"The spirit of the times may alter, will alter. Our rulers will become corrupt, our people careless. A single zealot may commence persecution, and better men be his victims. It can never be too often repeated, that the time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis is while our rulers are honest, and ourselves united. From the conclusion of this war we shall be going down hill. It will not then be necessary to resort every moment to the people for support. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights disregarded. They will forget themselves, but in the sole faculty of making money, and will never think of uniting to effect a due respect for their rights. the shackles, therefore, which shall not be knocked off at the conclusion of this war, will remain on us long, will be made heavier and heavier, till our rights shall revive or expire in a convulsion."- Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, query XVII.
THE END OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
“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 12:17
"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: 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. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six" Revelation 13:16-18
In discussing prophecy we must always remind ourselves as to why prophecy is important.
Christ is the centre of prophecy.
He is the one who gave it to Daniel and John in the first place.
Prophecy was given for our edification (1Cor 14:3-5)
It was given to strengthen trust in God’s word (2Peter 1:19 John 8:31)
Prophecy establishes the veracity of God’s word. John 13:19, 14:29
To recognise the power of God’s word in re-creating his image in us. Phil 4:13
It recognises God’s love toward us, (John 3:16, Rev 13:8)
That He is not willing that any should perish (2Peter 3:9).
Devastating events are about to transpire in the last remaining portions of the prophetic history of this world and we need to tread carefully with the gentleness and meekness of Christ as much of what the scripture teaches can be hard to swallow for those who do not respect or have a love for the Word of God. Long held beliefs, erroneous as they may be, are clung to tenaciously as if life depended on it.
Revelation 12 in symbolic language identifies the enemy of the true church: – the seven headed red dragon symbolising that old serpent, called the devil and Satan. (Rev 12:9).
Revelation 13 exposes the enemies of God’s church in real time.
Enemy number one is the first beast of Revelation 13:1-10 (Papal Rome).
The Dragon (Devil) gave it it’s power, seat & great authority.
Hence it is a devilish system masquerading as Christianity.
Its worship is the worship of the dragon disguised as the Christian worship.
Enemy number 2 is the second beast of Revelation 13:11-18 (Protestantism)
It has lamblike horns but it speaks as a Dragon
It is Christ-like in principle (Mark 12:17) but it legislates as the Devil would.
These two beasts are the enemies of mankind.
Both are inspired by the dragon.
Both will be responsible for the rejection of Christ by most of the world.
Both beasts will be responsible for their destruction at His second Coming.
Revelation 13 follows on from Revelation 12:17 where the dragon (that old serpent called the devil and Satan) is said to wage war with the remnant (the true church) of the woman's seed (Christ) which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.
The dragon has seven heads and ten horns. Heads and horns represent kingdoms, powers, nations, hence the seven heads of the dragon would naturally represent seven different beast powers or seven different kingdoms. The dragon went to make war with the remnant of the woman’s seed which keep the commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of Prophecy (Rev 12:17, 19:10) - Therefore, as the dragon makes war with the remnant, then naturally the symbolic 7 heads or kingdoms would be the instruments of war the devil uses against the remnant church as each head represents a beast that wars against God’s people. And a beast in prophecy is symbolic of a power, nation or kingdom. (Daniel 7:23)
The seven heads belong to seven BEASTS and there are only seven beasts in Daniel and Revelation as follows:
Lion - Daniel 7
Bear - Daniel 7
Leopard - Daniel 7
Terrible Beast with 10 horns - Daniel 7
Wounded first beast of Revelation 13:1-10
Beast from the Bottomless pit of Revelation 11
Second Beast with lamblike horns of Revelation 13:11-17
The beast with 7 heads & 10 horns is first introduced as the Dragon in Revelation 12 & is Satan. This beast is next mentioned in Rev 13:1-10 as one with the wounded head – Rev 13:3. The beast is finally mentioned in Rev 17 – with the harlot woman riding & controlling it.
One can infer that the same beast is also described in Revelation 11 as the Atheistic head. The spirit of Satan actuates each beast as each head is on the body of the dragon and the dragon is that old serpent, the devil and Satan.
In Revelation chapter 13, the enemies of God’s people, inspired by the Dragon (Rev 13:3) are finally exposed in real time. The two major powers (the beast and its image) of end-time prophecy are inspired by the dragon (Rev 13:2) and the evil work they embark on in order to persecute and rid the earth of God's people (those who "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ") are brought to view in this chapter.
REVELATION CHAPTER 13
Presents the 7 headed beast rising out of the SEA.
Beast has the body of a leopard, mouth of a lion, feet of a bear & 10 horns v 2
The Beast receives a deadly wound – Rev 13:3. cf Rev 11, Daniel 11:40
This wound was inflicted by Atheistic France cf Daniel 11:40.
This beast is used by the Dragon to war against the saints. – Rev 13:2,4,7
This beast has the same characteristics as the Little horn of Daniel 7.
It persecutes the church, leads it into captivity & kills it with the sword.
Church flees into the wilderness as the Earth helps the woman – Rev 12.
The first beast led into captivity & itself goes into captivity – Rev 13:10
The first beast killed by the sword & itself is killed by the sword – Rev 13:10
As the 1st beast goes into captivity, a 2nd beast rises out of the EARTH- v 11
The second beast arises out of the EARTH of the New World – the USA.
