The Beast Described
STOP! lf you haven't read chapter 2, "The Beast Identified," don't read this chapter yet.
Let's take a close look at this thing to make sure there's no mistake.
"And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." Revelation 13:2.
Emperor Justinian "gave" Rome to the Pope when he decreed that the Pope should be over all the Christian churches of the earth, and established the Papacy in 538 A.D., when the Emperor's general Belisarius drove the Ostrogoths from Rome.
Rome gave him his "seat." Bible prophecy predicted it hundreds of years before it happened!
From 538 A.D. the Papacy ruled for exactly 1260 years, until 1798 when something incredible happened. The Pope was taken prisoner! Napoleon's general, Berthier, captured the Pope and took him to France!
A deadly wound. The Papacy had reigned exactly 1260 years. Could it have just been coincidence? Why did Berthier do it?
Napoleon wanted to rule the world. The Papacy stood in his way. I wonder if they knew that they were fulfilling prophecy in spite of themselves!
"... and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered after the beast." Revelation 13:3.
"In 1929, the Italian government recognized Vatican City as an independent state. Once again, the Pope was king. On March 9, 1929, he said, 'The peoples of the entire world are with us.' The San Francisco Chronicle published an account of the pact-signing on the front page of its newspaper. It actually read like this, 'Mussolini and Gaspari Sign Historic Pact . . . Heal Wound of Many Years.' That is fantastic! The Bible prophesied that its wound would be healed and the newspaper confirmed it in the exact same words." (1)
Though this great organization was not officially established till 538 A.D., the Apostle Paul saw forces at work that were preparing the way. What was going on back there that he could have seen? Here's what happened.
After Jesus went back to heaven, the early church grew rapidly under the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had predicted the treatment that His people were to receive.
"They shall deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you; and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake." Matthew 24:9.
That was literally fulfilled. Look at this amazing account.
"Their execution was made into a game," wrote Tacitus, describing the persecutions under Nero. "They were covered with the skins of wild animals and torn to pieces by dogs. They were hung on crosses. They were burned, wrapped in flammable material and set on fire, to illuminate the night.
"To escape death, they had but to repudiate Christ and sacrifice to the emperor." (2) Some did, but many more were tortured to death rather than deny their Lord.
"Paganism foresaw that should the gospel triumph, her temples and altars would be swept away; therefore she summoned her forces to destroy Christianity. Christians were stripped of their possessions and driven from their homes. Great numbers sealed their testimony with their blood. Noble and slave, rich and poor, learned and ignorant, were alike slain without mercy.
"Beneath the hills outside the city of Rome, long galleries had been tunneled through earth and rock; the dark and intricate network of passages extended for miles beyond the city walls. In these underground retreats the followers of Christ buried their dead; and here also, when suspected, they found a home. Many were 'tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection' Hebrews 11:35. They rejoiced that they were accounted worthy to suffer for the truth, and songs of triumph ascended from the midst of the crackling flames." (3)
Satan couldn't wipe them out. For years emperors Nero and Diocletian slaughtered them by the thousands.
"You may kill us, torture us, condemn us," said one Christian to his persecutors, "your injustice is the proof that we are innocent." Tertullian, Apology, para. 50.
Until 313 A.D. it was against the law to be a Christian. Such a person was an automatic criminal. But the followers of Jesus spread everywhere.
Satan could see that he had to change his tactics. He would come up with a better scheme. What could the devil think of to do better than killing them?
Make things easy - and infiltrate! Like a wise general he would corrupt the church from the inside.
Watch what happens.
A great shout goes up in the empire. Emperor Constantine has become a Christian! The Christians are euphoric.
No more being torn apart by dogs and lions, or used as dupes to be cut down in cold blood, or human torches to light up the arena for the gladiators. Now Christianity is the state religion! Things are going great. Or so it seems.
But little by little, as everyone relaxes and quits worrying about being tortured to death, something happens.
Compromise!
Gradually the leaders, for the sake of popularity and gain, let down the standards to make it easier for the pagans to come into the church. But this brings in errors and pagan customs.
Not at all surprised by Satan's scheme to corrupt His church - from within, God gives us fair warning. Listen to Paul's shocking words.
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (of the Lord) shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work:" II Thessalonians 2:1- 4,7. Oh yes. He saw it coming! The mysterious work of corruption rapidly progressed after the death of the last Apostle.
Question: What happened?
After persecution ceased, Satan's great device was to control the leaders of the church. If he could inflate their ego; make them money hungry, the whole body would be affected. A popularity contest would be on to get as many heathen to accept Christianity as possible. The wealth and prestige of the church would grow. Who cares if you have to change the Bible somewhat to get them! Just introduce some of the heathen customs and rites into Christianity, give them Christian names, and the heathen will flock in.
Of all horrors - that's just what happened!
The Apostles had gone throughout the empire establishing churches in many cities. As time went by, smaller churches were built in the surrounding country sides. The large centers were in Jerusalem, Rome, and Alexandria, Egypt. Rome finally emerged on top.
The next step in the plot was for church leaders to get control of the state to help enforce their decrees. They achieved this beyond their wildest dreams. The epitome of this came when in 538 A.D. the entire city of Rome was handed over to the Pope - the Bishop of Rome. For the next 1260 years, church leaders reigned with full civil authority. All just as predicted in prophecy!
Incredible!
But look at this shocker.
It says that the beast has "the name of blasphemy." Revelation 13:1. "It became one of the leading doctrines of the church that its visible head is invested with supreme authority over bishops and pastors in all parts of the world. More than this, he took the very name of God! He was addressed as "Lord God the Pope" and declared to be "infallible." (For documentation see Appendix 3). He demands the worship of all men.
What about 666? Let's take a shocking look.
On the Pope's official mitre is the title "Vicarius Filii Dei" which means "Vicar of the Son of God." The claim that this is his official title has been stated publicly through the years. The April 18, 1915 issue of Our Sunday Visitor, states: "The letters inscribed in the Pope's mitre are these: "VICARIUS FILII DEI," which is Latin for Vicar of the Son of God."
In Revelation 13:18 it says, "Count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (666)."
Let's do it now and see what we find. Remember the Roman numerals you learned in school?
V = 5
I = l
C = 100
A = 0
R = 0
I = l
U = 5
S = O
"U" and "V" have the same value. Look in your encyclopedia under "Alphabet."
F = 0
I = 1
L = 50
I = 1
I = 1
D = 500
E = 0
I = 1
----------- Total = 666!
In Greek, Hebrew, and Latin, it comes out the same.
I want to be quick to say that when a person shares this shocking revelation, he must be kind and tactful. We must let people know that God loves all. The truth must be told - but always in kindness.
The 1260 years of the Papacy's rule are called the "dark ages." I'm sure you've heard that expression before. The reason it was so dark is because the priests forbade anyone to read or even have a Bible! For hundreds of years only the priests were allowed to read Bibles. Satan had to get the Bibles away from the people in order to keep them in darkness and superstition. The people just didn't know any better. There was a time when if you were caught with a Bible, you were dragged out of your home, hung up on a pole, and burned alive in your front yard! (For documentation, see Appendix 4).
What John sees next is so unbelievable that he's stunned.
Déardaoin, Eanáir 28, 2010
"National Sunday Law": Chapter 2
The Beast Identified
"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." Revelation 13:1,2.
