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Page 1: At World’s End – Our Imminent Crisis · PDF fileAt World’s End – Our Imminent Crisis ... , and my mother ... Even though many different people wrote the sixty-six books of

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AtWorld’sEnd–OurImminentCrisis

TheMysteryofRevelation17Revealed

WeHaven’taMomenttoLose

ManuscriptRev12-13-1703/10/2016,11/30/2016

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Copyright©2016MarkE.LaRoseTableofContents:Introduction Pg3Acknowledgments Pg6Preface Pg7Chapter1:DanieltheProphet Pg10Chapter2:Revelation12–TheCosmicControversyBetweenChristandSatan Pg18Chapter3:Revelation13:1-10–TheSeaBeast:RiseofthePapalChurch Pg27Chapter4:Revelation13:11-17–TheEarthBeast:RiseoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaandApostateProtestantism Pg33Chapter5:Revelation13:18–Wisdom,Understanding,andCalculation Pg39Chapter6:Revelation17:1-6–TheGreatHarlot Pg42Chapter7:Revelation17:7-11–IdentificationoftheBeast Pg49Chapter8:Revelation17:12-17–TheHarlot’sDaughters Pg58Chapter9:Revelation17:18-18:5–BabylontheGreatisFallen Pg62Chapter10:TheCriticalComprehensionoftheThreeAngel’sMessages Pg65Epilogue Pg69Appendix:ChartoftheSevenHeads Pg71

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IntroductionYouareabouttoembarkonajourneythroughpartoftheRevelationofJesusChristasgiventoJohntheapostle.Asyoucarefullyconsiderthisstudy,itismyprayerthatyouwillgainnewandvitalunderstandingthatwillchangeyourprioritiesforever.WheneverIreadsomething,Ialwayswanttoknowaboutthesourcetodetermineitscredibility.Ialsoappreciatesomebackgroundaboutthewriter,andsoitisfairtodescribeabitofmyjourney;whoIamandwhyIbelievethatunderstandingthisprophecyiscriticalforhowweallorderourlivesgoingforward.Ihavebeenrichlyblessedinmylife,andIattributethattothegoodnessoftheLord.GrowingupinaChristianhomewithayoungersister,IwasgivenBiblicalunderstandingbymyparentsfromaveryyoungage.Itwasourcustomtogotochurchweekly.Wewereenrolledinchurchschool,andIhaveanMBAwithemphasisinhealthcare.Myfatherworkedinsalesandinsurance,andmymother,amaster’spreparedregisterednursepractitioner,workedinanumberofdifferentsettings.Myfirstjobwasintheaccountingdepartmentofafaith-basedhospital,andIwashonoredtocontinueworkinfaith-basedhospitalsduringmyhealthcarecareer,nearlyhalfofwhichwereintherolesaschieffinancialofficer,chiefoperatingofficer,andchiefexecutiveofficer.Throughchallengingcircumstancesandnotbymydesign,Ifoundmyselflookingforanotheropportunity.WhatIdidn’tunderstandin2013,IknownowwasandisGod’splanformylife.WhenweputourlivesinHishand,wereallydon’tknowwhereHewilllead.Thatsaid,IwouldratherbeunderHiscareandguidancethanfollowingmyownplantoachieveearthly“success.”Thoughwedon’tknowonaday-to-daybasiswhat’snextinourlives,wehavetheassurancethatallourneedswillbeprovided.Isay”we”becauseI’mhappilymarried,andwehavetwowonderful,God-fearingchildrenandonegrandchild.Thoughwelivegreatdistancesfromeachother,currenttechnologyallowsustokeepintouchonadailybasiswhichwearegrateful.WhileservingasCEOin2009,IinitiatedaweeklyBiblestudyatthehospitalwhereIworkedthatwasopentoeveryone,includingcommunitymembers.Theformatwassimple.WestartedoutinthegospelsreadinganddiscussingthewonderfulwordsandworksofChrist.WeprogressedtootherbooksintheNewTestamentandthenintotheOldTestament.Aftermyemploymentended,anumberoftheBiblestudymembersrequestedthatwecontinuestudying,whichwedidinmyhome.ThetimecamewhenseveralpeoplerequestedtostudythebookofRevelation.FrommybackgroundIwasreasonablycomfortablewithunderstandingmostofscripture,butIknewenoughaboutthebookofRevelationtoknowthattounderstandit,wefirstneededtostudythebookofDaniel.

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TheBiblewasinspiredbyGodandwrittenbyaboutfortypeople,spanninga1,600-yearperiod.Eventhoughmanydifferentpeoplewrotethesixty-sixbooksoftheBible,theyprovideaGod-inspiredpictureofHisplanforhumanitywithcompletecontinuity.Thisaloneisamiracle.ThebookofDanielcontainsfivefoundationalprophecies,andtheprinciplesofinterpretation,ofthesepropheciesaretobeconsistentlyusedwhenstudyingthebookofRevelation.AfterreceivingtherequesttostudyRevelation,ImadeanefforttomakesureIcouldadequatelyspeakabouttheprophecies,theirinterpretation,andrespondtoquestionsaccordingly.InNovember2013,IsetaboutadeliberateprocessinmypersonalstudytounderstandGod’soverallplanforredeeminghumanity,andtobeabletospeakabouttheprophecieswithreasonableconfidence.ThebookofDanielisrelativelyliteralinitspropheticdescriptions;however,thebookofRevelationisnearlycompletelywrittenusingsymbolsandsymboliclanguage.Bothbookscontainpropheciesthatreferenceeventsfuturetowhentheyweregiven,andthatrepeatandenlargeonpreviousdreamsandvisions.Icreatedacharttracingouttimepropheciesandimportanteventsinordertoseehowtheyfittogether.OneofthewaysthatIliketounderstandinformationistogetthebigpictureinitially,thenwithallthedatapresent,drilldowntospecificdetails.Onmychart,IplacedBibletextsasreferences,thendrewtimelinesforthetimeprophecies,andwrotesummarydescriptionsofvariouseventsstartingatabout850B.C.andspanningthroughtheSecondComingofChrist.InAugust2014,oneofourstudymembersasked,“Mark,canyouleadusinBiblestudythroughthechartinchronologicalorder?"Iquicklyagreed,knowingthatIwasgoingtoneedtomakeaverysignificanttimeinvestmentintheprojectbecausetheBibleissointerrelatedwithmanyreferencesthroughoutitofsignificanteventsandallusionstoimportantspiritualthemes.Istartedcreatingonepagestudyguidesforthepurposeofbreakingupthestudiesintoshortlessons.IcompletedmyinitialdraftofsomeninetypagesofnotesintheformofstudyguidesinJanuary2015andaddedasecondchartthatspansfromcreation,recordedinthebookofGenesis,tothebeginningoftheinitialchartstartingin850B.C.AsIstudied,IbeganunderstandRevelationandthefollowingprophecyunfolded.Whatfollowsisanamazingunderstandingofthe“mystery”ofRevelation17.IhopeandpraythatwewillreceiveandbeblessedbyabetterunderstandingofGod’splanforallhumanity.ThisprophecyisanincreasinglyurgenttopicasnearlyallBibleprophecyhasbeenfulfilled.Wehavebutlittletimeremainingtosharethegospelwiththeworld.IconsiderthepurposeofthisworktodirectourattentiontoGod’sWord,theBible.TheBibleisprimarilyhowGodspeakstoallofus.ThegreattruthscontainedthereinaretheroadmaptospendingeternitywithourCreatorwithasidebenefitofprovidingeachofusthegreatestpeacethatwecanexperiencethissideofHeaven.

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IpraytheLordwillrichlyblessusandguideinourlivesaswesurrenderalltoHim.AlwaysaskfortheHolySpiritforwisdomasweopenHisWordandthatHewilltransformourcharacterstobecomecompatiblewiththeprinciplesofHeaveneachday.

- InChrist,MarkLaRose

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AcknowledgmentsIwishtorecognizeseveralpeoplethathavecontributeddirectlytomyunderstanding.TimRoosenberghasspentmanyyearsofHislifestudyingDaniel11and12.Thisledmetoanunderstandingofthischallengingprophecyforthefirsttimein2011anditdovetailscompletelywithRevelation.IbelieveanunderstandingofDaniel11,isaprerequisitetounderstandingthetimingofRevelation17.Hiswebsiteishttp://www.islamandchristianity.org.Likewise,duringmysearchtounderstandRevelation17,IbelievethattheLordledmetothewebsiteoftwopeople,WendellSlatteryandRonaldJohnstoninDecember2014.ThesemenhavededicatedtheirstudytotheLord,andIamconvincedhavethecorrectunderstandingandcalculationforetellingtheidentificationofthemanofsin.Theirwebsiteishttp://666man.net.IalsowishtothankTomMenocalforhisassistanceandencouragementinthisproject.IhavegratefullyreceivedinvaluabletechnicalassistanceandhighlyinformedquestionsfromMelissaHanson,bydivineappointment.Importantlymywife,Terri,mylifecompanionwhodemonstratescaring,compassion,andaboveallpraysformeallthetime,Iloveyoualwaysandforever.Finally,IacknowledgeourLordJesusChristwhoisabletotransformourcharacterswhenwesurrenderourwilltoHis.Evenso,comeLordJesus!MarkLaRoseUnlessotherwisenoted,BiblequotesarefromtheNewKingJamesVersionTheHolyBible,NewKingJamesVersion®Copyright©1982byThomasNelson,Inc.Allrightsreserved.ESVreferstoTheHolyBible,EnglishStandardVersion®

Copyright©2001byCrossway,apublishingministryofGoodnewsPublishers.Allrightsreserved.KJVreferstoKingJamesVersion,1611,publicdomain.

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PrefaceMan,asfarbackasrecordsexist,hastriedeverywayimaginabletodesignandcreatereligionstofillthespiritualvoidfoundineachofus.Manyhavesoughttofillthisemptinesswithwork,thepursuitofmoneyandpower,myriadsofaddictivebehaviors,substanceabuse,andpotentiallymostdeluding,falsereligion.SomehavediscoveredpeacethroughathoroughunderstandingofGod’sWord,leadingtoarelationshipthattranscendsourearthlylives.UniquetoChristianityisaGodthatredeemedallthatwouldaccept“TheChrist”astheirSavior.

“ForGodsolovedtheworldthathegavehisonlybegottenSonthatwhoeverbelievesinHimshouldnotperishbuthaveeverlastinglife.ForGoddidnotsendhisSonintotheworldtocondemntheworldbutthattheworldthroughHimmightbesaved.”John3:16-17.

However,SatanhasinfiltratedanddeceivedthevastmajorityofthousandsofChristianreligionsintheworldtoday.TheonlycertainwaytodeterminetruthistocompareittowhatGod’sWordsays.Theremustbenodiscrepancy.TheBibleistheultimatehistorybook,boastinga100%accuracyrate,withcountlessarcheologicalconfirmations,aswellasmanypropheciesthathavesincecometrue.ThereareonlyafewunfulfilledpropheciesremainingandtheshockingunderstandingofRevelation17isoneofthose!DoesGodexist?WhoisGod?Whileathoroughstudyofthesequestionsisbeyondthescopeofthisstudy,asystematic,prayerfulreadingoftheBiblewillrevealthenatureandcharacterofthetrueGod.TheBibleusesmany,manydifferentnamesforGodthatattempttodescribeHischaracter.ThisstudyshowsthatGodismadeupoftheFather(AncientofDays,Daniel7:9),Son(Christ,Jesus,Savior),andHolySpirit(Comforter,Counselor),collectivelyreferredtoas“Lord.”God’sadversaryisnamedinRevelation20:2,“Helaidholdofthedragon,thatserpentofold,whoistheDevilandSatan…”ThetrueGodhasuniquelydemonstratedHisloveforeverypersonthroughthesubstitutionarysacrificeofHisSon,Jesus.Thequestionis,howwillGodgettheattentionofthe7.4billionpeoplelivingtoday,allofwhomHediedfor,inorderforeachtomakeaninformeddecisionofwhomtoworship?

“Letnoonedeceiveyoubyanymeans;forthatdaywillnotcomeunlessthefallingawaycomesfirst,andthemanofsinisrevealed,thesonofperdition,whoopposesandexaltshimselfaboveallthatiscalledgodorthatisworshiped,sothathesitsasGodinthetempleofGodshowinghimselfthatheisGod.”2Thessalonians2:3-4.

ThisBiblestudyrevealswhothemanofsinis.Thismanofsinisalsoknownasthe“sonofperdition”,“thelawlessone”,“thebeast”,“theeighthking”,“(butbelongingtotheseven).”This666manislivingtodayandwillsoonassumepower!“Andthenthe

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lawlessonewillberevealed,whomthelordwillconsumewiththebreathofhismouthanddestroywiththebrightnessofhiscoming.”2Thessalonians2:8.Aswestartourstudy,Paul’scounseltoTimothyisvitaltobelieve:

“AllscriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness,thatthemanofGodmaybecomplete,thoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork.”2Timothy3:16-17.

PauladmonishedthebelieversinThessalonica,“Donotdespiseprophecies.”1Thessalonians5:20.ConcerningprophecyPetersaid,“Forprophecynevercamebythewillofman,butholymenofGodspokeastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit.”2Peter1:21.TheBibleisliterallyGod’sWord!ThequestionofwhichBibleversiontouseisanimportantone.Thebestapproachistouseliteraltranslationsfromtheoriginallanguage.Asnotedearlier,thisstudyprimarilyusestheNewKingJamesVersion.OthersrecommendedaretheEnglishStandardVersionandtheKingJamesVersion.Itisalwayshealthytocomparetheseandothersinorderto,asmuchaspossible,gainunderstandingandcontextofthewriter’sintent.Agoodconcordanceisinvaluable,andtheauthorhasusedwww.abibleconcordance.comforitseaseandreadyaccess.Occasionallyitisquiteusefultotrytounderstandthemeaningoftheoriginallanguage.ShortofactuallylearningArabic,Greek,andHebrew,theauthorhasfoundanInternetresourcetobeveryhelpful;www.blueletterbible.org.Thefollowingstudyisexpository,meaningthattheliteralmeaningofeachwordinscriptureanditsrelationshiptoothersinitscontextisofutmostimportance.Thisisknownasexegesis;acriticalexplanationorinterpretationofatext.AswestartourstudyinthebookofRevelation,thereareseveralimportantthingstoknow.ThefirstofsevenblessingsinthebookisrecordedinRevelation1:3,”Blessedishewhoreadsandthosewhohearthewordsofthisprophecy,andkeepthosethingswhicharewritteninit;forthetimeisnear.”Oneneedstoconsiderthisblessingprayerfullyandwithgreatcare;it’sanamazingstatementandapromise!Itisconditionalonouractions(read,hear,andkeep).ThereareanumberofimportantprinciplesofinterpretationnecessarytounderstandthebookofRevelation.It’simportanttobeconsistentbyusingthesameprinciples,pattern,andunderstandingofthebookofDanielaswestudythepropheciesinRevelation.Everyworddeservesprayerful,carefulconsideration.Eventheabsenceofawordwemightotherwiseexpect,whencomparingscripture,hasmeaning.IsaiahprovideskeycounselforsuccessfulBibleunderstandingwhenhewrites,“Forpreceptmustbeuponprecept,preceptuponprecept,lineuponline,lineuponline,Herealittle,therealittle.”Isaiah28:10.

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LikethevisionsgiventoDaniel,mosteverythinginRevelationisfuturetoJohn’stime.“Iwillshowyouthingswhichmusttakeplaceafterthis…Toshowhisservantsthethingswhichmustshortlytakeplace.”Revelation4:1;22:6.ThehistoricistmethodofinterpretationisusedforbothDanielandRevelation.MuchofthebookofRevelationiswrittenusingsymboliclanguage.Whenendeavoringtounderstandsymbolicwords,wemustfirstlookfordefinitionsandcorrelationselsewherewithinthepropheticbooks,includingIsaiah,Jeremiah,Daniel,Ezekiel,andRevelation,thentheBibleasawhole,followedbyhistoricalfactsandevents.Thereareseveralwell-knownhistoricaleventsreferencedinthisstudythat,shouldthereaderwishtoverifyorgainadditionalinformationon,areeasilyaccessedviainternetsearch.BothDanielandRevelationarewrittenusinganumberofcomplexwordpatterns,includingchiasticstructures.Achiasmisawritingstyleusingrepetitionofsimilarideasinthereverseorder,likeamirrorimageofwordsandmeanings.Thisisdonetoclarifyandforemphasisofimportantpoints.PropheticeventsandtopicsinRevelationarebuiltbyprogressiverepetitionaddingdetailjustaswefindinthepropheciesinDaniel2,7,8,9,and10-12.InordertoappreciateandunderstandthemeaningofGod’smessagestousinthepropheticbooksoftheBible,werelyonHispromisetoprovideknowledgeofHisWord,“…Iwillpouroutmyspirittoyou;Iwillmakemywordsknowntoyou.”Proverbs1:23.Fatherinheaven,pleaseworkinourlivesandprovideyourSpirittoguidethemindofthereaderwithwisdomtounderstandYourWord.MayweallfindspiritualpeacebyadheringtoyourWordandcommittingourmindstoYoualone.Mayweunderstandprophecyaccordingtoyourwillandpurposeforourlives.Amen.

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Chapter1

DanieltheProphetInordertounderstandthebookofRevelation,onemustthoroughlyunderstandthepropheciesofDaniel.ItisimperativetobefamiliarwithNebuchadnezzar’sdreamoftheimageinDaniel2andtheparticularadditionalfactsshowntoDanielenablinghimtointerprettheking’sdream.Inaddition,therearecertainaspectsnecessarytounderstandaboutthedreamsgiventoDanielasrecordedinchapters7and8.Indeed,Jesussaid,“…whenyouseetheabominationofdesolation,spokenofbyDanieltheprophet,standingintheholyplace(whoeverreads,lethimunderstand)…”Matthew24:15.Theword“understand”isveryimportantandwewillstudythesignificanceofitlaterinRevelation13:18.ThedreamsandvisionsinthebookofDanielarecompleteandsignificantstudiesontheirown,soforthepurposeofthisstudyonlytheminimumfactsnecessaryforourunderstandingoftheprophecyinRevelation17willbeconsidered.However,theauthorencouragesatleastacasualreadingofalltwelvechaptersofDanieltofamiliarizethereaderwiththestoryandtheprophecies.TheriseoftheBabylonianempirewasprecipitatedbyaseriesofcivilwarsandinternalstrifestartingin627B.C.Nebuchadnezzar’sfather,Nabopolassar,establishedhimselfasthekingofthecityofBabylonduringthisperiodemergingasregionalleaderafterrootingoutEgyptiansfromthesouthernMesopotamiaarea.Nabopolassardiedofnaturalcausesin605B.C.,andNebuchadnezzarquicklyassumedcontroloftheempire,proceedingtoextenditsboundariestoincludeavastareaoftheMiddleEastandpartsofAsiaMinor.InthefirstofthreecampaignsagainstJudah,DanielandhisthreefriendsweretakencaptivefromJerusalemtoBabylonin605B.C.In603B.C.,bothKingNebuchadnezzarandDanielweregiventhesamedreamofanimagerepresentingthekingdomsandpowerstofollowuntiltheendofsinfulearth!Thesekingdomswereillustratedbymetalsthatdeterioratedinvaluefromonetothenext,alongwithincreasinginhardnessastimeprogressed.

“…thentheiron,theclay,thebronze,thesilver,andthegoldwerecrushedtogether,andbecamelikechafffromthesummerthreshingfloors;thewindcarriedthemawaysothatnotraceofthemwasfound.Andthestonethatstrucktheimagebecameagreatmountainandfilledthewholeearth.”Daniel2:35.

Throughthesymbolismrepresentedbythisimage,theLordrevealedthecivilandreligiouspowersthatweretodirectlyaffectHischosenpeople,theliteralnationofIsrael,andthatofitssuccessor,spiritualIsraelwiththecommissiontomakedisciplesof“allnations.”(Matthew28:19).ThekingdomsofBabylon,Medo-Persia,Greece,and

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RomehavecomeandgoneaccordingtothisandsubsequentpropheciesinDaniel7,8,and11.Justover2,600yearslater,wearelivingatthetimeofthelastpowersrepresentedbythefeetandtoesoftheimagewiththeendofsintofollownext!

“Inasmuchasyousawthatthestonewascutoutofthemountainwithouthands,andthatisbrokenpiecestheiron,thebronze,theclay,thesilver,andthegold-thegreatGodhasmadeknowntothekingwhatwillcometopassafterthis.Thedreamiscertain,anditsinterpretationissure.”Daniel2:45.

JustasthedifferentmetalsintheimagerepresentedpowersopposedtoGod’speople,the“Stone”andthe“Mountain”inthisparticularpassagerepresentpowersthatultimatelyrescueHispeople.WhatorwhodoesthestoneinDaniel2:35,45represent?Jesus.WereadinMatthew21:42-44,

“Jesussaidtothem,“HaveyouneverreadintheScriptures:‘ThestonewhichthebuildersrejectedHasbecomethechiefcornerstone.ThiswastheLord’sdoing,Anditismarvelousinoureyes’?“ThereforeIsaytoyou,thekingdomofGodwillbetakenfromyouandgiventoanationbearingthefruitsofit.Andwhoeverfallsonthisstonewillbebroken;butonwhomeveritfalls,itwillgrindhimtopowder.”Somefifteenhundredyearsearlier,MosesreferredtotheLordastheRockinDeuteronomy32:3-4.

And,ifJesuswas“cutoutofthemountainwithouthands”whatdoesthe“Mountain”represent?Thisisacrucialquestionsincetheword“Mountain”appearsinDaniel2andagaininRevelation17:9.TheangelrevealingtheprophecytoJohnindicatesthatthesevenheadsofthescarletbeastareseven“mountains”and,inturn,“theyarealsosevenkings.”(ESV).AswithDaniel,thislanguageisclearlysymbolicinnature.TheBibleinterpretsitselfonthismatterbyidentifying“Mountain”inthecontextofDaniel2astheGodheadorTrinity,ofwhichwillfill“…thewholeearth”withthepresenceofGod,asitwasbeforesin!LookingfirstinDaniel,weread:

“OLord,accordingtoallYourrighteousness,Ipray,letYourangerandYourfurybeturnedawayfromYourcityJerusalem,Yourholymountain;becauseforoursins,andfortheiniquitiesofourfathers,JerusalemandYourpeopleareareproachtoallthosearoundus.”…“NowwhileIwasspeaking,praying,andconfessingmysinandthesinofmypeopleIsrael,andpresentingmysupplicationbeforetheLordmyGodfortheholymountainofmyGod.”Daniel9:16,20.

Danielequates“holyMountain”with“YourcityJerusalem.”InDaniel11:45wearegivenapossibleliteralfulfillment,andcertainlythespiritualfulfillmentoferrorcomingbetweenpeopleandthetrueGod.“Andhe(KingoftheNorth)shallplantthetentsofhispalace(falseworship)betweentheseas(people)andthegloriousholymountain…”Thisisawarningthatfalseworshiphasbeensubstitutedfortruth.

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Aswecontinuetocomparetexts,weconsiderbothliteralapplicationandspiritualapplicationbyapplyingthesymbolicmeaningof“Jerusalem”and“Babylon.”

Moseswrote,“YouwillbringtheminandplantthemInthemountainofYourinheritance,Intheplace,OLord,whichYouhavemadeForYourowndwelling,Thesanctuary,OLord,whichYourhandshaveestablished.”Exodus15:17.

ThebookofPsalmsbringsadditionalclarificationtothemeaningoftheword“mountain”.

“YetIhavesetMyKingonMyholyHillofZion.”Psalm2:6.“IcriedtotheLordwithmyvoice,andHeheardmefromHisholyhill.”Psalm3:4.“Lord,whomayabideinYourTabernacle?WhomaydwellinYourholyhill?”Psalm15:1.“WhomayascendintothehilloftheLord?OrwhomaystandinHisholyplace?”Psalm24:3.“Oh,sendoutYourlightandYourtruth!Letthemleadme;LetthembringmetoYourholyhillandtoyourtabernacle.”Psalm43:3.“GreatistheLord,andgreatlytobepraisedinthecityofourGod,inHisholymountain.Beautifulinelevation,thejoyofthewholeearth,isMountZiononthesidesofthenorth.”Psalm48:1-2.

Here,weseereferencetoGoddwellingin“thenorth,”afactSatanunderstandsandwillattack,symbolicallyreferencedinDaniel11:44as“…news…fromthenorth.”

