“Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.” This is the False Prophet. It has horns like a lamb, representing a sacrifice, most likely imitating Christianity. So it looks like Christianity but spews the lies and false teachings of the devil. It seems to be a religion that claims Christianity, but embraces the world. It is a religion that is likely already in place. Remember that the first beast, the Antichrist, comes from the seas that is the masses of the gentiles. This beast rises up from the land, from something familiar, something in place. He comes from a geographical area that is readily identifiable. This beast imitates Christianity, but is a deceiver and is one who has adopted the filthy practices of the world. Thus, he is associated with Christianity, calls himself Christianity, but has polluted himself with the world and speaks lies from the devil.
Remembering that the first beast, the Antichrist rose from the sea (Gentiles). Now we see a second beast rising from the earth (A specific area). The one who gives power to the Antichrist is Satan (V2) and the Antichrist points people to the devil to worship. The one who gives power to the False Prophet (second beast) is the Antichrist (V12) and the False Prophet points people to the Antichrist. Here we have what is often referred to as the Unholy Trinity. They seek to imitate God to steal the worship of men that only belongs to God. Satan sends and gives power to the Antichrist who in turn glorifies Satan. The Antichrist gives power and sends the False Prophet and the False Prophet glorifies the Antichrist. Behind all this is Satan, seeking what he has always wanted, to be worshiped as God (Isaiah 14:14). These three are evil, full of power, and speaking the lies and deceptions of the devil. Family, this is a very bad time on earth.
“It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.” This False Prophet is said to be the counterfeit of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the Father would send the Holy Spirit to teach us about Jesus, about the ways of God. The Holy Spirit lifts up Jesus and Jesus points people to the Father God to exalt and praise Him. The False Prophet spreads blasphemies in praise of the Antichrist and the Antichrist spreads blasphemies to exalt Satan. As previously stated, the Antichrist is a weak counterfeit of Jesus and the False Prophet is a pathetic counterfeit of the Holy Spirit. Family, the evil that we simultaneously despised and dreaded has shown up in the world to work its evil as fast as it can. It’s time is short (Revelation 12:2). Woe to the world who would not give their lives over to Jesus. They will find out that He came to save the condemned, but they refuse the salvation He offered and so they remained in their condemnation.
As we have previously reviewed Zechariah 11:17 gives more specifics in what are the mortal wounds the Antichrist will receive. His recovery, or resurrection, is a great deceit that will overtake most of the earth.
“And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people.” It is the False Prophet, under the power and authority of the Antichrist, who gives supernatural signs to deceive people into worshiping the Antichrist. He even calls fire down from heaven. This seems to verify that the False Prophet is a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, who set aside the power and rights of His divinity to come to earth to die for us (Philippians 2:6-8), clearly pointed to His empowerment by the Holy Spirit to perform His signs and wonders (Matthew 12:28, Luke 4:14, Luke 10:21). Jesus showed signs and wonders to show that He was indeed the Messiah from God the Father and then the Holy Spirit worked miracles and healings through the disciples of Jesus to glorify and prove that the disciples were of God. The False Prophet may be trying imitate the Holy Spirit, but He is a cheap imitation. The False Prophet is a created being. The Holy Spirit is God. The Antichrist is limited and derives his authority and power from another. The Holy Spirit is an equal part of who God is and is inherently possessed with authority and power. End of conversation.
“Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth.” Through supernatural works the False Prophet lifts up the Antichrist and Satan and thereby deceived the “inhabitants of the earth.” Everyone, this will be powerful. For those who want to wait and see before committing their lives to the Lord, well, if one doesn’t have the wisdom and strength to come to the Lord now, when it is easy, the likelihood of coming to the Lord then (if still alive) will be very slim. Now is the day of salvation. Now it is just a matter of humbling oneself and acknowledging the need for Savior Jesus. But then the powerful lies and deceptions will be hard to overcome. To those who want to be saved, to those who want others to be saved with them, today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Come while you can and then bring the message to all you love. All the saints pray for you, and yours.
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.