Team Dragon

To make war on the church, the dragon works through three other agents (Rv. 12-13, 17)

The beast from the sea (1st beast, 13.1-10): 

• Rules the nations of the earth on behalf of the dragon (13.7-8)
• Image of the Roman Empire: (13.4, 7)
• Weapon/Tool: Violence 

The beast from the land (2nd beast, 13.11-18): 

• Exercises authority on behalf of 1st beast & makes the nations worship the 1st beast (13.12)
• Image of provincial Roman authorities (13.14, 17)
• Weapon/Tool: Propaganda (deception), cultural & economic pressure

Babylon the Great

• Sits on the first beast, seduces the inhabitants of the earth (17.2-3).
• Image of the city of Rome (17.4, 6, 9, 18).
• Weapon/Tool: lure of wealth & possessions - greed (17.4)

Application

• Satan really is making war on the church, and he has many weapons (Rv. 12, 17).
• This calls for patient endurance, faithfulness and wisdom (13,10, 18a).

Discussion Questions: 

• How do we resist underestimating the danger posed by team dragon without losing sight of the victory of Jesus?
• In what ways is the church today tempted to compromise with the prevailing culture? How do you think we should respond?