MARK OF THE BEAST - REVELATION 13-14; 17; 18

[LoveGodsWord]

WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST AND WHEN DO PEOPLE RECEIVE IT?

SUMMARY SO FAR AND PUTTING IT TOGETHER

We have looked at and identified who the HARLOT WOMAN sitting on the scarlet colored BEAST is and let the scriptures define these symbols which the bible alone says that the MYSTERY HARLOT NAMED BABYLON represents the UNFAITHFUL MOTHER CHURCH of all Churches which also has UNFAITHFUL DAUGHTER CHURCHES * REVELATION 14:8; 17:1-5; 18:1-10. We have also seen through God’s WORD that it is NOT the people in these CHURCHES that God are the problem but what they teach the people which leads them away from God’s Word and that God has his people in ALL of these Churches and is calling them out to worship him in Spirit and in TRUTH according to the Word of God *REVELATION 18:1:4. We also saw that a BEAST in bible prophecy represents a KINGDOM while a HORN on a BEAST represents a KING that may come out of that KINGDOM *DANIEL 7:23-25

We also looked the HEBREW and GREEK meanings of MARK; SEAL and SIGN and compared these word meanings with the scriptures found in REVELATION 13:6; REVELATION 7:4-10; DEUTERONOMY 6:8; EZEKIEL 9:1-11; EZEKIEL 20:11-12; All of which liked the SERVITUDE of OBEDIENCE to God’s 10 Commandments to God’s SEAL; SIGN and MARK (which all have a similar meaning) or SERVITUDE to DISOBEDIENCE to God’s Commandments. *REVELATION 14:8-12. As the MARK is a symbol of SERVITUDE to God’s WORD and OBEDIENCE or SERVITUDE to the BEAST and DISOBEDIENCE we saw that RECEIVING the BEASTS MARK of DISOBEDIENCE in the HAND or the FOREHEAD means; *HAND = To act out or to do action (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Acts 4:28 etc) *FOREHAND = To believe or think (EZEKIEL 3:8-9; JEREMIAH 3:3 see also word meanings).

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CONCLUSION: The MARK OF THE BEAST is a SYMBOL OF SERVITUDE to the BEAST of REVELATION 13 and REVELATION 14; REVELATION 17 and REVELATION 18 which is influenced by the MOTHER OF ALL UNFAITHFUL CHURCHES names BABYLON THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS *REVELATION 17:1-5.

This MARK is received in the HAND which means to act out and do what the BEAST commands in WORSHIPING the BEASTS image (you do not have to believe the BEAST), while to receive the MARK in the FOREHEAD means to BELIEVE and do what the BEAST commands *REVELATION 13:15-16.

Those who are SEALED by GOD serve him through OBEDIENCE and SERVITUDE to God’s WORD *REVELATION 12:17; REVELATION 14:12; REVELATION 22:14. They do not bow down to the BEASTS FALSE IMAGE of WORSHIP and before the final judgments of God are poured out GOD calls all his true people to leave these CHURCHES to worship and follow him in Spirit and in Truth.

The MARK OF THE BEAST AND THE SEAL OF GOD is received over SERVITUDE doing what the BEAST asks resulting in DISOBEDIENCE to God’s WORD or BELIEVING and FOLLOWING what God asks us through his WORD and disobeying what the BEAST asks us. The issue will be over WORSHIP. Who do we worship, God by believing and following his WORD or the BEAST by following the teaching and traditions of men that lead us away from God to break his Commandments *REVELATION 13:8; 13:12; 13:15; 14:7; 14:11; MATTHEW 15:3-9

The issue of worship is over God’s 4th Commandment of the 10 commandments that give us a knowledge of GOOD and EVIL; SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS *ROMANS 3:20; ROMANS 7:7; JAMES 2:10-11; 1 JOHN 3:4; PSALMS 119:172

This results in a people of GOD who keep ALL THE COMMANDMENTS of God by faith in God’s WORD. REVELATION 22:9; REVELATION 12:17; REVELATION 14:12; REVELATION 22:14. The issue is over OBEDIENCE and DISOBEDIENCE.

