Revelation 13:2 “And the dragon [that ancient serpent called the Devil or Satan- seeking to usurp the throne of God] gave to it [the Beast, the “Antichrist”] the power of it and the throne of it, and [was given to it] great authority [to exercise dominion on the earth].”
Already we have seen in Revelation 12, that the great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns…energized by Satan was seeking to destroy the man-child (the "Messiah").
Thomas Commentary.- The dragon is the source of the beast’s power and authority. The dragon works through the beast. The war is of Satan’s making, but the ruler and his empire is his tool for waging it.
MacArthur Commentary.- The dragon works his power through the beast, using him to make war against God. That will allow Antichrist to rise to power at God’s appointed time, and will temporarily let sin run its course. The Antichrist will share Satan’s throne, just as the true Christ shares his Father’s throne. Antichrist will possess great authority over the entire world [though it is underground- it is unseen]; he will have complete, unrestrained freedom of action and will answer to no one.
Some fine it incredible that anyone could rise to such a position of absolute authority. But there are parallels in human history, albeit on a much smaller scale. Inevitably, turmoil in society aids such a ruler’s rise to power. Dictators gain control by offering solutions to society’s seemingly unsolvable problems. Adolf Hitler, for example, took advantage of the chaotic economic and political conditions in Germany following World War I. He promised the German people that, under his leadership, their downtrodden nation would again rise to a place of prominence, power, and wealth. Desperate for a way out of their dilemma, many people belied his message. Eventually, the Nazi party grew so strong that Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany. From that position he went on to seize absolute power. Antichrist, a dictator more powerful and evil than Hitler, will rise to power amid the frightening and unprecedented chaos of the Tribulation.
[(Information Acquired Through Terrorist Interweaving In Christian Literature) NOTE: World dominion will be achieved through stealth…and secrecy. The Antichrist’s throne, power and authority will not be detected as a visible dominion until the “Day” his underground forces have (deceptively) acquired “key” positions- worldwide. They will set the world stage- then advance as a unit removing any obstacle in their way. That day, if allowed to occur, will be of mayhem for the unwary and a day of great slaughter of mankind- such as the world has never known.]
Mounce Commentary.- The beast …will be in a final intensified manifestation- the deification of secular authority. It is a “counterfeit power” that is self-centered, behaves as if it were fully autonomous (self-governing), and demands total allegiance and excessive praise.
In any case, the main purpose of the Seer (John) is to describe a monster great and terrifying who utters blasphemies against God and persecutes the faithful. It is of crucial importance to note that the beast (Antichrist) receives his power, dominion, and authority from he dragon. Through it Satan would carry out his plan to devastate and devour the church.
Already we have seen in Revelation 12, that the great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns…energized by Satan was seeking to destroy the man-child (the "Messiah").
Thomas Commentary.- The dragon is the source of the beast’s power and authority. The dragon works through the beast. The war is of Satan’s making, but the ruler and his empire is his tool for waging it.
MacArthur Commentary.- The dragon works his power through the beast, using him to make war against God. That will allow Antichrist to rise to power at God’s appointed time, and will temporarily let sin run its course. The Antichrist will share Satan’s throne, just as the true Christ shares his Father’s throne. Antichrist will possess great authority over the entire world [though it is underground- it is unseen]; he will have complete, unrestrained freedom of action and will answer to no one.
Some fine it incredible that anyone could rise to such a position of absolute authority. But there are parallels in human history, albeit on a much smaller scale. Inevitably, turmoil in society aids such a ruler’s rise to power. Dictators gain control by offering solutions to society’s seemingly unsolvable problems. Adolf Hitler, for example, took advantage of the chaotic economic and political conditions in Germany following World War I. He promised the German people that, under his leadership, their downtrodden nation would again rise to a place of prominence, power, and wealth. Desperate for a way out of their dilemma, many people belied his message. Eventually, the Nazi party grew so strong that Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany. From that position he went on to seize absolute power. Antichrist, a dictator more powerful and evil than Hitler, will rise to power amid the frightening and unprecedented chaos of the Tribulation.
[(Information Acquired Through Terrorist Interweaving In Christian Literature) NOTE: World dominion will be achieved through stealth…and secrecy. The Antichrist’s throne, power and authority will not be detected as a visible dominion until the “Day” his underground forces have (deceptively) acquired “key” positions- worldwide. They will set the world stage- then advance as a unit removing any obstacle in their way. That day, if allowed to occur, will be of mayhem for the unwary and a day of great slaughter of mankind- such as the world has never known.]
Mounce Commentary.- The beast …will be in a final intensified manifestation- the deification of secular authority. It is a “counterfeit power” that is self-centered, behaves as if it were fully autonomous (self-governing), and demands total allegiance and excessive praise.
In any case, the main purpose of the Seer (John) is to describe a monster great and terrifying who utters blasphemies against God and persecutes the faithful. It is of crucial importance to note that the beast (Antichrist) receives his power, dominion, and authority from he dragon. Through it Satan would carry out his plan to devastate and devour the church.
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