Last Sunday we looked at Revelation 12, 上个周日我们看了启示录12章，today, we’re onto Revelation 13. 今天我们来看启示录13章。And next Sunday we will do the unchecked verses of these two chapters.下个周日，我们会看这两章未考查的经文。 We pray that God would open His words to our hearts and minds, 我们求神开启他的话语在我们的心里，so that we may understand, 这样我们就能明白，why it’s so important for us to be rooted in His truth and love before Jesus’ return.为什么在主来前，我们扎根在他的真理和爱中那么重要。

Let read现在我们来读 Re 13, 启示录13，The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. 那时龙就站在海边的沙上。And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. 我又看见一个兽从海中上来，It had ten horns and seven heads, 有十角七头，with ten crowns on its horns, 在十角上戴着十个冠冕，and on each head a blasphemous name. 七头上有亵渎的名号。2 The beast I saw resembled a leopard, 我所看见的兽，形状像豹，but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion…脚像熊的脚，口像狮子的口。 

1, Who is the first beast which comes out of the sea? 谁是那第一个从海里出来的兽呢？ V.2-4  

John the apostle, the son of Zebedee, had a vision from the Lord Jesus, 使徒约翰, 西庇太的儿子从主耶稣那里看见异象，when he was exiled to the Island of Patmos about A.D 95. 当他被流放到拔摩岛时， and he wrote them down as the book of Revelation. 他把它们记在《启示录》上。In chapt13, 在第13章，John the apostle saw the first beast coming out of the sea.使徒约翰看见第一个兽从海里出来。What does the sea symbolise in the bible? 海在圣经里预表着什么？When Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, 当耶稣行走在加利利海边的时候，he saw his disciples, 他见他的门徒们，and said to them,就对他们说， “follow me,跟从我吧， I will make you fishers of men. 我要使你们得人如得鱼” Jesus redeems his people from the world. 耶稣从世界里救赎他的子民。So the sea is symbolic of the world.所以海是世界的表象。In Revelation 21:1, 启示录21：1，Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, 我又看见一个新天新地，for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, 因为先前的天地已经过去了，and there was no longer any sea. 海也不再有了。 It means in the new heaven and new earth there’s no world any more, 意思是在新天新地没有世界，but only God’s Kingdom rules, 只有神的国掌权，and God will live with His people forever.神将永远与他的百姓同住。So the first beast is out of the world. 所以第一头兽是从世界而来。V1b, it had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. 有十角七头，在十角上戴着十个冠冕，七头上有亵渎的名号。 A blasphemous name means it proclaims itself to be God. 一个亵渎神的名字意味着它宣称自己是上帝。 

We see this in the books of the four gospels, 在四福音中可以看到，when Jesus Christ claimed himself as equal as God who forgave sins, 当耶稣基督声称自己和赦免罪的神同等时，the Jewish teachers were very angry and said, 犹太教师们非常生气说: “This fellow is blaspheming (Matt 9:3)这个人说僭妄的话了. They picked up stones to stone Jesus, 他们拿起石头要打耶稣，and said, 并说到，“"We are not stoning you for any of these (miracles), but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God. John 10:33 我们不是为善事拿石头打你，是为你说僭妄的话；又为你是个人，反将自己当作神 （约翰福音10：33）" So the first beast has blasphemous names on its heads which means it claims itself to be God. 第一个野兽有亵渎的名的，是它自称是自己是神。it had ten horns and seven heads. 有十角七头。