Here is the beast that has the dreaded mark. This mark we definitely don't want! The most awful warning of all time is directed against it (see Rev. 14:9,10). But before we learn what the mark is, we must discover who the beast is. And it won't be hard. In fact, the Bible makes it so clear that I'll simply list the characteristics of it, and you'll be able to tell me who it is! Are you ready?
1) A "beast" in prophecy represents a kingdom, a nation, a power. The prophetic book of Daniel tells us - "Thus he said, the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth." Daniel 7:23.
2) This beast comes up out of the "sea." When a beast arises from the "sea," it always represents a power rising in a highly populated are; amid "peoples, multitudes, and nation, and tongues." Revelation 17:15. It would have to conquer the existing government.
3) This beast has seven heads and ten horns. A head represents the headquarters of a government. The head of a county is called the "county seat" you remember.
A "horn" represents a king, a ruler. "And ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise." Daniel 7:24. The beast is a power with a man at the head of it. You'll find that the Bible explains itself!
4) The beast has "the name of blasphemy" (Rev. 13:1).
What is blasphemy?
Again the Bible gives its own definition. In John 10:32,33, it tells how the Jews were going to stone Jesus. He asked them why they were about to stone Him and they said, "For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."
Amazing! Blasphemy is for a man to claim to be God! Of course Jesus didn't blaspheme because He is God. But for someone less than God - it would be. But there's more.
In Mark 2:5-11 it tells the story of how a paralyzed man wanted to come into a house where Jesus was, but it was just too crowded. He finally persuaded his friends to carry him up on the roof of Peter's house and break it up so they could let the man down into the room where the Saviour was teaching. Down he comes.
Jesus looks into those pleading eyes and knows that the poor man needs to have forgiveness and peace with God even more than physical healing. Jesus says to him, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."
Can you imagine the wonderful peace and joy that flooded his soul? But the religious leaders didn't care a thing about the man's soul. They were just trying to catch some words of Jesus that they could use against Him to have Him put to death. The Bible says that they thought, "Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only? The Saviour knew their thoughts and said, "Why reason ye these things in your hearts?" Then He asked them which is easier to say, "thy sins be forgiven," or to say, "rise and walk?" Jesus healed the man before their eyes, and, to the people's utter amazement, he got up and walked out of the house.
Again, Jesus didn't commit blasphemy by forgiving the man's sins because He is a member of the Godhead and had a perfect right to do just that. To whomever He pleased He could say those sweet word of forgiveness, and the very peace of heaven would flood the soul. He could say, "Go and sin no more," and the guilty, the depressed, the sad, the empty, would rise up with peace of mind. They would begin a new and unselfish life of obedience to God - a happy life of peace.
They could slap Him in the face and press a crown of thorns onto that holy brow; they could beat Him until His back was like raw meat, but they couldn't rob Him of His royal right to forgive the chief of sinners. Wonderful Jesus!
But for anyone less than God to claim to forgive sins - it's blasphemy.
Concerning the beast it says, "and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Revelation 13:1. The very leaders of this power would both claim to be God on the earth, and claim to have power to forgive men's sins!
5) "and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." Revelation 13:2.
It's clear that the beast gets its "seat" and "authority" from the dragon. But who's the dragon?
Here it is. "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years." Revelation 20:2. The dragon is Satan. But there's more.
"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 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." Revelation 12:3-5.
Some years ago, a man in Chicago claimed that he was the man child! Could he have been?
Hardly.
Revelation 19:15,16 shows us that the "Man Child" is Christ. So the "dragon" represents not only Satan, but also a kingdom through whom Satan worked to try to kill baby Jesus as soon as He was born. Now what kingdom was it whose king decreed the destruction of the babies in Bethlehem?
Of course! It was King Herod. He was employed by, and a representative of Rome. So here's another clue. The beast gets its power, seat, and authority from Rome!
It's coming clear. The dragon represents Rome. Rome was the empire used by Satan to try to destroy the Saviour of the world! Now let's take a closer look.
The dragon (Rome) had "ten horns." A horn grows out of the head of an animal. A horn, you remember, is a king. When the Roman empire collapsed, ten divisions resulted. Barbarian tribes hammered at the Roman empire for many years until it fell apart and the ten divisions were ruled by ten kings! The were: the Alemani (Germany), the Franks (France), Burgundians (Switzerland), the Suevi (Portugal), the Anglo-Saxons (Britain), the Visigoths (Spain), the Lombards (Italy), the Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Heruli. The last three were destroyed by the Pope of Rome because they refused to become "Christian." The armies of Emperor Justinian, in cooperation with the Pope, thrust the Ostrogoths out of the city of Rome. They have become extinct. In 538 A.D. the Pope took possession of the city after the Emperor decreed that he should be the head of all the Christian churches. These ten divisions of Rome are the ten horns on the "dragon." (For more detail see Appendix 1).
Now look at this next amazing point.
6) "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Revelation 13:8.
This is not only a political power but a religious power as well. It demands worship and gets it.
7) It is a world-wide power. "All the world wondered after the beast." Revelation 13:3.
Maybe you already know who the "beast" is.
Can you think of any world-wide political and religious power with a man at the head of it who claims to be God on earth and to be able to forgive sins? Who received its "seat" and authority from Rome? Of a church government whose leader is "wondered after" by the whole world?
Let me say something now that's very important. You see, the reason why God speaks as strongly against worshiping the "beast" as He does is because He loves the people. He loves all people. Reader, He loves you. He knows that a person can't possibly be happy who follows this power and receives its mark. He knows that ". . . they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." Revelation 14:11. In following this power there's no rest. He loves us so much that He warns us in the strongest language known to man. Listen to this.
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice; If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation." Revelation 14:9,10. Strong language. Language of love is always strong when it's a question of life and death to the one it loves.
I ask you, what more could He do? God sent His own Son to die a hell death in our place. Not one need experience the awful fate of those who follow the beast and receive its mark. Jesus made a way of escape. He suffered the agony of Gethsemane, and the torture of His mock trial where they beat Him until His back was like raw meat. They bowed down in mockery and hit Him in the head with a stick, driving the thorns into His brow and sending blood running down His face. Watch Him stagger on His way to Calvary. The Son of God falls on His face in the dirt. He endures the horror of our sins while His blood runs drop by drop to the foot of the cross. Look at His quivering lips as He cries "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
There He hangs - like a snake on a pole, writhing in agony, drinking the last drops of the wrath of God against sin. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness," Jesus was lifted up - for you. Do you see? He did it for you. He took what you and I deserve. Do you see why our Heavenly Father is so anxious that we not follow the beast or receive its mark? We need not receive that awful penalty. Jesus paid it all. When they were pounding the spikes through His tender flesh, and Jesus prayed "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" - He was praying for you and me then also. He was praying for you! Will you choose Him now as your personal Saviour and follow Him all the way?
You'll be so happy that you did.
Trusting Him; obeying Him - even unto death; abiding in His love through prayer and Bible study; total surrender and a loving, happy relationship, only then will you be safe from worshiping the beast and receiving his "mark" - only then. Soon you'll see why.
Another thing we must understand is that in identifying the beast, God is not talking about sincere people who are involved with it "ignorantly." Do you know what I mean? When He identifies it He is talking about "the system;" the leaders, who know what they are doing and deliberately disobey and change the word of God. Do you see? Our God is a tender Father. He only holds accountable those who understand what the Bible commands and knowingly disobey, or, those who turn away from hearing His word and are "willingly ignorant."
