Sign Wars pt. 1 - Rumor notes 112

 

Revelation 13

12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people. 14 He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived.

He performs great signs

He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived. (Revelation 13:14)

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, three unclean spirits, something like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs; which go forth to the kings of the whole inhabited earth, to gather them together for the war of that great day of God, the Almighty. (Revelation 16:13-14)

The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (Revelation 19:20)

What is it about signs that makes them such a compelling attraction for humans? There is something about supernatural occurrences that sucks us in like a magnet. There are a growing number of television shows that exploit this penchant to gain popularity, and the allure of seeking after signs intensifies even as faith disappears from the earth.

The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. But he answered them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' In the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can't discern the signs of the times! An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah." He left them, and departed. (Matthew 16:1-4)

Then if any man tells you, 'Behold, here is the Christ,' or, 'There,' don't believe it. For there will arise false christs, and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. Behold, I have told you beforehand. (Matthew 24:23-25)

...when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8)

This is no coincidence, for faith and signs may actually be inverted proportionally. And while signs can be found on both sides in this war, we need to understand the important difference in how they are used or we will be sitting targets susceptible to the crafty spirits of demons who know far better than anyone else how to utilize signs to blind people into going the wrong direction when it comes to faith. In fact, this verse alerts us to this very issue, so we need to unpack this if we want to avoid being manipulated and deceived by signs that for most people provides irrefutable proof that God is behind them so we should not question them but embrace them as evidence that power is proof that the ones performing them are of God. It is insisted that to resist evidence provided by such signs involves putting ourselves at risk of losing our soul. Yet in reality the very opposite is true.

Supernatural signs have a way of bypassing conscience and even logic, reason and previous revelations of truth received from Scripture. We know that fear is the main emotion the enemy uses to manipulate and control people, but there are two aspects in the system designed by Satan and represented in the name of the Tree he used to seduce us into his rebellion against heaven. Fear can correlate to the evil part of that Tree, but signs and wonders resonate much more with the good part of that Tree. The problem is that whether we participate in the evil or try to stay on the good side exclusively, or even if we attempt to amass enough knowledge to figure it all out, the entire matrix results in leading us toward death. The entire system is rooted in counterfeit principles of those designed to bring life, so in order to discern between what is authentic and original versus what appears true but is really a dangerous counterfeit, we have to have more than human knowledge of facts and figures or proof texts – we must have a tight connection to heaven through the Spirit of truth guiding our conscience and aligned to the Word of God or it will be impossible to avoid being deceived. And one of the quickest ways to be deceived is through signs and wonders, for they can appear to confirm assertions of truth and seem to validate that those performing the signs have God's approval because such signs are impossible to refute or explain away naturally.

It is crucial that we come to know and apply the principles of truth rather than allow the intense power of emotional reactions to supernatural signs to blind our minds and infect our hearts by subtle deceptions beyond our capacity to explain. The superior intelligence and capacities of supernatural forces of darkness are intent to keep us blind to the truth of pure love and a saving knowledge of God. We cannot depend on our own wisdom or feelings, for we are in a world infected by the logic and reasoning of so-called science that distorts the image of God in creation. Religion also redefines the truth about morality and God's disposition, and spiritualism exploits our penchant for trusting our feelings to discern between what is true and what is deception. Whether trusting in logical arguments or surrendering to overwhelming feelings and emotions, the enemy is a master deceiver and will stop at nothing to gain control over our thinking, our spirit and our will.

We are no match for supernatural forces on either side of this war, which is why it is so important for us to listen to warnings such as this given by heaven to alert us to the dangers of believing and trusting sources whose agenda is not in line with the Spirit and disposition of the hero of Revelation, the violently slaughtered Lamb who alone is victorious over evil without resorting to any of the dragon's methods.

The signs that are witnessed on God's side of this war differ from how the enemy uses signs to deceive. We need to appreciate this difference so we may be better equipped to discern in our spirit which supernatural spirits are involved in miracles and why signs can be so dangerous yet effective.

