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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.
making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people
There are two places in Revelation that talk about fire coming down from heaven, this passage and another near the end. What we have been learning is that Satan's kingdom counterfeits everything in God's kingdom, so it would be no surprise to learn that this fire is a counterfeit of the true fire from God. We need to be aware of the differences between the authentic fire of God and what Scripture calls strange fire which is not of heavenly origin. There are similarities of course, but that is to be expected of a counterfeit. We need to understand this subject of fire and how each side uses it. A powerful experience is realized when one is baptized in the fire of God's passionate Spirit of love. But there is a false version of fiery passion that is devoid of love and truth, and is relied on to deceive people into imagining it provides proof of God's authority.
And after the thousand years, Satan will be released from his prison, and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war; the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. They went up over the breadth of the earth, and surrounded the camp of the saints, and the beloved city. Fire came down out of heaven from God, and devoured them. (Revelation 20:7-9)
Throughout Scripture God's fire is referred to as devouring. But it is vital that we understand why.
Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of Yahweh appeared to all the people. There came forth fire from before Yahweh, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar: and when all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces. Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered strange fire before Yahweh, which he had not commanded them. And fire came forth from before Yahweh, and devoured them, and they died before Yahweh. Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what Yahweh spoke of, saying, 'I will show myself holy to those who come near me, and before all the people I will be glorified.'"
Aaron held his peace. Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, "Draw near, carry your brothers from before the sanctuary out of the camp." So they drew near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp, as Moses had said. (Leviticus 9:23 – 10:5)
This was one of the first passages God brought to my attention years ago as He took me on a two year intense study through the Bible to open my mind to the real truth that would set me free from the suffocating fear I had lived under all my life. When I came to this passage and ignored the chapter break, allowing the passage to remain connected and cohesive, I suddenly saw with new clarity how these two events helped explain the truth about the nature of God's devouring fire and exposed fallacies in traditional views of God that block people from being able to trust and love Him fully.
Notice how the exact same phrasing is used in both instances. But there is one key difference that is noticeable in the Hebrew. In the first instance the fire happened in the face of Yahweh while that word is missing when Nadab and Abihu died. This is not clear in many translations, but I find it highly significant to appreciate the truth about God's disposition in such stories. In essence, because the word for face is absent when the fire of Yahweh consumed them, they were experiencing the passion of His presence without the favor of His countenance on them as was seen in the first instance where fire consumed the sacrifice.
This also highlights something we mentioned in our previous study but did not emphasize enough. In the story of Simon the sorcerer, we noted how he was addicted to amazement while other believers were experiencing great joy. I now see this as a key element in how we are designed to live in relation to God's fire. Amazement can be a counterfeit for joy, but with deadly consequences. Unless true joy is the motivation and comes from a heart overflowing with love and respect for God, we are susceptible to amazement motivating us as a substitute for joy. But this means our heart is not right before God, for only authentic joy can synchronize us with the will of God and connect us safely to His heart from where flow rivers of passionate fiery love. When true joy and respect for God's design for our lives does not define the condition of our heart, we are in danger of fatal consequences when we come into the presence of God's power, as that which is meant to bring only life, happiness and joy is turned into terror, torment and death for us.
This contrast between joy and amazement is the war raging around us and is centered in how we choose to relate in the heart level to the true message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus made it plain that the reason He gave us the words of life was for the purpose of amplifying our joy.
If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. "In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. "This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. (John 15:7-12)
What does this have to do with fire coming down from heaven used as a sign to deceive people? The closer we come to appreciating and embracing the truth about God's heart and the real reason He sent us Son into the world, the more all this makes sense. We must learn to distinguish between the true fire of heaven and the misrepresentations of God's fire that appear so similar.
I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! (Luke 12:49-50)
The fire that Jesus came from heaven to throw on this earth was a revelation of the fire of passionate love God has for each one of us. That is the original Fire, the Source by which everything and everyone exists, a fire of passion that continuously circulates within the Godhead. Yet this very fire Lucifer once walked in was counterfeited by that same being who turned himself into the archenemy of God, the dragon, the ancient serpent bent on deceiving the whole earth about the true nature of God's fire and its purpose. Sadly not only enemies of God but also many of His appointed leaders have misunderstood the nature and true power of agape love and have misrepresented God by employing their gifts received from Him in ways that contradict love.
