Here we see the emergence of false religion turning the affections of the people towards the dragon by engendering them to worship the first beast. This is why Jesus said that they would deliver you up to the councils and scourge you in their synagogues (Matthew 10:17). Even now we have reached a time where men will not endure sound doctrine - not in the world, in the churches!

I recently went to Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta to hear visiting minister G. Craige Lewis teach a 2-day message about the evils of Hip Hop. In what could only be described as the church’s opening act to this message, there was a “holy” hip hop artist who performed. The performer invited the people to come down to the “dance floor” (the church altar) and led them through every kind of worldly, lascivious, club-style dance while he rapped. When it came time for Bro. Lewis to speak, he revealed the true spirit that was in operation during that performance. He led a thorough examination of the Scriptures and imparted knowledge about the religious, anti-christ nature of hip hop. Calling for repentance and renewal, he encouraged the people to bring their hip hop paraphernalia to the altar the next day when he would conclude his message and offer prayers of cleansing for those affected.
Unfortunately, that day would not come as the church pastor refused to let Min. Lewis return. Although he could not dispute the Scriptural evidence provided, the pastor stated that the message had caused too much confusion. He told the people to take the cursed items back home and indicated that he was keeping his hip hop wear as well. This is the type of environment God is describing in Revelation. A religious system more conformed to the image of the world than to the image of God; which purports to be a lamb (representing Jesus), but speaks as a dragon. Just as in the days of Nebuchadnezzar, when the music plays the people are expected to fall down in worship of the anti-christ image. Those who do not will be seen as the problem and will be reported by the false religious system just as the Chaldeans accused the Jews in that day. What awaits those who refuse to bow? A fiery furnace. Yet, think it not strange concerning this fiery trial which will try us. Christ is with us through it all.

In a recent Good Morning America interview touching on the best way to raise Christian children, Diane Sawyer and Chris Cuomo pondered, “Talking about dying for God, can this be good for kids? As somebody who has raised Christians, you always think that the message to the kids is about love. Jesus’ message is love. Part of the message of course in Christianity is tolerance.” What were the two anchors questioning? The idea that children should be raised with the understanding that we are in a spiritual war; that they should be taught to pray and intercede about the sin in our country. Are these concepts unbiblical? No, but people are so drunk with the wine of the fornication of this harlot with the world, that a new Christianity having nothing whatsoever to do with Jesus Christ has been defined. In fact, it is based on another Jesus altogether; one who accepts all beliefs and ignores all sin. Haven't you noticed how many of today's professing Christians are not even familiar with what is in Scripture? Further, to many proclaiming Christians, what the Bible says simply does not matter.

“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation 13:13-18

How does this beast deceive the people? By the lying signs and wonders it performs. It caters to a churchworld in search of a circus act, a show, a miracle, a blessing, a megafest, etc. Instead of being prepared in these end times to represent Christ at the expense of themselves, they are still seeking something for “me”. Again, this religious beast causes those who will not submit to this system to be killed. The number of the beast (666) is a reference to the Adamic nature (fallen man). In Scripture, the number 6 often refers to the number of man since he was created on the 6th day. The number of the beast then indicates a man whose entire being (his soul, spirit, and body) is focused on and in love with himself. This is the nature that is going to take over the human race and drive them to worship the beast. These will be a colony of selfish people as illustrated by greed, lust, fatherlessness, pleasure-seeking, pride, and a tendency for fantasy. The perfect description for such individuals: they will be a colony of sodomites.