WEBVTT 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:05.940 Please stand, if you're able, for the reading of God's word from Revelation chapter 13, 00:00:06.040 --> 00:00:07.179 verses 11 to 18. 00:00:17.179 --> 00:00:21.960 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. 00:00:22.740 --> 00:00:27.300 It had two horns like a lamb, and it spoke like a dragon. 00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:32.539 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence 00:00:32.539 --> 00:00:37.039 and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, 00:00:37.399 --> 00:00:39.079 whose mortal wound was healed. 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:46.900 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people. 00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:51.780 And by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast, 00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:54.679 it deceives those who dwell on earth, 00:00:54.679 --> 00:01:00.880 telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:05.200 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:07.640 so that the image of the beast might even speak 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:12.579 and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 00:01:12.579 --> 00:01:23.239 Also, it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, 00:01:23.420 --> 00:01:26.219 to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 00:01:26.759 --> 00:01:30.480 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:35.280 that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:38.219 And this calls for wisdom. 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:43.500 Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, 00:01:43.820 --> 00:01:49.740 for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:53.980 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:01:54.060 --> 00:01:54.599 Please be seated. 00:01:54.599 --> 00:02:03.859 Jesus warned us in Matthew 24, 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:08.639 if anyone says to you, look, here is the Christ, or there he is, 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:10.000 do not believe it. 00:02:10.699 --> 00:02:15.840 Because he said, for false Christs and false prophets 00:02:15.840 --> 00:02:20.340 will arise and perform great signs and wonders 00:02:20.340 --> 00:02:25.319 so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 00:02:26.640 --> 00:02:28.539 Jesus warned us of that, 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:32.080 that false Christs and false prophets will arise 00:02:32.080 --> 00:02:33.860 and perform great signs. 00:02:34.400 --> 00:02:37.300 Last week, in the first half of chapter 13, 00:02:37.420 --> 00:02:41.780 we saw how the first beast is that false Christ. 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:44.680 Some call him the Antichrist, 00:02:45.000 --> 00:02:47.460 but he is really a sum of all the Antichrists 00:02:47.460 --> 00:02:49.920 that arise from the time of Jesus' first coming 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:51.819 and till the time of his second coming. 00:02:52.659 --> 00:02:54.039 He is the counterfeit Christ. 00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:56.239 He is the image of the dragon, 00:02:56.459 --> 00:02:59.259 just as Jesus is the image of the Father. 00:02:59.919 --> 00:03:02.699 And just as Jesus received authority from the Father, 00:03:02.879 --> 00:03:05.699 this beast received authority from the dragon. 00:03:06.639 --> 00:03:09.239 And then today, we meet the second beast, 00:03:09.859 --> 00:03:12.799 who elsewhere in Revelation is called the false prophet. 00:03:13.439 --> 00:03:17.560 And this false prophet bears witness to the first beast, 00:03:18.219 --> 00:03:19.619 performs signs and wonders, 00:03:19.919 --> 00:03:22.759 and seals and marks the worshipers of the beast 00:03:22.759 --> 00:03:24.679 in the same way that the spirit of God, 00:03:25.019 --> 00:03:25.959 the third person of the Trinity, 00:03:26.119 --> 00:03:28.419 marks and seals the people of God, 00:03:28.519 --> 00:03:29.399 the church of Christ, 00:03:29.779 --> 00:03:31.679 and performs signs and wonders 00:03:31.679 --> 00:03:33.879 to verify the proclamation of the gospel. 00:03:35.079 --> 00:03:35.959 And so in this way, 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:37.500 the dragon, the beast, 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:40.619 and the false prophet form an unholy triad. 00:03:41.159 --> 00:03:43.500 That's a mockery and an imitation 00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:46.139 of the true triad God. 00:03:46.340 --> 00:03:50.719 But this false prophet not only parodies the Holy Spirit, 00:03:51.020 --> 00:03:53.039 he also imitates the people of God 00:03:53.039 --> 00:03:55.479 who are the witnesses of Jesus Christ. 00:03:56.020 --> 00:03:58.539 The false prophet facilitates the worship of the beast 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:00.000 in the same way the church of Christ 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:01.800 facilitates the worship of the Son. 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:04.719 And this second beast, 00:04:04.819 --> 00:04:05.340 the false prophet, 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:06.920 dresses up the first beast, 00:04:07.219 --> 00:04:08.500 makes him look more plausible, 00:04:09.199 --> 00:04:10.719 makes him look more persuasive. 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:14.620 He applies economic pressure upon people 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:15.599 to get them to submit 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:18.379 to the lordship of this second beast. 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:21.120 But the main point of this passage 00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:23.040 is that we must remain faithful to Jesus 00:04:23.040 --> 00:04:25.300 and resist the spiritual deception 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:28.620 and the economic pressure of the false prophet. 00:04:29.139 --> 00:04:31.120 And we're gonna first talk about the speech of the beast, 00:04:31.540 --> 00:04:33.819 and then the signs of the beast, 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:36.459 and then finally the mark of the beast. 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:39.259 First, it says in verse 11, 00:04:39.259 --> 00:04:42.579 then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. 00:04:42.920 --> 00:04:44.719 It had two horns like a lamb, 00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:47.259 and it spoke like a dragon. 00:04:48.339 --> 00:04:51.060 Unlike the dragon who stood on the sand of the sea 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:52.379 in chapter 12, 17, 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:55.060 and then rising out of that, 00:04:55.779 --> 00:04:57.599 the Leviathan's watery chaos 00:04:57.599 --> 00:04:59.199 that Old Testament often speaks of 00:04:59.199 --> 00:05:00.759 in order to wreak havoc upon the earth. 00:05:01.099 --> 00:05:02.519 And unlike the first beast 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:04.480 that also rose out of the sea 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:05.819 in chapter 13, verse 1, 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:08.500 this second beast rises out of the earth. 00:05:08.500 --> 00:05:11.079 Unlike the dragon and the beast 00:05:11.079 --> 00:05:15.360 that come from the spiritual realm of evil and chaos, 00:05:15.480 --> 00:05:17.759 this false prophet has his origin on earth. 00:05:18.439 --> 00:05:21.959 He is the dragon and the beast's earthly representative. 00:05:22.519 --> 00:05:23.980 And he is particularly associated 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:26.399 with those who dwell on the earth. 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:28.899 And I've said this to you many times, 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:30.259 that those who dwell on the earth 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:31.800 is the technical phrase that John uses 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:32.519 throughout Revelation 00:05:32.519 --> 00:05:34.899 to refer to people who are unbelievers, 00:05:34.899 --> 00:05:36.839 people who do not repent of their sins 00:05:36.839 --> 00:05:39.899 and are still living in rebellion against God. 00:05:40.679 --> 00:05:42.279 We can see this in verse 14, 00:05:42.659 --> 00:05:44.099 which tells us that the false prophet 00:05:44.099 --> 00:05:47.319 deceives those who dwell on earth. 00:05:47.699 --> 00:05:48.899 And that's the connection there, 00:05:48.959 --> 00:05:50.659 why he rises from the earth, 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:53.219 to deceive those who dwell on the earth. 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:56.060 And the false prophet deceives people 00:05:56.060 --> 00:05:58.639 by looking like the lamb. 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:00.639 He says in verse 11, 00:06:01.120 --> 00:06:03.399 that he had two horns like a lamb. 00:06:04.120 --> 00:06:05.759 The only lamb that's been mentioned 00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:07.039 in the book of Revelation so far 00:06:07.039 --> 00:06:08.199 is the lamb of God, 00:06:08.740 --> 00:06:10.659 the slain lamb of God that we saw earlier 00:06:10.659 --> 00:06:12.860 in Revelation chapter 5. 00:06:13.219 --> 00:06:14.860 And that lamb representing Jesus 00:06:14.860 --> 00:06:17.259 also had horns representing his authority. 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:19.099 And this false prophet, 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:19.819 the second beast, 00:06:19.939 --> 00:06:22.879 also has two horns like a lamb. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:25.980 And number two, 00:06:26.180 --> 00:06:29.000 I'm not numbering one, two here. 00:06:29.199 --> 00:06:31.839 The number two has symbolic significance 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:33.980 in the book of Revelation, 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:35.139 like all the other numbers 00:06:35.139 --> 00:06:36.399 that we see in the book of Revelation. 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:38.379 In Revelation chapter 11, 00:06:38.839 --> 00:06:39.939 if you remember the church 00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:41.519 that bears witness to Christ 00:06:41.519 --> 00:06:43.560 was represented by two witnesses 00:06:43.560 --> 00:06:45.980 and also by two lampstands 00:06:46.639 --> 00:06:48.579 and also by two olive trees. 00:06:49.180 --> 00:06:52.199 Two is a number that represents witnesses 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:54.099 because the Old Testament law 00:06:54.099 --> 00:06:56.420 requires at least two witnesses 00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:58.319 as a basis for establishing 00:06:58.319 --> 00:07:00.399 a legal charge against somebody. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:02.019 And that gets carried over 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:02.800 into the New Testament. 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:04.879 And that's why in Matthew 18, 00:07:05.000 --> 00:07:07.139 Jesus says that if someone sins against you 00:07:07.139 --> 00:07:08.199 and they don't listen to you, 00:07:08.219 --> 00:07:11.879 you have to take two or three with you 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:12.819 as a testimony 00:07:12.819 --> 00:07:14.219 because that's the only way 00:07:14.219 --> 00:07:15.000 you can establish 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:18.120 in the presence of witnesses the charge. 00:07:19.099 --> 00:07:20.719 And this is also why in Luke 10, 00:07:20.720 --> 00:07:22.740 when Jesus sent out his disciples, 00:07:22.940 --> 00:07:23.780 72 disciples, 00:07:24.020 --> 00:07:25.820 he sent them out two by two 00:07:25.820 --> 00:07:28.580 to bear witness with a testimony. 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:31.900 And so like the two witnesses 00:07:31.900 --> 00:07:34.340 who proclaim Jesus and his gospel 00:07:34.340 --> 00:07:36.200 to lead people to the worship of Jesus, 00:07:37.340 --> 00:07:39.940 this second beast with two horns 00:07:39.940 --> 00:07:42.080 makes the earth and its inhabitants 00:07:42.080 --> 00:07:43.460 worship the first beast. 00:07:43.600 --> 00:07:44.820 He is the witness. 00:07:44.819 --> 00:07:46.680 The witnesses. 00:07:46.839 --> 00:07:47.800 He represents the witnesses 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:50.159 of the first beast 00:07:50.159 --> 00:07:52.420 who also was wounded by the sword 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:54.439 and yet lived in another way. 00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:56.879 He's imitating Jesus, 00:07:57.040 --> 00:07:57.699 the Lamb of God. 00:07:58.779 --> 00:07:59.519 And in the same way 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:00.319 that the two witnesses 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:01.379 of chapter 11 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:03.219 were patterned after Elijah 00:08:03.219 --> 00:08:05.779 and the most famous scene 00:08:05.779 --> 00:08:07.639 or miracle from Elijah's life 00:08:07.639 --> 00:08:10.519 is him calling down fire from heaven 00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:12.600 to burn up the sacrifice 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:13.820 that were being offered 00:08:13.820 --> 00:08:15.680 to demonstrate that Yahweh, 00:08:15.960 --> 00:08:16.540 the Lord God, 00:08:16.580 --> 00:08:17.300 is the true God 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:19.620 while Baal is a false God 00:08:19.620 --> 00:08:20.300 and an idol. 00:08:20.960 --> 00:08:21.840 And so he is here. 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:24.439 The second beast, 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:25.140 the false prophet, 00:08:25.260 --> 00:08:26.020 imitates that 00:08:26.020 --> 00:08:27.720 by making fire come down 00:08:27.720 --> 00:08:28.900 from heaven to earth 00:08:28.900 --> 00:08:30.100 in front of people 00:08:30.100 --> 00:08:31.080 and in so doing 00:08:31.080 --> 00:08:32.620 he deceives the people 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:33.420 who live on earth. 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:35.840 But despite the fact 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:36.660 that this second beast 00:08:36.660 --> 00:08:37.920 looks like a lamb 00:08:37.920 --> 00:08:39.560 and imitates the church, 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:42.040 we know that he is not of the lamb 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:43.120 and we know that he is not 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:44.279 the true witness of God 00:08:44.279 --> 00:08:45.539 because even though 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:46.439 he looks like a lamb, 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:48.659 he speaks like a dragon. 