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AtWorld’sEnd–OurImminentCrisis

TheMysteryofRevelation17Revealed

WeHaven’taMomenttoLose

ManuscriptRev12-13-1703/10/2016,12/11/2018

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Copyright©2018MarkE.LaRoseTableofContents:Introduction Pg3Acknowledgments Pg5Preface Pg6Chapter1:DanieltheProphet Pg9Chapter2:Revelation12–TheCosmicControversyBetweenChristandSatan Pg19Chapter3:Revelation13:1-10–TheSeaBeast:RiseofthePapalChurch Pg29Chapter4:Revelation13:11-17–TheEarthBeast:RiseoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaandApostateProtestantism Pg37Chapter5:Revelation13:18–Wisdom,Understanding,andCalculation Pg44Chapter6:Revelation17:1-6–TheGreatHarlot Pg47Chapter7:Revelation17:7-11–IdentificationoftheBeast Pg55Chapter8:Revelation17:12-17–TheHarlot’sDaughters Pg65Chapter9:Revelation17:18-18:5–BabylontheGreatisFallen Pg69Chapter10:TheCriticalComprehensionoftheThreeAngel’sMessages Pg71Epilogue Pg77AppendixA:ChartoftheSevenHeads Pg79AppendixB:CardinalElectors Pg81

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IntroductionYouareabouttoembarkonajourneythroughpartoftheRevelationofJesusChristasgiventoJohntheapostle.Asyoucarefullyconsiderthisstudy,itismyprayerthatyouwillgainnewandvitalunderstandingthatwillchangeyourprioritiesforever.BylettingtheBibleinterpretitself,Ihavecometoanunderstandingofthisvitalprophecythatiscriticalforhowweallorderourlivesgoingforward.Ihavebeenrichlyblessedinmylife,andIattributethattothegoodnessoftheLord.GrowingupinaChristianhomewithayoungersister,IwasgivenBiblicalunderstandingbymyparentsfromaveryyoungage.Itwasourcustomtogotochurchweekly.Wewereenrolledinchurchschool,andIhaveanMBAwithemphasisinhealthcare.Myfatherworkedinsalesandinsurance,andmymother,amaster’spreparedregisterednursepractitioner,workedinanumberofdifferentsettings.Myfirstjobwasintheaccountingdepartmentofafaith-basedhospital,andIwashonoredtocontinueworkinfaith-basedhospitalsduringmyhealthcarecareer,nearlyhalfofwhichwereintherolesaschieffinancialofficer,chiefoperatingofficer,andchiefexecutiveofficer.ThroughchallengingcircumstancesandbyGod’sdesign,Iwasunabletofindwork.WhatIdidn’tunderstandin2013,IknownowwasandisGod’splanformylife.WhenweputourlivesinHishand,wereallydon’tknowwhereHewilllead.Thatsaid,IwouldratherbeunderHiscareandguidancethanfollowingmyownplantoachieveearthly“success.”Thoughwedon’tknowonaday-to-daybasiswhat’snextinourlives,wehavetheassurancethatallourneedswillbeprovided.Isay”we”becauseI’mhappilymarried,andwehavetwowonderful,God-fearingchildrenandgrandchildren.WhileservingasCEOin2009,IinitiatedaweeklyBiblestudyatthehospitalopentoeveryone,includingcommunitymembers.Theformatwassimple.WestartedoutinthegospelsreadinganddiscussingthewonderfulwordsandworksofChrist.WeprogressedtootherbooksintheNewTestamentandthenintotheOldTestament.Aftermyroleended,anumberoftheBiblestudymembersrequestedthatwecontinuestudying,whichwedidinourhome.ThetimecamewhenseveralpeoplerequestedtostudythebookofRevelation.FrommybackgroundIwasreasonablycomfortablewithunderstandingmostofscripture,butIknewenoughaboutthebookofRevelationtoknowthattounderstandit,wefirstneededtostudythebookofDaniel.TheBiblewasinspiredbyGodandwrittenbyaboutfortypeople,spanninga1,600-yearperiod.Eventhoughmanydifferentpeoplewrotethesixty-sixbooksoftheBible,theyprovideaGod-inspiredpictureofHisplanforhumanitywithcompletecontinuity.Thisaloneisamiracle.ThebookofDanielcontainsfivefoundationalprophecies,andtheprinciplesofinterpretationofthesepropheciesaretobeconsistentlyusedwhenstudyingthebookofRevelation.

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AfterreceivingtherequesttostudyRevelation,ImadeanefforttomakesureIcouldadequatelyspeakabouttheprophecies,theirinterpretation,andrespondtoquestions.InNovember2013,IsetaboutadeliberateprocessinmypersonalstudytounderstandGod’soverallplanforredeeminghumanity,andtobeabletoaddresstheprophecieswithreasonableconfidence.ThebookofDanielisrelativelyliteralinitspropheticdescriptionswithsomeimportantsymbolism;however,thebookofRevelationisnearlycompletelywrittenusingsymbolsandsymboliclanguagethatdrawsandsummarizesGod’splanforhumanityfromtherestofScripturestartingwithGenesis.RevelationeitherreferencesoralludestotheOldTestamentover500times.Bothbookscontainpropheciesthatreferenceeventsfuturetowhentheyweregiven,andthatrepeatandenlargeonpreviousdreamsandvisions.Icreatedacharttracingouttimepropheciesandimportanteventsinordertoseehowtheyfittogether.OneofthewaysthatIliketounderstandinformationistogetthebigpictureinitially,thenwithallthedatapresent,drilldowntospecificdetails.Onmychart,IplacedBibletextsasreferences,thendrewtimelinesforthetimeprophecies,andwrotesummarydescriptionsofvariouseventsstartingatabout850B.C.andspanningthroughtheSecondComingofChrist.InAugust2014,oneofourstudymembersasked,“Mark,canyouleadusinBiblestudythroughthechartinchronologicalorder?"Iquicklyagreed,knowingasignificanttimeinvestmentintheprojectwouldbenecessaryastheBibleissointerrelatedwithmanyreferencesthroughoutitofsignificanteventsandallusionstovitalspiritualthemes.Istartedcreatingonepagestudyguidesforthepurposeofbreakingupthestudiesintoshortlessons.IcompletedmyinitialdraftofsomeninetypagesofnotesintheformofstudyguidesinJanuary2015andaddedasecondchartthatspansfromcreation,recordedinthebookofGenesis,tothebeginningoftheinitialchartstartingin850B.C.AsIstudied,Revelationunfolded,includingthefollowingunderstanding.Whatfollowsisanamazingunderstandingofthe“mystery”oftheriddleinRevelation17.IprayallwillreceiveandbeblessedbyabetterunderstandingofGod’splanforallhumanity.ThisprophecyisanincreasinglyurgenttopicasnearlyallBibleprophecyhasbeenfulfilled.Wehavebutlittletimeremainingtosharetheeverlastinggospelwiththeworld.IconsiderthepurposeofthisstudytodirectourattentiontoGod’sWord,theBible.TheBibleisprimarilyhowGodspeakstoallofus.ThegreattruthscontainedthereinaretheroadmaptospendingeternitywithourCreatorwithasidebenefitofprovidingeachofusthegreatestpeacethatwecanexperiencethissideofHeaven.IpraytheLordwillrichlyblessusandguideinourlivesaswesurrenderalltoHim.AlwaysaskfortheHolySpiritforwisdomasweopenHisWordandthatHewilltransformourcharacterstobecomecompatiblewiththeprinciplesofHeaveneachday.

- InChrist,MarkLaRose

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AcknowledgmentsIwishtorecognizeseveralpeoplethathavecontributeddirectlytomyunderstanding.TimRoosenberghasspentmanyyearsofHislifestudyingDaniel11and12.Hisworkledmetoanunderstandingofthischallengingprophecyforthefirsttimein2011anditdovetailscompletelywithRevelation.IbelieveanunderstandingofDaniel11,isaprerequisitetounderstandingthetimingofRevelation17.Tim’swebsiteishttp://www.islamandchristianity.org.Likewise,duringmysearchtounderstandRevelation17,IbelievethattheLordledmetothewebsiteoftwopeople,WendellSlatteryandRonaldJohnstoninDecember2014.ThesemenhavededicatedtheirstudytotheLord,andIamconvincedhavethecorrectunderstandingandcalculationforetellingtheidentificationofthemanofsin.Theirwebsiteishttp://666man.net.IalsowishtothankTomMenocalforhisassistanceandencouragementinthisproject.IhavegratefullyreceivedinvaluabletechnicalassistanceandhighlyinformedquestionsfromMelissaHansonandfromJohnW.Peters,Ph.D.,M.Div.,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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PrefaceMankind,asfarbackasrecordsexist,hastriedeverywayimaginabletodesignandcreatereligionstofillthespiritualvoidfoundineachofus.Manyhavesoughttofillthisemptinesswithwork,thepursuitofmoneyandpower,myriadsofaddictivebehaviors,substanceabuse,andpotentiallymostdeluding,falsereligion.SomehavediscoveredpeacethroughathoroughknowledgeandunderstandingofGod’sWord,leadingtoarelationshipthattranscendsourearthlylives.UniquetoChristianityisaGodthatredeemedallthatwouldaccept“TheChrist”astheirSaviour.

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

However,SatanhasinfiltratedanddeceivedthevastmajorityofthethousandsofChristianreligionsintheworldtoday.TheonlycertainwaytodetermineabsolutetruthistocompareittowhatGod’sWordsays.Theremustbenodiscrepancy.TheBibleistheultimatehistorybook,boastinga100%accuracyrate,withcountlessarcheologicalconfirmations,aswellasmanypropheciesthathavesincecometrue.ThereareonlyafewunfulfilledpropheciesremainingandtheshockingunderstandingoftheeventspredictedbyRevelation17isoneofthose!DoesGodexist?WhoisGod?Whileathoroughstudyofthesequestionsisbeyondthescopeofthisstudy,asystematic,prayerfulreadingoftheBiblewillrevealthenatureandcharacterofthetrueGod.TheBibleusesmany,manydifferentnamesforGodthatattempttodescribeHischaracter.ThisstudyshowsthatGodismadeupoftheFather(AncientofDays,Daniel7:9),Son(Christ,Jesus,Saviour),andHolySpirit(Comforter,Counselor),collectivelyreferredtoas“Lord.”God’sadversaryisnamedinRevelation20:2,“Helaidholdofthedragon,thatserpentofold,whoistheDevilandSatan…”ThetrueGodhasuniquelydemonstratedHisloveforeverypersonthroughthesubstitutionarysacrificeofHisSon,Jesus.Thequestionis,howwillGodgettheattentionofthe7.7billionpeoplelivingtoday,allofwhomHediedfor,inorderforeachtomakeaninformeddecisionofwhomtoworship?

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

TheBiblerevealswhothe“manofsin”is.Thismanofsinisalsoknownasthe“sonofperdition”,“thelawlessone”,“thebeast”,“theeighthking”,“(butbelongingtothe

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seven).”Thisstudywilldemonstratethatthe“666”manislivingtodayandwillsoonassumepersecutorypower!“Andthenthelawlessonewillberevealed,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.Furthermore,Amos3:7tellsus,“SurelytheLordGoddoesnothing,unlessHerevealsHissecrettoHisservantstheprophets.”TheBibleisliterallyGod’sinspiredWord!Ifthisfactisnotbelieved,thisstudywillseemlikenonsense.ThequestionofwhichBibleversiontouseisanimportantone.Thebestapproachistouseliteraltranslationsfromtheoriginallanguage.Asnotedearlier,thisstudyprimarilyusestheNewKingJamesVersionforitseaseofreadability.OthersincludetheEnglishStandardVersionandtheKingJamesVersion,overall,themostaccurate.Itisalwayshealthytocomparetheseandothersinorderto,asmuchaspossible,gainunderstandingandcontextofthewriter’sintent.Agoodconcordanceisinvaluable,andtheauthorhasusedwww.abibleconcordance.comforitseaseandreadyaccess.Occasionallyitisquiteusefultotrytounderstandthemeaningoftheoriginallanguage.ShortofactuallylearningArabic,Greek,andHebrew,theauthorhasfoundanInternetresourcetobeveryhelpful;www.blueletterbible.org.Thefollowingstudyisexpository,meaningthattheliteralmeaningofeachwordinscriptureanditsrelationshiptoothersinitscontextisofutmostimportance.Thisisknownasexegesis;acriticalexplanationorinterpretationofatext.Thehistorical-grammaticalhermeneuticalmethodofunderstandingthewriters’originalintendedmeaningisutilizedhere.AswebeginourstudyinthebookofRevelation,thereareseveralimportantthingstoknow.ThefirstofsevenblessingsinthebookisrecordedinRevelation1:3,”Blessedishewhoreadsandthosewhohearthewordsofthisprophecy,andkeepthosethingswhicharewritteninit;forthetimeisnear.”Oneneedstoconsiderthisblessingprayerfullyandwithgreatcare;it’sanamazingstatementandapromise!Itisconditionalonouractions(read,hear,andkeep).ThereareanumberofimportantprinciplesofinterpretationnecessarytounderstandthebookofRevelation.It’simportanttobeconsistentbyusingthesameprinciples,

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pattern,andunderstandingofthebookofDanielaswestudythepropheciesinRevelation.Everyworddeservesprayerful,carefulconsideration.Eventheabsenceofawordwemightotherwiseexpect,whencomparingscripture,hasmeaning.IsaiahprovideskeycounselforsuccessfulBibleunderstandingwhenhewrites,“Forpreceptmustbeuponprecept,preceptuponprecept,lineuponline,lineuponline,Herealittle,therealittle.”Isaiah28:10,repeatedforemphasisinverse13.Paycloseattentiontorepetitioninscripture.InGenesis,forexample,weread,“AndthedreamwasrepeatedtoPharaohtwicebecausethethingisestablishedbyGod,andGodwillshortlybringittopass.”Genesis41:32.LikethevisionsgiventoDaniel,mosteverythinginRevelationisfuturetoJohn’stime.“Iwillshowyouthingswhichmusttakeplaceafterthis…Toshowhisservantsthethingswhichmustshortlytakeplace.”Revelation4:1;22:6.NearlyallofthebookofRevelationiswrittenusingsymboliclanguage,determinedbycontext.Whenendeavoringtounderstandsymbolicwords,wemustfirstlookfordefinitionsandcorrelationselsewherewithinallthepropheticbooks,includingIsaiah,Jeremiah,Ezekiel,Daniel,andRevelation,thentheBibleasawhole,followedbyhistoricalfactsandevents.Thereareseveralwell-knownhistoricaleventsreferencedinthisstudythat,shouldthereaderwishtoverifyorgainadditionalinformationon,areeasilyaccessedviainternetsearch.BothDanielandRevelationarewrittenusinganumberofcomplexwordpatterns,includingchiasticstructures.Achiasmisawritingstyleusingrepetitionofsimilarideasinthereverseorder,likeamirrorimageofwordsandmeanings.Thisisdonetoclarifyandemphasizeimportantpoints.PropheticeventsandtopicsinRevelationarebuiltbyprogressiverepetitionaddingdetailjustaswefindinthepropheciesinDaniel2,7,8,9,and10-12.InordertoappreciateandunderstandthemeaningofGod’smessagestousinthepropheticbooksoftheBible,werelyonHispromisetoprovideknowledgeofHisWord,“…Iwillpouroutmyspirittoyou;Iwillmakemywordsknowntoyou.”Proverbs1:23.FatherinHeaven,pleaseworkinourlivesandprovideyourSpirittoguidethemindofthereaderwithwisdomtounderstandYourWord.MayweallfindspiritualpeacebyadheringtoyourWordandcommittingourmindstoYoualone.Mayweunderstandprophecyaccordingtoyourwillandpurposeforourlives.Amen.

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Chapter1

DanieltheProphetInordertobegintounderstandthebookofRevelation,onemustthoroughlyunderstandthepropheciesofDaniel.ItisimperativetobefamiliarwithNebuchadnezzar’sdreamoftheimageinDaniel2andtheparticularadditionalfactsshowntoDanielenablinghimtointerprettheking’sdream.Inaddition,therearecertainaspectsnecessarytounderstandaboutthedreamsgiventoDanielasrecordedinDaniel7and8.Indeed,Jesussaid,“…whenyouseetheabominationofdesolation,spokenofbyDanieltheprophet,standingintheholyplace(whoeverreads,lethimunderstand)…”Matthew24:15.Theword“understand”isveryimportantandwewillstudythesignificanceofitlaterinRevelation13:18.ThedreamsandvisionsinthebookofDanielarecompleteandsignificantstudiesontheirown,soforthepurposeofthisstudyonlytheminimumfactsnecessaryfortheinterpretationandunderstandingoftheprophecyinRevelation17willbeconsidered.However,theauthorencouragesatleastacasualreadingofalltwelvechaptersofDanieltofamiliarizethereaderwiththestoryandtheprophecies.TheriseoftheBabylonianempirewasprecipitatedbyaseriesofcivilwarsandinternalstrifestartingin627B.C.Nebuchadnezzar’sfather,Nabopolassar,establishedhimselfasthekingofthecityofBabylonduringthisperiodemergingasregionalleaderafterrootingoutEgyptiansfromthesouthernMesopotamiaarea.Nabopolassardiedofnaturalcausesin605B.C.,andNebuchadnezzarquicklyassumedcontroloftheempire,proceedingtoextenditsboundariestoincludeavastareaoftheMiddleEastandpartsofAsiaMinor.DidthepeopleGodchosetorepresentHischaractertotheworld,thetwelvetribesofIsrael,havetosufferatthehandsofthispaganpower?Certainlynot!WhydidGodallowthecaptivityofJudahandthedestructionofthecityandtemplededicatedtoHimbuiltbySolomonnearly375yearsearlier?OfmanyBiblereferencesofthiscrucialtimefollowingthefallofthenortherntribestoAssyriaearlierin722B.C.(e.g.2Kings24:10-17;2Chronicles36:15-21;Jeremiah25;27:22;Micah4:10),perhapsJeremiahsaysitbest;

“AndtheLordhassenttoyouallHisservantstheprophets,risingearlyandsendingthem,butyouhavenotlistenednorinclinedyoureartohear.Theysaid,‘Repentnoweveryoneofhisevilwayandhisevildoings,anddwellinthelandthattheLordhasgiventoyouandyourfathersforeverandever.Donotgoafterothergodstoservethemandworshipthem,anddonotprovokeMetoangerwiththeworksofyourhands;andIwillnotharmyou.’YetyouhavenotlistenedtoMe,”saystheLord,“thatyoumightprovokeMetoangerwiththeworksofyourhandstoyourownhurt.”Jeremiah25:4-7

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GodpledwiththepeopletoturnbacktoHim,andHepleadstodayforallwhowouldfollowHimtorepentandturnawayfromfalseworship,theworshipof“theworksofyourhands,”andtolistentoHimviaHisWord,anddoHiscommandments(Revelation22:14).InthefirstofthreecampaignsagainstJudah,Danielandhisthreefriendsweretakencaptive(predictedinIsaiah39:6-7)fromJerusalemtoBabylonin605B.C.,detailedinDaniel1.In603B.C.,bothKingNebuchadnezzarandDanielweregiventhesamedreamofanimagerepresentingthekings,kingdoms,andspiritualpowerstofollowuntiltheendofsinonearth!Thekingdomswereillustratedbymetalsthatdeterioratedinvaluefromonetothenext,alongwithincreasinginhardnessastimeprogressed.

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

Throughthesymbolismrepresentedbythisimage,theLordrevealedthecivilandreligiouspowersthatweretodirectlyaffectHischosenpeople,theliteralnationofIsrael,andaftertheyrejectedHimastheMessiah,itssuccessor,apeopleknowninScriptureasspiritualIsrael;thoseactuatedbyJesus’commissiontomakedisciplesof“allnations.”(Matthew28:19).ThekingdomsofBabylon,Medo-Persia,Greece,andRomehavecomeandgoneaccordingtothisandthesubsequentpropheciesofDaniel7,8,and11.Justover2,600yearslater,wearelivingatthetimeofthefinalpowersrepresentedbythefeetandtoesoftheimagewithJesus’returntocomenext!

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

JustasthedifferentmetalsintheimagerepresentedkingdomsopposedtoGod’speople,the“Stone”andthe“Mountain”inthisparticularpassagerepresentsa“King”thatultimatelyrescuesHispeople.WhatorwhodoesthestoneinDaniel2:35,45represent?Jesus!WereadinMatthew21:42-44,

“JesusquotedtothemfromPsalm118:22-23,“HaveyouneverreadintheScriptures:‘ThestonewhichthebuildersrejectedHasbecomethechiefcornerstone.ThiswastheLord’sdoing,anditismarvelousinoureyes’?“ThereforeIsaytoyou,thekingdomofGodwillbetakenfromyouandgiventoanationbearingthefruitsofit.Andwhoeverfallsonthisstonewillbebroken;butonwhomeveritfalls,itwillgrindhimtopowder.”

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SomefifteenhundredyearsbeforeChrist’sministryonearth,MosesreferredtotheLordasthe“Rock”inDeuteronomy32:3-4.Consistently,1Samuel2:2providesproofthata“Rock”or“Stone”intheBibleisalsoasymbolforGod:“NooneisholyliketheLord,forthereisnonebesidesYou,noristhereanyrocklikeourGod.”Here,“Lord”and“God”refertothethreemembersoftheGodhead.Specifically,1Corinthians10:4identifiesthe“Rock”asChrist:“…andalldrankthesamespiritualdrink.FortheydrankofthatspiritualRockthatfollowedthem,andthatRockwasChrist.”Literally,mountainsaremadeupofrocks.So,ifJesus,representedbythe“Stone,”was“cutoutofthemountainwithouthands”whatdoesthesymbol,“Mountain,”represent?Thisisacrucialquestionsincethesymbol“Mountain”appearsinDaniel2andagaininRevelation17:9.TheangelrevealingtheprophecytoJohnindicatesthattheseven“heads”ofthescarletbeastareseven“mountains”and,inturn,“theyarealsosevenkings.”(ESV).AsinDaniel,thislanguageisclearlysymbolicinnature.BycomparingtextstheBibleinterpretsitselfonthismatterbyidentifying“Mountain,”inthecontextofDaniel2,asasymbolforGodtheFather,Son,andHolySpirit,ofwhomwillfill“…thewholeearth”withthegloryofGod(Psalm72:19),asitwasbeforesin!LookingfurtherinDaniel,weread:

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

Danielequates“holyMountain”with“YourcityJerusalem.”ConsideringDaniel11:45,wearegivenapossiblesymbolicliteralfulfillment,andcertainlythespiritualfulfillmentoferrorcomingbetweenpeopleandthetrueGod.“Andhe(KingoftheNorth)shallplantthetentsofhispalace(counterfeitworshipanddoctrines)betweentheseas(people)andthegloriousholymountain(worshipofourCreatorGod)…”ThisisawarningthatfalseworshiphasbeensubstitutedfortruthandtrueworshipasdefinedbytheGodoftheBible.Theproperunderstandingofthesymbolicterm“mountain”iscritical.WeseebothliteralapplicationsandspiritualapplicationsthroughthesymbolicmeaningsofGod’scity,“Jerusalem”andSatan’scity,“Babylon.”WefindtheoriginofBabyloninGenesis11;theaccountoftheTowerofBabelinthelandofShinar.SomeofthedescendantsofNoahrebelledbybuildingatower,a“highplace,”ignoringGod’spromisenottodestroytheearthbyfloodagain.FromtheruinsofBabel,itislikelyNebuchadnezzar’sBabylonwasbuilt.Later,Babylonisidentifiedasa“harlot”and“motherofharlots.”Conversely,wefindreferencetoJerusaleminthestoryofenemykings,includingthe

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kingofShinar,attackingthecitieswhereAbram’snephewLotlived,inGenesis14.GodprovidedamiraculousvictorytoAbram’sservantsnumberingjustthreehundredandeighteen.Inrecognitionandwithgratitude,AbrambroughttithesandofferingstoMelchizedek,kingofSalem(Psalm76:2),alsoreferredtoasMountMoriah(Genesis22:2,14;2Chronicles3:1;33:15),Sion,MountZion,andJerusalem.ThesitewheretheLordaskedAbrahamtosacrificeIsaaciswhereSolomonwasdirectedtobuildthetemple,laterrebuiltastheJewishSecondTemple,andisknowntodayastheDomeoftheRock.ThroughouttheBiblewefindmanytextsalludingtoamountain,or“highplace”asimportantforworshippractices.Wheretherewerenonaturalmountains,peopleconstructedbuildingssuchaszigguratstoplacetheirgodsforthepurposeofworship.ManymistakenlybelievethatJerusalemisitselfaholyplace,howevertheBibleclarifiesthatonlyGodisholy.ItisHispresencethatmakesaplaceoranobject“holy”suchasthe“burningbush”MosesencounteredasrecordedinExodus3.TodemonstratetheunderstandingGod’spresence,aswellasthepaganbeliefthatgodswerepresentinobjectsandcertainlocations,weexaminesomerepresentativetexts:

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

ThiscorrelateswithPsalm77:13a,“Yourway,OGod,isinthesanctuary,”aswellasRevelation21:22notingoftheNewJerusalem:“ButIsawnotempleinit,fortheLordGodAlmightyandtheLambareitstemple.”

“ThentheLordsaidtoMoses,“ComeuptoMeonthemountainandbethere;andIwillgiveyoutabletsofstone,andthelawandcommandmentswhichIhavewritten,thatyoumayteachthem.…NowthegloryoftheLordrestedonMountSinai,andthecloudcovereditsixdays.AndontheseventhdayHecalledtoMosesoutofthemidstofthecloud.ThesightofthegloryoftheLordwaslikeaconsumingfireonthetopofthemountainintheeyesofthechildrenofIsrael.SoMoseswentintothemidstofthecloudandwentupintothemountain.AndMoseswasonthemountainfortydaysandfortynights.”Exodus24:12,16-18.

WhatmadeMountSinai(alsoknownasHoreb)significantwasGod’spresence.GodchoseamountaintorevealHispresenceandprovideawrittenconfirmationofHisLaw,theTenCommandments.TheexplicitdirectionfromGodwas,“Youshallutterlydestroyalltheplaceswherethenationswhichyoushalldispossessservedtheirgods,onthehighmountainsandonthehillsandundereverygreentree.”Deuteronomy12:2.Likewise,in1Kings20:23thekingofSyriawastold,speakingofIsrael,“…Theirgodsaregodsofthehills…”

“YetIhavesetMyKingonMyholyHillofZion.”Psalm2:6.“IcriedtotheLord

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withmyvoice,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.[

Thewords“hill,”“mountain,”and“mount”aretranslatedfromtheHebrew(H2022]“har.”InPsalm48,weseereferencetoGoddwellingin“thenorth,”afactSatanunderstands(Isaiah14:13)andattacks,symbolicallyreferencedinDaniel11:44as“…news…fromthenorth.”Lucifer(“Satan”afterthewarinHeaven;Revelation12),oneofthecoveringangelsassignedtoprotectGod’slawresidingintheArkoftheCovenantintheMostHolyPlaceoftheheavenlySanctuary,aspiredtobe,notlikeGod(representedby“fierystones”),buttoreplacetheSonofGod:

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

Isaiahalsounderstoodthespiritualapplicationoftheterm“mountain.”

“NowitshallcometopassinthelatterdaysthatthemountainoftheLord’shouseshallbeestablishedonthetopofthemountains,andshallbeexaltedabovethehills;andallnationsshallflowtoit.Manypeopleshallcomeandsay,“Come,andletusgouptothemountainoftheLord,tothehouseoftheGodofJacob;HewillteachusHisways,AndweshallwalkinHispaths.”ForoutofZionshallgoforththelaw,andthewordoftheLordfromJerusalem.”Isaiah2:2-3.“TheyshallnothurtnordestroyinallmyholyMountain,fortheearthshallbefulloftheknowledgeoftheLordasthewaterscoverthesea.”Isaiah11:9.“EventhemIwillbringtoMyholymountain,andmakethemjoyfulinMyhouseofprayer.TheirburntofferingsandtheirsacrificeswillbeacceptedonMyaltar;forMyhouseshallbecalledahouseofprayerforallnations.”Isaiah56:7.“ThentheyshallbringallyourbrethrenforanofferingtotheLordoutofallnations,onhorsesandinchariotsandinlitters,onmulesandoncamels,toMyholymountainJerusalem,saystheLord…”Isaiah66:20.

Aswehaveseensincesinenteredourworld,theenemyofsoulshascounterfeitedeverythingthatisimportanttotheGodoftheuniverse.Satan’scounterfeitofthecity

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ofJerusalemisthecityofBabylon,initiallyliterally,nowspiritually.TheLordtoldJeremiah,

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

Here,GodreferstoBabylonasafalse“mountain”ofgods(rocks).AsdescribedbytheprophetEzekiel,acontemporaryofDaniel,God’schosenpeopleIsraelwereworshipingfalsegods.

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

Hewrites,“ForonMyholyMountain,onthemountainhighofIsrael”,saystheLordGod,“thereallthehouseofIsrael,allofthemintheland,shallserveMe”Ezekiel20:40a.AlludingtoHeaven,Ezekiel34:11-15indicatesthattheTrueShepherd,GodHimselfwillfeedspiritualIsraelonthe“mountains”ofIsrael.

“BlowthetrumpetinZion,andsoundanalarminMyholymountain!Letalltheinhabitantsoftheearthtremble;ForthedayoftheLordiscoming,Foritisathand:AnditshallcometopassthatwhoevercallsonthenameoftheLordshallbesaved.ForinMountZionandinJerusalemthereshallbedeliverance,astheLordhassaid,AmongtheremnantwhomtheLordcalls.”Joel2:1,32.

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

“ThussaystheLord:‘IwillreturntoZion,anddwellinthemidstofJerusalem.Jerusalemshallbecalledthecityoftruth,themountainoftheLordofhosts,theholy

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mountain.”Zechariah8:3.InthistexttheLordisreferringtoJerusaleminitsre-createdstateaftertheonethousandyearsinHeaven.WhenwecomparethistothreetextsinRevelationthatdefinethecharacteristicsofthosewhowillnotbeintheholycity,weseethecontrastbetweenthosewhoarecalledthe“CityofTruth”incontrastwithRevelation21:8,27;22:15,indicatingthatnoliarswillbeapartofthe“city.”Spirituallyspeaking,“Jerusalem”is,orrepresents,thepeopleofGod.Theterm“Mountain,”asusedintheabovereferences,isasymbolicrepresentationoftheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpiritfromwhenceourdeliverancecomes!Fromthesereferences,apictureisportrayedofSatanendeavoringtocreatehisownsymbolic“mountain.”Spiritually,thisleadsustobelievethatworshipdirectedotherthantoGod,isindeed,worshipofaformofSatan,a“mountain”offalsegods.AdeeperanalysisofBibletextsassociatedwith“mountain,”maybefoundat:www.danielandrevelationrevealed.comintheStudyNotesforDaniel2.In553B.C.Danielwasgivenanotherdream,recordedinDaniel7.ThisdreamfeaturedfourbeaststhatcorrelatewiththekingdomsrepresentedbytheimageinDaniel2.ThereareseveralprinciplesherethatwillbeusedtoassistintheinterpretationofRevelation17.Wenoticethattheleopardbeast,whichrepresentedGreece,hadfourheads.ThisforetoldthekingdombeingsplitbetweenfourofAlexandertheGreats’generals,occurringin301B.C.JustasDaniel2:37-38identifiedNebuchadnezzarandBabylonasthe“headofgold,”the“heads”oftheleopardrepresented“linesofkings”rulingeachoffourregional“kingdoms”ofGreece.Theterritoryheldbyeachofthesefourgeneralsthenfellsequentiallyoverthenext133years,aninterpretiveprincipleapplicabletothe“heads”ofRevelation17:10.ThefourthbeastofDaniel7isdescribedashavingironteethand“ten”horns,followedbyalittlehornwitheyesandamouththatuprootedthreehorns.Whilehistoryshowsthatthenumber“three”isaliteralnumber,wereadinDaniel1:20thatDanielandhisthreefriendswere“ten”timesbetterthanallthemagiciansandastrologers.Thisleadstoanunderstandingthatthenumber“ten”wassymbolicoftheirsuperiorityandlikewisesymbolicforthedozensoftribesthatassumedpowerafterImperialRomefellinA.D.476.Inscripture,“horns”areusedtorepresentpowersaswellaskingsandkingdoms.“Andhisbrightnesswasasthelight;hehadhornscomingoutofhishand:Andtherewasthehidingofhispower.”Habakkuk3:4KJV.(Daniel7:24;8:3-9,Zechariah1:18-21andRevelation5:6forfurtherclarification).AvitalinterpretiveprincipleisfoundinDaniel7:17;“Thosegreatbeasts,whicharefour,arefourkingswhichariseoutoftheearth.”WeknowthatthefourbeastscorrelatetotheimageandrepresentthekingdomsoftheearththatpersecutedGod’speople.Thisversetellsusthatthese“kingdoms”arealsoknownas“kings”andsinceweknowthateachofthesepowershadanumberofindividualkings,wemaysaythefourbeaststheBibleindicatesarefour“kings,”representlinesofkings.Forexample,duringthenearly

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645yearsthatImperialRomeruledtheworld,itwasledbymany“kings.”Alsonoteworthyisthesekingdomsariseoutofthe“earth”indicatingthatthesearecivilpowersthatinmanyinstancessubjectedthemselvestoagreaterevilinfluence.WewillexamineandidentifyanevilspiritualpowerinRevelation17:2,18,controllingnationsandcivilgovernmentsintheworldtoday!AbouttwoyearsafterDaniel’sdreamrecordedinDaniel7,hewasgivenanotherdreamin551B.C.Inthisdream,recordedinDaniel8,hewasshownaramwithtwohornsandagoatwithonelargehornthatwasthenbrokenandreplacedbyfourhorns.TheserepresentthekingdomsofMedo/PersiaandGreecethatwouldfollowBabylon.Consistentwiththepurposeofprophecytorevealthefuture,therewasnorepresentativebeastforBabyloneventhoughitdidnotfalltoMedo-Persiauntiltwelveyearslaterin539B.C.ThetwohornsoftheramrepresentMediaandPersia.ThehigherofthetwohornscominguplastrepresentedPersia,accordingtoDaniel8:3,20.Thislogicalandconsistentprincipleofprophecyrevealingthefuture,asopposedtoreviewinghistory,iscrucialtoacorrectinterpretationandunderstandingofRevelation13and17.TheinitiallargehornonthegoatthatwassubsequentlybrokenrepresentedAlexandertheGreat,whodiedatayoungage,followedbyaregentawaitingthematurityofoffspring.Subsequently,thislinewasreplacedbyfourgeneralswhosplitthekingdomin301B.C.Boththeramandthegoatillustrateaprophetictimecontinuumthatstartswiththebeastbodyitself,proceedingtothehead(s),andthenontothehorns.ThisvitalinterpretativeprincipleisconsistentlyusedinRevelation12,13,and17,withexceptionsinRevelation12:3-5,7-9,13forthepurposeofprovidinghistoricalperspectivetothereaderabouttheoriginoftheenemyofsouls,Satan.Itisnoteworthythatthe“little,”“talking”horninbothDaniel7and8initiallygrewhorizontally(againstotherkingdomsonearthasImperialRome,initiallyestablishedasarepublic),andthenvertically(againstGodinHeaven,aspapalRome).This“horn”powerisdescribedasbeingdifferentfromtheotherkingsdescribed(Daniel7:23-24).Itwasthislittle,talkinghornthatthereformerssuchasWycliffe,Luther,Calvin,andtheWesley’staughtrepresentedtheRomanCatholicpapalsystem.Thisapproachofassigningprophecytoactualeventsisknownashistorical-grammaticalandwasdecidedlyveryunpopularwiththepapalchurchduringthistime.Inresponsetothisinterpretivemethod,theerroneousinterpretiveconceptsofPreterism(thebeliefthatallBibleprophecyhasalreadytakenplace),andFuturism(thebeliefthatBibleprophecyrelatestothefuturetakingplacejustbeforeJesusreturns)wereformulatedandpromotedbypriestsLuisDeAlcasarandFranciscoRibera,respectively.TheBibleisveryclearthatGod’speople,thesaints,werepreservedthroughouthistorybydivineguidance.JustascivilkingdomspersecutedGod’speopleinBiblicalhistory,theyhavecontinuedtodo,asprophesied,inthe1,920+yearssinceJohn’svisiononPatmosinA.D.95/96.The“Mountain”representingtheGodhead(Kingsandthe

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KingdomofGod),haspreservedthe“truth”andHispeople.TodayHispeopleexistinreligionsandculturesthroughouttheearth.ThemembershipoftheRomanCatholicChurchandmanyProtestantreligionsismadeupofalargenumberoffaithfulpeople,manyofwhomhavesubmittedto,andhadtheircharacterstransformedbyJesus,throughtheoutpouringoftheHolySpirit,asJesuspromisedaccordingtoJohn14:15-18.Duringthetimeoftheend,God’speoplewillleaveeverything,includingchurchesandfamilies,inordertofollowHimandHisWord(Mark13:12-13),explicitly.Insummary,wewillconsistentlyapplytheinterpretiveprinciplesfoundinDanieltoRevelation,bydiscerningthefollowingmeanings:

• TheliteraltypesoftheIsraeliteofferingsandsacrificespointedtoJesusasMessiah,the“Antitype.”JesusreplacedtheseserviceswiththeordinancesofbaptismandtheLord’ssupper.However,theliteralworshipelementsoftheJewisheconomyhavesymbolicmeaningtobeappliedtoGod’send-timeremnantpeople;spiritualIsrael.

• Theword“mountain”inpropheticpassagesisasymbolforakingdom(eithergoodorbad),and“kingdoms”areruledby“kings.”Asliteralmountainsaremadeupofrocksorstones,spiritual“mountains”represent“kingdoms”ruledbyindividual“kings.”ThespiritualMountaininDaniel2:35,45,hadone“Stone”(“Lord”and“God”in1Samuel2:2)carvedoutofa“mountain.”Whenthe“cutting”isdone,the“Stone”willsupersedethendestroyallthekingdomsofthisworld.JustasthegoldheadoftheDaniel2imagerepresentedaking,akingdom,andalineofkings,the“Stone”representsJesus(whoisGodtheSon),Hiskingdom(Hisremnantpeople),andHisterritory(theearthmadenew).Thus,asymbolic,spiritualmountainiscomprisedofagroupingof“gods;”eitherthetrueGod,madeupoftheFather,Son,andHolySpirit,orfalse“gods”(literalBabylonisknowntohaveworshipeddozensofdeities).Likewise,thisstudyrevealsspiritualBabylonalsohasdesignated“heads”as“kings”and“mountains”arrayedagainstthetrue“Mountain”ofGod.

• Thenumber“ten”issymbolic,representingalargenumber(Daniel1:20;7:7)• Theterm“beast”representsapowerthatispersecutingGod’speople.Itmaybe

civilorreligious,takingtheformofkings,kingdoms,ornations(Daniel7:17,23,24;8:20-22)

• “Heads”arepowersthatrepresent“kings”which,inturn,represent“linesofindividualkings”(Daniel2:37-38)

• “Kingdoms”referstoanauthoritywithlegislativepowersoverapeople,havingaliteralorspiritualapplication,basedoncontext(the“kingdom”thatChristreceivesinDaniel7:13-14isthesaintsthemselves,correlatingwiththeparableoftheTenMinasinLuke19:11-27).Inaddition,“kingdoms”haveterritory.

• Aspecifictotalnumberof“kings”arisesimultaneously,eventhoughsomeceasetoexistastimeprogressesforward(suchasthefourgeneralsofGreece)

• “Horns”represent“powers”and“kings”(Psalm75:10;92:10;Ezekiel29:21;34:21;Daniel7:7-8,20,24-25;8:3,6-7,20;Habakkuk3:4;Zechariah1:18-21;Revelation5:6)

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• Thecontinuumoftimeisrepresentedina“beast”startingatits“tail,”progressingtoits“body,”thentoits“heads”and“horns”(Daniel7and8).Thus,whentheheadsofthebeastappear,thebeastitselfbecomesinactive,whiletheheadsbecomeactive.

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Chapter2

Revelation12-TheCosmicControversyBetweenChristandSatanTheapostleJohnwasayoungmanwhenhewascalledandprivilegedtowalkwithJesusduringhisministryhereonearth.HewaswitnesstotremendouschurchgrowththroughoutempireofImperialRomeandbeyondinthedecadesfollowingChrist’sascensioninthespringofA.D.31.ThisfulfilledtheseventyweekprophecyofDaniel9:24andspecificallyDaniel9:27indicatingthat,“…inthemiddleoftheweekHeshallbringanendtosacrificeandoffering.”Thisprophetictimeprophecyof490yearsfromthegivingofthedecreetorebuildJerusalemprovidedforin457B.C.confirmedinstartlingaccuracythatinthemiddleoftheseventiethweek,threeandahalfyearsfromthebeginningofChrist’sministry,Hewascrucified.Onebyonetheapostlesweremartyredfortheirfaith.ThecityofJerusalemwasdestroyedinA.D.70asforetoldbyJesusinMatthew24.Finally,JohnhimselfwasexiledinA.D.95duringthereignofEmperorDomitian.HisexileendedupontheaccessionofEmperorNervainA.D.96.WhileinprisonontheIsleofPatmos,JohnwasgiventhevisionsofRevelation.ThebookofRevelationisacomplexliterarymasterpiece,includingchiasms,andlikethebookofDaniel,theeventsarebuiltbyprogressiverepetition,eachtimeaddingimportantdetailstotheoriginalsceneorevent.ThismakesthestudyandunderstandingofjustaportionofRevelationchallengingsinceitisheavilyinterrelatedwiththepropheticbooks,especiallyDaniel.Revelationisasummaryofallsixty-fivepreviousbooksinsymboliclanguage;theculminationofGod’splanofsalvationforhumanity.Assuch,allpreviousscriptureshouldfirstbeprayerfullyreadandconsideredinordertocomprehendRevelation.Inthespiritofkeepingthisstudyasbriefaspossible,theauthorattemptstopresentjustthepertinentfactsnecessaryforunderstandingRevelation17.Thisrequiresathoroughverse-by-versereviewofRevelation12and13toensureconsistentinterpretationsareapplied.Revelation12:1-17isasummaryofthegreatcosmiccontroversybetweenChristandSatan.

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

ThroughouttheBibleawomanrepresentsabodyoffaithorchurch.Forexample:

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

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Achaste,purewomandressedinwhite,abride,representsthesaintsbeingpreparedtomeettheGroom(Christ).Conversely,aharlot,orawomandressedaccordingly(otherthanpurewhite),representsapeopleclaimingtobeofthetrueGod,however,actuallybeingofthe“synagogueofSatan”(Revelation2:9;3:9).TheseclaimtobelieveinChristhoweverdon’tdoHisworks.TheyhavenotthetruecharacterofJesus.Jesus,then,istheHusbandofallthesaints.JesusisnotonlytheBridegroom,HeisourCreator,our“Maker,”asIsaiah54:5pointsout.OfourCreator,thewriterofGenesis1:1says,“InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavensandtheearth.”OurGod,then,istheCreatoroftime,space,andmatter,callingustoworshipHimontheseventhdayasamemorialtoHisliteralsix-daycreation.(Exodus20:8-11;Revelation14:7).Aprayerfulstudyofthistypologywillquicklyrevealthegenderconfusionstrategyoftheenemyofsouls.Jesusisthe“SunofRighteousness”(Malachi4:2),andthechurch’sknowledgeofHimisrepresentedasbeingclothedwiththesun(Isaiah60:1-3;61:10).Asthemoonhasnolightofitsownbutreflectsthelightofthesun,itrepresentsthereflectedknowledgeofChristandthescripturesthattestifyofHim.Theplanofsalvation,asforeshadowedintheearthlysanctuaryservicesandfurnishingstestifiedandcontinuetotestifyofJesus(John5:39).Theofferingsandsacrificialtypes,however,didnotprovidesalvation,somethingthattheJews,thepeopleGodhadchosentorepresentHistruereligion,hadlostsightofatthetimeofJesus’ministry.Byappearingunderthefeetofthepurewoman/church,themoonissubjectedtoitsproperposition,“Thywordisalampuntomyfeet…”(Psalm119:105).Thisprovidesatrueunderstandingthattheearthlysanctuary/tabernacleandserviceswerepatternedafterthegreatoriginalSanctuaryinHeavenanditsservices(Hebrews8:1-6).TheseserveasafoundationtoguidethechurchtotheSourceofLightandLife,Jesus(1Kings5:3;Psalm47:3).“TheheavensdeclarethegloryofGod;andthefirmamentshowsHishandiwork.”Psalms19:1.Fittingly,ontheheadofthewoman/churchwasagarlandoftwelvestarsrepresenting,initially,thetwelvesons/tribesofJacob(Israel)thatGodordainedtosharetheknowledgeofHimonearth(Genesis15:5;37:9).ThetwelveapostlesspreadthegospelthroughouttheworldfollowingChrist’ssacrificeclosingtheeraofthetypesrepresentedbytheofferingsandsacrificialservices(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.Histaildrewathird

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ofthestarsofheavenandthrewthemtotheearth.Andthedragonstoodbeforethewomanwhowasreadytogivebirth,todevourherChildassoonasitwasborn.”Revelation12:3-4.

JohnishereintroducedtoSatan,whoappearsasared-coloreddragon,havingsevenheads,tenhorns,anddiadems,orcrowns,onitssevenheads(Revelation12:9;20:2).Thedragon’scolor,red,representssin,accordingtoIsaiah1:18.ThisintroductiontothedragonisrepeatedandexpandeduponinRevelation13:1and17:3,aprocessweseeinthebookofDanielandrepeatedmanytimesinthebookofRevelation.Subjectsareintroduced,thenlaterrepeatedandenlargedupon,addingmoredetailandcluestoidentifytheirmeanings.Thediademsorcrownsontheheadsofthedragon,suggestthatSatancontrolsthesevenheadsthat,inturn,areleadersofthebodyofthedragon.Johnisthentakenbackintimewhereheisshownthatthedragon’s“tail”drewathirdofthestarsofheaven,throwingthemtotheearth(Luke10:18).Itwasthedragon’s“tail”thatconvincedone-thirdofGod’sangelstogivetheirallegiancetoSatan.Weseethecontinuumoftimerepresentedbytheconfigurationofthedragon,startingwithitstailnearthetimeofcreation(Isaiah14:12-15;Revelation12:7),progressingtothebody,andthenontotheheadsandhorns.ThisbecomesapparentasmoredetailisaddedinRevelation13:1-10and17:1-18.ForthosewhoarestudentsofDaniel,thistimecontinuumisillustratedintheDaniel2dreamoftheimage,withtimerepresentedasanimaginarylinestartingwiththeheadandtravelingstraightdownthroughthe“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,thatwhenbrokenwasreplacedwithfourhorns;thefourgeneralswhoagreedtoeachruleseparateterritoriesofGreecein301B.C.Ineachcase,the“body”oftheanimalrepresentsthekingdomand,astimemovedon,theheadsandhornsrepresentedsubsequent“kings”andlinesofkings.

SheboreamaleChildwhowastoruleallnationswitharodofiron.AndherChildwascaughtuptoGodandHisthrone.”Revelation12:5.

This“MaleChild,”borntoruleallnations,referredtoJesus.JesuswasborninthelineageofthepeopleGodchosetosharethetruth;tosharethegospeltoallnations;literalIsrael.Claimingtobeprinceofourcurrentworld,Satandidhisbestto“devour”JesusbyinstigatingKingHerodtokillallthebabiesinBethlehem(Matthew2:10-18).He

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thentriedtoenticeHimtouseHisdivinepowersforHisownbenefit,inordertonegateHissacrificeforoursinsduringthefortydaysinthewilderness,beforeHisbaptism.JesusreturnedtoHeaven,being“caughtuptoGod”afterHisministry,sacrifice,andresurrection,asLukewroteinActs1:9-11.Addressingtherulewitharodofironisoutsideourcurrentstudy,howeveratthecloseofthepre-adventjudgment(Daniel7:9-14;8:13-14;12:1;Revelation15:8),ChristwillbegrantedanuncontestedkingdomcomprisedofHisremnantpeople.Speakingofthenationsoftheworld,Johnwrote,“Heshallrulethemwitharodofiron;”“AndHeHimselfwillrulethemwitharodofiron.”Revelation2:27;19:15.(Psalm2:9).

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

God’spurechurch,Hisbride,wasforcedtofleereligiouspersecutionintoaliteralandspiritualwildernesswheretheBibletruthswerehiddenandprotected.Godforeordainedthatthefirstgreattribulationofreligiouspersecution,empoweredbycivillaws,wouldlast1,260years,expressedinprophetictimeas“days.”ThisBibleprophecyissovitalforourunderstandingthatitisreferencedinsevenverses;Daniel7:25;12:7;Revelation11:2,3;12:6,14;13:5.TheprincipleofonepropheticdayequalingoneliteralyearissupportedinNumbers14:34;Ezekiel4:4-6,Genesis29:27,andLeviticus25:1-7,andsubsequentlybythefulfillmentsoftheBiblicalpropheciesbasedonprophetictimeandliteraltime.AfinaltribulationwillshortlybeginaccordingtoJesus’descriptioninMatthew24:4-14.Theprophetic1,260-yeartimeperiodbeganonMarch12,538,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”principleofthepropheticbooksofDaniel

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andRevelation.“Michael”isidentifiedasJesus,consistentwiththeeventsdescribedinDaniel10:13,21;12:1;1Thessalonians4:15-16;andJude9.AprayerfulstudyofJob1and2leadstoanunderstandingthatthereareotherworldscreatedbyGodintheuniverseandthatSatan,theusurper,representedearthinGod’suniversalcouncils,becauseAdamandEvechosetobelieveSatanwhohadtakentheformofaserpent.Lucifer,referredtoasthe“sonofthemorning”inIsaiah14:12,wascreatedasaspecialangelwiththedutytoprotectGod’slawasoneoftwo“covering”angels(Ezekiel28:14),bringingtomindthearkofthecovenantcontainingtheTenCommandments.HewasamazinginbeautyaccordingtoEzekiel28:13.AfterthewarinHeaven,Satanandallthedeceivedangelswere“castout;”however,heretainsthepowertotransformhimselfinto“anangeloflight”(2Corinthians11:14).

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

Theloudvoicespeakingto,andheardbyJohn,isofhumanorigin.Thisisknownbecauseitrefersto“ourGod”and“ourbrethren.”Thoughscripturetellsusthatwhenpeopledietheyreturntodust,italsoidentifiesasmallgroupofpeoplethathavebeentakentoHeaven.TheseincludeEnoch,Moses,Elijah,andanunknownnumberresurrectedwithJesus(Matthew27:50-53;Ephesians4:8)aftertheirgraveswerebrokenopenduringtheearthquakeatChrist’scrucifixion.TheBibleaptlyidentifiesSatanastheaccuserofthebrethren,knownasGod’speoplein1Chronicles21:1;Job1:6;Psalm109:6;andZechariah3:1.WeseeSatan“castdown”fromhispositionasthegreatestcreatedindividualintheuniversebydiminishinghispowerandauthorityinstages,

1.DrivenoutofHeavenwithone-thirdoftheangelsnearcreation, 2.FailingtopreventChrist’sresurrection,Satanlosthisrepresentationofearth3.Atthefuturecloseofthepre-adventjudgment(Daniel12:1b)whenthesaints(“akingdom”)areentrustedtothe“SonofMan”(Jesus)bythe“AncientofDays”(TheFather)accordingtoDaniel7:14,4.WhenSatanisconfinedtoearth(thebottomlesspit)atChrist’ssecondcoming,andfinally,5.Whenhewillbethrownintothelakeoffireafteronethousandyearsspentonthedesolateearth(Revelation20:1-3,7,10).

ContinuinginRevelation12:11,weread,

AndtheyovercamehimbythebloodoftheLambandbythewordoftheirtestimony,andtheydidnotlovetheirlivestothedeath(“whenfacedwithdeath”NASB).Thereforerejoice,Oheavens,andyouwhodwellinthem!Woetotheinhabitantsoftheearthandthesea!Forthedevilhascomedowntoyou,

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havinggreatwrath,becauseheknowsthathehasashorttime.”Revelation12:11-12.

ThebloodoftheLambrepresentsourdailyjustificationbyJesusthroughHissacrificeforoursins.Isaiahconfirmsourjustification,“Heshallseethelaborofhissoul,andbesatisfied.ByHisknowledgeMyrighteousServantshalljustifymany,forHeshallbeartheiriniquities.”Isaiah53:11.John,inhisgospel,wrote,“Behold!TheLambofGodwhotakesawaythesinoftheworld!”John1:29b.Consistently,Johnadds,“ToHimwholovedusandwashedusfromoursinsinHisownblood”Revelation1:5.(1Corinthians15:3;Galatians1:4;1Peter2:24;1John2:2;Revelation5:6,9-14).Amazinggrace!ThetestimonyofGod’speopleistobeawitnessthroughimmersionbaptism(Mark1:9-11;16:15),sharingthegospel(Malachi3:16;Matthew10:32-33),andthesanctificationprocessapparentinourlivesthroughtheongoingtransformationofcharacter(2Corinthians3:2-6).Jesussaid,“Beyethereforeperfect,evenasyourFatherwhichisinheavenisperfect.”Matthew5:48KJV.Ofmajorimportanceduringthetimeoftheend,thesaints(spiritualIsrael)havetheresponsibilitytounderstandandsharethemeaningofthethreeangels’messagesofRevelation14:6-12,toeveryoneonearth.Wewillbrieflystudypartsofthispassageinchapter10.God’speoplewillstandfirminthefaceofadversityandmartyrdom.ThewriterofHebrewspointsout,“Youhavenotyetresistedtobloodshed,strivingagainstsin”Hebrews12:4.Paulassuresusin1Corinthians10:13thatalltemptationisescapablethroughthefaithofGod.ThosewhobelieveinChristourSaviourandhavetheircharacterstransformedbyHimaredescribedasheavendwellerseventhoughwearestillinhabitantsofthisearth.

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

Theword“woe”usedinRevelation12:12issignificantinscripture,alwaysforetellingdoomanddestruction.Jesususedtheterm“woe”manytimesincludingwhenHecondemnedtheleadersofliteralIsrael,thescribesandthePharisees,(Matthew23:13-33;Luke11:42-51).Intermsoftiming,someinterpretthis“woe”inRevelation,asareferencetothethirdwoe/seventhtrumpetofRevelation11:15.Ifso,the“sounding”oftheseventhtrumpet(Revelation11:15a)occurredonSeptember11,2001,theshockingeventthatdrewworldwideattentiontothethirdholywarinhistoryinitiatedbythe“KingoftheSouth”(“radical”Islamists;Daniel11:25-43),asforetoldinDaniel11:40a.ThiseventtriggeredtheUnitedStatesandWesternEuropeancountriestoinvadeIraqonMarch19,2003(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_invasion_of_Iraq),

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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).Theinterpretationthatthe“KingoftheNorth”ofDaniel11:23-45,thepapalchurchcoupledwiththelegislativeandmilitaryforceof“Christian”nations,fulfillstheinitiationofthe“whirlwind”prophecyofDaniel11:40isoutsidethisstudy,howeverthereisnoconflictbetweentheseinterpretations.IntheaforementionedinterpretationofDaniel11andRevelation8:13-9:21;11:15a,thelastthreetrumpetsaredescribedasthree“woes”andrepresenttheholywarsbetweenChristianityandIslam:

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

God’spurechurch,Hisbrideandfuturekingdomofsaints,isalwayscaughtintheliteralandspiritualmiddleofSatan’sdevisingschemes.Both“kings”ofDaniel11,theSouthandtheNorth,areenemiesofGodandHisremnantpeople.Asinhabitantsoftheearthandsea,wearewarnedthatSatanwillmakethelivesofGod’speopleverydifficult.God’speopleareadmonishedto“dwell”onheavenwhiletheyyetliveonearth.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,JohnisshowndetailsconcerningtheongoingwarbetweenChristandSatan,andsometacticstobeused.Satanandthefallenone-thirdofheaven’sangels,knownasdemonshedeceived,weretoattackGod’spurechurch,representedbythewomanofRevelation12:1.

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ThroughoutScripture,avirtuouswomanisusedasasymbolforGod’spurechurch(Ephesians5:23-27).Thechurchwasgivenspeedtoescapeandprotectionrepresentedbythetwowingsofagreateagle(Exodus19:1-5;Deuteronomy28:49;Matthew23:37).ThepurechurchisnourishedbyGod’sWordandavoidsfalsedoctrines(Isaiah8:20).“Yourwordswerefound,andIatethem,AndYourwordwastomethejoyandrejoicingofmyheart:ForIamcalledbyYourname,OLordGodofhosts.”Jeremiah15:16.Theterm“atimeandtimesandhalfthetime,”isadirectlinktoDaniel7:25,andisreferencingthe1,260yearperiodoftribulation,thefirstgreattribulationJesusdescribedinMatthew24:21andMark13:19-20.Inthisparallelprophecy,weareabouttoseethefinal,globaltribulationtooccurbeforeJesusreturns.ManywereprotectedbybeingputtorestandcontinuetoawaitthesoundofJesus’trumpetwhenHereturns.WealsoseeSatanbeingdescribedastheserpent,adirectreferencetothetemptationintheGardenofEden(Genesis3:1-5;Revelation20:2).“Thenhesaidtome,thewaterswhichyousaw,wheretheharlotsits,arepeoples,multitudes,nations,andtongues.”Revelation17:15.Aswaterisasymbolforpeoples,multitudes,nations,andtongues,Satancausedarmiestopursuethepurechurchintotheliteralwilderness,creatingaspiritualwildernessoffalsedoctrinesinanefforttoextinguishthetruthofGod’slawandthegraceextendedbyJesus’sacrifice.Revelation12:16alludestoProtestantsescapingreligiouspersecutioninEurope,establishingcoloniesintheAmericas.Inaddition,thereweresomenations,includingtheOttomanEmpire,thatassistedGod’speoplebyblockingarmiessenttopersecutethem,providingshelterduringthetimeofthereformers,mostnotablyMartinLuther.Later,theFrenchRevolutionwaslargelyarebellionagainstthepapalchurchsystemthatpersecutedthoseattemptingtoadheretothetruthsoftheBible,aswellaspeoplewhodesiredtoabandonalllawstopursueimmorality,secularism,andatheism.Apurewoman,representingGod’speople,wentintothewilderness.Aharlot,theorganizedpapalchurchformedintheearlycenturiesbymixingpaganworshipelementswiththepurewordofGodasacompromisetogainpower.Herharlotdaughters(apostate“protestant”Christianreligions),formedduring,andafter,the1,260yeartribulationthatendedin1798.

