May 17

Written by Bill Grandi on May 17th, 2022

Revelation 13 today…spells trouble. For me at least. 🙂 I’m sure there are prophecy buffs who will make much of this chapter. And I suspect they would have an adequate explanation. But since my idea is to “de-prophecy” this, I’m going to focus on two other things.

The first is the beast which comes out of the sea. In verse 2 it says, “and on his head were written blasphemous names.” What could those names be? My take is that blasphemy is anything that denigrates the holy God or depicts Him as who He isn’t. In verse 5 it says he was given authority to speak arrogant words and blasphemies against God-to blaspheme His name and those who dwell in heaven. He waged war and the only ones he couldn’t defeat were those whose name was written in the Lamb’s Book of Life from the foundation of the world.  (v.8)

The other beast reminds me of what we have today-false teachers who perform parlor tricks to deceive. Todd White. Paula White. Shawn Boles. Bill Johnson. Kenneth Copeland. Joyce Meyer. Benny Hinn. You get the picture. False teachers who deceive with false promises and false “healings.” (i.e. parlor tricks). This beast had a number: 666. The most imperfect number of all.

My take on all of this: Be aware. False teachers abound. They say things that tickle our ears. People misrepresenting God and His Word (blasphemy). Its all there and it is calling each of us to follow. Don’t! Stand on the truth.

“Father, the siren song of false teachers beckons. Help me to resist through the power of Your Word and the presence of Your Spirit within.  Help me to proclaim Your truth.”

 

8 Comments so far ↓

  1. Linda Stoll says:

    Stand on truth, yes.

    ‘Thy Word is truth.’
    -John 17

  2. Lord, help me avoid false teachers!
    Blessings, Bill!

  3. Ryan S. says:

    I think this goes beyond just the false teachers and can apply to the “total allegiance” that is expected by those wielding power in the past and present world.

    The two are tied… Military Might and the Economy…

    This is not a new thing… One interesting interpretation of the 666 on the head and forehead is the symbolic representation phylacteries that the Jewish people would wear on the head and hands…(Deut. 11:18)…

    Another way the great deceiver will counterfeit himself. But now it is tied to commerce and trade in an effort to “persuade” allegiance.

    One thing is for certain… History repeats itself and though I don’t think that the “dragons” are literal… I think they have in the past and will continue to manifest themselves over and over again as world powers have come (Rome) and as they will fall in the future.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      You make some good points Ryan. Always appreciate your input. I guess I was trying to take it away from the whole prophecy thing and the translation of it to making it about the false teachers. But your points are very valid.

  4. gail says:

    Father, let only the words of praise and glorification be spoken from my lips, praising my Father in heaven as it always should be. Help me to be able to to recognize false teachers, with discernment, and to only rely on the Bible as my source of truth. Please help my spirit within me to be a stronger voice that I hear and to drown out all of other noise.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Great prayer Gail! Diligence is so important, especially in this day of false teachers and lies.