YET ANOTHER BEAST

Here is the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing (11). This representative of the first beast is calling for worship of the beast, who is but a man, and the beast’s image. 6 is a number that in Scripture is associated with humankind. 7 is understood as the number of perfection; the seventh day completes the week, and in creation is the day God has blessed. Man was created on the sixth day. But here is not just one six; even more it is a false trinity—the dragon, the beast and the false prophet.

We who are made in the image of God were created to worship him and him alone. Here we have a beast whose number is “the number of a man” (18) and demanding worship, not of the Creator, but of the creature and what he has made in his own image.

This beast presents us with counterfeit spiritual powers that deceive the inhabitants of the earth. The reality of spiritual evil is often unrecognized in Western countries. That satanic power is able to produce real actions in the physical world and is the experience of many Christians, especially in countries where idolatry is practiced. There are many countries also where rulers seek to harness spiritual power to their politics. Hitler was known to seek support from dark spiritual forces. Whatever form it may take, the ultimate author of all manipulation of religious power for political ends is Satan. Paul refers to these as the principalities and powers (Eph. 6:12, KJV) that are behind human activities.

This is for us, as for the first-century believers, a call to steadfast faithful witness, whatever the personal consequences, confident that the ultimate victory is God’s and that Satan is defeated through the death of Jesus on the Cross.

The role of this beast is deception. How can you tell false teaching?