In Daniel 7:2-7,但以理书 7：2-7， he saw a similar vision, 他看到一个相似的异象，“the first beast was like a lion头一个兽像狮子…the second beast was like a bear, 第二个兽如熊，the third was like a leopard,第三个如豹，after that, 之后，in Daniel’s vision, 在但以理的异象中，he saw a fourth beast,他看到第四兽， Daniel 7:7 "After that, 其后，in my vision at night I looked, 我在夜间的意向中观看，and there before me was a fourth beast-terrifying and frightening and very powerful. 见第四兽甚是可怕，极其强壮，大有力量。It had large iron teeth,有大铁牙，it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left.吞吃嚼碎，所剩下的用脚践踏。 It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.这兽与前三兽大不相同，头有十角。 In verse 23-24, 在23-24节中，an angel of God explained to Daniel, 有天使向但以理解释说：“the fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth.第四兽就是世上必有的第四国。 Similarly, 同样的，the beast in Revelation 13 had ten horns and seven heads coming out of the world in the last days is also referring to the fourth kingdom, 启示录13章中的这头兽，有十角七头 在末世从世界里出来的也是指这个第四个国， a kingdom means a nation, a government. 一个王国，就是一个国家，一个政府。This is a nation which claims itself to be like God 一个国宣称自己好像神一样。 

According to the visions and the interpretations of Daniel 2 and Daniel 7, 根据《但以理书》第二章和第七章的异象和解释，bible scholars all agree that the first powerful kingdom which looks like a beast is a symbol of Babylon. 圣经学者们一致认为，第一个看起来像兽的强大王国是巴比伦的象征。The second powerful kingdom is the Medes and Persians who defeated Babylon. 第二个强大的王国是打败巴比伦的玛代人和波斯人。And they also conquered Lydia and Egypt他们还征服了吕底亚和埃及。 (see Daniel 7:1-7) （参见但以理书7：1-7）(look at the picture请看图)  

The three ribs in the bear’s mouth represent these three nations—Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. 熊嘴里的三根肋骨代表三个国家——巴比伦、吕底亚和埃及。Medo-Persia ruled the Middle East from 539 to 331 B.C. 玛代波斯从公元前539年到公元前331年统治中东。The third is Alexander the Great’s empire, Greece. 第三个是亚历山大大帝的帝国，希腊。Bible prophesy is incredibly accurate. 圣经预言完全准确。The Greeks ruled from 331 to 168 B.C. 希腊人从公元前331年统治到公元前168年。The fourth powerful Kingdom is tricky, it’s different from the first three kingdoms. 第四个强国有点奇，与前三个国家都不同。In the beginning, 一开始，it’s clearly seen as the Roman Empire. 它被清楚认为是罗马帝国。But why it had ten horns?但为何有十角呢？ Because around A.D 395, Rome Empire fell and was divided into 10 kingdoms. 因为大约在公元395年，罗马帝国灭亡，被划分为10个王国。 As a result, 因此，we can’t simply say that the Roman Empire is the fourth beast,我们不能简单地说那个罗马帝国就是第四个兽，which is also mentioned as the first beast with ten horns and seven heads in Revelation 13.它也是《启示录》第13章中，第一个有十角七头的兽。

In Daniel 7, 但以理书7章，when it comes to the fourth Kingdom, 当讲到第四个国，verse 7-8,23-25 says,第7-8，23-25节说： 7 “After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. 8 “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully…7其后，我在夜间的异象中观看，见第四兽甚是可怕，极其强壮，大有力量。有大铁牙，吞吃嚼碎，所剩下的用脚践踏。这兽与前三兽大不相同，头有十角。8我正观看这些角，见其中又长起一个小角，先前的角中有三角在这角前，连根被它拔出来。这角有眼，像人的眼，有口说夸大的话。23 “He (an angel) gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. 24 The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. 25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.23那侍立者这样说：“第四兽就是世上必有的第四国，与一切国大不相同，必吞吃全地，并且践踏嚼碎。24至于那十角，就是从这国中必兴起的十王，后来又兴起一王，与先前的不同，他必制伏三王。25他必向至高者说夸大的话，必折磨至高者的圣民，必想改变节期和律法。圣民必交付他手一载、二载、半载。Daniel saw that the fourth Kingdom in his vision, 但以理在异象中所见的第四个国，corresponds with King Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of the fourth kingdom,和尼布甲尼撒王所见的第四个国相符，which had been as strong as iron, 原本坚固如铁，but later on it was broken into partly strong and partly fragile. 后来却被分裂成为一半坚固、一半软弱。But eventually, 但最终，a little horn will rise from them, 一个小角会从他们当中兴起，the bible explains, 圣经解释说，that a horn represents power and authority, 角预表力量和权柄，– a kingdom, a nation or a king. 预表一个王国，一个国家或一个王。But this little horn, 但这个小角，this nation is different, 这个国家是不同的，it has eyes,它有眼，and a mouth that spoke boastfully. 有口说夸大的话。In the bible, 在《圣经》中，eyes are symbolic of wisdom and understanding. 眼睛预表智慧和聪明。When it comes to the birth of Jesus, it says, 当讲到耶稣的降生时，圣经说: “He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes (Isa 11:3a),” “他行审判不凭眼见。(赛11:3a)” Christ Jesus saw things with the Holy Spirit, 基督耶稣藉圣灵看见， and He spoke through the Holy Spirit.也藉圣灵说话的。