00:08:49.959 --> 00:08:50.959 He says in verse 11, 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:52.740 Jesus warned us 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:54.339 in Matthew 7, 15 to 18, 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:56.159 beware of false prophets 00:08:56.159 --> 00:08:57.519 who come to you 00:08:57.519 --> 00:08:58.539 in sheep's clothing 00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:00.659 but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:02.199 You will recognize them 00:09:02.199 --> 00:09:03.120 by their fruits. 00:09:03.599 --> 00:09:04.719 Our grapes gather 00:09:04.719 --> 00:09:05.559 from thorn bushes 00:09:05.559 --> 00:09:07.099 or figs from thistles. 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:08.939 So every healthy tree 00:09:08.939 --> 00:09:10.099 bears good fruit 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:11.460 but the diseased tree 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:12.600 bears bad fruit. 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:13.899 A healthy tree 00:09:13.899 --> 00:09:15.480 cannot bear bad fruit 00:09:15.480 --> 00:09:17.139 nor can a diseased tree 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:18.700 bear good fruit. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:20.420 This is, 00:09:20.600 --> 00:09:21.300 this false prophet 00:09:21.300 --> 00:09:22.139 is the wolf 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:23.440 in sheep's clothing 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:24.860 or rather a dragon 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:26.940 in sheep's clothing. 00:09:28.139 --> 00:09:29.300 And as Jesus taught us, 00:09:29.340 --> 00:09:30.379 we can recognize him 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:31.659 by his fruit. 00:09:32.060 --> 00:09:32.860 And the fruit 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:33.720 that we have to pay 00:09:33.720 --> 00:09:34.960 special attention to 00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:37.080 is his speech, 00:09:37.639 --> 00:09:38.460 what he says. 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:40.720 Because Jesus also said 00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:41.540 in Luke 6, 45, 00:09:41.740 --> 00:09:42.480 out of the abundance 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:43.259 of the heart, 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:44.900 the mouth speaks. 00:09:45.940 --> 00:09:47.480 What comes out of the mouth 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:49.840 comes up from the heart. 00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:52.480 The heart is the tree 00:09:52.480 --> 00:09:54.019 from which the words 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:55.320 of our mouth come, 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:56.259 are the fruit. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:00.960 People who make lewd comments 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:02.139 with their mouths 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:03.960 have hearts 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:05.840 that are filled with lust. 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:09.019 people who gossip 00:10:09.019 --> 00:10:10.120 and slander 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:11.220 with their mouths 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:12.840 have their hearts 00:10:12.840 --> 00:10:13.780 filled with hatred 00:10:13.780 --> 00:10:14.899 and envy. 00:10:15.920 --> 00:10:17.399 People who seem to talk 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:18.420 nonstop 00:10:18.420 --> 00:10:19.680 with their mouths 00:10:19.680 --> 00:10:21.660 often have hearts 00:10:21.660 --> 00:10:22.320 that are filled 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:23.600 with social anxiety 00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:25.480 and insecurity. 00:10:26.660 --> 00:10:28.519 People who are critical, 00:10:28.740 --> 00:10:29.500 frequently critical 00:10:29.500 --> 00:10:30.240 with their mouths 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:32.580 often have in their hearts 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:33.620 pride 00:10:33.620 --> 00:10:35.120 and ingratitude. 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:37.100 The things 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:38.019 that we say 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:39.080 are never mere 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:40.000 slips of the tongue. 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.399 They represent 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:43.179 what's in our heart. 00:10:43.659 --> 00:10:44.200 They reflect 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:45.000 what's in our heart. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:46.460 And that's the case 00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:47.820 also with this false prophet. 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:49.039 He looks like a lamb 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:50.519 but we know 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:51.480 what's in his heart 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:52.620 because he speaks 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:53.539 like a dragon. 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:55.919 Like the dragon, 00:10:56.060 --> 00:10:56.860 this false prophet 00:10:56.860 --> 00:10:57.960 denies that Jesus 00:10:57.960 --> 00:10:58.899 is the Christ, 00:10:59.240 --> 00:11:00.060 the son of God 00:11:00.060 --> 00:11:01.139 who came in the flesh, 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:01.799 human flesh, 00:11:01.860 --> 00:11:02.519 to save us. 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:04.240 Like the dragon, 00:11:04.399 --> 00:11:05.059 the false prophet 00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:06.259 utters blasphemies 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:07.000 against God 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:07.679 and his people, 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:09.720 slanders the church, 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:10.980 says that we are not 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:11.620 the people of God. 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:13.240 The false prophet 00:11:13.240 --> 00:11:14.379 speaks the lies 00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:15.059 of the dragon 00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:16.000 rather than the truths 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:16.779 of God. 00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:17.779 And that's how 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.399 he recognized 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:19.319 the false prophet. 00:11:20.199 --> 00:11:20.919 And this is why 00:11:20.919 --> 00:11:21.579 it's so important 00:11:21.579 --> 00:11:22.939 for us as God's people 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:24.159 to read 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:25.360 and study 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:26.960 and meditate on 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:27.579 and memorize 00:11:27.579 --> 00:11:28.259 the scriptures. 00:11:30.679 --> 00:11:31.799 Psalm 119.11 00:11:31.799 --> 00:11:32.339 teaches us 00:11:32.339 --> 00:11:33.419 that this is how 00:11:33.419 --> 00:11:34.399 we live 00:11:34.399 --> 00:11:35.099 an obedient life 00:11:35.099 --> 00:11:35.839 and avoid sin 00:11:35.839 --> 00:11:37.279 by storing up 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:38.019 God's word 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:38.899 in our hearts. 00:11:40.479 --> 00:11:41.599 The false prophet's 00:11:41.599 --> 00:11:42.319 whole purpose 00:11:42.319 --> 00:11:43.579 is to make the beast 00:11:43.579 --> 00:11:44.399 look plausible 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:45.240 and persuasive 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:46.879 and we will not 00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:47.679 be able to tell 00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:48.500 Christ apart 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:49.500 from the counterfeit 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:49.959 Christ 00:11:49.959 --> 00:11:51.299 unless we are 00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:52.240 intimately familiar 00:11:52.240 --> 00:11:54.179 with the character 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:54.699 of Christ 00:11:54.699 --> 00:11:55.579 and the word 00:11:55.579 --> 00:11:56.059 of Christ. 00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:58.859 nowadays 00:11:58.859 --> 00:11:59.819 it's scary 00:11:59.819 --> 00:12:00.319 how 00:12:00.319 --> 00:12:02.519 artificial intelligence 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:03.099 can create 00:12:03.099 --> 00:12:04.439 these deep fake 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:04.879 videos 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:07.000 of real people 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.059 saying things 00:12:08.059 --> 00:12:08.839 and doing things 00:12:08.839 --> 00:12:09.359 that they never 00:12:09.359 --> 00:12:10.039 actually did. 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:10.699 I don't know if you've 00:12:10.699 --> 00:12:11.279 seen some of those 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:11.599 before. 00:12:14.599 --> 00:12:15.939 The false prophet 00:12:15.939 --> 00:12:17.099 is a living 00:12:17.099 --> 00:12:18.199 deep fake. 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:18.240 deep fake 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:22.280 a living deep fake 00:12:22.280 --> 00:12:22.860 of the people 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.280 of God. 00:12:23.800 --> 00:12:25.080 He is an impersonator 00:12:25.080 --> 00:12:26.720 and a deceiver 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:28.680 and how are we 00:12:28.680 --> 00:12:29.740 going to expose him? 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:31.879 By testing his words 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:33.100 against the word 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:33.520 of God. 00:12:34.560 --> 00:12:35.360 Do his words 00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:37.120 glorify Christ? 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.759 Please Christ 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:39.600 according to scripture 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:41.259 or do his words 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.259 lead us astray 00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:43.000 from scripture 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:44.200 and to the worship 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:44.640 of another? 00:12:44.639 --> 00:12:48.379 When Russia's 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.319 war on Ukraine 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:49.799 began 00:12:49.799 --> 00:12:51.480 on February 24th 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.799 or 2022 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:53.480 I can't believe 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:53.939 it's already been 00:12:53.939 --> 00:12:54.439 two years 00:12:54.439 --> 00:12:56.360 there was a Russian 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:57.460 orthodox pastor 00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:59.080 named Yonin Burden 00:12:59.080 --> 00:12:59.740 who was 00:12:59.740 --> 00:13:01.220 fined 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:02.480 $273 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:04.000 which doesn't 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:04.740 sound like a lot 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:05.159 to us 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:05.980 but in their 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:06.379 currency 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:07.080 that's over 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:07.439 a month 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.199 of his salary 00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:09.879 and then he was 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:11.120 threatened with jail 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.600 and then tried 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:13.559 in a sham court 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:14.839 and then he was 00:13:14.839 --> 00:13:15.759 forced to resign 00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:17.359 from his pastorate 00:13:17.359 --> 00:13:18.079 in his church 00:13:18.079 --> 00:13:19.619 because he spoke 00:13:19.619 --> 00:13:20.539 out against the war. 00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:22.899 This is what he said 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:24.359 Russian soldiers 00:13:24.359 --> 00:13:25.179 are killing 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:25.739 their brothers 00:13:25.739 --> 00:13:26.459 and sisters 00:13:26.459 --> 00:13:27.159 in Christ. 00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:28.819 We Christians 00:13:28.819 --> 00:13:29.779 cannot stand 00:13:29.779 --> 00:13:30.559 on the sidelines 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:31.139 while brother 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:31.899 kills brother. 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:32.659 Christian 00:13:32.659 --> 00:13:33.519 kills Christian. 00:13:34.119 --> 00:13:34.639 We cannot 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.319 bashfully 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:36.259 close our eyes. 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:37.279 We cannot 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.219 call black 00:13:38.219 --> 00:13:38.979 white. 00:13:39.819 --> 00:13:40.339 The blood 00:13:40.339 --> 00:13:41.239 of Ukrainians 00:13:41.239 --> 00:13:41.939 is not only 00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:42.500 in the hands 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.099 of the leaders 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.680 of the Russian 00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:44.220 Federation 00:13:44.220 --> 00:13:44.960 and the soldiers 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:45.680 who carry out 00:13:45.680 --> 00:13:46.180 their order. 