Elijah came near to all the people, and said, "How long will you waver between the two sides? If Yahweh is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." The people answered him not a word. Then Elijah said to the people, "I, even I only, am left a prophet of Yahweh; but Baal's prophets are four hundred fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under; and I will dress the other bull, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under. You call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of Yahweh; and the God who answers by fire, let him be God." All the people answered, "It is well said." (1 Kings 18:21-24)
It happened at the time of the offering of the evening offering, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Yahweh, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Hear me, Yahweh, hear me, that this people may know that you, Yahweh, are God, and that you have turned their heart back again. Then the fire of Yahweh fell, and consumed the burnt offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, Yahweh, he is God; Yahweh, he is God. and Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal; don't let one of them escape. They took them; and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and killed them there. (1 Kings 18:36-40)
How does this story relate to this fire coming down out of heaven to deceive people? For one thing, reliance on supernatural signs and manifestations of spectacular displays of power is not all that effective to induce genuine, long-lasting faith in God's love. The shock and awe approach certainly grabs attention, and though it has been tried repeatedly throughout history, it has proven to be very weak in winning the kind of respect and admiration and allegiance that is needed to hold together the body of Christ. The problem is that external displays of power are what the enemy relies on to rivet attention and gain control of the world through manipulation of emotions. But when it comes to real heart transformation, such manifestations fall short and only lead to short-term reforms with little long-term tenacity.
Elijah apparently received the gift of fireworks and used it in ways he felt would benefit God's cause and him personally. The story of his impressive confrontation against the rampant idolatry of his day has gone down in history as a favorite Bible story, especially on the part of those who prefer the shock and awe effect version of God to jolt people into repentance. Yet here in Revelation 13 we see that such an approach is used as a way for the enemy to deceive people into believing that God is supportive of the beast and dragon version of justice. This counterfeit copies Elijah's example as well as pouring out a powerful spirit mimicking the Holy Spirit while reinforcing the deception that our hierarchy, commerce and law-enforcement mentality is ordained of God!
Elijah answered to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from the sky, and consume you and your fifty. Fire came down from the sky, and consumed him and his fifty. Again he sent to him another captain of fifty and his fifty. He answered him, man of God, thus has the king said, Come down quickly. Elijah answered them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from the sky, and consume you and your fifty. The fire of God came down from the sky, and consumed him and his fifty. (2 Kings 1:10-12)
Keep in mind that a counterfeit must rely on a genuine original that is true and valid and beneficial. We must receive discernment from the true Spirit of God to know the difference, and that is only found in testing every spirit by measuring it to the standard of the true Son of God and how He related to people. This alone is where we can find truth and safety to know how God views each situation. This takes us back to one of our key standards of interpretation in our current study, the very first words of this book. The revelation of Jesus Christ is simultaneously the revelation of God's disposition as well, and Jesus Christ is God's true witness who alone reveals the full truth about how God overcomes evil.
When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky, and destroy them, just as Elijah did?" But he turned and rebuked them, "You don't know of what kind of spirit you are. For the Son of Man didn't come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." They went to another village. (Luke 9:54-56)
What was the problem with Elijah's use of fire to destroy those sent to arrest him? He used firepower to protect himself against deadly force. He used violence to defend his life in sharp contrast to the Son of God who willingly laid down His life in love for His enemies. Jesus had full access to the same firepower that Elijah used, and He made that very clear when the violent mob came to arrest Him in the Garden of Gethsemane. Yet Jesus came to demonstrate the true Spirit of God's heart which had been misrepresented throughout history by His people. That is why Jesus Christ alone is the only true and full revelation and express image of God that is to be trusted and emulated.
Or do you think that I couldn't ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53)
God, having in the past spoken to the fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, has at the end of these days spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds. His Son is the radiance of his glory, the very image of his substance,... (Hebrews 1:1-3)
There is another compelling story that is often overlooked but is very relevant to this issue of accessing fire from heaven to use on earth. Elijah, I believe, misrepresented the methods of heaven by using fire to defend himself which is not the spirit that Jesus brought to light as we have seen. But the prophet who succeeded Elijah was actually much closer in disposition and similarity to the life of Christ and had the same access to power as did Elijah. What many don't realize is that Elisha faced a similar situation as did Elijah and could have made a similar choice to protect himself from arrest by an exponentially bigger army if he had chosen to do so. But instead Elisha modeled much more closely the disposition of Jesus in the way he utilized the power offered to him, much as did Jesus in the garden.
