Christ and Caesar

Caesar, World-Power

Satan offered Jesus unlimited political power to achieve his messianic mission if only he accepted him as his overlord. 

Satan tempted Jesus with political power over “all the kingdoms of the world,” but he refused the offer. Instead of power and grandeur, he submitted to the way of the ‘Suffering Servant.’ But the most startling detail is that he did not dispute the Devil’s claim to have jurisdiction over the political systems of the world - [Photo by Nemanja Peric on Unsplash].

The Coming War

Persecution, War

At the end of the age, Satan and his minions will launch the final “war” against the saints, the followers of the Lamb. 

Several times Revelation describes “the war,” the final assault by Satan and his vassals against the followers of Jesus, the “saints.” In each case, “war” is singular, and in the Greek text, its noun form is accompanied by the definite article. It is “THE war.” And both the Greek noun and verb are applied to the same future event - [Tornado - Photo by NOAA on Unsplash].

His Repeated Warning

False Prophet, Olivet

On the Mount of Olives, Jesus reiterated key information that is necessary for his followers to avoid deception by false prophets. 

Christ’s final block of teaching, his ‘Olivet Discourse,’ was a series of instructions given to the disciples before his arrest and execution. In it, and repeatedly, he warned that deceivers and “false prophets” would come and propagate false information about his return, and therefore, constant vigilance was necessary - [Watching photo by Pawel Janiak on Unsplash].

Son of Destruction

Little Horn, Man-Lawlessness

The “little horn” in Daniel becomes the model for the “man of lawlessness” described by Paul to the Thessalonians.

Daniel saw a dark ruler called the “little horn,” the “king of fierce countenance,” and the “contemptible one.” This figure was an arrogant ruler with a “mouth speaking great things” who profaned the sanctuary, caused the cessation of the daily burnt offering, erected the “abomination that desolates,” and “exalted himself against God” - [Photo by Peter Neumann on Unsplash].

Rendering Homage

Beast, False Prophet

The “false prophet” uses every means necessary to coax or coerce men to render homage to the “beast from the sea.” 

The “false prophet” uses “signs and wonders” and especially its control over commerce to cause the “inhabitants of the earth” to render homage to the “beast.” Whether he employs force or persuasion, the goal is the same. Anyone who refuses to submit to the new order is excluded from the economic life of society, and this is the key to his power - [Photo by Phil Goodwin on Unsplash].