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.200 Their blood 00:13:47.200 --> 00:13:48.080 is on the hands 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:48.720 of each of us 00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:49.259 who approve 00:13:49.259 --> 00:13:49.840 this war 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:51.279 or stand silent. 00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:56.340 In contrast 00:13:56.340 --> 00:13:58.159 the patriarch 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:58.840 of the Russian 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.740 Orthodox Church 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:01.700 Kirill of Moscow 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:03.180 put his official 00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:03.700 stamp 00:14:03.700 --> 00:14:04.700 of approval 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:05.580 on the war 00:14:05.580 --> 00:14:06.519 calling those 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:07.460 who don't support it 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:09.000 as internal 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.879 enemies of Russia 00:14:09.879 --> 00:14:10.919 and calling 00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:11.759 patriotism 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:12.439 the greatest 00:14:12.439 --> 00:14:12.939 virtue. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:15.220 In the past 00:14:15.220 --> 00:14:15.799 he has called 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:17.000 Putin's reign 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:17.399 in Russia 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:18.159 as quote 00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:18.779 a miracle 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:19.320 of God 00:14:19.320 --> 00:14:20.820 and that the 00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:21.460 Russian soldiers 00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:22.100 who die 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:22.860 in their war 00:14:22.860 --> 00:14:23.620 against Ukraine 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.320 have quote 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:24.879 undoubtedly 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:25.320 committed 00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:25.799 an act 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:26.860 equivalent 00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:28.360 to sacrifice. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:29.500 They will have 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.320 sacrificed themselves 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:30.939 for others 00:14:30.939 --> 00:14:31.439 and therefore 00:14:31.439 --> 00:14:32.039 we believe 00:14:32.039 --> 00:14:33.019 that this sacrifice 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:34.539 washes away 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:35.539 all the sins 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.159 that a person 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.079 has committed. 00:14:40.719 --> 00:14:41.639 I don't find 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.179 that in the Bible. 00:14:46.319 --> 00:14:47.319 He's promising 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:48.599 forgiveness of sin 00:14:48.599 --> 00:14:49.519 and salvation 00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.819 to Russian soldiers 00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:51.579 who die in the war 00:14:51.579 --> 00:14:52.360 regardless of whether 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.919 they have saving faith 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:54.620 in Jesus Christ 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.159 or not. 00:14:57.659 --> 00:14:58.519 But scripture 00:14:58.519 --> 00:14:59.139 teaches us 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.139 that it's Christ's 00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:00.639 sacrifice 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.980 not our sacrifice 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:02.939 that atones us. 00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:08.019 scripture teaches 00:15:08.019 --> 00:15:09.179 that every empire 00:15:09.179 --> 00:15:09.779 will fall 00:15:09.779 --> 00:15:11.480 including Russia 00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:12.480 and including 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.259 the United States 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:13.799 of America. 00:15:15.339 --> 00:15:16.519 Only the kingdom 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:16.959 of God 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:17.839 will stand forever. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.819 Scripture teaches 00:15:20.819 --> 00:15:21.279 us that our 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:22.000 ultimate allegiance 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:22.939 is not to 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:24.379 country 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:25.379 but to God 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:28.219 because they're not 00:15:28.219 --> 00:15:29.399 one and the same. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:36.519 Patriarch Kirill 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:37.019 might be the 00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:37.639 highest spiritual 00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.379 authority in Russia 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:39.439 but he is not 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.459 getting the people 00:15:40.459 --> 00:15:41.579 to worship Christ 00:15:41.579 --> 00:15:42.639 by saying those things. 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.219 He's getting the people 00:15:44.219 --> 00:15:44.719 to worship 00:15:44.719 --> 00:15:45.759 the beast 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:47.779 the state powers. 00:15:50.699 --> 00:15:51.959 So don't be deceived 00:15:51.959 --> 00:15:53.000 by the sheep's clothing. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:53.799 Pay attention 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.819 to how the false prophet 00:15:54.819 --> 00:15:56.099 speaks like a dragon. 00:15:56.819 --> 00:15:57.719 Even in our country 00:15:57.719 --> 00:15:58.579 don't believe 00:15:58.579 --> 00:15:59.599 the religious leaders 00:15:59.599 --> 00:16:00.620 who try to sell you 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.860 these messianic 00:16:01.860 --> 00:16:02.360 intentions. 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:09.500 That's the speech 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:10.060 of the beast. 00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:10.800 Now let's look 00:16:10.800 --> 00:16:11.659 about the signs 00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:12.300 of the beast. 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.240 Verse 12 says 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.320 that the false prophet 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:16.019 exercises all the authority 00:16:16.019 --> 00:16:16.820 of the first beast 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:17.500 in its presence 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.840 and makes the earth 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:19.680 and its inhabitants 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:21.180 worship the first beast. 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.500 Since the dragon 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.360 gave his authority 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.259 to the first beast 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.300 and now the first beast 00:16:26.300 --> 00:16:27.180 gives all of his authority 00:16:27.180 --> 00:16:28.639 to the false prophet 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.480 the false prophet 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.340 is ultimately 00:16:30.340 --> 00:16:31.100 exercising 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.940 satanic authority. 00:16:33.420 --> 00:16:34.879 The dragon's authority. 00:16:35.580 --> 00:16:36.779 And it is with that authority 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:37.800 that this false prophet 00:16:37.800 --> 00:16:38.240 as it says 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.500 in verses 13 and 14 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:41.820 performs great signs 00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:43.460 even making fire 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:44.279 come down from heaven 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:44.680 to earth 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:45.420 in front of people. 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:46.960 And by the signs 00:16:46.960 --> 00:16:47.620 that it is allowed 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.540 to work in the presence 00:16:48.540 --> 00:16:49.080 of the beast 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:49.879 it deceives 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:51.080 those who dwell on earth 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:52.019 telling them 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:52.899 to make an image 00:16:52.899 --> 00:16:53.460 for the beast 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.080 that was wounded 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.720 by the sword 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.800 and yet lived. 00:16:57.180 --> 00:16:58.360 This is treachery. 00:16:58.360 --> 00:17:00.080 in the same way 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:00.940 that Moses 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:02.220 similar to the way 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.639 that Moses 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.980 did miraculous signs 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:04.360 in Egypt 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:04.920 to demonstrate 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.660 that Yahweh 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:06.299 is the true God 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.819 not these Egyptian gods 00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.880 or Pharaoh 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:10.640 in the same way 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.740 that Elijah 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.480 called on fire 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:12.819 from heaven 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.860 to prove that Yahweh 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:14.579 not Baal 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:15.279 is God 00:17:15.279 --> 00:17:16.799 this counterfeit prophet 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:18.480 does similar signs 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.180 and miracles 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.539 but not to speak 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.220 the truth 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.620 not to proclaim 00:17:22.620 --> 00:17:23.339 the true God 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:24.000 but to instead 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.220 to deceive people 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.700 who dwell on the earth 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:28.519 to worship the beast 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:29.539 as God. 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:32.039 So this false prophet 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:32.700 is not unlike 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:34.019 those sorcerers 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.920 in Pharaoh's court 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:35.740 who tried to imitate 00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.480 or copied 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:38.180 Moses' miracles 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:41.720 and this is 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.940 a stark warning for us 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.839 to not run 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:45.819 after miraculous signs. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.059 While the signs 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.680 and wonders 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.799 that Jesus did 00:17:50.799 --> 00:17:51.799 and later his apostles 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.960 did serve 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.860 to verify 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:55.919 and to show 00:17:55.919 --> 00:17:56.439 that they were 00:17:56.439 --> 00:17:57.179 true messengers 00:17:57.179 --> 00:17:57.599 of God 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.639 doing God's work 00:17:58.639 --> 00:17:59.319 and proclaiming 00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.259 God's word 00:18:00.259 --> 00:18:02.539 Jesus also often 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:03.500 decried those 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.379 who came to him 00:18:04.379 --> 00:18:05.899 looking for signs 00:18:05.899 --> 00:18:07.619 instead of paying 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:09.079 attention to his words 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:10.099 what he taught. 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.759 He says in Matthew 12 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.139 39 00:18:14.139 --> 00:18:14.899 an evil 00:18:14.899 --> 00:18:15.879 and adulterous 00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:16.459 generation 00:18:16.459 --> 00:18:18.240 seeks for a sign. 