No one has received the MARK OF THE BEAST until it become ENFORCED UNDER CIVIL LAW *REVELATION 13:16-17. The issue will be over worship *REVELATION 13:8; 13:12; 13:15; 14:7; 14:11; MATTHEW 15:3-9. Do we BELIEVE and FOLLOW God’s WORD and keep ALL THE COMMANDMENTS of GOD *REVELATION 22:9; REVELATION 12:17; REVELATION 14:12; REVELATION 22:14 or do we BELIEVE and FOLLOW the MOTHER OF HARLOTS *The MOTHER of all UNFAITHFUL CHURCHES, and RECEIVE the MARK of the BEAST? Which will you choose?

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SIN is the breaking of God's Commandments (James 2:9-11; Romans 7:7; 1 John 3:4) Those who CONTINUE in UNREPENTANT SIN will NOT enter into the KINGDOM of HEAVEN.

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God's 4th commandment is one of the ten (Exodus 20:8-11) If we knowingly break it when God asks us not to we stand guilty before God of committing sin (James 2:8-12). If we do not seek him in repentance and forgiveness we are in danger of the Judgement (Hebrews 10:26-27)

Sunday worship is a tradition and teaching of man that has led many to UNKNOWINGLY break the commandments of God. Jesus says that if we follow the traditions of man that break the commandments of God we are not following God (Matthew 15:3-9)

There is not one scripture in all of God's Word that says that God's 4th Commandment is now ABOLISHED and we are now commanded to KEEP Sunday as a Holy day. Who should we follow the teachings and traditions of men or the Word of God? Who should we believe the Words of men or the Word of God?

In times of ignorance God winks at but now, <when a KNOWLEDGE of the truth has come> calls all men everywhere to REPENT (FOLLOW) (Acts 17:30-31).

God bless.

 

[Original Happy Camper]

There is not one scripture in all of God's Word that says that God's 4th Commandment is now ABOLISHED and we are now commanded to KEEP Sunday as a Holy day. Who should we follow the teachings and traditions of men or the Word of God? Who should we believe the Words of men or the Word of God?

Matthew 5:18

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

King James Version (KJV)

 

[iamlamad]

REVELATION 13:1-18
[1] And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Note: This beast is similar to the dragon from Revelation 12. They both have “seven heads and ten horns.” Revelation 17:10 shows us that the seven heads are seven consecutive world powers- earthly governments Satan uses to persecute God’s faithful church. The dragon is Satan working through pagan religions, the occult and spiritualism, while the beast symbolizes Satan working in disguise, using the corrupted Christian church to do his work. In verse 5 we see that the beast continues “forty and two months” (the 1,260 year period of Papal dominance). In verse 7 it makes “war with the saints,” persecuting Christ’s true followers who struggled to maintain the truth of God’s Word. This beast is none other than the Papal church system. It arose as predicted among the populated nations of Europe, symbolized by “the sea” and the “ten horns.” Revelation 17:15.

[2] And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Note: This beast has the characteristics of a leopard, a bear and a lion, the same beast powers mentioned in Daniel 7—the leopard of Greece, the bear for Medo-Persia and the lion for Babylon. This beast represents the Papacy, the same religious-political power portrayed by the little horn of Daniel 7. The dragon gives this beast “his power, and his seats, and great authority.” Pagan Rome gave all these things to Papal Rome, and apostates Christianity replaced paganism as the means through which Satan persecuted God’s faithful people for hundreds of years.

[3] And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
[4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Note: In 1798 the French General Berthier under the commands of Napoleon took the Pope prisoner and attempted to completely eliminate the Papacy as an institution. It seems to the world that the Papacy was “wounded to death.” However, the prophecy says that the wound “was healed.” In 1929 the Papacy regained its civil power with the creation of the Vatican State, and the wound began to heal. At some point in the near future the Roman Catholic Church system will completely cover her former glory and will have more power and prominence than ever before. “And the entire world wondered after the beast.” See also vs. 8.

[5]And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

[6]And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
[7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Note: The characteristics of this beast parallel very closely the ones in Daniel 7:20-21, 25 and 8:10-12.

