两只兽

题目：两只猛兽
日期：2023年3月12日
讲员： 吕毓菁长老

启示录13章形容两只猛兽。它们代表着反对神的事工的势力。今天早上，让我们看看，透过它们，作者约翰要向当时的读者表达什么信息。并反思，对今日的听众，你和我，有什么警惕。
你还记得第12章是怎么结束的吗？龙与天上的使者争战，要消灭怀孕的妇人（就是教会）。龙被击败，被摔下地上，但拒绝让步。在地上继续与妇人的子孙作战。龙站在海边的沙上，指挥自己的使者攻击神的子民。
这是严峻的提醒。邪恶的势力，与世界共存，在世上影响世人。我们该如何提防和抵挡？
第一兽：海兽
第1-10节描述了第一只兽。
1. 我又看见一个兽从海中上来、有十角七头、在十角上戴着十个冠冕、七头上有亵渎的名号。
2. 我所看见的兽、形状像豹、脚像熊的脚、口像狮子的口．那龙将自己的能力、座位、和大权柄、都给了他。
3. 我看见兽的七头中、有一个似乎受了死伤。那死伤却医好了。全地的人、都希奇跟从那兽
4. 又拜那龙、因为他将自己的权柄给了兽。也拜兽说、谁能比这兽、谁能与他交战呢。
5. 又赐给他说夸大亵渎话的口。又有权柄赐给他、可以任意而行四十二个月。
6. 兽就开口向神说亵渎的话、亵渎神的名、并他的帐幕、以及那些住在天上的。
7. 又任凭他与圣徒争战、并且得胜。也把权柄赐给他、制伏各族各民各方各国。
8. 凡住在地上、名字从创世以来、没有记在被杀之羔羊生命册上的人、都要拜他。
9. 凡有耳的、就应当听。
10. 掳掠人的必被掳掠；用刀杀人的、必被刀杀。圣徒的忍耐和信心、就是在此。
第一只海兽，从海里出现。既诡异，又傲慢。有7个头，头上各有亵渎的名号。又有10个角；都戴着冠冕。表示海兽具备很大的权势和能力。是龙将海兽召唤出来，海兽的一切势力都来自龙。
世人都被兽顺服，也恐惧它。兽对神的子民发动战争。兽象征谁？
约翰的读者会轻易辨认海兽隐射的是什么。因为特征太明显了。
最近，加拿大的一部成人卡通系列，用隐射的方式讽刺一对夫妇。虽然片中没有指名道姓这对夫妇是谁，全世界的观众一看就心知肚明，并能立即明白要说的是什么信息。就是讽刺此人的表里不一。
对第一世纪的读者，海兽隐射的是罗马帝国及君王。当时的罗马帝国是地中海区域的统治者，往东进军，征服以色列子民所居住的土地。当时的罗马人是异教徒。罗马帝皇一个接一个，对战败掳掠的子民实施残酷的统治。
当时的犹太人、基督徒都会有旧约背景。海兽的异象会即刻让他们联想起但以理书第7章。预言中的四兽，都拥有类似的可怕描述。但以理的四兽代表四个相续兴起的帝国，就是巴比伦，波斯，希腊，罗马。
在约翰的异象，凡不属于神的邪恶，都综合起来成为一体的凶强势力，透过海兽反映。就是敌对神国度的一切政权势力。
海兽的角象征强而有力、残暴、武力。戴冠冕的头指帝国君王。5节，指罗马皇帝亵渎神，是因为他们把自己提升到神的地位。他们是地上的君王，却使用属于神的称呼，譬如：主、救主、上帝、上帝的儿子。何等傲慢，篡夺了属于耶和华全能神的尊贵荣耀。
约翰让读者明白，这些傲慢的帝国君王、执政者和他们的机制，都属于龙，就是敌对神的恶者，撒旦魔鬼。他们大胆放肆，犯下暴行，因为撒旦赋予他们权力去行恶。
然而，无论多强大，还是在全能神的掌控之中。神事先已设下界限。注意第5节所强调的：恶者任意而行的时段是有限制的，42个月。只在神允许之下，最终会结束。
你记得约伯记那头鳄鱼吗（41：；1）？在古时以色列的智慧文学里，这只海兽名为利维坦，象征危害被造界的破坏者，属于混乱力量（参考诗篇74，89；赛27）。他潜伏着、存在着，不断威胁世上的人。在约伯记，利维坦即使强大，也只是神的被造物。除了神，无人能驯服它。神设定了利维坦什么它能做，什么事物不能碰。
换句话，邪恶的存在不容疏忽。邪恶的使者势力强大，好比海兽，不断针对和攻击世上属神的子民。但圣经的信息很明确：一切在神的掌控中，并终究结束。