There are nuances to the meaning of the word signs. One of the two principles we are relying on to interpret everything we study in this prophetic book is that we begin with the presumption that everything is first and foremost to be viewed as signs or symbols before even considering whether it might involve literal applications. This has proven to be effective in allowing our minds to discover many insights that were impossible without assuming this position. And clearly the book of Revelation is an fantastical collection of signs and wonders, so it is critical we allow Scripture to be its primary interpreter along with the other principle we rely on to filter every potential explanation, which is that it must fully align with the revelation of Jesus Christ as the only version of God that can be trusted. That truth is vital for interpreting every sign from any source, for unless it perfectly synchronizes with the true gospel of Jesus Christ, it is certain to contain a deadly virus that in the end will prove fatal even while appearing at first to be life-giving.

A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Revelation 12:1)

Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns. (Revelation 12:3)

Then God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. (Genesis 1:14-15 NAS95)

While this describes that God created the physical light-emitting bodies throughout the universe that can be seen from our planet, stars also represent angels God created to dispense the light of His own glory throughout the universe to all created beings. Soon after the initial launch of Lucifer's rebellion against the government of God, one third of the angels of heaven chose to side with Lucifer in his grand experiment promising greater freedom and independence and a more reliable form of government based on improved principles in place of selfless love that God relies on to govern. Keep in mind that all this transpired in heaven and involved angels. Heaven or the cosmos, may well represent what is beyond our control or capacity to understand from our limited perspective.

With this in mind, God's statement regarding the purpose for the lights in the heavens correlates with what we find just before these signs seen in heaven – the great red dragon. This dragon is a symbol of Satan, previously known as Lucifer the light bearer. God's statement that His intent for the lights in the heavens to serve as signs and give light to the earth resonates with the history that the brightest angel to dispense the light of God's love to the entire universe, devolved into the most light-defying being inducing the most darkness deception. In this sense, this dragon angel is indeed a sign in heaven, but just the opposite from sharing the light he was originally designed to reflect. This formidable opponent of light, love and truth became the leader of all forces of darkness that are united to capture complete control of our planet even as we study this. Their power is enormous and their capacity to deceive far beyond anything we can comprehend. Our only hope is to synchronize with the heart of the Lamb by the Spirit He offers to give us co-perception with God.

"When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, 'Perform a miracle!' then you shall tell Aaron, 'Take your rod, and cast it down before Pharaoh, that it become a serpent.'" Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, as Yahweh had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers. They also, the magicians of Egypt, did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. (Exodus 7:9-12)

Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Take your rod, and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, over their streams, and over their pools, and over all their ponds of water, that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.'" Moses and Aaron did so, as Yahweh commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and struck the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. The fish that were in the river died; and the river became foul, and the Egyptians couldn't drink water from the river; and the blood was throughout all the land of Egypt. The magicians of Egypt did in like manner with their enchantments; and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he didn't listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken. (Exodus 7:19-22)

Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron, 'Stretch forth your hand with your rod over the rivers, over the streams, and over the pools, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.'" Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. The magicians did in like manner with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt. (Exodus 8:5-7)

They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were lice on man, and on animal; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. The magicians tried with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they couldn't. There were lice on man, and on animal. Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God:" and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he didn't listen to them; as Yahweh had spoken. (Exodus 8:17-19)

If there arise in the midst of you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and he give you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them; you shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams: for Yahweh your God proves you, to know whether you love Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 13:1-3)

In those days was Hezekiah sick to death. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, Thus says Yahweh, Set your house in order: for you shall die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to Yahweh, saying, Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight. Hezekiah wept sore.

