tag on his head – dead or alive.  The prophecy “And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren” is exactly what happened to Osama bin Laden who was protected by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.  I would like to emphasize that the Second Beast has reference only to the Muslim extremists who are terrorists and not to all the Islamic people. 


The apostle Paul wrote the descendents of Ismael (Muslim extremists) would persecute the spiritual descendents of Isaac - Jews and Christians (Gal.. 4:22-31). Osama bin Laden and the Al Queda are waging a Jihad - holy war against Israel (Jews) and America (Christians). Even though Osama bin Laden is captured or killed there will be other beasts to take his place in the Beast Kingdom. The other beast to watch out is Saddam Hussein. for "Saddam Hussein: The Last Great Tyrant" Web Site

- to be continued -

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