Sign Wars pt. 2 - Rumor notes 113

 

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Revelation 13

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, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people.

Let's review how signs function in the true work of God for spreading the good news of God's love and light with no darkness at all in Him. Keep in mind that God never sends a spirit of fear, for fear is a fatal virus that will subvert and hijack any victory achieved if allowed to remain.

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7 BBE)

This cannot be over-emphasized. If we harbor a spirit of fear to motivate us or others to obey the truth, we are playing with dangerous fire, a strange fire that will prove fatal in the end. Fear is not of God, for it is opposite the motive of all true obedience – love.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. (1 John 4:18 NAS95)

What does this have to do with signs and wonders? We need to discern what the intended effect is for any display of supernatural signs. Are signs exercised to provide incentive to persuade people's beliefs about the veracity of what is promoted by those utilizing signs and wonders to draw attention? Or are signs the natural outcomes of experiencing the true power of God's love in the heart? True signs will be aligned with the core principles of truth – selfless love and respect for freedom for all.

He said to them, "Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen. (Mark 16:15-20)

The sequence here is significant and parallels the story involving Simon the sorcerer. Let's look at that story and see how it might apply to our own lives. Here is the backdrop of that story.

Saul was consenting to his [Stephen's] death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen, and lamented greatly over him. But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison. Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. (Acts 8:1-5)

This Philip is not the same person and the disciple Philip but was one of the fresh new deacons chosen along with Stephen who had just been murdered for testifying the truth about Jesus. I would imagine that these deacons may have been younger than most of the disciples, and likely they had not spent near as much time if any, being around Jesus personally like the apostles had done. This can help explain some of what happened when Philip arrived in the region of Samaria.

The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. There was great joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one, to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is that great power of God." They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.

But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed. (Acts 8:6-13)

Notice that Philip first presented the good news before any signs are mentioned. Also note that Simon both believed and was baptized just like everyone else. We might want to insist that Simon was a fake and the Scriptures are not accurate when it says he believed. But he believed and was baptized.

Note some key words in this story. Sorcery is another word for magic. Magic involves suspension of reason from cause to effect, bypassing reason by manipulation of our emotions to embrace conclusions outside principles of truth. Magic is about inducing wonder, amazement, electrifying feelings and emotions that blind us to thinking rationally, carefully, thoughtfully and in reference to conscience. This is what spiritualism relies on to deceive people without their realizing that trusting feelings can easily lead to tragic consequences.

This is how demonic spirits effectively enslave and exploit humans. Amazement in reaction to supernatural signs lead us to believe things without checking with God first before making important decisions. Ask Eve about that problem. What we must be alert to is our need of total dependence on God as our only fact-checker for truth in every situation, especially when it comes to the supernatural. Amazement, wonder and intense emotions tempt us to make snap decisions that are almost guaranteed to get us into trouble rather quickly and result in serious regrets. Intense emotions can blind us to what otherwise might be obvious.

I am starting to sense this story may be one of the most important reference passages to bring proper understanding to this passage here in Revelation 13. This story highlights the subtle nature of how sin can infect us without our realizing it. While God does not judge us based on how we lived in darkness previously, He bring us to a knowledge of His heart where His light exposes everything out of harmony with love that needs to be replaced with His truth to restore His image in us.

Simon had long made himself out to be a great person that everyone should listen to and follow. Compare this with much of what we see all around us today in the media. Thousands and even millions are clamoring to attract our attention to listen to them by using any number of enticing means to rivet our attention so they can control our imagination. We are so accustomed to this we hardly give it a thought and we allow endless videos to manipulate our feelings, not realizing there are sinister forces involved intent on exploiting us to subtly gain access to our spirit through our imagination in order to prep us for even more overt control over our lives.

The people in Samaria came to believe that Simon's display of signs and emotional manipulation was the power of God. How can this happen? Because the world has been conditioned to believe God manipulates us like those others who amaze us do. The fact is that signs that are normally impossible or beyond explanation induce a presumption they must be of God. This grabs attention, admiration and lead many to allow miracles to guide their decisions and about whom they will trust.

Notice the difference in the effect of the true gospel when it was brought to people by Philip. It says they believed it and were baptized, but it also says that Simon too believed and joined everyone else by being baptized. Now we have a problem in our reaction to this statement, for immediately we question how it could be true that Simon believed given what we see later in the story when Peter exposed the real motives of Simon. We need to allow the Spirit to show us how easy it is to be seduced by our own emotions rather than rush to minimize the authenticity of Simon's 'conversion' experience. If we judge him we may be found to be condemning ourselves.