This beast exercises all the power of the first beast.
It causes all the earth & them that dwell therein to worship the first beast.
It deceives the inhabitants of earth to make an image to the first beast.
This beast causes all to receive the Mark of the Beast.
This beast will pass a death decree on all who refuse to follow its dictates.
Revelation 14 outlines the work of the true church - the three angels messages, that the hour of His judgment is come, that spiritual Babylon is fallen and the warning to avoid the worship of the beast, its image and the receiving of its Mark.
Revelation 14 contrasts those who receive the Mark of the beast with the true church which keeps the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Rev 14:9-12)
Finally, Revelation 15 sees God's victorious people who "had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.” This sea of glass we are told is before the throne of God in heaven. (Rev 4:6) The people of God have been faithful and stand victorious, a witness to the keeping power of God (Jude 24, 25) against the great hour of temptation and sin. This is the realisation of the promise Jesus made to his church in John 14:1-4
Almost the whole Christian world has been deceived by the great Antichrist power. Many Bible students are looking for Antichrist and a literal mark of the beast in the future but the Antichrist exists among us today and has been among us for centuries... Revelation 13 unmistakably points to the PROFESSED CHRISTIAN WORLD represented by the two beasts of Revelation 13 as the greatest enemy of mankind. These two beasts particularly the second beast of Revelation 13 will be responsible for the loss of eternal life of the majority of the world's population at the second coming of Jesus. (Matthew 7:14) Amazing, that the professed Christian Church is in fact the spiritual Babylon of Daniel and Revelation.
What a marvellous move by Satan to hide behind a Christian veneer, using the name, 'Christian(ity)', a name normally associated with salvation, for the destruction of the majority at the second coming of Christ when the stone cut without hand strikes the feet of iron and clay of the Daniel 2 image.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, " Ephesians 6:12
REVELATION CHAPTER 13
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?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
8 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.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
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.
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.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.
OVERVIEW
Revelation 13 mentions two beast - the first in verses 1-10, the second in verses 11-17
The first beast of Rev 13 is the Little horn of Daniel 7 - it has similar characteristics.
The 4th beast of Daniel 7 is the 4th kingdom of Daniel 2 - Pagan Rome (Dan 7:23)
The 4th kingdom of iron transitions to the feet of Iron & Clay (Papal Rome) in Daniel 2
Hence the Little horn of Daniel 7 is Papal Rome.
Therefore, the 1st beast of Rev 13 is Papal Rome - possess the same identifying marks.
Revelation 13 shows that the first beast received a deadly wound - Rev 13:3
This wound is in Daniel 11:40 - King of the South pushes at the King of the North
Revelation 13 tells us that the deadly wound Papal Rome received will heal.
Revelation 13 tells us that all the world will wonder after the first beast - Papal Rome.
Revelation 13 shows a second beast rising out of the earth after the wound of the first.
The first beast received its deadly wound in 1798. See on Daniel 7:25 and 11:40
The USA is unmistakably the 2nd beast of Rev 13:11 as it arose around the 1700s.
Revelation 13 shows the second beast forming an image to the first beast.
The first beast, Papal Rome, is a union of church and state.
The second Beast will develop a union of church & state to enforce church dogmas.
The second beast will enforce the Mark of the beast and worship of the first beast.
The second beast will pass a death decree on all dissenters.
Today most Christians think that the beast represents a man whom they expect to come to power in the future and perscute Christians for 3 1/2 literal years. Few realise that this view was actually invented by the Roman Catholic Jesuit, Francisco Ribera in an effort to counter the almost unanimous Protestant interpretation which saw the beast as a symbol of Papal Rome.
“Ribera thrust the Antichrist into the future, confined to 3 1/2 literal years; Alcazar pushed Antichrist back into the early centuries - Both of them outside the Middle Ages and the Reformation period, designated by all Protestants for Antichristʼs reign of 1260 literal YEARS.” L. Froom, Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, Vol. II, p508.
“The Futuristic School, founded by the Jesuit Ribera in 1591, looks for Antichrist, Babylon, and a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, at the end of the Christian Dispensation.” G.S. Hitchcock, (Roman Catholic), The Beast and the Little Horn, p7.
Riberaʼs counter Reformation theory, though rejected by Protestants in his day, reappeared and developed in the works of various 19th century commentators. No longer does Roman Catholicism have to counter the ʻProtestantʼ interpretation of prophecy because today virtually all ʻProtestantsʼ hold what is essentially the Catholic interpretation!
This chapter presents the Biblical evidence that led the Reformers to their conclusion. The Papacy has become the worldʼs MOST POWERFUL RELIGION and will play a significant role in end-time events. This chapter will also show that the second beast of Rev 13 represents the USA, the MOST POWERFUL STATE in the world today.
This prophecy foretells that the USA will form an “image” of the Roman Catholic system when the leading Protestant churches, unite upon common points of doctrine, and influence the State to enforce their doctrine. This “image of the beast”, a union of church and state, will cause all men to receive the mark of the beast - the mark of Roman Catholicism...
PROPHETIC SYMBOLS REPRESENTING NATIONS, POWERS, KINGDOMS.
"King" and "Kingdom" used interchangeably - Daniel 7:17,23
"Beasts" represent kingdoms - Daniel 7:23
"Heads" also symbolic of kingdoms - Dan 2: 37,38.
