The Book of Revelation answers many questions about the future. However, in answering those prophetic questions, many other questions are generated and need to be addressed. This article deals with three such questions.
Revelation 13 is the key text in looking into this question. If this chapter does teach that the Antichrist (AC) is killed and comes back to life, then there is another question that immediately follows, and that is, “does Satan have the power to do such a miraculous deed?” There are three verses in Revelation 13 that speak of this matter, verses 3, 12 and 14.
“And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast.” (13:3)
“And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.” (13:12)
“And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life”. (13:14)
The normal reading of these verses would point to the AC dying a violent death (“the sword”—13:14). Taken at face value, the words tell us that he did indeed die. Then these verses speak of a return to life, which tells us that AC had died. Some have suggested that AC is badly wounded and medical procedures do a marvelous job of restoring him back to health again. But that idea does not fit the normal understanding of the words used in the text of Revelation 13.
It is important to observe that the scriptural words used about the death, and return to life of AC, are also used of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation. In the heavenly scene in Revelation 5:6 the Lamb is declared to be One that had been slain, and the phrase hos esphagmenen is used. This is the same phrase used of the AC being slain (used in 13:3, hos esphagmenen). Since Jesus really did die then we should conclude that AC did also. The phrase “come to life” (ezesen) is used of Jesus (2:8) and of AC (13:14). This identical word usage gives compelling support for the AC being killed and then returning to life again.
The question then arises whether Satan has the power to do this. There are several important points to keep in mind as we approach answering this follow-up question. First, the Tribulation period is a unique period. Jesus said (Matt. 24:21) that there has not been a time like this in the past, nor shall there be a time like this in the future. This suggests that what may or may not be true today, does not dictate what the events within the Tribulation period will be like. The people and events during the Tribulation period are unique.
Second, the Tribulation will be a time of tremendous supernatural activity, both coming from God and Satan. The words used of Satan’s working (through the AC and the False Prophet) are the same ones used of the miracles of Christ and the Apostles. Signs (semeion), wonders/marvels (teras) and miracles (dunamis) are used of God’s supernatural work (e.g. John 2:11; 2 Cor. 12:12; 1 Cor. 1:22) and of the supernatural worked through Satan’s men (e.g. Rev. 13:13-14; 2 Thess. 2:9; Matt. 24:24). So, supernatural happenings at the hand of AC are of the same kind as those worked by God and His ministers (e.g. the Two Witnesses). These supernatural works from Satan will be unusually great and will impress all who observe them. (Note especially Matt. 24:24, Rev. 13:13 and 2 Thess. 2:9-10). It should be noted that 2 Thessalonians 2:9 speaks of “false wonders”. This has led some to say that the miracles are not real but some sort of trick or magic. But the text is simply communicating the truth that Satan’s miracles lead to false conclusions about the identity of the AC and other matters.
Third, another matter to consider is the ultimate source of miracles. Ultimately, God is the source of all in the realm of the supernatural. God has allowed, and will allow, Satan and his followers to do supernatural things. He has even done this in biblical history. For example, the magicians of Egypt produced life when they threw down their inanimate staffs which then turned into snakes, and they also replicated the plague of frogs by producing frogs just like Moses did. Now, no one can do these things unless it is allowed by God.
The text indicates that Satan will be involved with the AC returning to life in the days of the Tribulation. Technically, we should not speak of this as a resurrection (where the body is changed to live for eternity), but rather a return to life (like Lazarus and others). Ultimately, he can do so because God has given him permission and the ability. Satan and the AC do so because it is part of God’s plan to “send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false” (2 Thess. 2:11). These days are indeed unique.
#2 – Is the “Gog/Magog” found in Revelation 20:8 the same as “Gog/Magog” that is discussed in Ezekiel 38 and 39?
In writing Revelation, the Apostle John used hundreds of verbal phrases and words, along with some Old Testament names. The use of this OT imagery allowed John to communicate concepts without having to go into greater detail. He assumed that his readers would know what these stood for. As an example in Revelation 11, the Apostle spoke of the Two Witnesses as the “lampstands and olive trees” that appeared before the Lord. This reaches back to the night visions of Zechariah 4 and gives a great deal of information about the ministry of those two key individuals. In that same chapter, John spoke of Jerusalem being “Sodom and Egypt”. Instead of spending time talking about the spiritual and moral condition of Jerusalem during the days of the Tribulation, he simply used those two names to powerfully communicate truth about the “Holy City.” And so, “Gog/Magog” is used in a similar way.
In Revelation 20:8, the text describes a major rebellion against Christ after His 1,000-year reign upon the earth. It is a rebellion led by Satan, who was just recently released from his “prison” in the abyss. Satan will go out and will deceive a huge number of unbelieving people and will try and overthrow King Jesus. (This event shows that despite living in the gloriously perfect messianic age, people rebel when they get the chance, demonstrating that man’s sinful rebellion has never been because of his circumstances but because of his evil heart). The rebellion is a futile, last attempt to have his way, but it is quickly and decisively crushed. This rebellion is labeled “Gog/Magog” because it is a term which stands for a rebellion by the enemies of God. It symbolizes an aggressive attempt to thwart the plans and purposes of the Lord God in this world.
There are significant differences between Ezekiel and Revelation. In Ezekiel, the enemies of God are from specifically designated areas north of Israel, notably Russia and Iran (Persia). But “Gog/Magog” in Revelation involves all people coming from the “four corners of the earth.” The time of the battle is different. In Revelation it is after the 1,000-year reign of Christ while the battle in Ezekiel takes place prior to the rule of King Jesus. In Ezekiel, the battle is crucial in preparing Israel spiritually for their role in the Messianic age. Israel comes to faith in the Lord as a result. However, no one comes to faith (that we know of) in the Revelation battle. So, consistent with the Apostle John’s use of the OT, we can see here that he used an OT name to quickly communicate truth about this future event.
#3 – At a study I attended recently, it was said that at the 2nd Coming of Jesus to the earth, the Church will remain in heaven. Is that true?
The one making that statement seems to have overlooked the teaching of Revelation 19. In 19:7, the Church is in heaven and experiences the “marriage of the Lamb.” The Bride of Christ is united with Jesus Christ in a grand ceremony where the Bride is said to be wearing beautiful garments: “fine linen, white and clean.” These are said to represent the “righteous acts of the saints” (the church rewarded). Shortly thereafter the Lord Jesus mounts His white horse and comes to earth as the King of kings. Text says that an army will accompany Him as He returns to the earth. That army which comes with Him is “clothed in fine linen, white and clean” (19:14). The only group so identified is the Bride. Furthermore, let’s not forget that the purpose of marriage is to unite two; so that where one goes, the other goes. And, if it is true (and I believe it is), that the millennial/messianic kingdom is the “marriage supper” to which the blessed are invited (19:9), then the Bride and Bridegroom are there on earth and have never been separated. Where He goes, she goes, suggesting the Church does not remain in heaven at the 2nd Coming but returns with the Lord Jesus.