It happened, before Isaiah was gone out into the middle part of the city, that the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, Thus says Yahweh, the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears: behold, I will heal you; on the third day you shall go up to the house of Yahweh. I will add to your days fifteen years; and I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David's sake. Isaiah said, Take a cake of figs. They took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

Hezekiah said to Isaiah, What shall be the sign that Yahweh will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of Yahweh the third day? Isaiah said, This shall be the sign to you from Yahweh, that Yahweh will do the thing that he has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten steps, or go back ten steps? Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to decline ten steps: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten steps. Isaiah the prophet cried to Yahweh; and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the dial of Ahaz. (2 Kings 20:1-11)

In those days Hezekiah was sick even to death: and he prayed to Yahweh; and he spoke to him, and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah didn't render again according to the benefit done to him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath on him, and on Judah and Jerusalem. Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Yahweh didn't come on them in the days of Hezekiah. Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he provided him treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of goodly vessels; (2 Chronicles 32:24-27)

Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation, and language, which speak anything evil against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill; because there is no other god who is able to deliver after this sort. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me. How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation. (Daniel 3:28 – 4:3)

Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even to the end. He delivers and rescues, and he works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. (Daniel 6:25-27)

It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. (Acts 2:17-20)

Signs and wonders evoke intense emotional reactions. But when we give credibility to aroused intense feelings that override a love of the truth, it is a crisis of faith. This war is over whether we will give our highest priority to God's word, or give greater credibility to our own emotions.

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; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, (2 Thessalonians 2:8-11 NAS95)

Here is one last example of how Jesus related to human compulsion for signs and wonders.

But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean. When he found out that he was in Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard many things about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him. He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers. The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other. (Luke 23:6-12)

Herod wanted a sign from Jesus, a supernatural proof to titillate his senses. Herod was into sensationalism and knew how to manipulate people's feelings. However, Herod had destroyed his capacity for repentance through a sordid life of crime, immorality and debasement. There was nothing left that could be awakened by Jesus to restore him to live in humble faith. What was different here from when these same religious leaders demanded a sign from Him, was His complete refusal to respond. He spurned every enticement to gratify the morbid senses of this wicked ruler to possibly lessen the abuse He was receiving, while the religious leaders joined themselves with Herod to heap even more shame and abuse on Jesus as they sought to manipulate Him with their demands to order something exciting in order to save Himself from suffering humiliation from them.

I recently was forwarded an email from a distant friend that expresses this quite succinctly. Here is an excerpt from that email that I find very relevant to give more perspective to what we are learning now.

One of the most powerful testimonies Jesus ever gave was his silence to Herod. In fact, Herod was the only person in the Gospels to whom Jesus did not respond when addressed.

It is clear from the text that Herod was delighted at the opportunity to meet Jesus. He was hoping to see some spectacular supernatural feat.

In my long career in matters of legal advocacy, government relations, and religious liberty, I have not known nor heard of many Christian leaders who wouldn’t jump at the chance to witness to a powerful governmental official or celebrity who desired to see Jesus (v 8). Yet, Jesus, put in that very position “gave him (Herod) no answer.”

There he stood, badgered by Herod’s questions while simultaneously being hectored by the chief priests and scribes. Despite the provocation, in the words of the old Spiritual, “He never said a mumblin’ word.”

The vehement criticism of the chief priests and the scribes gave religious cover to Herod to show his own contempt of Jesus, to join his soldiers in mockery, shaming the quiet Jesus. It is a terrible thing when a political leader engages in such low and personal conduct, and associates with religious types that encourage it.

Jesus’ refusal to respond to Herod’s questions and harassment seems counter-intuitive, but it revealed the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of his would-be judge. All Herod could muster against Jesus were smack-talking insults.

Leaders should stand for principle, reasoned positions, and fair process. They diminish themselves when they indulge in ad hominem, invective-laden attacks.

By contrast, Jesus distinguished himself by his silence in the face of scorn. To engage with Herod, would be to credit Herod with an importance and an authority he didn’t deserve. Herod had murdered Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist for speaking the truth, making it clear that he wasn’t interested in the truth.

In the day of “send” buttons and social media posts and replies, Jesus’ silent treatment of Herod is still wisdom. I have too often had to repent for things I have said, but rarely for what I didn’t say. May “God be in my head and in my understanding.” Amen.

(Excerpt from post by attorney Kent Hansen)