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Topic: Revelation XIII by W.O.Ephraim
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Keith
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16 THE FIRST BEAST OF REVELATION 13
After the fall of the western Roman empire, the church of Rome began a steady rise to power over all of Europe. The pinnacle of the age of her power, is rightly referred to by some, as the dark ages. Though the church of Rome has put forth great efforts to eradicate this term form all literature that she can, the writer believes the term to be most accurate.
The protestant reformation was a source of light during the dark ages. There were always those who apposed the false doctrines of the church of Rome, and her claim to be the voice of God on earth. Multitudes paid with their lives. In God’s timing though, the movement gained momentum that the church of Rome could not hold back. The word of God, which had been outlawed by the church of Rome, was given to the people. It’s light shined in the darkness which the church of Rome had spread in the world. It’s eternal truths broke the chains of ignorance which held sway over a people who had been enslaved by the false doctrines of the church of Rome.
This war, between the false doctrines of the church of Rome, and the truths of God’s word has been, is, and will continue to rage until God Himself ends all disputes by His promised return. The reformation picked up enough momentum to cause serious damage to the power and influence of the church of Rome upon this world. However, the church of Rome also began a counter reformation, which she continues to this day. These two movements will continue until the end.
The height of the reformations effect upon the church of Rome came in the year 1798. It was at this time, that the French General Berthier entered the Vatican and dethroned the Pope, sending him into exile. Though this was not a Christian movement by any means, it only became possible because of the loss of power the church of Rome sustained, due to the reformation. It was around this time also, that a new nation was rising with a form of government built upon the grand principles of freedom espoused by the Protestant reformation. The United States became the greatest nation on earth, due to the principles of the Protestant reformation that were incorporated within her legislative halls. Namely, Civil and religious freedom guaranteed by a separation of church and state.
This form of government was in direct opposition to the aims and goals of the Church of Rome, which is to be the supreme authority in this world. Correspondingly therefore, it has been a main target of change, by the Church of Rome ever since it’s establishment. To undermine the principles and freedoms that our constitution guarantee’s, has been the goal of the Church of Rome since our conception. The Church of Rome is meeting with greater success today, than ever before. This however, is not just a happenstance, but moreover the result of two hundred years of consistent effort by the Church of Rome to bring this very thing about. Moreover, the prophecies of the book of Revelation predicted these very events. All that is happening, is in accordance with God’s word, and under His complete control. Only God can allow absolute freedom, even to the point of rebellion, and still never loose control of the situation. All will unfold as He has predicted. Lets continue our examination of the book of Revelation, chapter thirteen.
Rev 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.
The first thing the reader might notice, is that this beast rises up out of the sea. We have already discussed in an earlier chapter, that Babylon the great, sits upon many waters, and that the waters represent peoples, nations, and tongues(Rev. 17:15). This beast then, has this thing in common with Babylon the great. They arise out of, and are situated among peoples, and nations, and various tongues, or languages.
The next thing we are told, is that this beast has seven heads and ten horns. We know from Revelation 12:3, that the dragon also has seven heads, and ten horns. Further examination will reveal that Babylon the great, the MOTHER OF HARLOTS and the abominations of the earth, sits upon a beast that has seven heads, and ten horns (Rev. 17:3). The heads of the first beast of Rev. 13, and the beast of Rev. 17 which Babylon rides, are both said to have the names of blasphemy. As is obvious, the beast of Rev. 13 that we are examining, is none other than the beast which Babylon the ***** of Rev. 17 rides. It is that form of government which is controlled by Babylon the great, who is herself controlled by the devil.
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.
Verse two gives us some more identifying marks for this beast. The beast has parts of a leopard, a bear, and a lion, and the dragon gives him power and authority. These creatures, are the exact creatures used in the book of Daniel chapter seven, to depict the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, followed by pagan, and then papal Rome. The following is said of the fourth beast of Daniel chapter seven-
Dan 7:7 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 was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
That the above beast is Rome, cannot be doubted. Rome succeeded the Grecian empire, as the next great empire of the world. This beast has ten horns, linking it also with the beast of Revelation 13, and Babylon the great.
Dan 7:8 8 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.
The little horn that comes forth out of this beast, after the other ten horns, meets it’s end by the judgment of God at His appearing ( Dan 7:16-27). So also does Babylon the great, and the beast which she rides (Rev. chap. 15-20). This little horn is BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Her rise to power we have already shown to be the downfall of the western Roman empire through the establishment of her abominations within the same. Thus the little horn is papal Rome coming up among the ten divisions of pagan Rome. Just as we have been discussing.