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

TheKingJamesVersionmoreaccuratelyrendersthe“restofheroffspring”as“remnantofherseed.”Thisremnant,orsmallportion,studiedtothepointofunderstandingthattheearthlysanctuaryofferingsandsacrificesbothtypifiedJesus’sacrificeandwereamodelofthetruesanctuaryinHeaven.HowdoesSatanmakewar?BycreatingacounterfeittrinityofthetrueFather,Son,andSpirit.Satanhimselfistheabyss/bottomlesspitbeast(Revelation11:7),initiatingandspreadingatheism,

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evolution,secularism,andsexualimmoralitythatarosesoblatantlyinthe1700’s,leadingupto,andduring,thetimeoftheFrenchRevolutionreferencedinRevelation11:7-13.HeisbehindtheunifyingofnationsactingagainstGod’slawandallthosewhoadheretoit.SataninfiltratedtheChristianchurchcausingittoarisefromamongthepeoplesandenforceitsowndoctrinesandteachingsbycivillegislation,blasphemingGodbypersecutingthesaints(1Timothy1:13).SataniscausingapostateProtestantstooverturnthefourthcommandment,viatheirinfluenceoncivilauthorities,bysupportinglegislationindirectoppositiontoGod’sWord.Throughaneviltrinityofspiritualism,thepapalchurchsystem,andapostateProtestantism,God’speopleareevennowsubjectedtoterriblepersecutionthatisbecomingworldwideinscoperightbeforeoureyes.Revelation12:17bprovidesthedefinitionoftheendtimesaints:theyarethosethatkeeptheTenCommandmentsandthetestimonyofallGod’sprophetsoutofdevotionandhonorfortheCreatorandSaviour,receivingthenewcovenantofJeremiah31:31-33.Johnfurtherdefinesthesaintsasthosewho,

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

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

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

Insummary,wewillconsistentlyapplytheinterpretiveprinciplesfoundinRevelation12,bydiscerningthefollowingmeanings:

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

toeitherGodorSatandependingonapplicationandcontext• Thecontinuumoftimeisrepresentedasstartingattherearortailofabeastand

progressingforwardtothebody,heads,andhorns• Theconfigurationofthedragon(Satan)showshehasbeeninfluencingafalseor

counterfeit“Christianchurch,”aswellasthenations,throughoutearth’shistoryandisfurtherreferencedanddescribedinRevelation13and17

• “Wilderness”isliterallyindicativeofasparselypopulatedarea,andspirituallyrepresentstheinabilitytoinfluenceorcontrolalargepopulation

• “Water”intheformofa“flood,”representspeopleasdefinedinRevelation17:15

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• The“purewoman”has“offspring”referringtothetrueChristianremnant

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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.

ThisseabeastcomesupwithinlargepopulationcentersandRevelation11:2warnsthatthe“Gentiles”wouldbehostiletothesaints.TheattempttoenforceecclesiasticaluniformitywithoutregardtoliteralBiblicalguidancebeganinthemiddleofthesecondcentury.Thoughnotinvestedwithlegislativepower,PopePiusI(A.D.140-155)decreedthatEastershouldonlybekeptonaSunday.JohnwasearliershownthattheGentileswould“…treadtheholycityunderfootforforty-twomonths.”Revelation11:2b.The“holycity”representsspiritualJerusalem(thesaints)andtheforty-twomonthsequatesto1,260days/years(42x30days),consistentwithinterpretativeprinciplesappliedtotheprophetictimepropheciesinthebooksofDanielandRevelation.AsnotedearlierinRevelation12:6,thepapalsystemreceivedenforcementpowersinA.D.538.Theterm“beast”isusedinDaniel7and8,nextappearinginRevelation11:7,“…thebeastthatascendsoutofthebottomlesspitwillmakewaragainstthem.”“Them”referstotheOldandNewTestaments,thattestifyofGod’struthandinspiredpropheciesfromHis“mouth”(Revelation11:5).Further,theBibleteachesusto“WorshipGod!ForthetestimonyofJesusisthespiritofprophecy.”Revelation19:10b.Theconsistentpatternisthatwhenevertheword“beast”isused,itreferstopersecutionofthesaintsandbiasagainsteverylawandinstitutionassociatedwiththetrue,CreatorGod.ThisbeastisconfiguredsimilarlyasthedragoninRevelation12.ConsistentwiththepropheciesinDaniel,additionaldetailisadded;thetenhornshave“crowns”andthereisablasphemousnameoneachofthesevenheads.Asweconsidertheblasphemousname,theBibleindicatedblasphemyiscommittedbyfalselyclaimingtobeGod(John10:33),claimingthepowertoforgivesins(Matthew9:3;26:65;Mark2:7;Luke5:21),orbypersecutingGod’struepeople(1Timothy1:13).Satanhasdeceivedmanybycarryingoveranearthlypriesthoodfrompagantradition

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intothepapalchurchaswellassomeotherprofessedChristianreligions.ThisisadirectaffronttoChrist’sministryasourHighPriestinHeavenbecauseonlyHecanforgivesinthroughthebloodofHissacrifice.ThisistobeexpectedbecauseSatancounterfeitsGodandtruthineveryimaginableway.Thefactthatthereisablasphemousname(singular)onthesevenheads,ofthebeast,providesevidencethatthisbeastisamonolithic,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,representingspiritualdominationgrantedbySatan,ralliedandalignedagainsttheGodofHeaven.Theseabeastwasalsodescribedashaving“ten”hornswithcrowns.The“crowns”denotethatthesepowerswillbegrantedauthoritybyagreaterpower,the“dragon.”Wewilllearnmuchmoreaboutthese“horns”inchapter8,coveringRevelation17:12-17.ConsistentwiththebeastsofthebookofDaniel,these“ten”hornsderivepowerfromthebeasttheyaresituatedon.AswelearnedinDaniel1:20and7:7,20,thenumber“ten”canrepresentanysignificantnumberandasinDaniel,itissymbolicforasubstantialnumber.Johndescribestheseabeastasfollows:

“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,havingalltheevilcharacteristicsoftheformercivil

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kingdomsthatruledtheworld.John’sseabeastdidnotrepresentthesepastkingdoms;itjusthadthecharacteristics,includingimageworship,ofeachofthem.HowdidthecivilpowerofImperialRometransfertopapalRome?Literally,Satangavetheblasphemousseabeast,(thepapacy),thecityofRomewhenEmperorConstantinemovedthecapitaltoByzantium,renamingitConstantinople(currentdayIstanbul)inA.D.330.ThislefttheBishopofRomeastheleadingfigureandpowerstructureremaininginthecity.PapalRomewentontocontrolEuropefrom538to1798,usingcivilauthoritytoenforcereligioustenets,an“abominationofdesolation,”legislatingandpersecutingmattersofconscienceitdefinedasheresy.Spiritually,the“Christian”Romanchurch,seekingtoconvertthepagansocietyoftheRomanempire,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,GodwasinitiallytopreserveHispeoplethroughanextendedperiodofpersecutionfor1,260years,spanningfrom538to1798.Variouscharacteristicsofthepapalchurchduringthisperiod,knownasthe“MiddleAges”or“DarkAges,”wererevealedtoJohnandrecordedinRevelation2:18-3:6.OnFebruary20,1798,theheadofthepapacy,PopePiusVI,wastakenprisonerandthepoweroftheRomanCatholicChurchwasremovedcompletelyforashorttime,allowingBibletruthtoflourish.Johnwasshown,however,this“deadlywound”wastobehealedandthewholeworldwouldfollowtheseabeastatalatertime.Interestingly,thepopenextelectedtotaketheplaceofPiusVI,chosetotakethenamePiusVII.Inaddition,in1929ItalyenteredintotheLateranTreatygrantingsovereignstatustotheVatican,ruledbyPopePiusXI.Coincidence?Notlikely!Weareprovidedaprecisenessthatcannotbeignoredconsideringcurrenteventsintheworldtoday.Indeed,theprophecystartingwiththefollowingverse,likeMatthew24,isapropheticparallel,withinitialandendtimefulfillments.

“Sotheyworshipedthedragonwhogaveauthoritytothebeast;andtheyworshipthebeast,saying,”Whoislikethebeast?Whoisabletomakewarwithhim?”Revelation13:4.

Jesusmadeitabundantlyclearthattrueworshipisincompatiblewithnon-Biblicaldoctrine.“AndinvaintheyworshipMe,teachingasdoctrinesthecommandmentsof

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men.”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).InaletterfromT.EnrightCssR,BishopofSt.AlphonsusChurch,St.Louis,Missouri,June,1905,weread:

"DearFriend,Ihaveofferedandstilloffer$1000toanyonewhocanprovetomefromtheBiblealonethatIambound,undergrievoussintokeepSundayholy.ItwastheCatholicChurchwhichmadethelawobligingustokeepSundayholy.ThechurchmadethislawlongaftertheBiblewaswritten.HencesaidlawisnotintheBible.Christ,ourLordempoweredhischurchtomakelawsbindinginconscience.Hesaidtohisapostlesandtheirlawfulsucessorsinthepriesthood"Whatsoeveryoushallbindonearthshallbebindinginheaven."Mth.16:19.Mth.18:17.Luke16:19.TheCath.ChurchabolishednotonlytheSabbath,butalltheotherJewishfestivals.Prayandstudy.Ishallbealwaysgladtohelpyouaslongasyouhonestlyseekthetruth.Respectfully,T.EnrightCssR”http://www.iaua.name/Letter.html(asof03/19/2018)

Asthepapacyisperceivedtobeonhighmoralgroundandthevoiceof“Christianity”inourtime,noindividualorentityissuccessfully“abletomakewar”against,orcriticizeit,tothepointofdiminishingitsgrowingpowerandinfluenceintheworldtoday.

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

Thepapacyexercisedpersecutorypowerforforty-twopropheticmonths(1,260days/years,endedin1798).Itdevelopedaspiritualarrogancethatwasabsoluteinpower.

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

ThepapacyblasphemedGodbyclaimingthepopetobetheVicarofGodorGod’srepresentativeonearth,withthepowertoforgivesinsbyitspriests,substitutingforChrist’sintercessoryworkintheheavenlySanctuary(Hebrews8-10;Revelation8:3).Thepapacydirectly,andindirectlyusedleverageoverthekingsofnationsitcontrolled,tokillmillionsofGod’speopleduringthe“MiddleAges.”Itdiditsbesttosilencethereformers,manyofwhichidentifiedtheRomanchurch,assymbolizedbytheseabeast.Thereareinterestingparallelsasforty-twomonthsisthreeandahalfyears.ThisisnotonlythelengthofChrist’sministry,it’salsothelengthoftimethatFrancebannedChristianity(11/26/1793to6/17/1797),initiatedbytheReignofTerror(Revelation11:7-10),duringtheFrenchRevolution.Indeed,threeandahalfyearsisthelengthoftimeGodwithheldrain(asymbolfortheHolySpirit)whenAhab(representingcivilauthorities),joinedwithhispaganwifeJezebel(representingthepapalchurch),andtheprophetsofBaalandtheAsherah(representingapostateProtestant“daughters”)inoppositionoftheprophetElijah(representingGod’sendtimeremnantpeople).TheseareexcellentstudiesandparallelsforustofurtherunderstandthattherearenocoincidencesinScripture.InRevelation13:6,weseethepapacyblasphemingGod.Thephrase,“heopenedhismouth,”isaprecursortoimportantspeech.Thepapalchurchblasphemesthreethings;God’sname(aninsulttoGod’scharacter),God’s“tabernacle”(typifyingtheplanofsalvationinthesymbolsofeachofitsarticlesoffurniture),andthosewhodwellonheavenlythemes,God’speople.Earlier,itwasnotedthatthesaintsaretodwellon(meaningthinkon)Heavenwhilecontinuingtoresideonearth.Interestingly,Paul’sprophecyin2Thessalonians2:3-4parallelsandidentifiesthecharacterattributesofthissamebeast;“…thesonofperdition,whoopposesandexaltshimselfaboveallthatiscalledGodorthatisworshipped,sothathesitsasGodinthetempleofGod,showinghimselfthatheisGod.”SatanhasalwayswantedtobeGod,toresideinthe“sidesofthenorth”(Isaiah14:12-15),toreceiveworship.Heisthe“dragon”powerbehindthepapacythatclaimstobethetruechurchwhileallotherchurchesarefalse.SatanclaimstoswitchplaceswiththeSonofGod,substitutinghispriesthoodforthatofChrist’s(Hebrews9:11-15).InDaniel8:11aweread,“HeevenexaltedhimselfashighasthePrinceofthehost.”Jesus,ourMessiah,isthePrinceofthe“host;”Hispeopleofalltheages(Daniel9:25).Satandeceivedchurchleaderstotakeanecumenicalapproachtogrowingthechurchbyintegratingpaganpracticesintoworship.Spiritually,paganismwas,andcontinuestobe,“exalted”bythecelebrationofEaster,adaptedfromthe

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fertilitygoddessEstere,bythepaganbeliefthatspiritscamebacktotheirtombs(Halloween,orHolyEvening),turningthepaganholyfirtreeintohotcrossedbuns,andChristmas,anadaptationofthesungod,DeusSolInvictus.False“Christian”doctrinesincludetheconceptof“originalsin,”“infusedrighteousness,”“sacraments,”“transubstantiation,”meritbasedeternallife,and“indulgences,”noneofwhichhaveBiblicalsupport.“ThemightyCatholicChurchwaslittlemorethantheRomanEmpirebaptized.”AlexanderClarenceFlick,TheRiseoftheMedievalChurch,p.148.WemustavoidanyandallfalsespiritualmeaningassociatedwiththesereligiousholidaysandritualsofhumanoriginthatmightinadvertentlyleadotherstobelieveGodsanctionedthemassacredinanyway.

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

Theseabeast/papacypersecutedGod’speoplefor1,260longyears,temporarilyceasingin1798.Thislengthyperiodwasreferredtoasthe“tribulation”byJesus,asrecordedinMatthew24:21-22,29andMark13:19-20,24.Thisisanimportantpointtounderstandandthosewhoprayerfullyreadandstudythesetwogospelsources,withinthelargercontextsofthesechapters,willgaingreatinsight.MuchofChristendomisdeceivedonthenatureofthefinaltribulationstilltocomebelievingthatitwilllasteitherthreeandhalforsevenyearspunctuatedbyapartialrapture.Tobesure,therewillbeagreatpersecutionknownasJacob’stimeoftroublesuchastheworldhasneverbeforeexperienced(Jeremiah30:5-7;Daniel12:1b).ThisinterpretiveerrorisinconsistentfromwhattheBiblesays,providingmisunderstandingofthetimepropheciesrelatingtothe“tribulation”andisgivingfalsecomfortthatGodwillprovideasecondchance,afterfirstcomingtorescuetherighteous.ThereisnoBiblicalsupportforthesetheories.TheBibleisveryclearaboutJesus’return.Eversincetheseeminglyfatalwoundthepapalchurchwasdealtin1798,ithasbeengettingstronger,extendingitspowerviaitssovereignstatestatuswithinthenationsofearth,andinfluencingwarsthroughcivilgovernmentsandtheUnitedNations,whilebuildinginfluenceintheUnitedStates.Soon,

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

Howwilltheyworshiphim?BychoosingtoignoretheTenCommandments,specificallythefourththatstartswith“Remember.”The“BookofLife”isareferencetoGod’swrittenarchivesmentioneddirectlyatleastseventimesintheBible(Exodus32:33;Malachi3:16;Luke10:20;Philippians4:3;Revelation3:5;20:12;21:27).ThosewhohaveacceptedChrist’srobeofrighteousness(Isaiah61:10)willkeepGod’slawoutofdevotionandrespectforHim.TheirnameswillremainintheBookofLife.Itisthelawitselfthatdefineswhatsinis.ItisherethatwearedirectedtoJesus,theLambofGodthatwasslainforoursins(1Peter1:19-21).Revelation13:9pronouncesanemphatic

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commandforalltopaycloseattentiontothesewords:

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

Thepapacyteachesablended,corruptedsystemofworshipthatleadspeopleintothecaptivityofsin(Romans7:23;2Timothy3:6).Forcenturiesthepapacypersecutedallwhorefusedtofollowitspaganpractices(Daniel8:23-25).Literally,NapoleondeclaredanendofthepapacyonFebruary15,1798.GeneralBerthierarrestedPopePiusVIonFebruary20,takinghimtoFrance,wherehediedinprisonin1799.Spiritually,JesuswillputanendtoSatan’scounterfeitreligionswhenHereceivesthekingdomofthesaintsandsoonafterthat,willliterallyreturntoresurrectthesaintsandtotakeHislivingremnantpeople,the“kingdom,”(Daniel7:14)toHeaven(1Thessalonians4:13-17).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.MayweeachleavethelukewarmLaodiceanchurchandjointhechurchofPhiladelphiadescribedinRevelation3:7-13byopeningthedoorofourheartsforJesus!Insummary,weconsistentlycarryforwardtheinterpretiveprinciplesfoundinRevelation13:1-10,bydiscerningthefollowingmeanings:

• Justasweunderstand“water”torepresentpeople,a“sea”representsalargepopulation(Isaiah17:12;Jeremiah51:13;Revelation17:15)

• The“seabeast”istheRomanCatholicChurchsystem,referencedinDaniel7:8;8:9asthe“little,talkinghorn”power

• Theterm“beast,”isusedwhenacivilorreligiouspower,coupledwithcivilauthority,persecutesGod’speople,coercingmattersofconscience

• The“heads”representthelinesofleadersoftheRomanCatholicChurch,thepopes

• “Crowns”indicateapowerthatiscoronatedbyahigherpowerSpecialnotetoChristianreaders:TheChristian“church”iscomprisedofapproximately2.4billionpeople,dispersedamongthousandsofchurchsystemsandorganizedreligions.TheRomanCatholicChurchsystemisthelargest,andmostenduring,ofall.Whilenearlyallofthesechurchstructuresarecorruptedbynon-Biblicaldoctrines,theindividualmembershave,orwillhave,opportunitytolearnandacknowledgetheabsolutetruthsoftheBiblebeforeearth’sprobationisclosed.ItisinthespiritofGod’s

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graceandabsolutetruth,thatthisstudyexposesanddiscussesthemeaningofthesymbolsinBibleprophecyspecificallyprovidedbyGodforthelastgeneration.

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Chapter4

Revelation13:11-17–TheEarthBeastRiseoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaandApostateProtestantism

TheLordcontinuedtorevealthefuturetoJohninvisionandhewrote:

“ThenIsawanotherbeastcomingupoutoftheearth,andhehadtwohornslikealambandspokelikeadragon.”Revelation13:11.

Thisbeasthastwohornsthatarelikealambhoweveritisnotalamb.BeginningwiththeGenesisaccountofCainandAbel,continuingthroughouttheOldTestamentsacrificialservices,thelambisalwaysasymbolforChrist.ThiscontinuesintheNewTestamentwithJohntheBaptistrecognizedHimbysaying“Behold!TheLambofGodwhotakesawaythesinoftheworld!”John1:29(Revelation5providesasummation).Thisbeastisseencomingoutoftheearth,meaningthatthispowerwastoarisedifferentlythanthepowersprecedingitthatcamefromthe“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.Indeed,muchofRevelation11hasadualfulfillmentincludingbothrevolutionaryFranceandtheendtimeworldwiderebellionagainstGod.Whileindecline,theUSAhadnot“spoken,”usinglegislationtocompelpeopletoactagainsttheirconscience,upuntil2015.OnJune26,2015thehighestlegislativebodyinthenation,theSupremeCourt,overturnedGod’sinstitutionofmarriagebeingonly

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betweenamanandawoman.ThisrulingisadirectaffronttoGod,Hislaw,andcreationitself.Further,thisrelationshiprunscountertotheBiblicalconceptofJesusasthe“Bridegroom”andHischurchsymbolizedasthe“bride.”Coupledwiththeseventh-daySabbathasasacredmemorialtotheCreator,thesetwoinstitutionshadtheirorigininthecreationweek(Genesis1-2).Thisrulingisleadingtoarapidincreaseinlawlessnessandlicentiousness,andanoveralldeclineoftheworld’scivilizationwilloccur.ThisgrowinganarchyisleadingtoapopulousmovementintheUSAthatwilldemandthattheirlegislatorspasslawstolegislateafalseworshipbyitsowndefinition,aworks-basedformsimilartothatofCain’soffering(Genesis4),inafailingbidtoregainGod’sblessinginthefaceofsocietaldeclineanddisastersofallkinds.