King Nebuchadnezzar was the head of Gold - Dan 2: 37,38.
The Leopard of Daniel 7:6 had 4 heads = 4 kingdoms of divided Grecia
"Horns" symbolic of kingdoms - Ram & He-Goat of Daniel 8:20, 21.
The great horn of the he-goat is said to be the first King.
"Kings" used interchangeably with individuals or kingdoms.
The Ram is said to have two horns, (Medes & Persians) Daniel 8:20
The Ram had one horn higher than the other, the higher horn coming up last.
The higher horn represented the Persian empire.
Fourth beast of Daniel 7:24 has 10 horns which are said to be 10 kings
Beasts = kings & kings used interchangeably with kingdoms as seen already.
Ribs are symbolic of kingdoms - Daniel 7:5, Daniel 8:4
The Ram of Daniel 8 conquers in three directions - West, North & South
The Ram conquers "...so that no beasts might stand before him,..."
The bear of Daniel 7:5 is told to arise and devour much flesh.
Hence the ribs in the mouth of the bear represent the kingdoms it conquers.
"Mountain" is symbolic of a kingdom - Daniel 2:35,44,45.
In Rev 17:9,10,11 are seen 7 mountains, 7 kings & the7 headed beast
In Rev 17 these set of sevens represent kingdoms, nations.
Waters or seas represent kingdoms or powers in Rev 17:15
"City" used interchangeably with Kingdom. Rev 14:8, 16:19, 18:10,21
REVELATION 13
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.
verse1: And I stood upon the sand of the sea...
No detail is without significance. The sea symbolizes the wicked, “But the WICKED [are] like the troubled SEA, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.” Isa 57:20. The sand of the sea shore fittingly symbolizes the church rejected of the world. To Abraham God promised, “I will multiply thy seed as...the SAND which [is] upon the sea SHORE...” Gen 22:17. Johnʼs location on the sand shows him to be representative of the church. Some manuscripts say, “and he [the dragon] stood...” on the sand awaiting the beast to which he would give his seat, power and authority (v 2).
A beast symbolizes a KINGDOM or nation. (Daniel 7:23; 8:21-22).
This KINGDOM is made up of the four KINGDOMS seen in Daniel 7 - v 2
The sea represents peoples, multitudes, nations & tongues (Rev 17:15).
The beast arises out of a populated area.
But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, …...” Isa 57:20
These beasts are sequential & arise out of the conflict of nations (SEA).
They come to power through conquest.
The head in power at any given time is the beast of the moment – lion, etc.
The wounding of the beast’s head is a wound to the beast itself - v 12.
The heads of the dragon are pagan powers controlled by the spirit of Satan.
This vision focuses on the beast when the wounded head was in power – v3.
verse 1: ...having seven heads...
Heads represent kingdoms or nations. Daniel 7:6 & Daniel 8:21-22
This beast is composed of the four beasts (kingdoms) of Daniel 7.
The seven heads represent seven successive kingdoms of Bible prophecy.
Satan has used and will use these kingdoms to war against God’s people.
Heads symbolize political kingdoms. The four heads of the leopards (Dan 7) parallel the four horns of the goat in Daniel 7 which represent kingdoms. (See Dan 8:22).
Identity of the [beast with] seven heads & ten horns representing 7 beasts.
Lion – Babylon, the symbol of pagan idolatry of Daniel 2 & 7
Bear – Medes & Persians of Daniel 7*
Leopard – Grecia of Daniel 7*
Terrible Beast with 10 horns – Pagan Rome of Daniel 7
Wounded beast of Revelation 13:1-10 – to be identified in this chapter.
Beast from the Bottomless pit of Rev 11 – Atheism (Daniel 11 study)
Beast with lamblike horns of Rev 13:11-17 – to be identified in this chapter.
*The Ram and the He-Goat of Daniel 8 representing Medo-Persia & Grecia are not ferocious beasts but are animals used in the sanctuary service and used in a cultic way in Daniel 8 to represent pagan powers so do not figure in the seven heads as such.
The beastʼs seven heads symbolise seven successive political kingdoms through which Satan has worked (See on Rev 17) to persecute God's people. The head that is ʻaliveʼ at any particular time is said to be the beast at that point in time (cf. Rev 13:3 & 13:12). The head (kingdom) this chapter focuses on is the Papal head, - Papal Rome. The Papacy is a kingdom and a church, a union of church & state:
“SOVEREIGNTY over Vatican City is exercised by the pope in his function as supreme head of the Catholic church...The 50 or so countries maintaining permanent diplomatic relations with it implicitly recognize its sovereign status.” New Catholic Encyclopaedia, p557-558
verse 1: ...and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns...
Like the leopard, bear, lion and dragon the ten horns are drawn from the prophecy of Daniel 7 where they are said to be “ten kings [kingdoms].” Dan 7:24. Horns represent kings/kingdoms, civil or religious governments or powers. Four horns in Dan 8:8, 22 are said to be “four kingdoms.” King & kingdom are used interchangeably (see Dan 2:38-39; Dan 7:17, 23).
On principle of first mention, the 10 horns are from the 4th beast of Daniel 7.