So this nation – in the last days the little horn 所以这个国家——末世的小角，will not simply reign with its own power like Babylon, Medo-Persia and Greece did, 不会像巴比伦、玛代波斯和希腊那样单纯地用自己的力量施行统治，but will have something to do with God’s church which has eyes. 而是会与有眼的神的教会相关联。It comes as a political-religious governance, 它以一种政教联合的形式进行统治，which Revelation 17 also mentioned,《启示录》第17章也提到，that a religious system will have control over the worldwide political powers at the end of time. 在末日将有一个宗教体系控制全世界的政治力量。And it will last until verse 9, Jesus’ second coming when He judges and rewards.这将持续到第9节耶稣再来的日子，那时祂将审判和奖赏。(Daniel 7:9) “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow;  the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 【但7:9】我观看，见有宝座设立，上头坐着亘古常在者，他的衣服洁白如雪，头发如纯净的羊毛，宝座乃火焰，其轮乃烈火。Jesus has come! 耶稣已经降临！ We welcome You, 我们欢迎你，come and reign！来到我们当中掌权！ 

Now, we’ll look at some details. 现在我们来看一些细节。The bible clearly says, 圣经清楚地说，the fourth Kingdom is quite different from the others. 这第四个国与其它的国截然不同。v,7 says, 第七节说: it was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. “这兽与前三兽大不相同，头有十角。” Ten horns are meant to be ten nations (Dan 7:24) which divided the Roman Empire. 十角是指罗马帝国所分裂成的十个国家(但7:24)。 History show,从历史证明，that the Western Roman Empire divided into ten separate nations,西罗马帝国分裂为十个独立的国家。1, Alemanni (Germany) 阿勒曼尼(德国) 2, Franks (France) 法兰克(法国)3,Burdundians (Switzerland) 布根地(瑞士) 4, Suevi (Portugal) 苏维(葡萄牙)5, Vandals (exterminated) 汪达尔(已灭绝) 6, Visigoths (Spain) 西哥特(西班牙) 7, Anglo-Saxons (England) 盎格鲁-撒克森(英格兰) 8 Ostrogoths (exterminated) 东哥特(已灭绝) 9, Lombards (Italy) 伦巴第(意大利) 10 Heruli (Exterminated) 黑如莱(已灭绝) 8 “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. 【但7:8】我正观看这些角，见其中又长起一个小角，先前的角中有三角在这角前，连根被它拔出来。It says before the little horn comes这里说，小角来到之前， three of the ten nations will no longer exist. 十国中的三个将不复存在。History has proved, 历史已经证明，that the prophecy of the bible is true and accurate. 圣经中的预言是真实而准确的。These nations were uprooted. 这些国家被连根拔起。And afterwards, 随后，the little horn comes, 小角出现了，and it rises among them. 在他们中间兴起。Who is this “them” referring to? 他们”指的是谁呢?Seven of the ten nations, are all Europeans. 十国中的七国都是欧洲人。Actually, the Western World whether America or Australia or Europe are all Europeans.实际上，西方世界不管是美国是澳洲或是欧洲，都是欧洲人 And the little horn 所以这个小角- a strong and powerful nation rising amongst the Europeans will last until the day Jesus returns. ——一个从欧洲人当中崛起的强大国家将一直延续到耶稣再来的日子。It’ll be governed by a religious-politic structure just like the Roman Catholic Church during the Dark Ages associated with secular government. 这国是政教联合的结构来管理，就像黑暗时代的罗马天主教和世俗政府联合一样。

