Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who read the Book of Revelation Rev 1:3, but many people do not read the Bible at all.  Of those who do, many find the Book of Revelation too difficult to read and give up, far less to study it.

So why should they read and study it, and what are they missing?

A principal reason is because it deals with the ease with which human beings can be deceived by false religion.

Jesus taught this in His own ministry.  His apostles did so also, and so should faithful preachers of Christ’s Gospel today.

If people do not read the Book of Revelation, they may never learn about deceptive Christianity nor its danger.  You may be among them. “The whole world admired and followed the beast” Rev 13:3. If so, you may end up among those who think that they are serving Christ, only for Christ to say to them at the end of the day: “I never knew you” Mat 7:22-23.

How does the Book of Revelation help us?  By identifying the chief agent of deception.  It informs us that the devil’s principle means of resisting the advancement of  Christ’s kingdom on Earth is counterfeit Christianity.

The Book of Revelation explains this in symbolical terms with a series of beasts, persuading the nations to worship these beasts in turn.  The devil had failed to tempt Jesus to worship him, but he continues his nefarious work by tempting whole nations into false worship.

These beasts seek and obtain the allegiance of multitudes, which is described in terms of receiving “the mark of the beast”.

The mark of the Beast

Many people have heard of the mark of the beast who have never read the Book of Revelation.  Do you know what it is?  If someone tells you, how will you know if it is correct, if you do not read and study the Book of Revelation for yourself?

Different people will tell you different things.  Who is correct?

The Devil hides in plain sight, and his greatest ploy is to convince people that he does not exist.  Similarly the mark of the beast is obscured to such an extent that nations submit to it without realising what they are doing – “for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived” Rev 18:23.

Yet the Book of Revelation tells us that those who have this mark will go into the lake of fire along with the Devil and his demons Rev 14:11, Rev 16:2, Rev 19:20. Surely this is of relevance to you, my reader? Surely it is time that you knew more about this subject? People worry about Armageddon but this is far worse.

Identifying this Mark and the Beast

Let us begin with the good news.  The devil and the beast will not succeed in opposing Christ’s agenda, but they are doing a lot of damage in the meantime.  They have already done so with millions following false Christianity.

The Book of Revelation gives you the guidance you need.  You can begin at Rev 17:18, then Rev 17:9 to determine the geographical location or nerve centre of counterfeit Christianity.

How long does it last?  Unlike those Dispensationalists who think that Rev 6 to Rev 19 covers a seven-year tribulation at some indeterminate period in the future, a misinterpretation traced back to the Roman Catholic Jesuit Francisco Ribera, a survey of these chapters shows that they describe a very much longer period than seven years.  They describe the devilish opposition to the Lord Jesus Christ building His Church on Earth.  Jesus is at work right now, the devil is at work right now, and people need to recognize it right now. 

What is its character?  It opposes the saints of God – “it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him” Rev 13:7-8. This is global opposition to Christ and His saints.

The primary tool is deception Rev 12:9, Rev 13:14.  Those who are deceived do not know that they are deceived. Deception is the characteristic mark of the beast Rev 13:14 and Rev 19:20, of the man of sin 2Th 2:3,10, of The Antichrist 1Jn 2:18, 2Jn 1:7, of spiritual Babylon Rev 18:23 and of the devil himself Rev 20:10 who is a liar from the beginning and the father of lies Jn 8:44. The devil’s deception operates from within, “in the temple of God” 2Th 2:3-12, by being hidden “in plain sight”. His devotees are deceived because they do not love the truth 2Th 2:10. They are deceived by false Christianity. Can you recognize Counterfeit Christianity?

What is its motivation?  It is devilish opposition to Christ Rev 12:3-4,9, arising from devilish hatred of Christ and His people Rev 12:4,10,12,15,17.  Just as the devil orchestrated the crucifixion of Christ, so he continues to oppose the advancement of Christ’s kingdom.

What does it all mean?  If I tell you, how will you know if I am correct?  Will you not need to read the Book of Revelation for yourself? praying to the Holy Spirit to guide your understanding?

If you have worked out what the beast is, do you know how to avoid receiving its mark?  How do you know whether you already have it?  How will you get rid of it if you have it? 

Beware of the Beast

When will the Christian church help you in this quest?

It has already failed many Mat 7:22-23.  Even in Jesus’ day He described the church as being asleep Mat 25:1-10.  The apostle Paul called to his readers to awaken out of sleep:

“Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.”

The apostle Paul, Ephesians 5:14.

Daniel was told that eventually there would be a great awakening to the truth Dan 12:2.

May the Lord bless your Bible study so that you may escape from the deception of the devil and of the man of sin 2Th 2:2-12.

Links:

11 Dec 2023: historian Niall Ferguson’s opinion of the Book of Revelation.