LECTURE Xii GOD'S PROTECTI.NG CARE OF HIS OWN AND WARNING AGAINST THE WORSHIP OF THE BEAST ( A PARENTHETICAL VISION ) 14:1-20 The thirteenth chapter of Revelation, which we studied in our last lesson, presents one of the darkest pictures that the Holy Spirit has caused to be penned in all the Word of God. Therein is set forth the consummation of sin in the coming "II1an of sin." All the rest of the Bible speaks of the sin of man; here is portrayed the "man of sin." We have seen in previous studies that, after the transla tion of the church, this "man of sin" will arise in•Europe; and the devil will give him his power, his seat, and his authority. He will be the head of the Roman Empire revived in its last form. Under him will be ten kings, ruling over the kingdoms of this last Gentile world-power. Each of these kings will be of the Mussolini type; and the "man of sin" will be the dicta tor of dictators, these ten .subordinate kings giving him allegiance. Rome will be his capital city. In Jerusalem he will have his representative, who will imi tate the Lamb of God, yet will be "the false prophet," betray ing his identity by what he says, when he speaks "as a dragon." Doubtless it will be through this man that the Jewish nation will make the covenant with the "man of sin," which will extend over a period of seven years. It will be through this man that the image of the beast will be set up in the temple. The Jews will refuse to worship the image; the Anti christ will, therefore, break his covenant with them; and this will be the signal for the great tribulation to begin. These things we studied in our last lesson. With such a dark picture presented in the thirteenth chap ter, it is not to be wondered at that, on turning to chapter fourteen, we find that the Spirit of God has given a series of
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker