Satan’s Future Worship Leader

Transcript

GR 1546
11/08/09
Satan's Future Worship Leader
Revelation 13:11-15
Gil Rugh

Revelation 13 in your Bibles. We have the seven-year period leading up to the return of Jesus Christ to the earth, the tribulation period, the 70th week of Daniel. That seven-year period divided into two 3½ -year sections. During the first 3½ years there is an alliance of ten kings or kingdoms that really dominate the world. During the last 3½ years there is a solitary individual who dominates the world. Revelation 13:1-10 have been about this single individual destined to become world ruler for 3½ years or as verse 5 says, 42 months. There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, authority to act for 42 months was given to him. And during this period of time he will rage relentless war against the Jews and any other believers on the earth at that time as well. Verse 7, it was given to him to make war with the saints, to overcome them and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.

Come back to Daniel 7. In Daniel 7 we have looked at the revelation given to Daniel which parallels what we are talking about in Revelation 13 and we get fuller information in Revelation 13 on this man. In verse 8 of chapter 7 we noted that he really comes up out of a ten-nation confederacy and Roman beast here who had ten horns and another horn, a little one, coming up among them. And three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it. Then as we have seen, those ten horns and ten kingdoms are dominant during the first 3½ years. It's in the middle of that 3½ years that he becomes the dominant figure. And in the explanation given to Daniel in verse 23, the fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which was the Roman Empire. Verse 24, as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise and another will arise after them. He'll be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One. That's what we just read in Revelation 13, in the devastation he brings against particularly Jews and any believers anywhere. They will be given into his hands for a time, times and a half time. But the court will sit for judgment, his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, all the dominions will serve and obey him. So again we know this is future because this 3½ -year period will come to a conclusion with the establishing of the kingdom of Christ on the earth.

Over in Daniel 9 we see that this man who was dominant the last 3½ years is prominent even at the beginning. He doesn’t have the dominance he will have, but he is in a position, verse 27, he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, referring to Israel. That's what began the seven-year period. So he is present at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel. And evidently he is maneuvering for power and becomes a dominant influence and by the middle of the tribulation he is established as the sole authority. And that will continue until his own destruction.
Now come back to Revelation 13. The only ones who will not worship this man are the elect. Verse 8, all who dwell on the earth will worship him. That's going on during this last 3½ -year period. Everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. So it's only the elect, those that God has recorded in His book from before the foundation of the world. This has to do as we noted with God's sovereignty, the election of God to select from among fallen sinful human beings some who would come to the salvation that He has provided in His Son and the death of His Son on the cross.

So over in Revelation 17:8, the beast that you saw was and is not and is about to come out of the abyss and to go to destruction. Those who dwell on the earth whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will wonder when they see the beast, that he was and is not and will come. So they will be in awe of him. And as chapter 13 verse 8 said, they will worship him. Reminder in verse 12, the ten horns which you saw which are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. So you see he is present with them during the first 3½ years, but they have one purpose and they give their power and authority to the beast. So be the time we get to the middle of the seven-year period all are in agreement that this is the one that should rule and reign and be worshiped as God in the flesh. These names of those who do not worship him have been in the book of life from the foundation of the world. This is going to be important because when we get to the end of chapter 13 we'll read about the number of the beast, the mark of the beast. And those who get that have sealed their doom for eternity.

The elect of God remain faithful and they do not worship. But remember, verse 7, it was given him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. So they will be suffering in terrible ways during this time.

We come to Revelation 13:11 and verses 11-18 introduce us to the second major individual who will be prominent during this last 3½ years. We call him the second beast of Revelation 13 because verse 11 starts out, I saw another beast. So the first beast was in verse 1, I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. Now I saw another beast, verse 11, coming up out of the earth. And this beast is also known as the false prophet. His role and responsibility will be to direct the worship of the world to the first beast. And so we complete the satanic trinity of Satan attempting to usurp the position of God the Father, of the Antichrist usurping the position of God the Son. And now you have the third individual here, the beast out of the earth, the false prophet, who will usurp the place of the Holy Spirit in directing the worship of the world to the first beast, the Antichrist.