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

The“firstbeast,”thepapacy,lostthecivilpowerstoenforceitsdoctrinesin1798andhaseversincebeenplottingtoregaintheauthoritytopersecutethosewhoholdthattheBibleisGod’sunerringWord,alwaystakingprecedentabovethelawsofman.Aswasearlierdiscovered,theterm“beast”isusedwhenacivilorreligiousauthorityispersecutingthesaints.Fromaprayerful,carefulreadingofthisverse,theLordistellingusthatthepapacywillinitiallyregainpersecutorypowers(its“deadlywound”willbefully“healed”),inWesternEurope,whereithasenjoyedclosegovernmentalrelationshipsformanycenturies(e.g.http://blog.acton.org/archives/99351-who-really-benefits-from-polands-sunday-shopping-ban.html).TherelationshipbetweenthepapalchurchandthevariousgovernmentsofWesternEurope,wasforetoldinthedreamsoftheimageinDaniel2.Thevariousmetalsintheimagerepresentednations.InJeremiah18:6,weseetheLordequatingIsrael,investedwithGod’struereligion,asclayinapotter’shand.Daniel2:41describesthefeetas“ironmixedwithmiryclay”KJV.Thismiry,or“sticky”clay,representsacloserelationship.(ThecompositionoftheclayinthetoesisdistinctlydifferentinDaniel2:42,usingtheAramaicword“chasaph,”meaning“brittle”ESV).TheUSAwilladoptthesamefalseworshipforms,thencausealltheearth’snationstofollowthesamepractices,possiblyviasomeleveragedposition,useoftheUnitedNations(e.g.https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld),orappealforreligiousrevivalamidglobalunrest,wars,andterriblenaturaldisasters.Legislationwillbedemandedbyapopulousmovementeagertoexchangefreedomforsupposedsafety,withoutregardforconstitutionalrights.Theywillstatethatforthe“commongood”certainindividualrightswillneedtobewaived.Itwillbeurgedbyavastmajoritythattheearthneedsa“sabbath”rest,therebycausing“…theearth…toworship”thedayofthe“firstbeast,”Sunday.Theseterribleeventsarecertain,asJesusdescribedinMatthew24,Mark13,andLuke21,however,theantidoteisnotlegislationoreventhepracticeofreligion;itiscompleteandtotalsurrendertoJesusourSaviour.Nevertheless,usingsimilarreasoningasdidCaiaphaswhenhesaid“…itisexpedientforusthatonemanshoulddieforthepeople,andnotthatthewholenationshouldperish”

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(John11:50;18:14),theUSAwillfinallyjustifysettingasidetheFirstAmendmentrighttoexercisefreedomofreligionandcompelandenforceworshipcontrarytotheTenCommandments.TheCatholicChurchunashamedlyclaimstohaveuseditsauthoritytochangetheSabbathfromtheseventh-daytothefirst-day.ApostateProtestantleadershavefollowedtheSundayinstitutioninthefaceofoverwhelmingevidencethatthepapacyissymbolizedbythelittle/talkinghornofDaniel7and8,directlyfulfillingtheprophecy“…Andshallintendtochangetimesandlaw…”Daniel7:25.TheCatholicCatechismchangestheTenCommandmentsinExodus20bycompletelyeliminatingthesecondcommandmentaboutidolworship,eliminating“seventhday”fromthefourthcommandment,thendividingthetenthcommandmentintotwo,inordertoretain“ten”commandments.Inaddition,PopeGregoryXIII(1572-1585)institutedthecalendarusedtodayinmostoftheworld.TheGregoriancalendarwasintroducedin1582,changingthestartofanewdayfromtheevening,institutedatcreation(Genesis1),tomidnight.ThepassageofDaniel11:23-45revealsmuchaboutthepapacy,hereidentifiedastheKingoftheNorth.Onepointmadehasbearinghere.Daniel11:45asaysofthepapacy,“Andheshallplantthetentsofhispalacebetweentheseasandthegloriousholymountain…”Thissymboliclanguageindicatesthatitsdoctrineshavebeenplacedbetweenthepeople(seas)andtheGodhead(gloriousholymountain),testifiedofbyGod’sWord.Thesefalsedoctrineshaveobstructedtrueworship,accordingtotheBible,betweenthepeopleandGodtheCreatorthroughacompelled,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,popularvoiceofthemultitudesalongwithapostateProtestantleaders.LegislativeleaderscontrollingthethreebranchesoftheUnitedStatesgovernmentwillcomply,despiteandindisregardtotheConstitutionalrightofreligiousfreedom.Thisearthbeast,then,istheUnitedStatesgovernmentanditsagenciesofenforcement,encouragedbythereligious“right”ofapostateProtestantleaders,fosteringanecumenicalrelationshipwiththeRomanCatholicChurch.

“Heperformsgreatsigns,sothatheevenmakesfirecomedownfromheavenupontheearthinthesightofmen.”Revelation13:13.

Revelation13:13indicatesthatGodwillgrantSatanthepowertoliterallycounterfeitElijah’sexperienceonMountCarmel(1Kings18:16-45),thoughthistimetheimmediate

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outcomewillbedifferent.ThosewhohavearmedthemselveswithGod’sWordwillnotbedeceived,howeverthisevilangelwillhavetheappearanceofawonderfulmanifestationoflight.SatanwillusethismanifestationtocommunicateunbiblicaldoctrinesbyimpersonatingChrist(Matthew24:23-25;Mark13:21-23;Luke17:22-37;Galatians1:6-9).HewillcallforSundaysacrednessandworship.Therearealsospiritualfulfillmentsintheformoffalserevivals,precedingatruerevivaltheBiblecallsthelatterrain,indicatingthattheSpiritwillcomewithfargreaterpowerthantheformerrainthattookplaceontheDayofPentecostjustafterJesusreturnedtoHeaven,fortydaysafterHisresurrection.JustasGod’s“fire”representedtheoutpouringoftheHolySpirit,Satan’s“fire”isasymbolfor“unclean”spiritsthatwilldeceivealargepercentageoftheearth’sinhabitants.(Forfurtherstudyontheformerandlatterrains,seeDeuteronomy11:1-17;Isaiah10:27;58:12;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,encouragedbyapostateProtestantleadership,withthebackingofaswellingpopulousvoice,willbecomethe“falseprophet”referredtoinRevelation16:13;19:20.Theearthbeast/USA/falseprophetwillsetupasystemprovidingenablinglegislationthatprescribespunishmentsforthosewhofirmlyfollowGod’slawratherthanman’s.

“Hewasgrantedpowertogivebreathtotheimageofthebeast,thattheimageofthebeastshouldbothspeakandcauseasmanyaswouldnotworshiptheimageofthebeasttobekilled.”Revelation13:15.

LawsconcerningSundaysacrednesswillinitiallybeaminorintrusionundertheguiseofpromotingfamilyvalues,environmentalprotection,spiritualwellbeing,physicalrest,andnationalallegiancesharedwiththemajority.Theywillnotbereligiousinnature,initially.Associetycontinuesitsrapiddeclineintolawlessness,and,inthefaceofincreasing“natural”disasters,persecutionofseventh-daySabbathkeepers,thosehonoringtheBibleliterallyasGod’sWord,willincreasewithpenaltiesbecomingmorestringent,upto,andincluding,death.

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Whatwilltriggertheselaws?It’snothardtoseethethirdholywarconflictbetweensocalledChristianpeoplesandnationswarringwithMuslimsandIslamicnations,leadingtoatestofnationalloyaltydifferentiatingthosewhofollowoneortheother.Already,leadersaretalkingaboutadministeringan“ideologicaltest”todeterminethesincerityofimmigrants.Interestingly,Islam’sholydayisFriday,whilethe“Christian”holydayisSunday.OnewayofidentifyingMuslimbelieversinthemanycountriesunderattack,wouldbetohavethemrepudiatetheirreligionandaffirmSundaysacrednessasatestofcitizenship,andtoreceivestatebenefits.God’speoplewillwatchandseehowthisconflictdevelops,prayingfortheopportunitytosharethegospelofJesuswithourMuslimfriendsandneighbors.Already,thosewhobelieveintheliteralBiblehavebeenlabeledasextremistsandfundamentalistsintheUnitedStates,andbyPopeFrancis.ThetimeisrapidlyapproachingwhenallpeoplewillbefacedwithachoicetoeitherfollowGod’sTenCommandments,acknowledgingthatHeexistsandisourCreator,or,thelawsofman.Satandemandscompleteallegiance.OurRedeemerpleadsforitbutdoesnotforceit.Naturally,thesaintswillbecastinthemostnegative,derisivelightpossible.Everypastactionandcommunicationwillbebroughttolightinordertoembarrass,coerce,anddiscreditGod’speople.ThevastmajoritywillcompromiseabsoluteBibletruthinordertoavoidpersonalconflictandearthlyloss.Asleadersyieldtheirintegrityforearthlypowerandcomfort,Satanwill,justashedidwithKingHerodandthroughoutthedarkages,influencewaveafterwaveofpersecutioninordertoforceallegiancetohim.SimilartothestoryofEstherintheBible,anorderwillgoforthtokillallSabbathkeepersonacertaindate.(Esther3:12-13).Oneoftheearlypunishmentsdesignedtoinducealltoacknowledgethelawsofman,includingSundaysacredness,willbetorestrictcommerce.

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

Thisrestrictionwillgrowtobecomeaworldwidelaw,andwilllikelybetoutedasawaytomonitorandcontroltraffickingofillegalsubstances,goods,andservices.Thetechnology,bothhardwareandsoftware,isoperationalandcouldeasilybeaccomplished,evenretainingcashbutrequiringa“smart”identificationcardorbiometricscanforeverytransaction.Alreadyvastdatabankshaveyearsofhistoricaldataoneverypersonwhotravelsand/orcommunicateselectronically.Here,weareintroducedtothe“markofthebeast.”InIsaiah66:19,theLorddescribesitasa“sign”thatwillbesetamong“Thosewhosanctifythemselves…”(Isaiah66:17).Itisdescribedasbeingineithertheforeheadortherighthandsofallpeoplethatwishtocontinuetotransactbusiness,buyfood,obtainhealthcareandmedicines,orpay

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mortgages,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.AcarefulstudyoftheearthlycostofdiscipleshipiswellworthourprayerfulconsiderationasJesustaughtinLuke9:57-62.ThosewhostandfirmintheirBiblebasedconvictions,aremnantwho“escape”accordingtoIsaiah66:19,willreceiveGod’ssealandwillevangelizethenations.

“ThenIsawanotherangelascendingfromtheeast,havingthesealofthelivingGod.Andhecriedwithaloudvoicetothefourangelstowhomitwasgrantedtoharmtheearthandthesea,saying,“Donotharmtheearth,thesea,orthetreestillwehavesealedtheservantsofourGodontheirforeheads.”Revelation7:2-3.

NoticeGod’ssealisonlygivenintheforeheadsofthesaints.ThisindicatestheuseofourintelligencewhenweconsiderGod’screationweek,Hisplanofsalvation,the100%veracityoftheprophets,andthesacrificeofChrist’sownbloodtopaythepriceofoursins…suchamazinggrace!ItisfaithintheLordthatwillenablethesaintstoplaceearthlythingsintheperspectiveofspendingeternitywithourCreatorandSaviour.God’ssealisourdevotedworshipaccordingtoHisLaw,theTenCommandments(Revelation14:7,11-12),includingallHisstatutes,precepts,andjudgmentsasprovidedtoMoses.God’ssealisalsodescribedinEzekiel9:4,wherewelearnthatthosereceivingithaveobtainedtheverycharacterofGodandperfectioninChrist,whilemourningthosewhohavechosentoservetheworld.Asnotedinchapter3,legislationattemptingtogovernorcontrolman’sdutytoGodasHedefinedatcreation,andinthefirstfourcommandments(Exodus20:3-11),isanabomination.JesuswarnsHispeopleinMatthew24,Mark13,andLuke21whattowatchforanddoatthistime.Hecomingledtwoimportantevents;thatoftheliteraldestructionofJerusalem(A.D.70),andHisrisingfrom(completing)judgmentduringthetimeoftheend.AsthesiegeofJerusalembyGaiusCestiusGallusduringtheFeastofTabernaclesinA.D.66wasthesigntoleavecities,Sundaylegislationwillbeoursigntoleave.JustasallChristiansescapedthehorrificeventsbyleavingJerusalem,HispeoplewillheedthewarningandimmediatelyaretoleavethecitiesasSundaylegislationisproposed,inourimmediatefuture.The“abominationofdesolation”predictionhadaliteral,localfulfillmentwhenTitusresumedthesiegethreeandonehalfyearslaterwiththedestructionofJerusaleminA.D.70andwillhaveaworldwideliteralandspiritual

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fulfillmentwhenman’slawsconflictwithGod’slaw.TheUnitedStatesisa“beast,”byoverturningGod’slawofmarriagebeingbetweenonemanandonewoman.Insummary,wewillconsistentlycarryforwardtheinterpretiveprinciplesfoundinRevelation13:11-17,bydiscerningthefollowingmeanings:

• The“earthbeast”or“lamblikebeast”representstheUnitedStatesofAmerica,comingundertheinfluenceofapostateProtestants

• The“image”isacopyoflegislatedSundaysacredness,enactedthroughpapalinfluence,anddemandedbya“majority,”anxioustogiveupreligiousfreedomforsupposed“peaceandsafety”(Ezekiel7:25;13:10;1Thessalonians5:3)

• The“markofthebeast”istheacceptanceofman-madelawsanddoctrinesthatconflictwithGod’slaw,inordertoconductcommerceandbusinesstransactions

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Chapter5

Revelation13:18–Wisdom,Understanding,andCalculationTheword“wisdom”inRevelation13:18isdirectlylinkedtoRevelation17:9,indicatingthiscallforcalculationinvolvesthe“heads”ofthedragon/beastdescribedinRevelation12,13,and17.

“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,“Thereforewhenyouseetheabominationofdesolation,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.

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

ThisverseshowsusthatrespectanddevotionfortheLordinvolveskeepingHisTenCommandmentsandisnecessaryinordertoreceivebothwisdomandunderstandingofspiritualmatters.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”andthathisnumberis“666.”Additionalcluesoftheidentityofthismanareprovidedin2Thessalonians2:3-4andRevelation17:8,11.WhileidlespeculationisnotconducivetoprovidinghopeandbuildingfaithinGod’splanandtheveracityofHisWord,here,wearegivenspecificinformationandtoldtoperformacalculationandtounderstanditsimportanceinendtimeevents,basedoncontextandplacementinthebookofRevelation.“AndnowIhavetoldyoubeforeitcomes,thatwhenitdoescometopass,youmaybelieve.”John14:29.WeareassuredinAmos3:7that,“SurelytheLordGoddoesnothing,unlessHerevealsHissecrettoHisservantstheprophets.”Anamazingpromise!

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Aswestudiedinchapterone,literalBabylonbecameaworldpowerleadinguptoitsconquestofJerusalemandthesoutherntribesofIsrael.TheBiblefirstmentionsBabyloninGenesis10:10,whenNimrod,adescendentofNoah’scursedson,Ham,oversawthebuildingoffourcitiesinMesopotamiaincludingBabel(http://www.bible-history.com/babylonia/BabyloniaHistory_of_Babylonia.htm)inabout2300B.C.Itishere,whereGodHimselfdestroyedthetowerbeingbuilt,thatwecometounderstandthiscultureanditspeopleweredefiant,rejectingthetrueGod.Itishereapparent,thatbothliteralBabylonandspiritualBabylonareSatan’scounterfeittoliteralandspiritualJerusalem.OnecityrepresentspeopleinrebellionagainstGod,theother,thosewhohavehumblyrecognizedtheirtotaldependenceonGod.Danielchapters2to4makeitveryclearthatheaven’sdoorisopentoall,fromtheleasttothegreatest,includingpaupersandkingsinallcultures,eveninBabylonitself!TheBabyloniancultureinDaniel’sday(605-539B.C.)washighlyadvanced.Itusedasexagesimalnumericalsystem,whichhasabaseof60.ThatiswhywereadinDaniel3:1thatNebuchadnezzarbuilttheimagesixtycubitshighbysixcubitswide.Thoughweuseabase10mathematicalsystemformostthings,thebase60systemisstillinusetoday,tomeasuretime,angles,andgeographiccoordinates.WhenNebuchadnezzarbuiltthecityofBabylon,herebuilttheruinsofaziggurat,apyramidtypestructurenamedEtemenanki,dedicatingittothegodMarduk(itssymbolwasasnake-dragon!),asasubstitutefora“mountain,”forthepurposeofworshipoftheirmanygods(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etemenanki).ItislikelythattheseweretheunfinishedruinsoftheTowerofBabel,referencedinGenesis11.Babylonianastronomershadcarefullystudiedtheheavens,dividingthemintotwelve“signs”ofthirtydegrees,eachwiththirtydays.Inthiszodiacstarcalendar,eachgroupingofstarswasassignedthreedeitiesorgods.Itspaganpriestsworemedallions,knownasamulets,withatabledisplaying36numbersassociatedwitheachofthesegods,asaprotectingcharm.Thesetablesofnumberswerearrangedinasquare(6x6)insuchawaythatwheneachroworcolumnwasadded,thetotalwas111.Byextensionthen,addingeitherthetotaloftherowsorthecolumns,givesthesumof666(http://hackya.com/us/babylonian-sun-seal-square/).ThisidentifierofspiritualBabylonwasprovidedbytheangeltobeusedinRevelation17:10-11.Thismeansthatadding1+2+3…34+35+36=666!(Seeappendix).Insummary,wewillconsistentlyapplytheinterpretiveprinciplesfoundinRevelation13:18,bydiscerningthefollowingmeanings:

• Theterm“666”referstoaspecificmanwhoisinoppositiontoGodand,therefore,alignedwithSatan

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

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Chapter6

Revelation17:1-6–TheGreatHarlotAsweopenRevelation17,thenecessityofunderstandingtheScripturepreviouslycoveredinthisstudybecomesapparent.TheinterveningsectionofRevelationchapters14to16,containsvitalinformation,fillinginmanydetailsaboutendtimeeventsandfactsinrelationtotherighteousandthewicked.Allwhoprayerfullyreadandconsiderthesechapterswillberichlyblessed,asunderstandingthemisimperativetogainacorrectunderstandingofendtimeevents,tosharetheeverlastinggospel,andinpersonalpreparationtomeetourLord.

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

InRevelation16,therearesevenangels,eachhavinga“bowl”filledwithaplague.Oneoftheseangels,potentiallythesixthangelthatpouredoutaplaguedryinguptheEuphratesRiver(spirituallysymbolicforsupportbeingwithdrawnfromcounterfeitreligioussystems),comestoexpandandprovidemoredetailsforJohnofthejudgmentoftheharlot.Judgmentcantaketheformofpunishment,andthisspecificactisfurtherexplainedinRevelation18:6-8,whichisoutsidethisstudy.FromRevelation12,weknowthatawomanrepresentsachurchor“bride”intheBible,withChristasthe“Bridegroom.”Inthiscase,however,thebrideisaharlot.Regrettably,therearemanyexamplesofGod’speopleleavingrighteousnessandembracingidolatry.(e.g.Exodus34:15-16;Judges8:27;Jeremiah3:6,8;Ezekiel23:19;Nahum3:4,etc.).Isaiahnoted,“Howthefaithfulcityhasbecomeaharlot!Itwasfullofjustice;Righteousnesslodgedinit,butnowmurderers.”Isaiah1:21.ThispassageshowsthatGod’struepeopleareknownasa“faithfulcity,”spiritualJerusalem.LaterinRevelation,welearnthatthesaintsarethe“NewJerusalem,”implyingthecompletionoftheinterveningjudgmentprocessandtheantithesisofSatan’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),istheRoman

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CatholicChurchsystem,literallycontrollingorinfluencingalargeportionoftheearth’spopulation,whilemasqueradingasthe“Christianchurch.”Itisworthyagaintorecognizethat,whilethissystemistheharlot,therearemanysaintswithinthischurchandmanyotherreligionsthatJesuswillcalloutbeforeit’stoolate(Revelation18:4-5).ThesubjectofthejudgmentofGodhasbecomesounpopularintoday’spoliticallycorrectenvironmentthatonealmostcannotfindthesubjectaddressedinthechurchestoday.Itisthistopicthatleadsreligiousleaderstoavoidthepropheciesfromthepulpit.TheBibleisclearthatGodisjust;thatHewillcomeasaswordandthatmanywillnotbejudgedworthyordesirousofeverlastinglife,accordingtoHisterms.Revelation17:2isacontinuationfromRevelation13:1-10,wherewenotedthatthepapalchurchcommitted“fornication”withthenationsofEuropefor1,260years,endingin1798.TheBibleisveryclearandpreciseaboutthis;“Adulterersandadulteresses!DoyounotknowthatfriendshipwiththeworldisenmitywithGod?WhoeverthereforewantstobeafriendoftheworldmakeshimselfanenemyofGod.”James4:4.Ourcurrentworlddefinessuccessbytheacquisitionofmoneyandcontrollingpower,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.”

