Strange Fire and the Second Beast
Nathan Leal - July 2, 2008

Audio Message about this topic - Listen
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The second beast of Revelation, what is it? Who is it? Raise your hands if you know.

Yes, I see that hand in the back. You are saying that the second beast is the false prophet. Very good!

The second beast and the false prophet are the same character. But agreeing is not good enough. We need the scriptures to confirm this.

The scriptures reveal the second beast arriving in Revelation 13:11,12

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.

And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast..

So the first beast and the second beast are buddies, so to speak. We also see them mentioned together later in Revelation when Jesus returns to earth.

“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”   Revelation 19:20

By the way, the above verse proves that these two are not human. Why? Because Jesus bypassed the Great White Throne judgment and threw these two into the Lake of Fire. If they were human, they would have had the chance to stand before God and give an account of their lives and to see if their names were written in the Book of Life.  Interesting huh? ( See Revelation 20:11 )

We Must Be Wise

If we are to be “wise” in the scriptures we must understand these things.

..."and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Daniel 12:10

In some of my other writings and audio messages I have stated that the two beasts are not human beings. If you want more information on that, please listen to audio - 110.

The false prophet beast is not a man. I am aware that the “Left Behind” books and popular teachings have convinced some of you that the false prophet is a man, but he is not.

The First Beast

The identity of the first beast is revealed to be an end time empire.

“The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.”   Revelation 17:12

This empire will consist of ten regional areas of the world. These regional areas of the world will be modeled after the European Union. This is a staple plan of the United Nations which also calls this plan the New World Order.

Today, we see this coming to pass. Most areas of the world are, at this moment, forming economic blocks including the U.S.A.

The eventual goal of these economic blocks will be ten economic unions or regions in the world. This is prophesied in the description of the first beast which has ten horns.

"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns,.." (Rev 13:1)

The economic block for the U.S.A. will be called the North American Union. ( I promise to show all the documentation for this in a future lesson.)

Now, I don’t want to spend too much on the first beast but I had to share this information because it is foundational to the rest of the lesson. I will be covering the first beast in the future.

The Second Beast - The False Prophet

Anyway, the second beast. Based on the context of the two above scriptures, the second beast and the false prophet are the same character.

The purpose of this Bible Study Lesson is to try to understand and talk about some attributes of the second beast.

Now let’s look at the introductory description again:

“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” Revelation 13:11

Two horns of a lamb!  This is a symbolic description of Christianity, Christ, and The church, Therefore, in this passage of scripture, we are being told that the second beast is a form of an end time corporate Christian “looking” church.

But what else does the passage say?  “…and spoke like a dragon.”

This end time false church will be under the control of Satan himself!

Fire, Fire, Fire !

What else will it do? Well according to the next verse in Revelation 13:13,14

"He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.

And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast…"

He makes fire come down!

What kind of fire? Well, the Greek word used in this verse for fire is “pur”.  This is the same word used to describe “fire”  throughout the New Testament.

In traditional end time teaching, this passage has been interpreted to mean that “a man” (the false prophet) will do a carnival act for the antichrist. Perhaps an act like pointing to the sky and have a literal fire bolt come out of clouds and strike the ground! 

And because of the fictional influence of man, this is what many are expecting.

But what if this theory is wrong?

So as wise remnant believers, I would like to submit a different point of view.

Does this passage have to mean a visible literal fire?

Well, let’s look at the other places in the New Testament that the Greek word “pur” is used for fire.

"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."  Matthew 3:10

(This means a physical fire in parable form which represents Hell fire!)

"...and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." Matthew 5:22
(This use obviously means Hell fire!)

“And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:50
( Again, this means Hell fire!)

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members…”
James 3:6
(Here, the word is obviously symbolic to illustrate intensity but you cannot physically see this fire.)

“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”  Acts 2:3
(Here, the word “fire” illustrates a fire which symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Also, note the word “appeared” means that their eyes were made to see, or allowed to see. Which means that they were seeing a spiritual manifestation, not physical.)

These are just a few of the many times that “fire” is used in the New Testament. So the word can mean different kinds of fire, visible or invisible.

Now why am I bringing this up, to establish that the verse in Revelation does not have to mean a physical fire!

“He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." Revelation 13:13 (By the way interesting reference number huh?)

It may very well be possible, that God was giving us a little hint in this passage. He may be telling us that the false end time church will have an “INFATUATION” with fire in their services!

Lakeland, Florida

So now that I said all of that, here is why I bring this up.

I am having great concern over the false teachings that I see happening in Lakeland, Florida. But the concern is not stopping there. Todd Bentley has recently received the endorsement of most of the world’s charismatic leaders.

They are on record saying that they would like to see the same "Lakeland" type manifestations happening throughout the world.

Brethren, this is a HUGE concern because in their services, there is an INFATUATION with the manifestation of a FIRE anointing on the people.

I have watched videos of people who after receiving this impartation begin screaming “FIRE”. I have watched them run around frantically screaming that their skin is actually “burning.”

This phenomenon is NOT of God. God does not burn your skin and make you scream in pain to make you feel that you are burning.

Strange Fire

“And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD…” Numbers 3:4

I also find it interesting that Todd Bentley himself has “flames” on the homepage of his website. His ministry is called “Freshfire Ministries.”

Let’s read the passage about the false church beast again, folks;

“He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.”

Todd Bentley makes fire come down in the presence of all of the people. In fact, I have watched him in action. And he loves to point to people or touch them and scream “fire”.

What is more disturbing is that others who have received his impartation are going back to their churches and spreading this deceptive poison to their congregations.

At the rate that this is going, how long until the churches throughout the world are taking part in this mess and giving this “strange fire” to the masses?

Signs and Wonders

It is obvious that we are witnessing a GREAT DELUSION in these Lakeland services. It is a great deception.

So many of God’s blind people are justifying this mess with the excuse,”but there are signs and wonders taking place.”

But what does the Bible Say?

And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do…”

Folks, is it possible that we are witnessing the beginnings of the second beast, or at least foundation of this false church beast?

Now more than ever brethren, we must put on our armor to resist this thing. We also must do all that we can to warn the people of God.

But I must warn you. If you try to tell some of your family or friends about the dangers of this movement, you may very well get attacked by the ones whom you are trying to help.

God bless you,

Nathan - A Watchman

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Below is a video of a STRANGE FIRE impartation service at a church.

Brethren we need to know what the PASTORS are allowing in their services. I debated whether or not I should show this to you. But we must be aware at what is going on.The video below is like stepping into a mental ward of a state hospital !

WARNING !!!

Be WARNED do not watch this if your armor is not on!

I mean it, if you are not full of God do not watch this.

Heavenly Father, guard and protect everyone that sees this video in the NAME OF JESUS!

“He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.”