Confronting Evil in the Darkest Hour

 

Revelation 13

The Unholy Trinity – Red Dragon, Sea Beast, Land Beast

Chapter 13 reveals that the great fiery red dragon has two alliances, the beast from the sea and the beast from the earth. They have formed the evil trinity who stand in contrast with the true and Holy Trinity. They intended to usurp the glory of God and receive the worship and submission of the people that only God is worthy of.

The beast out of the sea points to the Roman Empire (military and political powers) that persecutes and subdues the faithful ones to God.

This Sea Beast has seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on his horns. One of the seven heads was wounded but is healed. The whole world marveled at this miracle and gives allegiance to the beast.

The beast is the Antichrist, is a false messiah, he is a counterfeit of Christ, and so stages in a false resurrection. This is also alluded to the Nero Redivivus Legend (Nero resurrected) that is popularly spread throughout the end of the 1^st century.

To this effect, the author emphasizes that the power of the Roman Empire was further strengthened after turning from decline (e.g., today’s rise of formerly wounded kingdom).

Then beast speaks great blasphemies against God, is given authority to do whatever he wanted for 42 months (3.5 years). And he wages war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. The power given to the beast will be limited by God. He will allow the beast to exercise authority only for a short time. Even when the beast ins in power, God will still be in control.

The beast is given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation (alluded to Roman empire dominance). All the people who belong to this world worship the beast. Their names are not written in the Book of life.

But true believers refuse to worship the beast which will result in temporary suffering for them. God’s people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful. They will be reward with eternal life in the end.

Then John saw another beast coming out of the earth. This Land Beast has two horns like a lamb, but he speaks like a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast. And he required everyone to worship the Sea Beast.

The Land Beast is the false prophet of the imperial cults, and even found among the community of believers who promotes emperor worship. He is a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit.

He seems to do good, but the purpose of his miracles (signs and wonders) is to deceive the believers to give allegiance to the Sea Beast.

He also requires everyone to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead (e.g., social credit score). And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. and the number is 666.

This mark of the beast is designed to mock the seal that God places on his followers (7:2-3). Those who accept it show their allegiance to Satan, their willingness to operate within the economic system he promotes, and their rebellion against God.

To refuse the mark means to commit oneself entirely to God, preferring death to compromising one’s faith in Christ.

The original readers of Revelation probably applied the number 666 to the emperor Nero, who symbolized all the evil of the Roman Empire. The Greek letters of Nero’s name represent numbers that total 666.

Whatever specific application the number is given, the number 666 symbolizes the worldwide dominion and complete evil of the unholy trinity designed to undo the plans and works of the Holy Trinity.

To the Sea Beast, Satan gives political power. To the Land Beast he gives power to do miracles. Both beasts work together to capture the control of the whole world.

This unholy trinity—the dragon, the Sea Beast, and the Land Beast (the false prophet)—unite in a desperate attempt to overthrow God, but their efforts are doomed to failure.

“The beast wages war against the saints and conquers them” definitely carries with it a sense of martyrdom of the saints. Whatever it will be, saints are to hold on to the truth and to testify the truth. They are to persevere and to keep their faith.

When Revelations was written, the power and influence of the Roman Empire penetrated every sphere of life. People who agree and submit to the culture and religion that were promoted by the Empire would enjoy certain stability in life.

Those who don’t yield to the authority would be persecuted, which includes being banned from trade (buy and sell through e-pay).  It was indeed a real tough oppression on the believers who held on to the truth!

The author requires readers to recognize the source behind the power of the Roman Empire and its final destiny. All these understanding would help them persevere through their hardships, and they would be able to receive the final victory.

What is the implication today?

This Unholy Trinity has its evil root springs forth from darkness and extends to political, military and economic realm, and they even take their shares in the religious faith in a blasphemous way. They are so powerful that whoever submit to them shall live, and whoever disobey them shall be killed.

Today, the universal church is also under the influence of the Evil Trinity. The church suffers physical persecution, forced to submit the Beast’s dominance instead of God’s dominance only, compromises their morality and truths of the Bible.

The devil’s attack faced by the believers is so tough. It goes beyond the forces of persecution, which also comprises enticing invitations and promises of power and glory (power, signs and wonders, economic network and achievement).

All these temptations and coercion are of the devil which come in forms of economic and political nature (v16-17). Their motive is to deceive the world and the believers, to make them compromise their belief in order to weaken the authority of the truth and God over their lives, so that they will not worship God only and implement his will on earth.

Believers need to be perseverant in the midst of their persecution and lies. Evil forces of the empire (regime) shall be destroyed quickly because God will definitely judge the evil and they shall be punished severely.

God’s people are to share the gospel and speak out for justice to uphold the well-being of all people. And, we are called to confront evil and persevere in suffering even in the darkest hour.