As mentioned in the previous chapter, the focus of time pertaining to the first beast power of Rev. 13, is from the time of Christ‘s first coming and onward. The dragon with seven heads and ten horns was waiting to devour the man child (Christ), as soon as He was born. The ten horns of the beasts of Rev. 12 & 13 representing the ten divisions of Rome after the time of Christ, and during the transition from pagan to papal Rome. It must be noted at this point, that the fourth beast of the book of Daniel 7 encompassed both pagan and papal Rome, and the transition from one to the other. The book of Revelation however, centers upon the time of Christ and forward in relation to the beast which we are discussing. The fourth beast of Daniel 7, and the little horn of the same, are separate powers, though one emerges from the other. The writer believes the little horn to be a separate beast from the fourth beast of Daniel 7, whose history is more thoroughly addressed in the book of Revelation. More on this in the next chapter.
Dan 7:11-12 11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
Back to Daniel 7. The above scriptures say that the rest of the beasts, that is, the leopard, the bear, and the lion, “had their dominions taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.” This is because, even though they were conquered by another kingdom, the survivors of these nations lived on. They became part of the new kingdom, or beast if you will, that reigned in the place of theirs.
The fourth and final beast, which was Rome, both pagan and papal, was built upon the peoples of all these previous nations, and kingdoms. Thus it is described as having different parts of all the previous beasts. They are the peoples, nations, and tongues, out of which it arose. Since we know from verse one that this beast arose from the sea, and we know that waters represent peoples, nations, and tongues.
The point of verses eleven and twelve above is this, even though these other kingdoms or beasts lives were prolonged for a season after they were conquered, it will not be so with the fourth beast. The fourth beast will continue in one form or another, until the end of this world by the personal appearing and judgment of God. This event will put an end to all earthly kingdoms.
We have already established in the previous chapter, that the seven headed dragon of Rev.12, the seven headed beast of Rev.13 & 17, and Babylon the great which rides the beast, are all linked together. It is in fact, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH, that ties all of them together. As mentioned earlier, the seven heads of the dragon are the seven major kingdoms through which Satan has deceived this world, and carried out his rebellion against God. The beast we are discussing, Rome, was built upon the peoples nations and tongues of the of the three previous beasts established in the book of Daniel. Those beasts are Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, followed by Rome. Out of pagan Rome, comes Papal Rome. Papal Rome exists until the end, when Christ returns. Thus Papal Rome links the four beasts of the book of Daniel, arising out of the remnants of them, with the beasts of the book of Revelation which we are examining, being an intricate part of them.
Basically, Papal Rome is the master piece of Satan’s continuous rebellion against God in and throughout the entire course of this earths history. She is that beast which made the transition of Satan’s deception and rebellion in this world from the era of the old covenant, to the era of the new covenant. Christ is the central figure of this world, and it’s history. Satan cannot change that. The true worship of God underwent major changes due to the coming of Christ in the flesh, establishing the new covenant. For greater detail of the same, the writer recommends the book, GOD’S NATION ON EARTH. Correspondingly then, Satan’s deceptions also had to undergo major changes to adapt, and continue to carry out his deception and rebellion in this world. For greater detail of the same, the writer recommends the book, CHRIST AND ROME.
Thus the conclusion that BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH, is Satan’s masterpiece for maintaining a continuity of rebellion and deception in this earths entire history. This includes the transition from old to new covenant, and the changes brought about by the same. It is to be kept in mind also, that this deception and rebellion is in relation to God’s people, and all those who claim to be the same. Satan is not at war with his own on this earth. It is those who claim to be God’s people that he continually seeks to deceive and manipulate into misrepresenting and maligning the character of God. This is where the battle between truth and deception is most crucial. Satan’s intention, is that a right understanding of God might be wiped out of this world which he claims as his own.
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.
We have already discussed the decline and fall of the pagan Roman empire. That it was brought about as a result of the establishment of the church of Rome, that is Papal Rome, within the empire. It was the judgments of God upon the empire for the abominations of the church of Rome. More specifically, the abomination of desolation which was set up by law within the Roman empire. This did not come about through some decisive critical blow to the empire, but rather slowly over a course of more than two hundred years by the invasions of the barbarians from the north. Thus the deadly wound which we are discussing cannot be properly applied to pagan Rome.
The question is of course, can we find an event in history, relating to Papal Rome, that could rightly represent her receiving an apparent deadly wound to her head? The answer, of course, is yes. Observe the following quotes.
When, in 1797, Pope Pius VI fell grievously ill, Napoleon gave orders that in the event of his death no successor should be elected to his office, and that the Papacy should be discontinued.