The beast exists now. Many honest Christians who are now involved with it will soon learn the facts about it. They will hear God's call to come out of it. And they will respond. Don't be fooled by thinking that the "beast" is a computer in Europe somewhere. That is only a smoke screen to get people off the track that the Bible points out. God's word makes it so clear that even an honest child can see it. The next point in identifying the beast is amazing.
8) It has characteristics of the four beasts (nations) which existed before it. Look carefully.
"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." Revelation 13:2.
What nations are these? Again, the Bible tells us. The same four beasts are found in Daniel 7. "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth." Daniel 7:17. These are the four world empires, ruling consecutively from the time of Daniel down to the time of the fall of Rome. They are Babylon (605 - 538 B.C.), Medo-Persia (538 - 331 B.C.), Greece (331 - 168 B.C.), and Rome (168 B.C. - 476 A.D.). Now let's get the full description of these in Daniel 7.
"Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
"The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." Daniel 7:2-8.
What a picture. Here they are, beginning with Daniel's day.
The Lion - Babylon. The Bear - Medo-Persia. The Leopard - Greece. The Terrible Beast - Rome.
Since the beast with the mark has similarities of these four, let's take a close look at them.
Babylon, represented by the two-winged lion, ruled the world when Daniel was alive. In the ruins of ancient Babylon, broken statues of lions with two wings can still be seen in modern times.
The lion - a fit symbol of Babylon. It was the greatest of all the ancient kingdoms. The two wings tell us of the swiftness in which the "golden kingdom" conquered the civilized world of that time.
How is the "beast" of Revelation 13 like Babylon?
Ancient Babylon, founded by Nimrod (See Genesis 10) the great-grandson of Noah, more than two thousand years before Christ, was one of the wonders of the world. It was laid out in a perfect square with a great and high wall eighty-seven feet thick. Its two hundred and twenty-five square miles of enclosed surface was laid out in beautiful symmetry and interspersed with luxuriant pleasure grounds and gardens. With its sixty miles of moat, its sixty miles of outer wall, its gates of solid brass, its hanging gardens, its subterranean tunnel under the River Euphrates, its perfect arrangement for beauty and defense - this city, containing in itself many things which were themselves wonders of the world, was itself another and still mightier wonder. (1)
The emperors of Babylon claimed worship as gods. For man to be appreciated is great, but to be worshipped by other humans is blasphemous. The leader of the "beast" does this very thing!
What about the next kingdom?
Medo-Persia took over on that terrible night when King Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, half drunk, threw a party for a thousand of his lords and tossed the sacred vessels from the temple of God about the floor. That was the last straw. His knees knocked together in fear as he watched a bloodless hand trace his doom upon the palace wall. Look at this description of that fearful night.
"Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank before the thousand. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another." Daniel 5:1,3,5.
What a scene!
At sight of that bloodless hand, Belshazzar is paralyzed with fear. He calls in all the "astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers," but they're no help. Finally, the queen suggests that Daniel be called in. The corrupt king isn't ignorant of the fact that he had shown himself able to interpret dreams and solve mysteries because the God of heaven was with him. But Belshazzar hates God and doesn't even class Daniel with the wise men.
But now! Now he's scared to death. At the queen's suggestion Daniel is called in. Watch what happens.
"Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?" Daniel 5:13.
After mentioning the failure of his magicians to read the writing on the wall, the king said, "And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom." Daniel 5:16.
Daniel well knew what would happen that night and earthly rewards sank into nothingness. In a few hours most in that court would be dead. He had no heart for rewards.
"Let thy gifts," he said, "be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation." Daniel 5:17.
After reminding the king of his rebellion and pride against God, he told him what the writing meant.
And now came the shocking news.
"And this," Daniel declared, "is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE: God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it, TEKEL: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES: Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." Daniel 5:25-28.
The king is stunned. Can you imagine the desperation! He didn't have long to be in suspense.
"In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about three score and two years old." Daniel 5:30,31. "Crownless and scepterless, Belshazzar lay - a robe of purple round a form of clay."
There we have it. The two-winged lion was dead. The year - 538 B.C. Medo- Persia under Darius had taken over right on schedule! The bear of Daniel's dream had conquered the world.
How is the "beast" of Revelation 13 like Medo-Persia?
It was a rule with the Medo-Persians that once they made a law - it stuck, and could never be reversed. The government was considered infallible.
You'll see shortly that the "beast" power takes this same policy.
Medo-Persia ruled until the empire met up with a young man whose military genius was uncanny - Alexander the Great.
He became a great ruler at the age of 25!
It was October 1, 331 B.C. At the head of his armies Alexander met the Persian forces head on and defeated them in the battle of Arbela. His military genius made Greece to emerge as the third world empire.
The leopard with four heads and four wings of Daniel's vision had replaced the Medo-Persian bear.
But why the four heads?
Alexander had conquered the world. But he hadn't conquered himself. At a drunken debauch he drank the Herculean cup full of alcohol. It was a huge thing. The human stomach can hardly hold more than a quart.
Of all horrors. He drank it twice! And it killed him. Alexander died with a raging fever at the age of 33. The year - 323 B.C.
His will had declared that the kingdom should go "to the strongest." His four generals, Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleuchus and Ptolomy took over the empire and divided it into four parts. These divisions are represented by the four heads of the leopard beast.
What about the four wings? They represent swiftness. Greece had conquered the world in only 13 years. Such a feat has never been equaled.
(For more information on the four divisions of Greece, see Funk and Wagnell's New Encyclopedia on "Alexander III," pg. 390,391).
Before his death, Alexander had ordered the Greek cities to worship him as a god. The "beast" of Revelation 13 is "like unto a leopard" because it took on the Greek culture and also has a leader that claims worship as God.
Who is the fourth "terrible" beast of Daniel 7?
"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: . . . and it had ten horns." "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth." Daniel 7:7,23.
The fourth kingdom, represented by this terrible beast is Rome. Rome conquered Greece in 168 B.C. and eventually gave its power to the "beast" of Revelation 13.
Out of the fourth "terrible beast" comes a "little horn." Now here's something amazing. The beast of Revelation 13, and the "little horn" of Daniel 7, are one and the same power! God wants to make sure that there's no mistaking who this power is, so He describes it in both prophetic books.
Isn't Bible prophecy fantastic! Look at the description of the "little horn."
"I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things... and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." Daniel 7:8,24,25.
If you compare this description of the "little horn" with the description of the "beast" of Revelation 13, you'll see that they are one and the same power. For the amazing comparison, see Appendix lA.
One of the most startling things about this power is that it would "think to change times and laws." Daniel 7:25. Here's a man that sets himself up as equal with God and dares tamper with His law - the constitution of the universe! With blasphemous audacity he does his work. But God has said, "All His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever." Psalms 111:7,8.
9) The next clue as to who the beast is, is the time period which God gives for its reign before it receives its "deadly wound." It would reign for 1260 years. Just so there's no mistake on this, He repeats this period seven times in Daniel and Revelation! (For a detailed description of this fantastic time prophecy, see Appendix 2).
Now, just one more clue before I tell you who the beast is.
It's not only the same as the "little horn" of Daniel 7, but it's also the same power as the great whore riding upon the scarlet colored beast of Revelation 17. Let's take a shocking glimpse.