Daniel also mentioned its king in chapter 8 verse 24,但以理在第8章24节也提到了它的王： he shall cause fearful destruction, and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy the people who are the Saints. 【但8:24】他必行非常的毁灭。事情顺利，任意而行，又必毁灭有能力的和圣民。The strong and destructive leader who are from ‘the little horn’, 这强大而具有破坏性的领袖要从这小角而出，will cause Christians stumble. 他会使基督徒们跌倒。Because the bible tells us因为圣经告诉我们， that he’ll succeed in what he does, 他会凡事顺利、任意而行，and will destroy the Saints 并毁灭圣徒，until Jesus’ second coming and His reign. 直到耶稣再来并掌权的日子。 How dangerous will it be for us who live in the last days ,我们这些活在末世的人，if we don’t focus our eyes on Jesus, 若不将目光定睛耶稣，and put our hope in Him!若不以祂为我们的盼望，将是多么危险! 

2, Who is the second beast coming out of the earth? v.11-14谁是那从地中上来的第二个兽？11-14节 

We see that the second beast is portrayed as a deceiver in several ways. 我们看见第二个兽被描述成从几个方面迷惑人的。Firstly, he deceives God’s people to believe that he is a Christian.首先，他迷惑神的子民相信他是一个基督徒。 V.11b, It had two horns like a lamb, but it speaks like a dragon. 【启13:11下】有两角如同羊羔，说话好像龙。Lamb refers to Christ. 羔羊是指基督。he may call God, “Father”, like the Pharisees did. 他可能像法利赛人一样称神为“父”。He may pray like a Christian, 他可能像基督徒一样祷告， but he speaks like a dragon, 但他说话却好像龙，he speaks boastfully. 说夸大的话。He judges and accuses all the time, 他总是论断人、控告人，and he only exalts his own interests. 只为达成自己的利益。 He is a hypocrite. 他假冒伪善。 Who comes to your mind? 你会想到谁?Trump. 特朗普。Fortunately, 幸运的是， he isn’t that powerful, 他没有那么强大， he is deposed as a king by God. 神已废掉他作王。

In Matt 23, 在马太福音23章中， Jesus spoke about eight woes, 耶稣提到“八祸”，to indicate that the Pharisees who possess a religious spirit are absolute hypocrites and anti-Christ. 来说明那些被宗教的灵辖制的法利赛人是完全的假冒伪善、敌基督。