The background for this fascinating story is that the king of Syria was extremely upset at being thwarted by Elisha's repeated alerts to the king of Israel exposing the secret strategies of Syria to capture him. Upon investigation the king of Syria learned that Elisha was the one telling the king of Israel all his secrets because God was the real informant. Amazingly the king of Syria imagined he could capture Elisha by sending a large army to arrest him when he was the very one informing the king of Israel of similar plans. Somehow this escaped his logic, so we pick up the story here.
Therefore sent he there horses, and chariots, and a great army: and they came by night, and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an army with horses and chariots was round about the city. His servant said to him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
He answered, Don't be afraid; for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Elisha prayed, and said, Yahweh, Please open his eyes, that he may see. Yahweh opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to Yahweh, and said, Please smite this people with blindness. He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. (2 Kings 6:14-18)
Elisha found himself is far greater danger that had Elijah when facing 50 soldiers sent to arrest him. He knew that he had access to the same kind of fire that Elijah had accessed and he could have chosen to call down fire to consume this much larger army just as easily as had Elijah. But Elisha had asked for a double portion of the Spirit of God than Elijah had, and I believe it showed in the way he related to situations such as this. Rather than relying on violence to defend himself, he chose to turn this into a teaching opportunity to help his servant see a better way to relate to one's enemies. He began the lesson by instructing his servant to not be afraid and to keep in mind the much larger perspective. This is an extremely important lesson for us as well.
Elisha asked God to allow his servant to visually see the far greater resources awaiting instructions from Elisha. This certainly brought encouragement to the servant, but what we often miss in this story is the enormous temptation Elisha faced as a result. Whether or not Elisha visibly saw this supernatural army at his disposal or not is unknown. Yet clearly he knew it was there and the servant was enabled by God to see it clearly. But the key point in this story is this: how did Elisha choose to relate to this overwhelming firepower?
Elisha could have easily called upon this heavenly army of angels to incinerate his enemies with their fiery power as his predecessor had chosen to do previously. Yet that would have only perpetuated confusion about God's disposition and methods as Elijah had already done. On the other hand, Elisha might have viewed this as an opportunity to simply escape. After all, Elijah had been whisked up into heaven by a single chariot of fire, while here many chariots of fire awaited instruction from God's man on earth as to what they should do next. Maybe Elisha could have arranged to be raptured up himself along with his servant and anyone else he might have chosen to bring along in order to escape this situation. But that is not what he chose to do, for Elisha displayed a spirit more in line with that of Jesus, so instead of defending himself through violence or choosing escape from imminent danger, he chose to demonstrate the far superior power of love for his enemies and how doing so could result in a far better outcome in the long term.
Elisha said to them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek. He led them to Samaria. It happened, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Yahweh, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. Yahweh opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
The king of Israel said to Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I strike them? shall I strike them? He answered, You shall not strike them: would you strike those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
He prepared great provision for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. The bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. (2 Kings 6:19-23)
Notice how many of these phrases resonate with the words of Jesus.
This is not the way
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. (John 14:6)
Follow me
If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there will my servant also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:26)
I will bring you to the man whom you seek.
These, therefore, came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we want to see Jesus." Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus. (John 12:21-22)
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:1-3)
Open the eyes of these men.
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)
Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment, that those who don't see may see; and that those who see may become blind." Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, "Are we also blind?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, 'We see.' Therefore your sin remains. (John 9:39-41)
Shall I strike them?
When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" (Luke 22:49)
You shall not strike them. Set bread and water before them.
You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. (Matthew 5:43-45)
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink: for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12:20)
He sent them away.
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." (Luke 4:18-19)
Jesus summoned his disciples and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way." ...Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala. (Matthew 15:32,39)
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)
Let's look at some instances of authentic fire coming down from heaven so we may see what this counterfeit is imitating and the far superior purpose that the true fire can produce.