[8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
[9] If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Note: In the last days, nearly the whole world, those “whose names are not written in the book of life,” with “worship” this beast. The day is coming soon when the majority of humankind will obey a few supporting the authority of the Papacy above the commands of God, and will thus worship the beast. See notes on Revelation 13:11-15. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s “Book of Life” will stay true to God. This book records the names of all the saved from every generation of Earth’s history. Revelation 20:12, 15.

[10] He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Note: This prediction was fulfilled when the Pope was taken into captivity and this persecuting power received its deadly wound.

[11] And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
[12] And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
[13] And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
[14] And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
[15] And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Note: The next beast in the vision comes up “out of the earth: and is described as having “two horns like a lamb. This beast represents the United States of America. Here are five clues which help us to accurately determine its identity:

1. It comes to power around 1798 as the Papacy is going into captivity and receiving its deadly wound. At that time the United States was just “coming up” as a youthful nation. The United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776, and by 1790 all thirteen colonies had ratified the constitution. This nation was quickly drawn into world politics and today is a world superpower.

2. The “sea” represents “multitudes and nations.” Revelation 17:15. The beasts that arise from the sea usually do so amid the strife of war. By contrast, this one comes “out of the earth," representing a relatively peaceful emergence in a comparatively unpopulated area. This is exactly the manner in which The United States came to power.

3. This beast with “two horns like a lamb” represents a nation of youth, innocence and gentleness, which is based on the two great principles of civil and religious liberty (“for where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty” 2 Corinthians 3:17). At its inception, the United States had the strength of its form of government, and of its people’s religion. Republicanism and Protestantism were the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity. It is strong because the government and the church are separate, without one controlling the other.

4. It is noteworthy that this beast lacks any crowns. The United States of America is a grand experiment in government that serves its people rather than enslaving them, and in religion that allows freedom of conscience and expression. It is a country that has government without a king and religion without a pope.

5. It becomes a world power, strong enough to force the world, on pain of death, to worship the image of the beast, vss. 12-17.

This beast will speak “as a dragon” and exercise “all the power of the first beast before him.” The “first beast,” as an agent of the dragon, used its “power” in state affairs to enforce religious laws, resulting in the persecution of the “heretics” who would not submit. For America to do this and “give life unto the image of the beast” it would have to abandon the principles of religious freedom, repudiate the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and discard the fundamental beliefs that have made this great nation what it is. When America uses its power to enforce religious laws and persuades other governments to do the same, it creates an “image of the beast” and it gives life, reflecting the intolerance and persecutions of the medieval Papal Church.

In the near future the United States will speak like a dragon and impose a religious law enforcing the worship of the first beast. Protestants in America will reject God’s law, and His power will be withdrawn from the churches and His protection from the nation. Society will become increasingly evil and violent, and at the same time the judgements of God will descend on the United States and on the world. Instead of embracing repentance and inward heart change, Protestant America will demand that the government enforce religious laws to “bring this nation back to God.” First of all a law will be enacted making Sunday a day of rest as all its citizens. This will be a further rejection of God’s law and of His seventh-day Sabbath in the fourth commandment. As world conditions continue to deteriorate, economic sanctions will be legislated against those who refuse to comply with this new Sunday law, and they will be unable to buy or sell. Finally a death decree will be issued against them, and the United States will “cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” Christ’s return to save His faithful interrupts the death decree.

The United States will deceive the world into making “an image of the first beast” through the use of “great wonders” and “miracles.” In Revelation 19:20 this beast is called “the false prophet,” and in Revelation 16:13, 14 he is said to work these miracles through “the spirits of devils.” Matthew 14:23-27 indicates that false Christ will add such strength to those deceptions as to make them very nearly overpowering; 2 Corinthians 11:14 adds that Satan himself is capable of masquerading as “an angel of light.”