The religious spirit causes people: 宗教的灵会使人：1, to shut up the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 23:13)  1，把天国的门关了（太23:13）2, to put on a show. (v.14) 装假做在人前。it deceives people to live hypocritically, 这灵迷惑人假冒为善地活着，and do everything for their own satisfaction. 做任何事只为满足自己， “I want… “我要…”3, not to be born again (v.15). 使人不能重生。Because it uses pride, shame, and condemnation to hinder people from repenting of their sins. 因为它用骄傲、羞愧感和定罪感拦阻人认罪悔改。 “God loves you, “神爱你，God blesses you…” 上帝祝福你…”but they never mention repentance.但他们从来不提悔改 4, to be blind guides (v.17) 成为瞎眼领路的（17节）It deceives people to judge by their own standards, 它欺骗人照自己的标准判断，rather than trust God’s judgement, 却不信靠神的审判。 so that they become spiritually blind. 让人成了属灵的瞎子。“I’m right, “我是对的， I haven’t done any wrong” 我没有做错任何事。”Trump tweeted this after his loss. 特朗普竞选失败后发了这条推文。But the bible teaches us,但是圣经教导我们 “who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.” Psa 19:12. 【诗19:12】谁能知道自己的错失呢？愿你赦免我隐而未现的过错。 5, to be legalistic hypocrites (v,23) 成为律法主义的伪君子（23节） “I’ve helped the poor.” “我帮助了穷人。”But inwardly, there’re still arrogance and scorn.但内心却有自大和藐视。 6, to be unclean inside (v.25) 内心不洁净（25节）Jesus is more concerned with cleansing the inward man, 耶稣更关注人内心的洁净，but the religious spirit deceives people to seek a form of godliness, 但宗教的灵迷惑人去寻求敬虔的外表， such as reading the bible, 例如读圣经， or praying regularly, 或经常祷告， but deny Jesus’ power for inner life transformation. 但却不寻求耶稣改变内在生命的大能。 7, not to deal with the sinful heart (v.27) 不去对付内心的罪（27节）it deceives you to judge and accuse others, 它迷惑人去论断和定罪， “they’re wrong…”, “他们是错的…”but fail to see the self-righteousness, 却看不到自己内心的自义、greed, 贪婪、jealousy, 嫉妒、 unforgiveness,不饶恕，or other sins in your own heart that need to be cleansed. 或其它自己心里需要被除掉的罪。 8, to hate others especially hate true prophets (v.29). 恨人尤其恨先知（29节）A typical example of someone who possesses a religious spirit in the OT is Jezebel, 旧约里被宗教的灵控制的典型案例就是耶洗别。she tries to kill the prophet Elijah, 她想尽办法要杀先知以利亚， she controls and deceives God’s people into worshipping idols. 她操纵并迷惑神的子民去拜偶像。In the NT, 新约里，the Pharisees hates Jesus and try to kill him. 法利赛人恨耶稣并想要杀他。So the second beast 所以第二只兽，who had two horns like a lamb 有两只像羊羔的角，but spoke like a dragon但说话像龙， must carry a religious spirit, 它一定有宗教的灵，which is absolutely anti-Christ.这完全是敌基督。

Secondly, he deceives God’s people to worship the first beast – an earthly government and its top leader. 其次，他迷惑神的子民拜第一个兽——一个世俗的政府和它的最高领导人。When you look at the US and Trump, 看看美国和特朗普，you get a glimpse of what this looks like. 你就能看见大概的情况。 A white American brother 有一位美国白人弟兄，who is a professor of law at the University of Houston Law Centre testified, 是休斯敦大学法律中心的法学教授，他见证说，when he first moved to Houston 在他刚搬到休斯敦时，and walked into one of the largest Christian churches in the area.他走进当地一个最大的基督教教堂。He saw everyone was wearing their best red, white, and blue outfits. 看到每个人都穿着红白蓝色的国旗套装。He asked an older woman who also was dressed in her American flag dress, 他问一位也穿着美国国旗服装的老妇人：“who is preaching?” “谁讲道啊?” she replied, 她回答说: “Oh, no one, “哦，没有人。we’re just going to sing patriotic songs today.” 我们只是今天会唱爱国歌曲。”The brother was deeply troubled, 这位弟兄深感忧愁， because he saw people worshipping America 因为他看到人们崇拜的是美国，rather than God. 而不是上帝。The worship of America has caused many Christians to abandon a range of biblical teachings, 对美国的崇拜使许多基督徒抛弃了圣经的教导，and to follow political leaders instead.转而追随政治领袖。 