When he says, I saw another beast, that means he is like the first beast. They both partake of the same awful character, fierce and violent character. That word another means another of the same kind. I saw another beast, a similar kind of beast as the first one. He came up out of the earth. Now the first beast came out of the sea, this one comes out of the earth. Some take this to be a reference to the land of Palestine and so they would say he comes out of the land, the earth. And so this would be an apostate Jew who is directing the worship of the world. That's a possible meaning here and then most of these people would say then the beast out of the sea comes out of the mass of humanity, this second beast comes out of the land of Palestine. He's an apostate Jew and he directs the worship of the world. While it's a possibility, I'm not convinced of it and neither are a number of others who study and write on this passage. When it says another beast up out of the earth, that word earth is used down in verse 12, he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast. So I take it he's talking about all the earth there, it's the same word, the beast out of the earth. So he's not just referring to the land of Palestine when he says he makes the earth and those who dwell in it. That's used down in verse 14 as well, he deceives those who dwell on the earth. So I would think it would not be probable that the first use of earth in verse 11 is different than the next two uses. The earth here refers to the land, the realm of humanity. So it's probably just emphasizing his human origin.

There is more mystery about the first beast. He comes out of the sea. With its mystery and the source of much of what could be terrible, he is like the first beast but he has more human origin about him, if you could say that. But he is described as having two horns like a lamb. And this would seem to indicate that even though he is a beast, so a violent, vicious character, yet he comes on like a mild lamb. He has the kind of character that is more mild, winsome, appealing to people. Would be an imitation, if you will, of the character of Christ who appears as the Lamb. Chapter 14:1, then I looked and behold the Lamb was standing on Mt. Zion. There the Lamb is referring to Jesus Christ, we'll see when we get to chapter 14. Well here it says he is a lamb with two horns, it's indicating that even though he is a beast and has that kind of fierce character, in appearance and demeanor he comes across as more meek and humble. And is that appealing because his purpose is not to draw attention to himself but to be an effective instrument in directing the attention of the world to the first beast, who will be the object of worship.

We are told further at the end of verse 11, he spoke as a dragon. So though in appearance he seems to be spiritual. You can think of spiritual leaders in the world who come across as humble, as somewhat meek, but that's not their real character. That's not the real character of this man, either. He spoke as a dragon. He speaks and acts on behalf of the devil. And even his smooth, convincing words have their source in the devil. He is the author of lies and so he is using him, the dragon as Satan was identified in chapter 12, now he is using this individual to direct the worship of the world toward his man.

Back in Matthew 7. Jesus warned of these kinds of individuals. And just like there have been many antichrists, plural, as I John told us, that will culminate in the one great Antichrist. So there have been many false prophets. They will all culminate in the one great last false prophet. Matthew 7:15, Jesus said, beware of the false prophets, now note this, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. So you see that appearance as a lamb, they are in sheep's clothing, but inwardly their character, he's a beast. He speaks of the dragon as the source of his words, really of the devil.

Over in II Corinthians 11. And this is not surprising because how does the devil work today? Through similar kinds of individuals, and they are disarming, and they infiltrate even among believers and they speak in such a way and have such a winsome way about them that people are attracted by what they are teaching. And it's contrary to the Word of God. In II Corinthians 11:3, I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness. So you see the work of the serpent who is also the dragon. Paul is concerned that is the way he is operating today. He doesn't change. The same way he deceived Eve, Paul says to the Corinthians, I am concerned about him deceiving you, and he'll lead your minds astray from the simplicity of purity of devotion to Christ. Down in verse 13, such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. So you see the character, and the character of this individual. He's a beast, he's like a lamb. He speaks as a dragon, it's with the deception of Satan he's speaking to lure people to the worship of the devil by the worship of the devil's christ.

Over in Revelation 16. This beast out of the earth that we're talking about is called the false prophet. Verse 13, and I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. So here you see he's called the false prophet. So here you have that satanic trinity—the dragon, the devil; the beast, the Antichrist; and the false prophet, the second beast, the beast out of the earth in Revelation 13.

Look over in Revelation 19:20. At the return of Christ, and this is where we come to and we know that is yet future because Christ hasn't returned to earth and that's what brings to an end the reign of the beast and the activity of the false prophet. Verse 20, and the beast was seized and with him the false prophet. Then note what his false prophet does, and this is where we're going in chapter 13, he's performed signs in his presence, the presence of the beast, by which he deceives those who receive the mark of the beast and those who worship his image. Then they are cast into the lake of fire.

In Revelation 20:10 he's referred to again. And the devil who deceived him was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are also, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. So you have the devil or the dragon, the beast, the false prophet mentioned several times in the book of Revelation, the satanic trinity that Satan is using to attempt to replace the true trinity of the living God and His kingdom.