让我们继续看。其中有个头，有致命伤口，但已经愈合。今日的读者也许会觉得这样的描述挺怪的，表示什么？
对当时约翰的读者，很容易辨认指的是已故的罗马帝皇凯撒尼禄。他自杀死了。却有传言说尼禄并没有死，而是复活了，逃到东方。有一天会回来，继续治理帝国。
从一个层面，约翰启发读者们：邪恶和破坏者不会因为一个王国或统治者的结束而终止。60世纪的可怕尼禄之后，其他邪恶的代表继续出现。譬如90世纪的多米提安帝皇，逼害基督徒就比尼禄可怕多倍。神子民与邪恶的斗争一直持续着。今天，我们有自己的邪恶独裁者，他们的恶行暴力有过之、无不及。
更深的层面，如此死而复活的描述，让我们联想到主耶稣基督。显然，海兽是基督的对立者、执意模仿基督。它代表悖逆、敌对神。若耶稣基督是道成肉身，圣善神的体现，海兽就是邪恶的化身。它是敌基督。唯一的使命就是诱惑和恐吓人们背离神，去崇拜撒旦。
许多人被敌基督所显示的能力吸引。他们惊叹，开始追随它。4节：谁能与兽相比？谁能与他交战呢？
这样的敬畏赞美，理当归于荣耀的耶和华神。参考出埃及记15：11、诗篇71：19，弥迦书7：18：神啊，有何神象你，赦免罪孽，饶恕你子民的罪过。不永远怀怒，喜爱施恩！
很可惜，因为海兽的出现，众人如今都朝拜敌基督，除了执意效忠神的圣徒。看8节：凡住在地上、名字从创世以来、没有记在被杀之羔羊生命册上的人、都要拜兽。
对信徒的信息是明确的：他们将遭受逼迫、伤害。看10节：他们会被掳掠，被杀害。约翰呼吁他们：在这艰苦的时刻，不要放弃！继续信靠仰赖神！效仿主耶稣基督的一生，坚守到底，完成使命。“圣徒的忍耐和信心、就是在此。”
对今日的我们，也是同样的警惕和劝勉。要仅仅跟随基督，不盲从敌基督。在面对撒旦和他使者的挑战和压迫时，不畏惧，不妥协。直至我们见主面。9节：凡有耳的，都应当听！
第二兽：巨兽
第11-18节描述了第二只兽。
11. 我又看见另有一个兽从地中上来有两角如同羊羔，说话好像龙。
12. 他在头一个兽面前，施行头一个兽所有的权柄，并且叫地和住在地上的人拜那死伤医好的头一个兽。
13. 又行大奇事，甚至在人面前，叫火从天降在地上。
14. 他因赐给他权柄在兽面前能行奇事，就迷惑住在地上的人，说：要给那受刀伤还活着的兽作个像。
15. 又有权柄赐给他，叫兽像有生气，并且能说话，又叫所有不拜兽像的人都被杀害。
16. 他又叫众人，无论大小、贫富、自主的、为奴的，都在右手上或是在额上受一个印记。
17. 除了那受印记、有了兽名或有兽名数目的，都不得做买卖。
18. 在这里有智慧：凡有聪明的，可以算计兽的数目；因为这是人的数目，他的数目是六百六十六。
第二只兽，从陆地上出现，也是被龙召唤出来并赋予力量。读者即刻联想到约伯记的河马（40：15）。古文称为巨擘Behemoth，属于破坏性的凶猛巨兽，随意攻击人和事物。
巨兽有两只角，长得像一只羔羊。但显然的，它不是羔羊。它所说所行的都出于龙，发出傲慢言论和谎言。
巨兽从龙那里获力量，行各样神迹奇事。譬如：从天上使唤火下来。这简直就是耶和华神曾经为子民所行使的大能奇事！在以色列人的历史，当年以利亚先知对抗假神巴力的450名先知，争斗了几天几夜，神从天上降下火来，吞噬燔祭和祭坛，还烧尽沟里的水（列王记上18：38）。神总是带领子民战胜敌人。
巨兽的使命，是引、威胁、逼迫世人追随海兽，最终去朝拜和跟从撒旦。凡是缺乏辨识能力的人，都把它当神明来拜。
约翰的读者，第一世纪的信徒，都会清楚巨兽象征当时的宗教体系和假先知，他们提倡拜偶像和假神。
其中，把帝皇当神明来拜。包括为帝皇建筑神像，圣殿，设立祭坛，祭祀，献祭制度。古希腊罗马帝国的机制，综合了政治、社会、宗教和经济。直接影响着人民的生活起居。就看你配不配合。