In fact, 11 horns grew from 4th beast’s head & 3 were plucked up leaving 8.
Horns represent kingdoms – Daniel 7:24, 8:3,5,8,9,20,21, Rev 17:12
The 10 horns represent 10 kingdoms.
“King(s)” & “kingdoms” are used interchangeably in prophecy – Dan 7:17,23
The beast's 10 horns are the same as the 10 horns of Daniel 7.
The 10 horns are 10 kingdoms which arise from the kingdom of the 4th beast.
In the study of Daniel 8&2, the 4th beast is Pagan Rome.
Pagan Rome divides or gives way to 10 barbarian kingdoms.
Pagan Rome transitions to Papal Rome in the form of the little horn.
This little horn is more stout (stronger) than its fellow 10 horns.
In the process of its rise it plucks up 3 of the 10 horns (kingdoms).
The crowns on the horns reinforce the fact that the 10 horns are 10 kingdoms.
verse 1 ...and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Scripture defines blasphemy in the following way:
“The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God”. John 10:33
“Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” Mark 2:7
“And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” Luke 5:20,21
One of the characteristics of the beast of Rev 13:1-10 is it speaks blasphemies, great words or great things against the Most High. cf Daniel 7. The beast power claims to be God on earth and it claims to be able to forgive sins.
These clues alone ought to unmistakably identify who the beast of Revelation 13:1-10 is! Each kingdom has defied God. We will revisit “blasphemy" in verse 5
The Bible says that blasphemy is when a man, who is not God, claims to be able to forgive sins against God. (See Mark 2:7). When the Pope and all Catholic Priests claim to forgive sins in the confessional they thus speak blasphemies. The only confessional which heaven approves is that which goes direct to Jesus, “For [there is]...ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1Tim 2:5.
THE FIRST BEAST - IDENTIFYING POINTS AFTER VERSE 1
This beast rose out of the sea
It has seven heads and ten horns, - 10 horns = 10 kingdoms
And upon his horns ten crowns, - 10 kings
On his heads the name of blasphemy - Mark 2:7 & John 10:33 re: blasphemy
verse 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.
This is a composite beast made up of the four beasts of Daniel 7. John is looking back in time and mentions the beasts in reverse order commencing with the leopard of Grecia, then the feet of the bear of Medo-Persia, followed by the mouth of the Lion of Babylon. The ten horns obviously refer to the fourth beast of Daniel 7 during which John was living at the time, namely the Pagan Roman beast.
Without the book of Daniel it would be difficult to decipher Revelation 13 and who the specific beast is that is spoken of here as making war with the saints of god.
verse 2: ...and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
We saw that the Dragon of verse 12 is that old Serpent called the devil and Satan. It is a scary thought that this beast of Revelation 13 receives its power from the Devil aka Satan. It receives its seat from the Devil. It receives great authority from Devil. Jesus said of the Devil that he was a liar and a murderer. - John 8:44. In keeping with this, the Devil is described in Revelation 12:9 as a deceiver who deceives the whole world. The dragon primarily symbolizes Satan (Rev 12: 9). Secondarily it symbolizes the Roman Empire through which Satan tried to kill Jesus at His birth depicted in Rev 12:4. cf. Matt 2:16. Herod was a Roman appointed ruler who tried to kill baby Jesus. So was Pilate who delivered up Jesus to death. Incidentally the Roman Empire even used the red dragon as their symbol. Pagan Rome gave Papal Rome its power, seat (place of government - i.e. the city of Rome), and great authority.
Papal Rome is not a Christian religion. It masquerades as Christian but beneath the camouflage, it is the religion of that old serpent, the devil and satan. It is the Babylon of Bible prophecy.
THE FIRST BEAST - IDENTIFYING POINTS ADDED AFTER VERSE 2
This beast rose out of the sea - arises out of a populous region
It has seven heads and ten horns, - 10 horns = 10 kingdoms
And upon his horns ten crowns, - 10 kings
On his heads the name of blasphemy - Mark 2:7 & John 10:33 re: blasphemy
Beast is a composite of the four Daniel 7 beasts.
The Dragon (Satan) gave this beast its power seat and great authority.
verse 3: And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death...
The wounding of the head is said to be the wounding of the beast. Compare verse 3 with verse 12.
Did Papal Rome receive a deadly wound?
In the 1790s atheism became the official policy of the French Republic as a reaction to an apostate & oppressive 'Christianity' . In 1798 the French army under Napoleon abolished the Papal state which it considered an enemy of the Republic. The Pope was led into captivity where he died. As Rome had done to thousands in the Dark Ages so it was done to her.
“[General] Berthier entered Rome on 10th February 1798, and proclaimed a Republic. The aged Pontiff...was hurried from prison to prison into France. Broken with fatigue and sorrows, he died...No wonder that half Europe thought Napoleonʼs veto would
be obeyed, and that with the Pope THE PAPACY WAS DEAD.” Joseph Rickaby, The Modern Papacy, [lecture 24, p. 1] (London: Catholic Truth Society, 1910).
“The ultimate humiliation of the Church came when Pius VI was driven from Rome by the French armies in 1798.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1989, Vol. 26, p938.
