First, let me explain that
the word "trinity" is not in the Bible. I use it, as others do, simply
to describe the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They appear at several places
in the Bible. See on re0104.
Without looking at our verse
about the beast from the earth, tell me: Was it a lamb? Okay, let's start
with an easier question: Was it a dragon? No, it was not a dragon. Was
it like a dragon? Yes, in one way. It spoke like a dragon. Seeing
the picture accurately helps us interpret better. Back to our first question,
was the new beast a lamb? No. Was it
like a lamb? Yes, in one way.
The verse said it had horns like a lamb. Let's look at the verse again
along with those that follow it (verses 11-14). Text.
Then continue here.
The beast from the earth exercises
the authority of the first beast (13:12).
If the first beast were pretending to be like Christ, then the second beast
is acting like the Holy Spirit because the Spirit works under the authority
of Christ. Let's examine this relationship between Christ and the Spirit.
Then we will see if the first beast pretends to be like Christ.
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit
of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak
of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will
shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine,
and shall shew it unto you." (John 14:16-18)
New religion
As we noticed, the earth
beast had horns like a lamb. Since an animal exercises its authority with
its horns, we see that it exercised lamb-like authority. This supports
our idea of a counterfeit Holy Spirit glorifying a counterfeit Christ.
If we have these two, do we have a false Father, too?
On earth, Jesus acted under
the authority of the Father jn1249f.
We remember that the sea beast received his authority and power and throne
from the dragon re1302
in the pattern of Christ working under the authority of the true Father.
This completes the picture of a counterfeit Trinity.
Let's look at more evidence.
In verse 8, we see another comparison to Christ. The earth dwellers not
named in the Lamb's Book of Life, worshipped the beast. Apparently they
were listed in the book of the counterfeit lamb. In chapter 5 we saw a
lamb, having been slain, in the midst of the throne referring to Jesus'
death and resurrection. In comparison, the beast from the sea had a mortal
wound and came back into power. We will see the false trinity again in
re1613.
This is a bit awesome. Satan
and his associates are acting like God. We naturally would not follow any
sea monster or even a land monster and certainly we would fight the dragon
instead of supporting him. That is, we wouldn't follow if we recognized
them as monsters and a dragon. Here is a principle. The actions of Satan
will look and feel like the actions of God! He comes as an angel of light,
not as a demon.
"And no marvel; for Satan
himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Cor. 11:14)
"There is a way which seemeth
right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Prov. 14:12)
Three evil individuals | Dragon | Beast (from the sea) | Beast from the earth |
Evil characteristics | Gave his seat and authority to the beast (Rev. 13:2) | Mortally wounded and came to life (13:14) | Directs worship to first beast (13:12) |
Three holy individuals | Father | Son, Jesus Christ | Holy Spirit |
Holy characteristics which were imitated | Granted Jesus to share His throne (3:21) and authority (Matt. 28:18) | Put to death and arose (5:6; Acts 3:15) | Speaks for and glorifies Christ (John 16:13, 14) |
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Began mission after rising from the water | Arose from the sea re1301. | Came up from water of baptism mt0316. |
Authority from his father | Seat & authority from dragon re1302 | Work given from father jn0842. |
Resembled his father | Both had 7 heads, 10 horns, 10 crowns re1203, re1301. | Father seen in Him jn1409. |
Horns and crowns | (as above) | Lamb of 7 horns re0506, Crowns re1912. |
Time to practice before a fatal wound | 42 symbolic months power over saints re1305. | 3½ yrs. ministry before crucifixion da0927. |
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