“AmountainofGodisthemountainofBashan;AmountainofmanypeaksisthemountainoftheBashan.Whydoyoufumewithenvy,youmountainsofmanypeaks?ThisisthemountainwhichGoddesirestodwellin;Yes,theLordwilldwellinitforever.”Psalm68:15-16.“AndHebroughtthemtoHisholyborder,ThismountainwhichHisrighthandhadacquired.ButchosethetribeofJudah,MountZionwhichheloved.”Psalm78:54,68.“FortheLordhaschosenZion;HehasdesiredforHisdwellingplace:thisisMyrestingplaceforever;hereIwilldwell,forIhavedesiredit.”Psalms132:13-14.

Isaiahalsounderstoodthespiritualapplicationoftheterm“mountain.”

“NowitshallcometopassinthelatterdaysthatthemountainoftheLord’shouseshallbeestablishedonthetopofthemountains,andshallbeexaltedabovethehills;andallnationsshallflowtoit.Manypeopleshallcomeandsay,“Come,andletusgouptothemountainoftheLord,tothehouseoftheGodofJacob;HewillteachusHisways,AndweshallwalkinHispaths.”ForoutofZionshallgoforththelaw,andthewordoftheLordfromJerusalem.”Isaiah2:2-3.“TheyshallnothurtnordestroyinallmyholyMountain,fortheearthshallbefulloftheknowledgeoftheLordasthewaterscoverthesea.”Isaiah11:9.“Youshallhaveasongasinthenightwhenaholyfestivaliskept,Andgladnessof

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heartaswhenonegoeswithaflute,TocomeintothemountainoftheLord,TotheMightyOneofIsrael.”Isaiah30:29.“EventhemIwillbringtoMyholymountain,andmakethemjoyfulinMyhouseofprayer.TheirburntofferingsandtheirsacrificeswillbeacceptedonMyaltar;forMyhouseshallbecalledahouseofprayerforallnations.”Isaiah56:7.“…ButhewhoputshistrustinMeshallpossessthelandAndshallinheritMyholymountain.”Isaiah57:13b.“IwillbringforthdescendantsfromJacob,andfromJudahanheirofMymountains;Myelectshallinheritit,andMyservantsshalldwellthere.”“ButyouarethosewhoforsaketheLord,whoforgetMyholymountain,”“Thewolfandthelambshallfeedtogether,thelionshalleatstrawliketheox,anddustshallbetheserpent’sfood.TheyshallnothurtnordestroyinallMyholymountain,SaystheLord”Isaiah65:9,11,25.“ThentheyshallbringallyourbrethrenforanofferingtotheLordoutofallnations,onhorsesandinchariotsandinlitters,onmulesandoncamels,toMyholymountainJerusalem,saystheLord…”Isaiah66:20.

Ezekiel,acontemporaryofDaniel,wastakenduringthesecondBabylonianexilein597B.C.TheLordtookhimtoheaveninvisionandrevealedmuchthatishighlyvaluableinunderstandingthebookofRevelation.Hewrites,“ForonMyholyMountain,onthemountainhighofIsrael”,saystheLordGod,“thereallthehouseofIsrael,allofthemintheland,shallserveMe”Ezekiel20:40a.Alludingtoheaven,Ezekiel34:11-15indicatesthattheTrueShepherd,GodHimselfwillfeedspiritualIsraelonthemountainsofIsrael.

“ThenyoushallknowthatIamtheLord.IhaveheardallyourblasphemieswhichyouhavespokenagainstthemountainsofIsrael,saying,‘Theyaredesolate;theyaregiventoustoconsume.’ThuswithyourmouthyouhaveboastedagainstMeandmultipliedyourwordsagainstMe;Ihaveheardthem.”Ezekiel35:12-13.

TheprophetJoelwrites,

“BlowthetrumpetinZion,andsoundanalarminMyholymountain!Letalltheinhabitantsoftheearthtremble;ForthedayoftheLordiscoming,Foritisathand:AnditshallcometopassthatwhoevercallsonthenameoftheLordshallbesaved.ForinMountZionandinJerusalemthereshallbedeliverance,astheLordhassaid,AmongtheremnantwhomtheLordcalls.”Joel2:1,32.“TheLordalsowillroarfromZion,AndutterHisvoicefromJerusalem;Theheavensandearthwillshake;ButtheLordwillbeashelterforHispeople,andthestrengthofthechildrenofIsrael.”SoyoushallknowthatIamtheLordyourGod,DwellinginZionMyholyMountain.ThenJerusalemshallbeholy.”Joel3:16-17.

ThebookofDanielcontainsmuchliterallanguage,howeverthereissymboliclanguageandtermsusedaswesawinchapter2.OtherBiblicalprophetsconsistentlyusemetaphorsrelatingtosignificantplaces,events,andpowers.“ThensaviorsshallcometoMountZiontojudgethemountainsofEsau,AndthekingdomshallbetheLord’s.”Obadiah1:21.Thepictureemergesthat,dependingoncontext,theword“mountain”

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mayliteralorsymbolicinscripture.Ifitisdeterminedtobesymbolic,itreferencesarighteousoranevilpower,dependingoncontext.

“NowitshallcometopassinthelatterdaysThatthemountainoftheLord’shouseShallbeestablishedonthetopofthemountains,Andshallbeexaltedabovethehills;Andpeoplesshallflowtoit.Manynationsshallcomeandsay,“Come,andletusgouptothemountainoftheLord,TothehouseoftheGodofJacob;HewillteachusHisways,AndweshallwalkinHispaths.”ForoutofZionthelawshallgoforth,AndthewordoftheLordfromJerusalem.”Micah4:1-2.

MicahcontinuestodescribethewickedinMicah5:10-15followedbytheLordsaying,“…Arise,pleadyourcasebeforethemountains,Andletthehillshearyourvoice.Hear,Oyoumountains,theLord’scomplaint…”Micah6:1-2.PlainlytheLordsaysthewickedwillbebroughtbeforethedivinecourtofjustice.Inaddition,Hereferstothewickedas“mountains”themselves!“ThussaystheLord:‘IwillreturntoZion,AnddwellinthemidstofJerusalem.JerusalemshallbecalledtheCityofTruth,TheMountainoftheLordofhosts,TheHolyMountain.”Zechariah8:3.InthistexttheLordisreferringtoJerusaleminitsre-createdstate.WhenwecomparethistothreetextsinRevelationthatdefinethecharacteristicsofthosewhowillnotbeintheholycity,weseethecontrastofthosewhoarecalledthe“CityofTruth”comparedwithRevelation21:8,27;22:15,indicatingthatnoliarswillbeapartofthe“city”.Spirituallyspeaking,“Jerusalem”is,orrepresents,thepeopleofGod.Theterm“Mountain,”asusedintheabovereferences,isasymbolicrepresentationoftheGodhead,theFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit.Aswehaveseensincesinenteredourworld,theevilonehascounterfeitedeverythingthatisimportanttotheGodoftheuniverse.Satan’scounterfeittothecityofJerusalemisthecityofBabylon,bothliterallyandspiritually.TheLordtoldJeremiah,

“AndIwillrepayBabylonAndalltheinhabitantsofChaldeaForalltheeviltheyhavedoneInZioninyoursight,”saystheLord.“Behold,Iamagainstyou,Odestroyingmountain,Whodestroysalltheearth,”saystheLord.“AndIwillstretchoutMyhandagainstyou,Rollyoudownfromtherocks,Andmakeyouaburntmountain.”Jeremiah51:24-25.

Here,GodreferstoBabylonasafalse“mountain”ofgods.AsdescribedbytheprophetEzekiel,God’schosenpeopleIsraelwereworshipingfalsegods.

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“ThenyoushallknowthatIamtheLord,whentheirslainareamongtheiridolsallaroundtheiraltars,oneveryhighhill,onallthemountaintops,undereverygreentree,andundereverything,wherevertheyofferedsweetincensetoalltheiridols.”Ezekiel6:13.

Israelhadreceivedfairwarningaboutthisabomination.“Youshallutterlydestroyalltheplaceswherethenationswhichyoushalldispossessservedtheirgods,onthehighmountainsandonthehillsandundereverygreentree”Deuteronomy12:2.Let’scarefullyconsiderwhatLuciferaspiredtobeforehewascastoutofheavenalongwiththeangelshedeceived:

“Howyouarefallingfromheaven,OLucifer,sonofthemorning!Howareyouarecutdowntotheground,youwhoweakenedthenations!Foryouhavesaidinyourheart:‘’Iwillascendintoheaven,IwillexaltmythroneabovethestarsofGod;IwillalsositonthemountofthecongregationOnthefarthestsidesofthenorth;Iwillascendabovetheheightsoftheclouds,Iwillbelikethemosthigh.’YetyoushallbebroughtdowntoSheol,tothelowestdepthsofthePit.”Isaiah14:12-15.Byclaimingtositonthe“mountofthecongregation,”LuciferclaimedtobeGod!

Lucifer,knownasSatanafterthewarinheaven,waswellacquaintedwithMountZion,thephysicalandspiritual“Mountain”ofGod,theFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit.

“Youweretheanointedcherubwhocovers;Iestablishedyou;YouwereontheholymountainofGod;Youwalkedbackandforthinthemidstoffierystones.Youwereperfectinyourwaysfromthedayyouwerecreated,Tilliniquitywasfoundinyou.“BytheabundanceofyourtradingYoubecamefilledwithviolencewithin,Andyousinned;ThereforeIcastyouasaprofanethingOutofthemountainofGod;AndIdestroyedyou,Ocoveringcherub,Fromthemidstofthefierystones.”Ezekiel28:14-16.

Asoneofthecoveringangels,LuciferwasassignedtoprotectGod’slawthatresidesintheArkoftheCovenantintheMostHolyPlaceintheheavenlySanctuary.Fromthesereferences,apictureisportrayedofSatanendeavoringtocreatehisownsymbolic“mountain.”Spiritually,thisleadsustobelievethatworshipdirectedotherthantoGod,isindeed,worshipofaformofSatan,a“mountain”offalsegods.In553B.C.Danielwasgivenanotherdream,recordedinDaniel7.ThisdreamfeaturedfourbeaststhatcorrelatewiththekingdomsrepresentedbytheimageinDaniel2.ThereareseveralprinciplesherethatwillbeusedtoassistintheinterpretationofRevelation17.Wenoticethattheleopardbeast,whichrepresentedGreece,hadfourheads.ThisforetoldthekingdombeingsplitbetweenfourofAlexandertheGreats’

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generalsoccurringin301B.C.Theterritoryheldbyeachofthesegeneralsthenfellsequentiallyoverthenext133years,aninterpretiveprincipleapplicableinRevelation17:10.ThefourthbeastofDaniel7isdescribedashavingironteethand“ten”horns,followedbyalittlehornwitheyesandamouththatuprootedthreehorns.Whilethenumber“three”isaspecificnumber,wereadinDaniel1:20thatDanielandhisthreefriendswere“ten”timesbetterthenallthemagiciansandastrologers.Thisleadstoanunderstandingthatthenumber“ten”wassymbolicoftheirsuperiorityandlikewisesymbolicforthedozensoftribesthatassumedpowerafterImperialRomefellinA.D.476.Inscripture,“horns”areusedtorepresentpower.“Andhisbrightnesswasasthelight;hehadhornscomingoutofhishand:Andtherewasthehidingofhispower.”Habakkuk3:4KJV.(Daniel7:24;8:3-9,Zechariah1:18-21andRevelation5:6forfurtherclarification).AnotherimportantinterpretiveprincipleisfoundinDaniel7:17;“Thosegreatbeasts,whicharefour,arefourkingswhichariseoutoftheearth.”Weknowthatthefourbeastscorrelatetotheimageandrepresentthekingdomsoftheearth.Thisversetellsusthatthesekingdomsarealsoknownas“kings”andsinceweknowthateachofthesepowershadanumberofindividualkings,wemaysaythatthefourbeaststhattheBiblesaysarefour“kings,”representlinesofkings.Forexample,duringthenearly645yearsthatImperialRomeruledtheworld,itwasledbymany“kings.”Alsonoteworthyisthatthesekingdomsariseoutofthe“earth”indicatingthatthesearecivilpowersthatinmanyinstancessubjectedthemselvestoagreaterevilinfluence.WewillexamineandidentifyanevilspiritualpowerinRevelation17:2,18,thatcontrolscivilgovernmentsintheworldtoday.AbouttwoyearsafterDaniel’sdreamrecordedinchapter7,hewasgivenanotherdreamin551B.C.InthisdreamrecordedinDaniel8,hewasshownaramwithtwohornsandagoatwithonelargehornthatwasthenbrokenandreplacedbyfourhorns.TheserepresentthekingdomsofMedo/PersiaandGreecethatwouldfollowBabylon.Consistentwiththepurposeofprophecytorevealthefuture,therewasnorepresentativebeastforBabyloneventhoughitdidnotfalltoMedo-Persiauntiltwelveyearslaterin539B.C.ThetwohornsoftheramrepresentMediaandPersia.ThehigherofthetwohornscominguplastrepresentedPersia,accordingtoDaniel8:3,20.Thislogicalandconsistentprincipleofprophecyrevealingthefuture,asopposedtoreviewinghistory,iscrucialtoacorrectunderstandingofRevelation13and17.TheinitiallargehornonthegoatthatwasbrokenrepresentedAlexandertheGreat,whodiedatayoungageandwassubsequentlyreplacedbyfourgeneralswhosplitthekingdomin301B.C.Boththeramandthegoatillustrateaprophetictimecontinuumthatstartswiththebeastbodyitself,proceedingtothehead(s),andthenontothehorns.ThisvitalinterpretativeprincipleisconsistentlyusedinRevelation12,13,and17,withanexceptioninRevelation12:3-5,7-9,13,toprovidehistoricalperspectiveof

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theenemy,Satan,Itisnoteworthythatthe“little,”“talking”horninbothDaniel7and8initiallygrewhorizontally(againstotherkingdomsonearth),andthenvertically(againstGodinHeaven).This“horn”powerisdescribedasbeingdifferentfromtheotherkingsdescribed(Daniel7:24).Itwasthislittle,talkinghornthatthereformerssuchasWycliffe,Luther,Calvin,andtheWesley’staughtrepresentedtheRomanCatholicpapalsystem.ThisapproachofassigningprophecytoactualeventsisknownasHistoricismandwasdecidedlyveryunpopularwiththepapalchurchduringthistime.Inresponsetothisinterpretivemethod,theconceptsofPreterism(thebeliefthatallBibleprophecyhasalreadytakenplace),andFuturism(thebeliefthatBibleprophecyrelatestothefuturetakingplacejustbeforeJesusreturns)wereformulatedandpromotedbypriestsLuisDeAlcasarandFranciscoRibera,respectively.TheBibleisveryclearthatGod’speople,thesaints,werepreservedthroughouthistorybydivineguidance.JustascivilkingdomspersecutedGod’speopleinBiblicalhistory,theyhavecontinuedtodo,asprophesied,inthe1,920yearssinceJohn’svisiononPatmosinA.D.95/96.The“Mountain”ofGodhaspreservedthe“truth”andHispeopleandtodaytheyexistineverychurch,ineveryculture,throughouttheearth.ThemembershipoftheRomanCatholicChurchandmanyProtestantreligionsismadeupofalargenumberoffaithfulpeople,manyofwhomhavesubmittedto,andhadtheircharacterstransformedbyJesus,throughtheoutpouringoftheHolySpirit,asHepromisedaccordingtoJohn14:15-18.Duringthetimeoftheend,God’speoplewillleaveeverything,includingchurchesandfamilies,inordertofollowHimandHisWord.Insummary,wewillconsistentlycarryforwardtheinterpretiveprinciplesfoundinDanieltoRevelation,bydiscerningthefollowingmeanings:

• Theword“mountain”inprophecyisasymbolforagroupoftwoormore“gods”;eithertheTrueGodmadeupoftheFather,Son,andHolySpirit,orfalse“gods”(Babylonisknowntohaveworshippeddozensofdeities)

• Thenumber“ten”issymbolic,representingalargenumber• “Beasts”representpowerswhichmaybecivilorreligious,takingtheformof

kings,kingdoms,ornations(Daniel7:17,23,24;8:20-22)• “Heads”arepowersthatrepresentkingswhich,inturn,represent“linesof

individualkings”• “Kingdoms”referstoanauthoritywithlegislativepowersthatmayhavealiteral

orspiritualapplication,basedoncontext(The“kingdom”thatChristreceivesinDaniel7:13-14isthesaintsthemselves,correlatingwiththeparableoftheTenMinasinLuke19:11-27)

• Aspecifictotalnumberof“kings”ismetduringconcurrency,eventhoughsomeceasetoexistprogressingforwardintime(suchasthefourgeneralsofGreece)

• “Horns”represent“powers”• Thecontinuumoftimeisrepresentedina“beast”startingatits“tail,”

progressingtoits“body,”thentoits“heads”and“horns”

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Chapter2

Revelation12-TheCosmicControversyBetweenChristandSatanTheapostleJohnwasayoungmanwhenhewascalledandprivilegedtowalkwithJesusduringhisministryhereonearth.HewaswitnesstotremendouschurchgrowththroughoutImperialRomeandbeyondinthedecadesfollowingChrist’sascensioninA.D.31.Onebyonetheapostlesweremartyredfortheirfaith.ThecityofJerusalemwasdestroyedinA.D.70asforetoldbyJesusinMatthew24.Finally,JohnhimselfwasexiledinA.D.95duringthereignofEmperorDomitian.HisexileendedupontheaccessionofEmperorNervainA.D.96.WhileinprisonontheIsleofPatmos,JohnwasgiventhevisionsofRevelation.ThebookofRevelationisacomplexliterarymasterpiece,includingchiasms,andlikethebookofDaniel,theeventsarebuiltbyprogressiverepetition,eachtimeaddingimportantdetailstotheoriginalsceneorevent.ThismakesthestudyandunderstandingofjustaportionofRevelationchallengingsinceitisheavilyinterrelated.Inthespiritofkeepingthisstudyasbriefaspossible,theauthorattemptstopresentjustthepertinentfactsnecessaryforunderstandingRevelation17.ThisrequiresathoroughreviewofRevelation12and13toensureconsistentinterpretationsareapplied.Revelation12:1-17isasummaryofthegreatcosmiccontroversybetweenChristandSatan.

“Nowagreatsignappearedinheaven:awomanclothedwiththesun,withthemoonunderherfeet,andonherheadagarlandoftwelvestars.Thenbeingwithchild,shecriedoutinlaborandinpaintogivebirth.”Revelation12:1-2.

ThroughouttheBibleawomanrepresentsachurch.Forexample:

“ForyourMakerisyourhusband”Isaiah54:4;“ForIamjealousforyouwithgodlyjealousy.ForIhavebetrothedyoutoonehusband,thatImaypresentyouasachastevirgintoChrist.”2Corinthians11:2;and“LetusbegladandrejoiceandgiveHimglory,forthemarriageofLambhascome,andHiswifehasmadeherselfready.”Revelation19:7.

Achaste,purewomandressedinwhite,abride,representsthesaintsbeingpreparedtomeettheGroom(Christ).Conversely,aharlot,orawomandressedaccordingly(otherthanpurewhite),representspeopleclaimingtobeofGod,however,actuallybeingofthe“synagogueofSatan”(Revelation2:9;3:9).Jesus,then,istheHusbandofallthesaints.JesusisnotonlytheBridegroom,HeisourCreator,our“Maker,”asIsaiahpointsout.OfourCreator,thewriterofGenesis1:1says,“InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavensandtheearth.”OurGodthen,istheCreatoroftime,space,andmatter,callingustoworshipHimontheseventhdayasamemorialtoHiscreation.(Exodus20:8-11;Revelation14:7).

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Jesusisthe“SunofRighteousness”(Malachi4:2),andthechurch’sknowledgeofHimisrepresentedasbeingclothedwiththesun(Isaiah60:1-3;61:10).Asthemoonhasnolightofitsownbutreflectsthelightofthesun,itrepresentsthereflectedknowledgeofChristandthescripturesthattestifyofHim.Theplanofsalvation,asforeshadowedintheearthlysanctuaryservicesandfurnishings,alsotestifiedofJesus(John5:39).Theserituals,however,didnotprovidesalvation,somethingthattheJewshadlostsightofatthetimeofJesus’ministry.Byappearingunderthefeetofthewoman/church,themoonissubjectedtoitsproperposition,asanunderstandingoftheHeavenlySanctuary,anditsearthlycopy,serveasafoundationtoguidethechurchtotheSourceofLightandLife,Jesus(1Kings5:3;Psalm47:3).“TheheavensdeclarethegloryofGod;andthefirmamentshowsHishandiwork.”Psalms19:1.Fittingly,ontheheadofthewoman/churchwasagarlandoftwelvestarsrepresenting,initially,thetwelvesons/tribesofJacob(Israel)thatGodordainedtosharetheknowledgeofHimonearth(Genesis15:5;37:9),followedbythetwelveapostleswhogrewthepureChristianchurchfollowingChrist’ssacrificewhichclosedtheeraofthetypesrepresentedintheearthlysanctuaryservices(Matthew27:51).God’schosenpeople,literalIsrael,werehonoredtohostthebirthofJesus,however,HewasbornintothepainofdeepapostasywithintheJewishnation(Isaiah59:9-15;60:1-3;Joel2:17).ReferringtoJohnBaptistJesussaid:“Iam‘Thevoiceofonecryinginthewilderness:“MakestraightthewayoftheLord,”’astheprophetIsaiahsaid.”John1:23.God’schurchthen,toparaphraseDaniel12:3,ismadeupofthewise,whoturnmanytoChrist’srighteousness,shiningasstarsinthefirmament.

“Andanothersignappearedinheaven:behold,agreat,fieryreddragonhavingsevenheadsandtenhorns,andsevendiademsonhisheads.Histaildrewathirdofthestarsofheavenandthrewthemtotheearth.Andthedragonstoodbeforethewomanwhowasreadytogivebirth,todevourherChildassoonasitwasborn.”Revelation12:3-4.

JohnishereintroducedtoSatan,whoappearsasaredcoloreddragon,havingsevenheads,tenhorns,anddiadems,orcrowns,onitssevenheads(Revelation12:9;20:2).Thedragon’scolor,red,representssin,accordingtoIsaiah1:18.ThisintroductiontothedragonisrepeatedandexpandeduponinRevelation13:1and17:3,aprocessweseeinthebookofDanielandrepeatedmanytimesinthebookofRevelation.Subjectsareintroduced,thenlaterrepeatedandenlarged,addingmoredetailandcluestoidentifytheirmeanings.Thediademsorcrownsontheheadsofthedragon,suggestthatSatancontrolsthesevenheadsthat,inturn,areleadersofthebodyofthedragon.Johnisthentakenbackintimewhereheisshownthatthedragon’s“tail”drewathirdofthestarsofheaven,

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throwingthemtotheearth.Itwasthedragon’s“tail”thatconvincedonethirdofGod’sangelstoaligntheirallegiancewithSatan.Weseethecontinuumoftimerepresentedbythedragon,startingwithitstailnearthetimeofcreation(Isaiah14:12-15;Revelation12:7),progressingtothebody,andthenontotheheadsandhorns.ThiswillbecomeapparentwhenmoredetailisaddedinRevelation13and17.ForthosewhoarestudentsofDaniel,thistimecontinuumisillustratedintheDaniel2dreamoftheimage,withtimerepresentedasanimaginarylinestartingwiththeheadandtravelingstraightthroughthe“feet”and“toes”thatexist,andaredestroyed,together.ThistimecontinuumisconsistentwithinterpretationofthebeastsshownanddescribedinDaniel7:4-8;19-25.AsDanielisadeepstudyonitsown,theleopardbeastwithfourheadswillserveasanexample.Theleopard“body”representedthenationofGreece,anditsinitialleader,AlexandertheGreat.AfterAlexandertheGreatdied,fourofhisgenerals,representedbythefourheads,brokethekingdomintofourareas.Likewise,thegoatofDaniel8:5-8,identifiedasGreeceinDaniel8:21-22,depictstheverysamepowerastheleopardinDaniel7.ThelargehornforetoldofAlexandertheGreat,thatwhenbroken,wasreplacedwithfourhorns;thefourgeneralswhoagreedtoeachruleseparateterritoriesofGreecein301B.C.Ineachcase,the“body”oftheanimalrepresentsthekingdomand,astimemovedon,thehornsrepresentedsubsequent“kings.”

SheboreamaleChildwhowastoruleallnationswitharodofiron.AndherChildwascaughtuptoGodandHisthrone.”Revelation12:5.

This“MaleChild,”borntowouldruleallnations,referredtoJesus.JesuswasborninthelineageofthepeopleGodchosetosharethetruth;tosharethegospeltoallnations;Israel.Asprinceofourcurrentworld,SatandidhisbesttokillJesusbyinstigatingKingHerodtokillallthebabiesinBethlehem(Matthew2:10-18).HethentriedtoenticeHimtouseHisdivinepowersforHisownbenefit,therebynegatingHissacrificeforoursinsduringthefortydaysinthewilderness,beforeHisbaptism.JesusreturnedtoHeavenafterHisministry,sacrifice,andresurrection,asLukewroteinActs1:9-11.Addressingtherulewitharodofironisoutsideourcurrentstudy,howeveratthecloseofthepre-adventjudgment(Daniel7:9-14;8:13-14;12:1;Revelation15:8),ChristwillbegrantedanuncontestedkingdomcomprisedofHispeople.Speakingofthenationsoftheworld,Johnwrote,“Heshallrulethemwitharodofiron,”“AndHeHimselfwillrulethemwitharodofiron.”Revelation2:27;19:15.(Psalm2:9).

“Thenthewomanfledintothewilderness,whereshehasaplacepreparedbyGod,thattheyshouldfeedherthereonethousandtwohundredandsixtydays.”Revelation12:6.

God’spurechurch,Hisbride,wasforcedtofleereligiouspersecutionintoaliteralandspiritualwildernesswheretheBibletruthswerehiddenandprotected.Godforeordainedthatreligiouspersecution,empoweredbycivillaws,wouldlast1,260

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years,expressedinprophetictimeas“days.”ThisBibleprophecyissovitalforourunderstandingthatitisreferencedinsevenverses;Daniel7:25;12:7;Revelation11:2,3;12:6,14;13:5.TheprincipleofonepropheticdayequalingoneyearissupportedinNumbers14:34;Ezekiel4:4-6,Genesis29:27,andLeviticus25:1-7,andsubsequentlybythefulfillmentofmanyBiblicaltimeprophecies.This1,260-yearperiodbeganonMarch12,538,whenGeneralBelisarius,underEmperorJustinianI,freedRomefromtheOstrogothicsiegeinitiatedoverayearearlier.Immediately,Justinian’scode,CorpusJurisCivilis,wasplacedintoeffect,declaringChristianitythestatereligion,unitingtheRomanCatholicChurchwiththecivilauthorityofEasternRome.AnyonenotconnectedwiththeChristianchurchbecameanon-citizenhavingnorights.TheabominationofenforcingreligionwithcivillawswasfinallybrokenneartheendoftheFrenchRevolution(1789-1799)whenGeneralBerthiertookRomeforNapoleon,declaringanendtothepapacyonFebruary15,1798.PopePiusVIwasimprisonedfivedayslaterandtakentoFrancewherehediedthefollowingyear.

“Andwarbrokeoutinheaven:Michaelandhisangelsfoughtwiththedragon;andthedragonandhisangelsfought,buttheydidnotprevail,norwasaplacefoundfortheminheavenanylonger.Sothegreatdragonwascastout,thatserpentofold,calledtheDevilandSatan,whodeceivesthewholeworld;hewascasttotheearth,andhisangelswerecastoutwithhim.”Revelation12:7-9.

Herewearegivenadditionalinformationfromwhenthedragonwasintroducedinverses3and4,usingthe“repeatandenlarge”principleofthepropheticbooksofDanielandRevelation.MichaelisidentifiedasJesus,consistentwiththeeventsdescribedinDaniel10:13,21;12:1;1Thessalonians4:15-16;andJude9.AprayerfulstudyofJob1and2leadstoanunderstandingthatthereareotherworldscreatedbyGodintheuniverseandthatSatanrepresentedearthinGod’suniversalcouncils,becauseAdamandEvechosetobelieveSatan,whohadtakentheformofaserpent.Lucifer,referredtoasthe“sonofthemorning”inIsaiah14:12,wascreatedasaspecialangelwiththedutytoprotectGod’slawasoneoftwo“covering”angels(Ezekiel28:14),bringingtomindthearkofthecovenantholdingtheTenCommandments.HewasamazinginbeautyaccordingtoEzekiel28:13.Afterthewarinheaven,heandalltheangelshedeceivedwere“castout;”however,heretainsthepowertotransformhimselfinto“anangeloflight”(2Corinthians11:14).

“ThenIheardaloudvoicesayinginheaven,“Nowsalvation,andstrength,andthekingdomofourGod,andthepowerofHisChristhavecome,fortheaccuserofourbrethren,whoaccusedthembeforeourGoddayandnight,hasbeencastdown.”Revelation12:10.

Theloudvoicespeakingto,andheardbyJohn,isofhumanorigin.Thisisknownbecauseitrefersto“ourGod”and“ourbrethren,”andislikelyoneofthetwenty-foureldersreferencedinRevelation4:4,10;5:8,14;11:16;19:4.Thoughscripturetellsus

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thatwhenpeopledietheyreturntodust,italsoidentifiesasmallgroupofpeoplethathavebeentakentoheaven.TheseincludeEnoch,Moses,Elijah,andanunknownnumberraisedwithJesus(Matthew27:50-53;Ephesians4:8)aftertheirgraveswerebrokenopenduringtheearthquakeatChrist’scrucifixion.TheBibleaptlyidentifiesSatanastheaccuserofthebrethren,God’speople,in1Chronicles21:1;Job1:6;Psalm109:6;andZechariah3:1.WeseeSatan“castdown”fromhispositionasthegreatestcreatedindividualintheuniversebydiminishinghispowerandauthorityinstages,

1.OutofHeaven, 2.AtChrist’sresurrection,3.Atthefuturecloseofthepre-adventjudgment(Daniel12:1b)whenthesaints(“akingdom”)areentrustedtothe“SonofMan”(Jesus)bythe“AncientofDays”(TheFather)accordingtoDaniel7:14,4.WhenSatanisconfinedtothebottomlesspitatChrist’ssecondcoming,andfinally5.Tothelakeoffireafteronethousandyearsspentonthedesolateearth(Revelation20:1-3,7,10).

ContinuinginRevelation12:11,weread,

AndtheyovercamehimbythebloodoftheLambandbythewordoftheirtestimony,andtheydidnotlovetheirlivestothedeath(“whenfacedwithdeath”NASB).Thereforerejoice,Oheavens,andyouwhodwellinthem!Woetotheinhabitantsoftheearthandthesea!Forthedevilhascomedowntoyou,havinggreatwrath,becauseheknowsthathehasashorttime.”Revelation12:11-12.

ThebloodoftheLambrepresentsourjustificationbyJesusthroughHissacrificeforoursins.Isaiahconfirmsourjustification,“Heshallseethelaborofhissoul,andbesatisfied.ByHisknowledgeMyrighteousServantshalljustifymany,forHeshallbeartheiriniquities.”Isaiah53:11.John,inhisgospel,wrote,“Behold!TheLambofGodwhotakesawaythesinoftheworld!”John1:29b.Consistently,Johnsays,“ToHimwholovedusandwashedusfromoursinsinHisownblood”Revelation1:5.(1Corinthians15:3;Galatians1:4;1Peter2:24;1John2:2;Revelation5:6,9-14).ThetestimonyofGod’speopleistobeawitnessthroughbaptism(Mark16:15),sharingthegospel(Malachi3:16;Matthew10:32-33),andsanctificationapparentinourlivesthroughtheongoingtransformationofcharacter(2Corinthians3:2-6).Ofmajorimportanceduringthetimeoftheend(1844–20xx),thesaints(spiritualIsrael)havetheresponsibilitytounderstandandsharethemeaningofthethreeangels’messagesofRevelation14:6-12.Wewillbrieflystudypartsofthispassageinchapter10.God’s

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peoplewillstandfirminthefaceofadversityandmartyrdom.ThewriterofHebrewspointsout,“Youhavenotyetresistedtobloodshed,strivingagainstsin”Hebrews12:4.(1Corinthians10:13).ThosewhobelieveinChristourSaviorandhavetheircharacterstransformedbyHimaredescribedasheavendwellerseventhoughwearestillinhabitantsofthisearth.

“BecauseyouhavemadetheLord,whoismyrefuge,eventheMostHigh,yourdwellingplace,noevilshallbefallyou,norshallanyplaguecomenearyourdwelling;ForHeshallgiveHisangelschargeoveryou,tokeepyouinallyourways.Intheirhandstheyshallbearyouup,lestyoudashyourfootagainstastone.”Psalm91:9-12.(Revelation13:6;21:3).

Theword“woe”inRevelation12:12issignificantinscripture,alwaysforetellingdoomanddestruction.JesususedthetermmanytimesincludingwhenHecondemnedthescribesandthePharisees,usingtheterm“woe”(Matthew23:13-33;Luke11:42-51).Intermsoftiming,this“woe”inRevelation,likelyisareferencetothethirdwoe/seventhtrumpetofRevelation11:15.The“sounding”oftheseventhtrumpet(Revelation11:15a)likelyoccurredonSeptember11,2001,theshockingeventthatdrewworldwideattentiontothethirdholywarinhistoryinitiatedbythe“KingoftheSouth”(“radical”Islamists;Daniel11:25-43),asforetoldinDaniel11:40a.ThiseventtriggeredtheUnitedStatesandWesternEuropeancountriestoinvadeIraqonMarch19,2003(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_invasion_of_Iraq),however,thiswarwasinitiallyopposedbytheRomanCatholicChurch.WiththepaceofviolentactsagainstChristianscommittedinthenameofIslamincreasing,PopeFrancischangedthepositionoftheCatholicChurchbymakingcallsforthenationsoftheworldtointervenetoprotectChristianpeoplegroups,includingwritingalettertoMr.BanKi-moon,theSecretaryGeneraloftheUnitedNationsonAugust9,2014(http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2014/documents/papa-francesco_20140809_lettera-ban-ki-moon-iraq.html).The“KingoftheNorth”ofDaniel11:23-45,theapostateChristianchurchcoupledwiththemilitaryforceof“Christian”nations,fulfillstheinitiationofthe“whirlwind”prophecyofDaniel11:40.InastudyofDaniel11andRevelation8:13-9:21;11:15a,thelastthreetrumpetsaredescribedasthree“woes.”Theserepresenttheholywarsbetween:

Firstwoe:ArabIslamandapostateChristianity,followedbySecondwoe:OttomanIslamandapostateChristianity,andfinally,Thirdwoe:RadicalIslamandapostateChristianity.

God’spurechurch,Hisbrideandfuturekingdomofsaints,isalwayscaughtinthemiddleofSatan’sdevisingschemes.BothkingsofDaniel11,theSouthandtheNorth,areenemiesofGod.Asinhabitantsoftheearthandsea,wearewarnedthatSatanwillmakethelivesofGod’speopleverydifficult.God’speopleareadmonishedto“dwell”onheavenwhile

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theyyetliveonearth.EarthandseadwellersarethosepeoplewhofollowtheearthbeastimageofRevelation13:11-17andtheseabeastofRevelation13:1-10.Thesethinkonorsettleforearthlythingsratherthanthinkingonorabidinginheavenlythings.Pauldescribestheseasthose“…whoexchangedthetruthofGodforthelie,andworshipedandservedthecreatureratherthantheCreator,whoisblessedforever.Amen.”Romans1:25.

“Nowwhenthedragonsawthathehadbeencasttotheearth,hepersecutedthewomanwhogavebirthtothemaleChild.Butthewomanwasgiventwowingsofagreateagle,thatshemightflyintothewildernesstoherplace,wheresheisnourishedforatimeandtimesandhalfatime,fromthepresenceoftheserpent.Sotheserpentspewedwateroutofhismouthlikeafloodafterthewoman,thathemightcausehertobecarriedawaybytheflood.Buttheearthhelpedthewoman,andtheearthopeneditsmouthandswallowedupthefloodwhichthedragonhadspewedoutofhismouth.”Revelation12:13-16.

Here,JohnistakenbackintimeagainandprovidessomeadditionaldetailsconcerningtheongoingwarbetweenChristandSatan,andsometacticsbeingused.Satanandthefallenthirdofheaven’sangels,knownasdemonshedeceived,attackedGod’spurechurch,representedbythewomanofRevelation12:1.ThroughoutScripture,avirtuouswomanisusedasasymbolforGod’spurechurch(Ephesians5:23-27).Thechurchwasgivenspeedandprotectionrepresentedbythetwowingsofagreateagle(Exodus19:1-5;Deuteronomy28:49;Matthew23:37).ThepurechurchisnourishedbyGod’sWordandavoidsfalsedoctrines(Isaiah8:20).“Yourwordswerefound,andIatethem,AndYourwordwastomethejoyandrejoicingofmyheart:ForIamcalledbyYourname,OLordGodofhosts.”Jeremiah15:16.Theterm“atimeandtimesandhalfthetime,”isadirectlinktoDaniel7:25,andisreferencingthe1,260yearperiodoftribulationJesusdescribedinMatthew24:21andMark13:19-20.ManywereprotectedbybeingputtorestandcontinuetoawaitthesoundofJesus’trumpetwhenHereturns.WealsoseeSatanbeingdescribedastheserpent,adirectreferencetothetemptationintheGardenofEden(Genesis3:1-5;Revelation20:2).“Thenhesaidtome,thewaterswhichyousaw,wheretheharlotsits,arepeoples,multitudes,nations,andtongues.”Revelation17:15.Aswaterisasymbolforpeoples,multitudes,andnations,Satancausedarmiestopursuethepurechurchintotheliteralwilderness,creatingaspiritualwildernessoffalsedoctrinesinanefforttoextinguishthetruthofGod’slawandthegraceextendedbyJesus’sacrifice.Revelation12:16alludestoProtestantsescapingEurope,establishingcoloniesintheAmericas.Inaddition,thereweresomenationsthatassistedGod’speoplebyblockingarmiessenttopersecutethem,providingshelterduringthetimeofthereformers.Thenextchaptershowsthatapurewoman,representingGod’speople,wentintothewilderness.Aharlot,theorganizedpapalchurchformedintheearlycenturies,andher

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harlotdaughters(otherapostateChristianreligions),formedduring,andafter,the1,260yeartribulationthatendedin1798.

“Andthedragonwasenragedwiththewoman,andhewenttomakewarwiththerestofheroffspring,whokeepthecommandmentsofGodandhavethetestimonyofJesusChrist.”Revelation12:17.

TheKingJamesVersionbetterrendersthe“restofheroffspring”as“remnantofherseed.”Thisremnant,orsmallportion,studiedtothepointofunderstandingthattheearthlysanctuaryservicesbothtypifiedJesus’sacrificeandwereamodelofthetruesanctuaryinHeaven.HowdoesSatanmakewar?BycreatingacounterfeittrinityofthetrueFather,Son,andSpirit.Satanhimselfistheabyss/bottomlesspitbeast(Revelation11:7),andhasspreadatheism,evolution,secularism,andsexualimmoralitythatarosesoblatantlyinthe1700’s,leadingupto,andduring,thetimeoftheFrenchRevolutionreferencedinRevelation11:7-13.SataninfiltratedtheChristianchurchcausingittoarisefromamongthepeoplesandenforceitsowndoctrinesandteachingsbycivillegislation,blasphemingGodbypersecutingthesaints(1Timothy1:13).Andsoon,SatanwillcauseapostateProtestantstooverturnGod’slaw,viatheirinfluenceoncivilauthorities,bysupportinglegislationindirectoppositiontoGod’sWord.Throughaneviltrinityofspiritualism,thepapalchurch,andapostateProtestantism,God’speopleareevennowsubjectedtoterriblepersecutionthatwillsoonbecomeworldwideinscope.Revelation12:17bprovidesthedefinitionofthesaints:theyarethosethatkeeptheTenCommandmentsandthetestimonyofallGod’sprophetsoutofdevotionandhonorfortheCreatorandSavior,receivingthenewcovenantofJeremiah31:31-33.Johnfurtherdefinesthesaintsasthosewho

“FearGodandgiveglorytoHim,forthehourofHisjudgmenthascome;andworshipHimwhomadeheavenandearth,theseaandspringsofwater.”Revelation14:7.

Thistextspecificallycallsattentiontothefourthcommandment:“RemembertheSabbathday,tokeepitholy.ForinsixdaystheLordmadetheheavensandtheearth,thesea,andallthatisinthem,andrestedtheseventhday””ThereforetheLordblessedtheSabbathdayandhallowedit.”Exodus20:8,11.

Finally,theBookofRevelationrevealsJesus,theDivineAuthorofBibleprophecy:“ForthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”Revelation19:10.

Insummary,wewillconsistentlycarryforwardtheinterpretiveprinciplesfoundinRevelation12,bydiscerningthefollowingmeanings:

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• A“woman”referstoagroupofpeopleclaimingtobelieveinGod,a“church”• Aheaddresssuchasa“garland”or“diadem”or“crown”denotesacommitment

toeitherGodorSatan• Thecontinuumoftimeisrepresentedasstartingatthetailandprogressing

forwardtotheheadsandhorns• Theconfigurationofthedragon(Satan)showshehasbeeninfluencingafalse

“Christianchurch”throughoutearth’shistoryandisfurtherreferencedanddescribedinRevelation13and17

• “Wilderness”isliterallyindicativeofasparselypopulatedarea,andspirituallyrepresentstheinabilitytoinfluenceorcontrolalargepopulation

• “Water”intheformofa“flood,”representspeopleaslaterdefinedinRevelation17:15

• The“purewoman”has“offspring”referringtotrueChristianbelievers

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Chapter3

Revelation13:1-10–TheSeaBeastRiseofthePapalChurch

Johnhadbeentakeninvisiontothetempleinheaven(Revelation11:19)forthedescriptionherecordedinRevelation12.ForRevelation13,Johnistakeninvisionbacktoearthwhereheisshown,anddescribes,twobeasts,followedbyacallforwisdom.Inthischapter,westudytheattributesofthefirstbeastfromthesea,usingtheBibleitselftointerpretthemeaningofthesymbolictermsused.Johnisshowninvisiontheriseofagreatpowercomingfromapopulatedareasymbolizedbythesea(Revelation17:15).

“ThenIstoodonthesandofthesea.AndIsawabeastrisingupoutofthesea,havingsevenheadsandtenhorns,andonhishornstencrowns,andonhisheadsablasphemousname.”Revelation13:1.

Thisseabeastcomesupwithinalargepopulationandwearewarnedthatthese“Gentiles”wouldbehostiletothesaints.JohnwasearliershownthattheGentileswould“…treadtheholycityunderfootforforty-twomonths.”Revelation11:2b.The“holycity”representsspiritualJerusalem(thesaints)andtheforty-twomonthsequatesto1,260days/years(42x30days),consistentwithinterpretativeprinciplesappliedtoallthetimepropheciesinthebooksofDanielandRevelation.Theterm“beast”isusedinDaniel7and8,nextappearinginRevelation11:7,“…thebeastthatascendsoutofthebottomlesspitwillmakewaragainstthem.”“Them”referstotheOldandNewTestaments,thattestifyofGod’struthandprophecywithone“mouth”(Revelation11:5).Further,theBibleteachesusto“WorshipGod!ForthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”Revelation19:10b.Theconsistentpatternisthatwhenevertheword“beast”isused,itreferstopersecutionofthesaintsandbiasagainsteverylawandinstitutionassociatedwiththetrueGod.ThisbeastisconfiguredinthesamewayasthedragoninRevelation12.Thereisadditionaldetailadded;thetenhornshave“crowns”andthereisa“blasphemousname”onthesevenheads.Asweconsidertheblasphemousname,wefindthatblasphemyiscommittedbyfalselyclaimingtobeGod(John10:33),claimingthepowertoforgivesins(Matthew9:3;26:65;Mark2:7;Luke5:21),orbypersecutingGod’struepeople(1Timothy1:13).SatanhasdeceivedmanybycarryingoveranearthlypriesthoodfrompagantraditionintotheChristianchurch.ThisisadirectaffronttoChrist’spriestlyministryinHeavenbecauseonlyHecanforgivesinthroughthebloodofHissacrifice.ThisistobeexpectedbecauseSatancounterfeitsGodineveryimaginableway.Thefactthatthereisablasphemousname(singular)onthesevenheads,ofthebeast,providesevidencethatthisbeastisa

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monolithic,religiouspower.Civilpowersdonotclaimtoforgivesin,thoughthroughtheinfluenceofreligiouspressuretheyhave,anddopersecute,eitherovertlyorbychoosingnottoenforcetheirownreligiousfreedomlaws.Thesevenheadsonthebeastare“kings”orleadersofareligiouspower.Thispersecutingbeast,describedasa“little/talkinghorn”powerinDaniel7:8;8:10-12,wastolargelyrelyonoutsideenforcementtodoitsbidding,asforetoldinDaniel8:23-24.Ablasphemousnamereplacesthe“crowns”onthesevenheadsoftheRevelation12:3dragon,representingspiritualdominationralliedagainsttheGodofHeaven.Theseabeastwasalsodescribedashaving“ten”hornswithcrowns.The“crowns”denotethatthesepowerswillbegrantedauthoritybyagreaterpower,the“dragon.”Wewilllearnmuchmoreaboutthese“horns”inchapter8,coveringRevelation17:12-17.ConsistentwiththebeastsofthebookofDaniel,these“ten”hornsderivepowerfromthebeasttheyaresituatedon.AswelearnedinDanielchapters1and7,thenumber“ten”canrepresentanysignificantnumberandasinDaniel,itissymbolicforalargenumber.Johndescribesthebeastasfollows:

“NowthebeastwhichIsawwaslikealeopard,hisfeetwerelikethefeetofabear,andhismouthlikethemouthofthelion.Thedragongavehimhispower,histhrone,andgreatauthority.Revelation13:2.

AreviewofDaniel7showstheseverysameanimalswereidentifiedwithcivilkingdoms.HoweverJohnliststhemintentionallyinreverseorderasifhewaslookingbackintime,whichisaccurate.AcarefulreadingofthisverseshowsthatthisseabeasthadthecharacteristicsofthekingdomsrepresentedbytheanimalsinDaniel7.Danielwasshownthesekingdomsfuturetohisday.LookingbackfromJohn’sday(A.D.95-96)theleopardrepresentedGreece,knownforbeingfast,cunning,calculating,andstealthy.ThebearrepresentedMedo-Persia,knowntousegreatdeadlyforceandabsolute,unchangeablelawstocontrolitssubjects.ThelionrepresentedBabylon,thatspokewithgreatauthority,havingpoweroveralltheearth(Daniel2:37-38).ThegreatbeastofDaniel7thatrepresentedImperialRomeisnotherelistedsimplybecauseRomewasattheheightofitspowerwhenJohnwasgiventheRevelationvision,andhecertainlywaswellawareofitsgreatstrength!Today,wehavethebenefitoflookingbackinhistorynotingthatImperialRomeand,specifically,thepoweroftheWesternRomanempireevolvedintopapalRome,justastheprophecyofthelittle/talkinghornofDaniel7(553B.C.)and8(551B.C.)foretold,havingalltheevilcharacteristicsoftheformercivilkingdomsthatruledtheworld.John’sseabeastdidnotrepresentthesepastkingdoms;itjusthadthecharacteristicsofthemall.HowdidthecivilpowerofImperialRometransfertopapalRome?Literally,Satangavetheblasphemousseabeast,(thepapacy),thecityofRomewhenEmperorConstantinemovedthecapitaltoByzantium,renamingitConstantinople(currentdayIstanbul)in

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A.D.330.ThislefttheBishopofRomeastheleadingfigureandpowerstructureremaininginthecity.PapalRomewentontocontrolEuropefrom538to1798,combiningcivilandreligiousauthority,an“abominationofdesolation,”legislatingandpersecutingmattersofconscienceitdefinedasheresy.Spiritually,theChristianchurch,seekingtoconvertthepagansocietyofRome,integratedpaganpractices,holidays,andiconsintotheworshiptraditionsofthechurch.(Forfurtherstudyonthepropheticcharacteristicsofthisreligiouspower,seeDaniel7:8,11,20-21,25;8:9-12,19,23-25;11:23-45).ThevisioncontinuedandJohnwrote:

“AndIsawoneofhisheadsasifithasbeenmortallywounded,andhisdeadlywoundwashealed.Andalltheworldmarveledandfollowedthebeast.”Revelation13:3.

Thisverseprovidesamajorcluetoidentifythesevenheadsthatleadtheseabeast.AswelearnedpreviouslyinDaniel7:25;12:7andinRevelation11:2,3;12:6,14;13:5,GodwastopreserveHispeoplethroughanextendedperiodofpersecutionfor1,260years,spanningfrom538to1798.Variouscharacteristicsofthepapalchurchduringthisperiod,knownasthe“MiddleAges”or“DarkAges,”wererevealedtoJohnandrecordedinRevelation2:18-3:6.OnFebruary20,1798,theheadofthepapacy,PopePiusVI,wastakenprisonerandthepoweroftheRomanCatholicChurchwasremovedcompletelyforashorttime,allowingBibletruthtoflourish.Johnwasshown,however,this“deadlywound”wastobehealedandthewholeworldwouldfollowtheseabeastatalatertime.

Weareprovided,inRevelation13:4,aprecisenessthatcannotbeignoredconsideringcurrenteventsintheworldtoday.“Sotheyworshipedthedragonwhogaveauthoritytothebeast;andtheyworshipthebeast,saying,”Whoislikethebeast?Whoisabletomakewarwithhim?”

Jesusmadeitabundantlyclearthattrueworshipisincompatiblewithnon-Biblicaldoctrine.“AndinvaintheyworshipMe,teachingasdoctrinesthecommandmentsofmen.”Matthew15:9.OnedoesnothavetolooktoofartofindmanymanmadeworshiptraditionsthathavenoBiblicalfoundation.Hereweseethatbyworshipingtheseabeast/papacy,peopleareworshipingthepowerbehindit,Satan.ThesethatblasphemeGodbyclaimingsalvationthroughHisSonbutdenyingHisLawsaresaidtobemembersofthe“synagogueofSatan”inRevelation2:9and3:9.TheRomanCatholicChurchmakesitabundantlyclearthatitsauthorityisgreaterthanGod’sword.“Sundayisourmarkofauthority…thechurchisabovetheBible,andthistransferenceofSabbathobservanceisproofofthatfact.”TheCatholicRecordofLondon,Ontario,Canada,September1,1923(http://biblelight.net/c-record.htm;http://biblelight.net/Sources/Catholic-Record-6-shade.gif).Asthepapacyisperceivedtobeonhighmoralgroundandthevoiceof“Christianity”inourtime,noindividualor

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entityissuccessfully“abletomakewar”against,orcriticizeit,tothepointofdiminishingitsgrowingpowerandinfluenceintheworldtoday.

“Andhewasgivenamouthspeakinggreatthingsandblasphemies,andhewasgivenauthoritytocontinueforforty-twomonths.ThenheopenedhismouthinblasphemyagainstGod,toblasphemeHisname,Histabernacle,andthosewhodwellinheaven.”Revelation13:5-6.

Thepapacyexercisedpersecutorypowerforforty-twopropheticmonths(1,260days/years).Itdevelopedaspiritualarrogancethatwasabsoluteinpower.

“Iwasconsideringthehorns,andtherewasanotherhorn,alittleone,comingupamongthem,beforewhomthreeofthefirsthornswerepluckedoutbytheroots.Andthere,inthishorn,wereeyesliketheeyesofaman,andamouthspeakingpompouswords.”Daniel7:8.(Thethreehornsweretribesopposedtothepapalreligion,eradicatedbycivilpowersatthechurch’sbidding,between534and556.Thishistoryisbeyondourcurrentstudy).

ThepapacyblasphemedGodbyclaimingthepopetobetheVicarofGodorGod’srepresentativeonearth,withthepowertoforgivesinsbyitspriests,substitutingforChrist’sintercessoryworkintheheavenlySanctuary(Hebrews8-10).Thepapacydirectly,andindirectlyusedleverageoverthekingsofnationsitcontrolled,tokillmillionsofGod’speopleduringthe“MiddleAges.”Itdiditsbesttosilencethereformers,manyofwhichidentifiedtheRomanchurch,assymbolizedbytheseabeast.Thereareinterestingparallelsasforty-twomonthsisthreeandahalfyears.ThisisnotonlythelengthofChrist’sministry,it’salsothelengthoftimethatFrancebannedChristianity,initiatedbytheReignofTerror(Revelation11:7-10),duringtheFrenchRevolution.Indeed,threeandahalfyearsisthelengthoftimeGodwithheldrainwhenAhab(representingcivilauthority),joinedwithhispaganwifeJezebel(representingapostatereligion),opposingtheprophetElijah.TheseareexcellentstudiesandparallelsforustofurtherunderstandthattherearenocoincidencesinScripture.InRevelation13:6,weseethepapacyblasphemingGod.Thephrase,“heopenedhismouth,”isaprecursortoimportantspeech.Thepapalchurchblasphemesthreethings;God’sname(aninsulttoGod’scharacter),God’s“tabernacle”(typifyingtheplanofsalvationwitheachofitsarticlesoffurniture),andthosewhodwellinheaven,God’speople.Earlier,itwasnotedthatthesaintsaretodwellon(meaningthinkon)Heavenwhilecontinuingtoresideonearth.Interestingly,Paul’sprophecyin2Thessalonians2:3-4parallelsandidentifiesthissameentity;“…thesonofperdition,whoopposesandexaltshimselfaboveallthatiscalledGodorthatisworshipped,sothathesitsasGodinthetempleofGod,showinghimselfthatheisGod.”SatanhasalwayswantedtobeGod,toresideinthe“sidesofthenorth”(Isaiah14:12-15),toreceiveworship.Heisthe“dragon”powerbehindthepapacythatclaimstobethetruechurchwhileallother

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churchesarefalse.SatanclaimstoswitchplaceswithGod,substitutinghispriesthoodforthatofChrist’s(Hebrews9:11-15).InDaniel8:11aweread,“HeevenexaltedhimselfashighasthePrinceofthehost.”Jesus,ourMessiah,isthePrinceofthe“host;”Hispeopleofalltheages(Daniel9:25).Satandeceivedchurchleaderstotakeanecumenicalapproachtogrowingthechurchbyintegratingpaganpracticesintoworship.Spiritually,paganismwas,andcontinuestobe,“exalted”bythecelebrationofEaster,adaptedfromthefertilitygoddessEstere,bythepaganbeliefthatspiritscamebacktotheirtombs(Halloween,orHolyEvening),turningthepaganholyfirtreeintohotcrossedbuns,andChristmas,anadaptationofthesungod,DeusSolInvictus.“ThemightyCatholicChurchwaslittlemorethantheRomanEmpirebaptized.”AlexanderClarenceFlick,TheRiseoftheMedievalChurch,p.148.WemustavoidanyandallfalsespiritualmeaningassociatedwiththesereligiousholidaysthatmightinadvertentlyleadotherstobelieveGodsanctionedthemassacredinanyway.

“Itwasgrantedtohimtomakewarwiththesaintsandtoovercomethem.Andauthoritywasgivenhimovereverytribe,tongue,andnation.”Revelation13:7.

Theseabeast/papacypersecutedGod’speoplefor1,260longyears.Thislengthyperiodwasreferredtoasthe“tribulation”byJesus,asrecordedinMatthew24:21-22,29andMark13:19-20,24.Thisisanimportantpointtounderstandandthosewhoprayerfullyreadandstudythesetwogospelsources,withinthelargercontextsofthesechapters,willgainagreatunderstanding.MuchofChristendomisdeceivedonthetimingandnatureofthisperiod,believingthatthistribulationisstilltocomeandwilllasteitherthreeandhalforsevenyears.Tobesure,therewillbeagreatpersecutionknownasJacob’stimeoftroublesuchastheworldhasneverbeforeexperienced(Jeremiah30:5-7;Daniel12:1b).Thiserrorofinconsistencyinunderstandingthetimepropheciesrelatingtothe“tribulation”isprovidingfalsecomfortthatGodwillprovideasecondchance,afterfirstcomingtorescuetherighteous.ThereisnoBiblicalsupportforthesetheories.TheBibleisveryclearaboutJesus’return.Eversincethefatalwoundthepapalchurchwasdealtin1798,ithasbeengettingstronger,extendingitspowerwithinthenationsofearth,andinfluencingwarsthroughcivilgovernmentsandtheUnitedNations.

Soon,“Allwhodwellontheearthwillworshiphim,whosenameshavenotbeenwrittenintheBookofLifeoftheLambslainfromthefoundationoftheworld.Ifanyonehasanear,lethimhear.”Revelation13:8-9.

Howwilltheyworshiphim?BychoosingtoignoretheTenCommandments,specificallythefourththatstartswith“Remember…”The“BookofLife”isareferencetoGod’swrittenarchivesmentionedatleastseventimesintheBible(Ex32:33;Mal3:16;Luke10:20;Phil4:3;Rev3:5;20:12;21:27).ThosewhohaveacceptedChrist’srobeofrighteousness(Isaiah61:10),willkeepGod’slawoutofdevotionandrespectforHim.TheirnameswillbeintheBookofLife.Itisthelawitselfthatdefineswhatsinis.ItisherethatwearedirectedtoJesus,theLambofGodthatwasslainforoursins(1Peter

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1:19-21).Revelation13:9enunciatesanemphaticcommandforalltopaycloseattentiontothesewords.

“Hewholeadsintocaptivityshallgointocaptivity;hewhokillswiththeswordmustbekilledwiththesword.Hereisthepatienceandthefaithofthesaints.”Revelation13:10.

Thepapacyteachesacorruptedsystemofworshipthatleadspeopleintothecaptivityofsin(Romans7:23;2Timothy3:6).Thepapacypersecutedallwhorefusedtofollowitspaganpractices(Daniel8:23-25).Literally,NapoleondeclaredanendofthepapacyonFebruary15,1798.HehadGeneralBerthierarrestPopePiusVIfivedayslater.PopePiusVIdiedinprisonin1799.Spiritually,JesuswillputanendtoSatan’scounterfeitreligionswhenHereceivesthekingdomofthesaintsandsoonafterthat,willreturntotakeHispeople,the“kingdom,”toHeaven(Daniel7:14).TheLordwilling,thepatienceandfaithofallthesaintswilltaketheformofallthosewhoresistdefilementandaskforChrist’ssanctifying,charactertransformingpowerintheirlives.“Hereisthepatienceofthesaints;herearethosewhokeepthecommandmentsofGodandthefaithofJesus.”Revelation14:12.We,livingintheeraofthechurchofLaodicea(Revelation3:14-22),aregreetedwithJesus’offerinverse20,“Behold,Istandatthedoorandknock.IfanyonehearsMyvoiceandopensthedoor,Iwillcomeintohimanddinewithhim,andhewithMe.”Amen!Again,thoseclaimingtobefollowersofJesus,butlie,aredescribedasbeingofthe“synagogueofSatan”inRevelation2:9;3:9.MayweeachleavethelukewarmLaodiceanchurchandjointhechurchofPhiladelphiadescribedinRevelation3:7-13!Insummary,wewillconsistentlycarryforwardtheinterpretiveprinciplesfoundinRevelation13:1-10,bydiscerningthefollowingmeanings:

• Justasweunderstand“water”torepresentpeople,a“sea”representsalargepopulation

• The“seabeast”istheRomanCatholicChurch,referencedinDaniel7:8;8:9asthe“littlehorn”

• Theterm“beast,”isusedwhenacivilorreligiouspowerpersecutesGod’speople

• The“heads”representtheleadersoftheRomanCatholicChurch,thepopesSpecialnotetoChristianreaders:TheChristian“church”iscomprisedofapproximately2.4billionpeople,dispersedamongthousandsofchurchsystemsandreligions.TheRomanCatholicChurchisthelargest,andmostenduring,ofall.Whilenearlyallofthesechurchstructuresarecorruptedbynon-Biblicaldoctrines,theindividualmembershave,orwillhave,opportunitytoacknowledgetheabsolutetruthoftheBible.ItisinthespiritofGod’sgrace,thatthisstudyexposesanddiscussesthemeaningofthesymbolsintheBible.

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Chapter4

Revelation13:11-17–TheEarthBeastRiseoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaandApostateProtestantism

TheLordcontinuedtorevealthefuturetoJohninvisionandhewrote:

“ThenIsawanotherbeastcomingupoutoftheearth,andhehadtwohornslikealambandspokelikeadragon.”Revelation13:11.

Ithastwohornsthatarelikealamb,however,itisnotalamb.BeginningwiththeGenesisaccountofCainandAbel,continuingthroughouttheOldTestamentsanctuaryservices,thelambisalwaysasymbolforChrist.JohntheBaptistrecognizedHimbysaying“Behold!TheLambofGodwhotakesawaythesinoftheworld!”John1:29.Thisbeastisseencomingoutoftheearth,meaningthatthispowerwastoarisedifferentlythanthepowersprecedingit,comingfromthe“sea”(Daniel7:3).RecallingthatRevelation12:16spokeofthe“earth”helpingthewoman(thesaints),wearegivenapictureofapowerwithaChristianfoundationemergingfromasparselypopulatedarea.Itstwohornsdonothavecrowns,significantbecausethe“ten”hornsontheseabeastdidhavecrowns.ThisearthbeastistheUnitedStatesofAmerica(USA),anditwasformedasarepublicwithnokingsormonarchy.ItwasinitiatedasaChristiannation,anditspowercomesfromtwofoundingprinciples,republicanismandProtestantism,includingcivicandreligiousfreedomforall.ThepeoplegroupsformingtheUSAhadescapedreligiouspersecutionandgovernmentsthatdidnotgrantequalrightstoallitscitizens.ByformingitsConstitutionwithbothfreedoms,theUSAbecamethemostpowerfulandsuccessfulnationtheearthhaseverwitnessed.Revelation13:11continues,indicatingthattheearthbeastspokeasadragon.Acivilpower“speaks”throughitslegislativebranches.TheUSAthen,speaksaccordingtoSatan,thedragon.ForovertwocenturiestheUSAhasbeenashininglightonearthforitsJudeoChristianvalues,includingalegalstructurethathasnotconflictedwithGod’slaw.Wehaveseenasteadydeclineinsocietyduringthepastfiveorsixdecades,similartothefatethatFranceexperiencedleadingupto,andduring,itsrevolution(1789–1799).Foretellingthatera,Revelation11:8saysofFrance,“…thegreatcitywhichspirituallyiscalledSodomandEgypt…”Sodomwasknownforitssexualdepravity(Genesis19),andEgyptdeniedtheexistenceofGod(Exodus5:2),bothofwhichhavebecomecommonintheUSAinthepastfewdecades.Whileindecline,theUSAhadnot“spoken,”andenforcedlegislation,againstGod,upuntil2015.OnJune26,2015thehighestlegislativebodyinthenation,theSupremeCourt,overturnedGod’sinstitutionofmarriagebeingonlybetweenamanandawoman.ThisrulingisadirectaffronttoGod,Hislaw,andcreationitself.Further,thisrelationshiprunscountertotheBiblicalconceptofJesusastheBridegroomandHischurchsymbolizedasthe“bride.”Coupledwiththeseventh-daySabbathasasacred

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memorialtotheCreator,thesetwoinstitutionshadtheirorigininthecreationweek(Genesis2).Thisrulingwillleadtoarapidincreaseinlawlessnessandlicentiousness,andanoveralldeclineoftheworld’scivilizationwilloccur.ThisgrowinganarchyisleadingtoapopulousmovementintheUSAthatwilldemandthattheirlegislatorspasslawstolegislateafalseworshipbyitsowndefinition,aworksbasedformsimilartothatofCain’soffering(Genesis4),inafailingbidtoregainGod’sblessing.

“Andheexercisesalltheauthorityofthefirstbeastinhispresence,andcausestheearthandthosewhodwellinittoworshipthefirstbeast,whosedeadlywoundwashealed.”Revelation13:12.

The“firstbeast,”thepapacy,lostitspowertolegislateworshipin1798,andhaseversince,beenplottingtoregaintheauthoritytopersecutethosewhoholdthattheBibleisGod’sunerringWord,alwaystakingprecedentabovethelawsofman.Aswasearlierdiscovered,theterm“beast”isusedwhenacivilorreligiouspowerispersecutingthesaints.Fromaprayerfulreadingofthisverse,theLordistellingusthatthepapacywillinitiallyregainpersecutorypowers(its“deadlywound”willbefully“healed”),likelyinWesternEurope,whereithasenjoyedclosegovernmentalrelationshipsformanycenturies.TherelationshipbetweenthepapalchurchandthevariousgovernmentsofWesternEurope,wasforetoldinthedreamsoftheimageinDaniel2.Daniel2:41describesthefeetas“ironmixedwithmiryclay”KJV.Thismiry,or“sticky”clay,representsacloserelationship.(ThecompositionoftheclayinthetoesisdistinctlydifferentinDaniel2:42,usingtheAramaicword“chasaph,”meaning“brittle”ESV).TheUSAwilladoptthesamefalseworshipforms,thencausealltheearth’snationstofollowthesamepractices,possiblyviasomeleveragedposition,useoftheUnitedNations(forfurtherinformationsee:https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld),orappealforreligiousrevivalamidglobalunrest,wars,andnaturaldisasters.Legislationwillbedemandedbyapopulousmovementeagertoexchangefreedomforsafety,withoutregardforconstitutionalrights.Theseterribleeventsarecertain,asJesusdescribedinMatthew24,Mark13,andLuke21,however,theantidoteisnotlegislationoreventhepracticeofreligion;itiscompleteandtotalsurrendertoJesusourSavior.Nevertheless,usingsimilarreasoningasdidCaiaphaswhenhesaid“…itisexpedientforusthatonemanshoulddieforthepeople,andnotthatthewholenationshouldperish”(John11:50;18:14),theUSAwilljustifysettingasidetheFirstAmendmentrighttoexercisefreedomofreligion.TheCatholicChurchunashamedlyclaimstohaveuseditsauthoritytochangetheSabbathfromtheseventh-daytothefirst-day.ApostateProtestantleadershavefollowedtheSundayinstitutioninthefaceofoverwhelmingevidencethatthepapacyissymbolizedbythelittle/talkinghornofDaniel7and8,directlyfulfillingtheprophecy“…Andshallintendtochangetimesandlaw…”Daniel7:25.TheCatholicBible,theDouay-Rheimstranslation,changestheTenCommandmentsinExodus20bycompletelyeliminatingthesecondcommandmentaboutidolworship,eliminating“seventhday”

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fromthefourthcommandment,thendividingthetenthcommandmentintotwo,inordertoretain“ten”commandments.Inaddition,PopeGregoryXIII(1572-1585)institutedthecalendarusedtodayinmostoftheworld.TheGregoriancalendarwasintroducedin1582,changingthestartofanewdayfromtheevening,institutedatcreation(Genesis1),tomidnight.ThestudyofDaniel11:23-45revealsmuchaboutthepapacy,identifiedastheKingoftheNorth,thatwewillleaveforanotherstudyexceptforonepoint.Daniel11:45asaysofthepapacy,“Andheshallplantthetentsofhispalacebetweentheseasandthegloriousholymountain…”Thissymboliclanguageindicatesthatitsdoctrineshavebeenplacedbetweenthepeople(seas)andtheTrinity(gloriousholymountain),testifiedofbyGod’sWord.Thesefalsedoctrineshaveobstructedtrueworship,accordingtotheBible,betweenthepeopleandGodtheCreatorthroughcompelled,counterfeit“sanctuary”ofworship(Daniel8:11).Thisactionrecalls2Thessalonians2:4,“…hesitsasGodinthetempleofGod…”Conversely,theBibleteaches,“Yourway,OGod,isinthesanctuary”(Psalm77:13a),asthewriterofHebrewsdescribessowellinHebrews8:1-6.JohnwasshownChrist’sministrationsintheheavenlySanctuary,witnessinginRevelation5:6,“AndIlooked,andbehold,inthemidstofthethroneandofthefourlivingcreatures,andinthemidstoftheelders,stoodaLambasthoughithadbeenslain…”AsacompleterepudiationoftheCreator,SundaysacrednesswillbelegislatedintheUSA,demandedbyadistraught,popularvoicealongwithapostateProtestantleaders.LegislativeleaderscontrollingthethreebranchesoftheUnitedStatesgovernmentwillcomply,despitetheConstitutionalrightofreligiousfreedom.Thisearthbeast,then,istheUnitedStatesgovernmentanditsagenciesofenforcement,encouragedbythereligious“right”ofapostateProtestantleaders,whohaveanecumenicalrelationshipwiththeRomanCatholicChurch.

“Heperformsgreatsigns,sothatheevenmakesfirecomedownfromheavenupontheearthinthesightofmen.”Revelation13:13.

Revelation13:13indicatesthatGodwillgrantSatanthepowertoliterallycounterfeitElijah’sexperienceonMountCarmel(1Kings18:16-45),thoughthistimetheoutcomewillbedifferent.ThosewhohavearmedthemselveswithGod’sWordwillnotbedeceived,howeverthisfalseangelwillhavetheappearanceofawonderfulmanifestationoflight.SatanwillusethismanifestationtocommunicateunbiblicaldoctrinesbyimpersonatingChrist(Matthew24:23-25;Mark13:21-23;Luke17:22-37;Galatians1:6-9).Therearealsospiritualfulfillmentsintheformoffalserevivals,precedingatruerevivaltheBiblecallsthelatterrain,indicatingthattheSpiritwillcomewithfargreaterpowerthantheformerrainthattookplacejustafterJesusreturnedtoHeaven,followingHisresurrection.JustasGod’s“fire”representedtheoutpouringoftheHolySpirit,Satan’s

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“fire”isasymbolfor“unclean”spiritsthatwillfoolalargepercentageoftheearth’sinhabitants.(Forfurtherstudyontheformerandlatterrains,seeDeuteronomy11:1-17;Isaiah58:12;60:1-3;Ezekiel43:2;Hosea6:3;Joel2:1-32;Habakkuk2:3,14;Malachi3:7-16;4:5;Acts1:14;2:1-4,17,21;3:19-20).

“Andhedeceivesthosewhodwellontheearthbythosesignswhichhewasgrantedtodointhesightofthebeast,tellingthosewhodwellontheearthtomakeanimagetothebeastwhowaswoundedbytheswordandlived.”Revelation13:14.

InRevelation13:14,wefindacleardescriptionofthecomingactions,leadingtoreligiouspersecutionintheUnitedStates.TheUnitedStateswillmakeanimage,acopyofSundaylegislationthatwillhavefirstbeenenactedinEurope,andtheactionstakenwillbesimilartothepowersheldbythepapacybeforeits“wound”in1798.TheUnitedStates,ledbyapostateProtestantleadership,withthebackingofaswellingpopulousvoice,willbecomethe“falseprophet”referredtoinRevelation16:13;19:20.Theearthbeast/USA/falseprophetwillsetupasystemprovidingenablinglegislationthatprescribespunishmentsforthosewhochosetofollowGod’slawratherthanman’slaw.

“Hewasgrantedpowertogivebreathtotheimageofthebeast,thattheimageofthebeastshouldbothspeakandcauseasmanyaswouldnotworshiptheimageofthebeasttobekilled.”Revelation13:15.

LawsconcerningSundaysacrednesswillinitiallybeaminorintrusionundertheguiseofpromotingfamilyvalues,spiritualwellbeing,physicalrest,andnationalallegiancesharedwiththemajority.Associetycontinuesitsrapiddeclineintolawlessness,and,inthefaceofincreasing“natural”disasters,persecutionofseventh-daySabbathkeepers,thosehonoringtheBibleliterallyasGod’sWord,willincreasewithpenaltiesbecomingmorestringent,upto,andincluding,death.Whatwilltriggertheselaws?It’snothardtoseethethirdholywarconflictbetweensocalledChristianpeoplesandnationswarringwithMuslimsandIslamicnations,leadingtoatestofloyaltydifferentiatingthosewhofollowoneortheother.Already,leadersaretalkingaboutadministeringan“ideologicaltest”todeterminethesincerityofimmigrants.Interestingly,Islam’sholydayisFriday,whilethebeasts’holydayisSunday.OnewayofidentifyingMuslimbelieversinthemanycountriesunderattack,wouldbetohavethemrepudiatetheirreligionandaffirmSundaysacrednessasatestofcitizenship,andtoreceivestatebenefits.God’speoplewillwatchandseehowthisconflictdevelops,prayingfortheopportunitytosharethegospelofJesuswithourMuslimfriendsandneighbors.Already,thosewhobelieveintheliteralBiblehavebeenlabeledasextremistsandfundamentalistsintheUnitedStates,andelsewhere.Thetimeisrapidlyapproachingwhenallpeoplewillbefacedwithachoicetoeitherfollow

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God’sTenCommandments,acknowledgingthatHeexistsandisourCreator,or,thelawsofman.Satandemandscompleteallegiance.OurRedeemerpleadsforitbutdoesnotforceit.Naturally,thesaintswillbecastinthemostnegative,derisivelightpossible.EverypastactionandcommunicationwillbebroughttolightinordertoembarrassanddiscreditGod’speople.Asleadersyieldtheirintegrityforearthlypowerandcomfort,Satanwill,justashedidwithKingHerodandthroughoutthedarkages,influencewaveafterwaveofpersecutioninordertoforceallegiancetohim.Oneoftheearlypunishmentsdesignedtoinducealltoacknowledgethelawsofman,includingSundaysacredness,willbetorestrictcommerce.

“Hecausesall,bothsmallandgreat,richandpoor,freeandslave,toreceiveamarkontheirrighthandorontheirforeheads,andthatnoonemaybuyorsellexceptonewhohasthemarkorthenameofthebeast,orthenumberofhisname.”Revelation13:16-17.

Thisrestrictionwillgrowtobecomeaworldwidelaw,andwilllikelybetoutedasawaytomonitorandcontroltraffickingofillegalsubstances,goods,andservices.Thetechnology,bothhardwareandsoftware,isoperationalandcouldeasilybeaccomplished,retainingcashbutrequiringa“smart”identificationcardorbiometricscanforeverytransaction.Here,weareintroducedtothe“markofthebeast.”Itisdescribedasbeingoneithertheforeheadortherighthandsofallpeoplethatwishtocontinuetotransactbusiness,buyfood,obtainhealthcareandmedicines,orpaymortgages,utilities,andbuyfuel.Theseterms,likemostinRevelation,aresymbolic.Theforeheadistheseatoflearning,character,andintelligence,andtoreceivethemarkofthebeastthere,istotrulybelievethattheRomanCatholicChurchhadtheauthorityitclaims,tochangethetimeandlawsofGod(Daniel7:25).Toreceivethemarkofthebeastonthe“righthand”referstopeoplewhodon’tagreewiththebeast,however,acquiescebecauseoffearofpersecutionorpeerpressurefromfamily,friendsorco-workers,orthreatenedreleaseofembarrassingordamaginginformation.ThesewilllackfaiththatGod,whocreatedtheheavens,theearth,thesea,andallthatisinthem,isabletosupplyallourneedsandforgivealloursins.AcarefulstudyoftheearthlycostofdiscipleshipiswellworthourprayerfulconsiderationasJesusinstructedinLuke9:57-62.ThosewhostandfirmintheirBiblebasedconvictionswillreceiveGod’sseal.

“ThenIsawanotherangelascendingfromtheeast,havingthesealofthelivingGod.Andhecriedwithaloudvoicetothefourangelstowhomitwasgrantedto

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harmtheearthandthesea,saying,“Donotharmtheearth,thesea,orthetreestillwehavesealedtheservantsofourGodontheirforeheads.”Revelation7:2-3.

NoticeGod’ssealisonlygivenontheforeheadsofthesaints.ThisindicatestheuseofourintelligencewhenweconsiderGod’screationweek,Hisplanofsalvation,the100%veracityoftheprophets,andthesacrificeofChrist’sownbloodtopaythepriceofoursins…suchamazinggrace!ItisfaithintheLordthatwillenablethesaintstoplaceearthlythingsintheperspectiveofspendingeternitywithourCreatorandSavior.God’ssealisourdevotedworshipaccordingtoHisLaw,theTenCommandments(Revelation14:7,11-12).God’ssealisalsodescribedinEzekiel9:4,wherewelearnthatthosereceivingithaveobtainedtheverycharacterofGod,mourningthosewhohavechosentoservetheworld.Asnotedinchapter3,anylegislationgoverningman’sdutytoGodasHedefinedatcreation,andinthefirstfourcommandments(Exodus20:3-11),isanabomination.JesuswarnsHispeople,recordedinMatthew24,Mark13,andLuke21,whattowatchforanddoatthistime.Hemixedtwoimportantevents;thatoftheliteraldestructionofJerusalem(A.D.70),andHisrisingfrom(completing)judgmentduringthetimeoftheend.JustasallChristiansescapedthehorrificeventsbyleavingJerusalem,HispeoplewillheedthewarningandimmediatelyaretoleavethecitieswhenSundaylegislationisproposed,inournearfuture.The“abominationofdesolation”predictionhadaliteral,localfulfillmentandwillhaveaworldwideliteralandspiritualfulfillmentwhenman’slawsconflictwithGod’slaw.TheUnitedStatesisnearlythere,byoverturningGod’slawofmarriagebeingbetweenonemanandonewoman.Insummary,wewillconsistentlycarryforwardtheinterpretiveprinciplesfoundinRevelation13:11-17,bydiscerningthefollowingmeanings:

• The“earthbeast”representstheUnitedStatesofAmerica,comingundertheinfluenceofapostateProtestants

• The“image”isacopyofSundaylegislationenactedthroughpapalinfluence• The“markofthebeast”istheacceptanceofman-madelawsanddoctrinesthat

conflictwithGod’slaw,inordertocontinuecommerceandbusinesstransactions

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Chapter5

Revelation13:18–Wisdom,Understanding,andCalculation“Hereiswisdom.Lethimwhohasunderstandingcalculatethenumberofthebeast,foritisthenumberofaman:Hisnumberis666.”Revelation13:18.ThisstatementplaysacriticalroleinunderstandingthecomplexlanguageusedinRevelation17:8-11.Again,everywordhassignificantmeaning.Acarefulreadingrevealstheangelindicatingthatthisnumberwillbechallengingtointerpret,willtakeaprecisemathematicalcalculation,andwillbeidentifiedbythosewith“understanding.”PaulwrotetothefaithfulintheEphesuschurch,

“…IheardofyourfaithintheLordJesusandyourloveforallthesaints,donotceasetogivethanksforyou,makingmentionofyouinmyprayers:thattheGodofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofglory,maygivetoyouthespiritofwisdomandrevelationintheknowledgeofHim,theeyesofyourunderstandingbeingenlightened;thatyoumayknowwhatisthehopeofHiscalling,whataretherichesofthegloryofHisinheritanceinthesaints”Ephesians1:15-18.(emphasissupplied).

TheangelGabrielwasassignedtoDanieltomakehimunderstandthevisionshewasgiven(Daniel8:16-17;9:23,25;10:11-12,14;11:33;12:10).KeytoDaniel’scomprehension,washisprayerfuldesireto“understand”(Daniel9:13).Inparticular,Daniel12:10says,“Manyshallbepurified,madewhite,andrefined,butthewickedshalldowickedly;andnoneofthewickedshallunderstand,butthewiseshallunderstand.”JesuscalledforunderstandingwhenreadingDanielsaying,“Thereforewhenyouseethe‘abominationofdesolation,’spokenofbyDanieltheprophet,standingintheholyplace”(whoeverreads,lethimunderstand)”Matthew24:15(Mark13:14).ThekeytounderstandingistohearJesus(“…HearMe,everyone,andunderstand,”Mark7:14)byprayerfullyreadingHisWord,theBible.“AndHeopenedtheirunderstanding,thattheymightcomprehendtheScriptures.”Luke24:45.“…maytheLordgiveyouunderstandinginallthings.”2Timothy2:7.

PaulwrotetothechurchinEphesus,“…byrevelationHemadeknowntomethemystery(asIhavebrieflywrittenalready,bywhich,whenyouread,youmayunderstandmyknowledgeinthemysteryofChrist)…”Ephesians3:3-4.“AndweknowthattheSonofGodhascomeandhasgivenusanunderstanding,thatwemayknowHimwhoistrue;andweareinHimwhoistrue,inHisSonJesusChrist.ThisisthetrueGodandeternallife.”1John5:20.

Toplacetheunderstandingofprophecyintheproperperspective,Paulalsowrote, “AndthoughIhavethegiftofprophecy,andunderstandallmysteriesandall knowledge,andthoughIhaveallfaith,sothatIcouldremovemountains,but

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havenotlove,Iamnothing.”1Corinthians13:2,and,“…attainingtoallrichesof thefullassuranceofunderstanding,totheknowledgeofthemysteryofGod, bothoftheFatherandofChrist,inwhomarehiddenallthetreasuresofwisdom andknowledge.”Colossians2:2-3.(Emphasissupplied).Clearly,weneedboth understandingandlove!“Wisdom,”too,comesfromGod,accordingtoscripture.“Ifanyofyoulackswisdom,lethimaskofGod,whogivestoallliberallyandwithoutreproach,anditwillbegiventohim.”James1:5.

Paulwrote,“…wespeakwisdomamongthosewhoaremature,yetnotthewisdomofthisage,noroftherulersofthisage,whoarecomingtonothing.ButwespeakthewisdomofGodinamystery,thehiddenwisdomwhichGodordainedbeforetheagesforourglory.”1Corinthians2:6-7.Psalm111:10says,“ThefearoftheLordisthebeginningofwisdom;AgoodunderstandinghaveallthosewhodoHiscommandments.”

ThisverseshowsusthatrespectfortheLordinvolveskeepingHisTenCommandmentsandisnecessaryinordertoreceivebothwisdomandunderstandingofspiritualmatters.TheOldTestamentcontainsalargebodyofinformationconcerningwisdom,muchofitassociatedwithKingSolomon.ThebookofProverbscontainsmanyreferencesaboutwisdomand,sincethepurposeofthisstudyistopointustoGod’sWord,oneadditionalquotewillsuffice:“ThefearoftheLordisthebeginningofwisdom,AndtheknowledgeoftheHolyOneisunderstanding.”Proverbs9:10.Theword“calculate”or“count”istranslatedfromtheGreekword,“psēphizō”whichisusedonlyhere,andinLuke14:28,inthecontextofcountingthecosttobuildatowerbeforeconstructionisstarted.Inotherwords,theangelistellingJohnthataprecisemathematicalcalculationwillbenecessary,tounderstandwhothisindividualbeastis.Theangelcontinuesbynotingthatthis“beast”is“aman”andthathisnumberis666.Additionalcluesoftheidentityofthismanareprovidedin2Thessalonians2:3-4andRevelation17:8,11.WhileidlespeculationisnotconducivetoprovidinghopeandbuildingfaithinGod’splanandtheveracityofHisWord,here,wearegivenspecificinformationandtoldtoperformacalculationandtounderstanditsimportanceinendtimeevents,basedoncontextandplacementinthebookofRevelation.“AndnowIhavetoldyoubeforeitcomes,thatwhenitdoescometopass,youmaybelieve.”John14:29.Aswestudiedinchapterone,BabylonbecameaworldpowerleadinguptoitsconquestofJerusalemandthesoutherntribesofIsrael.TheBiblefirstmentionsBabyloninGenesis10:10,whenNimrod,adescendentofNoah’scursedson,Ham,oversawthebuildingoffourcitiesinMesopotamiaincludingBabel(http://www.bible-history.com/babylonia/BabyloniaHistory_of_Babylonia.htm)inabout2300B.C.Itishere,whereGodHimselfdestroyedthetowerbeingbuilt,thatwecometounderstand

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thiscultureanditspeopleweredefiant,rejectingthetrueGod.Itishereapparent,thatbothliteralBabylonandspiritualBabylonareSatan’scounterfeittoliteralandspiritualJerusalem.OnecityrepresentspeopleinrebellionagainstGod,theother,thosewhohavehumblyrecognizedtheirtotaldependenceonGod.Danielchapters2and3makeitveryclearthatheaven’sdoorisopentoall,fromtheleasttothegreatest,includingpaupersandkingsinallcultures,eveninBabylonitself!TheBabyloniancultureinDaniel’sday(605-539B.C.)washighlyadvanced.Itusedasexagesimalnumericalsystem,whichhasabaseof60.ThatiswhywereadinDaniel3:1thatNebuchadnezzarbuilttheimage60cubitshighby6cubitswide.Thoughweuseabase10mathematicalsystemformostthings,thebase60systemisstillinusetoday,tomeasuretime,angles,andgeographiccoordinates.WhenNebuchadnezzarbuiltthecityofBabylon,herebuilttheruinsofaziggurat,apyramidtypestructurenamedEtemenanki,dedicatingittothegodMarduk(symbol:snake-dragon),asasubstitutefora“mountain,”forthepurposeofworshipoftheirmanygods(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etemenanki).ItislikelythattheseweretheunfinishedruinsoftheTowerofBabel,referencedinGenesis11.Babylonianscientistshadcarefullystudiedtheheavensanddividedtheconstellationsintoa36grid,starcalendar,eachrepresentingadeityorgod.Itspaganpriestsworemedallions,knownasamulets,withatabledisplaying36numbersassociatedwitheachofthesegods,asaprotectingcharm.Thesetablesofnumberswerearrangedinasquare(6x6)insuchawaythatwheneachroworcolumnwasadded,thetotalwas111.Byextensionthen,addingeitherthetotaloftherowsorthecolumns,givesthesumof666(http://hackya.com/us/babylonian-sun-seal-square/).ThisidentifierofspiritualBabylonwasprovidedbytheangeltobeusedinRevelation17:10-11.Thismeansthatbyadding1+2+3…34+35+36=666!(Seeappendix).Insummary,wewillconsistentlycarryforwardtheinterpretiveprinciplesfoundinRevelation13:18,bydiscerningthefollowingmeanings:

• Theterm“666”referstoaspecificmanwhoisinoppositiontoGodand,therefore,alignedwithSatan

• Thattheangelcalledforbothwisdomandunderstandinginordertoperforma“calculation,”indicatesthattheformulawillbecomplexinnature,andbe“spirituallydiscerned”(1Corinthians2:14)

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Chapter6

Revelation17:1-6–TheGreatHarlotAsweopenRevelation17,thenecessityofunderstandingtheScripturepreviouslycoveredinthisstudybecomesapparent.TheinterveningsectionofRevelation14to16,containsvitalinformation,fillinginmanydetailsaboutendtimeeventsandfactsinrelationtotherighteousandthewicked.Allwhoprayerfullyreadandconsiderthesechapterswillberichlyblessed,asunderstandingthemisimperativetogainacorrectunderstandingofendtimeevents,andinpreparationtomeetourLord.

“Thenoneofthesevenangelswhohadthesevenbowlscameandtalkedwithme,sayingtome,“Come,Iwillshowyouthejudgmentofthegreatharlotwhositsonmanywaters,withwhomthekingsoftheearthcommittedfornication,andtheinhabitantsoftheearthweremadedrunkwiththewineofherfornication.”Revelation17:1-2.

InRevelation16,therearesevenangels,eachhavinga“bowl”filledwithaplague.Oneoftheseangels,potentiallythesixthangelthatpouredoutaplaguedryinguptheEuphratesRiver(spirituallysymbolicforsupportbeingwithdrawnfromcounterfeitreligioussystems),comestoshowJohnthejudgmentoftheharlot.Judgmentcantaketheformofpunishment,andthisspecificactisfurtherexplainedinRevelation18:6-8,whichisoutsidethisstudy.FromRevelation12,weknowthatawomanrepresentsachurchorbrideintheBible,withChristastheBridegroom.Inthiscase,however,thebrideisaharlot.Regrettably,therearemanyexamplesofGod’speopleleavingrighteousnessandembracingidolatry(Exodus34:15-16;Judges8:27;Jeremiah3:6,8;Ezekiel23:19;Nahum3:4).Isaiahnoted,“Howthefaithfulcityhasbecomeaharlot!Itwasfullofjustice;Righteousnesslodgedinit,butnowmurderers.”Isaiah1:21.ThisverseshowsthatGod’speopleareknownasa“faithfulcity.”LaterinRevelation,welearnthatthesaintsarethe“NewJerusalem,”theantithesisofSatan’s“city”ofthewicked,Babylon.

Paulwrote,“DoyounotknowthatyourbodiesaremembersofChrist?ShallIthentakethemembersofChristandmakethemmembersofaharlot?Certainlynot!Ordoyounotknowthathewhoisjoinedtoaharlotisonebodywithher?For“thetwo,”Hesays,“shallbecomeoneflesh.”ButhewhoisjoinedtotheLordisonespiritwithHim.”1Corinthians6:15-17.

Theharlot,whoisinitiallyseensittingonmanywaters,symbolicfor“peoples,multitudes,nations,andtongues”(Revelation17:15;Jeremiah51:13),istheRomanCatholicChurchsystem,literallycontrollingorinfluencingalargeportionoftheearth’spopulation,whilemasqueradingasthe“Christianchurch.”Itisworthyagaintorecognizethat,whilethissystemistheharlot,therearemanysaintswithinthischurch

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andmanyotherreligionsthatJesuswillcalloutbeforeit’stoolate(Revelation18:4-5).Revelation17:2isacontinuationfromRevelation13:1-10,wherewenotedthatthepapalchurchcommitted“fornication”withthenationsofEuropefor1,260years,endingin1798.TheBibleisveryclearandpreciseaboutthis;“Adulterersandadulteresses!DoyounotknowthatfriendshipwiththeworldisenmitywithGod?WhoeverthereforewantstobeafriendoftheworldmakeshimselfanenemyofGod.”James4:4.Ourcurrentworlddefinessuccessbytheacquisitionofmoneyandpower,coupledwithrelationshipswithlike-mindedpeople.Notsurprisingly,thisso-calledsuccess,nearlyalwaysleadstospiritualruin.

“ThenJesussaidtoHisdisciples,“Assuredly,Isaytoyouthatitishardforarichmantoenterthekingdomofheaven.AndagainIsaytoyou,itiseasierforacameltogothroughtheeyeofaneedlethanforarichmantoenterthekingdomofGod.”Matthew19:23-24.

OnemightrightlybeconcernedabouttheirrelationshipwiththeLord,iftheyaresuccessfulbyearthlydefinitionsandareableto“enjoy”thefruitsoftheirlaborshereandnow!Revelation17:2pointsoutthattheinhabitantsofearthweremadedrunkwiththewineoftheharlot’sfornication.TheBibleprovidesampleevidencethatwedowelltoliterallycompletelyshunalcoholicbeverages(drunkennesswasthefirstrecordedsinaftertheflood;Genesis9:20-21),howeverthereisamuchdeeperspiritualconnotationhere.

“Buttheyalsohaveerredthroughwine,Andthroughintoxicatingdrinkareoutoftheway;Thepriestandtheprophethaveerredthroughintoxicatingdrink,Theyareswallowedupbywine,Theyareoutofthewaythroughintoxicatingdrink;Theyerrinvision,theystumbleinjudgment.”Isaiah28:7.

Itisthereligiousleadersimplicatedinleadingthepeopleastray!Andnowthatwe’veidentifiedspiritualBabylonasthepapalsystem,Jeremiah51:7makeschillingsense:“BabylonwasagoldencupintheLord’shand,thatmadealltheearthdrunk.Thenationsdrankherwine;thereforethenationsarederanged.”Uponcarefulconsiderationofthedoctrines,teachings,andtraditionsoftheRomanCatholicChurch,manyhavenoBiblicalsupport.Thereason:theywereadoptedfrompagantraditions,postulatedduringthemiddleagesfornefariouspurposes,orblatantlyplacedintoeffectbyachurchclaimingithasauthoritythatsupersedestheBible.Duringthetimeoftheend,theBibleidentifiesspiritualBabylonasareligiouspowerthatwillcontrolallnationsonearth!

“Forallthenationshavedrunkofthewineofthewrathofherfornication,the

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kingsoftheearthhavecommittedfornicationwithher,andthemerchantsoftheearthhavebecomerichthroughtheabundanceofherluxury.”Revelation18:3.

WhilesomewhatchallengingtoenvisionhoweverynationonearthwillbowtotheinfluenceoftheRomanCatholicChurch,wemaybeconfidentandthankfulthatGodhasprovidedsuchspecificityinidentifyingthesepowers,andwearecertainthiswillcometopass.Theconditionoftheearthisprovidedtoensureweknowwhatwillcome,andwilllikelyleadtotheacquiescenceofthenationstocurtailreligiouslibertiesinadesperate,mistakenbid,togarnerGod’s“favor.”Thislegislation,specifyingSundaysacredness,willbefollowedby“…atimeoftroublesuchasneverwassincetherewasanation,eventothattime.”Daniel12:1b.Goddoesn’twantanyonetobedeceivedbecauseJesusdiedforall!AfterRevelation17:2,thereisatransition.

“SohecarriedmeawayintheSpiritintothewilderness.AndIsawawomansittingonascarletbeastwhichwasfullofnamesofblasphemy,havingsevenheadsandtenhorns.”Revelation17:3.

Johnwastakeninvisiontothewilderness,ordesert.ThissamewordisusedtwiceinRevelation12,describingaplacewhereGodpreservedthesaints.Inthiscase,however,awomanisseensittingonascarlet(thecolorofsin;Isaiah1:18)beast(laterwefindshewasspecificallyseatedonthebeast’ssevenheads).Thisword“wilderness”isalsotranslated“desert,”indicatingamarkedtransitionofthisbeastwithsevenheadsandtenhorns,similartothebeastdescribedinRevelation13:1-10,asarisingfromthesea.Whathappenedtothepapalchurchthatoncecontrolledpeople,multitudes,nations,andtongues?Asearlierdiscussedinchapter3,inFebruary1798,PopePiusVIwastakenprisonerandNapoleonBonaparteoutlawedthechurchforseveralyears.Abruptly,thepapalchurchfounditselfwithoutthesupportofnations,afterenjoying1,260yearsofincestuousrelationshipswiththecountriesofEurope.Suddenly,theRomanCatholicChurch,thegreatharlot,founditselfinthe“wilderness,”whereitwasnolongerabletowieldinfluencewithinthecivilgovernmentsofEuropetosupportitsreligioustenetsthroughlegislation,civilpenalties,andoutrightpersecution.ThereisanotherimportantdistinctionoftheRevelation17beastcomparedwiththe“seabeast”inRevelation13.ThedescriptioninRevelation13:1,“…onhisheadsablasphemousname,”isdifferent.AccordingtoRevelation17:3,thebeastitself“…wasfullofnamesofblasphemy.”Duringthe1,260years,from538to1798,directpapalchurchpersecutionofthesaintswasenforcedbymanyofthenationswho,doingthebiddingofthechurch,directlyadministeredpersecution.Soitislikelythe“names”ofblasphemy(plural),nowcoveringtheRevelation17beast,includeallthenations,alongwiththoseindividualsresponsibleforcommittingblasphemyagainstGod,byvirtueoftheirroleinpersecutingGod’speople.Indeed,Paulcalledhimselfa“blasphemer”by

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theactofpersecutingGod’speoplebeforehisconversionontheroadtoDamascus(1Timothy1:13).ThescarletbeastofRevelation17maybeseenasthenationsthatdothebiddingofapostatereligions,directedagainstGod’speople.ThegreatharlotofRevelation17:1,nolongerabletocontrolthemasses,nowisseenasawomaninRevelation17:3,seatedontheheadsofascarletbeast,withasimilarconfigurationasthebeastinRevelation13:1,aswellasthedragoninRevelation12.Eachhadsevenheadsandtenhorns,indicatingthatSatan,himself,istheinfluencingpowerbehindthisbeastmadeupofso-called“Christian”religions,enforcedbythecivilauthorityofthenations.

“Thewomanwasarrayedinpurpleandscarlet,andadornedwithgoldandpreciousstonesandpearls,havinginherhandagoldencupfullofabominationsandthefilthinessofherfornication.”Revelation17:4.

FromJohn’sdescriptionwecanseethatsomepeople,masqueradingastrueChristians,describedinRevelation12:1as“clothedwiththesun,”formedandcontinuedareligioussystemthathasbecomea“harlot.”Itisnocoincidencethatthecardinalsandofficialsofthepapalchurchusetheseasofficialcolorsintheirformaldress.AverysimilardescriptionwaspennedbyDanielashedescribedthe“kingofthenorth,”“Butintheirplaceheshallhonoragodoffortresses,andagodwhichhisfathersdidnotknowheshallhonorwithgoldandsilverwithpreciousstonesandpleasantthings.”Daniel11:38.Evenacasualinspectionofthecathedrals,ofthesolemnityassignedtochurchdesignated“saints,”andparticularlyofMary,whomthechurchencouragesitscongregatestoprayto,confirmsthattheRomanCatholicChurchsystemisherereferenced.Again,Jeremiah51:7comestomind:“BabylonwasagoldencupintheLord’shand,thatmadealltheearthdrunk.Thenationsdrankherwine;thereforethenationsarederanged.”Johnisnowdrawntoamessagewrittenontheforeheadofthewomansittingonthebeast.Itreads, “MYSTERY,BABYLONTHEGREAT,THEMOTHEROFHARLOTSANDOFTHE ABOMINATIONOFTHEEARTH.”Revelation17:5.Inourstudyofthemarkofthebeast,describedinRevelation13:16-17and14:9-12,wenotedthedistinctionofwherethemarkwasreceived,aseitherontheforeheadorthehand.Incontrast,God’ssealwouldonlybeprovidedontheforeheadsofthesaints(Revelation7:3;Ezekiel9:4).Ourforeheadsaresymbolicastheseatoflearningandtruecharacter(Ezekiel3:4-9).Paulsaid,“…withthemindImyselfservethelawofGod,butwiththefleshthelawofsin.”Romans7:25b.TheGreekwordfor“mystery”isusedfourtimesinRevelation.InRevelation1:20,it’sdefinedwithintheverse.Ofgreatinterest,isitsuseinRevelation10:7:“butinthedays

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ofthesoundingoftheseventhangel,whenheisabouttosound,themysteryofGodwouldbefinished,asHedeclaredtoHisservantstheprophets.”Inordertodeterminewhatmysteryisbeingreferredto,asignificantclueabouttimingisprovided.Fortimeandspacepurposes,thisisbrieflyaddressedasfollows:Thesevenangelswithseventrumpetsareintroduced,anddescribed,inRevelation8,9,and11:15a.Thelastthreetrumpetsoundingsarereferredtoasthethree“woes”toalltheinhabitantsoftheearth(Revelation8:13).Asmentionedbrieflyinchapter2,whenprayerfullystudiedwithDaniel11:25-43,theconclusionisthatthese“woes”refertothethreeholywarsbetweenapostateChristianityandIslam.The“Christian”forcesincludenationswithabaseofChristianity,andtheIslamicforceshistoricallyincludedArabIslam,OttomanIslam,andthecurrentwardeclaredbyradicalIslam,coupledwithIslamicbasednations.ThiscurrentwartookonaworldwidescopewiththeradicalIslamic(“KingoftheSouth,”Daniel11:25-43)attacksontheUnitedStates,onSeptember11,2001,fulfillingDaniel11:40a.TheUnitedStatesrespondedbyinvadingIraqinMarch2003,howevertherewasnota“Christian”religiouscomponentuntilAugust7,2014,whenPopeFranciscalledfortheUnitedNationstoprotectChristiansfromradicalIslam(https://sites.google.com/site/catholicchurchesofthearea/home-page-1/canadian-conference-of-catholic-bishops-cccb-documents/pope-francis-august-2014-appeal-for-prayers-for-the-peoples-of-north-iraq).ThisinitiatedthefulfillmentoftheDaniel11:40b“whirlwind”response;thecombinationof“Christian”nationsandtheentitytheworldconsidersastheearth’srepresentativeofChristianity,theRomanCatholicChurch(KingoftheNorth).Thispromptsthelogicalquestion,what“mystery”didGod“finish”(fulfill,complete,accomplish)immediatelybefore2001and/or2014?CoulditbethatthetruemeaningoftheprophecyinRevelation17becameunderstood?Thisstudyshowsthat,indeed,afewpeoplewhoprayerfullydevotedtheirattentiontothisprophecycametoaprecise,accurateinterpretationthathasnowbecomemuchmoreurgent,aswillbeshown.Themessageonthewoman’sforeheadcallsBabylonthemotherofharlots,andlaterprovidesmuchmoreinformationtoverifyheridentity.

“Andthewomanwhomyousawisthatgreatcitywhichreignsoverthekingsoftheearth.AfterthesethingsIsawanotherangelcomingdownfromheaven,havinggreatauthority,andtheearthwasilluminatedwithhisglory.Andhecriedmightilywithaloudvoice,saying,“Babylonthegreatisfallen,isfallen,andhasbecomeadwellingplaceofdemons,aprisonforeveryfoulspirit,andacageforeveryuncleanandhatedbird!Forallthenationshavedrunkofthewineofthewrathofherfornication,thekingsoftheearthhavecommittedfornicationwithher,andthemerchantsoftheearthhavebecomerichthroughtheabundanceofherluxury.”Revelation17:18-18:3.

Therecanbenoquestionthatthesymboliclanguageusedreferringtothewomanas

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thegreatcity,Babylon,thewineoffornication,therichesassociatedwitharelationshipwiththepapacy;allrefertotheRomanCatholicChurchsystem,withsecondaryapplicationtoapostateProtestantreligionswhofollowsimilar,non-Biblicaldoctrines.Asaharlotherself,theCatholicchurchbecamethemotherofharlots(Hosea4:11-13,18),thevariousapostateProtestantchurchesthat,thoughadoptingmoretruthintheBibleastheywereformed,ceasedtocontinuetosearchfor,andaccept,thecompletetruthsoftheBible.Noneareasegregiousasthefailuretoadopttheonlycommandmentthatstartswiththeword“Remember.”TheimportanceofhonoringourLordastheCreatorcannotbeoverestimated,anditisemphasizedthroughoutScriptureasthefollowingreferencesshow:

“YoushallnotaddtothewordwhichIcommandyou,nortakefromit,thatyoumaykeepthecommandmentsoftheLordyourGodwhichIcommandyou.”Deuteronomy4:2.“DonotaddtoHiswords,LestHerebukeyou,andyoubefoundaliar.”Proverbs30:6.“DonotthinkthatIcametodestroytheLawortheProphets.Ididnotcometodestroybuttofulfill.Forassuredly,Isaytoyou,tillheavenandearthpassaway,onejotoronetittlewillbynomeanspassfromthelawtillallisfulfilled.Whoeverthereforebreaksoneoftheleastofthesecommandments,andteachesmenso,shallbecalledleastinthekingdomofheaven;butwhoeverdoesandteachesthem,heshallbecalledgreatinthekingdomofheaven.”Matthew5:17-19.“Heavenandearthwillpassaway,butMywordswillbynomeanspassaway.”Matthew24:35.“Anditiseasierforheavenandearthtopassawaythanforonetittleofthelawtofail.”Luke16:17.

Jesus,intheclosingscenesoftheRevelationvisionstoJohnsaid,

“ForItestifytoeveryonewhohearsthewordsoftheprophecyofthisbook:Ifanyoneaddstothesethings,Godwilladdtohimtheplaguesthatarewritteninthisbook;andifanyonetakesawayfromthewordsofthebookofthisprophecy,GodshalltakeawayhispartfromtheBookofLife,fromtheholycity,andfromthethingswhicharewritteninthisbook.”Revelation22:18-19.

AsGodistheAuthoroftheBible,eachwordisthereforareason,forthepurposeofedifyingtheCreator.Jesusisemphaticabouttheimportanceofthelaw.Indeed,itisthebasisforGod’sKingdom,andwhatdefinesourdutyasHisservants.Bynow,thementionoftheabominationsoftheearthbecomesclear.Theseareunbiblicaldoctrines,religioustraditionsandcustoms,intoleranceforwhatispureandholy,andtheenforcementofman-madereligionthroughderision,legislation,punishment,andpersecution.God’struepeoplehavealwaysenduredthesetreatmentsandtheBibletellsustoexpectthesetoincreasedramatically,asChrist’sreturnisnowimminent(Daniel9:27;11:31;12:11;Matthew24:15-16;Mark13:14;Luke21:20-21).Insomesense,it’seasytoidentifythegoodfromtheevil,bycarefullywatchingwhichside

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peopleparticipatein.WeprayforthetransformativeSpirittomoveourheartstolove,tocarefor,andtohavecompassionforallpeople,asJesusmodeledduringHisministry.JohnmakesonemoreobservationinRevelation17:6:

“Isawthewoman,drunkwiththebloodofthesaintsandwiththebloodofthemartyrsofJesus.AndwhenIsawher,Imarveledwithgreatamazement.”

TheapostatechurchclaimedtorepresentChrist,however,deniedHisWord.Thepapalchurchhadjustcomeoutof1,260yearsofpersecutionofthesaints,andJohnsawshewasdrunkwiththeirblood.TheGreekword“martyrs”canalsobetranslated“witness,”andthesecontinuetobeawitnessforthetruth.Infact,theworldwidepersecutionofChristians,hasbeenincreasingexponentiallyduringthepastfewyears.WeareinthespiritualwarreferencedbyRevelation12:17,“Andthedragonwasenragedwiththewoman,andhewenttomakewarwiththerestofheroffspring,whokeepthecommandmentsofGodandhavethetestimonyofJesusChrist.”Here,God’speoplearepreciselydefined,sotherewillbenoconfusionforgenuineseekersofthetruth.Insummary,weconsistentlyapplytheinterpretiveprinciples,discerningthefollowingmeaningsofRevelation17:1-6:

• The“greatharlot”representsagroupofpeopleclaimingtobelieveinGod,howeverdoingtheworkofSatan

• “Fornication”referstoillicitrelationshipsbetweenreligiousordersandcivilauthorities

• “Wine”representsfalse,non-Biblicaldoctrines• An“abomination”isthecorruptionofBiblicaltruthandfalsedoctrines• “BabylontheGreat,theMother”isareferencetotheRomanCatholicChurch• “Harlots”referstoProtestantsthathaveadoptedandpracticenon-biblical

doctrines

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Chapter7

Revelation17:7-11–IdentificationoftheBeastInRevelation17:6,Johnexpressedhiswonderandwas,evidently,perplexedatthevisionoftheharlot.

“Buttheangelsaidtome,“Whydidyoumarvel?Iwilltellyouthemysteryofthewomanandofthebeastthatcarriesher,whichhasthesevenheadsandthetenhorns.”Revelation17:7.

Interestingly,theangelreactstoJohn,tellingusthisvisionwasinteractive.This“plague”angelgoesontotellJohntheformulatodecipherthe“mystery.”Godwantedustoknowitstruemeaning,howeverthisknowledgeandunderstandingwastobedelayeduntiljustbeforethesoundingoftheseventhangel,accordingtoRevelation10:7.TheangelaffirmswhatJohnwasshown:awomanandthebeast,describedashavingsevenheadsandtenhorns.Thesevenheadsareleadersofthepapalchurchonwhichthewomanisseated(Revelation17:9).Theangeladdressesthehornslater,inRevelation17:12-17.Next,theangelrevealsthekeytounderstandingthe“mystery.”Thelanguageusedintentionallymaskedtheabilitytounderstandtheformulauntiljustbefore2001,andtheidentityofthe“666”manuntiljustbefore2014.Thisisthetimeframeofthe“sounding”oftheseventhtrumpet.Todescribewhatweareabouttounderstandplainly,wouldhaveputtheBibleatunnecessaryriskduringthemiddleor“dark”ages,andasourceofdiscouragementtothegenerationsthathavefallenasleeplookingfortheLord’sreturn.

“Thebeastthatyousawwas,andisnot,andwillascendoutofthebottomlesspitandgotoperdition.”Revelation17:8a.

Thefirsthalfofthisverseconfirmsthatthisscarletbeast(havingnamesofblasphemycoveringit,representingthemixingofreligionandstateenforcement)hasthreephases;“was,”“isnot,”and,“willascendout,”afterwhichwillthengotoperdition.ApplyingourstudyofRevelation13:1-10alongwith17:1-5,weseethattheseabeastexercisedpersecutorypowersfrom538-1798directly,andmostlyindirectly,throughthevariousEuropeannations’legislativeandpolicingpowers;togetherresponsibleformartyringmillionsofGod’speople.This1,260-yearperiodprophesiedbyDanielandJohn,isthe“was”phase.Thepure“woman”ofRevelation12,wentintothe“wilderness”of1,260years,andaharlot,and“harlots,”persecutedGod’speopleduringthislongsojourn.Theseabeast(thepapalchurchdescribedinRevelation13:1-10)enteredthe1,260yearsinA.D.538,alreadyseekingtoenforceitsdoctrinesonthepeople.Thisisrepresentedbyablasphemous“name”onitsheads.Thescarletbeastrepresentstheresultsafterthe1,260yearsendedin1798;coveredwithblasphemous“names,”

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indicatingthenationswerecoercedandcompelledbythegreatharlot,“arrayedinpurpleandscarlet,”toenforceitsreligiononthepeople,throughtheuseofdemonictacticsandtortures.“Isnot”referstothenextphasethatthescarletbeast,andwomanwhotransitionedfrombeingseatedon“manywaters”tobeingseatedonitssevenheads,enteredin1798;the“wilderness”or“desert”ofitsnon-persecutoryphase,wherethepapacyremainsasofthiswriting(2016).The“beast…isnot,”showstheword,“beast,”wasassociatedwiththepriorpersecutionbythepapalchurch,howeverthepapalchurchcontinuestogrowinsizeandinfluence.ThisismadeclearinRevelation17:9,whereweseethewomanseatedonits“heads.”Thisdemonstratestheprogressionoftime.TheCatholicChurchhasnotbeeninvolvedwithreligiouspersecutiononachurch-widebasissince1798.However,thisverseindicatesthatwillchangeinthefuture,asthe“beast”willascendoutofthebottomlesspit,its“wilderness”or“desert”phase,to,onceagain,becomeapersecuting“beast.”Soonthereafter,itwill“gotoperdition.”Perditioncanalsobetranslated“destroyed,”andthereisconfirmingBiblicalevidencethatthepapalchurch(symbolicallyrepresentedasBabylon)willbedestroyedbythe“dryingup”ofitssupportstructure,symbolizedbythesixthplaguereferencingthedryingoftheEuphrates(Revelation16:12;Daniel7:11;11:45).ThesecondpartofRevelation17:8follows:

“Andthosewhodwellontheearthwillmarvel,whosenamesarenotwrittenintheBookofLifefromthefoundationoftheworld,whentheyseethebeastthatwas,andisnot,andyetis.”Revelation17:8b.

Now,thosepeoplewho“dwellon”orthinkonearthlypursuits,aretheonesto“marvel.”Thesewillbeastonishedwiththedramaticchangessoontofollow.Regrettably,thesearealsonowdescribedasthosewhosenamesarenotfoundintheBookofLifethathasbeenkeptbyGodsincecreation.Finally,asimilarphraseaboutthebeastisrepeated.RepetitionintheBibleisdoneforemphasis,andindicatesamuchdeepermeaningistobeexplored.AsimpleexampleofthiswasearlierstudiedinRevelation8:13;“woe,woe,woe”relatedtothegreatholywarsbetweenapostateChristianityandIslam.Revelation17:8holdsamorecomplexrepetitionthattakesonfullmeaningwhenconsideredwithRevelation17:10.First,weexamineRevelation17:9:

“Hereisthemindwhichhaswisdom:Thesevenheadsaresevenmountainsonwhichthewomansits.”

Asearliernoted,thewomanwhowasseensittingon“manywaters,”whenitwentintothewilderness,isnowseensittingonthebeasts’sevenheads.Thereisno“beast”while

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thepapalchurchisinthe“wilderness”ofitsnon-persecutoryphase,justthesevenheads.ThereisabsoluteconsistencybetweenthebeastsofDanielandRevelation12and13,inapplyingtheunderstandingthatthechronologyoftimestartsatthetailofthebeasts,progressingtothebody,thentheheads,andfinallythehorns.Theangelcallsforintelligenceandwisdominordertodiscernthemeaningofthecluesthatfollow,toachieveunderstanding.TheleopardofDaniel7:6,representingGreece,progressedfromthebodytothefourheads.ThiswasrepeatedandenlargedinDaniel8:8,whereitwasdescribedasagoatwithalargehornthatwasbroken(AlexandertheGreat),andreplacedbyfourhorns(thefourgeneralswhoagreedtobreakupthekingdomin301B.C.).TheangelinRevelation17:9equatestheseven“heads”withseven“mountains.”ThisbringsustothecrucialunderstandingoftheDaniel2imagedream,wherewefoundthatthe“Stone”(representingJesus;Daniel2:35)becamea“Mountain,”thatwillfill“thewholeearth,”representingtheTrinityorGodhead;literallytheTriuneGodoftheuniverse:theFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit.God’suniversalkingdomwillbeestablishedliterallyandspiritually,attheendofthe1,000yearsofRevelation20:4-15.AcommonerrorismadebyinterpretingtermsinRevelationliterally,unlesscontextshowsaclearreasontodoso.NearlyallofRevelationisbasedonsymbolism,asdefinedelsewhereinscripture.Someattributethe“mountains”ofRevelation17:9totheseven“hills”onwhichthecityofRomeislocated,drawingtheconclusionthatsinceVaticanCityislocatedinRome,itrepresentstheRomanCatholicChurch.Thisconclusiontendstomaskthecomplexwordstructureofthepassage.Inaddition,theGreekwordused,oros,istranslated“mountain”or“mount”sixty-twotimesintheKingJamesVersion.InLuke3:5;23:30,textswhere“mountain”and“hill”arebothusedinthesametext,theGreekwordusedfor“hill”is“bounos.”Inaddition,thecontextof“mountains”inRevelation17:9-10,equatesthesymbolicterms,“heads”and“kings,”to“mountains.”Ourstudyinchapter1ofthisstudyidentifiedacounterfeit“mountain”ofgods,referencedbyJeremiah.Vitally,thiscounterfeit“mountain”isidentifiedasBabylon!

“AndIwillrepayBabylonandalltheinhabitantsofChaldeaforalltheeviltheyhavedoneInZioninyoursight,”saystheLord.“Behold,Iamagainstyou,Odestroyingmountain,whodestroysalltheearth,”saystheLord.“AndIwillstretchoutMyhandagainstyou,Rollyoudownfromtherocks,andmakeyouaburntmountain.”Jeremiah51:24-25.

Here,GodspecificallyidentifiesBabylonasa“destroyingmountain,whodestroysalltheearth,”promisingtomakeita“burntmountain.”AswithmanypropheciesintheBible,theinitialfulfillmentisliteral,withanadditional,spiritualfulfillmenttofollow.

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Itisnotacoincidencethatthename“Babylon”isusedsixtimesinthebookofRevelation,as“six”representsSatan’snumber,while“seven”representsGod’sperfectnumber.ThosewhostudyRevelationwillfindatleastadozen“sevens”inthebook.ThefirstreferencetoBabylonisinthesecondangel’smessageofRevelation14:8.ItisnextseeninRevelation16:19,whereBabyloncomesupinremembrancebeforeGod.WestudieditsidentifyingroleinRevelation17:5,and“Babylon”appearsthreeadditionaltimesinchapter18(verses2,10,21).TheangelgetsevenmorespecificinRevelation17:10.

“Therearealsosevenkings(“theyarealsosevenkings”ESV).Fivehavefallen,oneis,andtheotherhasnotyetcome.Andwhenhecomes,hemustcontinueashorttime.”

Theangelnowequatesthesevenheadswithsevenmountains,andassevenkings.ItisnowthatwefindconsistentapplicationoftheinterpretativeprincipleinDaniel7:17reading:“Thosegreatbeasts,whicharefour,arefourkingswhichariseoutoftheearth.”WerememberthesebeastsoftheearthrepresentedtheempiresofBabylon,Medo/Persia,Greece,andImperialRome,coveringaperiodofnearly1,100years.Wemayinferthatthe“fourkings”representedthelinesofkings,orleaders,ofeachofthesekingdoms.TheangelisdirectingthatthesameprinciplebeappliedtospiritualBabylon,theRomanCatholicChurch.Logically,weneedtoexaminetheleaders(popes)ofthepapalchurchsince1798,lookingforcluesastohowtheyfitintothisprophecy.Beforewedo,theangelhasonelastcriticalclue:

“Thebeastthatwas,andisnot,ishimselfalsotheeighth,andisoftheseven,andisgoingtoperdition.”Revelation17:11.

Weremembertopray,askingforwisdomtounderstandBibleprophecyaseitherthereisa100%consistentfitandapplicationofinterpretiverules,ortheinterpretativetheorymustbeabandoned.TheheadorleadersoftheRomanCatholicChurcharethepopes.Thechurchlists266popes,startingwithitsclaimthattheapostlePeterwasthefirst,andendingwiththecurrentpope,asof2016,Francis(http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm).Welearnthatmenchosentobepopeselectthenamethattheywillbeknownby,inhonorofapredecessor,orsomeoneadmired.Inhistory,therehavebeenimposterpopesthepapacyreferstoasantipopes,soapopeisonlyformallyrecognizedifheremainsingoodstandingwiththechurch,andonlyathisdeath.Ofthe266popes,thereare82uniquenamesthathavebeenused;46nameshavebeenusedbyonlyonepope,leaving36nameshavingbeenusedbymultiplepopesthroughoutchurchhistory.Thefactthat36nameshavebeenusedbytwoormorepopes,qualifiesthemtofitthedefinitionofcounterfeit“mountainsofgods,”justastheGodhead/Trinityisthegenuine“Mountain”ofDaniel2:35,45.SinceRevelation17:9-10referstothetimethewomanis

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sittingonsevenheads/mountains/kings(havingmovedfrom“manywaters,”representedinRevelation13asthebodyoftheseabeast),wearespecificallylookingattheperiodof1798todate.Ofallthemenwhohavebeenpopesince1798,onlyeightnameshavebeenused;Pius,Leo,Gregory,Benedict,John,Paul,JohnPaul,andFrancis.Ofthese,sevennameshavebeenchosenbymultiplemenhistorically,whiletheeighth,Francis,isuniquetoJorgeMarioBergoglio,thecurrentBishopofRome.ItisnowthatweconsistentlyapplytheBabyloniansexagesimalmathematicalsystemusedinDaniel’sday,asdescribedinchapter5ofthisstudy,alongwiththeemphaticcallofRevelation13:18;“Hereiswisdom.Lethimwhohasunderstandingcalculatethenumberofthebeast,foritisthenumberofaman:Hisnumberis666.”Usingthisinformation,thefollowingunderstandingisrevealedwiththevaluein()indicatingthenumberofpopesthroughouthistory,takingeachname(seeappendix):1.Pius(12):1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12=782.Leo(13):1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13=913.Gregory(16):1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16=1364.Benedict(14):1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14=1055.John(21):1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17+18+19+20+21=2316.Paul(6):1+2+3+4+5+6=217.JohnPaul(2):1+2=3JosephRatzinger,whotookthenameBenedictXVI,isnotcounted,asheisstillliving,thoughheplaysasignificantrole,aswewillsooncometounderstand.Wenotethatthepapacyskippedthename“BenedictX,”soBenedictXVIisthe15thpopeusingthename“Benedict.”Similarly,thepapacydidnotuseJohnXVIorXX,sothereareactuallyonly21popesthatusedthename“John,”eventhoughthelastwasdesignatedJohnXXIII.Itisnowasimplemattertoaddthetotalsuptodeterminewhothe“666”manis.78+91+136+105+231+21+3=665.BeforewejumptotheconclusionthatFranciswillbeboththeeighth“king”andaddacountof“1”yieldingatotalof666,weneedtoensureconsistency,andaddmoreinformationPaulprovidesinhissecondlettertotheThessalonianChristians.Theinconsistencyofthename“Francis”isthatitisunique;onlybeingusedbyJorgeMarioBergogliowhenhewasselectedpopeinMarch2013.Justasimportant,thoughnotyetcounted,ifJosephRatzinger(PopeBenedictXVI,2005-2013)weretodieasthe15thpopeusingthatname,theBabyloniancountwouldbe665+15(forBenedict)+1(forFrancis)=681.Inaddition,PopeFrancisdoesnotfitthecluetheangelprovidedinRevelation17:11,that“Thebeastthatwas,andisnot,ishimselfalsotheeighth,andisoftheseven,andisgoingtoperdition,”because“Francis”isauniquename,not“oftheseven.”InRevelation17:8,wereadaboutthebeastgoingtoperdition.Inverse11,thebeastisidentifiedasanindividual;“himself.”Inaddition,the“eighth”is“oftheseven.”Pope

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Francisdoesnotfulfillthisverse,asheisnot“oftheseven”(1Pius,2Leo,3Gregory,4Benedict,5John,6Paul,7JohnPaul).Providingmorecluestothismystery,Paulwrote:

“3Letnoonedeceiveyoubyanymeans;forthatDaywillnotcomeunlessthefallingawaycomesfirst,andthemanofsinisrevealed,thesonofperdition,4whoopposesandexaltshimselfaboveallthatiscalledGodorthatisworshiped,sothathesitsasGodinthetempleofGod,showinghimselfthatheisGod. 5DoyounotrememberthatwhenIwasstillwithyouItoldyouthesethings?6Andnowyouknowwhatisrestraining,thathemayberevealedinhisowntime.7Forthemysteryoflawlessnessisalreadyatwork;onlyHewhonowrestrainswilldosountilHeistakenoutoftheway.8Andthenthelawlessonewillberevealed,whomtheLordwillconsumewiththebreathofHismouthanddestroywiththebrightnessofHiscoming.9ThecomingofthelawlessoneisaccordingtotheworkingofSatan,withallpower,signs,andlyingwonders,10andwithallunrighteousdeceptionamongthosewhoperish,becausetheydidnotreceivetheloveofthetruth,thattheymightbesaved.11AndforthisreasonGodwillsendthemstrongdelusion,thattheyshouldbelievethelie,12thattheyallmaybecondemnedwhodidnotbelievethetruthbuthadpleasureinunrighteousness.”2Thessalonians2:3-12.

