Beware Of The Second Beast!

(I know nothing about Scott Brown.  This is not a commentary on him in any way.)

As much of a relief as it is that another Democrat did not win the Massachusetts election--it is not time for 'back to business as usual'.  Never again should we let down our guard.  Although the win of a Republican was strategically important, it does not mean we are safe--not by any stretch of the imagination.

No matter how similar to us they may seem, there is something inherently different in most people that run for office--especially those that actually are elected.  That hunger for power and position is something that should be viewed with a certain amount of wariness on our part.  Besides that, they are human--and humans are fallible.  Power corrupts, and it spends a good bit of time prowling around the halls of our government, looking for an opportunity. 

Remember: there are two types of people, against whom no one can testify:

1. those who are innocent
2. those who leave no witnesses alive

We still live in perilous times.  No one can be trusted 100%.  I hope, through all the influential people whose corruption has been exposed--in politics, finance, etc.--over the last couple of years, that you will take the lesson to heart. 

The problem here is not one of political parties.  It is one of behind the scenes affiliations.  Hopefully you have learned from all that has been said about  'The Bilderbergers', the 'Trilateral Commission', and the 'Council on Foreign Relations', etc.  Hopefully you are now aware that there are powerful forces working behind the scenes.  The real problem is not Republican vs. Democrat.  The problem is with the elite that are behind them both.

I'm sure there is still MUCH more that could be exposed.  I imagine all that we have seen is only the tip of the iceberg.  There is something EXTREMELY suspicious about a bipartisan congress that would just go along with everything the president was putting forth--at least, at the beginning.  There is some kind of real power that brings that about--whether it be persuasion, bewitchment, or blackmail.  That power is still present in the halls of congress.  No matter who we elect, the real test will be what they DO when they get there.  In my belief, it is only the power of God that can truly stand against such evil and triumph. 

But don't be fooled!  The enemy (Satan) can pick a fine looking man, dress him up in robes, and give him a cross to hold out in front of him.  He may rant and rave against the powers of darkness, and give every appearance of being in opposition to them.  He may do miraculous things--signs and wonders. He may very well have the absolute endorsement of all the most respected religious leaders of our day.  But . . . that does not mean he is filled with the Spirit of God!!

The people behind the scenes will not relinquish power without a "hellacious" fight.  Nor will the enemy of our souls--who is the force that empowers these people.  His time is short, and he is desperate.  Never again--until Christ returns--will we be able to take a deep breath and relax.  We must always be on guard, vigilant, and discerning.

The pendulum swings both ways.  'The people have spoken!'  Expect to see more 'God fearing' candidates--more people running on religious ideals--and expect to see them winning.  Don't think that Satan, and the elites, won't make full use of that!  Expect them also to put forth candidates that are religious, that make claims of being Christians.  These are people without conscience--bodies without souls! 

The elite look at the people of the world without compassion--as mere problems to be solved, numbers to crunch, etc. They aim to purposely depopulate the world!  They are advocates of eugenics, genocide, euthanasia.  They see war as a means to prosperity!  This is nothing but a giant chess game to them.  They will put forth candidates that the people will vote for, and they count on the masses to be blind and gullible!  Expect a 'great awakening' of religious ideals to sweep the nation politically--but only some of it will be genuine! 

That being said--the real danger is that the one who does the most to unravel America may be a 'Christian'!!  Someone who claims to be a Christian.  But here is the problem:  there are more people claiming to be Christians today, than really are Christians, and we have been as naive as little lambs.  When someone tells us they are a Christian, we have taken them at their word--but 'by their fruit you will know them'!! 

If you look into the connections the Bush family has with the organizations mentioned above (and Prescott Bush with Auschwitz and Monowitz), you will see that they are among the elites.  They may call themselves Christians--and that is for God to decide--but I see them as wolves in sheep's clothing!  We believed we had a Christian president, but that is when the most of our liberties were stripped away--and we still have many people who haven't woken up to that!

