Chapter Twenty-Eight/Contending With Two Ferocious Beasts -The Death Stroke - Continue

 Mankind has even gone beyond admiring the wild beast, as John next states: "And they worshiped the dragon because it gave the authority to the wild beast, and they worshiped the wild beast with the words: "Who is like the wild beast, and who can battle with it?' "(Revelation 13:4) While Jesus was here on earth, Satan claimed to have authority over all the kingdoms of the earth. Jesus did not dispute this; in fact, he himself referred to Satan as the ruler of the world and refused to participate in the politics of that day. John later wrote of the true Christians: "We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19; Luke 4:5-8; John 3:16; 14:30) Satan delegates authority to the wild beast, and he does this on a nationalistic basis. Thus, instead of being united in bonds of godly love, mankind has become divided by pride of tribe, race, and nation. The great majority of people worship, in effect, that part of the wild beast having authority in the land where they happen to live, Thus whole beast gains admiration and worship. 

Next time: Chapter Twenty-Eight/Contending With Two Ferocious Beasts - The Death Stroke - Conclusion

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