Sermon, March 15, 2009, Revelation 13.1-10, War on the Saints, Part 1
Revelation 13.1-10 War on the Saints, Part 1: Beast From the Sea
A. OUR OPPONENT
1. What do we know of this beast?
a. A tool of the devil: the dragon is behind the beast [1]
b. Appears to be uncontrollable: a beast
c. Dangerous: out of the sea
d. Rule and authority: horns, heads, crowns
e. Powerful: like a ferocious animal [2]
f. Amazing and attractive: the world is amazed and worships [3-4]
g. Successful in damaging the Church: overcomes the saints [5-8]
2. Who is this beast?
a. Rome
b. Any “Rome-like” human institution of power in the world today
B. OUR DEFENSE
1. An invitation [9]
2. Two warnings [10a]
a. The possibility of captivity
b. Those who live by the sword
3. A challenge [10b]
4. Our only defense [8]
a. Election: God decided to save us before the foundation of the world was laid [Eph 1.4]
b. Redemption: The Lamb has already been slain [Eph 1.7]
c. Application: Our names have been written down [Eph 1.13]
John Olson
