While few things in life have lasting value and importance, the world is full of counterfeits. Consider these examples from the book of Revelation.

[4] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. [5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. [6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. … [11] And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; [12] Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. … [14] …And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 5)

[1] 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, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. [2] And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. [3] And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. [4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? … [11] And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. [12] And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. [13] And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, [14] 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. [15] 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. (Revelation 13)

Consider these two creatures, the Lamb representing Christ and the dragon the Devil, both worshiped by many. The Lamb stood as it had been slain, slain from the foundation of the world, having brought to pass the resurrection and redemption of mankind. The beast has a wounded head, which “deadly wound” is then healed, to the wonder of many. The beast and the dragon offer themselves as substitutes to Christ. The second beast to arise even had “two horns like a lamb,” and performed “great wonders,” further deceiving many.

Christ is introduced in v5 as a Lion… perhaps some were not expecting a Lamb, were surprised to find a Lamb, were not impressed, and looked elsewhere.

John continues by describing how the followers of each of these creatures are marked. Speaking first of the dragon:

[16] 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: [17] 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. (Revelation 13)

Compare this with the opening verse of Chapter 14:

[1] And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Revelation 14)

Compare these two woman, the one associated with the kingdom of Heaven and the other of the World. One clothed in the glories of the Kingdom of Heaven, compared to the other in purples and scarlets, decked with gold and jewels. The first engaged in that work which only women can perform, the second engaged only in fornication. Contrast the one living in hiding with the sitting upon many peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. One flies with the wings of the eagle, the other rides “a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy.”

[1] And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: [2] And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. … [5] And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. [6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. … [13] And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. [14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. … [17] And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 12)

[1] And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: [2] With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. [3] So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. [4] And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: [5] And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. [6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (Revelation 17)

Paul also speaks of the sun, moon, and stars, relating them to the glories of Heaven in 1 Corinthians 15:40-42. The Lord also uses the metaphor of eagles wings in bringing the Children of Israel out of Egypt in Exodus 19:4, and Isaiah promises all who wait upon the lord wings as eagles in Isaiah 40:31.

The world is full of counterfeits and substitutes which promise to give us what we seek without cost and effort. Be not deceived.