Even people from all over the world are following political leaders, 甚至世界各地的人也追随政治领袖，just as verse 12 says,如12节所说， It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast. 【启13:12】它在头一个兽面前，施行头一个兽所有的权柄，并且叫地和住在地上的人拜那死伤医好的头一个兽。The first beast is symbolic of an earthly nation, 第一个兽预表一个属地的国家， an earthly government and its national leader. 一个世俗的政府和它的国家领袖。 What is the earth and its inhabitants referring to? “地和住在地上的人”指谁呢？Matthew 5:5, Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 【太5:5】温柔的人有福了，因为他们必承受地土。 Matt 5:13, You are the salt of the earth. 【太5:13】“你们是世上的盐。So, the earth refers to the church and what is of the church. 所以，地是指教会和一切属教会的。 The second beast deceives God’s people (the Church) to get involved in earthly politics, 第二个兽欺骗神的子民(教会)参与世俗政治，and his goal is to make the whole earth including God’s people 目的是使全地包括神的子民，seek protection, security, peace and provision from the first beast – an earthly government, 去追随一个世俗的政府去寻求保护、安全感、和平和供应，so that the nation and its national leader are worshipped as an idol like God.如此，这个国家和它的领袖就成了一个偶像，如神一样被崇拜。

When you look at western countries, 看看西方国家，not only many of their own people seek security, provision and hope from their governments and their strong leaders, 不单是它们自己的国民指望从政府和强势的领袖那里找到安全感、供应和盼望， but also people from all over the world try to seek security from them, 全世界的人都指望从它们那里得保障，that’s why people from all over the world try in every way to emigrate to western countries, 这就是为什么世界各地的人都 想尽办法要移民去西方国家，even if they have to break the law, they still wanna achieve the goal, 为达到这个目标不折手段，including Christians. 当中不乏基督徒。 I’m not saying immigration is wrong, 我不在说移民不对，God uses immigration to fulfil His saving purpose.神用移民来成就拯救万民的旨意。What I’m saying is the beast deceives people to rely on western governments rather than on God. 我说的是，那兽迷惑人去倚靠西方国家的政府，过于信靠神。 We can see this phenomenon occurring in America, in Europe, in Australia and in NZ. 这种现象在美国、欧洲、澳洲、新西兰都能看到。Why? 为什么？“Because we’re good, ”因为我们这儿好，we offer you peace, 我们赐和平， we promise you security, 我们有保障，we give you hope for better life.” 我们给你盼望，让你可以过更好的生活。“Doesn’t that sound like God? 难道不如神一样吗？ It’s a deception! 这是迷惑！Deception fills everywhere in this world! 这世界充满迷惑！ “The whole world is under the control of the evil one.（Matt 5:19b）” 全世界都卧在那恶者手下。 （约一5：19下） 

But we are children of God. 但我们是神的儿女，Our hope is not from this world, 我们的盼望不从世界来， nor our security from any government. 我们的安全保障也不来自政府。 “In his name will be the hope of all the world. Matt 12:21” 外邦人都要仰望他的名。”（太12：21） How to live in this hope? 怎样活在这盼望里？ King David said, 大卫王说， “I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken（Psa 16:8）我将耶和华常摆在我面前，因他在我右边，我便不致摇动。（诗16：8）”. His presence is our security and fortress! 祂的同在是我们的保障，是我们的坚固台！His blood indicates God loves us. 祂的血表明神爱我们。Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No! in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us!（Rom 8：35，37） 35谁能使我们与基督的爱隔绝呢？难道是患难吗？是困苦吗？是逼迫吗？是饥饿吗？是赤身露体吗？是危险吗？是刀剑吗？ 37然而，靠着爱我们的主，在这一切的事上已经得胜有余了。罗8：35，37） We’re gonna put our Hope in the Lord! 我们的盼望在基督里！So that we won’t be deceived.  我们就不至于受迷惑。