Back in Revelation 13. Verse 12 tells us that the beast is acting on behalf of the first beast, this second beast, the false prophet. Has his full support and the sole responsibility of this second beast, the false prophet, is to draw the worship of the world after the first beast. So verse 12 says, he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. In other words he is acting on his behalf, he's acting with the full authority of the Antichrist, the first beast, the little horn. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast. That's his role, to make the world worship the first beast. The first beast is the one whose fatal wound was healed. And that was referred to back in chapter 13 verse 3, I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, his fatal wound was healed. And evidently as we noted there, that first beast, the Antichrist receives a death blow and yet he is miraculously brought back to life. An imitation of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You can see how the world would be overwhelmed with this. I mean, what is the proof that Jesus Christ is who He said He was?

Back up to Acts 17:30, there God is not declaring to men that all everywhere should repent. Verse 31, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a man whom He has appointed. Note this, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. Now the false prophet is there, what more proof do you need that this man is God in the flesh and must be worshiped. He was raised from the dead. How can people be responsible with such overwhelming miracles?

Come back to Deuteronomy 13. God has warned of this. God never said the devil could not do miracles. He's not just a magician, he is a being of great power. Verse 1, if a prophet or dreamer or dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or wonder, he says, this is going to happen, tells about a future event. And the sign or the wonder comes true concerning which he spoke to you saying, let us go after other gods whom you have not known and let us serve them. So here is a false prophet who comes and foretells something in the future and it happens. Yet his message is to turn from the worship of the living God. What do you do? You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. The issue here, was this a trick, was it something, he was just lucky. Nothing there, here is a guy who said something would happen and it happened. No questions, it was genuine. But he turned you away from the worship of the living God, you don't listen to him. You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him and keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, cling to Him. That prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death because he has counseled rebellion against the Lord your God and so on. You shall purge the evil from among you.

So there you see miracles are not the final test, the Word of God is the final test. And so this is where people will be in the tribulation. I take it the elect will look at the Word of God and recognize this man is false. I can't tell you the miracles are false, I can tell you he is false. We must make a distinction.

Come back to Revelation 13:13, he performs great signs so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. His miracles are the support of his message. The message is false, the miracles may be genuine. But the message is false. The fire down from heaven, well we saw that back in chapter 11 with the two witnesses, God's faithful representatives. In chapter 11 verse 5, if anyone wants to harm them fire flows out of their mouth and devours their enemies. This gets confusing. Here you have two genuine prophets and they are doing the same thing. Now you have a false prophet and he can do the same thing. Any wonder people will be confused. Call down fire from heaven, that was the validation of Elijah.

Turn back to I Kings 18:38, and we're just breaking into the account of Elijah. If you haven't read the story lately you'll have to read it later. Verse 38, then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. Remember the test was the God who answers with fire is the real God and that will manifest through His genuine prophets as well. Now we have a false prophet who can say, the God who answers with fire, that's the God you worship. And he calls down fire from heaven. That's pretty convincing.

Elijah did it again over in II Kings 1, and he does it repeatedly here where the king, Ahaziah and the soldiers. The captain with fifty soldiers to bring Elijah to him and so when they come to him they say, verse 9, oh man of God, the king says come down. And Elijah replied to the captain of fifty, if I am a man of God let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty. Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty. So isn't this what the genuine God did for his genuine prophets? Now you have this false prophet in the tribulation and deceiving the world with the exception of the elect.

Stop at Job, we've looked at this before. Just a reminder of the power of Satan. When God says to Satan, Job 1:12, the Lord said to Satan, behold all that he has is in your power. Do not put forth your hand on him. So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord, verse 15. The Sabeans attack and took them, they also slew the servants with the edge of the sword. I alone am escaped to tell you. Satan had the power to move these people and have them come and attack and kill. He has power to influence people's minds and activity and give them victory, when God has given him permission. Verse 16, while he was still speaking another came. The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them. I alone have escaped to tell you. Does Satan have that power? Of course he does, he has exercised it. We see it here. We say, I don't know that Satan could do that. Our concept of Satan I fear is pitifully small. He has tremendous power. Verse 17, while he was speaking another came and said the Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, took them, slew the servants. I mean, he can move one group of people, the Sabeans; he can move the Chaldeans; he can call down fire from heaven and send it down from heaven. Then verse 19, a great wind came across the wilderness. He can control the wind. So this fierce wind comes and blows down the house so that all the children of Job die at one time. What power.