[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
[17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
[18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Note: The beast causes his followers to receive a “mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell” without the “mark,” or the “name,” or the “number of the name of the first beast. The mark of the beast will be the observance of a religious law, enforced by the United States and other governments around the world, endorsing the authority of the Papacy. Those who receive the mark in their foreheads believe that this “Sunday law” is necessary to regain God’s favor, while those marked in the hand obey only out of fear of death. This mark is Satan’s counterfeit of the seal God places in the forehead of His followers. Revelation 7:3. God’s seal is His name, character and law written in His people’s hearts and minds and is seen in His seventh-day Sabbath commandment, which identifies Him as our Creator. See note on Revelation 7:2-3. In Revelation 14:12 those who resist the mark of the beast are those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

What is the significance of the number 666? We know that the beast, whose number this is, symbolizes the Roman Papacy, and that it’s “the number of a man.” One of the pope’s titles is said to be Vicarius Filii Dei, “Vicar of the Son of God.” In Latin, the language of Catholicism, some of the letters double as numbers, and the numerical value of Vicarius Filii Dei adds up to 666, and a great many Bible scholars believe that this is how 666 is to be interpreted. (Rev 13 commentary)

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Jerusalem does not fit the descriptions of Revelation 13.

Take Care.

Sorry, but I choose to believe John's clear words rather than your failed human reasoning. The Beast and False Prophet will make Jerusalem their home for 3.5 years. And from their they will deceive the entire world. God's plan was for Jerusalem to point people to God, but the Antichrist Beast used that city to deceive the entire world.

This is not rocket science. All false religions will be deceived by this new religion: the Beast is GOD. After all, He is in God's temple in Jerusalem. The world will end up worshiping the Beast as God.
That means all Catholics not born again and left behind will worship him.
That means all Buddhists will worship him.
That means all Hindu's will worship him.
All people in all false religions will worship him.
All people without a religion will worship him.
The only people who will not worship him will be those who trust in Jesus.

There is no verse in Rev. 13 that tells us He makes His home in Jerusalem. We find that elsewhere.

 

[iamlamad]

We have looked at and identified who the HARLOT WOMAN sitting on the scarlet colored BEAST is and let the scriptures define these symbols which the bible alone says that the MYSTERY HARLOT NAMED BABYLON represents the UNFAITHFUL MOTHER CHURCH of all Churches which also has UNFAITHFUL DAUGHTER CHURCHES * REVELATION 14:8; 17:1-5; 18:1-10.

I have previously shown that this theory is false.

We also looked the HEBREW and GREEK meanings of MARK; SEAL and SIGN and compared these word meanings with the scriptures found in REVELATION 13:6; REVELATION 7:4-10; DEUTERONOMY 6:8; EZEKIEL 9:1-11; EZEKIEL 20:11-12; All of which liked the SERVITUDE of OBEDIENCE to God’s 10 Commandments to God’s SEAL; SIGN and MARK (which all have a similar meaning) or SERVITUDE to DISOBEDIENCE to God’s Commandments. *REVELATION 14:8-12. As the MARK is a symbol of SERVITUDE to God’s WORD and OBEDIENCE or SERVITUDE to the BEAST and DISOBEDIENCE we saw that RECEIVING the BEASTS MARK of DISOBEDIENCE in the HAND or the FOREHEAD means; *HAND = To act out or to do action (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Acts 4:28 etc) *FOREHAND = To believe or think (EZEKIEL 3:8-9; JEREMIAH 3:3 see also word meanings).

]
Why not just take what John wrote literally? It will be a REAL mark on the right hand or on the forehead. Part of its purpose is to easily find people without the mark so they can be put to death. OF COURSE those that receive the mark are swearing servitude to the Beast.

CONCLUSION: The MARK OF THE BEAST is a SYMBOL OF SERVITUDE to the BEAST of REVELATION 13 and REVELATION 14; REVELATION 17 and REVELATION 18 which is influenced by the MOTHER OF ALL UNFAITHFUL CHURCHES names BABYLON THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS *REVELATION 17:1-5.

Revelation 17 and 18 show us the destruction of "Babylon" the woman seen riding the Beast, and is referring to the city of Jerusalem: both the physical city that will be destroyed but built again, and the MYSTERY city that deceived the world, that will never be seen again.

The issue of worship is over God’s 4th Commandment of the 10 commandments that give us a knowledge of GOOD and EVIL; SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS *ROMANS 3:20; ROMANS 7:7; JAMES 2:10-11; 1 JOHN 3:4; PSALMS 119:172

This is PURE SPECULATION - human reasoning gone astray. The issue is as plain as day." A MAN declares he is the God of the Jews (In the Jewish temple) and a false prophet produces false miracles to prove the first man is God. The issue is worshiping this man as a FALSE GOD.