16节如此描述：好比每个人被标记，作为身份，辨认此人是否对皇室和制度效忠。身上有巨兽印记的人属于龙。他们能够在市场上进行买卖，自由交易。
没有印记的人，都是属于耶和华的圣徒。他们不向世俗的权势低头，唯独侍奉真神。因着他们的选择，必然面对逼迫，譬如财务、优势、利益的损失，也得承受不公义的对待。
巨兽也有标记。它的身份证数字是 666。三个6的标记，明显对照另一个标记。
启示录7：2-3节，提到永生神的盖印。神命令天使把印盖在仆人的额头上。何等荣美！在天上，你我已经被标记。我们是属于永生神的！我们的一生都在神的看顾保守中。将来，当神执行公义，审判创造界，我们会被分辨出来，领受神的怜悯，免受刑罚。
古代近东的世界观，7象征完全、真善美。三重七，777象征宇宙的创造者。反之，666在各方面都与完美的777相差甚远！666简直就是冒牌货。巨兽透过说大话、行奇事，设想模仿777。造谣行骗，却始终不是神，不能代替。
第18节如此警惕信徒：要有智慧和分辨力！凡有聪明的，必认出撒旦的所作所为，指出假神的虚伪、败坏、毁灭性。
许多人对敌基督和666都抱着兴趣，试图找出是谁。有的学者直说约翰隐射的是古罗马的尼禄帝皇，或更迟来的多米提安帝皇。有的按数字谜语（gematria）来解读，发现尼禄王的名字在希伯来字母中的总数是666。
直至现今时代，也有被指是敌基督的代表。包括萨达姆、特朗普、戈尔巴乔夫、普京、甚至教会、教皇！
这些都属于猜测，无法确认。如此的不断揣测也没什么意义。经文所要表达的主要信息，是关乎世人对神的敬拜和效忠。要么，你选择跟随羔羊基督，要做神国度的子民。要么，你与撒旦和他的使者结盟，抗拒神的主权，不愿意神做你生命的主。
让我总结两只兽的行动。他们歪曲和伪造上帝。他们迫害信徒，欺骗没有辨别力的人来服侍撒旦。他们在神所预定的时间和范围内，允许运作。
龙、兽、和他们的追随者会有什么下场？当耶稣基督再来，他们必面对神的愤怒和审判，承受刑罚。
今日的敌基督在哪里？
撒旦对世人的攻击，未必是眼看得见、手接触到的物质实体。在约翰的时代，敌基督是外邦人的军事征服，政治压迫，经济制裁，社会排挤，假神偶像的敬拜。
今时日，敌基督包括违背神旨意的意识形态和世界观。他们使唤人去挑战神的主权，倡导人质疑神的爱，使人拒绝神的恩典和救赎，叫人无视基督再来和神的终极审判。
我们要警惕，不可藐视这些敌基督的攻击。因为撒旦魔鬼在背后主导这些势力。今早的经文清楚强调，地上的属灵争战是真实的，要尽全力搏斗。
思考
让我们思考。您认为这个时代有哪些事宜是敌基督？请允许我分享个人的想法。
第一，错误的教义
这包括某些自称为教会所教导的。这些教义，否认耶稣基督诞生、死亡和复活的真实性。他们拒绝耶稣的神性和人性。有的说他不是神、没必要是神、不可能是神。有的说他不是完全的人。
有的教义提倡，救赎的途径很多，不一定要透过耶稣基督。说，人不需要救赎，不需要神的怜悯和赦罪恩典。只要努力操练，好好做人和行善，单靠自己的修行，就可以成功、成圣。
有些哲理否认神是万有的创造者，否认万物借着神而存在、有意义。这些哲理认为生命是不间断的报应和轮回，没有开始和终止。前世和今世所做的事情决定个人的未来。人透过自己做的选择，可掌控命运。神不存在，也没有必要有神。
有的教义提倡泛神论。鼓吹条条道路通罗马，所有的神明都一样，只要诚心，行好，都能进入神的国度，蒙神接纳。他们说，基督教只是众多途径之一。耶稣不是唯一的道路、真理、生命。
有些教义忽略神的审判和怜悯。以民族和宗教名义传播报复的行为。战争、征服、滥杀被合理化为消除对手的合理手段。追随者抱有错误歪曲的盼望，认为如此做属于为神殉道和进入天堂。
在基督教的历史中，也见证这种情况在上演。12世纪的十字军东征是黑暗史，必须反省和悔改。十字军以基督教名义，进行战争，惨无人性，血流成河。