But the pope recovered; the peace was soon broken; Berthier entered Rome on the tenth of February, 1798, and proclaimed a republic. The aged pontiff refused to violate his oath by recognizing it, and was hurried from prison to prison into France. Broken with fatigue and sorrows, he died on the nineteenth of August, 1799, in the French fortress of Valence, aged eighty two years. No wonder that half Europe thought Napoleon’s veto would be obeyed, and that with the Pope the Papacy was dead.--- “ The Modern Papacy,” Page I ( Catholic Truth Society, London ).
The following quotes are taken from the book, FACTS OF FAITH.
(Having now seen that the 1260 years of papal supremacy began in 538 A. D., it is an easy matter to find their close. Adding the 1260 years to 538 brings us to the year 1798. And if we have given the right application to this prophecy, history must record an event in 1798 that would appear like a death stroke to the Papacy. Turning to history we find just such an event recorded:
The official Swedish newspaper, Stockholms Posttidning, for March 29, 1798, has the following news item:
“Rome, the 21st of Feb. [1798], Pope Pius VI, has occupied the papal chair for all of twenty-eight years, but the 15th inst. his government in the Papal States was abolished, and five days later, guarded by one hundred French soldiers, he was taken away from his palace and his capital ....
“His... property was sold by the French, and among it were seven hundred head of cattle, one hundred fifty horses, and eight hundred cords of wood ....
“Poor Pius! He must have felt very sad as he left Rome to go into captivity. When he departed his tear-filled eyes were turned heavenward.”
Rev. E. B. Elliott, A. M., says of these events:
“In the years 1796, 1797, French dominion being established by Bonaparte’s victories in Northern Italy,... the French armies [urged] their march onward to the Papal Capital ....
The aged Pope himself, now left mere nominal master of some few remaining shreds of the Patrimony of Peter, experienced soon after in person the bitterness of the prevailing anti-papal spirit ....
“On pretence of an insult to the French Ambassador there, a French corps d’armee under Berthier, having in February, 1798, crossed the Apennines from Ancona, and entered Rome, the tricolour flag was displayed from the Capitol, amidst the shouts of the populace, the Pope’s temporal reign declared at an end, and the Roman Republic proclaimed, in strict alliance fraternization with the French. Then, in the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican, the ante-hall to which has a fresco painted by Papal order commemorative of the Protestant massacre on St. Bartholomew’s day, (might not the scene have served as a memento of God’s retributive justice?) there, while seated on his throne, and receiving the gratulations of his cardinals on the anniversary of his election to the Popedom, he was arrested by the French military, the ring of his marriage with the Church Catholic torn from his finger, his palace rifled, and himself carried prisoner into France, only to die there in exile shortly after”-”Horoe Apocalyptice,” Rev. E. B. Ellfott, A. M., Vol. III, pp. 400, 401. London: 1862.
Arthur R. Pennington, M. A., F. R. Hist. Soc., says of this event:
“One day the Pope was sitting on his throne in a chapel of the Vatican, surrounded by his cardinals who had assembled for the purpose cf offering him their congratulations on his elevation to his high dignity. On a sudden, the shouts of an angry multitude penetrated to the conclave, intermingled with the strokes of axes and hammers on the doors. Very soon a band of soldiers burst into the hall, who tore away from his finger his pontifical ring, and hurried him off, a prisoner, through a hall, the walls of which were adorned with a fresco, representing the armed satellites of the Papacy, on St. Bartholomew’s day, as bathing their swords in the blood of unoffending women and helpless children. Thus it might seem as if he were to be reminded that the same God who visits the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation, had made him the victim of His retributive justice for a deed of atrocity which had long been crying aloud to Him for vengeance”-” Epochs of the Papacy,” pp. 449, 450. London: 188I.
Rev. Joseph Rickaby, an English Jesuit, writes: “When, in 1797, Pope Plus VI fell grievously ill, Napoleon gave orders that in the event of his death no successor should be elected to his office, and that the Papacy should be discontinued.
Rev. George Trevor, Canon of York, writes of this eventful year:
“The object of the French Directory was the destruction of the pontifical government, as the irreconcilable enemy of the republic .... The aged pope was summoned to surrender the temporal government; on his refusal, he was dragged from the altar .... His rings were torn from his fingers, and finally, after declaring the temporal power abolished, the victors carried the pope prisoner into Tuscany, whence he never returned (1798).
“The Papal States, converted into the Roman Republic, were declared to be in perpetual alliance with France, but the French general was the real master of Rome .... The territorial possessions of the clergy and monks were declared national property, and their former owners cast into prison. The Papacy was extinct: not a vestige of its existence remained; and among all the Roman Catholic powers not a finger was stirred in its defence. The Eternal City had no longer prince or pontiff; its bishop was a dying captive in foreign lands; and the decree was already announced that no successor would be allowed in his place”-” Rome: From the Fall of the Western Empire,” pp. 439, 440. London: 1868.