“The Papacy WAS EXTINCT; not a vetige of its existence remained; and among all the Roman Catholic powers not a finger was stirred in its defence. The Eternal city had neither prince nor pontiff; its bishop was dying captive in foreign lands; and the decree was already announced that no successor would be allowed in its place.” “George Trevor, Rome: From the Fall of the Western Empire, p439-440.
“Multitudes imagined that the papacy was at the point of DEATH and asked, would Pius VI be the last Pontiff, and if the close of the eighteenth century would be signalised by THE FALL OF THE PAPAL DYNASTY.” T.H. Gill, The Papal Drama, Book 10.
Dan 11:40 & Rev 11 revealed that a new Satanic power was to rise at the time of the end. The atheistic State gave the Papacy a deadly wound but the prophecy foretold that the wound would heal. The two great forces that are helping to heal the wound are Protestant America (See on Rev 13:11- 17) and the nations of Western Europe (see on Rev 17:8-13).
verse 3: ...and his deadly wound was healed...
Soon after the humiliation of 1798 the Papacy began to reorganize. A new Pope was elected in 1801 and the restoration to power began. The Papacy suffered a new setback in 1870 when the Papal States were taken from it. In 1929 Italy helped the healing process by returning to the Papacy, the Papal States:
1929 Lateran Pact - a move in the right direction of Bible prophecy.
Cardinal Caspari and Mussolini sign the Lateran Pact or Concordat of June 7th 1929.
“A crowd, tense with excitement, is here to witness the passage of these two men [Mussolini and Cardinal Gaspari] whose pens will HEAL A WOUND of fifty nine years.” Catholic Advocate, 1929.
“HEALING THE WOUND” The San Francisco Chronicle. Feb. 12, 1929.
The healing will be complete when the Papacy once again has the power of the State to enforce its decrees and reignite persecution.
verse 3: ...and all the world wondered after the beast.
All the world will marvel or admire the beast. The Pope is without doubt the most prominent religious figure in the world. The Papal power is known worldwide. All the world willl wonder after Papal Rome's Catholicism as the worldʼs leading religion.
THE FIRST BEAST - IDENTIFYING POINTS ADDED TO AFTER VERSE 3
This beast rose out of the sea - arises out of a populous region
It has seven heads and ten horns, - 10 horns = 10 kingdoms
And upon his horns ten crowns, - 10 kings
On his heads the name of blasphemy - See Mark 2:7 & John 10:33
Beast is a composite of the four Daniel 7 beasts.
The Dragon (Satan) gave this beast its power seat and great authority.
One of the beast's head was wounded
The deadly wound will be healed
All the world wondered (marvelled) after the beast.
verse 4: And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast...
The dragon is primarily Satan (Rev 12:9). Those who KNOWINGLY obey the beast when it commands things contrary to Godʼs Word have made the beast their God. In this way many do worship the Papacy (many are presently unaware that they are following things contrary to the Bible) and many will worship the Papacy.
verse 4: ...saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him.
Papal Rome “made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.” The saints war against evil with the sword of the spirit (Eph 6:12). Tragically Papal Rome slew them with the sword of the State.
The “world” of verse 3 will worship the devil, as they worship the dragon.
The same “world” will worship the beast.
Hence this beast is not only a political kingdom but a religious one as well.
It will accept worship from the children of the world.
The kingdom of the beast is worldwide in extent.
This beast is so powerful that none can war against it is the implied answer to the question in v 4.
verse 5: And there was given him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies...
The man of the Papacy is the “Papa” - the pope, the one Catholics call the holy father. Jesus said we should call no man our spiritual “Father.” (Matt 23:9).
There are two situations in scripture when one can be accussed of blasphemy.
(1). Blasphemy is when a man who is not God, claims to forgive sins against God. (Mark 2:7). When the Pope and all Catholic Priests claim to forgive sins in the confessional they thus speak blasphemies. The only confessional which heaven approves is that which goes direct to Jesus, “For [there is]...ONE mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1Tim 2:5.
(2). Blasphemy also occurs when a man claims to be God. There are many who claim to be Christ and Christ is God. John 10:33
verse 5: ...and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.
Power was given it to continue 42 months. This prophetic period as noted previously is recorded ten times in Daniel & Revelation.
Daniel 7:25 – time, times & half a time
Daniel 9:27 – half of seven = 3 ½ (midst of the week, he was cut off)
Daniel 12:7 – time, times and a half
Revelation 11:2 – 42 months
Revelation 11:3 – 1260 days
Revelation 11:9 – three days & a half
Revelation 11:11 – three days and a half
Revelation 12:6 – 1260 days
Revelation 12:14 – time, times & a half
Revelation 13:5 – 42 months
This power is exercised by Papal Rome to persecute the woman and the remnant of her seed - God’s people. More specifically, the woman’s seed is Christ, hence the remnant of her seed are Bible believing Christians (Christ’s disciples) - see John 8:31 as to the definition of a true Christian or disciple of Christ.
“And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of 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 7:25, cf Daniel 11:32-35
“And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” Daniel 12:7
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. Rev 11:2
The beast had power for 42 months which is 1260 prophetic days (See Rev 11:2-3). As seen previously, the forty and two months represent 1260 years during which the church was relentlessly pursued and persecuted by the devil (Dragon). The symbolic context, and the unusual way the period is expressed (42 months) rather than 3 years and 6 months as used for normal time, indicate that this period is not normal time but symbolic time. In symbolic prophecy such as this, a day symbolises a literal year (Eze 4:6; Num 14:34 Matt 18:22). 1260 days = 1260 years.
