|
|
The False Prophet
Then I saw another beast,
coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke
like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his
behalf, and made
the earth and its inhabitants worship the
first beast, whose fatal wound had been
healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire
to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the
signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he
deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of
the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He
was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that
it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be
killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free
and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so
that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name
of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If
anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it
is man's number. His number is 666. Revelation 13:11-18
The False Prophet will be the Antichrist's right-hand man. As
the Antichrist will be the political and economic ruler, the False Prophet
will be the spiritual ruler.
I have come in
my Father's name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes
in his own name, you will accept him. John 5:43
The Antichrist and the False Prophet will be widely and easily accepted
by most people on the earth. As with Adolf Hitler in the 1920s
and 1930s, economic times are so terrible that the people are quick to
follow any charismatic leader that offers hope.
For false
Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive
even the elect--if that were possible. Matthew 24:24
The Antichrist and the False Prophet will be very convincing.
Owen Weber 2009 |
|