An English secular writer, John Adolphus, says of 1798:
“The downfall of the papal government, by whatever means effected, excited perhaps less sympathy than that of any other in Europe: the errors, the oppressions, the tyranny of Rome over the whole Christian world, were remembered with bitterness; many rejoiced, through religious antipathy, in the overthrow of a church which they considered as idolatrous, though attended with the immediate triumph of infidelity; and many saw in these events the accomplishment of prophecies, and the exhibition of signs promised in the most mystical parts of the Holy Scriptures.”-”History of France from 1790-1802,” Vol. II, p. 379. London: I803. (FACTS OF FAITH by Christian Edwardson pages 49-51)
Without question then, the church of Rome received a deadly blow to the head in the year 1798. The Pope, the head of the church, was removed from his throne and died as a prisoner in exile. The government of the church of Rome was no more. These things are factual events in history, which fulfill this prophecy exactly.
However, the verse doesn’t just say that this beast receives a deadly wound, but that this wound would be healed, and all the world would wonder after the beast. These things must also be true of the church of Rome, if this prophecy is to be applied to her. So, is this wound healed now, two hundred and eight years later? Lets take a look at some indications from the present condition of the church of Rome.
Of course we know that there is, and has been for quite some time now, a Pope sitting on the church of Rome’s throne. According to an article by the Catholic herald, (Knock, Knock: Pope Seeks Diplomatic Ties, 5/12/2005), “The Vatican currently enjoys full diplomatic relations with 174 countries, and Benedict XVI is looking for more.” It also has the status of a permanent observer at the UN. Pope John Paul II received the Congressional Medal of Honor from the US Congress. This is not surprising, since 28.8 percent of the US congress is Roman Catholic. There are more than twice as many Roman Catholics in our congress than any other religious affiliation. In and of itself, this is quite an accomplishment, considering the fact that this country was predominantly anti-Catholic in it’s beginnings.
Twenty two of the Governors of this country are Roman Catholic, that’s forty four percent. There is more though, five out of nine of our supreme court justices are Roman Catholic, That’s fifty six percent. This gives them a majority vote on any issue. Were talking about the court that shapes, and makes, the laws of our land. Without question, the church of Rome has a heavy, and ever increasing influence upon the US government, it’s policies, and course of action. Thus the nation has begun a dive from which she will not recover. Just as the establishment of the church of Rome within the Roman empire caused the decline and fall of the same, so will it also be here in the U.S.. Nay, not only in this country, but in the entire world, as her influence is on the rise on a global scale.
Who can forget the funeral of Pope John Paul II, it was the largest funeral in the history of the world. Leaders from virtually every nation on earth attended. Without question, all the world is beginning to wonder after the beast.
The deadly wound which the church of Rome received is not yet completely healed, but it is well on it’s way. Let us continue our examination of Rev. 13 to find out more of the details of this recovery.
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.
In verses 4-10 we have a summary of the life of this first beast of Rev. 13. The they, of verse four is the entire world who wonder after the beast, spoken of in verse three. All those that are of this world will worship the beast, which is the same as worshipping the dragon, for he is the one who gives the beast it’s power. By following the commands of the beast, which come from the dragon, they are choosing to worship the dragon, over God. As is obvious then, the commands of God, and the commands of the dragon, will contradict each other. Those who do not worship the beast, are not of this world, but are of the kingdom of Christ and the world to come (John 8:23, 14:17, 15:18-20, 17:11-19, 18:36).
The world wonders after the beast and asks who is able to make war with him, because they have seen the beast receive a deadly wound to it’s head, and yet live. Not just live, but attain to even greater power than it had before the deadly wound.
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.
Verse five tells us that that this beast speaks great things, and blasphemies. It also tells us how long the beast continues. The reference to the continuity of this beast, is in relation to it’s existence before it receives the deadly would. Before the deadly wound received by the beast in 1798, we see that this beast never attained the kind of power which is spoken of it in verses 7&8. Prior to 1798, the church of Rome exercised it’s power mainly over the nations of Europe. However, verses 7&8 speak of it exercising power over all the world. Furthermore, we find in verses 11-18, that the second beast of this chapter is the one responsible for exalting the first beast to this pinnacle of it’s power. We will examine this in greater detail when we get to these verses.
The forty two months refer to the time which the church of Rome ruled Europe through the kings of the same. It is the same time period as the time, times, and half a time, in Daniel 7:25 and Rev. 12:14. Also of the 1260 days of Rev. 11:3, and Rev. 12:6. All of these time prophecies have to do with the reign of the church of Rome over the kings of the nations of Europe and the consequences of the same. The time it is covering is from 538, to 1798. From the full establishment of the churches power in Europe, to the time of the deadly wound it received.