今时日，民族主义、国家主义、宗教热忱，也可成为恶者的工具，叫跟随者盲目的针对其他人，对他们进行暴力的行为和伤害。
第二，以我为首的自我崇拜
把自我推崇到近乎崇拜的地步，取代对神的顺服，对他人和被造界的关爱。一切都以自我为中心。我最重要！我是最对！我要做第一，最大、最强！我该拥有优先、利益、特权！
所有考量都出于我！我！自我迷恋的理念背后有其他推动。包括：个人的世界观；宇宙、时空间的观念，对人生意义的理解。譬如鼓吹：既然人只活一次，就尽情满足自己的欲望吧！很迫切急促的追求时下快感。不愿思考其他。
对造物主，宇宙万有的神的态度，就是：只要神对我有利益，只要是服侍我的，就有相关。否则，不必理睬他。
追根究底是人的骄傲。把自我提升到最崇高地位，胜于宇宙万物的造物主，不愿意认他为神。你还记得讲台教导过的箴言书吗？属于旧约智慧文学的箴言，劝告我们要除去7个人性的心态和恶习：骄傲、欲望、暴食、嫉妒、懒惰、愤怒、贪婪。其中，骄傲为首。
人是神所造的万物中最美好的。按着神的形象样式被造。人被委任，代表神来治理一切被造之物。人是美好的，但不是完美。唯有神是完美，是777。自傲的人，把自己视为神的人，顶多是666。
为什么说自我崇拜是敌基督？因为，服侍和满足自我永远不会带来真实的喜乐、持久的心灵平安（安息）。相反，会进而造成更多的空虚感，和无法填满的需求，恶性循环。
圣经的启示告知我们：人是神所造，所爱的。生命的内容和意义，建立在与神同行的真实关系。如此而活，去理解生命，活出与自己，与他人、与创造界的和谐关系：互动、互爱、互佑。效仿耶稣基督的生命：活得对，活得好，活得乐。活得丰盛。
请不要误会我。我不是在说：不要照顾你个人的身心灵。这里是提醒我们，回归人与造物之间，应有的顺序。不要忘我，把自己高估了，代替神的地位。
第三，虚拟世界的陷阱
技术进步神速。人类创建了虚拟宇宙，有望进入这个世界为居所。这是创新的发展和概念，潜力巨大，影响深远。这个突破也带来未知的挑战和威胁。
首先，你得为自己创建一个虚拟身份。透过这个新创身份，登入虚拟世界。虽然这不是实体的宇宙，但拥有完善的三维体验，包括视频、对话，触感，让你能尽情沉浸在另一个与世脱离的境界。在这个领域，透过你的虚拟身份，体验你所创造的生活。其中，可以与他人，也是虚拟身份者，进行互动，彼此娱乐，完成商业交易。
还可让你进行一些在自然律和法则管辖下，不可能做的事情。飞行、搏斗、拥有武器和武力、杀害和消灭敌人。获得即刻的快感。
对于虚拟世界的负面评论，包括未经过滤的内容、含大量的暴力和色情体验。
随着长时间的沉浸，感官麻木，开始成瘾，无法自拔，终日活在这个无法无天的世界里。我们放弃了机会与人实体交流，经营关系。寻获人世间的温暖，体会活着的精彩。
虚拟世界里没有神。尽管神是宇宙的造物主宰，你在虚拟世界找不到神，或存在的意义。虚拟世界是人类创建出来的，以消费者为大。一切的事物和顺序，按着个人私欲，预先编入世界的系统程序。
是否有空间让神做工？让神行神迹奇事，改造人心？
直至今日，虚拟世界对人类历史的实际影响，不得而知。因为这项工程仍旧在进行。愿神怜悯我们。不叫我们在世上自我毁灭，乃是精益求精，化危机为扩展神国度的机会。
让我总结
亲爱的朋友们，跟随基督的弟兄姐妹，我们都在这个探寻生命、真理的旅途上。爱我们的神，一直在看顾保守我们。
愿神赐我们智慧，辨识真理和歪理。愿神赐我们力量，在患难试炼中坚定，持守信仰。愿神赐我们清洁的心，不被引诱迷惑而离开真道。愿我们在神面前谦卑，不断聆听神的话语，沉浸其中，领受启示，活出对的选择。
慈爱的父神啊！当我们因无知和失误而犯错，得罪了你，求神怜悯，救我们脱离凶恶，重新踏上正确的道路。
我们信靠耶稣基督的赎罪恩典。奉基督的名祈求祷告。阿门。