Simon's motives may well have been authentic to the limit of his capacity at the time. Every one of us can make decisions to follow God, yet there can be many hidden residual issues buried deep inside us that emerge later to lead us to question our previous choices. Yet this is a natural part of growth as we mature in truth. We should not be so quick to judge either others or ourselves, for the problem may not be a hypocritical profession of faith but whether or not one is willing to be further confronted as truth exposes our heart increasingly in its light. Simon made a right decision to believe in the good news, and just because evil motives were exposed later is no reason to judge him as evil or a sinister hypocrite. Rather his story is a reality check as to how deep the infection of selfishness can be and how blinding sin can be as over time it comes into the open. Our heart and motives need continual cleansing, so let us not judge Simon harshly, for in doing so it may be discovered we are not all that different. We need to be willing to continue to repent as increasingly issues hidden deep inside ourselves are exposed that hold us in bondage.

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power, that whoever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit."

But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn't right before God. Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."

Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me." (Acts 8:14-24)

The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, (Acts 17:30)

What can we learn from this story that might unmask our own blind spots to help us avoid getting stuck in a similar condition as Simon? Notice where Simon's attention was focused. He thrived on sensationalism and amazement. He had spent years in the limelight of having people admire his abilities as he manipulated their feelings and emotions. He was also trapped in the mindset of trading as his way to navigate the system. His popularity depended on attracting attention by inducing amazement to grab public attention, and with attention comes ability to leverage income. Yet when Philip worked signs and wonders, Simon failed to discern the difference between what was behind those miracles and the ones he had long relied on for his means of livelihood. In other words, simply believing the gospel was not enough to expose the motives and methods he had lived by all his life, so he assumed this new power was merely a superior version of what he had been doing all along so he could gain even more attention and enhance his income even more.

 

Simon was most amazed by the outpouring of the Spirit upon at least some of the believers there. Yet what might this have to do with making fire come down out of heaven on the earth to deceive people? Think about it from this perspective and in conjunction with this story about Philip and Simon.

Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. (Acts 2:1-4)

Simon wanted to purchase what he saw in Peter and John. He wanted to be able to manipulate the Holy Spirit. Simon was so entrenched in the mindset of trading that he had no clue what an affront this was to the gospel. While he had been baptized along with everyone else in the name of Jesus and 'believed in Jesus,' yet his heart was terribly out of sync with heaven. Peter saw this clearly and called him out, urging him to seek God for repentance if that was at all possible.

I sense it may not be a coincidence that Peter's original name was also Simon. I believe Peter saw this Simon's problem instantly because he had been there and had had a similar problem himself. Peter knew the extreme danger of Simon's disposition and was thus uniquely qualified to warn Simon more effectively than anyone else.

Peter had long been addicted to amazement along with the other disciples. Peter had been impulsive, given to outbursts of passion and outspoken. Jesus worked with Peter and all the disciples for years, seeking to get them to perceive that the Kingdom of heaven was entirely different than what they imagined. Yet Peter's desire to be in control and be seen as more important than others fueled many arguments amongst the disciples as they all jostled for the highest position in competition to be awarded power and prestige when Jesus would presumably assert His place as King of the world.

Throughout His ministry Jesus had sought to downplay the amazement factor. Jesus came to salvage human hearts, not manipulate people with miracles to amaze. Yet in demonstrating the humility, kindness, gentleness and compassion of the Father's heart, He was at odds with the priorities of those around Him who wanted to use His power for their own agenda. This largely persisted until after His death and resurrection and ascension to heaven, when the remaining disciples finally began to realize what Jesus had come to reveal and what He wanted them to do.

The gospel is about returning humans back to total dependence on God as our sole source to reflect His glory alone. Jesus lived that kind of life as a human so that all could see that anyone can reflect that same glory by keeping their focus on Christ as their example. This was in sharp contrast to the mindset of pride and lust for power that thrives on the spirit of amazement. We have seen already in this chapter how one of the main ways the beast is able to manipulate all those who dwell on the earth is by means of amazement at displays of power and supernatural signs.

Sadly in Simon's response to Peter, it became clear that he was in denial about his danger and determined to cling to his old patterns of thinking and living. Instead of crying out to God as Peter had challenged him to do, Simon wanted Peter and John to use their connection with God to acquire him a dispensation so he could avoid the tragic consequences they had warned him would result if he continued in his unremedied condition.