David built there an altar to Yahweh, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on Yahweh; and he answered him from the sky by fire on the altar of burnt offering. (1 Chronicles 21:26)
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of Yahweh filled the house. The priests could not enter into the house of Yahweh, because the glory of Yahweh filled Yahweh's house. All the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of Yahweh was on the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped, and gave thanks to Yahweh, saying, For he is good; for his loving kindness endures for ever. (2 Chronicles 7:1-3)
True adoration, worship and heart response is what God desires, not merely compliance. Jesus came as God's light to our world, and He longed for us to experience His fire in line with its true purpose.
I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! (Luke 12:49-50)
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)
The nature of a counterfeit is that it looks compellingly like the authentic. The master of deception knows how to deceive all those who dwell on the earth as trading, hierarchy and law-enforcement are embraced as being God's will for how things are to be organized and controlled. Spirits of demons can readily put on displays of power to sway emotions so that people feel compelled to think the beast system is the great power of God. Sorcery involves both demonic influence as well as mind-altering substances that numb the conscience and stimulate lower passions. The last deceptions will be overwhelming ones as the dragon and all his accomplices determine to stop at nothing to achieve their objective of a comprehensive world takeover with no exemptions. They often operate under the guise of religion and social justice relying on law and order through enforcement of manipulative laws that compel people to surrender their will and conscience for the sake of the common good to save the planet from imminent demise.
Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming; even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2 Thessalonians 2:8-10)
For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24 NAS95)
What did Jesus have to say in response to disciple's questions about the end of the world?
Jesus answered them, "Be careful that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will lead many astray. (Matthew 24:4-5)
Then they will deliver you up to oppression, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name's sake. (Matthew 24:9)
Then they will deliver you up to oppression, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name's sake. Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray. Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved. This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:9-14)
I have little doubt that these words of Jesus apply particularly to the times we are investigating here in Revelation 13. Deception and intimidation is the main focus of the dragon and all who participate in his campaign to subvert and defeat the Lamb's followers. The name of Jesus will be used by religion to justify pogroms carried out against true Lamb reflectors, insisting they are misrepresenting God as too weak and unjust, that such notions are dangerous for maintaining order. Those who dwell on the earth will be deceived because like the Jews of Christ's day, they want a messiah who will be willing to use force to defeat rampant evil and to enforce laws based on earthly versions of justice. Anything less than this will be viewed as blasphemy and ultimately be worthy of death.
False Christs refers to anyone claiming to have the answers needed to rescue people from the overwhelming problems threatening to disintegrate order and threaten uniformity on this planet. A Christ literally means a champion, a rescuer, one who attracts attention as having the best viability to save the planet and restore peace to a world ravished by violence and corruption. This may especially apply to the first beast symbol who is referred to repeatedly as the hero who recovered from a mortal wound. This resonates with the authentic Christ who also suffered an apparently deadly wound on the cross but recovered through His resurrection in power and glory. Thus the beast from the sea will masquerade as having the ultimate answers to the world's intractable problems so long as everyone is willing to get on board fully with its agenda without any exceptions allowed.
False prophets specialize in achieving unity by means of emotional manipulation of the populace using miracles, signs and wonders all designed to overwhelm the senses and keep the mind distracted so it has no time to think clearly or objectively. Prophets are those claiming to speak on behalf of God's honor and claim authority to protect His reputation. We see a progression in this current chapter of hierarchal authority handed down through each succeeding entity identified here while channeling all worship back up to focus on the dragon. Thus the entire network is designed to accomplish the agenda of the dragon while relying on the name and under the guise of representing God and enforcing His dictates for justice.
These things have I spoken to you, so that you wouldn't be caused to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time comes that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. (John 16:1-2)
Today we see a growing emphasis on law and order and defending God's reputation forcibly. The pressure is in reaction to rampant corruption and abuse of power along with blatant immorality everywhere. Proposals to resolve the moral demise of the world appear like the ultimate solution as people yearn to see order and peace restored through forceful intervention. In reality it will involve an even more subtle tactic of the enemy that is so deceptive only the pure in heart, diligent students of Scripture and followers of the Lamb can discern the telltale nuances of the dragon's spirit.
But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape. But you, brothers, aren't in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness, so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let's watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6)