Then along came Obama, claiming to be a Christian too.  Don't tell me, after all you've seen him do, that you don't believe he was a disciple of Reverend Wright!  He most certainly believes, and concurs wholeheartedly with, everything that man has to say!  Look at his voting record on abortion!  Look at his backing of the gay, lesbian, transgender agenda!  Etc., etc., etc.  He says he's a Christian--so what!!  HE'S A LIAR!!  Let the record show, this man has lied more than he has told the truth!!  If you want to know the real truth, you'd better look back on all he has promised--and expect the opposite to be in your future instead!  This man will look you in the eye and lie--and you'll believe it!  He has a powerful annointing of evil!

So, now the people have spoken and the pendulum will swing the other way.  Let me warn you of what may lie ahead.

Don't be surprised if our next president appears as a strong Christian, well respected, annointed--and maybe he has been, but somewhere along the way he fell into (or will fall into) 'secret sin'.  The enemy found a weakness and capitalized on it, seducing him into deep spiritual darkness.  Then, knowingly or not, he 'made a deal with the devil'.  And, let me tell you what--unless America has truly repented, this man will have God's endorsement to be our president. 

You can expect the 'Christian' leaders of the day to wholeheartedly back him.  A few Christians (there are Christians and there are 'Christians') will discern, by the Spirit, what he is and, in alarm, will try to warn people--but it will be of no use.  Today 'Christians' far outnumber Christians, and he will be one of them.  Today's backslidden, lukewarm 'Christians' will be completely comfortable with him, because that's the only kind of Christian most of them know.  It is said that 'we get the leaders we deserve'.

To add to the illusion--God's Watchmen may not speak.  If America does not repent, and God continues to visit judgment upon America, it may be, that at some point He instructs them not to speak.  Better it is for judgment to do its work and bring forth repentance, than for people to find a way to avoid it, and go to eternal destruction.

So now you know, and if your heart is right, you may discern it when it happens--you may even be one of the voices calling out a warning.  But if God has sent the judgment and the delusion, people will continue to blindly follow, and what is decreed will come to pass.  There is a time to speak--and a time to remain silent.  Let the Holy Spirit be your guide.


All that is just the prelude to what this post was to be about:  the second beast aka 'The False Prophet'.

Beware of the second beast!  All the attention these days is given to looking for the first beast and avoiding it.  The first beast will blaspheme God.  The first beast will make war against God's people.  The first beast will have authority over all the earth.  The first beast is an empire and whoever is its leader.

But it is the second beast that really causes men to be damned.  It seems to me that it is the second beast that takes center stage in world events. 

The second beast will exercise all the authority of the first beast.  The second beast makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast.  It is the second beast that performs great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from  heaven.  It is the second beast that deceives the inhabitants of the earth, by way of the signs he performs. It is the second beast who commands men to create an image in honor of the first beast.  It is the second beast who gives breath to the image of the first beast--so that it can speak and cause all who refuse to worship the image (itself) to be killed.   It is the second beast that causes everyone to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead in order to buy or sell--a mark which is the name of the beast (first or second?) or the number of his name (first or second beast?).

Especially take note of this:  The second beast has 'two horns like a lamb' but 'speaks like a dragon'.  We already know the dragon is Satan--but what about the 'two horns like a lamb'?  My interpretation of this (I could be  wrong) is that the second beast is a false Christianity, with two aspects (Protestant and Catholic?). 

With that possibility in mind, read over the paragraph above.  Keep in mind too, that the prophecy will be literally fulfilled--but perhaps not in the way we interpret and picture it, ahead of time.  Meaning: we tend to form a picture of how things will happen, based on our interpretation of what the verses say and, in hindsight, comparing events to the Scriptures, we will be able to see that things were literally fulfilled--but most likely, not at all how we had predicted!

I'll point out a few things that we might easily misinterpret, because they have many possible interpretations:

• will exercise all the authority of--in what manner will he exercise it?
  
• will exercise all the authority of--is this authority granted by man (such as by election), or is it granted by God, or both?
  
• makes the earth and its inhabitants worship--to what degree does he 'make' them do it?  Does he round them up in the night, or does he just say that they need to do it, or does he get them so riled up that they do it on their own (like at a concert?)?
  
• makes the earth and its inhabitants worship-- in what manner do they worship?  Do they physically bow down several times a day, as Muslims do?  Or do they just talk about it, and praise it all the time?
  
• fire to come down from heaven--is it real, literal fire coming down out of the sky?  Is it a fireball?  Is it lightning?
  