Thirdly, 第三，he deceives God’s people by performing signs and wonders in order to lead them to worship the image of the first beast.他行神迹奇事来迷惑人来拜前面一个兽的像， v.13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. 14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast(Rev 13:13-14). 13又行大奇事，甚至在人面前，叫火从天降在地上。 14它因赐给它权柄在兽面前能行奇事，就迷惑住在地上的人，说：“要给那受刀伤还活着的兽作个像。” (启13：13-14） This coming religious leader in the last days在末后要来的宗教领袖， –the second beast, 第二个兽，not only possesses a religious spirit which is anti-Christ, 不单有敌基督的宗教的灵， but also possesses a deceiving (lying) spirit. 还有谎言的灵。True prophets of God prophesy by the Holy Spirit. 真先知靠圣灵说预言，But false Prophets prophesy by a deceiving spirit. 假先知靠谎言的灵说预言。We see this truth in 1 King 22, 我们来看王上22章，where prophet Micaiah prophesied the death of the unfaithful King of Israel Ahab,先知米该雅预言不信的以色列王亚哈之死，“I saw the Lord sitting on his throne with all the multitudes of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. 20 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’ “One suggested this, and another that. 21 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 “‘By what means?’ the Lord asked. “‘I will go out and be a deceiving (lying) spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. “‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.’ 19我看见耶和华坐在宝座上，天上的万军侍立在他左右。 20耶和华说：‘谁去引诱亚哈上基列的拉末去阵亡呢？’这个就这样说，那个就那样说。 21随后有一个神灵出来，站在耶和华面前，说：‘我去引诱他。’ 22耶和华问他说：‘你用何法呢？’他说：‘我去，要在他众先知口中作谎言的灵。’耶和华说：‘这样，你必能引诱他，你去如此行吧！’（王上22：19-22）False prophecies come from a deceiving (lying) spirit, 假先知的预言来自谎言的灵，which make people feel happy but eventually lead people to worship idols. 让人喜欢听，但最终引人拜偶像。 

Look at the US election, 我们来看美国大选，many pastors prophesied Trump’s win in 2020, 很多牧师预言特朗普2020年要赢，yet Trump is defeated. 但特朗普却输了。Because It’s from the lying spirit. 这就是从谎言之灵来的预言。In the US, some pastors have apologized, 在美国有些牧师已经为此致歉了，including a pastor from Bethel church with 11,000 members.其中一位是拥有11000名会员的伯特利教会的牧师。Jesus our Lord says in 主耶稣说，Matt 7: 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ 22当那日必有许多人对我说：‘主啊，主啊，我们不是奉你的名传道，奉你的名赶鬼，奉你的名行许多异能吗？’ 23我就明明地告诉他们说：‘我从来不认识你们，你们这些作恶的人，离开我去吧！’”（太7；22-23） False prophets speak nice words to people but they’re lying, 假先知说好听的话，但却是说谎， “you’re right…nothing is wrong...” “你是对的……你没做错……” “God’s going to bless you with a big business” “神要祝福你得到大生意”…“Young man, I saw a magnificent building and you’re going to be the owner of it…” “年轻人，我看到了你要拥有一栋豪华大楼……”These words have nothing to do with Jesus’ promise. 这些话与耶稣的应许毫无关联。– (John 10:10b)“I’ve come that you may have life and have it to the full.” 10我来了，是要叫羊（或作“人”）得生命，并且得的更丰盛。 （约10：10下） If prophetic messages or signs or wonders are all about some great things that you like, 如果预言或神迹奇事说的都是你喜欢的、你觉得好的东西，but don’t call you to repent and to transformation, 但却没有呼召你悔改和更新，you should be careful. 你就要小心了。 Coz repentance (turning to God) is a foundation for your salvation (see Isa 30:15). 因悔改（回转向神）是救恩的基础。