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Uponcarefulconsiderationofthedoctrines,teachings,andtraditionsoftheRomanCatholicChurch,manyhavenoBiblicalsupport.Thereason:theywereadoptedfrompagantraditions,postulatedduringthemiddleagesfornefariouspurposes,orblatantlyplacedintoeffectbyachurchclaimingithasauthoritythatsupersedestheBible.Duringthetimeoftheend,theBibleidentifiesspiritualBabylonasareligiouspowerthatwillexertinfluencethatwillleverageorcontrolallnationsonearth!

“Forallthenationshavedrunkofthewineofthewrathofherfornication,thekingsoftheearthhavecommittedfornicationwithher,andthemerchantsoftheearthhavebecomerichthroughtheabundanceofherluxury.”Revelation18:3.

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

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

Johnwastakeninvisiontothewilderness,ordesert.ThissamewordisusedtwiceinRevelation12,describingaplacewhereGodpreservedthesaints.Inthiscase,however,awomanisseensittingonascarlet(thecolorofsin;Isaiah1:18)beast(Revelation17:9clarifiesshewasspecificallyseatedonthebeast’ssevenheads).Thisword“wilderness”isalsotranslated“desert,”indicatingamarkedtransitionofthisbeastwithsevenheadsandtenhorns,similartothebeastdescribedinRevelation13:1-10,asarisingfromthesea.Whathappenedtothepapalchurchthatoncecontrolledpeople,multitudes,nations,andtongues?Asearlierdiscussedinchapter3,onFebruary15,1798NapoleonBonaparteoutlawedthechurchforseveralyearsandonFebruary20,1798,PopePiusVIwastakenprisoner.Abruptly,thepapalchurchfounditselfwithoutthesupportofnations,afterenjoying1,260yearsofincestuousrelationshipswiththecountriesofEurope.Suddenly,theRomanCatholicChurch,thegreatharlot,founditselfinthe“wilderness,”whereitwasnolongerabletowieldinfluencewithinthecivilgovernmentsofEuropetosupportitsreligioustenetsthroughlegislation,civilpenalties,andoutrightpersecution.

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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”bytheactofpersecutingGod’speoplebeforehisconversionontheroadtoDamascus(1Timothy1:13).ThescarletbeastofRevelation17maybeseenasthenationsthatwillsoonagaindothebiddingofapostatereligions,directedagainstGod’scommandmentkeepingpeople.ThegreatharlotofRevelation17:1,nolongerabletocontrolthemasses,nowisdepictedasawomaninRevelation17:3,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.”Itisnocoincidencethatthecardinalsandofficialsofthepapalchurchusepurpleandscarletasofficialcolorsintheirformaldress.AverysimilardescriptionwaspennedbyDanielsome630yearsearlierashedescribedthe“kingofthenorth,”“Butintheirplaceheshallhonoragodoffortresses,andagodwhichhisfathersdidnotknowheshallhonorwithgoldandsilverwithpreciousstonesandpleasantthings.”Daniel11:38.Evenacasualinspectionofthecathedrals,ofthesolemnityassignedtochurchdesignated“saints,”andparticularlyofMary,whomthechurchencouragesitscongregatestoprayto,confirmsthattheRomanCatholicChurchsystemisherereferenced.Again,Jeremiah51:7comestomind:“BabylonwasagoldencupintheLord’shand,thatmadealltheearthdrunk.Thenationsdrankherwine;thereforethenationsarederanged.”Itisnotacoincidencethattherearesixarticlesofdressattributedtothiswoman:purple,scarlet,gold,preciousstones,pearls,andagoldencup!The“goldencup”presentsafalse,externalChristianity,howeverthe“wine”insiderevealsthecorruption,thefalsedoctrines,within.Jesusoffered“newwine,”inLuke

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5:37-38,tobestoredin“newwineskins,”representingHispeople.Likewise,HewarnedthereligiousleadersofHisday,

“Woetoyou,scribesandPharisees,hypocrites!Foryouarelikewhitewashedtombswhichindeedappearbeautifuloutwardly,butinsidearefullofdeadmen’sbonesandalluncleanness.Evensoyoualsooutwardlyappearrighteoustomen,butinsideyouarefullofhypocrisyandlawlessness.”Matthew23:27-28

Belshazzar’ssin,recordedinDaniel5,indicateshetookGod’sgoldenvesselsandfilledthemwithcorruptingwine,adirectaffronttotheLord.ThemixingandacceptanceofbeliefsandpracticesnottaughtbytheBibleisdrinkingthiswine.Interestingly,Daniel5:4notessix“gods”thatthepeople“praised”inthefinalpartyofBabylon:“gold,silver,bronze,iron,wood,andstone.”Johnisnowdrawntoamessagewrittenontheforeheadofthewomansittingonthebeast.Itreads, “MYSTERY,BABYLONTHEGREAT,THEMOTHEROFHARLOTSANDOFTHE ABOMINATIONOFTHEEARTH.”Revelation17:5.Inourstudyofthemarkofthebeast,describedinRevelation13:16-17and14:9-12,wenotedthedistinctionofwherethemarkwasreceived,aseitherintheforeheadorthehand.Incontrast,God’ssealwouldonlybeprovidedintheforeheadsofthesaints(Revelation7:3;14:9;Ezekiel9:4).Ourforeheadsaresymbolicastheseatoflearningandtruecharacter(Ezekiel3:4-9).Paulsaid,“…withthemindImyselfservethelawofGod,butwiththefleshthelawofsin.”Romans7:25b.TheGreekwordfor“mystery”isusedfourtimesinRevelation.InRevelation1:20,it’sdefinedwithintheverse.Ofgreatinterest,isitsuseinRevelation10:7:“butinthedaysofthesoundingoftheseventhangel,whenheisabouttosound,themysteryofGodwouldbefinished,asHedeclaredtoHisservantstheprophets.”Inordertodeterminewhatmysteryisbeingreferredto,asignificantclueabouttimingisprovided.Fortimeandspacepurposes,thisisbrieflyaddressedasfollows:Thesevenangelswithseventrumpetsareintroduced,anddescribed,inRevelation8,9,and11:15a.Thelastthreetrumpetsoundingsarereferredtoasthethree“woes”toalltheinhabitantsoftheearth(Revelation8:13).Asmentionedbrieflyinchapter2,basedontheinterpretationofDaniel11:25-43,theconclusionisthatthese“woes”refertothethreeholywarsbetweenapostateChristianityandIslam.The“Christian”forcesincludenationswithabaseofChristianity,andtheIslamicforceshistoricallyincludedArabIslam,OttomanIslam,andthecurrentwardeclaredbyradicalIslam,coupledwithIslamicbasednations.ThiscurrentwartookonaworldwidescopewiththeradicalIslamic(“KingoftheSouth,”Daniel11:25-43)attacksontheUnitedStates,onSeptember11,2001,fulfillingtheroleoftheKingoftheSouthinDaniel11:40a.The

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UnitedStatesrespondedbyinvadingIraqinMarch2003,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(combinedastheKingoftheNorth).Thispromptsthelogicalquestion,what“mystery”didGod“finish”(fulfill,complete,accomplish)immediatelybefore2001and/or2014?AnimportantrulewhensearchingforthesymbolicmeaningofaparticularwordinprophecyistofirstlookwithinthesamebookforcluesbeforeventuringtootherpropheciesintheBible.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.

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

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“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.AsourCreator,Jesusisthe“Bridegroom”ofthetruechurch.Heisemphaticabouttheimportanceofthelaw.Indeed,itisthebasisforGod’sKingdom,andwhatdefinesourdutyasHisservants.Satanisintenselyworkingtodeceivethenationsaswellasthechurchesthroughagarbofapparentrighteousnesssoontobecoupledbytheforceoflaw.Firstthegreatharlotlosther“daughters,”thereformers,thenher“husband,”thenations,in1798.The“daughters”wereformallyrecoveredonOctober31,2017(https://religionnews.com/2017/07/06/reformed-churches-endorse-catholic-lutheran-accord-on-key-reformation-dispute/)sotherecoveryofthenations(the“husband”ofthegreatharlot)willsoonfollow.Thiscounterfeit“family”hasbeenformedinoppositionandrebellionagainstGod.Bynow,thementionoftheabominationsoftheearthbecomesclear.Theseareunbiblicaldoctrines,religioustraditionsandcustoms,intoleranceforwhatispureandholy,andtheenforcementofman-madereligionthroughderision,isolation,legislation,punishment,andpersecution.God’struepeoplehavealwaysenduredthesetreatmentsandtheBibletellsustoexpectthesetoincreasedramatically,asChrist’sreturnisnowimminent(Daniel9:27;11:31;12:11;Matthew24:15-16;Mark13:14;Luke21:20-21).Insomesense,it’seasytoidentifythegoodfromtheevil,bycarefullywatchingwhichsidepeopleparticipatein.WeprayforthetransformativeSpirittomoveourheartstolove,tocarefor,andtohavecompassionforallpeople,asJesusmodeledduringHisministry.

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JohnmakesonemoreobservationinRevelation17:6:

“Isawthewoman,drunkwiththebloodofthesaintsandwiththebloodofthemartyrsofJesus.AndwhenIsawher,Imarveledwithgreatamazement.”

ApostateChristiansclaimtorepresentChrist,however,denyatleastsomeofHisWord.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”representstheRomanCatholicChurch,areligioussystemclaimingtobelieveinGod,howeverdoingtheworkofSatan

• “Fornication”referstoillicitrelationshipsbetweenreligiousordersandthecivilauthoritiesofthenations(“husbands”)

• “Wine”representsfalse,non-Biblicaldoctrines• An“abomination”isthecorruptionofBiblicaltruthwithfalsedoctrines• “BabylontheGreat,theMother”isprimarilyareferencetotheRomanCatholic

Church.Thename,“Babylon”appearssixtimesinRevelation(14:8;16:19;17:5;18:2,10,21).

• “Harlots”referstotheapostateProtestant“daughters”ofthegreatharlotthathaveadoptedandpracticenon-biblicaldoctrineswhomwillrejointheir“mother”againstthosewhokeepallofGod’sWord,literally

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Chapter7

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

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

Interestingly,theangelreactstoJohn,tellingusthisvisionwasinteractive.This“plague”angelgoesontotellJohntheformulatodecipherthe“mystery.”Godwantedustoknowitstruemeaning,howeverthisknowledgeandunderstandingwastobedelayeduntiljustbeforethesoundingoftheseventhangel,accordingtoRevelation10:7.ThisfactunderscoresthecrucialimportanceoftheaccurateinterpretationofDaniel11,inconjunctionofthethree“woes”ofRevelation8:13to9:21and11:14,15a.TheangelaffirmswhatJohnwasshown:awomanandthebeast,describedashavingsevenheadsandtenhorns.Thesevenheadsthewomanisseatedon(Revelation17:9)aretheleaders(popes)ofthepapalchurch.Theangeladdressesthecharacteristicsofthehornslater,inRevelation17:12-17.Next,theangelrevealsthekeytounderstandingthe“mystery.”Thelanguageusedintentionallymaskedtheabilitytounderstandtheformulauntiljustbeforethesoundingoftheseventhtrumpet/third“woe”(2001),andtheidentityofthe“666”manuntiljustbefore2014.Todescribewhatweareabouttounderstandplainly,wouldhaveputtheBibleatunnecessaryriskduringthemiddleor“dark”ages,andapotentialsourceofdiscouragementtothegenerationsthathavefallenasleeplookingfortheLord’sreturn.

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

Thefirstpartofthisverseconfirmsthatthisscarletbeast(havingnamesofblasphemycoveringit,representingtheclothingofreligionwithenforcementsoontobegrantedbynations)hasthreephases;“was,”“isnot,”and,“willascendout,”afterwhichitwillthengotoperdition.ApplyingourstudyofRevelation13:1-10alongwith17:1-5,weseethattheseabeastexercisedpersecutorypowersfrom538-1798directly,andmostlyindirectly,throughthevariousEuropeannations’legislativeandpolicingpowers;togetherresponsibleformartyringmillionsofGod’speople.This1,260-yearperiod,prophesiedbyDanielandJohn,isthe“was”phase.Thepure“woman”ofRevelation12,wentintothe“wilderness”of1,260years,andthe“greatharlot,”and“harlots,”persecutedGod’speopleduringthislongsojourn.Theseabeast(thepapalchurchdescribedinRevelation13:1-10)enteredthe1,260yearsinA.D.538,alreadyseekingto

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enforceitsdoctrinesonthepeople.Thisisrepresentedbyablasphemous“name”onitsheads.ThescarletbeastofRevelation17representstheresultsafterthe1,260yearsendedin1798;itbeingcoveredwithblasphemous“names,”indicatingthenationswerecoercedandcompelledbythegreatharlot,“arrayedinpurpleandscarlet,”toenforceitsreligiononthepeople,throughtheuseofdemonictactics,torture,coercion,andbribes.“Isnot”referstothenextphasethatthescarletbeastandthewomanenteredbeginningin1798.In1798,thewomantransitionedfrombeingseatedon“manywaters”tobeingseatedonthebeast’ssevenheads.The“wilderness”or“desert”ofitsnon-persecutoryphase,iswherethepapacyremainsasofthiswriting(December2018).The“beast…isnot,”showstheword,“beast,”wasassociatedwithpriorpersecutionsbythepapalchurch.Since1798,thepapalchurchcontinuestogrowinsizeandinfluence.ThisismadeclearinRevelation17:9,whereweseethewomanseatedonits“heads.”Thistransitiondemonstratestheprogressionoftime.TheCatholicChurchhasnotbeeninvolvedwithreligiouspersecutiononachurch-widebasissince1798.However,thisverseindicatesthatwillchangeinthefuture,asthe“beast”willascendoutofthebottomlesspit,its“wilderness”or“desert”phasetoonceagainbecomeapersecuting“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,thesearealsonowdescribedasthosewhosenamesarenotfoundintheBookofLife(addressedinchapter3)thathasbeenkeptbyGodsincecreation.Finally,asimilarphraseaboutthebeastisrepeated.RepetitionintheBibleisdoneforemphasis(seeGenesis41:32),andindicatesamuchdeepermeaningistobeexploredandthatitisnotaconditionalprophecy;itwilltakeplace.AsimpleexampleofthiswasearlierstudiedinRevelation8:13;“woe,woe,woe”relatedtothegreatholywarsbetweenapostateChristianityandIslam.Revelation17:8holdsamorecomplexrepetitionthattakesonfullmeaningwhenconsideredwithRevelation17:10.First,weexamineRevelation17:9:

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“Hereisthemindwhichhaswisdom:Thesevenheadsaresevenmountainsonwhichthewomansits.”

Asearliernoted,thewomanwhowasseatedon“manywaters,”transitioningintothewilderness,isnowseensittingonthebeasts’sevenheads.Thereisno“beast”whilethepapalchurchisinthe“wilderness”ofitsnon-persecutoryphase,justthesevenheadsthatleadthe“woman.”ThereisabsoluteconsistencyintheinterpretationofthebeastsofDanielandRevelation12and13,inapplyingtheunderstandingthatthechronologyoftimestartsatthetailofthebeasts,progressingtothebody,thentheheads,andfinallythehorns.Theangelcallsforintelligenceandwisdominordertodiscernthemeaningofthecluesthatfollow,toachieveunderstanding.TheleopardofDaniel7:6,representingGreece,progressedfromthebodytothefourheads.ThisdetailwasrepeatedandenlargeduponinDaniel8:8,whereGreecewasdescribedasagoatwithalargehornthatwasbroken(AlexandertheGreat),andreplacedbyfourhorns(thefourgeneralswhoagreedtobreakupthekingdomin301B.C.).Theword“wisdom”hereisadirectlinktothecalculationcalledforinRevelation13:18toderivethenumber,“666”andidentifytheindividualmanthatitappliesto.Thisisthekeythatunlocksthisvitalpropheticriddle.TheangelinRevelation17:9equatestheseven“heads”withseven“mountains.”ThisbringsustothecrucialunderstandingoftheDaniel2imagedream,wherewefoundthatthe“Stone”(representingJesus;Daniel2:35)wasinitiallycarvedoutof,thenbecamea“Mountain”againthatfilled“thewholeearth,”representingGod’sKingdomruledbytheTrinityorGodhead;literallytheTriuneGodoftheuniverse:theFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit.God’suniversalkingdomwillbeestablishedspiritually,whenthejudgmentisfinished(Daniel12:1),andliterallyattheendofthe1,000yearsofRevelation20:4-15backonthisearth(Revelation1:4-5).AcommonerrorismadebyinterpretingtermsinRevelationliterally,unlesscontextshowsaclearreasontodoso.NearlyallofRevelationisbasedonsymbols,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.”Chapter1ofthisstudyidentifiedacounterfeit“mountain”ofgods,referencedbyJeremiah.Vitally,thiscounterfeit“mountain”isidentifiedasBabylon!

“AndIwillrepayBabylonandalltheinhabitantsofChaldeaforalltheeviltheyhavedoneInZioninyoursight,”saystheLord.“Behold,Iamagainstyou,O

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destroyingmountain,whodestroysalltheearth,”saystheLord.“AndIwillstretchoutMyhandagainstyou,Rollyoudownfromtherocks,andmakeyouaburntmountain.”Jeremiah51:24-25.(Emphasisadded).

