July 1: A Kingdom Divided (part 3)

…and out of the mouth of the false prophet… Revelation 16:13

And now we come to the third of the three parts into which the great city [of Babylon] was divided in John’s vision. Currently we see secular, religious, and civil/political powers coalescing toward common goals, much of which centers upon human effort to save planet earth from ruin. The third of the three parts has more than one name. In Revelation 13:11 this segment is described as another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. When this power comes upon the scene, it begins as a place of refuge for those fleeing the persecuting power of the [sea] beast of yesterday’s devotional (for more on this beast, see 13:1-10). The earth beast starts out with lamb-like characteristics and is mentioned earlier: But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood [of persecution] which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth (12:16). The woman of Revelation 12 represents the true followers of Christ who desire to follow His word exclusively.

Another name for another beast coming up out of the earth is false prophet. A prophet is one who speaks for God to the people, but a false prophet speaks for the other side of the great controversy. The earth which had helped the woman started out like a lamb but it quickly produces a beast which transitions into speaking like a dragon. This is why the earth beast is also called the false prophet. This segment of the three will, as prophesied, use civil and political power to support and cooperate with the beast of 16:13 (described in 13:1-10). Thus, the earth beast comes to represent and speak for the demands of the sea beast; it becomes an image of the beast (see 13:14-15) and this image wields great power worldwide through its “breath” or its power to speak with authority.

The dragon, the beast, and the false prophet are currently working in tandem to gather the world in a common cause that sounds very good on the surface. But underneath, the effort to appeal to all pagans, all religions, and all political powers is for the dark agenda of Satan who desires to funnel all allegiance to himself and against Jesus. Our loving Redeemer is preparing His people to brace for these impressive, even spectacular, tactics by plainly saying ahead of time what to watch for:

For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 16:14

And He strategically inserts here a practical reminder that His coming will be very sudden and He is both willing and able to clothe with His own righteousness all who trust and obey Him:

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” v.15