 False prophets won’t call you to repent. 假先知不会叫人悔改， They deceive you into worshipping idols and what your flesh likes. 他们骗你拜偶像、拜你肉体喜欢的东西。Last Sunday, 上周主日，Sister V’s mum was healed by the power of God from back pain, arm pain and the pain in her body, V姐妹妈妈的背痛、手臂痛、周身痛因神的大能得医治，after being led into a prayer of repentance and forgiveness. 在她做了一个悔改和饶恕的祷告后。Afterwards, 之后，at Tuesday’s prayer meeting, 在周二的祷告会上， sister V testified after that .V姐妹又见证，her mum couldn’t stop reading the bible with a repentant heart, 她妈妈带着悔改的心 专心地读圣经，which she never did before. 这可是从来没有的事。 That’s God’s power! 这就是神的大能！ 

Revelation 13 is warning us, 启示录13章警戒我们，don’t be deceived in the last days. 在末后的日子不要中了迷惑。The sea beast which represents a powerful nation and its strong national leader will come, 从海中上来的兽，代表一个强国和它的强势的领袖要来，who will speak boastfully, 他口中说夸大的话，and will do whatever he wants, 任意而行，and many Saints from the whole world will become his captives spiritually. 全地的许多圣徒在属灵上都将因他而跌倒。The earth beast which represents a hypocritical church leader地里上来的兽，代表假冒为善的教会领袖，who is possessed by evil spirits will associate with the strong government leader, 他身上有邪灵，他将与那强国的领袖勾结，and he will perform great signs and wonders just like God, 他会如神那样行神迹奇事， to deceive God's people to follow the strong national leader, 迷惑神子民去跟从那强国的领袖，rather than to follow Jesus by taking up their crosses and denying the self. 却不背起自己的十字架否定自己而跟从耶稣。 

Look at the US government, 我们看到美国政府，those who have understanding and insight have already seen a glimpse of what it is going to happen. 有神智慧的人已经看到了一点那将要发生的事，But because the time hasn’t yet come, 但时候还未到，Trump is defeated, 特朗普败选了，and he isn’t that coming leader, 他也不是那位要来的领袖，even though he tried to be, 尽管他想成为那位，and even expressed an his illusionary ‘peace plan’ in the Middle East, 甚至也发表了迷惑人的中东的和平计划，which the coming strong national leader will exactly do at the end time (Daniel 9:27), 这是但9：27里，那将要来的强国领袖在末期确实会做的事。but Trump is deposed, 但特朗普被神废掉了做王，because the time has not yet come, 因时候还未到，we just get a little bit foretaste of what will come.我们仅仅预先看到一点点这要来之事。 

In the last days, 在末后的日子，there will be earthquakes, famines, tribulations, and diseases in diverse places. 多处有地震、饥荒、苦难、疾病。Covid-19 this year, 今年发生的新冠疫情，caused the nations to shut their boarders which has never happened before. 导致各国前所未见地封闭边境。 Jesus warns that kingdom will be against kingdom, 耶稣告诫过我们，国要攻打国，nation against nation. 民要攻打民。In other words, 换句话说， one government against another government to gain dominion and power, 为夺取霸权，国家与国家对立，ethnic groups rising up against other ethnic groups. 种族和种族要对立， It’s happening.这事正在发生。 

Brothers and sisters, 弟兄姊妹， we’re in the battle. 我们正处于属灵争战中。But Jesus our Lord promised us, 但主耶稣应许我们， John 12:32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 32你们这小群，不要惧怕，因为你们的父乐意把国赐给你们。 （路12：32） This is what we hope for! 这就是我们的盼望！ The Kingdom of God will be delivered to us, 神的国将赐给我们，and if we overcome, 我们若得胜，we’ll reign with Jesus as God’s sons forever and ever!就要与主耶稣一同作王直到永远！ 

“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” “看哪，　神的帐幕在人间。他要与人同住，他们要作他的子民。　神要亲自与他们同在，作他们的　神。 4　神要擦去他们一切的眼泪；不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭号、疼痛，因为以前的事都过去了。”  6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” (Re 21:3-4,6) 6他又对我说：“都成了！我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛；我是初，我是终。我要将生命泉的水白白赐给那口渴的人喝。（启21：3-4，6）