Who Are The 2 Beasts?

Summary

In this sermon, Pastor Victor delves into the Book of Revelation, exploring the symbolic figures of the Beasts from the Sea and Earth. He discusses the historical and cultural significance of these beasts, drawing parallels to political powers opposing God's kingdom. Victor emphasizes the importance of discerning deceptive forces in our lives, whether blatant or subtle, and the need to align our hearts with Jesus rather than seeking fulfillment in worldly pursuits or political solutions. He challenges the congregation to seek a genuine relationship with God, beyond mere religious practices, and to resist the counterfeit allure of worldly power and idols.

Takeaways

• 📖 The sermon focuses on the Book of Revelation, specifically chapters 12 and 13, discussing the symbolism of the dragon and the two beasts.
• 🐉 The dragon is identified as the devil, Satan, and is seen as a mobilizing force for the two beasts, often referred to as 'Wild Thing One' and 'Wild Thing Two'.
• 🌊 The Beast of the Sea is likened to a sea monster, resonating with Jewish mythology and theology, often associated with dark forces.
• 🐾 The Beast of the Earth is compared to the Behemoth, a creature from Job 40 and 41, symbolizing a powerful, earthly force.
• 🦁 The first Beast is described with characteristics of a leopard, bear, and lion, amalgamating various Old Testament beasts to represent political power opposing God's kingdom.
• 🔥 The Beast's healing of a mortal wound and the subsequent marveling of the earth is seen as a symbol of the resilience of powers against God's kingdom.
• 🏛️ The sermon emphasizes the need for a healthy suspicion towards political institutions and warns against reducing Jesus' kingdom to a set of policies or political actions.
• 🌈 The text discusses recent events, such as Pride parades and pro-Palestine protests, highlighting the clash of ideologies and the challenge of finding unity in diversity.
• 🤔 The sermon challenges the congregation to consider whether their faith is genuine or if they are deceived by hollow idols, urging introspection and a return to a deeper relationship with Jesus.
• 🔢 The number 666 is discussed as a symbol of incompleteness and failure, contrasting the counterfeit nature of the Beast with the completeness of God.
• 🙏 The call to action is for the church to discern their own hearts, recognizing where they may have been deceived and to align themselves fully with Jesus, rejecting the hollow promises of the world.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the sermon based on the Book of Revelation?

The main theme of the sermon is the exploration of the figures described in the Book of Revelation, specifically the dragon and the two beasts, which are interpreted as symbols of political powers opposing God's kingdom.

Who is the figure referred to as the dragon in Revelation 12:9?

The dragon in Revelation 12:9 is identified as the devil, Satan, or the serpent of old.

What is the significance of the Beast of the Sea and the Beast of the Earth in the sermon?

The Beast of the Sea and the Beast of the Earth represent political powers that are mobilized by the dragon to do his bidding, symbolizing opposition to God's kingdom throughout history.

How does the sermon relate the imagery of the beasts to the original audience's understanding?

The sermon connects the imagery of the beasts to the original audience's understanding by referencing Jewish mythology and theology, where sea monsters were believed to represent dark forces.

What is the interpretation of the Beast having a mortal wound that was healed?

The healed mortal wound of the Beast symbolizes the resilience of political powers opposing God's kingdom, which have historically recovered from downfalls to continue exerting influence.

What is the role of the second Beast, described as rising over the Earth with two horns like a lamb?

The second Beast, also known as the Beast of the Earth, is about propaganda and deception, using signs and authority to lead people to worship the first Beast and follow its teachings.

What does the number 666 signify in the context of the sermon?

The number 666 signifies an incomplete or counterfeit power, representing the Beast as a failed imitation of God's completeness and authority.

How does the sermon relate the political powers described in Revelation to the modern context?

The sermon draws parallels between the historical political powers and modern ideologies, suggesting that the same spirit of opposition to God's kingdom manifests in various forms throughout history.

What is the sermon's stance on the role of political institutions in solving moral and social issues?

The sermon encourages a healthy suspicion towards political institutions, suggesting that they cannot solve the moral disorder of the world and that the Church, not the White House, is the hope of the world.

What is the warning against in the sermon regarding personal faith and beliefs?

The sermon warns against the deception that can lead individuals to place their faith in things other than Jesus, whether blatantly or subtly, and emphasizes the importance of genuine knowledge and relationship with God.

What does the sermon suggest as the appropriate response to the understanding of the Beasts in Revelation?

The sermon suggests that the appropriate response is to be discerning, to recognize and resist deceptive forces, and to align one's allegiance with Jesus, the true and complete source of life and righteousness.