• commands men to create an image--how does he command it?  In an authoritative voice via television?  By passing a law? Does he command everyone?  Or does he just tell a few guys on his staff to do it, without fanfare?
  
• commands men to create an image--what is this image?  A statue?  A logo?  A hologram? Some marvel of future technology that we haven't seen yet?  Something so ordinary we wouldn't even think of it as fitting the Scripture?
  
• gives breath to the image--will it literally be alive, having its own consciousness? Will it be 'animated'? Will it just be something, powered by electricity, that gives the appearance of being alive?
  
• speak and cause all who refuse to worship the image to be killed--does it just stir up animosity against those who refuse, so that people hate and kill them?  Does it put a bounty on them?  Does it issue a fatwa?  Does it pass a law, that all must worship it, that carries the death penalty?
  
• cause all who refuse to worship the image to be killed-all who verbally say 'no'?  All who protest? Even those who just passively avoid it?
  
• causes everyone to receive a mark--endorses it?  Deceives them into it?  Shames them into it--calling them 'nuts', 'religious fanatics', 'superstitious'?  Legislates it?  Rounds them up in the night if they don't?

These are just some of the possibilities--ones I can think of. This should illustrate to you that there are MANY ways to misinterpret any or all of the things that will come.  The only way you will know is if God reveals it to you.  He may reveal the whole picture ahead of time, or He may only show us one step at a time--or He may keep it veiled and reveal events as having fulfilled prophecy after they happen!

I study, and pray, and seek the interpretation--but God has only revealed a few things to me.  What He has shown me instead is how many ways things could be interpreted, when looking ahead.  He has also shown me that even the most respected Bible scholars and 'prophets' have a lot of errors in their understanding.  I'm nobody special, so it's not surprising that He might not reveal it to me.  What is telling, is that no one really seems to know--at least, no one seems to know the whole picture.

So, if no one has the answers you are looking for--what do you do?  If, even at this late date, God has not opened the prophecies to our understanding, what are any of us to do?  What is important is to focus, not on events that you want to find a way to avoid, but on Him!  If you are serving Him, yet had never heard any of the prophecies, He would still show you the way to walk.  The people who will most quickly recognize 'The Beast', 'The Antichrist' and 'The Mark' are not the ones who spend the most time worrying about them, but rather those who dwell in His presence!  Trust that if you know Him and walk with Him daily, He will not let you be deceived, nor will you accidentally take The Mark!  He is fully able to guard what you have entrusted to Him!

Christian Persecution In America?

I need to be honest--I have so immersed myself in endtimes prophecies and current events that I'm battling a spirit of fear.  Fear can come from within--it is instinctive--or from outside of us.  The enemy uses a spirit of fear to fight against us.  I am telling you, not because I have been overcome, but so that you know I am just like you!

I am not superhuman, superspiritual, or whatever!  I am not always fearless and bold! I have strength, when I draw close to God and draw my strength from Him. HE gives me boldness and strength.  He will do the same for you.  Fight the fear and draw close to God!  Do not shrink back, do not let fear overcome you.

Remember the old saying 'give him an inch and he'll take a mile'?  This is very true with the powers of darkness.  If you retreat, they will be emboldened to advance even further.  You have to hold them off--and even better--advance on them!  When you move forward, in God's will, He will strengthen and empower you. He has been waiting a very long time to see most of us stand up and fight.

There is no better way to victory than to draw out your spiritual sword and do battle with the evil spirits that come against you and your family.  You don't fight against flesh and blood--but against the spiritual powers of darkness.

You may be content to 'hold them off at the gate' of your mind, or your physical property--but do you think they'll stop there?  Do you want to be hunkered down, peeking out to see if they are still there, waiting for an opportunity to come back?  I say no!! Fight beyond your gates to create a 'buffer zone'.  Send the enemy fleeing beyond the boundary you determine, and hold onto what you have conquered!

Spiritually, we have lost America.  We have been driven back to our churches, where many are hunkered down, hoping the enemy won't come any further.  Look behind you!  While you are peeking out the windows at the evil forces outside, evil spirits have already infiltrated your congregation!