Introduction
Church is preaching on the book of Revelation. We are at chapter 13.
This is about two beasts that represent powers opposing God’s work.
I recall that the previous chapter 12 ended on a cliff-hanger where the Dragon was cast down from heaven after being defeated.
The Dragon refuses to concede. Here standing at the shore, he carries on his battle on earth.
Woah, a grim reminder of us that evil co-exists and continues to manifest in our world. Can you describe beasts and explain what these signify?
Sure. Let’s read the passage. Be warned! The imagery is nightmarish.
First Beast
Verses 1-10 describes the first beast.
1. And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.
2. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like s a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.
3. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marvelled as they followed the beast.
4. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?"
5. And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.
6. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
7. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,
8. and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
9. If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
10. If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
What a grotesque and arrogant monster! It has 10 horns with crowns; and 7 heads each marked with names that blasphemes God.
The Beast was called forth by the Dragon and came out of the sea. The Dragon empowered it with great authority to wage war against God’s people. It was marvelled and feared.
John’s readers would have no problem identifying who or what the First Beast represented because the featured traits are too hard to miss.
Right. In today’s terms, John uses what we called parody.
It’s like, when a recent Canadian cartoon series poked fun at an unnamed couple, the audience immediately knew who these referred to and were amused by the satirical message.
To the first-century audience, the beast describes characteristics of the Roman empire. They came by sea and conquered the land. One after another, Roman emperors enforced their brutal reigned over the people.
This beast have similarities to some other beasts I read elsewhere.
Indeed. To Judeo-Christian readers with OT background, the imagery calls to mind the prophesy of the four beasts in the book of Daniel.
Those beasts represent four pagan dynasties that arose one after another to rule the land: Babylon, Greece, Persia, then Rome.
Yes. In John’s imagery, these ruthless ferocious entities have culminated into one – representing a powerful regime that war against God’s reign.
The horns signified power and brutality. The heads with crowns referred to kings.
The state emperors were blasphemous. They elevated themselves to divine status. They adopted titles used to address God – Lord, Saviour, God, Son of God.
So, they had usurped the glory and honour that God alone deserves.
In John’s depiction, the state empire – with its arrogant rulers and imperial institutions – were Satan’s agents. They were bold and had authority to perform atrocities only because Satan and empowered them.
This is depressing!
God has set limits to their evil. Read verse 5.
“It was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.” I see. There is definitive end to evil. They operate within a period determined by God.
In Ancient Near East mythical accounts, sea monsters also symbolized forces of evil and chaos that endanger God’s creation.
I recall reading about Leviathan and Behemoth in Job chapter 40.
In Job’s depiction, these ferocious wild beasts were simply ‘present’ as a destructive threat against God’s creation. They remain creatures of the Creator God, who alone has power to command and tame it.
In other words, evil and his terror agents – represented by the Dragon and the sea monster, operates only within divine limits.
The message is clear: through it all God remains in full control.
What about this peculiar account of one head with a fatal wound that healed?
While this may seem alien to us, John’s readers would readily this as reference to king Nero, who allegedly killed himself. According to rumours of that day, Nero did not die but had escaped to the East; one day he would return to dominate again.
On one level, John enlightens us that the forces of evil, chaos and destruction do not end with one empire or king.
After the horrific Nero in AD 60s, other evil emperors will arise, evidenced by the more-terrifying reign of king Domitian in AD 90s .
We have our own contemporaries of evil dictators who out-do one another in atrocities.
On deeper level, this strange descriptor calls to mind the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The first beast is the anti-thesis of Christ. It embodies everything in defiant disobedience against God.
In this sense, the first beast is the incarnate of evil, as opposed to Jesus the God Incarnate (John 1:1).
It is anti-Christ. Its sole work is to entice and terrorize people to turn away from God and worship Satan.
The naïve are readily wowed and drawn to the anti-Christ due to his apparent prowess. They exclaimed: who is like the beast?
Such marvel of adoration and reverence should rightfully be ascribed to God alone “Who is like you, O God?” (ref Ex15:11, Ps71:19, 89:8, Mic7:18)
Instead, masses now worshipped and followed the anti-Christ, those not loyal to God. Verse 8: All who dwell on earth worship it, everyone whose name has not been written in the book of life.
For the faithful saints, the message is stark. V10: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain.
Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
What this means is that those who chose God will be susceptible to the atrocities of the Dragon and his agents. They will suffer persecution in the hands of wicked powers. There will be martyrdom for those who refuse to bow to the evil principalities.
Amid sufferings, they are exhorted to remain faithful with endurance. One day, even this shall come to pass.
Second Beast
Verses 11-18 describes the second beast. Please read.
11.Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.
12. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, 3 and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.
13. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,
14. and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
15. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.

16. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead,
17. so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
18. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
The second beast arises from the land. It is also called forth and empowered by the Dragon. It has 2 horns and resemblance of a lamb.
But it is not the Lamb. Its speech is of the Dragon, spouting arrogance and lies. It receives power from the Dragon to perform signs and wonders, such as calling down fire from heaven.
This mimics awesome historical acts of God for His people! I remember reading how prophet Elijah triumphed over the prophets of Baal when God sent fire from heaven to consume them.
The second beast exists solely to entice and coerce people to worship the first beast, to serve the Dragon’s agenda.
Undiscerning folks are readily taken in. Who does this beast represent?
John’s first century readers would know that the second beast signifies religious systems and false prophets that promote idolatry. These include state imperial institutions that are set up for emperor cult worship – complete with temples, priesthood, sacrificial practices, socio-economic structures.
Wow this is an entire system that enforces adherence for the necessities of basic livelihood.
Everyone is marked for identification and allegiance. If you have the mark of the beast on your body part, you belong to the Dragon.
So?
Then you are permitted to trade freely in markets. Those un-marked are God’s saints who refused to pay homage to the secular kings.
The saints bear the full brunt of politico-economic penalties imposed by the idolatrous masters and structures of the world.
The NRIC of the second beast is the numerical 666.
Yes I am curious about 666! What does it mean?
To John’s readers, this mark is a clear anti-thesis to the seal of the Lamb mentioned earlier in Revelations 7. As you recall, God had pre-directed His angels to put a seal on the foreheads of His people.
I remember. When God enforces His ultimate judgment on creation, those with the seal will receive mercy and be spared from His wrath. Why 666?
In the Ancient Near East world, numbers were repeated for emphasis. 7 signifies perfection and triple 777 is symbolic of the Creator of universe. Despite its impressive acts and entourage, the beast 666 far cry from the perfect good in every aspect.
In short, 666 is a counterfeit, an impersonator of God, represented by false prophets and deceitful teachings.
The warning is clear in verse 18: this calls for wisdom and discernment. Let the one who has understanding recognize the beast and call it out for its falsehood and harm.
What is the message for us today?
Many have attempted to identify the anti-Christ and 666. These include Caesar Nero and Domitian of ancient Rome.
For instance, to people into numerical riddle (gematria), the sum equivalent of Nero’s name in Hebrew alphabets came to 666.
Contemporary identifications include individuals and regimes that persecute the Jewish and Christian faith. For example, Mohamed and latter Muslim religious-military leader Saladin; Hitler and his Nazi nationalistic agenda.
Modern day contenders include Saddam Hussein, Bin Ladin, Trump, Gorbachev, Putin, Xi Jinping, Turkey’s Erdogan, even the Pope of the Church!

