A Daily Walk

John Randall: Oh, there is a structure coming. There is a one-world leader coming. There is a movement that is coming in quicker than we can even track it. It's happening. Things are moving. Things are being put in place. You can see it. I know that you can. I get your messages all the time, and your direct messages and your emails. And I get it. I know you're aware of it. So am I. Things are happening. Jesus is coming. The question is whether or not you're prepared for it.

Guest (Male): It is our great pleasure to once again bring you A Daily Walk with Pastor John Randall. We're going to continue Pastor John's in-depth look at the Book of Revelation today as we head back to Chapter 13. We're going to be introduced to a couple of the leading characters in the end times: the Antichrist and his sidekick, the false prophet.

We've already become acquainted with the Antichrist to some degree last time. We're told that he'll receive worldwide acceptance through deception, and the world will buy the lie, hook, line, and sinker. They marvel, worship, and follow him. Let's hear more about this evil reign as we turn things over to John.

Verse three: "All the world marveled, followed the beast, they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast saying, 'Who is like the beast and who can make war against him?'" The effects of this miraculous recovery is that all the world marvels and follows and worships the beast, but ultimately, listen folks, they're worshiping the dragon behind the beast.

They think they're worshiping the beast, but in reality, they're worshiping the devil. And this is what the devil has always desired: the worship that he desired to be directed toward him instead of toward God. The devil can use people to get them not to worship God, but to indirectly worship him.

And here you can see that their worship is directed toward the dragon using similar terms noticed of what the Bible says people would say about God: "Who is like the Lord? There's none like the Lord." Now they're saying, "Who's like the beast? No one can make war with the beast. He's untouchable. He's unstoppable." He becomes their god.

And one of the beast's most deceptive and yet convincing characteristics, listen to this, folks, is in the things that he says, in the information that he controls. This is how he deceives people. The information is controlled and thus people are deceived. Look at what it says in verse five: "He was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies.

He was given authority to continue for 42 months, and he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven." See, like the dictators of the past, the beast will rise to power through his persuasive speech. With a wicked and evil heart, the Antichrist speaks blasphemous words, and his blasphemy is against God, and it'll be the rhetoric of the Kingdom of Darkness, of Hell itself.

As he rises to power, it says he's given a mouth. He will have the attention of all the people and what he says will be blasphemous and it'll be on blast. All the world will hear it. It'll be directed toward God, toward His name, toward His tabernacle. And listen, he will also blaspheme those who are dwelling in heaven.

We'll be up there. He'll be blaspheming from down here: those who are in heaven. Perhaps saying why they were taken, why they were removed, that they were a problem to society anyway. Who knows? You know, the Bible does tell us that out of the abundance of your heart, your mouth speaks.

In the Book of James, we have a description of the potential damage of the tongue. In James chapter three, it says, "And the tongue is a fire. It's a world of iniquity, and the tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body." And listen to this: "The tongue is set on fire, the course of nature, and is set on fire by hell."

The Antichrist, his tongue will literally be set on fire by hell, and he will be full of deceit and deception. In the Old Testament, again, Daniel prophesied that one of the attributes of this coming Antichrist would be his arrogant words. He would speak with pompous words. Daniel 7:8, Daniel 7:25: "He shall speak with pompous words against the Most High and shall persecute the saints of the Most High."

Having been given his authority from the devil, along with a convincingly deceptive tongue and the control of information, the Antichrist gains a firm grip on the remaining nations of the world. But listen folks, understand this: his time is limited. He has a brief moment to reign before he is removed.

You remember we read last time in Revelation 12:12 that when the devil was thrust out of heaven, he came down with great wrath because he knows that he has a short time. Well, this Antichrist will have three and a half years, 42 months, 1,260 days, to do as much damage as he possibly can. That last three and a half years of the tribulation period before he is destroyed.

He's given a window of time and then he will be removed from power. But during that time, he will persecute and remove all those who are unwilling to follow him. In verses seven through 10, we observe now the war of the beast. Follow along, pay close attention.

It says, "It was granted to him," that is the beast, "to make war with the saints, to overcome them, and authority was given him over every tribe, over every tongue, and over every nation. All," verse eight, "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."

"If anyone has an ear to hear, let him hear. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity. He who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and faith of the saints." Folks, listen, the beast not only speaks blasphemous and violent words, but he also backs it up with violent actions.