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.979 As I said earlier 00:18:20.979 --> 00:18:21.819 we can recognize 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.419 the dragon 00:18:22.419 --> 00:18:22.959 the beast 00:18:22.959 --> 00:18:23.599 and the false prophet 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.659 by their speech 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:26.040 by what they say 00:18:26.040 --> 00:18:27.580 not by their signs. 00:18:28.060 --> 00:18:28.880 Deuteronomy 13 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.380 1-4 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:30.100 is very clear. 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.320 It says 00:18:30.320 --> 00:18:31.080 if a prophet 00:18:31.080 --> 00:18:32.000 or a dreamer 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.220 dreamer of dreams 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:34.240 arises among you 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:35.300 and gives you a sign 00:18:35.300 --> 00:18:36.060 or a wonder 00:18:36.060 --> 00:18:37.140 and the sign 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:37.620 or wonder 00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.360 that he tells you 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.240 comes to pass 00:18:39.240 --> 00:18:40.759 and if he says 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:42.240 let us go after 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.120 other gods 00:18:43.120 --> 00:18:44.740 which you have not known 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:46.600 and let us serve them 00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:48.720 you shall not listen 00:18:48.720 --> 00:18:49.340 to the words 00:18:49.340 --> 00:18:50.080 of that prophet 00:18:50.080 --> 00:18:51.019 or that dreamer 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.560 of dreams 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.579 for the Lord 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.159 your God 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:54.079 is testing you 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.740 to know 00:18:54.740 --> 00:18:55.599 whether you love 00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.019 the Lord 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:56.559 your God 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.839 with all your heart 00:18:57.839 --> 00:18:59.359 and with all your soul 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:00.599 you shall walk 00:19:00.599 --> 00:19:01.359 after the Lord 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:01.819 your God 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.559 and fear him 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:03.559 and keep his commandments 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.679 and obey his voice 00:19:04.679 --> 00:19:06.079 and you shall serve him 00:19:06.079 --> 00:19:07.099 and hold fast 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.779 to him 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:11.679 even if 00:19:11.679 --> 00:19:12.460 the so-called 00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.200 false prophet 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:13.940 so-called prophet 00:19:13.940 --> 00:19:14.639 does signs 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:15.639 and wonders 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:18.320 if he tells you 00:19:18.320 --> 00:19:19.080 to go worship 00:19:19.080 --> 00:19:19.840 other gods 00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:22.380 if he leads you 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.520 astray from Jesus 00:19:23.520 --> 00:19:24.300 our Lord 00:19:24.300 --> 00:19:24.800 and Savior 00:19:24.800 --> 00:19:26.120 then we must 00:19:26.120 --> 00:19:26.860 not follow him 00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:31.020 I mean think about 00:19:31.020 --> 00:19:31.680 how compelling 00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:32.640 that would be 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:33.980 signs and wonders 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:36.240 wouldn't that be tempting 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:39.860 this is a warning 00:19:39.860 --> 00:19:40.580 against our human 00:19:40.580 --> 00:19:41.560 tendency to judge 00:19:41.560 --> 00:19:42.400 according to 00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.440 the appearance 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:43.960 of things 00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.240 and not according 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:45.980 to the substance 00:19:45.980 --> 00:19:46.600 of things 00:19:46.600 --> 00:19:49.299 this is a warning 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:50.120 against our human 00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:50.579 tendency 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:52.000 toward pragmatism 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:54.220 seeking 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.079 practical 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.259 working solutions 00:19:56.259 --> 00:19:57.460 without considering 00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.160 whether those 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:59.279 solutions are true 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.299 or good 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:03.680 how many Christians 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.360 have been led 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:04.799 into 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:06.400 unfaithful churches 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.600 because they were 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:08.700 attracted to 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.759 the most impressive 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.460 signs 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:12.059 and shows 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:14.839 rather than 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:15.519 to the faithful 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.419 preaching of the gospel 00:20:16.419 --> 00:20:20.599 how many 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.539 Christians 00:20:21.539 --> 00:20:24.539 have been led 00:20:24.539 --> 00:20:25.440 to unfaithfulness 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:27.500 by the same 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:27.960 things 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.319 because we've been 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:29.700 asking 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:31.240 what works 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:33.359 what's popular 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:35.220 what's trending 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.679 rather than 00:20:36.679 --> 00:20:37.399 asking ourselves 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:38.339 what's biblical 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:42.799 the social gospel 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.539 works 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.859 in mobilizing 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.259 people 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:45.919 in bringing 00:20:45.919 --> 00:20:46.519 about some 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.439 social change 00:20:47.439 --> 00:20:48.959 it works 00:20:48.959 --> 00:20:51.839 the prosperity 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.339 gospel 00:20:52.339 --> 00:20:53.259 works 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.720 it brings 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.679 thousands of 00:20:55.679 --> 00:20:55.959 people 00:20:55.959 --> 00:20:56.439 through the 00:20:56.439 --> 00:20:56.959 doors of the 00:20:56.959 --> 00:20:57.339 church 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:58.839 and fills 00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.240 the church 00:20:59.240 --> 00:20:59.839 coffers 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:04.419 but they don't 00:21:04.419 --> 00:21:05.619 actually save 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.059 anyone 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:10.559 because these 00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.000 are empty 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.440 signs 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:15.440 when we 00:21:15.440 --> 00:21:15.980 ask 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.899 you know 00:21:16.899 --> 00:21:18.480 what works 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:19.200 rather than 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.859 what's biblically 00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:20.460 leads us to 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.159 man-centered 00:21:21.159 --> 00:21:21.579 worship 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.879 rather than 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.399 God-centered 00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:23.859 worship 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:27.839 when we ask 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:28.519 what works 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:28.960 rather than 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.539 what's biblical 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.859 we appoint 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:31.599 as ministers 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.419 of the gospel 00:21:32.419 --> 00:21:33.059 people who are 00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.460 gifted 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.740 but do not 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.240 meet the 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.619 scriptural 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.119 criteria 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:36.779 or have 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:39.459 the necessary 00:21:39.459 --> 00:21:40.019 character 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:42.179 they might 00:21:42.179 --> 00:21:42.879 look successful 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.459 at first 00:21:43.459 --> 00:21:44.219 as gifted 00:21:44.219 --> 00:21:44.899 people often 00:21:44.899 --> 00:21:45.159 are 00:21:45.159 --> 00:21:46.239 but eventually 00:21:46.239 --> 00:21:46.819 abuses 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:48.059 and scandals 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.319 and heresies 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:49.619 follow 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:50.799 because they 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.179 don't have 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:51.819 the character 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.739 to weather 00:21:52.739 --> 00:21:53.459 the rigors 00:21:53.459 --> 00:21:54.279 and the pressures 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.259 and the temptations 00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:55.799 of ministry 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:59.959 but wait 00:21:59.959 --> 00:22:00.479 he performs 00:22:00.479 --> 00:22:01.079 miracles 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:05.699 he must 00:22:05.699 --> 00:22:06.079 be a true 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.460 prophet 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:09.720 not necessarily 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:11.819 the false 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.159 prophet 00:22:12.159 --> 00:22:12.539 has 00:22:12.539 --> 00:22:13.240 impressive 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:13.740 authority 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.919 he performs 00:22:14.919 --> 00:22:15.539 signs 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.419 he is backed 00:22:16.419 --> 00:22:17.079 by powerful 00:22:17.079 --> 00:22:17.639 figures 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.500 he is very 00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:19.199 plausible 00:22:19.199 --> 00:22:19.960 and persuasive 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.679 but we must 00:22:20.679 --> 00:22:21.379 not follow him 00:22:21.379 --> 00:22:24.019 and they may 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:24.379 come with 00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:24.919 consequences 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:26.139 it says in 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:26.740 verse 15 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.519 in the false 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:27.880 prophet 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.339 was allowed 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:28.680 to give 00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:29.019 breath 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.500 to the image 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:29.920 of the beast 00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.460 so that the image 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:30.880 of the beast 00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:31.339 might even 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:31.839 speak 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:32.259 and might 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.000 cause those 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.500 who would not 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.200 worship the image 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:34.680 of the beast 00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.380 to be slain 00:22:35.380 --> 00:22:37.519 in the first 00:22:37.519 --> 00:22:38.079 century 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:38.940 when revelation 00:22:38.940 --> 00:22:39.640 was written 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.240 priests 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.079 of the imperial 00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.700 cult 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:43.140 would make 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:43.920 literal idols 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:45.359 of emperors 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:46.460 and other gods 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.200 and demand 