The great things and blasphemies spoken by this beast have to do with the abominations set up by it, in place of the true worship of God, which we have discussed in previous chapters. The power that it claims to change the word of God, and force all into obedience to these changes, is blasphemous. Force is a prerogative that belongs only to God, and is one that even He is not willing to exercise. It is the power which the Apostle Paul talks about in 2 Thess. Chapter 2.
II Th 2:1-4 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 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.
We have already discussed how the church of Rome has fulfilled the above prophecy in earlier chapters. Now back to Rev. 13.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
In verse six, we see more of the same, along with a few more details. Again, these blasphemies have to do with the abominations set up by the church of Rome. The false forms and ceremonies of worship established by her, that are meant to replace the true. The tabernacle, is the temple of God. The false priesthood of the church of Rome, is meant to replace the priesthood, and ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. To do away with the continual ministry of Christ, and with the cooperation of his angels in heaven on behalf of all humanity.
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.
As mentioned already, verses 7&8 tell us that God will allow this beast power to rule over all the earth. Everyone whose name is not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, will worship this beast. This beast will make war with the saints, those who know and understand the truths of God’s word. God will allow the beast to overcome them in this world, until He returns to make everything right. This war, the church of Rome has already been engaged in for over a thousand years. As the writer contends, she is intensifying her efforts toward the same presently, and will continue to do so until the end. It is time for God’s servants, to do the same for the glory and honor of His name.
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.
Verse nine and ten reveal the end of this first beast. Though it leads the world into captivity, and will kill all those who do not go along with it by the sword, the same will be done to it by God himself when He returns. For this event, the saints are to be patient and have faith in the word of God. We will continue our examination of Rev. 13 in the next chapter.
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15-Rev. 12 THE WOMAN AND THE DRAGON
We will now begin an examination of the book of Revelation chapter twelve, through to the end of the book. These chapters deal primarily with the things which we have been discussing. That is, the body of Christ or true church, and Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and the abominations of the earth. The greatest part of the book of Revelation is about the struggle between these two.
Rev 12:1-2 1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Uriah Smith says the following about the woman of Rev. 12.
A woman,” the true church. A corrupt woman is used to represent an apostate or corrupt church. Eze. 23:2-4; Revelation 17:3-6,15,18. By parity of reasoning, a pure woman, as in this instance, would represent the true church. “The sun,” the light and glory of the gospel dispensation. “The moon,” the Mosaic dispensation. As the moon shines with a borrowed light derived from the sun, so the former dispensation shone with a light borrowed from the present. There they had the type and shadow; here we have the antitype and substance. “A crown of twelve stars,” the twelve apostles.
No symbols more fitting and impressive could be found than are here employed. The Mosaic dispensation shone with a light borrowed from the Christian dispensation, just as the moon shines with light borrowed from the sun. How appropriate, therefore, to represent the former by the moon, and the latter by the sun. The woman, the church, had the moon under her feet; that is, the mosaic dispensation had just ended, and the woman was clothed with the light of the gospel sun, which had just risen. By anticipation the church is represented as fully organized, with its twelve apostles, before the man-child, Christ, appeared upon the scene. This is easily accounted for by the fact that it was to be thus constituted immediately after Christ should commence his ministry; and he is more especially connected with this church than with that of the former dispensation. ( Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith, Chap.12 pages 440 &441 )
The child of verse two is of course Christ, the promised seed of Abraham. Apart from Him, their would be no old or new covenants. He is the center and purpose of both. The promise of His first coming was the hope of the old covenant, and the establishment of the new. The promise of His second coming being the consummation of both.
Rev 12:3-4 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4 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.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
We know from verse nine of this same chapter, that the dragon is Satan himself. The book of Revelation is filled with the number seven, which represents completeness. Apart from the seven heads of the dragon, there are the seven heads of the beast, the seven churches, the seven spirits of God, the seven golden candlesticks, the seven stars, the seven seals, seven angels, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven plagues, and seven golden vials. The seven heads of the dragon, no doubt represent the completeness of the dragons rebellion against God, in seven divisions if you will.
The head of the great image of Daniel chapter two represented the kingdom of Babylon (Dan. 2:37&38). The four heads of the leopard of Daniel chapter seven represented the four divisions of the empire of Alexander the great among his four generals. It is the writers conviction, that the seven heads of the dragon are the seven major kingdoms of this world through which, the devil has carried out his rebellion against God. The crowns upon the heads representing each king, or kingdom if you will. This is not to say that there have been no other kingdoms, or even other major kingdoms. These seven kingdoms however, have existed in relation to God’s kingdom, through His people here on earth. Thus the struggle between the two, depicted in the prophecies of scripture. In Rev. chapter seventeen, the seven heads are said to be seven mountains upon which the woman sits. We will discuss this in greater detail when we examine that chapter.