Down in Job 2:7, Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and smote Job with sore boils, from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. He has power over physical illness and disease, he can cause it. I mean, the only limits on Satan are what God puts on him. He's a created being, don't misunderstand, but we tend to think of Satan as an oversized human being. We think he is restricted here. He is restricted because God restrains and restricts him. When the restraints are taken off he can turn loose the elements, storms, disease, you name it. So we oughtn't to be surprised that during this time when Satan is given the greatest freedom he has ever had on the earth, that he has a false prophet here who is doing miracles like the world has not seen since the Son of God Himself was present on the earth. And the only ones who won't be deceived will be the elect.

Come back to Revelation 13:14, and he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast. Now you see it's effective. Now you'll note here, it was given him. He deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform. Verse 15, it was given to him to give breath. So God's sovereignty is at work in all of this, just like in Job 1-2, it was given to Satan to do these things. In other words it was under the sovereign control and plan of God. He was given permission, authority to do this. So he deceives those who dwell on the earth, which we have noted refers to unbelievers, earth dwellers. Because of the signs it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast. Now all this activity takes place in the context of the beast. Just like all the Holy Spirit's ministry takes place in the context of the finished work of Jesus Christ. So the work of the false prophet to do all these miracles in the presence of the beast, the purpose is to draw attention to the beast and bring the world to worship him.

Telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image of the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. Given to him the authority to draw the world's worship to the beast, he has them make an image to the beast, which will become the focal point of the worship of the beast. And then he is going to give life to the image, which raises another question or another issue. He deceives, that's the purpose of all his activity here in this section so that they will worship the image of the beast. That's where he is going. Those who dwell on the earth, the non-elect because we've been told in verse 8, the elect, those who are in the book of life will not worship him. But everybody else will. So we have worldwide rule and we have worldwide worship. Satan's intention comes together to try to replace the plan of God.

Telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. Again a reminder, third time we've been told here about his death wound and his coming to life. And that stress, his coming to life, he came to life, we have a resurrected individual here. The world would not accept the resurrection of Christ because remember the unbeliever is suppressing truth wherever God's truth is. Goes back to the basics that we've seen from creation. But here the resurrection of one of their own, so to speak, the unbelieving world will result in tremendous response. They will make an image to the best, makes an image of the beast and to the beast. It is a portrayal of him.

There are ten references, this is the first of ten references in the book of Revelation to this image. Look at chapter 13 verse 15, was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast would even speak. We have three references here because at the end of verse 15, those who do not worship the image of the beast will be killed. Three times in verse 15, the image, the image, the image because it becomes the focal point of worship during this 3½ -year period. Chapter 14 verse 9, another angel, a third one, followed them saying with a loud voice, if anyone worships the beast and his image and receives a mark on his forehead he'll drink of the wine of the wrath of God mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger. Down in chapter 14 verse 11, the smoke of their torment goes up. They have no rest day or night, those who worship the beast and his image. Chapter 15 verse 2, I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image. And the number of his name, which is coming up in chapter 13. Chapter 16 verse 2, so the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth. It became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image. Chapter 19 verse 20, and the beast was seized and with him the false prophet who performed signs in his presence by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. Chapter 20 verse 4, I saw thrones, those who sat on them, and judgment was given to them, and so on. Down to those who had not worshiped the beast or his image.

Clearly we have the ultimate culmination of what we're talking about in Romans 1. What do they do? The exchange the truth of God for a lie. They don't worship and serve the Creator, but the creature. They made an image in the form of man and various creatures. Here you have the image of man, the ultimate climax of man's rejection of God and worship of the creation taking place here.

Back in Revelation 13. Now he makes the image but the remarkable thing is what is in verse 15, it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast so that the image of the beast would even speak. Now that is an awesome miracle. Now we have not only had the resurrection from the dead of the first beast, now we have an image made in his likeness, in his honor and it comes to life. Now, I mean, what more proof do you need, people, that this is the God who is to be worshiped? Can anybody but God make an image out of stone or gold or whatever they make this out of, and then cause it to come to life so that it can even speak? That's impressive.

