The False Prophet of Revelation, part 2: Coming up out of the earth!

Study:

"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth;..." Revelation 13:11

What does this remind you of?

Note: in the following verses, the highlighted text is the same Greek word translated "coming up" in Revelation 13:11 (ἀναβαίνω).

"Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side,... And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up [Grk. ἀναβαίνω] and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred." Mark 4:3-8

"It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up [Grk. ἀναβαίνω], and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it." Mark 4:31,32

Thus, "...coming up out of the earth"... Might it describe plant growth?

Returning to Christ's false prophet in Matthew 7 and continuing...

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:15-23

Notice that this entire text covers the false prophets.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. vs. 15
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. vss. 16-20
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. vss. 21-23

Notice the following parallels between verse 15 and verses 21-23:

  1. "false prophets" vs. "prophesied";
  2. "sheep" vs. "saith unto me [Christ], Lord, Lord" and "say to me [Christ] ..., Lord, Lord" and "doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven"; and
  3. "wolves" vs. "work iniquity."

Thus, the true sheep not only say "Lord, Lord" but also do the will of the heavenly Father while the wolves in sheep's clothing say "Lord, Lord" but work iniquity.

So, since this entire text, Matthew 7:15-23, concerns the false prophets... Which of the plant life mentioned in verses 16-20 represents the false prophet? As we seek to understand Revelations 13:11's land beast... Which of these plant life is symbolic? Thorns? Thistles? A corrupt tree?

" And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up [Grk. ἀναβαίνω], and choked them: ...  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful." Matthew 13:7,22

"And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up [Grk. ἀναβαίνω], and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. ...  And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful." Mark 4:7,18,19

"And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection." Luke 8:14

Recall that a beast is a kingdom or nation according to Daniel 7. So, what nation is best described by a thorn that chokes out the word?

What nation is best described by cares, riches, and pleasures?

To be continued...

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