"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 judgement of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: . . . and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." Revelation 17:1-3.
There are those heads and horns again. We've come to associate them with Rome. The Harlot is controlling Rome riding it around - making her seat on it. Familiar isn't it! Now it gets even clearer.
This "harlot" represents a corrupt church system. And get this: "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls." Revelation 17:4.
It's a rich church.
A woman in Bible prophecy represents a church. God likens His people to a "comely and delicate woman." Jeremiah 6:2. A virgin is God's pure church. A harlot (whore) is a corrupt church.
She's called "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Revelation 17:5. It's not only a church, it's a mother church. It's a world power. "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 17:6. Oh yes! It kills the saints!
This is shocking. Why would our heavenly Father Who is so loving and kind talk this way about a church, of all things, and expose it to the world? Why does He Who is so full of pity and love warn anyone who even follows this power and receives its mark that they will end up in the lake of fire?
I believe the answer is - because it's true. Though God is very tender hearted, He always tells the truth.
I know it's shocking, but here's a corrupt church power that Satan has used to deceive the whole world and rob men and women of their eternal life by using deception. Like Nimrod and Alexander the Great, this power has leaders who divert the attention and worship of the people from the true, living God, to themselves. These leaders turn people from heeding the word of God to heeding their word; from obeying the commandments of God, to obeying their commandments. This is why God tells it like it is - because He is love.
And remember, there are many sincere, lovely Christians in this fallen church, named "Babylon," and they will hear God's call and come out.
Look at this! "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Revelation 18:2,4.
Now - who is the "beast?" What power:
1) Received its "seat" and authority from Rome. Revelation 13:4.
2) Rules the world for 1260 years (from 538 A.D. - 1798 A.D.).
3) Then received a "deadly wound" which later heals. Revelation 13:3.
4) Is both a political and a religious power, which is worshipped. Revelation 13:4.
5) Tampered with God's law. Daniel 7:25.
6) Has a leader who claims to be God on the earth and to be able to forgive sins. (which is blasphemy) Revelation 13:1.
7) Is a mother church (daughters have come out of her). Revelation 17:5.
8) Made war with the saints. Revelation 13:7.
9) Is a world power which is wondered at. Revelation 13:3,4.
10) Has "a man" at the head of it with the number of his name being 666. Revelation 13:18.
11) Has a dreaded "mark" which, if received, will cause a person to be cast into the lake of fire and lose eternal life. Revelation 14:9,10.
By now most of the people have guessed that it's the Papacy. They're correct. It's the only power on the face of the earth that fits all of the Bible characteristics for it. But what about 666?
"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." Revelation 13:1,2.
Here is the beast that has the dreaded mark. This mark we definitely don't want! The most awful warning of all time is directed against it (see Rev. 14:9,10). But before we learn what the mark is, we must discover who the beast is. And it won't be hard. In fact, the Bible makes it so clear that I'll simply list the characteristics of it, and you'll be able to tell me who it is! Are you ready?
1) A "beast" in prophecy represents a kingdom, a nation, a power. The prophetic book of Daniel tells us - "Thus he said, the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth." Daniel 7:23.
2) This beast comes up out of the "sea." When a beast arises from the "sea," it always represents a power rising in a highly populated are; amid "peoples, multitudes, and nation, and tongues." Revelation 17:15. It would have to conquer the existing government.
3) This beast has seven heads and ten horns. A head represents the headquarters of a government. The head of a county is called the "county seat" you remember.
A "horn" represents a king, a ruler. "And ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise." Daniel 7:24. The beast is a power with a man at the head of it. You'll find that the Bible explains itself!
4) The beast has "the name of blasphemy" (Rev. 13:1).
What is blasphemy?
Again the Bible gives its own definition. In John 10:32,33, it tells how the Jews were going to stone Jesus. He asked them why they were about to stone Him and they said, "For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God."
Amazing! Blasphemy is for a man to claim to be God! Of course Jesus didn't blaspheme because He is God. But for someone less than God - it would be. But there's more.
In Mark 2:5-11 it tells the story of how a paralyzed man wanted to come into a house where Jesus was, but it was just too crowded. He finally persuaded his friends to carry him up on the roof of Peter's house and break it up so they could let the man down into the room where the Saviour was teaching. Down he comes.
Jesus looks into those pleading eyes and knows that the poor man needs to have forgiveness and peace with God even more than physical healing. Jesus says to him, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."
Can you imagine the wonderful peace and joy that flooded his soul? But the religious leaders didn't care a thing about the man's soul. They were just trying to catch some words of Jesus that they could use against Him to have Him put to death. The Bible says that they thought, "Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only? The Saviour knew their thoughts and said, "Why reason ye these things in your hearts?" Then He asked them which is easier to say, "thy sins be forgiven," or to say, "rise and walk?" Jesus healed the man before their eyes, and, to the people's utter amazement, he got up and walked out of the house.
Again, Jesus didn't commit blasphemy by forgiving the man's sins because He is a member of the Godhead and had a perfect right to do just that. To whomever He pleased He could say those sweet word of forgiveness, and the very peace of heaven would flood the soul. He could say, "Go and sin no more," and the guilty, the depressed, the sad, the empty, would rise up with peace of mind. They would begin a new and unselfish life of obedience to God - a happy life of peace.
They could slap Him in the face and press a crown of thorns onto that holy brow; they could beat Him until His back was like raw meat, but they couldn't rob Him of His royal right to forgive the chief of sinners. Wonderful Jesus!
But for anyone less than God to claim to forgive sins - it's blasphemy.
Concerning the beast it says, "and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Revelation 13:1. The very leaders of this power would both claim to be God on the earth, and claim to have power to forgive men's sins!
5) "and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." Revelation 13:2.
It's clear that the beast gets its "seat" and "authority" from the dragon. But who's the dragon?
Here it is. "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years." Revelation 20:2. The dragon is Satan. But there's more.
"And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 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." Revelation 12:3-5.
Some years ago, a man in Chicago claimed that he was the man child! Could he have been?
Hardly.
Revelation 19:15,16 shows us that the "Man Child" is Christ. So the "dragon" represents not only Satan, but also a kingdom through whom Satan worked to try to kill baby Jesus as soon as He was born. Now what kingdom was it whose king decreed the destruction of the babies in Bethlehem?
Of course! It was King Herod. He was employed by, and a representative of Rome. So here's another clue. The beast gets its power, seat, and authority from Rome!
It's coming clear. The dragon represents Rome. Rome was the empire used by Satan to try to destroy the Saviour of the world! Now let's take a closer look.
The dragon (Rome) had "ten horns." A horn grows out of the head of an animal. A horn, you remember, is a king. When the Roman empire collapsed, ten divisions resulted. Barbarian tribes hammered at the Roman empire for many years until it fell apart and the ten divisions were ruled by ten kings! The were: the Alemani (Germany), the Franks (France), Burgundians (Switzerland), the Suevi (Portugal), the Anglo-Saxons (Britain), the Visigoths (Spain), the Lombards (Italy), the Vandals, Ostrogoths, and Heruli. The last three were destroyed by the Pope of Rome because they refused to become "Christian." The armies of Emperor Justinian, in cooperation with the Pope, thrust the Ostrogoths out of the city of Rome. They have become extinct. In 538 A.D. the Pope took possession of the city after the Emperor decreed that he should be the head of all the Christian churches. These ten divisions of Rome are the ten horns on the "dragon." (For more detail see Appendix 1).
