patrick jane forums

Several texts in the Book of Revelation are a prophecy of a coming apostasy in metaphoric language,   Some have interpreted the figures and actions in Revelation 9 as being metaphoric for an apostasy, with two classes of actors of the apostasy, the scorpions and the serpents, with the serpents being the priest class. 

Revelation 12, is another prophecy of an apostasy, especially verses15-17, where a remnant stands to oppose the flood out of the mouth of the  serpent-dragon, with the remnant having  the testimony of Jesus Christ,  The presence of a remnant implies a falling away from sound doctrine, since at a time of apostasy God raises up a remnant faithful to his word to carry on the work of redemption

Then in Revelation 13: 11-18 there is the False Prophet, not necessarily as one man,  who in verse 11 has two horns like a lamb and speaks as a dragon.  James Lloyd and others have interpreted this to refer to the use of the dialectic by Satan.   Lloyd, I believe, got this idea from Dean Gotcher.