Here,GodspecificallyidentifiesBabylonasa“destroyingmountain,whodestroysalltheearth,”promisingtomakeita“burntmountain.”AswithmanypropheciesintheBible,theinitialfulfillmentisliteral,withanadditional,spiritualfulfillmenttofollow.Itisnotacoincidencethatthename“Babylon”isusedsixtimesinthebookofRevelation,as“six”representsSatan’snumber,while“seven”representsGod’sperfectnumber.ThosewhostudyRevelationwillfindatleasttwentyreferencesorallusionstothenumber,“seven.”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.ItisnowthatwefindconsistentapplicationoftheinterpretativeprinciplefoundinDaniel7:17reading:“Thosegreatbeasts,whicharefour,arefourkingswhichariseoutoftheearth.”WerememberthesebeastsoftheearthrepresentedtheempiresofBabylon,Medo/Persia,Greece,andImperialRome,coveringaperiodofnearly1,100years.Wemayinferthatthe“fourkings”representedthelinesofkings,orleaders,ofeachofthesekingdoms.The“heads”representedkingdomsANDkings.TheangelisdirectingthatthesameprinciplebeappliedtospiritualBabylon,theRomanCatholicChurch.Logically,weneedtoexaminetheleaders(popes)ofthepapalchurchduringthe“wilderness”phasestartingin1798,lookingforcluesastohowtheyfitintothisprophecy.Beforewedo,theangelhasonelastcriticalclue:

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

Weremembertopray,askingforwisdomtounderstandBibleprophecyaseitherthereisa100%consistentfitandapplicationofinterpretiverulesfoundintheBible,ortheinterpretativetheorymustbeabandoned.TheheadorleadersoftheRomanCatholicChurcharethepopes.Thechurchlists266popes,startingwithitsclaimthattheapostlePeterwasthefirst,andendingwiththecurrentpope,Francis(http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12272b.htm).Welearnthat

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menchosentobepopeselectthenamethattheywillbeknownby,inhonorofapredecessor,orsomeoneadmired.Inhistory,therehavebeenimposterpopesthepapacyreferstoasantipopes,soapopeisonlyformallyrecognizedifheremainsingoodstandingwiththechurch,andonlyafterhisdeath.Ofthe266popes,thereare82uniquenamesthathavebeenused;46nameshavebeenusedbyonlyonepope,leaving36nameshavingbeenusedbymultiplepopesthroughoutchurchhistory.Thefactthat36nameshavebeenusedbytwoormorepopes,qualifiesthemtofitthedefinitionofcounterfeit“mountainsofgods,”justasGodtheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpiritmakeupthegenuine“Mountain”ofKingsANDthekingdomofDaniel2:35,45.SinceRevelation17:9-10referstothetimetheharlot/womanissittingonsevenheads/mountains/kings(havingmovedfrom“manywaters,”representedinRevelation13asthebodyoftheseabeast),wearespecificallylookingatthe“wilderness”periodof1798todate.Ofallthemenwhohavebeenpopesince1798,onlyeightnameshavebeenused;Pius,Leo,Gregory,Benedict,John,Paul,JohnPaul,andFrancis.Ofthese,sevennameshavebeenchosenbymultiplemenhistorically,whiletheeighth,Francis,isuniquetoJorgeMarioBergoglio,thecurrentBishopofRome.ItisnowthatweconsistentlyapplytheBabyloniansexagesimalmathematicalsystemusedinDaniel’sday,asdescribedinchapter5ofthisstudy,coupledwiththeemphaticcallofRevelation13:18;“Hereiswisdom.Lethimwhohasunderstandingcalculatethenumberofthebeast,foritisthenumberofaman:Hisnumberis666.”Usingthisinformation,thefollowinginterpretationisrevealedwiththevaluein()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.”ThepapacydesignatedthemanclaimingtobeJohnXVIanantipope(A.D.997-999)andthename“JohnXX”wasskipped,sothereareactuallyonly21popesthatusedthename“John,”eventhoughthelastwasdesignatedJohnXXIII.Itisnowasimplemattertoaddthetotalsuptodeterminewhothe“666”manis.78+91+136+105+231+21+3=665.WemustbeawarethattheCatholicChurchonlycountslegitimatepopesaftertheydiebecauseofthehistoryofpopesbeingdeposedaswellasthosebeingjudgedhereticalandlabeled“antipopes.”BeforewejumptotheconclusionthatFranciswillbeboththeeighth“king”andaddacountof“1”yieldinga

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totalof666,weneedtoensurescripturalconsistency,aswellasaddinginformationPaulprovidesinhissecondlettertotheChristianchurchinThessalonica.Theinconsistencyofthename“Francis”isthatitisunique;onlybeingusedbyJorgeMarioBergogliowhenhewasselectedpopeinMarch2013.ThisfactdisqualifiesFrancisfromfittingthedescriptionofa“mountain”ofgods.Justasimportant,thoughnotyetcounted,ifJosephRatzinger(asPopeBenedictXVI,2005-2013)weretodieasthe15thpopeusingthatname,theBabyloniancountwouldbe665+15(forBenedict)+1(forFrancis)=681.Inaddition,PopeFrancisdoesnotfitthecluetheangelprovidedinRevelation17:11,that“Thebeastthatwas,andisnot,ishimselfalsotheeighth,andisoftheseven,andisgoingtoperdition,”because“Francis”isanew,uniquename,not“oftheseven.”InRevelation17:8,wereadaboutthebeastgoingtoperdition.Inverse11,thebeastisidentifiedasanindividual;“himself.”Inaddition,the“eighth”is“oftheseven.”PopeFrancisdoesnotfulfillthisverse,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.”JustasJesusmixedthewarningofthedestructionofJerusalemthatoccurredinthespringofA.D.70withHisfuturereturninMatthew24,Mark13,andLuke21,PaulprovidedthebelieversinThessalonicaencouragementandprovidedkeystounderstandthe“mystery”referredtoinRevelation10:7and17:5,7.InRevelation17:11,thebeast,whois“alsohimselftheeighth”king,willhavethefollowingsixattributesaccordingtoPaul:

1.berevealed,2.bethesonofperditionordestruction(Abaddon&Apollyon;Revelation9:11),3.beinoppositionofGod,

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4.willclaimtobeGod,5.willbeconsumedbythebreathoftheLord,and6.willbedestroyedwiththebrightnessofHiscoming(Revelation16:6).

TheLordplacedthiscomplexriddleinHisWordforallpeoplelivingduringthetimeofthethird“woe”holywarthatachievedworldwideprominencein2001.Thiswarisincreasinginintensityandideologicalscopeatanexponentialpace.Godinfluencedthemenwhobecamepopesoverthelast1,900yearsintheselectionoftheirnames,orchestratinghow,andwhen,thisprophecywouldbefulfilled,tojusttherighttime.Thattimeisnearlyuponus.Theriddleissolvedanditsmeaningisrevealedinadvanceofitsfulfillment!ThewholeRevelation17:8-11passagereads:

“8Thebeastthatyousawwas,andisnot,andwillascendoutofthebottomlesspitandgotoperdition.Andthosewhodwellontheearthwillmarvel,whosenamesarenotwrittenintheBookofLifefromthefoundationoftheworld,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’tfitwiththepreviousverse.ThisinterpretationisinconsistentwiththeinterpretiveprinciplesusedinDanielanditignoresasignificantpurposeofprophecy;torevealthefuturefromthetimeitwasgiven.TheangelhastransportedJohninvisiontothetimeofthesevenheads,1798todate.Thefactthatofallthepopesinhistory,multiplepopeshavechosenpreciselysevennamessince1798isstunning!Morespecifically,theangelindicatedtoJohnthatfiveheads(mountains/kings)havefallen.Examiningthenamestakenbythemenwhowerepopesfrom1798andforward,thelastyeareachnamewasusedisin()below:1.Pius(1958)2.Leo(1903)3.Gregory(1846)4.Benedict(1922)[BenedictXVIisnotincludedashehasnotdied]5.John(1963)

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6.Paul(1978)7.JohnPaul(2005)ThisshowsusthattheangeltransportedJohntothetimeofthereignofPopePaulVI(1963-1978),indicatedbythepreviousfiveheadsbeing“fallen.”Thisprocessofthe“heads”fallingsequentiallyisconsistentwiththefourheadsoftheDaniel7leopard(Alexander’sgenerals)addressedinchapteroneofthisstudy.Theimportanceofunderstandingthisinterpretiveprincipleistheusageofthefirstsixtakennamesbypopessince1798spannedmanycenturies(seeAppendix).Theonenamethatwasonlyusedbytwopopes,spanningatotalofonly26years,was“JohnPaul,”fulfillingthephraseinRevelation17:10,“whenhecomes,hemustcontinueashorttime.”PopeJohnPaulI(AlbinoLuciani)died33daysintohispontificate(undermysteriouscircumstances)(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_I),followedbyJohnPaulII(CardinalKarolWojtyla)whoservedfrom1978to2005(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_John_Paul_II).PopeFrancisobviouslyisnotone“oftheseven,”andasearlierdemonstrated,doesnotfitthisinterpretation,ordoeshe?RememberingwhatPaulwrote,

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

CouldPopeFrancisbethemanreferredtointheseverses?ItisFranciswhoiscallingforpeace,widelycreditedforhissupportofecumenismwithall“Christian”faiths.Heinitiallybecomeexceptionallyunpopularwiththeconservativechurchleadership,startingin2015withhiscallsforaccountabilityinthechurch’ssexscandalsandfinancialdealings,includinganexternalauditoftheInstitutefortheWorksofReligion(VaticanBank).Whileverylittlesubstancehasbeenrealized,thisdirectionisalludedtoinRevelation18:16,wherethepapalchurchisseenclothedwith“finelinen,”describedas“righteousacts”inRevelation19:8.However,2Thessalonians2:7foretellsthatthemanweknowasPopeFranciswillbeforciblyremovedfromoffice.BasedonthisBibleprophecy,PopeFranciswillultimatelyberegardedasanantipopebytheRomanCatholicChurch.Whilewedonotknowwhenthiswilloccur,PopeFrancishassaidthathistenurewillbeshort,andlatein2015,referredtoapossibleresignationyearof2020.Again,thispassageindicatesthathewillnotvoluntarilyresign,norwillhedieinoffice.Hewillbeinvoluntarilydeposedandbeclassifiedasanantipope,andthereforenotbeinthe“count”oflegitimatepopes.Thisworldshockingchangeislikelytotakeplaceverysoon.PopeBenedictXVImayreclaimhisrighttotheVaticanthroneatanytimeofhischoosing.ThoughitisknownthatBenedictdidnotparticularlycareforbeingpope,coupledwithallegedcorruptionleadingtohis“retirement,”hehasmadeseveralcommentsabouthisconcernforthechurchbeingincrisisand“onthevergeofcapsizing.”SoonafterPopeBenedictreturns,

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potentiallyassociatedwiththesanctioningofpapalchurchreligiouspersecutionspecificallytiedtoSundaysacredness,JosephRatzingerwillchangehisnamefromBenedictXVItoanewname,uniqueinhistory,reflectinghisnewauthority,includingpersecutorypowers.Bychanginghisname,whenhedieshewillnotbeBenedictXVI,thereforethepopecountwillnotbeincreased.Thecountremainsat665untilJosephRatzingerdiesunderanew,uniquename,addingacountof“1”!TherestofthepropheciesinRevelationwillfollowinquicksuccession,concludingwithChrist’sreturn,whenthemanweknowasJosephRatzinger,willbekilledbythebrightnessofHiscoming(2Thessalonians2:8;Isaiah34:4).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).ThetablesintheAppendixofthisstudyprovideirrefutableevidencepointingtothisoutcome.Acarefulreadingofthispassageindicatesthattherepeatingofthephrase“was,andisnot,andyetis”meansitappliesbothtotheRomanCatholicChurchsystemandtoitsfinalpopeasanindividualman,the666man!Insummary,weconsistentlyapplytheinterpretiveprinciples,discerningthefollowingmeaningsofRevelation17:7-11:

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

• PopeFranceswillbedeposedandlabeledan“antipope”bytheRomanCatholicChurch

• PopeBenedictwillreturnastheBishopofRome,andsoonafterwilltakeanewname,uniqueinthehistoryofpopes

• Theman,JosephRatzinger,willnotdieanaturaldeath;hewillbekilledbythebrightnessofJesus’return

• Thisinterpretation,andthetimingofitsunderstanding,isthefulfillmentofRevelation10:7:

“butinthedaysofthesoundingoftheseventhangel,whenheisabouttosound,themysteryofGodwouldbefinished,ashedeclaredtoHisservantstheprophets.”

Specialnotetoallreadersofchapter7:Thisrevelationisinitiallystunning,evenshocking!Coulditbethatthelifeweareaccustomedtoisabouttobeforeverdisrupted?Whataboutfamily,friends,co-

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workers,neighbors…isanyonereadyforthis?Whyhaven’tthemajorChristianreligions,thetheologians,thefamouspreachersbeenscreamingthistotheworld?WouldGodreallybethatspecificinidentifyinganindividual?It’shappenedbefore!ConsiderIsaiah44:28-45:13,apassagethatidentifiedCyrus,as“…Hisanointed,”to“...letMyexilesgofree.”ThisrevelationtoIsaiahwasmadelaterinhisministry,likelybetween701and681B.C.Whowasthis“Cyrus”andwhendidheservetheLord?Ezra1:1-4identifiesCyrusaskingofPersia.He,himself,pennedthewordsrecordedintheBible:“ThussaysCyruskingofPersia:AllthekingdomsoftheearththeLordGodofheavenhasgivenme.AndHehascommandedmetobuildHimahouseatJerusalemwhichisinJudah.”Ezra1:2.Daniel10:1-11:1revealstheunseenbattlebetweentheLordandtheAdversary(princeofPersia,Satan)overKingCyrus.Theshockingfactofthisstory?KingCyrusruledfrom559to530B.C.,atleastonehundredtwentyyearsinthefutureofIsaiah’sprophecy!Atleastonenearlyninetyyear-oldman,Daniel,knewofthis.ItwashewholikelysharedtheprophecywithCyrus.Moretothepointofdivinerevelation,theLordprovidedthe70-weekprophecyofDaniel9sothatHispeoplewouldknowtheyearandeventheseason(fallofA.D.27)thatJesuswouldbeginHisministryonearth.Thisprophecycoupledwithothers,includingthetypicaltempleofferings,sacrificesandfurnishings,pointedtoHisdeathpreciselythreeandahalfyearslateronthePassoverinA.D.31.Theleadersunderstoodtheprophecyhoweverdidn’tlikenoracceptthemessageortheMessenger.Thenationsandtheworldreligionsarepoisedtolargelyrepeattheexperiencesdocumentedinthegospels,Matthew,Mark,Luke,andJohn.God’speoplewillbemocked,derided,censured,rebuked,castigated,andthreatened.Lieswillbefabricatedandtheirwordswillbeusedagainstthem.Theywillbecastoutoftheirchurches.Logically,ourRedeemerwantsustoknow,withlikeprecision,theeventsleadinguptoHissecondcomingbecauseHepaidtheultimatepriceforourlives,wantingtosaveasmanyaswouldplacetheircompletefaith,hope,andtrustintheirCreator.Friends,Jesusdoesn’twantustobesurprised.Hewantsustobepreparedandhaspromisedtoperformtheworkofsanctification,thetransformationofourcharacters,forus,ifweturneverythingovertoHim.Wehaven’tamomenttolose.Timeisoftheessence;Jesus’returnisnowimminent!PraythatHewillmakeusperfectinHimsothatwecanwalkintoHeavenasdidEnochandElijah.

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Chapter8

Revelation17:12-17–TheHarlot’sDaughtersTheangelnextaddressesthemeaningofthetenhornsthatwereseenonthebeast:

“Thetenhornswhichyousawaretenkingswhohavereceivednokingdomasyet,buttheyreceiveauthorityforonehouraskingswiththebeast.”Revelation17:12.

Thesehorns,beingpositionedonthebeast(Revelation17:3),reflectthesourceoftheirpower(Revelation12:3;13:1);Satan.TheseversesmaybeviewedasprovidingenhanceddetailofRevelation13:11-17.Therearefourcriticalitemstounderstandhere.First:these“ten”hornsarelocatedonabeastthatisareligiouspower(havingblasphemousnames),thereforethesepowersmustbereligiousthemselves.Second:thescarletbeastrepresentsthecivilenforcementofreligiouslegislationtobecalledforbyapostateProtestantChristianreligionsanddemandedbyearth’scitizenryinanerroneousefforttoappeaseGod,associetyrapidlydeterioratesandasdisastersincrease.Third:thetimeinhistoryisidentifiedafterwhichthese“horns”receivea“kingdom”orlegislativepowers.WerecallthattheangeltransportedJohninvisionforwardintime,asreferencedinRevelation17:10,specificallytoatimeduringthereignofPopePaulVI(1963-1978).ThishelpstoavoidconfusionintheidentityoftheseapostateProtestantreligiouspowersbyindicatingthat,asof1978,these“horns”didnotpossessakingdom/power,yet.And,asofthiswriting,thesehornshaveyettoreceivepower.Theycannotreceivepoweruntilthe“beast”hasbeenempoweredwithauthoritytopersecute.Fourth,thenumber“ten”issymbolic,consistentwiththeuseandmeaningofthenumber“ten”inDaniel1:20and7:7,20.ThesehornsaredifferentthanthoseoftheDaniel7beastrepresentingImperialRome.Its“horns”weresymbolicofthebarbariantribes(severaldozen)thatestablishedthemselvesintheformerterritoryofWesternRome,followingImperialRome’sfallinA.D.476.Therearethousandsof“Christian”religionsintheworldtoday.Revelation17:12defineswhenthesereligiouspowerswillreceiveauthority;“…askingswiththebeast.”Fromthisweknowthatthesehornsarenotexercisingpowerasofthiswriting,astheirpowerisderivedfromthebeast,andthedesignation,“beast,”representspersecutorypowerinitiallytobeexercisedbytheRomanCatholicChurch,throughcollaborationwiththenationsofEurope.Underthecoverofthe“Paris

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Agreement”thefoundationforrestrictionofpersonalactivityisprogressingforthesupposed“commongood”ofreducinggreenhousegasemissions.ThissequencepowerassumptionleadingtorestrictionoflibertiesisevidentinRevelation13:14-15,ascoveredinchapter4ofthisstudy.Aswelearnedfromourstudyinchapter7,thereligiousnatureofSundaylegislationwillonlyoccurafterPopeFrancisisdeposed,andthemanweknowasPopeBenedictXVIreturns,takinganew,uniquename,neverbeforeusedbyanypope.Thesesymbolic“horns”aretheharlotdaughtersofthemotherharlot(Revelation17:5).TheyrepresenttheapostateProtestantChristianreligionsthatdonotfollowallthelightofGod’sWord,specificallythefourthcommandmentseventh-daySabbath,acknowledgingandhonoringourGodasTheCreator.Asmentionedinchapter4ofthisstudy,astudentoftheBibleandofhistory,coupledwithcurrentevents,canseealikelypathforSundaylegislationasapartialresponsetoterrorismbyradicalIslamists;areligionthatholdsFridayasitssacredday.FurtherreferenceonwhattheBibleforetellstheliteralandspiritualoutcomeswillbeofthisthird“woe”holywarconflict,arefoundinDaniel11:40-43.Inaddition,thereisaforeboding,persistentconnectionbeingmadebetweenfamilyvaluesandtheenvironmentinconnectionwithSundayrest.TheunderstandingthatapostateProtestantleaderswilljoinwiththeUnitedStatesgovernmentinsponsoringSundaylegislation,isdiscussedinchapter4ofthisstudy.Thiswilllikelytakeplaceconcurrentwith,orimmediatelyfollowing,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).ThedreamoftheDaniel2imageisfascinatingandhighlyinformative,howeveritisoutsidethescopeofthisstudy.WeshouldanticipateSundaylegislationrestrictingretailbusiness,withcertainexceptionsforprofessionalsportsandholidays,inthenearfuture.FollowingthatwillbeademandthatSundaybesetasideforworship.AftertheUnitedStatesmakesanimageof(copies)theSundaylegislationenactedinEurope,therewillbearealizationthatthepapacyhashadcenturiesofexperiencewithreligiousenforcementandpersecution,andtheUnitedStateswillprovideauthoritythatisconsolidated,coordinated,andcommunicatedatthepapalchurchlevel.

“13Theseareofonemind,andtheywillgivetheirpowerandauthoritytothebeast.14ThesewillmakewarwiththeLamb,andtheLambwillovercomethem,

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forHeisLordoflordsandKingofkings;andthosewhoarewithHimarecalled,chosen,andfaithful.”Revelation17:13-14.

Thesaints,the“chosen”and“faithful,”lookforwardtothewonderfulpromiseinverse14.Daniel7:11-12maybeinterpretedtoindicatethataftersupportforthepapalsystemiswithdrawn(Daniel11:45b;Revelation16:12),theseapostateProtestants,coupledwiththeenforcementpowersoftheUnitedStates,become“beasts”themselves,bydirectlypersecutingGod’sremnantpeople.Asthesethingstakeplace,Revelation15:8providesaveiledreferenceconfirmingthatallpeopleonearthwillhavemadetheirchoiceofwhomtoworship.Jesus’gracehasbeenrejectedbythewicked,soHestandsupfromjudgment(Daniel12:1a)andleavestheheavenlytemple,nolongerservingasIntercessorforhumanity.Then,theangelsuppliesakeycluetoJohnthatwehavealreadyidentified;

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

TheprophetIsaiahwasprovidedaconsistentunderstandingofthepropheticmeaningofwater;

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

Afterthecloseofjudgment,God’ssealedpeoplecannolongerbepersecutedbythewicked.TheplaguesofRevelation16starttofallandthefulfillmentofpropheciesconcerningthewrathofGod(Revelation14:17-20),willbecomeapparent.Afterthe“kingdom”ofthesaintshasbeengiventoJesus,asexplainedinDaniel7:14,noharmorplagueswillcometothesaints(Daniel12:1c).AsspiritualIsrael(Revelation7:1-8),theywilllivethroughthisperiodwithalltheirneedssuppliedbytheLord,justliketheliteralchildrenofIsraelexperiencedwhilespendingfortyyearsintheSinaidesert,aftertheirmiraculousrescueoutofEgyptandasElijahtheprophetwasphysicallypreserved.ThiswillleadtotherealizationbytheapostateProtestantsthattheyhavebeendeceived.