There are four boundaries you need to endeavor to  win back--in this order:

1. Your mind and body
2. Your family's minds and bodies
3. Your home
4. Your church
5. Your community (small town or neighborhood)

You continue advancing outwards as you gain ground.  But you have to be sure you are thoroughly purging the forces of evil as you go.  Liken it to the way that God told the Israelites to totally give over to destruction the towns they were invading.  They were to not leave alive man or beast, and then they were to destroy the buildings and bodies with fire.

Hear me--I am not saying to fight against men, or to fight in the physical realm!  What we see in the actions of the children of Israel was in the physical realm, but what was happening in the spiritual realm was more significant.

The Israelites were purging the land of evil spirits--and they didn't even know it!  This is why it was SO important not to leave alive a single man or beast, whom the evil spirits could enter into, and why they were not to leave a single building that the spirits could haunt.  They were to leave them no place to go, so that they would flee the land!  (As you know, you can't kill demonic spirits.  You have to remove what they need to live, so that they will flee!)

I'll be honest, until this moment I have believed, because of my faith in God's righteousness and goodness, that what God told the Israelites to do was right and He had a reason--but it seemed very harsh to me.  We are talking about genocide.  But as I am writing this, He has opened my eyes to understand why.  I had never seen it as a spiritual battle before.  Now it makes perfect sense!

The Bible could simply have summarized to say that the Israelites completely destroyed the people they conquered, or something to that effect.  But instead, it was shown, town by town and stressed again and again.  And it was duly noted when the Israelites failed to do as God had directed.  This is because God wanted us to understand the importance of this!

I think most of us do realize it was very important, even if we haven't completely understood why.  And I'm ashamed to say, I guess I just concluded that these were people God wanted to eliminate from the face of the Earth.  I understand now that God was not eternally against these people (although He was bringing  judgment upon them), but against the evil entities that they had given place to.  Their lands had become a 'hot spot' of demonic activity and God wished to scatter those spirits (as He scattered the people at Babel, because of what they intended to do).

I also want to point out, that after the Israelites had killed the people, the disembodied spirits could just as well have entered into them--if they had given them an opening, through sin in their life!!  God did not begin revealing about spiritual warfare to His people until Jesus came.  The only way that the Israelites could be safe when fighting the spiritual forces of darkness, was to live lives of purity, and to have God present in their midst.

Do you see now?  Just as we train up our children, God told them WHAT to do (and was very strict about it), but He didn't try to explain WHY, because they would not have understood.  This is also why He was quick to purge those who were sinful and rebellious from amongst the midst of the Israelites (which had also seemed a tad bit extreme to me before).

This is a picture of how we must fight now!  We must live lives of purity and have the power of the Holy Spirit within us.  Then, as God directs, we must advance upon, and scatter, the spiritual forces of evil.  (He is NOT calling us to fight against  people, but rather the unseen forces behind them.)  When we do this, He will empower and protect us.

It is time to enter the battle!  Purge the evil from your own life and mind, then lead your family in doing likewise.  Then, do what you can in your church--if your church isn't interested in being pure  and living righteously--leave it!

Then, contend for your town.  (I may be wrong, or just missing the point--but I like peace and safety.)  The country is lost.  The states are lost.  But, it may be possible to 'win back' a few towns and communities from the enemy, if we try.

Pray for your town's leaders. Vote for righteous men and women.  Clean up your town of filth and depravity (do battle in the spiritual realm before attempting to confront or convince people).  Battle the spiritual forces of wickedness, and pray that God will create a safe haven for you and your family.

If, after all you've done, only your home is free of the demonic--then thank God for that, and remain vigilant.  But how much better it will be if we have some towns and communities that are oases, free of demonic oppression, in the days ahead!!


One other point:  I hear some talk about 'the remnant', almost as if the people who form the remnant are superior to other Christians.  Don't fall into that trap of pride!!  No one is a remnant yet--we are all Christians just now waking up and beginning to learn the truth from deception.
 
Unfortunately, as the truth is presented to them, some people are choosing not to love the truth, and God will send them a powerful delusion to believe instead.  This is what is called 'the great rebellion', 'the great apostasy', 'the great falling away'.  The love (of righteousness, of truth, of God) of many will grow cold.  Many will turn away.  After that, the  backslidden/apostate Christians will begin to persecute and hate the remnant that were faithful to the truth*.