Now look at this next amazing point.
6) "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Revelation 13:8.
This is not only a political power but a religious power as well. It demands worship and gets it.
7) It is a world-wide power. "All the world wondered after the beast." Revelation 13:3.
Maybe you already know who the "beast" is.
Can you think of any world-wide political and religious power with a man at the head of it who claims to be God on earth and to be able to forgive sins? Who received its "seat" and authority from Rome? Of a church government whose leader is "wondered after" by the whole world?
Let me say something now that's very important. You see, the reason why God speaks as strongly against worshiping the "beast" as He does is because He loves the people. He loves all people. Reader, He loves you. He knows that a person can't possibly be happy who follows this power and receives its mark. He knows that ". . . they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name." Revelation 14:11. In following this power there's no rest. He loves us so much that He warns us in the strongest language known to man. Listen to this.
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice; If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation." Revelation 14:9,10. Strong language. Language of love is always strong when it's a question of life and death to the one it loves.
I ask you, what more could He do? God sent His own Son to die a hell death in our place. Not one need experience the awful fate of those who follow the beast and receive its mark. Jesus made a way of escape. He suffered the agony of Gethsemane, and the torture of His mock trial where they beat Him until His back was like raw meat. They bowed down in mockery and hit Him in the head with a stick, driving the thorns into His brow and sending blood running down His face. Watch Him stagger on His way to Calvary. The Son of God falls on His face in the dirt. He endures the horror of our sins while His blood runs drop by drop to the foot of the cross. Look at His quivering lips as He cries "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
There He hangs - like a snake on a pole, writhing in agony, drinking the last drops of the wrath of God against sin. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness," Jesus was lifted up - for you. Do you see? He did it for you. He took what you and I deserve. Do you see why our Heavenly Father is so anxious that we not follow the beast or receive its mark? We need not receive that awful penalty. Jesus paid it all. When they were pounding the spikes through His tender flesh, and Jesus prayed "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" - He was praying for you and me then also. He was praying for you! Will you choose Him now as your personal Saviour and follow Him all the way?
You'll be so happy that you did.
Trusting Him; obeying Him - even unto death; abiding in His love through prayer and Bible study; total surrender and a loving, happy relationship, only then will you be safe from worshiping the beast and receiving his "mark" - only then. Soon you'll see why.
Another thing we must understand is that in identifying the beast, God is not talking about sincere people who are involved with it "ignorantly." Do you know what I mean? When He identifies it He is talking about "the system;" the leaders, who know what they are doing and deliberately disobey and change the word of God. Do you see? Our God is a tender Father. He only holds accountable those who understand what the Bible commands and knowingly disobey, or, those who turn away from hearing His word and are "willingly ignorant."
The beast exists now. Many honest Christians who are now involved with it will soon learn the facts about it. They will hear God's call to come out of it. And they will respond. Don't be fooled by thinking that the "beast" is a computer in Europe somewhere. That is only a smoke screen to get people off the track that the Bible points out. God's word makes it so clear that even an honest child can see it. The next point in identifying the beast is amazing.
8) It has characteristics of the four beasts (nations) which existed before it. Look carefully.
"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." Revelation 13:2.
What nations are these? Again, the Bible tells us. The same four beasts are found in Daniel 7. "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth." Daniel 7:17. These are the four world empires, ruling consecutively from the time of Daniel down to the time of the fall of Rome. They are Babylon (605 - 538 B.C.), Medo-Persia (538 - 331 B.C.), Greece (331 - 168 B.C.), and Rome (168 B.C. - 476 A.D.). Now let's get the full description of these in Daniel 7.
"Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
"The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." Daniel 7:2-8.
What a picture. Here they are, beginning with Daniel's day.
The Lion - Babylon. The Bear - Medo-Persia. The Leopard - Greece. The Terrible Beast - Rome.
Since the beast with the mark has similarities of these four, let's take a close look at them.
Babylon, represented by the two-winged lion, ruled the world when Daniel was alive. In the ruins of ancient Babylon, broken statues of lions with two wings can still be seen in modern times.
The lion - a fit symbol of Babylon. It was the greatest of all the ancient kingdoms. The two wings tell us of the swiftness in which the "golden kingdom" conquered the civilized world of that time.
How is the "beast" of Revelation 13 like Babylon?
Ancient Babylon, founded by Nimrod (See Genesis 10) the great-grandson of Noah, more than two thousand years before Christ, was one of the wonders of the world. It was laid out in a perfect square with a great and high wall eighty-seven feet thick. Its two hundred and twenty-five square miles of enclosed surface was laid out in beautiful symmetry and interspersed with luxuriant pleasure grounds and gardens. With its sixty miles of moat, its sixty miles of outer wall, its gates of solid brass, its hanging gardens, its subterranean tunnel under the River Euphrates, its perfect arrangement for beauty and defense - this city, containing in itself many things which were themselves wonders of the world, was itself another and still mightier wonder. (1)
The emperors of Babylon claimed worship as gods. For man to be appreciated is great, but to be worshipped by other humans is blasphemous. The leader of the "beast" does this very thing!
What about the next kingdom?
Medo-Persia took over on that terrible night when King Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, half drunk, threw a party for a thousand of his lords and tossed the sacred vessels from the temple of God about the floor. That was the last straw. His knees knocked together in fear as he watched a bloodless hand trace his doom upon the palace wall. Look at this description of that fearful night.
"Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank before the thousand. Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another." Daniel 5:1,3,5.
What a scene!
At sight of that bloodless hand, Belshazzar is paralyzed with fear. He calls in all the "astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers," but they're no help. Finally, the queen suggests that Daniel be called in. The corrupt king isn't ignorant of the fact that he had shown himself able to interpret dreams and solve mysteries because the God of heaven was with him. But Belshazzar hates God and doesn't even class Daniel with the wise men.
But now! Now he's scared to death. At the queen's suggestion Daniel is called in. Watch what happens.
"Then was Daniel brought in before the king. And the king spake and said unto Daniel, Art thou Daniel, which art of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry?" Daniel 5:13.
After mentioning the failure of his magicians to read the writing on the wall, the king said, "And I have heard of thee, that thou canst make interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation thereof, thou shalt be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about thy neck, and shalt be the third ruler in the kingdom." Daniel 5:16.
Daniel well knew what would happen that night and earthly rewards sank into nothingness. In a few hours most in that court would be dead. He had no heart for rewards.
"Let thy gifts," he said, "be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation." Daniel 5:17.
After reminding the king of his rebellion and pride against God, he told him what the writing meant.
And now came the shocking news.
"And this," Daniel declared, "is the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE: God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it, TEKEL: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES: Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians." Daniel 5:25-28.
The king is stunned. Can you imagine the desperation! He didn't have long to be in suspense.
"In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about three score and two years old." Daniel 5:30,31. "Crownless and scepterless, Belshazzar lay - a robe of purple round a form of clay."
There we have it. The two-winged lion was dead. The year - 538 B.C. Medo- Persia under Darius had taken over right on schedule! The bear of Daniel's dream had conquered the world.
How is the "beast" of Revelation 13 like Medo-Persia?
It was a rule with the Medo-Persians that once they made a law - it stuck, and could never be reversed. The government was considered infallible.
You'll see shortly that the "beast" power takes this same policy.
