Before going through an interpretation of Revelation 13, it is extremely important to understand the biblical background. There needs to be an understanding of Satan and his main tools of deception and subterfuge -- his wily attempts to be what he really is not -- all with the purpose of thwarting all-important worship of God. Paul teaches that we are to be aware of Satan's schemes in order that he might not outwit us, 2 Corinthians 2:11. So, in preparation for Revelation 13, let's take a look at some of his schemes we know from biblical context which will clarify this chapter.

From the immediate context of Revelation 12:9 we know that Satan, the great dragon, the ancient serpent, the devil, is he who leads the whole world astray. How is this accomplished? Jesus tells us: "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44b. Consequently, we know Satan's main strategy is deceit and treachery. His lies are the basis of all false religion -- all false teachers and false prophets who seek to divert worship from the one, true God to false gods and ideologies of all kinds. He is so impertinent that he even attempted to entice Jesus to worship him, but Jesus answered: "Away from Me Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" Matthew 4:10. All false religion is characterized as that taught by deceiving spirits and demons in order that Satan might be worshipped -- rather than God Himself, 1 Timothy 4:1.

All false prophets do their best to look and sound innocent and truthful, but Jesus warned that they are but wolves in sheep's clothing, Matthew 7:15. Peter teaches: "But there were false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them -- bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping." "These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity -- for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." 2 Peter 2:1-3, 17-19.

When we look at Revelation 13, it becomes apparent that Satan is pulling out all the stops in his elaborate masquerade as God in the last days of history so that the entire world might worship him. Jesus warns us: "At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' Or, 'there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect -- if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So, if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:23-27. We are warned that Satan masquerades as an angel of light just as his false prophets masquerade as apostles of Christ, 2 Corinthians 11:14 -- all to the end that Satan might be worshipped instead of the almighty Creator God.

Crucial to the understanding of Revelation 13 is 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10: "Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. The coming of the lawless one 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 be saved."

So, as history draws to an end, Satan's master deception will come to a head in one person, the Antichrist -- that one empowered by Satan who will deceive the whole world into thinking he is the Christ. True believers, the elect, will not be deceived, but unbelievers will be awestruck by his ability to perform outstanding miracles -- and his power to bring the nations into submission. Throughout history, pharaohs, kings, emperors, religious and political leaders have taken unto themselves prerogatives only God deserves. One only has to think of some in modern history such as Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Kim Jong-il, and Castro who have taken upon themselves a posture much larger than life.

Remember, it is always Satan's objective to deviate worship from God to himself. In his extreme vanity he loves to bask in this illicit worship -- even though he knows his time is short. If he has to go down, he will try to take as many with him as he possibly can.

With this background it is not difficult to see what Satan is up to in Revelation 13 -- a massive scheme to deceive as many as possible to believe he is the Christ before the victorious coming of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There is a great lesson here. Worship must never be taken lightly or entered into carelessly. In our modern church we have often lost this perspective as we casually enter into His presence. If the study of the book of Revelation teaches us anything it is that worship of God, as majestically conveyed to us in the visions of John, is to be highly prized by his servants. This worship is so extremely important that Satan, the enemy of our souls, will do anything to diminish or trivialize the true meaning of worship in our lives.                                        T H L