This dragon has ten horns like the fourth beast of Daniel chapter seven. That the fourth beast of Dan. 7 represents the Roman empire, has been acknowledged even before the time of Christ’s first coming. Likewise, the fourth metal of the great image of Daniel 2, including the ten toes, represents the Roman empire. The ten toes and horns represent the ten divisions of the Roman empire brought about by the barbarian invasions during the transition from pagan, to papal Rome. That is to say, the desolation of the western Roman empire because of the setting up of the abomination of desolation within the same. These things we have just discussed in previous chapters. The ten divisions are as follows, taken from, (THE GREAT EMPIRES OF PROPHECY, by Alonzo Jones, p. 632).
“For convenience, there is set down here in order, the names of the ten
kingdoms which the undisputed history gives, with the dates at which they
respectively or successively entered the Western Empire never to leave it
(except the three that were plucked up by the roots), with the places and
dates of their settlement: —
Alemanni, about A.D. 300, in Agri Decumates from the river Main to
Basel and the Lake of Constance; A.D. 351, take Alsace Lorraine in
addition; A.D. 455, extend to the Seine.
632
Franks, A.D. 351, northeast Gaul; early in the fifth century spread to
the Somme; middle of the fifth century, A.D. 455, to the Seine; and
gradually progress till in the sixth century they take all Gaul north and
west of the Moselle and the mountains of the Vosges and the
Cevennes.
Burgundians, Dec. 31, A.D. 406; in Burgundy, A.D. 420; spread over
West Switzerland and the whole valley of the Rhone, A.D. 443-476.
Suevi, Oct. 13, A.D. 409 in Spain; A.D. 428 in Galicia in Spain; A.D.
466 held the kingdom of Galicia, and shortly afterward spread to what
is now Portugal.
Vandals, Dec. 31. 406; in Spain, A.D. 409; in Africa, May, A.D. 429.
Visigoths, A.D. 408, Italy; in southwest Gaul (Aquitaine), A.D. 419;
spread into Spain, A.D. 466.
Saxons, A.D. 449, Britain.
Ostrogoths, A.D. 451, under Attila; A.D. 453, in Pannonia; A.D. 489,
in Italy.
Lombards, A.D. 451, under Attila; A.D. 453, in Noricum.
Heruli, A.D. 451, under Attila; A.D. 475, in Italy.”
Although the ten horns are said to be on the dragon, the setting of the prophecy is during the time of the Roman empire. This is made obvious from verses four and five, seeing that the child which was about to be born was Christ himself. The dragon himself is the leader of all the seven kingdoms in rebellion against God throughout the duration of this world. It was through the Roman empire that the dragon, or Satan, tried to have Christ killed at his birth (Matt. 2:13-19).
The dragon is said to have drawn a third part of the stars of heaven with him to the earth. These would no doubt be the angels of verses seven through nine of this same chapter. These verses I believe to be a more detailed explanation of this statement from verse four.
Verse six speaks of the woman, or church if you will, fleeing into the wilderness where she would be fed of God. Without question, the woman is the church, for she is fed of God. She is fleeing the persecution of the dragon for an allotted period of 1260 days, or years if you will. The persecuting power that the devil uses at this time, is the papacy. We will discuss this time period later. It is covered several times in the book of Revelation.
Rev 12:7-9 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
As previously stated, the writer believes the above verses to be further explanation of verse four of this same chapter. The context of the entire chapter being the war between Christ and Satan on this earth, which is the battlefield. Thus the struggle between the kingdom of God, through His people on earth, and the people of this world, of the kingdoms of this world led by the prince of this world. The devil is said to deceive the whole world. The Devil is but continuing the rebellion which he began in heaven, here on earth through all those whom he can deceive.
This battle is between the truth, and a lie. Between Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life (Joh. 14:6), and Satan who is the father of lies(Joh. 8:44). All will make their choice, having immediate, and above all, eternal consequences. The furtherance of this goal, being the purpose of this book.
Rev 12:10-12 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Again in verse ten, we are brought to the time of the Roman empire. It was the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ our Lord which sealed the fate of the accuser of the brethren, Satan. Satan was effectively cast down from heaven by the part he played in the crucifixion of Christ. His true nature was revealed to all creation. The population of the planet which he had hoped would be his ally in rebellion against God, had been given a means of escape from his rule. As verse twelve points out, Satan had been effectively cast down to the earth. Only on earth could Satan find any who could still be deceived by his sophistry.