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:47.700 that people 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.299 bow down 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:48.839 before them 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.559 and worship 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:49.920 them 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:51.980 emperor 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.519 Caligula 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:53.080 even tried 00:22:53.080 --> 00:22:53.480 to place 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:53.840 an idol 00:22:53.840 --> 00:22:54.300 of himself 00:22:54.300 --> 00:22:54.900 inside 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:55.519 the most 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.240 early place 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.740 of the 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.039 Jerusalem 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:57.519 temple 00:22:57.519 --> 00:22:59.759 and emperor 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:00.340 Domitian 00:23:00.340 --> 00:23:00.880 also set up 00:23:00.880 --> 00:23:01.600 a colossal 00:23:01.600 --> 00:23:01.920 statue 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.460 of himself 00:23:02.460 --> 00:23:03.519 in Ephesus 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.380 and demanded 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:04.820 that people 00:23:04.820 --> 00:23:05.480 worship him 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.560 and historians 00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:07.400 note that 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:08.060 some of these 00:23:08.060 --> 00:23:10.380 imperial cult 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:10.940 priests 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:12.360 employed 00:23:12.360 --> 00:23:13.480 ventriloquism 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.440 and false 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:14.820 lightning 00:23:14.820 --> 00:23:15.420 and other 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:16.360 similar signs 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.000 to persuade 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.580 people that 00:23:17.580 --> 00:23:18.259 there is real 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.820 divinity 00:23:18.820 --> 00:23:19.420 and deity 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:20.019 behind these 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:20.300 idols 00:23:20.300 --> 00:23:22.960 not all of 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.279 these things 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:23.700 happened 00:23:23.700 --> 00:23:24.500 during John's 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.060 day necessarily 00:23:25.060 --> 00:23:25.600 but similar 00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:26.120 events may 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:26.539 have happened 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.240 already afoot 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:28.000 by John's 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:28.360 time 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:29.340 and those 00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:29.860 who refused 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:30.279 to join 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:30.580 in that 00:23:30.580 --> 00:23:31.060 idolatry 00:23:31.060 --> 00:23:31.860 were sometimes 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.420 slain 00:23:32.420 --> 00:23:34.140 and often 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:34.800 faced dire 00:23:34.800 --> 00:23:35.180 economic 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.759 consequences 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.660 as we see 00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.100 in the following 00:23:37.100 --> 00:23:37.480 verses 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:39.440 this setting 00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:40.039 up of the 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.880 image of the 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.200 beast 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:41.620 is an 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.120 allusion 00:23:42.120 --> 00:23:42.640 most likely 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:43.220 to Daniel 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:43.880 chapter 3 00:23:43.880 --> 00:23:44.620 where the 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:45.120 Babylonian 00:23:45.120 --> 00:23:45.340 king 00:23:45.340 --> 00:23:45.940 Nebuchadnezzar 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.340 sets up 00:23:46.340 --> 00:23:46.700 a golden 00:23:46.700 --> 00:23:47.160 image of 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.460 himself 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:47.920 and demands 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.279 that all 00:23:48.279 --> 00:23:48.660 people 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.440 and nations 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:50.279 and language 00:23:50.279 --> 00:23:51.120 bow down 00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:52.259 before it 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.720 and worship 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:53.080 it 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:54.519 and you know 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:54.980 the story 00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.759 Daniel's three 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.200 friends 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:56.880 Shadrach 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:57.340 Meshach 00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:57.860 and Abednego 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.600 they refused 00:23:58.600 --> 00:23:59.100 to worship 00:23:59.100 --> 00:23:59.560 the image 00:23:59.560 --> 00:24:00.360 and when 00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:01.140 Nebuchadnezzar 00:24:01.140 --> 00:24:02.200 threatens them 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:02.820 with the fiery 00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:03.200 furnace 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:04.540 and they finally 00:24:04.540 --> 00:24:05.120 says to them 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:06.440 who is the 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:06.880 God 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.320 who will 00:24:07.320 --> 00:24:08.240 deliver you 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:09.380 out of my 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:09.820 hands 00:24:09.820 --> 00:24:12.500 Shadrach 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:12.940 Meshach 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.480 and Abednego 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:13.920 reply 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:14.800 if this 00:24:14.800 --> 00:24:15.420 be so 00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:16.480 our 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:16.880 God 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.300 whom we 00:24:17.300 --> 00:24:17.640 serve 00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:18.580 is able 00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:19.279 to deliver 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.660 us 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.140 from the 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:20.380 burning 00:24:20.380 --> 00:24:20.740 fiery 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.120 furnace 00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:21.840 and he 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:22.140 will 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:22.560 deliver 00:24:22.560 --> 00:24:22.840 us 00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.240 out of 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:23.480 your 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:23.840 hand 00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:24.160 O 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:24.460 king 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.820 but if 00:24:25.820 --> 00:24:26.380 not 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:27.560 be known 00:24:27.560 --> 00:24:27.860 to you 00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:28.039 O 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:28.200 king 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.759 that we 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.220 will not 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:29.560 serve 00:24:29.560 --> 00:24:29.740 your 00:24:29.740 --> 00:24:30.080 gods 00:24:30.080 --> 00:24:30.920 or worship 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.420 the golden 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:31.800 image 00:24:31.800 --> 00:24:32.100 that you 00:24:32.100 --> 00:24:32.500 have set 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:32.759 up 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:34.680 they 00:24:34.680 --> 00:24:35.100 believe 00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:35.759 that God 00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.420 can 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.420 deliver 00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:37.720 them 00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.440 and that he 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:38.700 will 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.080 deliver 00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:39.360 them 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:39.879 from the 00:24:39.879 --> 00:24:40.179 hand 00:24:40.179 --> 00:24:40.799 of the 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:40.939 king 00:24:40.939 --> 00:24:41.379 Nebuchadnezzar 00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:42.099 but even 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.740 if he 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.679 doesn't 00:24:43.679 --> 00:24:45.439 they said 00:24:45.439 --> 00:24:46.679 we will 00:24:46.679 --> 00:24:47.199 not bow 00:24:47.199 --> 00:24:47.379 down 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:47.659 before 00:24:47.659 --> 00:24:47.859 your 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.139 golden 00:24:48.139 --> 00:24:48.879 image 00:24:48.879 --> 00:24:52.339 we know 00:24:52.339 --> 00:24:53.019 that early 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.479 church 00:24:53.479 --> 00:24:54.240 that was 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.779 persecuted 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.979 took 00:24:55.979 --> 00:24:56.679 inspiration 00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:57.099 from the 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:57.419 story 00:24:57.419 --> 00:24:58.359 because if 00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:58.599 you go 00:24:58.599 --> 00:24:59.119 to the 00:24:59.119 --> 00:25:00.199 catacombs 00:25:00.199 --> 00:25:01.579 of Priscilla 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.079 which is 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:02.619 an underground 00:25:02.619 --> 00:25:03.059 cemetery 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:03.459 that the 00:25:03.459 --> 00:25:03.659 Romans 00:25:03.659 --> 00:25:04.199 used 00:25:04.199 --> 00:25:05.059 you can 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.759 see a 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.139 fresco 00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:06.459 painting 00:25:06.459 --> 00:25:06.759 on the 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.099 wall 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:08.019 of the 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:09.159 three 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:09.519 friends 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:09.900 of Daniel 00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.400 in the 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:10.620 fiery 00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:11.120 furnace 00:25:11.120 --> 00:25:12.500 accompanied 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.180 by Holy 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:13.519 Spirit 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:13.779 in the 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:13.940 form 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.200 of a 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:14.460 dove 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.040 and 00:25:15.040 --> 00:25:15.480 not 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:15.820 harmed 00:25:15.820 --> 00:25:16.160 by the 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.480 fire 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.940 Christians 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:18.279 because 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.860 they were 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:19.759 so frequently 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.340 persecuted 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:21.019 sometimes 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:22.000 took shelter 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.800 and used 00:25:22.800 --> 00:25:23.700 the catacombs 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:24.200 the tombs 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:24.580 as a 00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:25.040 sanctuary 00:25:25.040 --> 00:25:26.279 and sometimes 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:26.840 they worship 00:25:26.840 --> 00:25:27.259 there 00:25:27.259 --> 00:25:28.380 which is 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:28.900 why we see 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.300 and this 00:25:29.300 --> 00:25:29.660 is the 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.000 image 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.300 that they 00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:30.700 had 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:33.880 to remind 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:34.300 