He is granted temporary authority, now please make note of this, it says, "to make war against the saints." Who is that? Which group is that? The word "saints" is referring to, listen, to those who missed the Rapture. There will be people that get saved during the tribulation period, but they will have to die for their faith. They missed it.

There will be people who, once the church is taken, will come to their senses and realize everything they said was true, and they will turn to Christ. But if they don't take the mark of the beast, they will be put to death. If they don't worship and follow him, they will be put to death, and he will have the power to persecute them from every tribe, tongue, and nation, and many will die as a result.

His authority will be worldwide. He will have dominion over every tongue, every nation, every people. And the universal dominion of the beast will result, folks listen, in a division upon the earth. A division. See any division today? See the world being conditioned by division? It's happening all around us.

Folks, this is, listen up, this is a dress rehearsal of things to come. People need to have their eyes open, their ears open, their hearts softened, aware of what's about to take place. Listen, this isn't a farce, this isn't a fairytale, this is prophecy that is on the way to being fulfilled. And here we see it right here.

Notice the division. Two groups that'll be on the ground during the tribulation period. One: earth dwellers. It says, "those who dwell on the earth." It's a phrase that's used throughout Revelation to describe non-believers. Those who dwell on the earth. It's throughout the Bible. And it speaks of those who will worship, get on board, follow the beast.

And sadly, it says here, "their names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world." And the reason, listen, the reason why their names are not written in the Book of Life is not because the Lord doesn't desire them to be saved, but they chose to reject Christ.

The only reason your name will not be found in the Lamb's Book of Life is because you reject Jesus. And they do. In fact, the Bible tells us concerning those in 2 Thessalonians chapter two, listen if you can see why they are on the earth still during this time.

Listen: "The coming of the lawless one," that is the Antichrist, "is according to the working of Satan. That's the dragon, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish." Why do they perish? Look at this line: "because they did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved."

What does that tell you? The reason why they were still here and the reason why they were left behind is because they would not receive. This is a gift. Salvation is a gift. God offers a gift, and they said, "I choose to reject that." I will not receive. Notice this: the love of the truth. Here's the truth: God loves you.

God so loved the world that he gave his only son. This is the love of the truth that has been manifested, proclaimed, and preached, and yet those who are here on the earth, they don't love the truth and they do not receive it that they might be saved. It's not a matter of could they be saved? They could. They choose not to receive it.

Friend, if you're here today and you are not yet saved, I'm pleading with you before it's too late. You need to respond to Jesus. You need to surrender your heart and life to him. And in a few moments, I'm going to give you an opportunity to get right with God, to get up out of your seat and come stand below this platform and receive Christ that you might be saved.

You can know that you're forgiven. You can have the hope of heaven and salvation today if you'll turn to Christ. They rejected the message, but that wasn't the only thing. Not only did they despise God's love and rebel against the message of salvation, but the verse goes on, 2 Thessalonians 2:11 and 12 says this: "And for this reason," because of their rejection of truth, "God sends them a strong delusion that they should believe the lie."

They weren't going to come to the truth, now they're believing a lie. Notice this: "that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but," notice that, "had pleasure in unrighteousness." Why were they still here? Why will they still be here? First of all, they reject the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Secondly, they love sin. That's why.

They love the pleasures of unrighteousness. In other words, they not only do not believe, but they love their sin and they took pleasure in living in sin. And let's face it: sin is pleasurable for a season. For a time. But in the end, it brings destruction. But there is another group that will be on the earth during this time, not just the earth dwellers, the unbelievers loving sin and despising the truth, rejecting it.

But there will be those who come to faith in Christ, whose names are written in the Book of Life. And although they may be physically destroyed by martyrdom, their faith cannot be destroyed. In one sense, when you think about these two groups that are divided during the tribulation period and you look at the current situation, I believe that we see two groups of people on the earth today.

Those who believe in Christ and those who don't. Those who are prepared for heaven and those who are not. Those who are on the narrow road that leads to eternal life and those that are on the broad path that leads to destruction and separation from God in hell. There are those who are sheep and there are those who are goats.

And Jesus came and died so that you could be a sheep. He came and died so that you could be saved, so that I could be saved, so that we could be forgiven. This is my question to you: which group are you in? Which road are you on? Which flock are you a part of? Are you prepared? What is this Book of Life, friend? What is it?