In Daniel 7 Papal Rome is symbolised by a little horn. It is depicted as rising “among” and “after” the 10 horns of the fourth beast. The 10 horns represent the nations of Europe which arose from the Roman Empire, the fourth beast. The little horn - the Papacy, arose in Europe, came to full power in AD538, after the first ten horns had arisen, and was abolished or received its deadly wound 1260 years later in 1798. See on Daniel 7:25.
verse 6: And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
The Bible defines Blasphemy as follows:
"The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God." John 10:33
The beast was given a mouth speaking blasphemies.
This is a system of worship which claims to be God.
This is a system of worship which claims to be able to forgive sin.
These are two of the most important identifying marks as to who this beast is. They point unmistakably to Papal Rome as the wounded head of the Revelation 13:1-10 beast.
The following Roman Catholic quotes fulfilled the prophecy cf Matt 24:4,5,11,23,24
“The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ Himself, hidden under veil of the flesh.” The Catholic National, July, 1895.
“What only God can do by his omnipotence, the priest can also do...Indeed it is not too much to say that in view of the sublimity of their office the priests are so many Gods.” Dignity and Duties of the Priest, Alphonsus De Liguori, p35.
“The Pope is supreme judge of the law of the land...He is the viceregent of Christ, and is not only a priest forever, but is King of kings and Lord of lords.” La Civilta Cattolica, March 18, 1871.
“All names which in Scripture are applied to Christ, by virtue of which it is established that he is over the church, all the same names are applied to the Pope.” Cardinal Bellarmine, On the Authority of the Councils, Vol. 2, p. 266.
“What only God can do by his omnipotence, the priest can also do...Indeed it is not too much to say that in view of the sublimity of their office the priests are so many Gods.” Dignity and Duties of the Priest, Alphonsus De Liguori, p35.
“The Pope is of so great authority and power that he can modify, explain, or interpret even Divine laws...THE POPE CAN MODIFY DIVINE LAW, since his power is not of man, but of God, and he acts in the place of God upon earth.” Lucius Ferraris, “Papa,” art. 2, in Prompta Bibliotheca.
“The pope has power to change times, to abrogate [change] laws, and to dispense [do away] with all things, even the precepts of Christ.” Decretal, De Translantic Episcop.
“Does the Priest truly remit [forgive] sins, or does he only declare they are remitted? The priest does really and truly remit the sin in virtue of the power given him by Christ.” Joseph Deharbe, S.J., A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion, p275.
“… to blaspheme his name, …”
Papal Rome blasphemes God’s name by misrepresenting Godʼs character. The word “Name” also stands for character. (Ecc 7:1) The doctrines of the immortality of the soul and Hell fire creates a misapprehension of God’s character. Can you imagine someone being told their relative for whatever reason will burn in the fires of hell forever and that they will be able to view the agony of the event for forever and it was God who decreed it to be so? How do you expect that someone to be converted with that sort of view of God?
“… blaspheme… his tabernacle,…”
Scripture teaches that Christ is our high priest. That he ministers in the tabernacle made without hands. Papal Rome blasphemes Godʼs tabernacle (temple or sanctuary) by setting up a counterfeit earthly priesthood and a human system of mediation in place of Christ, our only Mediator (1Tim 2:5) and His ministry in the heavenly tabernacle.
“…blaspheme … them that dwell in heaven.”
Them that dwell in heaven include the Father, the Son, the angels and elders. Papal Rome blasphemes them that dwell in heaven by claiming to be greater than even angels.
“Indeed, the excellence and power of the Roman Pontiff is not only in the sphere of heavenly things, and earthly things, and those of the lower regions, but even ABOVE THE ANGELS, than whom he himself is greater.” Lucius Ferraris, “Papa II” Prompta Bibliotheca, Vol. VI, p27. Official Roman Catholic Publication.
verse 7: And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
In the past Papal Rome had countless Christians martyred in the various Inquisitions. Pagan Rome martyred around three million Christians. Papal Rome made war with the saints and killed up to 50 million Christians for their faith during the Dark Ages simply for believing doctrines Rome labelled as HERESY. cf Rev 13:7 with Daniel 7:25 This Great Tribulation covered the period called the Dark Ages (See on Matt 24:21-22).
The healing of the deadly wound will result in another terrible persecution of those who keep the commandments of God rather than the commandments of the Papacy.
Augustine laid the foundation for the church to persecute heretics when he wrote:
“Originally my opinion was that no one should be coerced into the unity of Christ, that we must act only by words, fight only by arguments, and prevail by force of reason, lest we should have those whom we knew as avowed heretics feigning themselves to be Catholics. But this opinion of mine was overcome...” St. Augustine, Letter 93 (to Vincentius), chap. 5, sec. 17, trans. in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, first series, Vol. I, p388.
“The Catholic church has persecuted...We have always defended the persecution of the Hugenots, and the Spanish Inquisition...When she thinks it good to use physical force, she will use it.” A Roman Catholic publication, The Western Watchman, of St Louis, Dec. 24, 1908.