Medo-Persia ruled until the empire met up with a young man whose military genius was uncanny - Alexander the Great.
He became a great ruler at the age of 25!
It was October 1, 331 B.C. At the head of his armies Alexander met the Persian forces head on and defeated them in the battle of Arbela. His military genius made Greece to emerge as the third world empire.
The leopard with four heads and four wings of Daniel's vision had replaced the Medo-Persian bear.
But why the four heads?
Alexander had conquered the world. But he hadn't conquered himself. At a drunken debauch he drank the Herculean cup full of alcohol. It was a huge thing. The human stomach can hardly hold more than a quart.
Of all horrors. He drank it twice! And it killed him. Alexander died with a raging fever at the age of 33. The year - 323 B.C.
His will had declared that the kingdom should go "to the strongest." His four generals, Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleuchus and Ptolomy took over the empire and divided it into four parts. These divisions are represented by the four heads of the leopard beast.
What about the four wings? They represent swiftness. Greece had conquered the world in only 13 years. Such a feat has never been equaled.
(For more information on the four divisions of Greece, see Funk and Wagnell's New Encyclopedia on "Alexander III," pg. 390,391).
Before his death, Alexander had ordered the Greek cities to worship him as a god. The "beast" of Revelation 13 is "like unto a leopard" because it took on the Greek culture and also has a leader that claims worship as God.
Who is the fourth "terrible" beast of Daniel 7?
"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: . . . and it had ten horns." "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth." Daniel 7:7,23.
The fourth kingdom, represented by this terrible beast is Rome. Rome conquered Greece in 168 B.C. and eventually gave its power to the "beast" of Revelation 13.
Out of the fourth "terrible beast" comes a "little horn." Now here's something amazing. The beast of Revelation 13, and the "little horn" of Daniel 7, are one and the same power! God wants to make sure that there's no mistaking who this power is, so He describes it in both prophetic books.
Isn't Bible prophecy fantastic! Look at the description of the "little horn."
"I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things... and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time." Daniel 7:8,24,25.
If you compare this description of the "little horn" with the description of the "beast" of Revelation 13, you'll see that they are one and the same power. For the amazing comparison, see Appendix lA.
One of the most startling things about this power is that it would "think to change times and laws." Daniel 7:25. Here's a man that sets himself up as equal with God and dares tamper with His law - the constitution of the universe! With blasphemous audacity he does his work. But God has said, "All His commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever." Psalms 111:7,8.
9) The next clue as to who the beast is, is the time period which God gives for its reign before it receives its "deadly wound." It would reign for 1260 years. Just so there's no mistake on this, He repeats this period seven times in Daniel and Revelation! (For a detailed description of this fantastic time prophecy, see Appendix 2).
Now, just one more clue before I tell you who the beast is.
It's not only the same as the "little horn" of Daniel 7, but it's also the same power as the great whore riding upon the scarlet colored beast of Revelation 17. Let's take a shocking glimpse.
"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 judgement of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: . . . and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." Revelation 17:1-3.
There are those heads and horns again. We've come to associate them with Rome. The Harlot is controlling Rome riding it around - making her seat on it. Familiar isn't it! Now it gets even clearer.
This "harlot" represents a corrupt church system. And get this: "And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls." Revelation 17:4.
It's a rich church.
A woman in Bible prophecy represents a church. God likens His people to a "comely and delicate woman." Jeremiah 6:2. A virgin is God's pure church. A harlot (whore) is a corrupt church.
She's called "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Revelation 17:5. It's not only a church, it's a mother church. It's a world power. "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 17:6. Oh yes! It kills the saints!
This is shocking. Why would our heavenly Father Who is so loving and kind talk this way about a church, of all things, and expose it to the world? Why does He Who is so full of pity and love warn anyone who even follows this power and receives its mark that they will end up in the lake of fire?
I believe the answer is - because it's true. Though God is very tender hearted, He always tells the truth.
I know it's shocking, but here's a corrupt church power that Satan has used to deceive the whole world and rob men and women of their eternal life by using deception. Like Nimrod and Alexander the Great, this power has leaders who divert the attention and worship of the people from the true, living God, to themselves. These leaders turn people from heeding the word of God to heeding their word; from obeying the commandments of God, to obeying their commandments. This is why God tells it like it is - because He is love.
And remember, there are many sincere, lovely Christians in this fallen church, named "Babylon," and they will hear God's call and come out.
Look at this! "And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." Revelation 18:2,4.
Now - who is the "beast?" What power:
1) Received its "seat" and authority from Rome. Revelation 13:4.
2) Rules the world for 1260 years (from 538 A.D. - 1798 A.D.).
3) Then received a "deadly wound" which later heals. Revelation 13:3.
4) Is both a political and a religious power, which is worshipped. Revelation 13:4.
5) Tampered with God's law. Daniel 7:25.
6) Has a leader who claims to be God on the earth and to be able to forgive sins. (which is blasphemy) Revelation 13:1.
7) Is a mother church (daughters have come out of her). Revelation 17:5.
8) Made war with the saints. Revelation 13:7.
9) Is a world power which is wondered at. Revelation 13:3,4.
10) Has "a man" at the head of it with the number of his name being 666. Revelation 13:18.
11) Has a dreaded "mark" which, if received, will cause a person to be cast into the lake of fire and lose eternal life. Revelation 14:9,10.
By now most of the people have guessed that it's the Papacy. They're correct. It's the only power on the face of the earth that fits all of the Bible characteristics for it. But what about 666?
"Obama to Party: Don’t ‘Run for the Hills’ "
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/us/politics/28obama.html?ref=todayspaper
Excripts From A. Jan Marcussen's 'National Sunday Law': Chapter one
"A Shocking Glimpse Behind The Scenes"
"Forces unite amid stupendous crisis"
"This is a warning against the coming national Sunday law which will affect your paycheck and put innocent people in jail. The issue already went to Congress as the "Blair Amendment," and almost got passed. It's coming back.
What you are about to learn will shock you.
You may read it below,"
This is a warning against the coming national Sunday law which will affect your paycheck and put innocent people in jail. The issue already went to Congress as the "Blair Amendment," and almost got passed. It's coming back.
What you are about to learn will shock you.
You may read it below,
or download it
and read it later. Are you ready?
Here we go -
Chapter 1
The Two Horned Beast
"The nation trembles. Passenger jets explode into buildings. Mountains of fire, steel, smoke; and terrified, struggling people, fall to the street together as sky-scrapers crumble in the dust. Thousands perish. America is at war. A new kind of war fills our minds with pictures of strange faces, balls of fire, women screaming. Dust-filled people - like mummies - running from the cloud; jam the bridges.
'We're at war,' the President said. The world will never be the same. Will terrorism, like some giant octopus engulf the world? Or will World War Three end it all!"
"It's no surprise that the greatest nation on earth should be mentioned in prophecy. What John sees protends events shaping up in the United States that most definitely will affect you!
Watch closely now as the scene unfolds.
'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.' Revelation 13:11. A 'beast' in prophecy represents a 'kingdom.' Daniel 7:23"
"The lamb-like horns and then the dragon voice present a change of personality. A real change! The speaking of this country as a "dragon" denotes the use of force. This principle, as we shall see, was used by the Leopard-like beast (the first beast) of Revelation 13, which enforced religious observances by law!"