us 00:25:34.300 --> 00:25:35.540 that we 00:25:35.540 --> 00:25:36.080 don't suffer 00:25:36.080 --> 00:25:36.480 alone 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:37.680 there are 00:25:37.680 --> 00:25:37.920 those who 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.180 have gone 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:38.880 before us 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.160 who have 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.400 borne 00:25:40.400 --> 00:25:40.720 faithful 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.360 testimony 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.040 to Jesus 00:25:42.040 --> 00:25:48.180 in order 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.760 to enforce 00:25:48.760 --> 00:25:49.280 the worship 00:25:49.280 --> 00:25:49.680 of the 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.040 beast 00:25:50.040 --> 00:25:51.780 the false 00:25:51.780 --> 00:25:52.160 prophet 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.600 will 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:53.340 mark 00:25:53.340 --> 00:25:53.800 the earth 00:25:53.800 --> 00:25:54.360 dwellers 00:25:54.360 --> 00:25:55.400 with the 00:25:55.400 --> 00:25:55.720 mark 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:55.960 of the 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.320 beast 00:25:56.320 --> 00:25:57.900 it says 00:25:57.900 --> 00:25:58.220 in verses 00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:58.820 16 to 00:25:58.820 --> 00:25:59.240 18 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.200 also it 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:00.580 causes 00:26:00.580 --> 00:26:01.040 all 00:26:01.040 --> 00:26:01.380 both 00:26:01.380 --> 00:26:01.720 small 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:02.000 and 00:26:02.000 --> 00:26:02.340 great 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:02.680 both 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:02.980 rich 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.200 and 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:03.600 poor 00:26:03.600 --> 00:26:03.900 both 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:04.240 free 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.500 and 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:04.880 slave 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.480 to be 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:05.800 marked 00:26:05.800 --> 00:26:06.140 on the 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:06.380 right 00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:06.780 hand 00:26:06.780 --> 00:26:07.140 or the 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:07.520 forehead 00:26:07.520 --> 00:26:08.760 so that 00:26:08.760 --> 00:26:09.220 no one 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:09.740 can buy 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.240 or sell 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.660 unless he 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:10.940 has the 00:26:10.940 --> 00:26:11.280 mark 00:26:11.280 --> 00:26:12.460 that is 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:13.400 the name 00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:14.020 of the beast 00:26:14.020 --> 00:26:14.820 or the number 00:26:14.820 --> 00:26:15.580 of its name 00:26:15.580 --> 00:26:16.560 this calls 00:26:16.560 --> 00:26:17.160 for wisdom 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:17.720 let the one 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.320 who has 00:26:18.320 --> 00:26:19.120 understanding 00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:20.380 calculate the 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:20.660 number 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.620 of the beast 00:26:21.620 --> 00:26:22.480 for it is 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:22.880 the number 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.460 of a man 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:23.900 and his 00:26:23.900 --> 00:26:24.220 number 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:24.840 is 00:26:24.840 --> 00:26:26.220 666 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:29.160 this 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:30.140 number 00:26:30.140 --> 00:26:30.519 has 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:30.960 sparked 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.799 all 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.319 kinds 00:26:32.319 --> 00:26:32.620 of 00:26:32.620 --> 00:26:33.539 imaginative 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.100 speculation 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:34.759 and 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:35.680 controversy 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.019 throughout 00:26:36.019 --> 00:26:36.259 church 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.579 history 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:38.000 I mentioned 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.480 to you 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:38.900 you might 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.259 remember 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.680 this 00:26:39.680 --> 00:26:40.319 I mentioned 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:40.680 to you 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.460 my first 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:41.740 sermon 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.180 in our 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:42.480 revelation 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.039 series 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:44.000 a few 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.200 years 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:44.460 ago 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:44.960 no not 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.339 the sermon 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.779 wasn't a few 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.120 years ago 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:47.160 but a few 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:47.640 years ago 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:48.059 some people 00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:48.980 were proclaiming 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.759 that the 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.640 COVID vaccine 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.640 is the 00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.120 mark of 00:26:52.120 --> 00:26:52.539 the beast 00:26:52.539 --> 00:26:55.279 that's 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.680 unfortunate 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.200 because our 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:56.860 pastoral intern 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:57.380 was working 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:57.680 for the 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:57.960 company 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.319 that made 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.559 one of 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:58.720 them 00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:01.319 and 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:01.840 they were 00:27:01.840 --> 00:27:02.039 saying 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.620 that because 00:27:02.620 --> 00:27:03.440 the word 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.620 corona 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.220 has six 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.600 letters 00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:07.100 so that's 00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:07.400 obviously 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:07.840 the first 00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:08.340 six 00:27:08.340 --> 00:27:08.779 of the 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.160 666 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:10.500 and then 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.640 you count 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:12.460 up the 00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.140 numerical 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:14.019 value of 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.460 the letters 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:14.799 in the word 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:15.140 corona 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.779 c is the 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.259 third letter 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.680 in the alphabet 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.660 so it's 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.279 number three 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:19.600 and so on 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:19.940 and then you 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.460 add up the 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:20.700 numbers 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.019 you get 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.799 66 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:23.900 can that be 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.500 coincidence 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:26.559 666 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:28.980 that is 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:31.119 certainly not 00:27:31.119 --> 00:27:31.420 the mark 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:31.839 of the beast 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:34.960 a few 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.680 decades ago 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:36.539 when Ronald 00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:37.279 Regan 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.099 was elected 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.559 president 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.519 some people 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.160 noted that 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.759 the winning 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.720 lottery number 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.960 in Maryland 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:45.160 on election 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:45.519 day 00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.500 November 4th 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:46.920 was 00:27:46.920 --> 00:27:47.640 666 00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:49.480 that of 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:49.700 course 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.280 got the 00:27:50.280 --> 00:27:50.660 conspiracy 00:27:50.660 --> 00:27:51.300 years going 00:27:51.300 --> 00:27:52.840 and later 00:27:52.840 --> 00:27:53.280 some people 00:27:53.280 --> 00:27:53.800 noted that 00:27:53.800 --> 00:27:54.400 Ronald 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.360 Wilson 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.660 Regan 00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.620 the first 00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:57.880 middle 00:27:57.880 --> 00:27:58.300 last name 00:27:58.300 --> 00:27:58.820 all have 00:27:58.820 --> 00:27:59.280 six 00:27:59.280 --> 00:27:59.800 letters 00:27:59.800 --> 00:28:04.340 he's kind 00:28:04.340 --> 00:28:04.740 of a 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:05.220 hapless 00:28:05.220 --> 00:28:05.660 president 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.100 because 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:07.160 he didn't 00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:07.540 help his 00:28:07.540 --> 00:28:07.920 case 00:28:07.920 --> 00:28:08.240 when 00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:09.380 after his 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:09.900 retirement 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:11.000 he purchased 00:28:11.000 --> 00:28:11.440 a house 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:11.800 in Belle 00:28:11.800 --> 00:28:11.920 Air 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.460 Los Angeles 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:12.840 with the 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:13.300 address 00:28:13.300 --> 00:28:14.780 666 00:28:14.780 --> 00:28:15.240 St. 00:28:15.340 --> 00:28:15.560 Cloud 00:28:15.560 --> 00:28:15.920 Road 00:28:15.920 --> 00:28:18.820 and his 00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:19.279 wife was 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:19.779 wise to 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.200 promptly 00:28:20.200 --> 00:28:20.840 change the 00:28:20.840 --> 00:28:21.080 address 00:28:21.080 --> 00:28:22.180 to 668 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:26.400 if you 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:26.840 think only 00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:27.340 Republicans 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:27.900 can be the 00:28:27.900 --> 00:28:28.400 antichrist 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:28.759 then think 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:29.140 again 00:28:29.140 --> 00:28:30.600 because it 00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:31.140 was rumored 00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:32.039 that John 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.220 F. 