Verse eleven points out the victory of the saints, which is only by the blood of the Lamb. Their testimony concerning the same against those who would kill them for doing so, proved their faithfulness to the Lamb of God. It sealed their fate to that of the Lambs, that is, eternal life with the everlasting love and approbation of God the Father.
Rev 12:13-16 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
In verse thirteen we are again brought to the time of the man child, which is Christ. All through chapter twelve we are brought to this time. Therefore, we must conclude that this chapter of Revelation proceeds from the time of Christ during the Roman empire and forward. The dragon, knowing that his time is short, having been defeated by Christ, persecutes the woman. He does so, using the power of one of his heads, that is the political power of the Roman empire. The dragon always uses the political powers of the day to persecute the woman, or church if you will.
In verse fourteen we are brought again to the time of the flight of the woman, (Church) into the wilderness to be nourished by God. She is to be their for a time, times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent, or dragon. This time period, a time, times, and a half time, is the same time period as the 1260 days mentioned in verse six. This is made obvious by the context of verse six, and the verses which we are now examining. They are both treating the same subject matter. Namely, the persecution of the church by the dragon, her fleeing to the wilderness, and the amount of time she spends their. Again, we will examine this time period in greater detail later.
In verse fifteen we are given some of the details of how the serpent went after the woman and persecuted her. He sent out water as a flood after her. We know from Rev. 17:15, that waters stand for peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. So the dragon used the hordes of people, and nations, and tongues, who had been deceived by him, to chase and persecute God’s people in the earth.
Verse sixteen reveals that God’s people found refuge by hiding out in the wilderness of the earth, which opened it’s mouth to swallow up the flood. The annals of history can testify to this.
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Keith
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One could visit any number of hundreds of internet sites, giving many many different interpretations of the same biblical prophecies. I am not interested in bouncing back and forth between them trying to address all of their different points. I will however discuss the prophecies with other individuals on message boards. If you believe what that internet site promulgates, then put it on the table to discuss, but don't make me have to bounce around the internet reading what someone else wrote that you believe.
By for now. Y. b. in C. Keith
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Kindgo
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Please look here...
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God bless,
Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
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Keith
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quote:
In reference to Revelation 13:1- The Beast rising up out of the sea is the Nation of Israel as it appears after the SIX DAY WAR in 1967.
You don’t give much biblical support, or explanation for the above assumption. Observe the following similarities between Rev. 13:1, and Dan. 7:3-8. What is your interpretation of Dan. 7:3-8, and it’s obvious connection to Rev. 13:1&2, in relation to Israel being the beast of the same?
Rev 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.
Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 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 was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8 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.
Obviously, the beast of Rev. 13:1&2 includes parts of three of the beasts of Dan. 7:3-8. It is also, at the least connected to the fourth beast of Dan.7:7 by the fact that they both have ten horns. The beasts of Dan. 7 depict the succession of four empires of history, and the beginnings of a fifth, with the rise of the little horn out of the fourth. Should not the beasts of Rev. be a continuation of this prophetic succession? Since it is obvious that the prophecy of the beast of Rev. 13 has intentionally been connected to the beasts of Dan. 7.
It is obvious to me, that the beasts of biblical prophecy found in the books of Daniel and the Revelation represent a continuity of earthly empires that exist in relation to God’s people on earth. Most often they exist in defiance of the true God, and do also persecute God’s people on earth.
The problem with your futuristic interpretation of prophecy, is that it breaks this continuity and bypasses well over a thousand years of history. Which was the very purpose of it’s creation. That is to completely bypass the negative history of the church of Rome, which fulfills the specifics of the very same prophecies in question.
You have been duped by the counter reformation of the church of Rome. You have bitten into her futuristic interpretations of biblical prophecy which were created by the church of Rome to point the finger of biblical prophecy away from herself. Most of this involves making the prophecies of the book of Revelation center around literal Israel. A people who are no longer God’s people in this earth, having rejected the only one who cold have made them so.
This side of the new covenant, biblical prophecy in relation to God’s people on earth is not about literal Israel, but rather spiritual Israel, the church and body of Christ on earth. Until you understand this, you will never correctly understand biblical prophecy pertaining to our time in history. It was a false interpretation of biblical prophecies that lead most of the Jews to reject Jesus Christ, and it will be the same that deceives most of the world into worshipping the beast and his image.
Who do you say the four beasts of the book of Daniel chapter seven are?
Bye for now. Y. b. in C. Keith
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ephraim65
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To anyone searching for a logical answer to Bible Prophecy, this letter is for You.
