The Empire Strikes

Empire, Persecution

In the book of Revelation, Satan attacks the Lamb by persecuting his followers, those who have the testimony of Jesus. 

In Revelation, Satan’s chief agent, the “Beast from the Sea,” is unleashed against the kingdom of God, namely, the men and women who have the “testimony of Jesus.” The “Great Red Dragon” is the invisible power behind the imperial throne, and he uses the Empire for his campaign to devastate the church - [Photo by Dave Photoz on Unsplash].

The Empire

Beast, Empire

The Beast of Revelation is the embodiment of the ancient power that has been stalking the saints since the fall of Adam. 

History repeats itself. It is littered with past efforts by tyrants and regimes to dominate the earth. Each may experience some success, but every empire that has appointed itself sovereign over humanity has floundered in the end. The kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar, Caesar, and Charlemagne all crumbled into dust - [Photo by Maria Dolores Vazquez on Unsplash].

Homage to Caesar

Beast, Caesar, False Prophet

The Empire’s propagandists use every means necessary to coerce men to pay homage to Caesar, the Beast from the sea. 

In Revelation, the “False Prophet” uses religion and its ability to manipulate commerce to coax the inhabitants of the Empire to render homage to the imperial throne. Whether he employs force or persuasion, the goal remains the same, and anyone who refuses to submit is excluded from economic activity - [Photo by NASA on Unsplash].

Caesar's Power

666, Caesar, False Prophet

In Revelation, the False Prophet uses economic power against those saints who refuse to give their allegiance to the Beast. 

In Revelation, the “False Prophet” is authorized by the “Beast” to wield its economic might against anyone who refuses to submit to its imperial edicts, and he employs the “mark of the Beast” to compel compliance. The ability to level economic sanctions against nations, communities, and individuals is key to the Empire’s power - [Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash].

Caesar Goes to War

Caesar, Persecution, World-Power

In Revelation, the language of “war” is used to portray the persecution of the saints by the World-Power. 

The book of Revelation uses the word “war” to illustrate Satan’s attacks on believers by his human agents. The book shows no interest in conventional or nuclear warfare between nations. Instead, the “Dragon” strives to annihilate the church before his allotted time expires, and he employs deception and persecution to do so - [Photo by Dario Veronesi on Unsplash].