The Book of Life. It's mentioned in Revelation chapter three. It's mentioned in Revelation 20. It's represented and mentioned in Philippians chapter four. Within this Book of Life, the Book of the Lamb, are those who will live with God forever in heaven. It's a roll of those who are saved. The same book, again, called the Lamb's Book of Life because it contains the names of those who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 13, Revelation 21 tells us this. How do you know that your name is written in that book, that you're registered for heaven? The Bible tells us when you receive Christ as your Savior, 1 John chapter five, verse 13 says this: "These things I have written to you that you may believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."

Did you catch that? We've written these things to you who believe in the Son of God, that you can know that you have eternal life and you can continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. That's how you know your name is in the Lamb's Book of Life. You've responded to the invitation. Is your name written there? Are you prepared?

One other point I don't want you to miss in this phrase in verse eight, look at what it says: it says, "in the Book of Life of the Lamb," look it, "slain from the foundation of the world." This passage of scripture is deeply meaningful as well as mind-boggling when you really take the time to think about it.

God's plan of redemption was set in place long before the need arose for man to be redeemed. God has always had a plan. He's the Lamb slain before the foundations of the world. God wasn't surprised by the fall of Adam or any of the evidence of man's fallen nature. God just didn't make things up as he went along.

It's all going according to his plan. God is in control. You remember Jesus prayed in John 17: "Father, I desire that they also whom you gave me be with me where I am, that they can behold my glory which you've given me for you loved me before the foundation of the world." That's God's desire: that you would be with him, that you could behold his glory. That's his heart for you today.

The Apostle Peter wrote concerning the work of Jesus in redemption and how that he redeemed us with his own blood. 1 Peter chapter one, verse 20 says, "Indeed, he was foreordained before," there it is again, "before the foundation of the world but manifest in these last times for you." Ephesians 1:4, the Apostle Paul said, "Just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love."

Listen, if the Lord did all of these things and had a plan long in advance, don't you know today that God has a plan for your life? That God has a purpose for your existence? The Bible says in Ephesians two that by grace you've been saved through faith, that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

And we were created in Christ Jesus as his workmanship for good works prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. God has a plan for your life. And you know how you discover that plan? It is by receiving Christ as your Savior. Oh, there is a structure coming. There is a one-world leader coming.

There is a movement that is coming in quicker than we can even track it. It's happening. Things are moving. Things are being put in place. You can see it. I know that you can. I get your messages all the time, and your direct messages and your emails. And I get it. I know you're aware of it. So am I. Things are happening. Jesus is coming.

The question is whether or not you're prepared for it. The Bible tells us long in advance of these things. This beast is not only bringing these things to pass, but he also has a sidekick, who I'll just touch on for a moment. He's called the false prophet. A lot of false prophets run around today.

Here's what it says in verse 11: "I saw another beast," there's a second one, "coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon." The Antichrist will deceive the world politically, but his sidekick, his partner in his administration, the false prophet, will deceive the world spiritually.

When it says he has two horns, it symbolizes his power and authority. It says he's like a lamb, but in reality, he's like a dragon. He's fake. He's false. He's not true. He's the ultimate wolf in sheep's clothing. His itinerary and his agenda is clear in verse 12: it says he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and he causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound, there it is again, was healed.

This false prophet will promote and preach the Antichrist as the Savior of the world. He will seek to draw all men to the beast. And one of the things that he will emphasize to convince people, again, is the mortal wound that the beast recovered from. "Look at what he's done. Look at the sacrifice he's made. Look at how he recovered. Isn't this amazing?"

Again, if you are discerning, you can see through the facade. The false prophet attempts to operate like the Holy Spirit. The work of the Holy Spirit is to draw all men to Jesus. The Holy Spirit reminds us of the work of Christ on the cross and his death and resurrection, and how that through Jesus we can have salvation.

But the false prophet, he seeks to draw all men to the beast, reminding them of how he suffered a mortal wound of the sword and recovered, or perhaps resurrected. To further expand his religious deception, the false prophet is empowered to perform false miracles. Look at verse 13: "He performs great signs that even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image of the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived."

The false prophet, miracles come forth deceiving people. The word "deceive" means to cause to wonder, to lead astray, which is the ultimate goal of the false prophet. He performs these false signs and people are swayed. And he encourages people to worship the beast. Look at verse 15, we're almost through.

He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. When it says he makes an image, it probably refers to the abomination that brings about desolation that is referred to in the scriptures where the Antichrist sets himself up as God there in the rebuilt temple and demands to be worshiped.

And if anybody does not worship him, it says they will be put to death. And then there is finally the ultimatum of the beast, folks. Look at this, verse 15: "He was granted power to give breath, an image to the beast, that the image should both speak and cause as many would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And here it is: He causes all, both small and great, rich, poor, free, slave, to receive, listen, a mark on their hand, right hand or on their foreheads, that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name."

"And here is wisdom: let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of man. His number is 666." Anyone who does not worship the beast will be put to death, and also a mark will be issued. If you do not have this mark upon your body, you won't be able to buy or sell or do certain things without this mark. Now, there has been much speculation through the years as to what this number represents.

Some will say since man was created on the sixth day, that six is the number of man. Creation was made for man and likewise has the number six stamped on it. 24 hours to a day, four times six; 12 months to a year, two times six. Seven is the number of perfection and usefulness, but 666 is a human number. That's what people will say.

Here's what I know for sure: it's the number of the beast. You can do all the mathematical probabilities that you want, but just know this: it's the number of the beast and you don't want to take it because when you take it, it seals your fate. You will never see heaven. Anybody who has this mark upon their body will not enter into heaven.

It's the number of the Antichrist, the number of the beast, and the number of the false prophet and the dragon. You know, in times past, people scoffed at stuff like this. I remember growing up years ago and people would laugh about the number of the beast. "Oh, did you see the barcode on your cereal box? Oh, it's the number of the beast. Ha ha. That's so crazy."

Some people get so freaked out that they wouldn't even get a stamp at Disneyland. They'd be afraid that some, "Don't, no one's stamping my hand. Make sure it's my left hand. I'm not getting it." People get so, you know, there's two extremes, right, on this whole thing. But listen, if you live today and you're aware, technology is available.

Everything about you could now be placed in something the size of a grain of rice and inserted very easily. And there are countries right now that are using technology to mark their people at the present time. It's not hard. It's actually quite simple. And when the world is in absolute chaos and things are going in every direction, they're going to need this to be able to track people.

You say, "That's crazy." Is it? Is it? "The world would never do that. Everybody would do that? No, there's no way. Not everybody would take that. Are you crazy, Pastor John? Why would you even think that?" I don't know, look around. Really? You don't think it's possible? If you don't think it's possible, it's because you're blind.

If you don't think it's possible, it's because you choose not to see it. Look around friends, the world in a very short amount of time is being conditioned, is being moved in a direction. And I'm not even going to get into it. You have your own opinion on it. It's not a salvation issue, but what I'm saying to you is that you can see how quickly the world moves into something and "do the right thing," even if it's not logical, if it's not realistic, if there's no science.

Science, what is science anyways? I don't even know what it is anymore. And most people don't. It's just a word that's used for the religion of the masses at the moment. But I choose a Savior over science. Science can't save you, but Jesus can. It's the next t-shirt. No, it's not that, but I'm just saying. Kidding.

But folks, what I'm trying to say to you is we're seeing these things on a scale like we've never seen before. We're seeing the technology is there. We see the mentality of the people being pressured. We see the control of information. We see deception. And what do you believe and who do you trust and all of these things?

It's just signs of the times, guys. I don't know when Jesus is coming. I just know he's coming. I don't know when Jesus is coming. I just know I'm ready when he comes. And if you're not ready and you'd like to be, there's no better time like the present. The Bible says today is the day of salvation. If you can hear his voice, don't harden your heart.

Maybe you've been living a life of sin, deceived into thinking that you're okay because you're nice and you're kind. But friend, listen: our kindness, our goodness, our good works can never save us. That's why Jesus came. That's why Jesus came and died in your place and mine as well, so that I could be forgiven. You could be forgiven of your sin, have the hope of heaven, and know that your name is written in the Book of Life. And if you want to know that for certain today, or you want to get right with God, you've been far from him and you want to come back to him, today is the day to return.

Guest (Male): You're listening to A Daily Walk with Pastor John Randall, and part of our Through the Bible study. Hear A Daily Walk online at adailywalk.org or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, have you seen Pastor John's A Daily Walk devotions? We post the daily devos at adailywalk.org. So grab your Bible, watch these encouraging daily devotionals. They're short enough to watch as you're getting ready in the morning or on your lunch break.

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