SIN is the breaking of God's Commandments (James 2:9-11; Romans 7:7; 1 John 3:4) Those who CONTINUE in UNREPENTANT SIN will NOT enter into the KINGDOM of HEAVEN.

The truth is, if any man says he has no sin, he is a liar. Read John.

Sunday worship is a tradition and teaching of man that has led many to UNKNOWINGLY break the commandments of God. Jesus says that if we follow the traditions of man that break the commandments of God we are not following God (Matthew 15:3-9)

It is a tradition the early church did right after Jesus' resurrection. Were THEY wrong?
If they were, God would have correct them. He didn't.

1. Acts 20:7
   And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

If they were wrong, Paul would have corrected them.

Paul gives us the NT truth of choosing a day:

Romans 14:5
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

There is not one scripture in all of God's Word that says that God's 4th Commandment is now ABOLISHED and we are now commanded to KEEP Sunday as a Holy day. Who should we follow the teachings and traditions of men or the Word of God? Who should we believe the Words of men or the Word of God?

Why do we need such a scripture? Jesus fulfilled the law and it was nailed to His cross. We follow the gospel of Paul (Unless you are a Jew.) If worship on Sunday was so important, why was it not covered at the first Jerusalem conference? It wasn't because Jesus choose to rise on the first day of the week and the church then began to come together on the first day of the week, and it was called "the Lord's Day."

Summary: the REAL challenge during the days of great tribulation will be WHO will one worship? The God of creation or the Beast who imagines he is god?
The day of the week at that time will be meaningless. Angels will fly with the everlasting gospel for that time. Is a day of the week mentioned? No. Only Worship the God of creation, fear Him and give glory to Him. No mention of the death and resurrection of Jesus - in fact - no mention of the Son at all. The church age is over.

 

[eclipsenow]

Matthew 5:18

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

King James Version (KJV)

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

 

[eclipsenow]

Why not just take what John wrote literally?

Because Revelation is written in apocalypse - a literature style common 200BC to 200AD - and it is all symbolism. Learn to read it as Shakespeare, not a timetable.

It will be a REAL mark on the right hand or on the forehead.

Weirdly - we have to go to Deuteronomy's 'Shema' - the prayer of devotion to God - to understand the mark of the beast.

Deuteronomy 6:4-8 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."

Then when we come to Revelation 13, we have Military power represented in the first beast and the propaganda machine for Economic power in the second beast.

Now, what's with the 666? First, the Hebrew number symbolism is significant, in that 6 is the number of a man. It's the number of the day we were created on, the days of the week we work, and short of God's perfect 7.

There's also another potential twist - the gematria (taking Hebrew letters as numbers) for both "BEAST" and / or "Nero Caesar" apparently both equal 666 when added up from the Hebrew.

In other words, don't bind your politics and materialism to your hands and forehead. Don't worship your leader or money. Stay true to Christ - no matter what happens. Jesus is worth it. Instead - be one of those in the very next Chapter that have their Father's name written on their foreheads!

This video explains more - 11 minutes for the second half of Revelation - well worth it. Share at church!

 

[LoveGodsWord]

Sorry, but I choose to believe John's clear words rather than your failed human reasoning. The Beast and False Prophet will make Jerusalem their home for 3.5 years. And from their they will deceive the entire world. God's plan was for Jerusalem to point people to God, but the Antichrist Beast used that city to deceive the entire world.

This is not rocket science. All false religions will be deceived by this new religion: the Beast is GOD. After all, He is in God's temple in Jerusalem. The world will end up worshiping the Beast as God.
That means all Catholics not born again and left behind will worship him.
That means all Buddhists will worship him.
That means all Hindu's will worship him.
All people in all false religions will worship him.
All people without a religion will worship him.
The only people who will not worship him will be those who trust in Jesus.

There is no verse in Rev. 13 that tells us He makes His home in Jerusalem. We find that elsewhere.

Well not really. According to the scriptures we read...