Whetherhewasawareofitornotatthetime,Paulisobviouslyprophesyinghere,usingtheterms“manofsin,”“sonofperdition,”and“lawlessone.”JustasJesusmixedtheneartermtoHistimedestructionofJerusalemwithHisreturninMatthew24,Mark13,andLuke21,PaulprovidedthebelieversinThessalonicaencouragementandprovidedkeystounderstandthe“mystery”referredtoinRevelation10:7and17:5,7.InRevelation17:11,thebeast,whois“alsohimselftheeighth”king,will,accordingtoPaul:

1.berevealed,2.bethesonofperditionordestruction(noteRevelation9:11),3.beinoppositionofGod,4.willclaimtobeGod,5.willbeconsumedbythebreathoftheLord,and6.willbedestroyedwiththebrightnessofHiscoming.

TheLordplacedthiscomplexriddleinHisWordforallpeoplelivingduringthetimeofthethird“woe”holywarthatachievedworldwideprominencein2001.Thiswarisincreasinginintensityandideologicalscopeatanexponentialpace.Heinfluencedthemenwhobecamepopesoverthelast1,900yearsintheselectionoftheirnames,orchestratinghow,andwhen,thisprophecywouldbefulfilled,tojusttherighttime.Thattimeisnearlyuponus.Theriddleissolvedanditsmeaningisrevealedinadvanceofitsfulfillment!ThewholeRevelation17:8-11passagereads:

“8Thebeastthatyousawwas,andisnot,andwillascendoutofthebottomlesspitandgotoperdition.Andthosewhodwellontheearthwillmarvel,whose

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namesarenotwrittenintheBookofLifefromthefoundationoftheworld,whentheyseethebeastthatwas,andisnot,andyetis.“9Hereisthemindwhichhaswisdom:Thesevenheadsaresevenmountainsonwhichthewomansits.10Therearealsosevenkings.Fivehavefallen,oneis,andtheotherhasnotyetcome.Andwhenhecomes,hemustcontinueashorttime.11Thebeastthatwas,andisnot,ishimselfalsotheeighth,andisoftheseven,andisgoingtoperdition.”

Revelation17:8repeatsthephasesofthebeasttwice,andverse11identifiesthebeastasanindividualman,consistentwithRevelation13:18and2Thessalonians2:3-8.Revelation17:10addstheelementthat“fiveoftheheadshavefallen,oneis,andtheotherhasnotyetcome”andwhenhedoes,itwillbeforashorttime.SomesuggestthatRevelation17:10-11arereferencingancientworldkingdoms.Therearevariouschallengeswiththistheory,includingthatitdoesn’tfitwiththeprevioustext,theinterpretationisnotconsistentwiththedreams/visionsofDaniel,and,itignoresasignificantpurposeofprophecy;torevealthefuturefromthetimeitwasgiven.TheangelhastransportedJohninvisiontothetimeofthesevenheads,1798todate.Morespecifically,heindicatedtoJohnthatfiveheads(mountains/kings)havefallen.Examiningthenamestakenbythemenwhowerepopesfrom1798andforward,thelastyeareachnamewasusedisin()below:1.Pius(1958)2.Leo(1903)3.Gregory(1846)4.Benedict(1922)[BenedictXVIisnotincludedashehasnotdied]5.John(1963)6.Paul(1978)7.JohnPaul(2005)ThisshowsusthattheangeltransportedJohntothetimeofthereignofPopePaulVI(1963-1978),indicatedbythepreviousfiveheadsbeing“fallen.”Thisprocessofthe“heads”fallingsequentially,isconsistentwiththefourheadsoftheDaniel7leopard(Alexander’sgenerals)addressedinchapteroneofthisstudy.Theimportanceofunderstandingthisinterpretiverule,istheusageofthefirstsixtakennamesbypopessince1798spannedmanycenturies(seeAppendix).Theonenamethatwasonlyusedbytwopopes,spanningatotalofonly26years,was“JohnPaul,”fulfillingthephraseinRevelation17:10,“whenhecomes,hemustcontinueashorttime.”PopeJohnPaulI(AlbinoLuciani)died33daysintohispontificate(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_I),followedbyJohnPaulII(CardinalKarolWojtyla)whoservedfrom1978to2005(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II).

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PopeFrancisobviouslyisnotone“oftheseven,”andasearlierdemonstrated,doesnotfitthisinterpretation,ordoeshe?RememberingwhatPaulwrote,

“6Andnowyouknowwhatisrestraining,thathemayberevealedinhisowntime.7Forthemysteryoflawlessnessisalreadyatwork;onlyHewhonowrestrainswilldosountilHeistakenoutoftheway.”2Thessalonians2:6-7.

CouldPopeFrancisbethemanreferredtointheseverses?ItisFranciswhoiscallingforpeace.Hehasalsobecomeexceptionallyunpopularwiththeconservativechurchleadership,startingin2015withhiscallsforaccountabilityinthechurch’ssexscandalsandfinancialdealings,includinganexternalauditoftheInstitutefortheWorksofReligion(VaticanBank).ThesepositiveattributesarespecificallyreferredtoinRevelation18:16,wherethepapalchurchisseenclothedwith“finelinen,”describedas“righteousacts”inRevelation19:8.However,2Thessalonians2:7foretellsthatthemanweknowasPopeFranciswillbeforciblyremovedfromoffice.BasedonthisBibleprophecy,PopeFranciswillberegardedasanantipopebytheRomanCatholicChurch.Whilewedonotknowwhenthiswilloccur,PopeFrancishassaidthathistenurewillbeshort,andlatein2015,referredtoapossibleresignationyearof2020.Again,thispassageindicatesthathewillnotvoluntarilyresign,norwillhedieinoffice.Hewillbeinvoluntarilydeposedandbeclassifiedasananti-pope,andthereforenotbeinthe“count”oflegitimatepopes.ThisworldshockingchangewillpavethewayforPopeBenedictXVItoreturntotheVaticanthrone.Eitheratthattime,orsoonthereafter,potentiallyassociatedwiththereturnofpapalchurchsanctionedreligiouspersecution,specificallytiedtoSundaysacredness,JosephRatzingerwillchangehisnamefromBenedictXVItoanewname,uniqueinhistory,reflectinghisnewauthority,includingpersecutorypowers.Bychanginghisname,whenhedieshewillnotbeBenedictXVI,thereforethepopecountwillnotbeincreased.Thecountremainsat665untilJosephRatzingerdiesusinganew,uniquename!TherestofthepropheciesinRevelationwillfollowinquicksuccession,includingChrist’sreturn,whenthemanweknowasJosephRatzinger,willbekilledbythebrightnessofHiscoming(2Thessalonians2:8).Asone“oftheseven,”hebecomesthe“eighthking,”the“666”man,ofRevelation13:18,anda“beast”himself,ashepresidesoverthechurch,advisingthekingsoftheearthinexercisingpersecutorypoweronceagain.Hewillnotdieanaturaldeath.JosephRatzingerwasbornonApril16,1927.Further,asthecoming“beast,”PopeBenedictXVIfulfillsRevelation17:11bybeing“thebeastthatwas”(referringtohisformerreign,2005-2013),“andisnot”(hiscurrentstateofretirement),“ishimselfalsotheeighth”(uponhisreturntothepapalthroneusinganew,uniquename).ThetablesintheAppendixofthisstudyprovideconclusiveevidencepointingtothisoutcome.Acarefulreadingofthispassageindicatesthatthe

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repeatingofthephrase“was,andisnot,andyetis”meansitappliesbothtotheRomanCatholicChurchsystemandtoitsfinalpopeasanindividual.Insummary,weconsistentlyapplytheinterpretiveprinciples,discerningthefollowingmeaningsofRevelation17:7-11:

• The“sevenheads”arealso“sevenmountains”and“sevenkings.”Theserepresentlinesofpopes,usingthesamenames,followedbyadistinguishingRomannumeral

• PopeFranceswillbedeposedandlabeledan“anti-pope”bytheRomanCatholicChurch

• PopeBenedictwillreturnastheBishopofRome,howeverwilltakeanewname,uniqueinthehistoryofpopes

• Theman,JosephRatzinger,willnotdieanaturaldeath;hewillbekilledbythebrightnessofJesusreturn

• Thisinterpretation,andthetimingofitsunderstanding,isthefulfillmentofRevelation10:7:

“butinthedaysofthesoundingoftheseventhangel,whenheisabouttosound,themysteryofGodwouldbefinished,ashedeclaredtoHisservantstheprophets.”

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Chapter8

Revelation17:12-17–TheHarlot’sDaughtersTheangelnextaddressesthemeaningofthetenhornsthatwereseenonthebeast:

“Thetenhornswhichyousawaretenkingswhohavereceivednokingdomasyet,buttheyreceiveauthorityforonehouraskingswiththebeast.”Revelation17:12.

Thesehorns,beingpositionedonthebeast,reflectthesourceoftheirpower(Revelation12:3;13:1);Satan.Therearefourcriticalitemstounderstandhere.First:these“ten”hornsarelocatedonabeastthatisareligiouspower(havingblasphemousnames),thereforethesepowerswillbereligiousthemselves.Second:thescarletbeastrepresentsthecivilenforcementofreligiouslegislationtobecalledforbyapostateProtestantChristianreligions(andlikelydemandedbyearth’scitizenryinanerroneousefforttoappeaseGod,associetyrapidlydeteriorates).Third:thetimeinhistoryisidentifiedwhenthese“horns”receivea“kingdom”orlegislativepowers.WerecallthattheangeltransportedJohninvisionforwardintime,asreferencedinRevelation17:10,specificallytoatimeduringthereignofPopePaulVI(1963-1978).ThishelpstoavoidconfusionintheidentityoftheseProtestantreligiouspowersbyindicatingthat,asof1978,these“horns”didnotpossessakingdom/power,yet.Fourth,thenumber“ten”issymbolic,consistentwiththeuseandmeaningofthenumber“ten”inDaniel1:20and7:7.ThebeastofDaniel7representedImperialRomeandits“horns”weresymbolicofthebarbariantribes(severaldozen)thatestablishedthemselvesintheformerterritoryofWesternRome,followingImperialRome’sfallinA.D.476.Revelation17:12defineswhenthesereligiouspowerswillreceiveauthority;“…askingswiththebeast.”Fromthisweknowthatthesehornsarenotexercisingpowerasofthiswriting(2016),astheirpowerisderivedfromthebeast,andthedesignation,“beast,”representspersecutorypowerinitiallytobeexercisedbytheRomanCatholicChurch,likelythroughcollaborationwiththenationsofEurope.ThissequenceisevidentinRevelation13:14-15,ascoveredinchapter4ofthisstudy.Aswelearnedfromourstudyinchapter7,thiswillonlyoccurafterPopeFrancisisdeposed,andthemanweknowasPopeBenedictXVIreturns,takinganew,uniquename,neverbeforeusedbyanypope.

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Thesesymbolic“horns”aretheharlotdaughtersofthegreatharlot(Revelation17:5).TheyrepresenttheapostateProtestantChristianreligionsthatdonotfollowallthelightofGod’sWord,specificallythefourthcommandmentseventh-daySabbath,acknowledgingandhonoringourGodasTheCreator.Asmentionedinchapter4ofthisstudy,astudentoftheBibleandofhistory,coupledwithcurrentevents,canseealikelypathforSundaylegislationasapartialresponsetoterrorismbyradicalIslamists;areligionthatholdsFridayasitssacredday.FurtherreferenceonwhattheBibleforetellstheliteralandspiritualoutcomeswillbeofthisthird“woe”holywarconflict,arefoundinDaniel11:40-43.TheunderstandingthatapostateProtestantleaderswilljoinwiththeUnitedStatesgovernmentinformingSundaylegislation,isdiscussedinchapter4ofthisstudy,andwilllikelytakeplaceconcurrentwith,orimmediatelyafter,thechangeofpopesandthe“beast”ofreligiouspersecutionisinitiatedinEurope.Thetermofauthority“foronehour”maybesymbolicforabriefperiodjustbeforeJesuscompletesthepre-adventjudgmentprocessreferredtoinDaniel7:9-10;12:1a;Revelation11:1-2;andEzekiel9:3-10.Usingtheformulaforprophetictimeofonedayequalingoneyear,“onehour”isfifteendays.IsitpossiblethatapostateProtestantChristianitywillbeempoweredtokillthesaintsforfifteendaysbeforeJesusrisesfromjudgmentandreceivesthe“kingdom”ofsaints?ThepoweroftheseapostateProtestantchurchesisrepresentedbythebrittleclayofthetentoesoftheimageofDaniel2:41-45(seeKJVandESV).Daniel2isfascinatingandhighlyinformative,howeveritisoutsidethescopeofthisstudy.VerysoonaftertheUnitedStatesmakesanimageof(copies)theSundaylegislationenactedinEurope,therewillbearealizationthatthepapacyhashadcenturiesofexperiencewithreligiousenforcementandpersecution,andtheUnitedStateswillprovideauthoritythatisconsolidatedandcoordinatedatthepapalchurchlevel.

“13Theseareofonemind,andtheywillgivetheirpowerandauthoritytothebeast.14ThesewillmakewarwiththeLamb,andtheLambwillovercomethem,forHeisLordoflordsandKingofkings;andthosewhoarewithHimarecalled,chosen,andfaithful.”Revelation17:13-14.

Thesaints,the“chosen”and“faithful,”lookforwardtothewonderfulpromiseinverse14.AccordingtoDaniel7:11-12,aftersupportforthepapalsystemiswithdrawn(Daniel11:45b;Revelation16:12),theseapostateProtestants,coupledwiththeenforcementpowersoftheUnitedStates,become“beasts”themselves,bydirectlypersecutingGod’speople.Asthesethingstakeplace,Revelation15:8providesaveiledreferenceconfirmingthatallpeopleonearthwillhavemadetheirchoiceofwhomtoworship.Jesus’gracehasbeenrejectedbythewicked,soHestandsupfromjudgment(Daniel12:1a)andleavestheheavenlytemple,nolongerservingasIntercessorforhumanity.Then,theangelsuppliesakeycluetoJohnthatwehavealreadyidentified;

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“Thenhesaidtome,‘Thewaterswhichyousaw,wheretheharlotsits,arepeoples,multitudes,nations,andtongues.”Revelation17:15.

TheprophetIsaiahwasprovidedaconsistentunderstanding;

“Woetothemultitudeofmanypeoplewhomakeanoiseliketheroaroftheseas,andtotherushingofnationsthatmakearushingliketherushingofmightywaters!”(Isaiah17:12),aswasJeremiah;“Oyouwhodwellbymanywaters,abundantintreasures,yourendhascome…”Jeremiah51:13.

Afterthecloseofjudgment,God’ssealedpeoplecannolongerbepersecutedbythewicked.TheplaguesofRevelation16starttofallandthefulfillmentofpropheciesconcerningthewrathofGod,willbecomeapparent.Afterthe“kingdom”ofthesaintshasbeengiventoJesus,asexplainedinDaniel7:14,noharmorplagueswillcometothesaints(Daniel12:1c).AsspiritualIsrael(Revelation7:1-8),theywilllivethroughthisperiodwithalltheirneedssuppliedbytheLord,justliketheliteralchildrenofIsraelexperiencedwhilespending40yearsintheSinaidesert,aftertheirmiraculousrescueoutofEgypt.ThiswillleadtotherealizationbytheapostateProtestantsthattheyhavebeendeceived.

“Andthetenhornswhichyousawonthebeast,thesewillhatetheharlot,makeherdesolateandnaked,eatherfleshandburnherwithfire.”Revelation17:16.

ItwillbetoolateforthewickedtocomeintoarelationshipwithJesus,tosurrendertheirlivestotheSavior,pleadingforHimtotransformtheircharacterssuchthattheyarepurifiedandmadecompatiblewiththeprinciplesofheaven.Theywilltakeouttheirfrustrationandfuryonthepapalsystem,destroyingitcompletely.Thisisareferencetothesixthplague,the“drying”ofthesymbolicEuphrates,describedinRevelation16:12,19;Jeremiah50:3;andDaniel7:11.JustastheMedesandPersiansdivertedtheEuphratesRiverthatflowedthroughtheliteralcityofBabylontoconquerit,thepeoplewithdrawtheirallegiancefromspiritualBabylon,resultinginitscollapse.Revelation17:17confirmsthecombiningofpersecutorypowerswiththeearthbeastofRevelation13:11-17,makinganimage(copy)ofthelegislation,declaringSundaysacred,andthenturningtheoperationofthisabominationovertothepapacy,asreferencedinverse13.

“ForGodhasputitintotheirheartstofulfillHispurpose,tobeofonemind,andtogivetheirkingdomtothebeast,untilthewordsofGodarefulfilled.”Revelation17:17.

ThisprocessissimilartoGodprovidingPharaohmanyopportunitiestoallowtheIsraelitestoworship,theresultbeingthatPharaoh’sheartbecameharderandmoredeterminedtorebelagainstGod(Exoduschapters5-12).Themasses,reelingfrom

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anarchy,war,anddisasterswillfillthechurches.TheministerswillclaimthatGod’sjudgmentsmaybeturnedasideifonlythenationreturnstoGod.Thedemandofthepeoplewillbetoidentifyandpunishthosewhodon’tconformtothemajoritypositionofthepapaldayofworship.ApostateChristiansandtheirleadershipwilldemandthatthepowersoftheUnitedState’slegislative,judicial,andexecutivebranchesbemarshaledinsupportofthescarletbeast/papacy(aprocesswhichwillthereafterbeadoptedbyalloftheworld’sgovernments).TheseforceswillbeinthecommonpursuitofeliminatingMuslimswhokeepFriday,andthosewhokeepthe7thdaySabbathcommandment,andhaverefusedtotakethemarkofthebeastorhisimage(declaringSundaysacredness),inordertobuyandsell(Revelation11:19;13:14-17;14:6-12).Whenreligiouspersecutionintheformofrestrictionsoncommercebegins,theabilitytobuyorsellisacurse!Insummary,weconsistentlyapplytheinterpretiveprinciples,discerningthefollowingmeaningsofRevelation17:12-17:

• The“tenhorns”representthethousandsofapostateProtestantreligionsclaimingtofollowthetrueGod,howeverpracticingfalsedoctrines.These“horns”arereferredtoas“beasts”inDaniel7:12,meaningtheyobtain,andwillexercise,persecutorypowers

• “Waters”representadensepopulation

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Chapter9

Revelation17:18-18:5–BabylontheGreatisFallen

“Andthewomanwhomyousawisthatgreatcitywhichreignsoverthekingsoftheearth.”Revelation17:18.

Thewoman,firstseensittingon“manywaters”(Revelation17:1),onthescarletbeast,thenmovingontoitssevenheads(Revelation17:9),progressingontothe“waters”(Revelation17:15),isspiritualBabylon,onepartofSatan’scounterfeittrinity.ThiscounterfeittrinityisidentifiedinRevelation16:13-14.Itiscomprisedoftheseabeast(RomanCatholicChurch),theearthbeast(falseprophet/UnitedStates/apostateProtestants),andthedragon(Satan),manifestedthroughimpersonationsofChrist,healing“miracles,”andcommunicationwiththe“dead”/demons,“spiritualism.”Whyistheunderstandingofthisprophecybeingrevealedatthistime?Simply,becausetimeisrunningout;alltheseeventshavestarted,orareabouttotakeplace.Moreimportantly,JesuswantstosaveeachandeveryonewhowouldchooseHimasLordandSavior.Therearetwothingswemustalldoasindividuals.First,repentofoursins,ofdwellingorthinkingonearthlymatters,andtoaskChristtodirecteveryaspectofourlives;toprotectusspiritually,makingus“heavendwellers.”

“24Andletusconsideroneanotherinordertostiruploveandgoodworks,25notforsakingtheassemblingofourselvestogether,asisthemannerofsome,butexhortingoneanother,andsomuchthemoreasyouseetheDayapproaching.26Forifwesinwillfullyafterwehavereceivedtheknowledgeofthetruth,therenolongerremainsasacrificeforsins.”Hebrews10:24-26.

Torepentistoacknowledgesin,andtoreturntotheLordwithallourheart,andalloursoul(2Chronicles6:37-39;Ezekiel14:6;Matthew3:2;Luke24:47).

“Truly,thesetimesofignoranceGodoverlooked,butnowcommandsallmeneverywheretorepent,becauseHehasappointedadayonwhichHewilljudgetheworldinrighteousnessbytheManwhomHehasordained.HehasgivenassuranceofthistoallbyraisingHimfromthedead.”Acts17:30-31.

TheBridegroomofMatthew25:1-13isreturningfromtheweddingsoon.JesuspleadswitheachofustopreparebystoringtheoiloftheHolySpirit(HiscommandmentsandthetestimonyofHisprophets)inourlampsnow.Theearthlytabernacleanditsfurnishings,describedinExodus,werepatternedaftertheheavenlySanctuary.EachelementpointedtoChrist’ssacrificeandtoHisongoingministryonourbehalfintheSanctuaryinHeaven(Hebrews8:1-6).EachindividualenterstheirrelationshipwithJesusbyacceptingandinvitingHimintoourlivesdaily,representedbytheAltarofSacrifice.Wethenwashinthebaptism(initiallyliterally,asapublicacknowledgmentof

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ournewlifeinChrist)oftheSpirit,representedbytheLaver,constantlykeepingaprayerinmind,representedbytheAltarofIncense.WearetoreadGod’sWorddaily(representedbytheTableofShowbread),andsharethegospelofJesuswiththepoweroftheHolySpirit(righteousnessbyHisfaith);theThreeAngels’Messages(representedbytheseven-branchedLampstand).Finally,byalwaysdwellingonthegoodnessofHislaw(protectedbytheArkofHisCovenant),weareblessedtodwellonheavenlythings(Psalm91:9).“ButhisdelightisinthelawoftheLord,andinHislawhemeditatesdayandnight.”Psalm1:2.JesuswasthefulfillmentoftheritualsoffeastsandanimalsacrificesoftheOldTestament.WhenHewascrucified,theveilseparatingtheholyfromthemostholyplacewasdivinelytornintwo(Matthew27:51;Mark15:38;Luke23:45).Jesusinstitutedanewpracticethatreplacedtheold.Wecompareittothearticlesoffurnitureinthesanctuary.Preparingspirituallyiscritical;makingcertainwehaveconfessedoursins.TheLord’sSupperispracticedbyfirstwashingeachothers’feet,followedbyeatingthebread,anddrinkingthecupofgrapejuice(Matthew26:26-30;Luke22:14-20;John13:1-17;1Corinthians11:23-29).Weareblessedwheneverwedoit(John13:17).FurtherstudyofthesymbolsoftheLord’sSupperservesasawonderfulblessing,howeverisbeyondthescopeofthisstudy. ThesecondindividualresponsibilityGod’speoplehavebeengiven,isthetaskofspreadingthegospel,incontextoftheThreeAngels’messagesofRevelation14.TheFourthAngelofRevelation14:15(theilluminatingangelofRev18:1-3),istheproclamationoftheinterpretationofthemysteryofRevelation17:8-11.God’sremnantpeoplewillrepeattheThreeAngels’messages(Revelation14:8-13)withmuchgreaterpowerthanduringthe“midnightcry”in1844,whenGod’speoplemistookthestartofthepre-adventjudgmentinHeaventobeJesus’return,initially(Habakkuk2:14).

“1AfterthesethingsIsawanotherangelcomingdownfromheaven,havinggreatauthority,andtheearthwasilluminatedwithhisglory.2Andhecriedmightilywithaloudvoice,saying,“Babylonthegreatisfallen,isfallen,andhasbecomeadwellingplaceofdemons,aprisonforeveryfoulspirit,andacageforeveryuncleanandhatedbird!3Forallthenationshavedrunkofthewineofthewrathofherfornication,thekingsoftheearthhavecommittedfornicationwithher,andthemerchantsoftheearthhavebecomerichthroughtheabundanceofherluxury.”Revelation18:1-3.

This“loudvoice,”isawarningforallofGod’speopletoleavetheLaodiceanchurchofspiritualBabylon,thecounterfeittrinity(spiritualism,thepapacy,andapostateProtestants/falseprophet),symbolizedbytheabyssbeast,theseabeast,andtheearthbeast).This“church”isreferredtoas“Jews”ofthe“synagogueofSatan”inRevelation2:9;3:9.ThisdescribesthoseclaimingtobeChristians;believersofthetrueGod.Evenatthistime,inHismercy,Jesuswillextendonelastplea.