“Torture was little used from the 9th to 12th centuries, but with the revival of Roman law the process was re-established in the 12th century...In 1252 [Pope] Innocent IV sanctioned the infliction of torture by the civil authorities upon heretics, and torture came to have a recognized place in the procedures of the inquisitorial courts.” New Catholic Encyclopaedia, art. Torture.
“The civil authorities, therefore, were enjoined by the popes, under pain of excommunication to execute the legal sentences that condemned impenitent heretics to the stake.” Joseph Blotzer, article, ʻInquisitionʼ, Catholic Encycloedia, Vol. VIII, p
“Cursed be they who assert liberty of conscience and of worship, and such as maintain the church should not employ force. The State has not the right to leave every man free to embrace whatever religion he shall deem true.” Pope Pius IXʼs Encyclical and Syllabus (Dec. 8, 1864).
In the March 13, 2000 article above, Alessandra Stanley documents Pope John Paul 11 asking for forgiveness of the church’s errors:
“Saying ''we humbly ask forgiveness,'' John Paul II today delivered the most sweeping papal apology ever, repenting for the errors of his church over the last 2,000 years.” “Pope Asks Forgiveness for Errors Of the Church over 2000years” Alessandra Stanley March 13, 2000.
THE FIRST BEAST - IDENTIFYING POINTS AFTER VERSES 4-7
This beast rose out of the sea - arises out of a populous region
It has seven heads and ten horns, - 10 horns = 10 kingdoms
Upon his horns, ten crowns, = 10 kings
And upon his heads the name of blasphemy - See Mark 2:7 & John 10:33 = blasphemy
Beast is a composite of the Daniel 7 beasts.
The Dragon (Devil & Satan) gave this beast its power seat & great authority.
One of the beast's head was wounded
The deadly wound will be healed
All the world wondered (marvelled) after the beast
Who is able to make war with the beast? - saints persecuted by this beast.
The beast speaks great things & blasphemies - able to forgive sins & is God
The beast has power to continue 40 and 2 months - power for 1260 years
The beast makes war with the saints of God - killed Bible believing Christians
The beast overcomes the saints of God.
The beast has power over all kindreds, tongues & nations - kings & queens.
THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL 7
Identifying points from Daniel 7
The parent beast comes out of the sea - Dan 7:3
The beast has 10 horns - Dan 7:7
The 10 horns are 10 kings - Dan 7:24
The little horn has a mouth speaking great things or blasphemies - Dan 7:8
Little horn implied receives deadly wound at end of prophetic time in Dan 7:25
The little horn makes war with the saints of God - Dan 7:21
The little horn overcomes or prevails against the saints of God - Dan 7:21,25
Little horn more stout than other horns - is strong - Dan 7:20
Little horn has power over the saints - Dan 7:25
It can be seen that the Little Horn of Daniel 7 and the first Beast of Revelation 13 are one and the same power - Papal Rome. See study on "who is the king of the north" for the various kingdoms of the Daniel 2 image.
The first beast with 7 heads and 10 horns represents Papal Rome. The 7 heads on the beast symbolises the 7 consecutive powers / nations of Bible prophecy.
A head is symbolic of a nation, power or kingdom. More specifically, Revelation 13:1-10 is describing the Papal head of that beast, i.e. the one that received a deadly wound which is predicted to heal. "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." Rev 13:3
The word "wondered" according to Strong's Concordance means "to wonder, wonder at, marvel, to be wondered at, to be held in admiration". The overriding impression of the meaning of the Greek "thaumazo" is that the Papal Beast will be admired, held in admiration, marvel, wonder.
Despite the immorality of the Papal priests, the Pope and the Roman church is held in admiration the world over. Even though the systems of the Papacy might degenerate into immoral behaviour with child sex abuse cases etc, the Papacy is admired worldwide and appears to be held in high regard as the spiritual leader of the world's religions.
verse 8: 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.
All the world knows this power. “Catholic” actually means “universal.” This verse foretells a worldwide religious movement. The last issue will be over worship, particularly the day of worship as a dividing line between those who worship the true God and those who worship the beast and his image.
The word “HIM” which commenced in verse 4 refers to the wounded Beast.
Papal Rome is the head that received the deadly wound.
Jesus is the lamb slain from the foundation of the world. John 1:29
All the LOST whose names are not in THE BOOK, will WORSHIP THE BEAST.
This will include all apostates who have abandoned the truth.
Everything thus far in Revelation 13 has to do with religion and worship.
The worship of the Dragon – v4
The worship of the beast – v4
The Beast blasphemes God’s name – v6
The Beast blasphemes God’s tabernacle – v6
The Beast blasphemes them that dwell in heaven – v6
The Beast makes war with God’s saints and overcomes them – v7
Verse 8 tells us the beast will be Worshipped by those who are lost.
Worship has to do with obedience in religious matters.
Worship has to do with a specific day of worship.
Sunday is the worship day of the Beast & her followers – Papal & Protestant.
The Seventh Day Sabbath is the worship day of the true God
The last test will be over WORSHIP – worship of the Beast vs worship of God.
Verse 8 details a worldwide religious movement in support of Papal Rome.
“… of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Christ determined beforehand to die as a ransom for man’s sin. 1Pet 1:19-20 “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,”
God gave man a free will and in doing so took a risk. He knew man would sin and had a plan to save sinners who chose to follow that plan. God’s law is an unchangeable law, the transgression of which is sin and the wages of sin is death.
