In Revelation 13:1, John saw a beast rise up from the sea. The sea is symbolic of a multitude of people. It is also symbolic of the Mediterranean Sea…The beast will come from the Roman people. The beast is the antichrist.
Satan copies everything that God does. He even has his own version of the trinity: Satan, the antichrist, and the false prophet.
To understand the book of Revelation, we must also study the book of Daniel. Daniel 2 and 7 talk about the antichrist. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream about the antichrist. Daniel interpreted it for him in Daniel 2:36-45. King Nebuchadnezzar saw this great image, which was broken piece by piece. The head of fine gold was the kingdom of Babylon, which reigned from 606 to 586 B.C.
Babylon was a very strong nation, but they lost their authority and power to the kingdom of the Medes and Persians. God allowed the kingdom of Babylon to be destroyed because of the king’s great pride. Pride is a great sin. Everyone has some type of pride. God knocked King Nebuchadnezzar down because of his great pride. If you are dealing with pride, you need to take care of it quickly.
King Nebuchadnezzar believed that he was king because of his own greatness, but Daniel told him that God chose him. The king was shocked that God put him in that position, not because of his own goodness. You are where you are because God has brought you to that place. God chose me and you. The reason that you help people is because God chose you. The reason that you preach, teach, sing, or serve is because God chose you.
The chest and arms were made of silver. Two nations would take turns controlling Babylon. This started in 583 B.C. and lasted until 380 B.C. The nations of Media and Persia were like silver, which is stronger that gold. They were weak politically, but had a strong army. When they fought a battle, they destroyed their enemy. They had the largest army. Even this was because God allowed it. Everything happens by the plans of God.
We all have a chance to make things right with God. God is calling everyone to come to His everlasting place. Take His message seriously. Jesus is coming back soon. Even if He doesn’t come back during our lifetime, we will die sooner or later. When you die, you will either go to heaven or hell. You must choose Jesus now so that you can spend eternity with Him.
God bless you!
Pastor Sun Hui East
I tend to think that people think badly of themselves, but I guess the true selfish perspective is always pride & the desire to “be acknowledged”… King Nebuchadnezzar made this mistake on a very big level & paid a high price for this choice.
I think that people think badly of themselves, but since we always want others to think well of us, we allow our pride to grow as a reaction to that insecurity.
I have always been confused by this dream talked about in the book of Daniel, I appreciate your explanation Pastor Sun Hui East.
I “second” that.
Satan does try to imitate the Lord, I see that even in how he tries to get me to do the wrong thing… we need to be “awake” at all times to be aware of his attacks against us.