Have you experienced ordering something from shoppee and lazada where you were expecting to

receive an original item and yet receiving a fake one?

Illustration: Ordering a mystery box.

Let’s start with Rev. 12:17.

Tells us that at the time of the end Satan is furious against those who have remained faithful to Christ.
From this point in the book of Revelation, there is a change in Satan’s strategy. Because in the first half
of the book of Revelation, Satan has been attacking the church by means of persecution through force
or coercion. But in his final attack against the end time remnant, the word “deception” is used to
describe Satan’s end-time activities in preparing for the final crisis.

As we are studying the Closing of the End times, we must understand that all the books that discusses
the end times have one thing in common. They all contain a series of conflict in which we term it as the
Great Controversy.

In endeavoring to win the allegiance of the world, Satan will launch a great counterfeit of the true God
and His salvific activities in the world.
In Revelation 13, a triune league is formed between the dragon and his two allies—the beast from the
sea (13:1–10) and the beast from the earth (13:11–18).

Throughout the rest of the book, the members of this satanic triad are inseparably associated with
opposing God’s activities in the world and deceiving the people in the world to turn them away from
God in the final crisis (16:13–14; 19:20; 20:10).

The DRAGON The dragon is the leader who delegates duties to the other two members of the triad.
Revelation portrays him as the counterfeit of God the Father and His work:
At the time of the end Satan will seek to take God’s place in the world and be worshiped, just as he did
at the beginning of his rebellion (Isa. 14:1215).

The SEA BEAST

The sea beast is portrayed as the counterpart of Christ, imitating Jesus and His ministry on earth (Rev.
13:1–10):

The above comparisons show that at the time of the end there will be a massive counterfeit of Jesus
Christ and His salvific activities. The counterfeit will be so great that most people in the world will be
deceived (Rev. 13:8).
The EARTH BEAST
The earth beast is portrayed as the counterfeit of the Holy Spirit and His work in the world (Rev. 13:11–
17):

The portrayal of Satan’s second ally shows that the earth beast will be the key player in the final crisis,
imitating the Holy Spirit’s work so it may deceive the world.

Throughout the eschatological part of the book, this satanic trinity counterfeits God’s salvific activities in
the world.

Counterfeit Sealing. While God, at the time of the end, seals His worshippers on their foreheads with
His name (Rev. 14:1), Satan and his allies mark their worshippers on their foreheads or their right hands
with the beast’s name (13:16–17). The mark of the beast is, thus, the antithesis of God’s seal.

Counterfeit Three Angels’ Messages. During those times, God sends to the world’s inhabitants the three
angels’ messages with the everlasting gospel (Rev. 14:6–13). In opposing God, the unholy triumvirate
sends to the world three demonic spirits with a false gospel (16:13–14). These three demonic angels are
the antithesis of the three angels’ messages.
Counterfeit City. God offers to the world’s inhabitants the holy city, New Jerusalem, as His answer and
solution to all human longings and hopes for ideal life (Rev. 21:2–4). Satan with his associates offers to
the world the city of Babylon, based on economical prosperity, power, success, and sensual gratification
(17–18). Babylon in Revelation is, thus, the antithesis of the New Jerusalem.

Illustration:
My addiction to games
(Depression turned to seeking happiness in games, watching comedy clips)

Although I had found happiness in these, but these were all but temporary. The happiness that it gave
me lasted only for a few minutes. What it gave more were problems. Sakit sa ulo, puyat, my wife and I
would fight about it. My time with my family is not well spent. But most importantly, I have ceased to
read the Bible and pray. I even have thoughts that it is better for me to loose my life than seeing my self
down and hurting others. Then one evening, I was at the dining table, 12 mid night, watching clips, then
I came across a thai advertisement which I already watched before. It strucked me. I suddenly broke into
tears and i told myself, what am I doing? God has done everything for me and yet, here I am, doing
nothing and wasting my time. I had fallen into Satan’s trap.

The counterfeit Satan offered me was fake! It was like the prank my wife did to me. Instead of giving me
happiness, it gave me trouble.

What are the counterfeits you had or have in your life that is taking the place of Christ in your heart?
God wants you to surrender it to Him. God loves you so much that He wants to save you.

The VICTORIOUS 144,000

As the result of Satan’s intensive activities in the closing days of earth’s history, the whole world is
deceived to follow and worship the beast (Rev. 13:8-17). However, during those perilous times, God has
a true remnant of those who remain loyal and obedient to Him until the end. These are portrayed as
gathered together on Mount Zion. In contrast to those who have the mark of the beast on their
forehead or their right hand, these people are portrayed as the victorious 144,000, standing with Christ
the Lamb and having Christ’s name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads. They belong to
Christ and remain faithful to Him.

In the last days, there will only be two sides. Choose.

Will you be on God’s side, or the other side?