Deacon Philip (and Peter)	Sorcerer Simon
proclaimed to them the Christ	making himself out to be some great one
multitudes listened with one accord	they all listened, from the least to the greatest
they believed Philip preaching good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ	This man is that great power of God
when they heard and saw the signs which he did	he had amazed them with his sorceries
There was great joy in that city	practice sorcery in the city
There was great joy in that city	Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed
you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money	he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power"
they received the Holy Spirit	your heart isn't right before God
There was great joy in that city preached the Good News to many villages	you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity

I find the response of Peter and John along with God's instructions to Philip highly relevant to this situation. There was nothing more anyone could do for Simon, for he had made it clear what his disposition was and he showed no interest in letting go of the bitterness and iniquity that dominated his thinking. His heart was not right, but he had no interest in having it set right, so he was left alone.

They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans. But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert." (Acts 8:25-26)

Some key points in this story is the need to realize that something was still missing in the lives of new believers. The preaching of Philip had led many to turn over their lives in commitment to Christ and believe the gospel to the extent they perceived it. Yet none of them experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Maybe this became a concern for those back in Jerusalem to the point where they sent Peter and John to mature the experience of these believers. It says that Peter and John prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

My question is this: does this apply just as much to us today? It should make us squirm at least a bit when we read this. If we rationalize this away, maybe we are in the same dilemma as those believers who had witnessed signs and even experienced miraculous healing. Are we willing to admit that the true power of the Spirit is not clearly seen and experienced in our own lives? When it comes there will be a sharp contrast between our old way of thinking and an entirely new perception of reality. Are we living as baptized believers devoid of the fuller power that can only experienced through a very real immersion in the Spirit of the Lamb? What do we think that even means?

In Mark Jesus instructs His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. He did not say to start by working signs and wonders to get people's attention, but to spread God's Good News. Then He declares that signs will accompany those who believe, meaning that signs are not to lead us to believe or become the basis of our faith but are only meant to confirm, affirm and provide evidence that there is liberating power in believing the truth. But that power is not to be the focus of attention but rather the truth inherent in the gospel Jesus brought to us which is the actual truth about God's heart of passionate love for everyone.

The Jews therefore answered him, "What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?" Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews therefore said, "Forty-six years was this temple in building, and will you raise it up in three days?" But he spoke of the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did. (John 2:18-23)

They said therefore to him, "What must we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." They said therefore to him, "What then do you do for a sign, that we may see, and believe you? What work do you do? (John 6:28-30)

Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn't profit them, because it wasn't mixed with faith by those who heard. (Hebrews 4:1-2)

Do we see the difference in how signs function? Our faith is not to be rooted in signs but in using our will to believe the Good News. Signs merely intended to help firm up our faith.

You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you." But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here." (Matthew 12:34-41)

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)

Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, and saying, "Ha! You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself, and come down from the cross!" Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes said, "He saved others. He can't save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him." Those who were crucified with him insulted him. (Mark 15:29-32)

This clearly reveals the nature of the signs humans are addicted to looking for as their basis of belief. Jesus had already told them the only sign they would be given was His death and resurrection, which they would reject just like all the other signs they had witnessed. The kind of signs they lusted for (but would still not have led them to receive the truth Jesus brought to them) were spectacular displays of power over enemies. They were demanding that Jesus use His access to supernatural power to rescue Himself from their sinister power to bring Him pain, torture and humiliation. That was the kind of power they craved and was the only kind of Messiah they wanted. Jesus would not comply with their demands to use God's power for their agendas, so He was rejected as the kind of God they wanted to worship. The Good News brought to them so freely was spurned in favor of the gods of this world who promise power, riches and exaltation as the definitions of success and victory.

Jesus answered them, "Most certainly I tell you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled. Don't work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him." (John 6:26-27)

Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus. (Acts 4:29-30)

By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. (Acts 5:12)

These signs were not intended to attract more followers but were evidence affirming the oneness of heart the believers were experiencing. Keep in mind that this verse immediately follows the story of the sudden deaths of Ananias and Sapphira who were likely baptized and in good standing in the community of believers. The following verse says None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. If their agenda was to increase their numbers, their use of signs and wonders would have been very different. But their focus was not on advancing their popularity but was entirely focused on drawing attention to the goodness of God in the name of Jesus.

It happened in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (Acts 14:1-3)

For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God's Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ; yes, making it my aim to preach the Good News, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build on another's foundation. (Romans 15:18-20)

For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith wouldn't stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:2-5)

how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation--which at the first having been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard; God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:3-4)