So God sent his son in the human nature of sinful fallen man to demonstrate not what a God could do but what a man connected with God could do i.e. to cease from sin & keep God’s law. – Jer 31:31, Heb 8:10, 2Peter 1:4
verse 9: If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Those who are willing to do Christʼs will and accept truth (John 7:17) even if it cuts across cherished practices or ideas, will understand. We all have literal ears but only the wise have ears that shall hear and understand spiritual things. Daniel 12:10, Rev 2:7,11,17,29, Rev 3:6,13,22
verse 10: He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity...
Papal Rome led God’s people into captivity during its 1260 year reign over “the Kings of the Earth.” Having led into captivity, Papal Rome was led into captivity. cf Daniel 7:25, 11:35, Matt 7:2, Mark 4:24, Luke 6:38. In 1798 the Pope, the head of the Papacy, was taken captive by the armies of France.
“The ULTIMATE HUMILIATION of the Church came when Pius VI was driven from Rome by the French armies in 1798.” Encʼ Britannica, 1989, Vol. 26, p938.
“In 1798 he [Berthier]...made his entrance into Rome, ABOLISHED the PAPAL GOVERNMENT and established a secular one.” The Encʼ Americana, 1941 ed.
verse 10: ...he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
The sword can refer to Godʼs word, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph 6:17. The sword can also symbolize the power of the State (Rom 13:3-4). Here it refers to the power of the State. As the beast had killed Christians with the SWORD OF THE STATE, so it was killed by the SWORD OF THE STATE. In 1798 the French State abolished the Papacy. See on verse 3.
The church wields the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, but it must not use the sword of the State to further its ends. Jesus said, “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Matt 26:52.
SUMMARY OF REVELATION 13:1-10
The beast arises from the warring “sea” of wicked humanity – Isaiah 57:20
It has seven heads & 10 horns representing seven kingdoms.
The beast is a composite of the beasts of Daniel 7.
Hence, the 10 horns represent the 10 divisions of the 4th beast of Daniel 7
Daniel 7 is important in deciphering Revelation 13:1-10
Revelation 13:1-10 is dealing with the beast that has a wounded head.
It is a blasphemous power as noted below in pts 8&9
It claims to be God – John 10:33
It claims to be able to forgive man’s sins – Mark 2:7
The wounded head is predicted to heal.
Prior to the wounding, it persecuted God’s saints.
After the wound, it lost its power to persecute.
Healing of the wound will be manifested in its ability to persecute again.
The Dragon (Serpent, Devil & Satan) gave it, it’s power, seat & great authority.
Hence it is a devilish system.
All the world will be made to worship the Beast power.
In worshipping it, the world will be worshipping the Dragon (Devil & Satan)
verse 18: Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding...
WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING is found in keeping Godʼs statues and judgments (Deut 4:5-6). Those who keep Godʼs judgments and statutes will understand.
verse 18: ...count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.
The number of the beast is the number “of a man”
Daniel 2 described the image OF A MAN.
Daniel 7 says the little horn (parallels the beast), has the eyes OF A MAN.
Revelation 13 speaks of the number OF A MAN.
As this manʼs number is another clue to help us identify this power, a specific man with a specific number must be intended. As we have identified the beast as Papal Rome, the man is easily identified. The man of the Papacy is the one Catholics call the “papa” or Pope.
The Roman Catholic paper, Our Sunday Visitor stated:
““The title of the Pope of Rome is Vicarius Filii Dei. This is inscribed on his mitre; and if you take the letters of his title which represent Latin numerals (printed large) and add them together they come to 666.” “Answers to Readerʼs Questions,,” Our Sunday Visitor [Catholic], Nov 15, 1914.
Note: Vicarius Filii Dei is one of the Popeʼs titles. Whether it is on his mitre or not is of no consequence.
As we are told to “count the number...the number of a man,” we should choose a language in which letters have numerical value. As the Beast is the ROMAN Catholic Papacy, and as the Popeʼs title is in Latin (ROMAN), and as Roman, unlike English gives certain letters numerical value, it is obvious that we should use Latin, or ROMAN numerals.
When the letters of the Popeʼs Roman title are taken as Roman numerals they total 666. See chart.
666 is also associated with SUN WORSHIP which helps confirm that 666 is associated with the Papay which openly claims to have changed the Sabbath from the seventh day to the day first day (SUNDAY) of the week. See on Dan 7:25.
St Joseph Baltimore Catechism
explained by REV BENNET KELLEY
“The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. The lack of divine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments. Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard for truth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing Sunday observance. Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer be respected. In the soon-coming conflict we shall see exemplified the prophet’s words: ‘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.’” Great Controversy, page 592.
As the first beast, Papal Rome, went into captivity in 1798, there is seen rising another beast from the earth in the 1700s
RISING AROUND 1798
ONLY ONE NATION FITS THE TIMELINE - THE USA.
It is no surprise that the most powerful nation on earth figures in Bible prophecy. This now dominant nation, emerged relatively peacefully in the late 1700s to independent power, in the great wilderness land discovered by Columbus and known as The New World. It has since grown to super power status and will play a significant and terrible role in the last days of this world.
See webpage "Coalition of Evil - Part 2"
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