REVELATION 13:1-18
[1] And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Note: This beast is similar to the dragon from Revelation 12. They both have “seven heads and ten horns.” Revelation 17:10 shows us that the seven heads are seven consecutive world powers- earthly governments Satan uses to persecute God’s faithful church. The dragon is Satan working through pagan religions, the occult and spiritualism, while the beast symbolizes Satan working in disguise, using the corrupted Christian church to do his work. In verse 5 we see that the beast continues “forty and two months” (the 1,260 year period of Papal dominance). In verse 7 it makes “war with the saints,” persecuting Christ’s true followers who struggled to maintain the truth of God’s Word. This beast is none other than the Papal church system. It arose as predicted among the populated nations of Europe, symbolized by “the sea” and the “ten horns.” Revelation 17:15.

[2] And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Note: This beast has the characteristics of a leopard, a bear and a lion, the same beast powers mentioned in Daniel 7—the leopard of Greece, the bear for Medo-Persia and the lion for Babylon. This beast represents the Papacy, the same religious-political power portrayed by the little horn of Daniel 7. The dragon gives this beast “his power, and his seats, and great authority.” Pagan Rome gave all these things to Papal Rome, and apostates Christianity replaced paganism as the means through which Satan persecuted God’s faithful people for hundreds of years.

[3] And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
[4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Note: In 1798 the French General Berthier under the commands of Napoleon took the Pope prisoner and attempted to completely eliminate the Papacy as an institution. It seems to the world that the Papacy was “wounded to death.” However, the prophecy says that the wound “was healed.” In 1929 the Papacy regained its civil power with the creation of the Vatican State, and the wound began to heal. At some point in the near future the Roman Catholic Church system will completely cover her former glory and will have more power and prominence than ever before. “And the entire world wondered after the beast.” See also vs. 8.

[5]And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

[6]And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
[7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Note: The characteristics of this beast parallel very closely the ones in Daniel 7:20-21, 25 and 8:10-12.

[8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
[9] If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Note: In the last days, nearly the whole world, those “whose names are not written in the book of life,” with “worship” this beast. The day is coming soon when the majority of humankind will obey a few supporting the authority of the Papacy above the commands of God, and will thus worship the beast. See notes on Revelation 13:11-15. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s “Book of Life” will stay true to God. This book records the names of all the saved from every generation of Earth’s history. Revelation 20:12, 15.

[10] He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Note: This prediction was fulfilled when the Pope was taken into captivity and this persecuting power received its deadly wound.

[11] And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
[12] And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
[13] And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
[14] And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
[15] And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Note: The next beast in the vision comes up “out of the earth: and is described as having “two horns like a lamb. This beast represents the United States of America. Here are five clues which help us to accurately determine its identity:

1. It comes to power around 1798 as the Papacy is going into captivity and receiving its deadly wound. At that time the United States was just “coming up” as a youthful nation. The United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776, and by 1790 all thirteen colonies had ratified the constitution. This nation was quickly drawn into world politics and today is a world superpower.

2. The “sea” represents “multitudes and nations.” Revelation 17:15. The beasts that arise from the sea usually do so amid the strife of war. By contrast, this one comes “out of the earth," representing a relatively peaceful emergence in a comparatively unpopulated area. This is exactly the manner in which The United States came to power.

3. This beast with “two horns like a lamb” represents a nation of youth, innocence and gentleness, which is based on the two great principles of civil and religious liberty (“for where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty” 2 Corinthians 3:17). At its inception, the United States had the strength of its form of government, and of its people’s religion. Republicanism and Protestantism were the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity. It is strong because the government and the church are separate, without one controlling the other.

4. It is noteworthy that this beast lacks any crowns. The United States of America is a grand experiment in government that serves its people rather than enslaving them, and in religion that allows freedom of conscience and expression. It is a country that has government without a king and religion without a pope.

5. It becomes a world power, strong enough to force the world, on pain of death, to worship the image of the beast, vss. 12-17.

This beast will speak “as a dragon” and exercise “all the power of the first beast before him.” The “first beast,” as an agent of the dragon, used its “power” in state affairs to enforce religious laws, resulting in the persecution of the “heretics” who would not submit. For America to do this and “give life unto the image of the beast” it would have to abandon the principles of religious freedom, repudiate the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and discard the fundamental beliefs that have made this great nation what it is. When America uses its power to enforce religious laws and persuades other governments to do the same, it creates an “image of the beast” and it gives life, reflecting the intolerance and persecutions of the medieval Papal Church.