"In view of the horrifying trends of the time, it's understandable why the nation is to 'speak' that way. In one year, Americans spent $4 billion of pornography. Divorce affects tens of millions of homes, wrecking lives - and breaking hearts.
Mass murders, neglect of the aged, abuse of women and even of babies, sicken the heart. Men possessed, are taking the lives of men, women, and little children.
"Millions of Americans, hooked on marijuana, 'crack', heroin, and other chemicals, peer at the world through differing degrees of 'goony eyes', and further appall society with their resultant behavior and crimes."
Prostitutes, homosexuals, and drug addicts, share AIDS and ARC (AIDS Related Complex) with the innocent. The poor sufferers give groans of despair as they perish in ever greater numbers. A group of them, LIFE Magazine reported, lying on the floor in a circle, and summoning some of their last remaining strength - laughed in sequence."
Is it any wonder that our nation will "speak as a dragon?" Little wonder that ministers across that land, in an effort to abort national doom, move millions to political action. The feeling is that something must be done. Leaders of the "electronic church" launched a campaign to arouse 50 million Christians! There's a tremendous drive on to unite forces for the common good.
"Pat Robertson, the preacher who founded the 700 Club, and who himself aspired to the very top of the political ladder, said, 'Unless Christians desire a nation and a world reordered to the humanistic/hedonistic model, it is absolutely vital that we take control of the U.S. government away from the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations.' He speaks of turning to God "to galvanize Christians to political action"
"U.S. News & World Report declared, 'A political holy war without precedent is in full swing in this country.'"
"It's not surprising that in a hearing of the South Carolina legislature, demands by State Representative Anderson himself for a Sunday law to improve the state of society brought uproarious applause. Who can wonder that the United States President has revealed his willingness to do what no other U.S. president has been able to do - support legislation which would help collapse the separation of church and state!
"...and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him." Revelation 13:11,12"
"Here's the big question now - who's the first beast?"
http://www.reg6.com/
"Forces unite amid stupendous crisis"
"This is a warning against the coming national Sunday law which will affect your paycheck and put innocent people in jail. The issue already went to Congress as the "Blair Amendment," and almost got passed. It's coming back.
What you are about to learn will shock you.
You may read it below,"
This is a warning against the coming national Sunday law which will affect your paycheck and put innocent people in jail. The issue already went to Congress as the "Blair Amendment," and almost got passed. It's coming back.
What you are about to learn will shock you.
You may read it below,
or download it
and read it later. Are you ready?
Here we go -
Chapter 1
The Two Horned Beast
"The nation trembles. Passenger jets explode into buildings. Mountains of fire, steel, smoke; and terrified, struggling people, fall to the street together as sky-scrapers crumble in the dust. Thousands perish. America is at war. A new kind of war fills our minds with pictures of strange faces, balls of fire, women screaming. Dust-filled people - like mummies - running from the cloud; jam the bridges.
'We're at war,' the President said. The world will never be the same. Will terrorism, like some giant octopus engulf the world? Or will World War Three end it all!"
"It's no surprise that the greatest nation on earth should be mentioned in prophecy. What John sees protends events shaping up in the United States that most definitely will affect you!
Watch closely now as the scene unfolds.
'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.' Revelation 13:11. A 'beast' in prophecy represents a 'kingdom.' Daniel 7:23"
"The lamb-like horns and then the dragon voice present a change of personality. A real change! The speaking of this country as a "dragon" denotes the use of force. This principle, as we shall see, was used by the Leopard-like beast (the first beast) of Revelation 13, which enforced religious observances by law!"
"In view of the horrifying trends of the time, it's understandable why the nation is to 'speak' that way. In one year, Americans spent $4 billion of pornography. Divorce affects tens of millions of homes, wrecking lives - and breaking hearts.
Mass murders, neglect of the aged, abuse of women and even of babies, sicken the heart. Men possessed, are taking the lives of men, women, and little children.
"Millions of Americans, hooked on marijuana, 'crack', heroin, and other chemicals, peer at the world through differing degrees of 'goony eyes', and further appall society with their resultant behavior and crimes."
Prostitutes, homosexuals, and drug addicts, share AIDS and ARC (AIDS Related Complex) with the innocent. The poor sufferers give groans of despair as they perish in ever greater numbers. A group of them, LIFE Magazine reported, lying on the floor in a circle, and summoning some of their last remaining strength - laughed in sequence."
Is it any wonder that our nation will "speak as a dragon?" Little wonder that ministers across that land, in an effort to abort national doom, move millions to political action. The feeling is that something must be done. Leaders of the "electronic church" launched a campaign to arouse 50 million Christians! There's a tremendous drive on to unite forces for the common good.
"Pat Robertson, the preacher who founded the 700 Club, and who himself aspired to the very top of the political ladder, said, 'Unless Christians desire a nation and a world reordered to the humanistic/hedonistic model, it is absolutely vital that we take control of the U.S. government away from the Trilateral Commission and the Council on Foreign Relations.' He speaks of turning to God "to galvanize Christians to political action"
"U.S. News & World Report declared, 'A political holy war without precedent is in full swing in this country.'"
"It's not surprising that in a hearing of the South Carolina legislature, demands by State Representative Anderson himself for a Sunday law to improve the state of society brought uproarious applause. Who can wonder that the United States President has revealed his willingness to do what no other U.S. president has been able to do - support legislation which would help collapse the separation of church and state!
"...and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him." Revelation 13:11,12"
"Here's the big question now - who's the first beast?"
http://www.reg6.com/
Dé Luain, Eanáir 18, 2010
Numbers Stations
You may have heard of them. Various shortwave radio stations, broadcasting an obviously coded series of numbers in just about every widely spoken language. Governments sending messages to spies in the field is the most obvious explanation, and the fact that governments deny the existence of stations that anyone can physically listen to at any time seems to confirm that they are indeed something of that sort.
There are several good reasons why States would send secret messages over the open airwaves. Shortwave signals reach far, often the whole world, but also cheap enough to be affordable to common people all over the world. A tourist with a shortwave is unlikely to draw any notice. And it is the very openness of radio signals that make them much safer than the internet for spies, here messages are specifically directed, traceable to both sender and receiver, and hard to completely erase from a hardrive.
But the most important thing that makes secret radio messaging possible is the one-time pad, which attaches random groups of numbers to specific words and letters to make a language that is used exactly once. Any further message will be delivered in a different code. It must be known ahead of time just how many messages an agent will receive in the field. This way he can bring the specific number of codebreaking keys with him, and destroy each particular one the moment after it is used. Used correctly, a one-time pad code is unbreakable. So enemy ears can hear these messages coming through loud and clear, know that the carefully arrainged, elucidated, and repeated series of numbers are an obvious code of some kind, know from the language and accent that the message is coming from and being directed to Russians, Germans, Americans, Cubans....., but knowing all of this won't help them figure out anything useful.
Though shortwave signals are often able to reach the whole globe from wherever they happen to be, reception is generally much poorer than AM of FM, so some kind of little ditty will be used like an identifying mark. (Stations are typically nicknamed after the songs used.) These include the German numbers station "Swedish Rhapsody" in which the modern classical number is played in a wind-up doll manner until an automated young girls voice pops up to deliver the goods in the most disturbing robodemon style imaginable. "The Lincolnshire Poacher" played a couple bars of that old English folk song before a somewhat less disturbing grown man's voice delivers the numbers. (Lincolnshire's signal has been traced to the Royal Air Force base on Cyprus, where it could be heard clearly throughout the Middle East by any English speaker who felt the need to hear it. The signal stopped about a year ago for who knows why.)