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“4AndIheardanothervoicefromheavensaying,“Comeoutofher,mypeople,lestyoushareinhersins,andlestyoureceiveofherplagues.5Forhersinshavereachedtoheaven,andGodhasrememberedheriniquities.”Revelation18:4-5.

Thisindicatestherearestillafewpeoplewhohaven’theardthegospel,thatarereceptivetotheHolySpirit.JustasAbraham’snephewLot,andhisfamily,wererushedoutofSodombyheavenlyangels,therewillbesomethataresavedjustbeforejudgmentisfinished.Itisatthispoint,whenMichael(Jesus:Daniel10:13,21;Jude9;Revelation12:7;1Thessalonians4:16)standsupfromjudgment,andtheearthisdevastatedbythesevenlastplagues(Daniel12:1b;Revelation16),amanifestationofGod’swrath(Revelation11:18a;14:17-20).Jesuswarnsusthat,

“37ButasthedaysofNoahwere,soalsowillthecomingoftheSonofManbe.38Forasinthedaysbeforetheflood,theywereeatinganddrinking,marryingandgivinginmarriage,untilthedaythatNoahenteredtheark,39anddidnotknowuntilthefloodcameandtookthemallaway,soalsowillthecomingoftheSonofManbe.”Matthew24:37-39.

Thegoodnewsisthatwehavebeenforewarned.“AndnowIhavetoldyoubeforeitcomes,thatwhenitdoescometopass,youmaybelieve.”John14:29.Insummary,weconsistentlyapplytheinterpretiveprinciples,discerningthefollowingmeaningsofRevelation17:18–18:5:

• The“woman”issynonymouswith“thegreatcity”and“Babylon,”primarilyrepresentingtheRomanCatholicChurch,withsecondaryapplicationtoapostateProtestantreligions

• Theother“angel”ofRevelation18:1-3istheFourthAngelreferencedinRevelation14:14-17

• Theother“Voice”ofRevelation18:4-5isJesus,andistheFifth“Angel”ofRevelation14:18-20

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Chapter10TheCriticalComprehensionoftheThreeAngel’sMessages

ThisstudyoftheRevelation17riddleisfocusedonwhattheLordhasrecentlyrevealedabouttheeventsoccurringneartheendoftheworld.Jesus’returnisimminent!Asnotedinchapter9ofthisstudy,twocriticalactionsonthepartofthesaintsare:

1.tomakesurewearerightwithHim,allowingHimtofullytransformourcharacters,and2.tosharethefinal,endtimemessagefromGod,withthe“oilofgrace;”theThreeAngels’messages.

ThesemessagesarefoundinRevelation14and,thoughthisstudywillnotdelveintothewholechapter,itisofvitalimportancetounderstandverses6-13.Theyread:

“6ThenIsawanotherangelflyinginthemidstofheaven,havingtheeverlastinggospeltopreachtothosewhodwellontheearth—toeverynation,tribe,tongue,andpeople—7sayingwithaloudvoice,“FearGodandgiveglorytoHim,forthehourofHisjudgmenthascome;andworshipHimwhomadeheavenandearth,theseaandspringsofwater.”8Andanotherangelfollowed,saying,“Babylonisfallen,isfallen,thatgreatcity,becauseshehasmadeallnationsdrinkofthewineofthewrathofherfornication.”9Thenathirdangelfollowedthem,sayingwithaloudvoice,“Ifanyoneworshipsthebeastandhisimage,andreceiveshismarkonhisforeheadoronhishand,10hehimselfshallalsodrinkofthewineofthewrathofGod,whichispouredoutfullstrengthintothecupofHisindignation.HeshallbetormentedwithfireandbrimstoneinthepresenceoftheholyangelsandinthepresenceoftheLamb.11Andthesmokeoftheirtormentascendsforeverandever;andtheyhavenorestdayornight,whoworshipthebeastandhisimage,andwhoeverreceivesthemarkofhisname.”12Hereisthepatienceofthesaints;herearethosewhokeepthecommandmentsofGodandthefaithofJesus.13ThenIheardavoicefromheavensayingtome,“Write:‘BlessedarethedeadwhodieintheLordfromnowon.’”“Yes,”saystheSpirit,“thattheymayrestfromtheirlabors,andtheirworksfollowthem.”

Followingisabriefanalysisofeachverse:Revelation14:6:Thisangelisseenflyingdirectlyoverheadsignifyingtherapidspreadofthismessage,the“everlastinggospel,”toalltheearth.Jesuspredicted,“Andthisgospelofthekingdomwillbepreachedinalltheworldasawitnesstoallthenations,andthentheendwillcome.”Matthew24:14(Mark13:10).WearetoldherethattheknowledgeofChristourSaviorwillreachall7.4billionlivingpeopleonearth,including

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boththosewhorejectit(earthdwellers),andthosewhodecidetoacceptChristastheirRedeemer.ThescopeofthiscommunicationisemphasizedbytheRevelation18:1loudcrymessage,previouslystudied.ThisidentificationofthetrueGod,willgooutwithinabriefperiodoftime,precipitatedbythestunningunderstandingofRevelation17,andaspiritualconvictionwillbefeltbyall.Allwillbegiventheopportunitytomakeaninformeddecisiononwhomtheywillserve;whomtheywillworship.Revelation14:7:Thefirstangel’smessage,heardwithaloudvoice,designatingitscriticalimportanceforall,istohavereverenceforGodtheCreatorandgiveglorytoHim,alone.Thiscounselembodiesthefirst,second,andfourthcommandments(Exodus20:3-6,8-11).The“hourofHisjudgment”referstoJesus’judgmentministryinHeaven,initiatingthepre-adventjudgmentprocessattheendofthe2,300day/yearprophecy(1844),giveninDaniel8:14.Byfaithweacceptthis,basedonallotherBibletimepropheciesinDanielbeingcompletedbeforethattime,includingtheseventyweekprophecyofDaniel9,(“cutoff”of,or“apartof”the2,300day/yearprophecy),foretellingChrist’sfirstcoming.TheendofthisjudgmentprocessisreferencedinDaniel7:13-14and12:1a,brieflycoveredearlierinthisstudy.Importantly,thisjudgmentactivitywasaddedtoJesus’ongoingintercessoryroleasourHighPriest(Hebrews8:1-6).ThefourthcommandmentcontainsalltheelementsofaBiblicalseal;name,title,andterritory,prefacedwiththeemphaticword,“Remember.”

8“RemembertheSabbathday,tokeepitholy.9Sixdaysyoushalllaboranddoallyourwork,10buttheseventhdayistheSabbathoftheLordyourGod.Inityoushalldonowork:you,noryourson,noryourdaughter,noryourmaleservant,noryourfemaleservant,noryourcattle,noryourstrangerwhoiswithinyourgates.11ForinsixdaystheLordmadetheheavensandtheearth,thesea,andallthatisinthem,andrestedtheseventhday.ThereforetheLordblessedtheSabbathdayandhallowedit.”Exodus20:8-11.

Importantly,Godboth“blessed”,and“hallowed”or“sanctified”theseventhdaySabbath.ByblessingthismemorialtotheCreator,Goddesignatedthedayasholyandsacred,tobeconnectedwithGod.To“sanctify”itmeansthatthis24hourperiod,fromFridaysundowntoSaturdaysundowneveryweek,issetapartforasacredpurpose,tobeatimefreefromsin,andtoshowreverencetoGod.Allourthoughts,words,andactionsaretobedirectedtostrengtheningourrelationshipwithourSaviorduringtheSabbathhours.ItbecomesapparentwhySatanhasattackedthisdayofworship,includingcreationitself,throughthetheoryofevolutionandamyriadofentertainmentsdesignedtotakeourattentionawayfromtheLord.TheRomanCatholicChurchboldlyclaimsthatitwasgiventheauthoritytochangethisweekly,holy,memorialofcreationweek,toSunday.Ifso,whywouldGodthenchangeitbackinHeaven?“AnditshallcometopassThatfromoneNewMoontoanother,AndfromoneSabbathtoanother,

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AllfleshshallcometoworshipbeforeMe,”saystheLord.”Isaiah66:23.ThiswaswrittenneartheendofIsaiah’sministryinabout680B.C.Revelation14:8:Thesecondangel’smessageisthatSatan’scounterfeitspiritualcity,Babylon,isfallen,isfallen.Itistwicefallenviaitshistoricalliteralfallin539B.C.,alongwithitsspiritualfall,viaitsfalsepretenseofChristianity;practicingthe“wine”ofitsowndoctrinesandtraditionsitdefinesasworship.Babylon’s“wrath”specificallyreferstotheforceofconscienceinreligiousmatters,throughpersecution.Theseabeast/papacyexercisedthispowerfor1,260years,endingin1798.Whilethe“beast”ofpersecutionceasedwhiletheharlotwomanofRevelation17sitsonthesevenheads(popes)ofthechurch,thebeastisabouttorisefromthewildernessand,onceagain,forcealltheworldtodeclareitsmemorialtothepagansungods,Sunday,assacred.Itwillagaincommitanabominationofdesolationbycombininggeopoliticalandspiritualpowerstogether,inordertodeceivetheworldbyitsfalserighteousness.Revelation14:9:Thethirdangel’smessagebuildsonRevelation13,withashouttogettheattentionofthewholeearth.Themessagewarnseachindividual,regardlessofculture,tradition,national,orreligiousaffiliation,torejectthebeastandhisimage.Thebeastisthepapalsystem,enforcingitsdoctrinesviathenations,andtheimage,orcopy,isapostateChristianleadersbackedbylegislativeandpolicingpowersoftheUnitedStates.Themarkofthebeastprovidestheabilitytocontinuecommerce,coveredinchapter4ofthisstudy.Conversely,God’speoplewillneedtorelyfullyonHimtoprovidewater,food,shelter,health,andprotection.ThistellsusthatallourenergiestoprepareforthistimearetobefocusedonourspiritualrelationshipwithJesusChrist,andsharingHimwithothers,notonphysicalsafetyor“survival”preparations.WearetocontinuetohonorourCreatorwithourbodies,includinglivingaccordingtoBiblicalguidance.Revelation14:10:Thedecisiontoacceptthemarkofthebeast,iscoupledwithGod’swrath,takingtheformofthesevenplaguesdescribedinRevelation16(Revelation14:17-20).TheendofRevelation14:10thenjumpstoeventsafterJesuscomes,resurrectingallthesaintswhohaveeverlived,togetherwiththelivingsaints,andremovingthemallfromtheearthfor1,000years.Itisafterthe1,000yearsthatGodreturnswithallthesaintstoperformtheexecutivejudgment,afterraisingbacktolifeallthewickedwhoeverhavelived,toacknowledgeHim.“Foritiswritten:“AsIlive,saystheLord,EverykneeshallbowtoMe,AndeverytongueshallconfesstoGod.””Romans14:11.TheseeventsareaddressedinRevelation20.Revelation14:11:TheBibleprovidesagraphicdescriptionofthefinaloutcomeofthewicked.TheyarecompletelyeradicatedbythecleansingfireofGod’spresencewhenHefullyrevealsHimselftoall.Aprayerfulstudyofthefollowingtextsprovidesamorecompleteunderstandingthatthisall-consumingfirefromGodcontinuesuntilthereisnothingleft(Isaiah34:5,9-10;66:24;Daniel2:35;Mark9:43-48;Revelation18:9,18;

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19:3;20:10;21:1).Afterthis,Godwillcreateanewearth,accordingtoRevelation21and22.Revelation14:12:Thesaintsaredefinedbythisverseashavingpatience,meaningthattheywillenduresuffering,however,theywillstaytruetotheTenCommandmentsandacceptthefaithofJesus,ourRedeemer.Vitaltounderstand,itisJesus’faith,Hisrighteousness,definingHispeople.“Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith,andthatnotofyourselves;itisthegiftofGod”Ephesians2:8.PraisetheLord!WearejustifiedbyHisfaith!Revelation14:13:Thisimportantverseshouldbeemphasizedduringourtime.ThebookofRevelationhassevenblessingsinit(Revelation1:3;14:12-13;16:15;19:9;20:6;22:6-7;22:14-19).TheVoicefromheavenisthatofGodtheFather,confirmedbytheSpirit.Hereweunderstandthegravityofjusthowterribletheconditionsonearthwillbe,justbeforeJesusreturns.Thisblessingispronouncedonthosewhoarelaidtorestbeforethistimeof“Jacob’strouble”(Jeremiah30:5-7).God,inHismercy,willallowmanyofHispeopletogototheirtemporaryrest,inordertoprotectthemfromtheterribleeventsabouttofallonthisdarkearth.Ofcrucialimportanceistounderstandthatthosewhodie,returntodust.Thereisnoconsciousstateofthedead.TheBibleisexceptionallyclearonthistruth,howeverSatan’sfirstliewastodisputethisfactandhehasbeenexceedinglysuccessfulinplantingthisdeceptioninnearlyeveryreligionintheworldtoday.Itisthisdeceptionfromthedragonbeasthimself,coupledwiththeseabeast(papacy),andtheearthbeast(UnitedStates/falseprophet/apostateProtestants),thatformacounterfeittrinityopposing“allthatiscalledGodorthatisworshiped,sothathesitsasGodinthetempleofGod,showinghimselfthatheisGod.”2Thessalonians2:4.UnderstandingwhatGod’sWordsaysaboutthedead,weprayerfullyconsiderthesetexts:Job14:12;Psalm115:17;146:4;Ecclesiastes9:5-6,10;Daniel12:2;John11:11;1Thessalonians4:13-18;Revelation6:9-10;20:6.JustasinthedaysofKingSaul(1Samuel28),Satanisimpersonatingfamiliarpeople,mixingprivatefactsandcircumstanceswithspiritualerror,thatwillleadthemostastutetoabandonGod’sWord.Insummary,wediscernthefollowingmeaningsofRevelation14:6-13:

• ThesemessagesareGod’sfinalmessagetotheworld• TheThirdAngelmessageincorporatesthefirsttwo• The“beast”istheRomanCatholicChurchand,secondarily,apostateProtestants• The“image”isacopyofthedoctrineofSundaysacrednessadoptedbyapostate

Protestants,enforcedbytheUnitedStatesofAmerica

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EpilogueThoughnoonebuttheFatherknowsthedayorhourofChrist’sreturn(Matthew24:36;25:13;Mark13:32,35),theprecedingstudyindicatesthatGodhasrevealedspecificevents,evenprovidinginformationallowingthoseofuslivinginthislastgenerationofsintoidentifythe666manofsin,whowilldieatJesus’return.TheworldisabouttoexperienceaspiritualshockwhenthemanweknowasPopeFrancisisforciblydeposed.Hewillnotdieinoffice,norwillheresigningoodstanding.ThemanweknowasPopeBenedict(JosephRatzinger)willbereturnedtooffice,howeverhewillNOTdieanaturaldeath.Hewillbecomethe666manofsin,andbekilledbythebrightnessofChrist’sreturn.HewasbornonApril16,1927.ThiscompelsGod’speopletogiveprayerfulconsiderationofthisstudyandthetestimonyofGod’sWord,incontextofwhatishappeningintheworldtoday.TheRevelatorrecordsanadmonishmentbytheangel,“WorshipGod!ForthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”Revelation19:10b.Likewise,themostimportantunderstandingforusisthatitisourrelationshipwithChristprovidingthegraceweneedinthematterofsalvation.Paulwritesaboutthisgraceasfollows:

“forallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod,beingjustifiedfreelybyHisgracethroughtheredemptionthatisinChristJesus,”“Nowtohimwhoworks,thewagesarenotcountedasgracebutasdebt.ButtohimwhodoesnotworkbutbelievesonHimwhojustifiestheungodly,hisfaithisaccountedforrighteousness,”“Forthewagesofsinisdeath,butthegiftofGodiseternallifeinChristJesusourLord.”Romans3:23-24;4:4-5;6:23.

InhislettertotheEphesiansPaulcontinues,

“ButGod,whoisrichinmercy,becauseofhisgreatlovewithwhichhelovedus,evenwhenweweredeadintrespasses,madeusalivetogetherwithChrist(bygraceyouhavebeensaved)…Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith,Andthatnotofyourselves;ItisthegiftofGod,Notofworks,lestanyoneshouldboast.”Ephesians2:4-5,8-9.

InhislettertoTitus,Paulwrote,

“butwhenthekindnessandtheloveofGodourSaviortowardmanappeared,notbyworksofrighteousnesswhichwehavedone,butaccordingtoHismercyHesavedus,throughthewashingofregenerationandrenewingoftheHolySpirit,whomhepouredoutonusabundantlythroughJesusChristourSavior,thathavingbeenjustifiedbyHisgraceweshouldbecomeheirsaccordingtothehopeofeternallife.”Titus3:4-7.

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Friends,theearthhasatbestafewyearsbeforeitstotaldestruction.ThistimeisessentialforGodtodoHisgoodworkonourcharacters,andforustosharethegoodnewsofJesus’righteousnessandHissavinggracewithfamily,friends,co-workers,andneighbors.Ofthetimeinwhichwelive,authorEllenWhitewrote:“Thereistobe,atthisperiod,aseriesofeventswhichwillrevealthatGodisMasterofthesituation.Thetruthwillbeproclaimedinclear,unmistakablelanguage.Asapeople,wemustpreparethewayoftheLord,undertheoverrulingguidanceoftheHolySpirit.Thegospelistobegiveninitspurity.Thestreamoflivingwateristodeepenandwideninitscourse.Inallfields,nighandafaroff,menwillbecalledfromtheplowandfromthemorecommoncommercialbusinessvocationsthatlargelyoccupythemind,andwillbeeducatedinconnectionwithmenofexperience.Astheylearntolaboreffectively,theywillproclaimthetruthwithpower.Throughmostwonderfulworkingsofdivineprovidence,mountainsofdifficultieswillberemoved,andcastintothesea.Themessagethatmeanssomuchtothedwellersupontheearth,willbeheardandunderstood.Menwillknowwhatistruth.Onward,andstillonwardtheworkwilladvance,untilthewholeearthshallhavebeenwarned.Andthenshalltheendcome.”{RHJuly5,1906}(https://egwwritings.org/?ref=en_RH.July.5.1906.par.6&para=821.26897)HeavenlyFatherandLord,greatandawesomeCreatoroftheuniverse,weyourpeoplehavesinnedandareallsinnersindesperateneedofyourforgiveness,mercy,andsavinggrace.Werepent.WehumblyaskthatYoutransformourcharactersintheshorttimeremaining,toprepareustoreceiveYourSpiritandtobewithYou,forever.Pleaserevealthetruenatureofeviltousandremovethesinandsinfuldesiresfromourlivessothatwemaybecaring,compassionate,andlovingtoall.PleasehearourcontinualprayersandactinourlivesaccordingtoYourwill,andmaywebeatpeaceaswetrustinYou,inallthings.Provideustheopportunitytosharetheurgencyofthegospel.Thankyouforyouramazingsacrifice.Amen.

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98

5-9

96

15

XV

I1

83

1-1

84

61

6X

VII

10

03

16

XV

III1

00

3-1

00

91

7X

IX1

02

4-1

03

21

8X

XI

12

76

-12

77

19

XX

II1

31

6-1

33

42

0X

XII

I19

58

-19

63

21

78

91

136

120

231

21

31

XV

I2

00

5-2

01

3-1

5

To

tals

78

91

13

61

05

23

12

13

1

Gra

nd

To

tal:

66

6ABen

edic

t IX

was

ele

cted

thr

ee t

imes

and

ser

ved

as p

ope

thre

e se

para

te t

erm

s, is

cou

nted

as

one

pope

. Th

e pa

pacy

ski

pped

Ben

edic

t X,

so t

he c

ount

is 1

5 in

divi

dual

s in

the

Ben

edic

t lin

e.BN

otic

e Jo

hn X

XII

I. T

he p

apac

y sk

ippe

d Jo

hn X

VI

and

John

XX t

hus,

the

re a

re o

nly

21 p

opes

in t

he li

ne u

sing

the

nam

e of

Joh

n.CPa

ul li

ne:

the

"on

e is

" of

Rev

17:

10,

sinc

e 'fi

ve h

ave

falle

n'.

Thi

s is

the

pre

sent

ten

se fro

m w

hich

Joh

n w

as s

how

n th

is v

isio

n.D

John

Pau

l lin

e: th

e on

e "n

ot y

et c

ome"

of Rev

17:

10.

He

"mus

t co

ntin

ue a

sho

rt t

ime"

. T

he J

ohn

Paul

line

was

in p

ower

26

year

s, b

y fa

r th

e sh

orte

st o

f al

l pop

e lin

es.

Count

Count

Count

Count

Count

w

ill re

claim

his

th

ron

e (

"is

of

the s

eve

n"

Rev

17

:11

). S

oo

n a

fter,

po

ssib

ly c

oin

cid

ing

wit

h r

eg

ain

ing

th

e p

ow

er

to p

ers

ecu

te t

ho

se

w

ho

wo

rsh

ip t

he C

reato

r acc

ord

ing

to

th

e 4

th c

om

man

dm

en

t, h

e w

ill ch

an

ge h

is n

am

e t

o a

un

iqu

e n

am

e,

the '8

th k

ing

', s

ign

alin

g

t

he b

east

's r

etu

rn (

Rev

17

:8).

H

e (

Jose

ph R

atzi

nger

) w

ill d

ie a

t C

hri

st's

seco

nd

co

min

g a

cco

rdin

g t

o 2

Th

ess

2:1

-17

; R

ev

19

:20

.

EIn

ord

er

for

Po

pe F

ran

ces

(3/1

3/20

13 t

o da

te)

no

t to

ad

d t

o t

he c

ou

nt1

, h

e w

ill b

e d

ep

ose

d (

2Th

ess

2:7

). B

en

ed

ict

XV

I (D

OB 4

/16/

1927

)

Count

Count

Count

Page 72: At World’s End – Our Imminent Crisis · PDF fileAt World’s End – Our Imminent Crisis ... , and my mother ... Even though many different people wrote the sixty-six books of

72

Mountain #A Running TotalA Mountain Name First Year Completion Year

1 1 Felix 269 530

2 3 Pelagius 556 590

3 6 Theodore 642 897

4 10 Marinus 882 946

5 15 Agapetus 535 955

6 21 Sergius 687 1012

7 28 Sylvester 314 1045

8 36 Damasus 366 1048

9 45 Stephen 254 1058

10 55 Victor 189 1087

11 66 Paschal 817 1118

12 78 Gelasius 492 1119

13 91 Anastasius 399 1154

14 105 Lucius 253 1185

15 120 Honorius 625 1287

16 136 Celestine 422 1294

17 153 Boniface 418 1303

18 171 Eugene 655 1431

19 190 Martin 649 1431

20 210 Nicholas 858 1455

21 231 Callistus 217 1458

22 253 Adrian 772 1523

23 276 Julius 337 1555

24 300 Marcellus 308 1555

25 325 Sixtus 115 1590

26 351 Urban 222 1644

27 378 Alexander 105 1691

28 406 Innocent 401 1724

29 435 Clement 88 1774

30 1 465 Gregory 590 1846 Rev 17:3 Woman in wilderness

31 2 496 Leo 440 1903

32 3 528 BenedictB 575 1922

33 4 561 Pius 140 1958

34 5 595 John 523 1963

35 6 630 Paul 757 1978 Rev 17:10 "one is" king

36 7 John Paul 1978 2005 Rev 17:10 "short time" king

Persecution Phase 8 = 36 666 Unique NameB ? 2nd Coming Rev 17:11 The '8th' is one of the '7'

AThe pope 'counts' are added just as Babylon 'added' their 36 gods on amulets using their base 60 numerical system (1+2+3…+34+35+36=666).

For pictures of amulets with numbers 1-36 arrayed to add to 666 see: http://historical.benabraham.com/html/babylonian_solar_cult.htmlBAs of 2015, the Vatican lists 266 individual popes, with 82 papal names used (including Peter). Including Pope Francis, there are 46 names used

before 2/15/1798, 7 after. Benedict XVI (2005-2013) is the '666 man' and will die under a different name, proving the line actually fell in 1922.

only once and since not repeated, do not qualify as 'mountains of gods'. 36 pope names are used by multiple popes (mountains of gods), 29 retired

"Fiv

e ha

ve

falle

n" R

ev 1

7:10

Non

-per

secu

tory

ph

ase

of t

he p

apac

y


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