We say, I thought only God could give life. And so it says here to give breath, pneuma. We talk about pneumatology, that's the word here, pneuma, to give spirit to the image. So some say, well maybe a demon resides in this image and it gives the appearance of life. Well, as we have said about other things, the impact is the same. You have an image of stone or of gold or silver or whatever they carve it out of or make it out of. And now here it is with human characteristics and able to talk and has all the appearance of life. We would be hard pressed to say it is not genuine. The Bible doesn't make that the issue, the issue is it's the focus of false worship. We get caught up, I wonder if it's a genuine miracle or not. What needs to be done is it needs to be evaluated and the message they are teaching in light of the Word of God. Doesn't matter whether it is a real miracle or not, it matters whether it is consistent with the Word of God or not.

So he makes the image, he has the power from God, it was given to him to give breath, spirit to this image so that it could speak. And cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be executed. This image is the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet.

You have to come back to Daniel 9:27, he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering. And on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate. And that expression, on the wing of abomination comes one who makes desolate, in the New Testament it will be referred to as the abomination of desolation, the abomination that causes desolation. Even unto a complete destruction. One that is decreed is poured out on the one who makes desolate. So this image is identified, that abomination that brings desolation. This is the awesome abomination.

Jesus referred to it in Matthew 24:15, Jesus talking about the tribulation period. So here we are now at the middle, the events taking place in the middle of the tribulation that will color the last half of the tribulation. Verse 15, therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet standing in the Holy Place, let the reader understand. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains, and so on. There will be a terrible time. Why? Verse 21, there will be a great tribulation such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now nor ever will occur. Unless those days had been cut short, limited to 3½ years, no life would have been saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, Christ is here or there, don't believe them. False christs and false prophets will arise, they'll show great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. We can expect, particularly during the opening part of this seven-year period, many false christs, false prophets and miracles, just as we have them today and have had them down through history. But there is going to be an explosion, they are all going to come to their focal point and the false prophet and the Antichrist of the last 3½ years.

The abomination of desolation standing in the Holy Place. Now remember we read Daniel 9:27, it said that the Antichrist would put an end to sacrifice and grain offering. Here this abomination is standing in the Holy Place. You know what that tells us, the temple has been rebuilt. Right? So we know by the time we get to the middle of the seven-year tribulation, the temple has been rebuilt and is in operation. Whether the temple will be rebuilt before the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel, I don't know. We do know it has been constructed and been operating. Sacrifices have been going on by the time you get to the middle of the 70th week of Daniel. Now the Antichrist does an abominable act. As he turns against the Jews he desecrates the temple by setting up this abomination in the Holy Place. You see the battle is against God and His plan. Does he set up the abomination in New York City? Or Paris? Or some other great city of the world? No, it has to be Jerusalem because the devil's battle is against God and His plan and purposes. I mean, it's like you look at a big map and you mark out Israel and say, forget it, it's not worth it. But the world can't get away from it, can it? Why? This is the focal point of what God has said He is doing and where His kingdom will center and His king will rule and reign. So this abomination of desolation will be set up in the Holy Place. And Satan attempts the blatant display of his opposition to God.

Come over to II Thessalonians 2:3, let no one deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. That's what we're talking about. He takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. What keeps it from happening now? Verse 7, the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming. Jesus reminded us in Matthew 24, don't listen to people who say, Christ has come, He is here or there, because when He appears it will be with power and great glory. And all will see Him. So we know that that man has not yet appeared in history, it is yet future because his end will be with the return of Christ to the earth.

So awesome things going on as Satan attempts in such a blatant way. And the world follows Satan as he establishes and gives them the christ that they want and the false prophet serves to direct worship to him. And this will be a world controlling power. You won't buy anything, you won't sell anything, you won't get food, anything in the world during this time without identifying yourself as a loyal worshiper of the Antichrist. But God wins, we've read the rest of the book of Revelation, the rest of scripture. It's a futile battle, but sinful man battles it nonetheless, sinful angels battle it nonetheless. But Jesus Christ will rule and reign, and that's our great hope and our great anticipation.

Let's pray together. Thank you, Lord, for your grace, your patience even in these days, Lord, as we see and look at the awful, awesome events that are to take place on this very earth. Lord, we are privileged to be those who know you, to represent you, to be lights in the midst of darkness, to call men, women and young people to turn from their sin and place their faith in the Savior who is the only hope for salvation. But Lord He is the only hope that is needed, that is necessary, for He is the Savior to each and every one who will place their faith in Him. Thank you, Lord, that even as we contemplate these awesome events that will unfold in coming days, we have the joy of knowing you have provided deliverance for us and ultimately our Savior will rule and reign and we will rule and reign with Him. May we be bold in our testimony for you in these days in order that we might be faithful until He comes. We pray in Christ's name, amen.