When the persecution begins--then the ones who hold to the truth can be called 'the remnant'.  To do so now is to risk 'writing off' people who may or may not be Christians now, but who are being misled and deceived by false doctrines--for whom there may yet be hope of repentance!!




*Don't be surprised if, in those days, a 'Christian' president is elected and (apostate )'Christians' form a majority in Congress.  With great pride, patriotism and zeal they would fight the unrighteous (who have been in power) and the 'fanatics'/'religious zealots' (the remnant that hold to the truth).
The 'false prophet' will be

• a false religion that appears Christian (much of this is already in the church),
• and promotes the 'beast' empire (the beast is not a man)

[The beast (empire) will rule over the nations of the world.  This may not be really obvious. It may be a lot like America does today, through occupation, military bases,  and taking authority over countries by various means (regime change, sanctions, and other means of control).  The beast (empire) will have final say, and will punish those nations that don't fall in line.]

It is this false prophet/false church that will create the image of the empire that is to be worshipped (through intense patriotism), and whose mark is required to participate in buying and selling in the global marketplace.

Don't be surprised that it would be 'Christians' that persecute 'the remnant'--after all, it was the Jews that killed Jesus!  There is no more formidable adversary than one who is deceived into thinking that they hold the truth of God and are fighting on His behalf.
 
Lest you think the same of the remnant, remember this:  the remnant, those who do have the truth of God, fight spiritually but the deceived will fight in the physical realm--by putting to death their 'enemies'.

Warning to America: THE KORAN

As I opened the cover of THE KORAN, I was engulfed in a cold, damp, brown cloud of the most foul smell imaginable  The smell was so overpowering that it left me weak.  Though nauseating, at the same time, it was cloyingly sweet.  It burned inside my nostrils, leaving me coughing, choking, and retching until I vomited blood.  Then I lay heaving, on the ground, while my insides burned like fire.

I struggled to crawl back to the Koran, which was still seeping its vile mist.  As I grasped the cover to close it, it became as heavy as lead.  The words began to rise from the page and take the shape of a beast.  It orange belly was soaked in urine, and feces were matted to its behind, from where it slowly dripped a green, vile-smelling mucous.  As the drops hit the ground, each one turned into a tiny, vile little beast.  They scurried off in all directions.  Its male part, twisted and misshapen, hung limply, encrusted in feces.

I began heaving again.  I backed away, trembling from the exertion, and as I did I began to see the entirety of his form.  His feet were like those of a rat--bare flesh with strong rounded toes that gave forth long, curved, pointed claws.  He sat on his haunches, with his short arms hanging in front of him.  In his right hand was a black book, with 'The Word of God' emblazoned on the cover in gold letters.  Gripped in his other fist was a maiden, lying calmly, and wearing a thin cotton sleeping gown.  She was not struggling, and seemed to be unaware.

Then I looked at his face.  It had the appearance of a gargoyle--a round face with pointed ears set near the sides of the top; large, round, lidless eyes that gaped at me; a broad, flattened nose, that rattled with congestion when it breathed; and a grinning mouth, filled with widely spaced, pointed teeth,  that drooled partly congealed blood and saliva, deep red, nearly black.

He continued to sit there, gazing at me, with the same malevolent, mocking grin, as if taunting me, to see what I would do.  I glanced away and surveyed the ground around him.  Strewn at length, and piled everywhere, were bones.  The bones of men, and women, and children.  In a few places, the broken, jagged stumps of  dead trees stood above the bones.  The ground was dry, barren, and dusty.  Desolation.  I saw not another living thing.

As I looked back into his face, a boldness and resolve began to fill me.  His eyes probed me, questioningly.  He continued to grin and spoke not a word aloud, yet his raspy, squealing voice rang loudly in my head, causing it to ache as if it would explode into pieces.  'What are you doing here?' he calmly asked, 'why have you come?''  A loathing welled from my heart and filled me from head to toe.  Grinning before me was the pure, arrogant, mocking, embodiment of absolute evil and depravity.  I did not have an answer.

As I continued to size him up, a baby girl came round from behind him, toddling along, her blanket in tow.  As he sensed her presence, his male part swelled. He turned loose of the maiden and snatched up the baby.  I turned my head as he violated her.  When her screams had subsided, I looked back.  Her tiny,  limp, bloody body, split in two, lie in the palm of his hand.  His stiff, pointed tongue licked her caressingly, as he savored the blood.  Then he popped her into his mouth and gulped her down.