Let’s ask Elder Yook Cing
Such speculations serve little purpose. As the text indicates, the pertinent message concerns the loyalty and allegiance of God’s people. Either you belong to God by following Christ the Lamb, or you align with Satan and his entourage in defiance of God’s sovereign rule. Can you summarise the actions of the two Beasts?
They mis-represent and falsify God; they persecute faithful followers and deceive the undiscerning to serve Satan.
What will happen to the Dragon, his beasts and their adherents?
They are allowed to operate within limits by God for a predetermined period. After which they will receive the wrath of God’s judgment when Christ returns.
Where are the anti-Christs today?
Satan’s onslaughts come in all forms and shapes, not necessarily identifiable as physical entities. For readers of first century, these were military conquests, political oppression, socio-economic sanctions and idolatrous cults.
In today’s context, the attacks include anti-Christ ideologies and worldviews that challenge God’s sovereignty, sow doubts on His love, reject God’s salvation by grace, disregards Christ’s return to judge and reign over creation.
We must stay alert and not downplay forces that oppose God.
Indeed, these principalities are powerful because Satan is behind it. As emphasized in today’s reading, the spiritual battle on earth is real and hard fought.
Reflection
If we were to identify some anti-Christs of our era, who or what would that be?
Allow me to share three from my personal reflection.
First, false doctrines. These include those taught in churches.