Then there's UVB 76, "The Buzzer" which has been traced to a Russian military building in the outer Moscow suburbs. "The Buzzer" is exactly that and almost nothing but that. For twenty five years a quick buzz goes off at the rate of twenty five a minute until the fifty ninth minute of the hour, at which time the buzz becomes continuous for the length of that minute until the hour changes. Mundane conversations have occasionaly been heard over the buzz revealing it to be a live buzzer played over a constantly live microphone. On four known occasions the buzz has stopped long enough for some kind of voice message to be given out over the frequency, usually a series of numbers combined with what seems to be a phonetic language. (Ala, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" only in this case "Ivan, Konstitine, Titania, etc.)
We know then that this is in all likelihood some sort of military intelligence instillation. And we know that whoever in Russia is running it needs to know if the buzzer is still going right now or if it has for some reason stopped right now. Some speculate that the station is involved in the 'Dead Hand' project, which involves automating Russian nukes to fire themselves should the Yankees ever succeed in destroying their government. This theory holds that The Buzzer acts as a killswitch in the system, and that if it ever stops...
Tempting as this theory may be, it seems more likely that the buzzer merely acts as a placeholder for the frequency so that no one else takes it, and that the occasional messages are nothing more sinister than an assassination order or two. The timing of the messages don't line up with anything major in Russian history. ( Collapse of the Soviets, handoff of power from Yeltsin to Putin, etc.) Nor do they line up with any of those nuclear scares they were kind enough to tell us about.
As for me, I've been spending the past two days learning everything I can about these things. I am on the one hand ashamed to have not learned of these things until I was twenty eight. Numbers stations are precisely the sort of thing that Josh Beran takes pride in knowing about. On the other hand learning something truly new to me, something so fascinating, so otherwordly and faintly demonic, fills me with the sort of joy that I don't think I've felt since I mastered Dr. Suess in preschool. These numbers stations really are the eccentric introverted beta-males ultimate wet dream.
These things are so, fucking, cool. And I am buying a motherfucking shortwave.
There are several good reasons why States would send secret messages over the open airwaves. Shortwave signals reach far, often the whole world, but also cheap enough to be affordable to common people all over the world. A tourist with a shortwave is unlikely to draw any notice. And it is the very openness of radio signals that make them much safer than the internet for spies, here messages are specifically directed, traceable to both sender and receiver, and hard to completely erase from a hardrive.
But the most important thing that makes secret radio messaging possible is the one-time pad, which attaches random groups of numbers to specific words and letters to make a language that is used exactly once. Any further message will be delivered in a different code. It must be known ahead of time just how many messages an agent will receive in the field. This way he can bring the specific number of codebreaking keys with him, and destroy each particular one the moment after it is used. Used correctly, a one-time pad code is unbreakable. So enemy ears can hear these messages coming through loud and clear, know that the carefully arrainged, elucidated, and repeated series of numbers are an obvious code of some kind, know from the language and accent that the message is coming from and being directed to Russians, Germans, Americans, Cubans....., but knowing all of this won't help them figure out anything useful.
Though shortwave signals are often able to reach the whole globe from wherever they happen to be, reception is generally much poorer than AM of FM, so some kind of little ditty will be used like an identifying mark. (Stations are typically nicknamed after the songs used.) These include the German numbers station "Swedish Rhapsody" in which the modern classical number is played in a wind-up doll manner until an automated young girls voice pops up to deliver the goods in the most disturbing robodemon style imaginable. "The Lincolnshire Poacher" played a couple bars of that old English folk song before a somewhat less disturbing grown man's voice delivers the numbers. (Lincolnshire's signal has been traced to the Royal Air Force base on Cyprus, where it could be heard clearly throughout the Middle East by any English speaker who felt the need to hear it. The signal stopped about a year ago for who knows why.)
Then there's UVB 76, "The Buzzer" which has been traced to a Russian military building in the outer Moscow suburbs. "The Buzzer" is exactly that and almost nothing but that. For twenty five years a quick buzz goes off at the rate of twenty five a minute until the fifty ninth minute of the hour, at which time the buzz becomes continuous for the length of that minute until the hour changes. Mundane conversations have occasionaly been heard over the buzz revealing it to be a live buzzer played over a constantly live microphone. On four known occasions the buzz has stopped long enough for some kind of voice message to be given out over the frequency, usually a series of numbers combined with what seems to be a phonetic language. (Ala, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" only in this case "Ivan, Konstitine, Titania, etc.)
We know then that this is in all likelihood some sort of military intelligence instillation. And we know that whoever in Russia is running it needs to know if the buzzer is still going right now or if it has for some reason stopped right now. Some speculate that the station is involved in the 'Dead Hand' project, which involves automating Russian nukes to fire themselves should the Yankees ever succeed in destroying their government. This theory holds that The Buzzer acts as a killswitch in the system, and that if it ever stops...
Tempting as this theory may be, it seems more likely that the buzzer merely acts as a placeholder for the frequency so that no one else takes it, and that the occasional messages are nothing more sinister than an assassination order or two. The timing of the messages don't line up with anything major in Russian history. ( Collapse of the Soviets, handoff of power from Yeltsin to Putin, etc.) Nor do they line up with any of those nuclear scares they were kind enough to tell us about.
As for me, I've been spending the past two days learning everything I can about these things. I am on the one hand ashamed to have not learned of these things until I was twenty eight. Numbers stations are precisely the sort of thing that Josh Beran takes pride in knowing about. On the other hand learning something truly new to me, something so fascinating, so otherwordly and faintly demonic, fills me with the sort of joy that I don't think I've felt since I mastered Dr. Suess in preschool. These numbers stations really are the eccentric introverted beta-males ultimate wet dream.
These things are so, fucking, cool. And I am buying a motherfucking shortwave.
Dé hAoine, Eanáir 08, 2010
Lets Give College Football a Shot
1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. Boise State
5. Ohio State
6. Iowa
7. TCU
8. Cincinnati
9. Penn State
10 Georgia Tech
11 Oregon
12 BYU
13 Virginia Tech
14 Nebraska
15 Pittsburgh
16 Wisconsin
17 Utah
18 Central Michigan
19 Ole Miss
20 USC
21 LSU
22 Okla State
23 Miami
24 Texas Tech
25 Navy
And by the way Texas...
You see what happens when your starting quarterback is the entire offense?
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. Boise State
5. Ohio State
6. Iowa
7. TCU
8. Cincinnati
9. Penn State
10 Georgia Tech
11 Oregon
12 BYU
13 Virginia Tech
14 Nebraska
15 Pittsburgh
16 Wisconsin
17 Utah
18 Central Michigan
19 Ole Miss
20 USC
21 LSU
22 Okla State
23 Miami
24 Texas Tech
25 Navy
And by the way Texas...
You see what happens when your starting quarterback is the entire offense?
Dé Céadaoin, Eanáir 06, 2010
To Elaborate Further.
Here's a fundamentalist Christian who hates the "coexist" bumper sticker. His argument, in a nutshell, is that not engaging in a violent struggle for supremacy is tantamount to not existing.
http://wisertime.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/coexist/
http://wisertime.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/coexist/
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