In the near future the United States will speak like a dragon and impose a religious law enforcing the worship of the first beast. Protestants in America will reject God’s law, and His power will be withdrawn from the churches and His protection from the nation. Society will become increasingly evil and violent, and at the same time the judgements of God will descend on the United States and on the world. Instead of embracing repentance and inward heart change, Protestant America will demand that the government enforce religious laws to “bring this nation back to God.” First of all a law will be enacted making Sunday a day of rest as all its citizens. This will be a further rejection of God’s law and of His seventh-day Sabbath in the fourth commandment. As world conditions continue to deteriorate, economic sanctions will be legislated against those who refuse to comply with this new Sunday law, and they will be unable to buy or sell. Finally a death decree will be issued against them, and the United States will “cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” Christ’s return to save His faithful interrupts the death decree.

The United States will deceive the world into making “an image of the first beast” through the use of “great wonders” and “miracles.” In Revelation 19:20 this beast is called “the false prophet,” and in Revelation 16:13, 14 he is said to work these miracles through “the spirits of devils.” Matthew 14:23-27 indicates that false Christ will add such strength to those deceptions as to make them very nearly overpowering; 2 Corinthians 11:14 adds that Satan himself is capable of masquerading as “an angel of light.”

[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
[17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
[18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Note: The beast causes his followers to receive a “mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell” without the “mark,” or the “name,” or the “number of the name of the first beast. The mark of the beast will be the observance of a religious law, enforced by the United States and other governments around the world, endorsing the authority of the Papacy. Those who receive the mark in their foreheads believe that this “Sunday law” is necessary to regain God’s favor, while those marked in the hand obey only out of fear of death. This mark is Satan’s counterfeit of the seal God places in the forehead of His followers. Revelation 7:3. God’s seal is His name, character and law written in His people’s hearts and minds and is seen in His seventh-day Sabbath commandment, which identifies Him as our Creator. See note on Revelation 7:2-3. In Revelation 14:12 those who resist the mark of the beast are those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

What is the significance of the number 666? We know that the beast, whose number this is, symbolizes the Roman Papacy, and that it’s “the number of a man.” One of the pope’s titles is said to be Vicarius Filii Dei, “Vicar of the Son of God.” In Latin, the language of Catholicism, some of the letters double as numbers, and the numerical value of Vicarius Filii Dei adds up to 666, and a great many Bible scholars believe that this is how 666 is to be interpreted. (Rev 13 commentary)

..........

Jerusalem does not fit the descriptions of Revelation 13 but thanks for sharing your view but it is one I do not agree with based on the scriptures provided above.

Take Care.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

I have previously shown that this theory is false.


]
Why not just take what John wrote literally? It will be a REAL mark on the right hand or on the forehead. Part of its purpose is to easily find people without the mark so they can be put to death. OF COURSE those that receive the mark are swearing servitude to the Beast.


Revelation 17 and 18 show us the destruction of "Babylon" the woman seen riding the Beast, and is referring to the city of Jerusalem: both the physical city that will be destroyed but built again, and the MYSTERY city that deceived the world, that will never be seen again.


This is PURE SPECULATION - human reasoning gone astray. The issue is as plain as day." A MAN declares he is the God of the Jews (In the Jewish temple) and a false prophet produces false miracles to prove the first man is God. The issue is worshiping this man as a FALSE GOD.


The truth is, if any man says he has no sin, he is a liar. Read John.


It is a tradition the early church did right after Jesus' resurrection. Were THEY wrong?
If they were, God would have correct them. He didn't.

1. Acts 20:7
   And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

If they were wrong, Paul would have corrected them.

Paul gives us the NT truth of choosing a day:

Romans 14:5
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.



Why do we need such a scripture? Jesus fulfilled the law and it was nailed to His cross. We follow the gospel of Paul (Unless you are a Jew.) If worship on Sunday was so important, why was it not covered at the first Jerusalem conference? It wasn't because Jesus choose to rise on the first day of the week and the church then began to come together on the first day of the week, and it was called "the Lord's Day."