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.539 Kennedy 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.519 received 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:34.039 precisely 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:35.200 666 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:35.759 votes 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:36.279 during the 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.060 1956 00:28:37.060 --> 00:28:37.620 Democratic 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.100 Convention 00:28:38.100 --> 00:28:40.000 which I 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.759 looked into 00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.600 and it 00:28:41.600 --> 00:28:41.900 turns out 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.140 that he 00:28:42.140 --> 00:28:42.580 didn't 00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:42.960 but 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:44.220 doesn't 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.019 stop 00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.259 rumors 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.460 from 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:45.779 spreading 00:28:45.779 --> 00:28:46.960 and 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.240 also 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.639 JFK 00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:47.879 died 00:28:47.879 --> 00:28:48.079 of a 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:48.220 head 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.480 wound 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:48.779 like 00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:49.099 the 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:49.759 beast 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:49.980 that 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.359 dies 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:50.720 of a 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:52.019 mortal 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:52.460 wound 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.740 and 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.899 some 00:28:54.899 --> 00:28:55.220 people 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:55.480 have 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:55.720 written 00:28:55.720 --> 00:28:56.160 books 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.960 predicting 00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:57.660 that JFK 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:57.940 will come 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.200 back 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.539 from the 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:58.799 dead 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.359 as the 00:28:59.359 --> 00:28:59.940 antichrist 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:03.899 still others 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.559 have suggested 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.019 that the 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:05.299 beast 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:05.500 is 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:05.859 Mohammed 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:06.779 saying 00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.039 that 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:07.660 a certain 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:08.039 Greek 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.440 spelling 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:08.779 of his 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.220 name 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:10.740 Maometis 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:12.200 adds up 00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:12.460 to the 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:12.779 number 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.920 666 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:15.100 666 00:29:15.100 --> 00:29:15.440 the only 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:15.779 problem 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.180 with this 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:16.519 theory 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:16.960 is that 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.779 his name 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.759 is never 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.640 rendered 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:20.460 Maometis 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.560 in all 00:29:21.560 --> 00:29:22.259 extant 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:22.759 literature 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:25.519 and the 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:25.940 numbers do 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.340 not add up 00:29:26.340 --> 00:29:26.900 to 666 00:29:26.900 --> 00:29:29.660 many other 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.220 names have been 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:30.880 suggested throughout 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.500 church history 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.300 Caligula 00:29:32.300 --> 00:29:32.900 Domitian 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:33.279 Caesar 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:33.620 God 00:29:33.620 --> 00:29:33.779 the 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.519 Nicolaitans 00:29:34.519 --> 00:29:35.380 Ioanthus 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:35.960 Taten 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.740 Saladin 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.100 King 00:29:37.100 --> 00:29:37.420 Charles 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:37.779 I 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.539 King 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.080 George 00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:39.600 III 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:40.539 of the 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:40.779 American 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.299 Revolution 00:29:41.299 --> 00:29:43.379 Napoleon 00:29:43.379 --> 00:29:44.619 Latinus 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.179 which means 00:29:45.179 --> 00:29:45.559 Latin 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:45.899 speaking 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:46.240 man 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:46.639 which some 00:29:46.639 --> 00:29:47.139 people claim 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:47.539 Pope 00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.859 is the 00:29:48.859 --> 00:29:49.359 antichrist 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:50.439 Phoebus 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.099 Balaam 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:51.519 Oliver 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.159 Cromwell 00:29:52.159 --> 00:29:52.599 Kaiser 00:29:52.599 --> 00:29:53.000 Wilhelm 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.359 Hitler 00:29:53.359 --> 00:29:54.019 Mussolini 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.480 Anwar 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:54.879 Sadat 00:29:54.879 --> 00:29:55.059 and 00:29:55.059 --> 00:29:55.379 Saddam 00:29:55.379 --> 00:29:55.779 Hussein 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.319 among 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:56.719 others 00:29:56.719 --> 00:29:58.859 this should 00:29:58.859 --> 00:29:59.679 caution us 00:29:59.679 --> 00:30:00.339 against 00:30:00.339 --> 00:30:02.139 numerological 00:30:02.139 --> 00:30:02.939 speculations 00:30:02.939 --> 00:30:06.579 theologian 00:30:06.579 --> 00:30:07.019 George 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.439 Salmon 00:30:07.439 --> 00:30:07.980 suggests 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:08.799 some 00:30:08.799 --> 00:30:09.179 tongue 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:09.640 in cheek 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.500 rules 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.660 for how 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:12.400 to calculate 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:12.820 the number 00:30:12.820 --> 00:30:13.060 of the 00:30:13.060 --> 00:30:13.320 beast 00:30:13.320 --> 00:30:14.080 he writes 00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:14.640 this is 00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:14.980 his first 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.320 rule 00:30:15.320 --> 00:30:17.220 first 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:17.680 if the 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.039 proper 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:18.480 name 00:30:18.480 --> 00:30:19.360 by itself 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:19.960 will not 00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.259 yield 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.820 666 00:30:20.820 --> 00:30:21.840 add a 00:30:21.840 --> 00:30:22.180 title 00:30:22.180 --> 00:30:25.039 secondly 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:26.019 if the 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:26.320 sum 00:30:26.320 --> 00:30:26.940 cannot be 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.340 found in 00:30:27.340 --> 00:30:27.779 Greek 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.700 try 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.279 Hebrew 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:30.120 or even 00:30:30.120 --> 00:30:30.560 Latin 00:30:30.560 --> 00:30:33.000 thirdly 00:30:33.000 --> 00:30:33.740 do not 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:34.200 be too 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:34.640 particular 00:30:34.640 --> 00:30:35.160 about the 00:30:35.160 --> 00:30:35.500 spelling 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:38.140 it's 00:30:38.140 --> 00:30:39.000 it's 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.160 really 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.480 funny 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:39.780 but 00:30:39.780 --> 00:30:40.460 not 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:40.680 so 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:40.920 funny 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.180 because 00:30:41.180 --> 00:30:41.360 it's 00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:41.800 exactly 00:30:41.800 --> 00:30:42.120 what's 00:30:42.120 --> 00:30:42.520 happened 00:30:42.520 --> 00:30:43.360 with 00:30:43.360 --> 00:30:43.500 some 00:30:43.500 --> 00:30:43.580 of 00:30:43.580 --> 00:30:43.700 these 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.140 suggestions 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:46.060 Salmon 00:30:46.060 --> 00:30:46.480 concludes 00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:46.900 from this 00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.160 quote 00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:47.660 we cannot 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:48.380 infer much 00:30:48.380 --> 00:30:48.740 from the 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.100 fact that 00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:49.460 a key 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.000 fits the 00:30:50.000 --> 00:30:50.340 lock 00:30:50.340 --> 00:30:51.400 if it 00:30:51.400 --> 00:30:51.680 is a 00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:51.920 lock 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.259 in which 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:52.700 almost 00:30:52.700 --> 00:30:53.180 any 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.540 key 00:30:53.540 --> 00:30:53.780 will 00:30:53.780 --> 00:30:54.160 fit 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:57.720 this 00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:57.960 is a 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.460 wise 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.160 general 00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.700 caution 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.340 against 00:31:00.340 --> 00:31:00.980 mathematical 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:01.440 and 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.160 numerological 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.759 speculation 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:04.420 having 00:31:04.420 --> 00:31:04.720 said 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.040 that 00:31:05.040 --> 00:31:08.160 I'm 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:08.300 going to 00:31:08.300 --> 00:31:08.519 kind of 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:08.920 break that 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:09.400 rule and 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:09.940 suggest to 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.200 you 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:11.340 that there 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:11.740 is 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.540 one 00:31:12.540 --> 00:31:13.060 historical 00:31:13.060 --> 00:31:13.480 name 00:31:13.480 --> 00:31:14.000 however 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.400 that I 00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:14.620 do 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.120 think 00:31:15.120 --> 00:31:15.700 John 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:15.960 is 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.340 referencing 00:31:16.340 --> 00:31:18.279 this 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:18.800 is not 00:31:18.800 --> 00:31:19.259 definitive 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.259 and it 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:21.120 is a 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:21.320 bit 00:31:21.320 --> 00:31:21.860 speculative 00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.819 but because 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.259 John 00:31:23.259 --> 00:31:23.979 alludes 00:31:23.979 --> 00:31:24.459 to this 00:31:24.459 --> 00:31:24.740 man 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.319 and the 00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:25.619 legend 00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:26.199 surrounding 00:31:26.199 --> 00:31:26.539 him 00:31:26.539 --> 00:31:27.199 repeatedly 00:31:27.199 --> 00:31:27.519 throughout 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:27.699 the 00:31:27.699 --> 00:31:27.879 book 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.819 I 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:29.019 think 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:29.199 the 00:31:29.199 --> 00:31:29.619 identification 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:30.419 is likely 00:31:30.419 --> 00:31:30.740 and that 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.219 man is 00:31:31.219 --> 00:31:31.659 Nero 00:31:31.659 --> 00:31:34.719 in many 00:31:34.719 --> 