I had not known I would be transported here when I opened the cover of that blasphemous book.  Yet, here I was.  The loathing and anger inside me grew ever stronger, overcoming my pain.  I raced forward, lunging at him with all my strength, and battering him with my fists.  He chuckled, unfazed.  I drew back and raced forward again, and again, and again.  His chuckles gave way to a full-bellied roaring laugh, bringing tears of mirth to his eyes.  He wiped the slobber from his mouth with the back of his hand.  He was so caught up in glee that he had turned loose the Word of God.  I watched it fall from his hand.

As it lay there, in the dust and filth, I stared at it.  I thought to pick it up, but I was filthy and corrupt from being near the beast, and throwing myself upon him, and I couldn't bring myself to touch it.  I longed for the peace , beauty and love that I knew were contained inside The Word of God.

As I continued looking at it, desiring it with all my heart, it whispered to me.  'Eat me.'  I was taken aback.  'Eat me', it whispered again, 'and I will bring life and strength to your bones.'  'Eat me, and I will be your sword  I will bind myself to your heart and proceed out of your mouth.  Together, we shall destroy our enemies, and deliver the heavens and the earth to Him who sits on the throne.'




What I have written here was not a 'vision' or a dream.  Rather, it is my attempt to describe what I discerned in my spirit as I learned what is really contained in the Koran.  
I apologize for the offensiveness of the portions which are lewd and graphic.  I take no pleasure in using such descriptions, but they are necessary to fully portray the depth of blasphemy, evil and depravity that are embodied in Islam.


IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS OF ISLAMIC TERMS:

• koran (aka kuran, qu'ran): The 'holy' book of islam, inspired by satan ('Allah'), and written by mohammed.
• allah: ultimately, satan; the deceiving spirit that spoke to mohammed.
• mohammed: a warrior who 'channeled' allah and proclaimed himself to be a prophet. He was confused and deceived.  He refers to satan as 'Allah' and 'God'.  (This is not the same 'God' as the Creator God of Christians & Jews, nor is 'Allah' that God.)
• islam: the embodiment of the principles of mohammed, contained in the koran.  Followers call it a religion.
• muslim: a follower of islam, who (often unintentionally) worships satan by worshipping mohammed and allah.
• caliphate: basically an islamic 'pope'; he would be a present day successor of mohammed who would impose sharia law.
• sharia law: the laws contained in the koran.  (In some ways an immitation of Old Testament laws, but coming from, and teaching, a competely different set of values.)  The goal of islam is to have the whole world under sharia law.
• Three choices for the conquered:

1. conversion or
2. 'dhimmitude' (paying a tribute, every moment of one's life) or
3. death

• jizya: a monetary tribute; a poll tax required of non-Muslims
• DESOLATION: What happens in the land, the community, the family, and the individual where islam dominates.
• dhimma: a supposed 'treaty of protection' that establishes the terms of surrender (the daily tribute required) of those who have been conquered but choose not to convert to islam.      They shall 'pay the jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued'.      This is comprised of a number of humiliating and demeaning requirements, to keep the person in submission-- as well as a loss of all rights.

DO NOT BE DECEIVED!!  Regardless of not becoming a muslim, and not accepting the teachings of islam, surrender to the terms of the dhimma is a form of worship (by actions) of allah/satan (which is why he is willing to allow it)!!


Link to a short video: 'Fitna--A Documentary About Islam' 


Allah Is Not God!!

What Does The Devil Look Like?

I recently praised a little girl for taking the time to thank God for her food.  I added that some people don't think about God very much.  Her response shocked me: 'Because they think they are Him?' she asked.  Kids can say some really profound things!


A child recently asked me 'What Does the Devil look like?'  I interpreted that to mean: 'How can I know it's the Devil if I see him?'  A very good question.


As I was explaining that nobody knows what he looks like, and mostly you know if it's the Devil by how you feel in your heart, I was asked if he was white.  I had to chuckle.  'Some people would say so',  I responded.   I added that others would say he was black and some would say he is red.   Then I explained that he might look like a shining star, or like a dragon, or a snake.