In general, this is a letter that summarizes all of Revelation 13. Its purpose is to show the sequence of events which formed the conclusions in the letter entitled, "The Beast of Revelation 13 is Mahmoud Abbas." Revelation 13 is a puzzle, a parable whose pieces are only revealed in the progress of time.This letter will attempt to bring all the pieces together into one narrative. Since questions concerning prophecy never change and answers never change, this summary will answer almost any question.
I would like to make a couple things very clear before I begin. These are interpretations from a Christian perspective. They are not intended in any way to be antisemitic. Furthermore, I believe the Jewish people have every right to live within secure boundaries and be independent.
Nevertheless, I will continue to be in disagreement with the majority because they do not have the will or the knowledge to admit they promote a false interpretation. The interpretation I am eluding to is the Revived Roman Empire theory. This scenario has been a dead end for years. I must admit though before WWI it had some validity. No ancient interpreter could have known that the Ottoman Empire would break into so many different sovereign states. Until the fall of the Ottoman empire the only possible answer seemed to be Europe. I apologize if this narrative moves too fast. It is assumed that those reading this page are somewhat versed in Revelation. HERE WE GO.
In reference to Revelation 13:1- The Beast rising up out of the sea is the Nation of Israel as it appears after the SIX DAY WAR in 1967.
What is meant by the term Beast? In general, most interpretations have this concept correct. According to most scholars he is the leader of ten nations. When the term Beast is used it can mean either the nations or the leader of those nations. It is the countries he leads and his location that is in dispute.
My interpretation of Rev. 13:1 is as follows:
The Beast can be either a group of seven nations that will wage war, which include Israel or the leader of those nations. In this case, that leader is Mahmoud Abbas. He is identified by his actions and the number 666. The glue that binds them together is Islam and their hate for Israel. This was the outcome of the 1967 war. It brought Israel into a permanent state of conflict with all of her neighbors. The beast was born in 1948 with Israel declaring its independence. A closer look can be seen in Rev.17. When Israel declared its independence, five nations went to war with her and five were vanquished. The word used for vanquished is fallen in verse Rev. 17:10. "And one is", this is Israel. Israel won her war of independence. The other that had not yet come is the Palestinian Authority, which brings us to Rev.13:1 again. The misinterpretation of Rev.17 has been the most responsible for the the Revived Roman empire theory.
The beast rising up out of the sea having seven heads and ten horns is as follows. Seven heads are seven mountains as indicated in Rev.17. Ten horns are ten kings. This is a partial explanation of this parable. The most critical word here is the word head. If the correct meaning is applied to the word head its answer will make sense. In scriptures a mountain has two meanings. It can be either a mountain range or a nation. In this case when a head is referenced in Revelation 13:1 we are talking about nations. This applies to both the heads of Rev.13:1 as well as the beasts mortal head wound. The mortal head wound is the nation or land as claimed by the Palestinians. It is the beasts head (nation) that is wounded. The Beast is Mahmoud Abbas. It was mortally wounded in the Six Day War and has been revived in the Oslo Accords. The beast of Revelation 17 and Revelation 13 are the same because they involve the same countries.
Every theory must have a good foundation. This sequence of events can only point to one individual. I have been writing about these events for over a decade. If I had been wrong from the beginning, this scenario could not have made it all the way to its finish. As it was I had no idea that I was looking for a date, 6/16/06. I was just following the money trail. Was it a coincidence that the policy which enabled them to buy and sell and the date 666 occurred on the same day? I don't think so.
It is always wise to search for the best answer. Who could fault someone for changing there mind when a better answer comes along? It is not dishonor to correct a mistake, but to continue giving false information especially in the realm of prophecy is dishonorable. Maybe some truly believe what they are saying, as for me I quit the big money preachers long ago. A hundred years ago I could understand, 20 years ago I could understand, not today...This is why the Lord will come as a thief. They're all looking in the wrong place...
One last item needs to be mentioned here before I finish my complaint against our so-called prophecy teachers. It is a gross misinterpretation which needs to be cited. For some reason anytime the Beast is discussed he is immediately confused with Satan or the antichrist. Satan is not the Beast. He is in heaven right now. He will be cast out of heaven as per Revelation 12 or if you prefer 2nd Thess. chap. 2. The falling away is Satan and his angels being cast out of heaven. These are two different verses that say the same thing. Satan can only be revealed to the world after the Rapture of the Church. Christians will not go through the Great Tribulation which will last for 3.5 years. Satan will be a God to the Muslims. He is also known as the Mahdi. Mahmoud Abbas will also be worshipped to a lesser degree because he will have achieved his goal, the conquest of Jerusalem...W.O.Ephraim aka michael777
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