00:31:35.139 ancient 00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:35.500 languages 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:35.979 the 00:31:35.979 --> 00:31:36.579 letters 00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.199 of the 00:31:37.199 --> 00:31:37.479 alphabet 00:31:37.479 --> 00:31:37.919 were also 00:31:37.919 --> 00:31:38.179 given 00:31:38.179 --> 00:31:38.559 numerical 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:39.099 value 00:31:39.099 --> 00:31:40.839 and 00:31:40.839 --> 00:31:42.179 gematria 00:31:42.179 --> 00:31:42.699 which is 00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:43.359 the practice 00:31:43.359 --> 00:31:44.240 of representing 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.939 names and 00:31:44.939 --> 00:31:45.740 words with 00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.379 numbers 00:31:46.379 --> 00:31:47.459 was commonly 00:31:47.459 --> 00:31:48.159 practiced by 00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:49.059 Jews and 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.559 Greeks and 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:49.859 Romans 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:51.419 there are 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:52.100 many examples 00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:52.480 literary 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:52.880 examples 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:53.700 that we 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.340 have of 00:31:54.340 --> 00:31:54.880 names of 00:31:54.880 --> 00:31:55.420 emperors 00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:55.759 names 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.340 name of 00:31:56.340 --> 00:31:56.720 Jesus 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.240 and even 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:57.560 name of 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:57.820 God 00:31:57.820 --> 00:31:58.500 being represented 00:31:58.500 --> 00:31:58.960 with 00:31:58.960 --> 00:31:59.500 gematria 00:31:59.500 --> 00:32:00.080 with using 00:32:00.080 --> 00:32:00.680 these numbers 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:01.279 in other 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.740 literature 00:32:02.740 --> 00:32:04.660 and normally 00:32:04.660 --> 00:32:05.740 I don't think 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.840 you should use 00:32:06.840 --> 00:32:07.779 gematria on 00:32:07.779 --> 00:32:09.279 the number 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:10.500 that you see 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.080 numbers that you 00:32:11.080 --> 00:32:11.360 see in the 00:32:11.360 --> 00:32:11.620 Bible 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:13.100 but because 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:13.600 I think that 00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:14.160 leads to this 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:14.779 kind of fruitless 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.560 speculation and 00:32:15.560 --> 00:32:16.500 conspiracy theories 00:32:16.500 --> 00:32:17.779 however I do 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.660 think that John 00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:19.620 is pointing us 00:32:19.620 --> 00:32:20.820 to that practice 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:22.399 here because 00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:23.159 verse 15 00:32:23.159 --> 00:32:24.319 says let 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.220 the one who 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.240 has understanding 00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.879 calculate the 00:32:27.879 --> 00:32:28.539 number of the 00:32:28.539 --> 00:32:30.559 beast for it 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.619 is the number 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:32.939 of a man and 00:32:32.939 --> 00:32:33.799 his number is 00:32:33.799 --> 00:32:34.519 666 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:37.039 John uses many 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:37.980 symbolic and 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.879 figurative numbers 00:32:38.879 --> 00:32:39.599 throughout his 00:32:39.599 --> 00:32:40.779 book but never 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.939 not once does 00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:43.119 he tell us in 00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:43.919 those other places 00:32:43.919 --> 00:32:45.000 to calculate the 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:46.779 number and 00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:47.639 or tell us it's 00:32:47.639 --> 00:32:48.379 the number of a 00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:49.559 man but here he 00:32:49.559 --> 00:32:50.539 tells us that to 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:51.259 calculate the 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:51.720 number for it is 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.359 the number of a 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:54.899 man and that 00:32:54.899 --> 00:32:55.399 indicates that 00:32:55.399 --> 00:32:56.319 number 666 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:57.319 represents a 00:32:57.319 --> 00:32:57.899 man's name 00:32:57.899 --> 00:33:00.359 somehow if you 00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:02.039 transliterate the 00:33:02.039 --> 00:33:03.179 Greek for 00:33:03.179 --> 00:33:05.779 Nero Caesar into 00:33:05.779 --> 00:33:07.019 Hebrew the 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:07.899 letters add up to 00:33:07.899 --> 00:33:11.220 666 it isn't the 00:33:11.220 --> 00:33:12.179 most common spelling 00:33:12.179 --> 00:33:13.720 of Nero Caesar but 00:33:13.720 --> 00:33:14.399 there was an 00:33:14.399 --> 00:33:15.579 Aramaic papyrus 00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:16.319 document that was 00:33:16.319 --> 00:33:17.279 discovered dated to 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:18.259 stating the second 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:19.599 ear of Nero Caesar 00:33:19.599 --> 00:33:20.779 and that's spelled 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:21.720 exactly that way 00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:24.779 and that name 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.539 spelling yields 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.000 666 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:27.819 some people object 00:33:27.819 --> 00:33:28.420 that John wouldn't 00:33:28.420 --> 00:33:29.299 have used Hebrew 00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:31.279 for Nero Caesar to 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.039 yield 666 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:33.680 by Gamatria if 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.500 he's writing to 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:36.019 Greek speakers which 00:33:36.019 --> 00:33:37.339 he is here because 00:33:37.339 --> 00:33:38.019 Revelation is written 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.119 in Greek that's a 00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:40.839 fair point but 00:33:40.839 --> 00:33:41.420 verses like 00:33:41.420 --> 00:33:43.000 Revelation 9 11 and 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:45.619 16 16 where John 00:33:45.619 --> 00:33:46.759 explicitly gives the 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:47.719 Hebrew name for 00:33:47.719 --> 00:33:48.939 words like Abaddon 00:33:48.939 --> 00:33:50.039 and Armageddon 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:51.439 suggest that John 00:33:51.439 --> 00:33:52.500 did have in mind 00:33:52.500 --> 00:33:53.279 that some of his 00:33:53.279 --> 00:33:54.379 audience would know 00:33:54.379 --> 00:33:56.079 Hebrew or be 00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:56.839 familiar with Hebrew 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:58.899 words moreover there 00:33:58.899 --> 00:33:59.619 are some ancient 00:33:59.619 --> 00:34:00.819 manuscripts of this 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.599 passage in Revelation 00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:03.019 that have variations 00:34:03.019 --> 00:34:05.799 of this verse 18 and 00:34:05.799 --> 00:34:06.919 that those variations 00:34:06.919 --> 00:34:07.919 have instead of the 00:34:07.919 --> 00:34:09.159 number 666 number 00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:14.079 616 and if you use 00:34:14.079 --> 00:34:15.899 Gamatria on the 00:34:15.899 --> 00:34:17.579 Latin translation of 00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:18.679 Nero Caesar you get 00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:23.219 616 and I think 00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:23.859 these variations 00:34:23.859 --> 00:34:24.759 confirm that that's 00:34:24.759 --> 00:34:26.460 what the original 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.619 audience and the 00:34:27.619 --> 00:34:28.879 people had in mind 00:34:28.879 --> 00:34:31.079 the Nero identification 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:31.940 is confirmed by the 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:32.879 fact that John as we 00:34:32.879 --> 00:34:34.159 saw creatively uses 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:35.420 the Nero returned or 00:34:35.420 --> 00:34:36.639 the Nero living again 00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.940 legends that were 00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:39.039 popular in his day 00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:40.579 beasts to refer to 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:42.179 the beast who dies 00:34:42.179 --> 00:34:42.759 who has a mortal 00:34:42.759 --> 00:34:43.820 wound but recovers 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:45.440 is seen living again 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:46.940 for example the 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:48.059 Ascension of Isaiah 00:34:48.059 --> 00:34:49.000 which is basically 00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:50.500 fan fiction in the 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:51.000 style of scripture 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.699 from the first or 00:34:51.699 --> 00:34:52.340 second century 00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:54.039 writes of expectation 00:34:54.039 --> 00:34:55.000 of Nero's return 00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:56.079 saying all people in 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:56.639 the world will 00:34:56.639 --> 00:34:58.320 sacrifice to him and 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:59.320 he will set up his 00:34:59.320 --> 00:35:00.460 image before him in 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:02.900 every city the 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:03.779 Sibylline Oracle 00:35:03.779 --> 00:35:05.360 which predicted the 00:35:05.360 --> 00:35:06.320 return of Nero 00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:09.440 called him the 00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:11.940 great beast and that 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.800 appears to have been 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:14.320 a nickname that was 00:35:14.320 --> 00:35:15.460 quite often used of 00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:16.240 Nero because of 00:35:16.240 --> 00:35:17.380 emperor Marcus Aurelius 00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:18.740 also called Nero a 00:35:18.740 --> 00:35:21.000 beast and a 00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:21.960 Greco-Roman philosopher 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:25.900 Philostratus represents 00:35:25.900 --> 00:35:27.539 Apollonius of Tiana as 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.860 describing Nero as a 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:30.360 beast more savage than 00:35:30.360 --> 00:35:31.300 the wild beasts like 00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:32.240 lions and panthers 00:35:32.240 --> 00:35:33.960 because flattering him 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.780 makes him even more 00:35:34.780 --> 00:35:35.880 ferocious and vicious 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:38.119 and he says and 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:39.920 Apollonius writes even 00:35:39.920 --> 00:35:41.039 wild beasts do not 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:42.099 eat their own mothers 00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:44.440 but Nero quote has 00:35:44.440 --> 00:35:45.980 gorged himself on this 00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:47.699 diet this is referring 00:35:47.699 --> 00:35:48.400 to the fact that Nero 00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:49.260 killed his own mother 00:35:49.260 --> 00:35:54.240 so he is often referred 00:35:54.240 --> 00:35:56.199 to as the beast John 00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.380 could have simply used 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.760 the name Nero for 00:35:58.760 --> 00:36:00.699 Gematria but he uses a 00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:02.059 title Nero Caesar because 00:36:02.059 --> 00:36:03.900 he has a literary and 00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:05.179 theological reason for 00:36:05.179 --> 00:36:06.340 why he wants the number 00:36:06.340 --> 00:36:07.519 to add up to 666 00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:11.299 first if you translate 00:36:11.299 --> 00:36:12.440 the Greek word for 00:36:12.440 --> 00:36:15.719 beast into Hebrew it 00:36:15.719 --> 00:36:16.860 has the numerical value 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:20.659 of 666 by showing that 00:36:20.659 --> 00:36:22.259 Nero Caesar has the same 00:36:22.259 --> 00:36:23.739 numerical value as the 00:36:23.739 --> 00:36:25.599 beast both in Hebrew 00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:27.639 John is driving home the 00:36:27.639 --> 00:36:28.960 point that Nero is in 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:30.079 fact the beast 00:36:30.079 --> 00:36:33.239 I don't think he's saying 00:36:33.239 --> 00:36:34.799 that Nero would literally 00:36:34.799 --> 00:36:36.360 be resurrected and come 00:36:36.360 --> 00:36:37.500 back to life at the end 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.840 times but because Nero