It's not something we can pin down.  The Scriptures say that he can 'even appear' as an angel of light, from which it can be inferred that isn't how he usually looks.


He is also referred to as a dragon, in Revelation, and a serpent, in Genesis, which seduced Eve to sin (and resulted in all serpents being cursed to crawl on their belly).   That would infer, prior to that curse he had legs.  A 'serpent' /snake with legs could be describing a dragon here too.  And, there are other places in Scripture that translate the word 'serpent' or 'dragon', depending on the version of translation.


Satan, the Dragon, was thrown down to Earth, from Heaven, when he rebelled against God.  He is referred to, in some places, as 'Leviathan' and is said to live in the sea'.  Chapter 41, in the book of Job, is completely devoted to the description of a dragon. I don't know if this is describing Satan, or just any generic dragon that lived on Earth at the time.


Children don't have any problem believing this, but most adults probably see it as pretty far-fetched.  We are used to seeing angels portrayed as little, naked toddlers with wings, or as women with blond hair, arrayed in white silk, with wings on their backs and halos on their heads. How in the world did we settle on these images? 


Unless I'm forgetting something, the angels that Scripture describes are mature, masculine beings--or 'living creatures' that look like amalgamations of different animal and human parts, with wings, and many eyes all over their bodies!


Jesus also, in Revelation, appears as a lamb that looked as if it had been slain.  Apparently 'shape shifting' is the norm in the spiritual realm.


Which brings me to the reason I took the time to write this post: some of the things that we see in the years ahead may seem to be straight from a science fiction novel!


I suspect this for several reasons:

1. In studying the book of Revelation, it is clear to me that the demon spirit that either is (or will possess the man who is) the Antichrist, is not Satan.  Rather, it is a spirit whose name is Apollyon.
2. Shape shifting is part of the tradition of sorcery.
3. I sense that Satan is using Hollywood to desensitize us to horrendous looking beasts and shape shifters.

So what does Apollyon have to do with it?  Maybe nothing.  But I have a hunch that he is a demon with a nonhuman appearance, and that he is included in ancient folklore. 


Apollyon is the 'Beast out of the Sea' in Revelation 13, and is the same beast we are speaking about when we say 'The Mark Of The Beast'.  We also refer to him as 'The Antichrist'.


Although his description is similar to the description of Satan/The Dragon in Rev. 12, they are not the same.  He is however, the same beast that is described in Rev. 17, upon which the Whore of Babylon rides. 


Here it is explained that he 'once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction.  The inhabitants of the earth . . . (who aren't Christians) . . . will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.' (emphasis mine)  'The beast who once was, and  now is not, is an eighth king.'  (This refers to a vision involving 7 kings that come before him.  He is the eighth, and final king to rise from that kingdom--the Antichrist.)


Anyhow, my interpretation of the verses above gives me the idea that he may have a nonhuman appearance and be found in the writings of ancient man.  I don't think my other two reasons need explanation.


Ultimately though, if we are walking with the Lord, we will recognize him by the response of our spirit.  Will Christians that aren't walking with the Lord recognize him?  I don't know.  I wouldn't want to be in their shoes.  Will nonChristians recognize him?  Definitely not.  (Although perhaps those that are involved in the occult will--but that's a whole different story.  They may know he is a demon, but who know what twisted beliefs they have regarding what that means.)


Here is how I know for sure than nonChristians won't recognize him:

• '. . . but the fatal wound had been healed.  The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.' (emphasis mine)
• 'All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.'
• 'Because of the signs he (the second beast/false prophet) was given power to do on behalf of the first beast (Antichrist), he deceived the inhabitants of the earth.'
• 'For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible.'
• 'The coming of the lawless one (Antichrist) will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing.  They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.  For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.'

I don't like to devote a lot of my time to speculation, but I thought it worthwhile to post this--in the hope that you will keep an open mind, and be willing to 'think outside the box' when it comes to prophecies. Most of all, I'd hate to see you have your mind so firmly made up about how things will happen that you fail to realize when they do.


We don't know for sure how the fulfillment of prophecies will 'look', but I expect in a lot of cases it will be so mundane that it would be easy to miss--or so unbelievable and astonishing that we will be caught off guard!


Extraterrestrials . . .
Angels, Demons & Raising The Dead