There are doctrines that deny the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. They reject Jesus is both God and human. They propagate the worship of gods that does not necessitate the atonement of Jesus Christ for salvation, nor the grace of a loving God. Instead, emphasis is on human merit: “hey you don’t need Jesus or God’s pardon for sin. Just be a good person and you will make it.”

There are philosophies that deny God as the maker and sustenance of all creation. These propagate teachings that life comprises continual cycles of retributions and reincarnation, without beginning and end. What you do in past and present lives determine your future. You control your destiny by your choices. God is irrelevant and redundant.

There are doctrines that leave out divine judgment and mercy. These propagate retaliation and revenge in the name of nation and religion. Acts of war, conquests and murders are rationalized as means to extinguish opponents. Followers claim martyrdom and paradise for atrocities committed for their cause.

We see this play out even in the history of Christianity. The dark history of 12th century Crusades in the name of Christendom is attestation. Today, we continue to witness senseless hate crimes in the ugly fervour of nationalism, ethnicity and religiosity.
Second, the anti-Christ of Me, when Me has become the supreme object of adoration, superseding obedience to God, communal love and creation care. Since you-only-live-once, satisfying the needs of Me precedes with urgency, over and beyond all other considerations.
Me-first is anti-Christ and deceitful.
The mega reality is, serving and satisfying Me never leads to fulfilment. Instead, it creates a vicious cycle of further voids and unfulfilling needs. The Bible enlightens us that God creates us for a joyous satisfying relationship with Himself. Out of this flow meaning and understanding of all relationships – with myself, with others and with all of God’s creation.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying “do not take care of your personal well-being.” Our body is the dwelling place of the living God. We do well to be diligent in the housekeeping disciplines looking after ourselves. The problem is over glorifying Me without regard for God.
Eventually, everyone is accountable to God for how we have lived on earth. God has shown us the correct path to growth and right living. There are no fast-tracks or short-cuts. But an on-going relational and edifying journey with God and His people, toward maturity and common good.
Third the Virtual World. Technology advance has brought us to the brink of creating a virtual universe for habitation. There is immense potential on this, the implications are profound, as are the inherent risks and threats.

For start, you create an avatar for who you are. With this projected identity you then immerse into another reality that mimics the real world, with full 3-D experiences. In this new identity and mode of existence, life carries on – for interactions, recreation and business transactions. You get to do things normally not possible in the physical realm governed by natural law.

The dangers include lack of monitoring and overuse addiction. Negative reviews include unfiltered content, exposure to violence and unwholesome experiences.

For instance, someone can readily get armed and use heavy machinery to combat and kill people, without feeling actual pain sweat, tears and regret. Instead, one is rewarded with adrenaline rush. With prolonged use, senses are numbed and addiction kicks in. You could end up spending more of your life in the immersive virtual world, rather than cultivating actual relationships through interactions with warm-body human beings.

In virtual world God is non-existent. Despite that God being the ultimate truth and reality, there is no place for divine interventions. Instead, the creators and consumers are gods of this virtual universe – they who have pre-programmed desires and pre-determined outcomes into the system.

Till today, the actual impact of virtual world on human history is yet unknown, as this work is still in process. May God have mercy on us.
In conclusion, dear friends and fellow pilgrims on God’s journey, may we be wise in discerning truth from falsehoods. May we remain faithful, not yielding to trials and temptations that deter us in following Jesus. May we be continually infused with God’s Word and enlightened to make choices that are right, just and good.

Where we have erred in naivety and moments of lapses, may God be gracious and deliver us from evil, and place us back on the right path.
In Christ’s atoning grace we put our trust. Amen.

华语崇拜视频链接：https://youtu.be/QMWpnUIoC0w
Bilingual Service Video Link: https://youtu.be/f644_PLOSac