The Coming of the Last World Superpower (Part 1)

Yesterday’s Prophecies for Today’s World

Remember: this is a time when we all need to be bold and share the simple gospel of Jesus Christ with people.

Hal Lindsey Presents: The Bible Prophecy Series — The Coming of the Last World Superpower

Turn to Revelation 13:

And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. (Rev. 13:1)

Those of you who have been with me through our Revelation study know that, as in Daniel 2, Scripture predicts successive world superpowers: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome (Phase 1), and Rome (Phase 2). The “ten horns” here parallel the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s image—ten nations arising from the Roman people and culture—forming the final coalition: the last world superpower.

And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. (Rev. 13:2)

The leopard, bear, and lion echo Daniel 7, pointing to that same succession of empires. Here we’re told explicitly that Satan (the dragon) gives this ruler his power, throne, and great authority.

Sometimes “the beast” refers to the kingdom; at other times it clearly refers to the individual ruler (the Antichrist). The terms are used interchangeably because the man fully embodies and controls the empire.

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. They worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” (Rev. 13:3–4)

This passage anticipates a world of Satan-worshipers, though most won’t realize that’s what they’re doing. Satan will empower and animate this man.

There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle—that is, those who dwell in heaven. (Rev. 13:5–6)

Why blaspheme God and those who dwell in heaven? He’ll need to explain the disappearance of believers (the Rapture). He will slander God and the saints.

It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. (Rev. 13:7)

God has allowed only a few true world superpowers since the Flood: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Rome was never conquered; it decayed from within. Its spiritual legacy persisted (mystery Babylon), from which a revived Rome (Phase 2) will emerge. Unlike previous empires, this final system will truly control the whole earth.

Earlier generations couldn’t see how this could be literal; the necessary technology didn’t exist. Today it does. We’re witnessing an irresistible push toward centralized global control, especially in economics. Cash is giving way to digital systems.

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. (Rev. 13:8–10)

During this period, those who come to faith in Christ will often face martyrdom. Only a small percentage will survive as believers through the Tribulation.

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon. (Rev. 13:11)

This second beast arises “out of the land,” a term Revelation often uses for Israel. He speaks like a dragon—Satan empowers him, too.

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. (Rev. 13:12)

He functions like a satanic John the Baptist, pointing the world to worship the Roman Antichrist.

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. (Rev. 13:13)

Satan can perform real miracles when God permits, and God will allow this during the Tribulation.

And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs… telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast… And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image… to be killed. (Rev. 13:14–15)

A lifelike image of the beast will be animated and used to enforce worship—under penalty of death.

And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. (Rev. 13:16–17)

Refusal to worship the beast means you don’t receive the mark—and therefore you cannot buy or sell. This implies a global monetary system capable of controlling each individual’s transactions. That was impossible until recently. Now, with biometrics, chips, satellites, and digital ledgers, it’s child’s play.

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is 666. (Rev. 13:18)

There’s nothing “magical” about 666 itself. The mark will be part of a worldwide authorization system. Every person already has identifiers (e.g., national IDs). Worship of the beast will be the condition for activation—whatever form the “mark” takes (on the right hand or forehead), it will signal you are approved to buy and sell. The architecture for such control is being assembled right now.

When I began teaching this decades ago, the computing power required didn’t exist. Today, consumer-grade systems could handle it. The Holy Spirit gave hints 2,000 years ago; now, near the time of fulfillment, believers can finally see how these pieces fit.

I believe a global economic crisis will accelerate centralization, and fear will make people gladly surrender freedoms for “security.” God is setting up a clear choice: worship the beast (and be forever lost), or refuse—and suffer now, but be saved eternally. Only those indwelt by the Holy Spirit will have the strength to refuse.

Friends, we are close. Hard times are here and more are coming, but do not be afraid if you know Jesus. It just means we are that much closer to seeing Him.

Join us next week for Hal Lindsey’s Bible Prophecy Series: The Coming of the Last World Superpower.

When you truly grasp that Jesus saves you when you simply admit your sins and receive His gift of forgiveness, you can rest secure in Him—even as these events approach.