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

ItwillbetoolateforthewickedtocomeintoarelationshipwithJesus,tosurrendertheirlivestotheSaviour,pleadingforHimtotransformtheircharacterssuchthattheyarepurifiedandmadecompatiblewiththeprinciplesofHeaven.Theywilltakeouttheirfrustrationandfuryonthepapalsystem,destroyingitcompletely.Thisisa

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referencetothesixthplague,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’sheartbecameharderandmoredeterminedinhisrebellionagainstGod(Exoduschapters5-12).Themasses,reelingfromanarchy,war,anddisasterswillfillthechurches.TheministerswillclaimthatGod’sjudgmentsmaybeturnedasideifonlythenationsofearthreturntoGod.Thedemandofthepeoplewillbetoidentifyandpunishthosewhodon’tconformtothemajoritypositionofthepapaldayofworship.ApostateChristiansandtheirleadershipwilldemandthatthepowersoftheUnitedState’slegislative,judicial,andexecutivebranchesbemarshaledinsupportofthescarletbeast/papacy(aprocesswhichwillthereafterbeadoptedbyalloftheworld’sgovernments).Theseforceswillbeinthecommonpursuitofeliminatingallwhodon’tworshiponSunday,includingMuslimswhokeepFriday,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,meaningtheywillobtain,andexercise,persecutorypowers.

• “Waters”representadensepopulationofpeople

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Chapter9

Revelation17:18-18:5–BabylontheGreatisFallen

“Andthewomanwhomyousawisthatgreatcitywhichreignsoverthekingsoftheearth.”Revelation17:18.

Thewoman,firstseensittingon“manywaters”(Revelation17:1),thenmovingontothesevenheads(Revelation17:9),willmovebackontothe“waters”ofthewholeearth(Revelation17:15)whenthepapacyreceivespersecutorypoweragain.ThisisspiritualBabylon,onepartofSatan’scounterfeittrinity.ThiscounterfeittrinityisidentifiedinRevelation16:13-14.Itiscomprisedoftheseabeast(RomanCatholicChurch),theearthbeast(falseprophetofapostateProtestantsempoweredbytheUnitedStates),andthedragon(Satan),manifestedthroughimpersonationsofChrist,healing“miracles,”andcommunicationwiththe“dead”/demons,knownas“spiritualism.”Whyistheunderstandingofthisprophecybeingrevealedatthistime?Simply,becausetimeisrunningout;alltheseeventshavebegun,orareabouttotakeplace.Moreimportantly,JesuswantstosaveeachandeveryonewhowouldchooseHimasLordandSaviour.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.JesuspleadswitheachofustopreparefortheweddingsupperbystoringtheoiloftheHolySpirit(includingHiscommandmentsandthetestimonyofHisprophets)inourlampsnow.Theearthlytabernacleanditsfurnishings,describedinExodus,werepatternedaftertheheavenlySanctuary.EachelementpointedtoChrist’ssacrificeandtoHisongoingministryonourbehalfintheSanctuaryinHeaven(Hebrews8:1-6).EachindividualenterstheirrelationshipwithJesusbyrepentingofsin,accepting,andinvitingHiminto

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ourlivesdaily,representedbytheAltarofSacrifice.Wethenwashinthebaptism(initiallyliterallyastheexampleprovidedbyJesusatthehandofJohntheBaptist,asapublicacknowledgmentofournewlifeinChrist)oftheSpirit,representedbytheLaver,constantlykeepingaprayerinmind,representedbytheAltarofIncense.WearetoreadGod’sWorddaily(representedbytheTableofShowbread),andsharethelightoftheeverlastinggospelofJesuswiththepoweroftheHolySpirit(righteousnessbyHisfaith);theThreeAngels’Messages(representedbytheseven-branchedLampstand).Finally,byalwaysdwellingonthegoodnessandkeepingofHislaw(protectedbytheArkofHisCovenant),weareblessedtodwellonheavenlythings(Psalm91:9).“ButhisdelightisinthelawoftheLord,andinHislawhemeditatesdayandnight.”Psalm1:2.JesuswasthefulfillmentoftheritualsoffeastsandanimalsacrificesoftheOldTestament.WhenHewascrucified,theveilseparatingtheholyfromthemostholyplacewasdivinelytornintwo(Matthew27:51;Mark15:38;Luke23:45).JesusinstitutedanewinstitutionthatreplacedtheJewishsystemofthetypesofceremonialofferingsandsacrificesthatpointedtoHim.Here,wecomparedittothearticlesoffurnitureinthesanctuary.Preparingspirituallyiscritical;makingcertainwehaveconfessedalloursins.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,isthetaskofspreadingtheeverlastinggospel,incontextoftheThreeAngels’messagesofRevelation14.TheFourthAngelofRevelation14:15(thesameastheilluminatingangelofRev18:1-3),istriggeredbytheunderstandingoftheinterpretationofthemysteryofRevelation17:8-11.God’sremnantpeoplewillproclaimtheThreeAngels’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).Thisfalse“church”isreferredtoas“Jews”ofthe“synagogueofSatan”in

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Revelation2:9;3:9.ThisdescriptionisofthoseclaimingtobeChristians;believersofthetrueGod,butnotdoersofallHiscommandments,statutes,precepts,andjudgments.Evenatthistime,inHismercy,Jesuswillextendonelastplea.

“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.JesusinvitesustotakeontheattributesofthePhiladelphianchurchdescribedinRevelation3:7-13.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

ThisstudyoftheRevelation17prophecyisfocusedonwhattheLordhasrecentlyrevealedabouttheeventsoccurringneartheendoftheworld.Jesus’returnisimminent!Asnotedinchapter9ofthisstudy,twocriticalactionsonthepartofthesaintsare:

1.TomakesurewearerightwithHim,allowingHimtoprepareus,fullytransformingourcharacterstobeperfectinChrist,and2.Tosharethefinal,endtimemessageandwarningfromGod,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).Wearetoldherethatthe

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knowledgeofChristourSaviourwillreachall7.7billionlivingpeopleonearth,includingboththosewhorejectit(earthdwellers),andthosewhodecidetoacceptChristastheirRedeemer.ThescopeofthiscommunicationisemphasizedbytheRevelation18:1loudcrymessage,discussedinchapter9.ThisidentificationofthetrueGod,willgooutwithinabriefperiodoftime,precipitatedbythestunningunderstandingoftheinterpretationoftheriddleofRevelation17,andaspiritualconvictionwillbefeltbyall.Allwillbegiventheopportunitytomakeaninformeddecisiononwhomtheywillserve;whomtheywillworship.Revelation14:7:Thefirstangel’smessage,heardwithaloudvoice,designatingitscriticalimportanceforall,istohavereverenceforGodtheCreatorandgiveglorytoHim,alone.Thiscounselembodiesthefirstfourcommandments(Exodus20:3-11).The“hourofHisjudgment”referstoJesus’judgmentministryinHeaven,initiatingthepre-adventjudgmentprocessattheendofthe2,300day/yearprophecy(1844),giveninDaniel8:14.Byfaithweacceptthis,basedonallotherBibleprophetictimepropheciesinDanielbeingcompletedaccuratelythroughouthistory,includingtheseventyweekprophecyofDaniel9,(“cutoff”of,or“apartof”the2,300day/yearprophecy),foretellingChrist’sfirstcoming.TheendofthisjudgmentprocessisreferencedinDaniel7:13-14and12:1a,brieflycoveredearlierinthisstudy.Importantly,thisjudgmentactivitywasaddedtoJesus’ongoingintercessoryroleasourHighPriest(Hebrews8:1-6).ThefourthcommandmentcontainsalltheelementsofaBiblicalseal;theOwner’sname,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,fromFridaysundowntoSaturdaysundowneachweek,issetapartforasacredpurpose,tobeatimefreefromsin,andtoshowreverencetoGod.Allourthoughts,words,andactionsaretobedirectedtostrengtheningourrelationshipwithourSaviourduringtheSabbathhours.ItbecomesapparentwhySatanhasattackedthisdayofworship,includingcreationitself,throughthetheoryofevolutionandamyriadofentertainmentsdesignedtotakeourattentionawayfromtheLord.TheRomanCatholicChurchboldlyclaimsthatitwasgiventheauthoritytochangethisweekly,holy,memorialofcreationweek,toSunday.Ifso,whywouldGodthenchangeitbackinHeaven?“Anditshall

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cometopassThatfromoneNewMoontoanother,AndfromoneSabbathtoanother,AllfleshshallcometoworshipbeforeMe,”saystheLord.”Isaiah66:23.ThiswaswrittenneartheendofIsaiah’sministryinabout680B.C.AttheendofRevelation,JesusHimselfemphasizesthattherewillonlybetwogroupswhenHereturnssaying,

“BlessedarethosewhodoHiscommandments,thattheymayhavetherighttothetreeoflife,andmayenterthroughthegatesintothecity.Butoutsidearedogsandsorcerersandsexuallyimmoralandmurderersandidolaters,andwhoeverlovesandpracticesalie.”Revelation22:14-15(Emphasisadded).

Tosummarize,RevelationmakesthreerequestsforthosewhowouldfullyconsecratetheirlivestoJesus:

-FearGod:Havingreverenceandawe;fullysurrenderingtoHiswill,includingceasingsin.-GiveglorytoHim,alone:ThisisadailycommitmenttohonorHimbyourthoughts,words,andactions,inrecognitionthatwearenotourown;wehavebeenpurchased(1Corinthians6:19-20;10:31)!-WorshipHim,theCreator:TheLordGodofthefourthcommandment(Hebrews1:10;4:4;11:3).Thosewhodon’tworshipGod,bydefault,worshipthebeast.

Revelation14:8:Thesecondangel’smessageisthatSatan’scounterfeitspiritualcity,Babylon,isfallen,isfallen.Itistwicefallenviaitshistoricalliteralfallin539B.C.,alongwithitsspiritualfall,viaitsfalsepretenseofChristianity;practicingthe“wine”ofitsowndoctrinesandtraditionsitdefinesasworship.Babylon’s“wrath”specificallyreferstotheforceofconscienceinreligiousmatters,throughthreatsandpersecution.Theseabeast/papacyexercisedthispowerfor1,260years,endingin1798.Whilethe“beast”ofpersecutionceasedwhiletheharlotwomanofRevelation17sitsonthesevenheads(linesofpopes)ofthechurch,thebeastisabouttorisefromthewildernessand,onceagain,forcealltheworldtodeclareitsmemorialtothepagansungods,Sunday,assacred.Itwillagaincommitanabominationofdesolationbybeingclothedwithgeopoliticalpowers,inordertodeceivetheworldbyitsfalserighteousness.Revelation14:9:Thethirdangel’smessagebuildsonRevelation13,withashouttogettheattentionofthewholeearth.Themessagewarnseachindividual,regardlessofculture,tradition,national,orreligiousaffiliation,torejectthebeastandhisimage.Thebeastisthepapalsystem,enforcingitsdoctrinesviathenations,andtheimage,orcopy,isapostateChristianleadersusingtheforceoflegislativeandpolicingpowersprovidedbytheUnitedStates.Themarkofthebeastprovidestheabilitytocontinuecommerce,coveredinchapter4ofthisstudy.Conversely,God’speoplewillneedtorelyfullyonHimtoprovidethemwithwater,food,shelter,health,andprotection.ThistellsusthatallourenergiestoprepareforthistimearetobefocusedonourspiritualrelationshipwithJesusChrist,andsharingHimwithothers,notonphysicalsafetyor“survival”preparations.WearetocontinuetohonorourCreatorwithourbodies,

75

includinglivingaccordingtoBiblicalguidance,includingtheidealdietbeforesin(Genesis1:29;3:18).Revelation14:10:Thedecisiontoacceptthemarkofthebeast,iscoupledwithGod’swrath,takingtheformofthesevenplaguesdescribedinRevelation16(seeRevelation14:17-20).TheendofRevelation14:10thenjumpstoeventsafterJesuscomes,resurrectingallthesaintswhohaveeverlivedand,togetherwiththelivingsaints,removingthemallfromtheearthfor1,000years.Itisafterthe1,000yearsthatGodreturnswithallthesaintstoperformtheexecutivejudgment,afterraisingbacktolifeallthewickedwhoeverhavelived,whowillthenacknowledgeHim.“Foritiswritten:“AsIlive,saystheLord,EverykneeshallbowtoMe,AndeverytongueshallconfesstoGod.””Romans14:11.TheseeventsareaddressedinRevelation20.Revelation14:11:TheBibleprovidesagraphicdescriptionofthefinaloutcomeofthewicked.TheyarecompletelyeradicatedbythecleansingfireofGod’spresencewhenHefullyrevealsHimselftoall.Aprayerfulstudyofthefollowingtextsprovidesamorecompleteunderstandingthatthisall-consumingfirefromGodcontinuesuntilthereisnothinglefttoburn(Isaiah34:5,9-10;66:24;Daniel2:35;Mark9:43-48;Revelation18:9,18;19:3;20:10;21:1).Afterthis,Godwillcreateanewearth,accordingtoRevelation21and22.Revelation14:12:Thesaintsaredefinedbythisverseashavingpatience,meaningthattheywillenduresuffering,however,theywillstaytruetoGod’sTenCommandmentsandacceptthefaithofJesus,ourRedeemer.Vitaltounderstand,itisJesus’faith,Hisrighteousness,definingHispeople.“Forbygraceyouhavebeensavedthroughfaith,andthatnotofyourselves;itisthegiftofGod”Ephesians2:8.PraisetheLord!WearejustifiedbyHisfaith!Byacceptingthisgift,weallowJesustosanctifyourlives,transformingourcharacterstothepointwhereweceasetochosetosin,achievingperfectioninJesus.Revelation14:13:Thisimportantverseshouldbeemphasizedduringourtime.ThisisoneofthesevenblessingsinthebookofRevelation(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.Everlastingpreservationisinfinitelybetterthanlifehereonearth(1Kings14:13).Ofcrucialimportanceistounderstandthatthosewhodie,returntodust.Thereisnoconsciousstateofthedead.TheBibleisexceptionallyclearonthistruth,howeverSatan’sfirstliewastodisputethisfactandhehasbeenexceedinglysuccessfulinplantingthisdeceptioninnearlyeveryreligionintheworldtoday.Itisthisdeception

76

fromthedragonbeasthimself,coupledwiththeseabeast(papacy),andtheearthbeast(apostateProtestantsempoweredbytheUnitedStatesasthefalseprophet),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,mixingprivatefactswithspiritualerror,thatwillleadthemostastutetoabandonGod’sWord.Insummary,wediscernthefollowingmeaningsofRevelation14:6-13:

• ThesemessagesareGod’sfinalmessagetotheworld• TheThirdAngelmessageincorporatesthefirsttwoaswellasourrighteousness

suppliedbythefaithofJesus• The“beast”istheRomanCatholicChurchand,secondarily,apostate

Protestants,empoweredbythenations• The“image”isacopyofthedoctrineofSundaysacrednesstobeadoptedby

apostateProtestants,legislatedandenforcedbytheUnitedStatesofAmerica

77

EpilogueThoughnoonebuttheFatherknowsthedayorhourofChrist’sreturn(Matthew24:36;25:13;Mark13:32,35),theprecedingstudyindicatesthatGodhasrevealedspecificevents,evenprovidinginformationallowingthoseofuslivinginthislastgenerationofsintoidentifythe“666”manofsin,whowilldieatJesus’return.TheworldisabouttoexperienceaspiritualshockwhenthemanweknowasPopeFrancisisforciblydeposed.Hewillnotdieinoffice,norwillheresigningoodstanding.ThemanweknowasPopeBenedict(JosephRatzinger)willreturntothepapalthrone,howeverhewillNOTdieanaturaldeath.Hewillbecomethe“666”manofsin,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.

InhislettertohisbelovedcoworkerTitus,Paulwrote,

“ButwhenthekindnessandtheloveofGodourSaviourtowardmanappeared,notbyworksofrighteousnesswhichwehavedone,butaccordingtoHismercyHesavedus,throughthewashingofregenerationandrenewingoftheHolySpirit,whomhepouredoutonusabundantlythroughJesusChristourSaviour,thathavingbeenjustifiedbyHisgraceweshouldbecomeheirsaccordingtothehopeofeternallife.”Titus3:4-7.

78

Friends,theearthhasatbestafewyearsbeforeitstotaldestruction.Thereisnodownsidetoprepare,now.ThistimeisessentialforGodtodoHisgoodworkonourcharacters,andforustosharethegoodnewsofJesus’righteousnessandHissavinggraceaswellasthewarningofthethirdangelwithfamily,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.WerepentandpleadforYourrighteousness.WehumblyaskthatYoutransformourcharactersintheshorttimeremaining,toprepareustoreceiveYourSpiritsothatwecanfaithfullyrepresentYouandtobewithYou,forever.Pleaserevealthetruenatureofeviltousandremovethesinandsinfuldesiresfromourlivessothatwemaybecaring,compassionate,andlovingtoall.PleasehearourcontinualprayersandactinourlivesaccordingtoYourwill,andmaywebeatpeaceaswetrustinYou,inallthings.Provideustheopportunitytosharetheurgencyofthegospel.Thankyouforyouramazingsacrifice.Amen.

***

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AppendixA

#1

Term

#

2Term

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3Term

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)

Count

Count

Count

80

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

81

CardinalElectors

WemayexpectthatPopeFranciswillactinawaythatwillhastenhisbeingdeposed,basedonactionsheislikelytotakeverysoon.KeytounderstandingwhenhewillfeelcomfortabletocodifydoctrinalchangesthathehasalludedtoeversincehewasnamedthesuccessortoPopeBenedictonMarch13,2013isthebodyofCardinalswhoelectthepope.Thoughthereare224livingCardinalsasofNovember19,2018(http://catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc1.html),only125seatsarereservedtoelectanewpope.ACardinalElectormustbebelowtheageof80yearsthedaytheHolySeebecomesvacantinordertovote.Asthemenageout,resign,ordie,PopeFrancishasbeennamingreplacements.ThisisofvitalinterestbecauseoftheschismthatiscontinuingtodevelopwithintheRomanCatholicChurch.Shoulddoctrinalchangesbemade,PopeFrancisisintentonmaintainingthedirectionhesets.TheonlywaytohaveassuranceofthatisforamajorityofCardinalElectorsappointedwhileFrancisispopetherebyextendinghislegacy.IfnoCardinalsdieorresignbeforetheireightiethbirthdays,thefollowingvacanciesarelistedbyyear:

• 10cardinalswillturn80in2019:3previouslynamedbyFrancis,5namedbyBenedict,2namedbyJohnPaulII

• 4cardinalsturn80in2020:1namedbyFrancis,3namedbyBenedict• 6cardinalsturn80in2021:2namedbyFrancis,4namedbyJohnPaulII

Withtheinstallationoffour(4)morecardinalspreviouslynamedbyhispredecessors,PopeFranciswillreachasimplemajorityof63ofthenowcurrent125CardinalElectorseats.ThefourcardinalsFrancisneedstoachieveasimplemajoritywillageoutbyAugust16,2019.ThisdatewouldmoveupifCardinalsdiedorresigned.Likely,PopeFranciswillsoonfeelfreetoproceedwithdoctrinalchangesalreadygreatlyconcerningtheconservativemembers.TheseactionswillprecipitateEmeritusPopeBenedicttoreclaimthepapalthroneasthelegitimatepopewithseniorityandtodeclarePopeFrancisaheretic,anantipope.Belowarelinkstoarticlescoveringthistopic:http://catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/scardc1.htmlhttps://abcnews.go.com/International/14-cardinals-appointed-vatican-pope-francis/story?id=56225521http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/ny-news-pope-francis-names-new-cardinals-20180629-story.htmlhttps://religionnews.com/2018/05/22/francis-cardinals-make-up-almost-half-of-electors-of-next-pope/