Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, an event unparalleled in all of human history, established Him as the Lord of the universe. Unfortunately, many have vehemently rejected Him as Lord and refuse to live under His rule, not wanting Him to be the ultimate authority over their lives. However, time is running out, and things are about to change soon.
A time is rapidly approaching when the world as we know it will be shaken to its foundations. According to the Bible, a global religious system is coming. It will be a system so powerful, so deceptive, and so demanding that it will erase all the different religions that exist today. There will be only one permitted form of worship, and it will be the worship of a powerful global political leader or Lord, and by extension the one that gives him power. The Bible identifies this global political leader as the Beast.
The World Will Believe and Worship the Beast
Just as Jesus rose from the dead, he will also rise from the dead according to the Bible (Revelation 13:3, Revelation 17:8) and the whole world as you would expect will be amazed. His resurrection will shock the world and serve as the great lie that cements his claim to divine lordship. Many will recognize the Beast as a figure closely tied to the ancient Roman Empire. All those who rejected the Lordship of Jesus and failed to give their allegiance to Him will be deceived and will follow this Beast. They will give in to a strong delusion that sways their allegiance toward the beast and the one who gives him power—Satan.
“The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”” (Revelation 13:3-4 NLT)
“And the people who belong to this world, whose names were not written in the Book of Life before the world was made, will be amazed at the reappearance of this beast who had died.” (Revelation 17:8, NLT)
At that point, all independent religions such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, New Age spirituality, traditional religions, atheism, and even secular humanism will be a thing of the past because the beast will openly declare himself as God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). Every system of belief will collapse into this one final, global religion.
To enforce this new world religion, the Bible says a second figure will rise—the False Prophet. This False Prophet will perform miracles, signs, and wonders that will deceive many (Revelation 13:13-14). He will compel humanity to worship the Beast, claiming that this risen leader is the rightful Lord of all. Those who refuse to bow to the Beast will face brutal consequences:
“And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the Beast, or the number of his name.” (Revelation 13:16-17)
If you do not worship the Beast, you will be cut off from society. You will be unable to work, trade, or survive in the normal economy. Many, mostly the faithful followers of Jesus will face imprisonment or will be martyred. The pressure to conform will be overwhelming.
I wish I could assure you that the followers of Jesus will not be present during these events, as many believe. However, I regret to say that I cannot find that in the Bible. According to Revelation 13:7, the Beast “was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them.” Yet, the followers of Jesus will overcome the Beast by loving not their lives even unto death (Revelation 12:11).
The Beast is on His Way to Destruction
What many people do not realize is that although the Beast will appear powerful and victorious, his destiny is destruction. His resurrection will be nothing like the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ resurrection was a resurrection to eternal life and glory—the guarantee that all who believe in Him will also be raised to life eternal. As Scripture says,
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:20, NKJV)
In contrast, the Beast’s resurrection will be a resurrection to judgment and eternal damnation. He is rising from the dead in order to face his final condemnation. The Bible describes the Beast’s fate and his false prophet clearly:
“The beast you saw was once alive but isn’t now. And yet he will soon come up out of the bottomless pit and go to eternal destruction” (Revelation 17:8b NKJV). “And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast…. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19:20, NLT).
Yet before his final destruction, he will serve God’s purpose in an unexpected way, and that is by helping to separate the wheat from the tares. Those who follow him are the tares, and those who reject him are the wheat (faithful followers of Jesus). Just as Jesus is the firstfruits of those who will rise to eternal life, the Beast is, in a tragic sense, a firstfruit of resurrection to judgment. It points to the terrible end that awaits all who reject Christ.
Jesus warned,
“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:28-29, NKJV)
This explains why all who reject Christ will be deceived and will follow after the Beast. Their rejection of the truth leaves them vulnerable to the ultimate lie. Paul warned about this coming deception:
“And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12, NKJV)
But There is Hope — and Hope is Found in Jesus Christ
Jesus is the true King, the true Lord, the true risen Savior. He conquered death once and for all, not for power or fame, but to rescue sinners and bring them into His eternal kingdom. He alone is worthy of your worship, and He alone can save you when the final deception grips the world.
Right now, while there is still time, you must choose whom you will serve. Will you choose to pledge your allegiance to Jesus now, while you still have the freedom to do so? Failure to do this now will leave you vulnerable to coming deception where you will be left with no choice but to follow the Beast. The Bible warns us, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:15).