Summary: the REAL challenge during the days of great tribulation will be WHO will one worship? The God of creation or the Beast who imagines he is god?
The day of the week at that time will be meaningless. Angels will fly with the everlasting gospel for that time. Is a day of the week mentioned? No. Only Worship the God of creation, fear Him and give glory to Him. No mention of the death and resurrection of Jesus - in fact - no mention of the Son at all. The church age is over.

All you have provided in this post are your words arguing against the scriptures shared with you. So I guess we will agree to disagree but thanks for sharing your view.

Take care.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

Matthew 5:18 “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” King James Version (KJV)

Great scripture OHC. I am amazed though how many times I hear people try and explain it away.

God bless

 

[eclipsenow]

Great scripture OHC. I am amazed though how many times I hear people try and explain it away.

God bless

"Explain away..." Depends what you mean by keeping the law? There is this thing called the gospel - or have you been slaughtering lambs lately?

 

[LoveGodsWord]

"Explain away..." Depends what you mean by keeping the law? There is this thing called the gospel - or have you been slaughtering lambs lately?

We are in the new covenant now not the old one. Please read Hebrews 8:10-12 from Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Ezekiel 36:24-27. Do you know what the new covenant is and what these scriptures mean dear friend? If not I am happy to discuss them with you.

Take Care.

 

[eclipsenow]

I know.
But Original Happy Camper wants to push their own particular 'denominal' agenda about meeting on Sundays - and doesn't understand there's a biblical theology to the Sabbath just as there is to the law of the sacrificial system and grace. Oh and threads on the Beast? They're fair game to be taken over in endless debates about the Sabbath. Just you watch

 

[Douggg]

Well not really. According to the scriptures we read...

REVELATION 13:1-18
[1] And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Note: This beast is similar to the dragon from Revelation 12. They both have “seven heads and ten horns.” Revelation 17:10 shows us that the seven heads are seven consecutive world powers- earthly governments Satan uses to persecute God’s faithful church. The dragon is Satan working through pagan religions, the occult and spiritualism, while the beast symbolizes Satan working in disguise, using the corrupted Christian church to do his work. In verse 5 we see that the beast continues “forty and two months” (the 1,260 year period of Papal dominance). In verse 7 it makes “war with the saints,” persecuting Christ’s true followers who struggled to maintain the truth of God’s Word. This beast is none other than the Papal church system. It arose as predicted among the populated nations of Europe, symbolized by “the sea” and the “ten horns.” Revelation 17:15.

[2] And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Note: This beast has the characteristics of a leopard, a bear and a lion, the same beast powers mentioned in Daniel 7—the leopard of Greece, the bear for Medo-Persia and the lion for Babylon. This beast represents the Papacy, the same religious-political power portrayed by the little horn of Daniel 7. The dragon gives this beast “his power, and his seats, and great authority.” Pagan Rome gave all these things to Papal Rome, and apostates Christianity replaced paganism as the means through which Satan persecuted God’s faithful people for hundreds of years.

[3] And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
[4] And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Note: In 1798 the French General Berthier under the commands of Napoleon took the Pope prisoner and attempted to completely eliminate the Papacy as an institution. It seems to the world that the Papacy was “wounded to death.” However, the prophecy says that the wound “was healed.” In 1929 the Papacy regained its civil power with the creation of the Vatican State, and the wound began to heal. At some point in the near future the Roman Catholic Church system will completely cover her former glory and will have more power and prominence than ever before. “And the entire world wondered after the beast.” See also vs. 8.

[5]And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

[6]And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
[7] And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Note: The characteristics of this beast parallel very closely the ones in Daniel 7:20-21, 25 and 8:10-12.

[8] And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
[9] If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Note: In the last days, nearly the whole world, those “whose names are not written in the book of life,” with “worship” this beast. The day is coming soon when the majority of humankind will obey a few supporting the authority of the Papacy above the commands of God, and will thus worship the beast. See notes on Revelation 13:11-15. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s “Book of Life” will stay true to God. This book records the names of all the saved from every generation of Earth’s history. Revelation 20:12, 15.

[10] He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Note: This prediction was fulfilled when the Pope was taken into captivity and this persecuting power received its deadly wound.

[11] And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
[12] And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
[13] And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
[14] And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
[15] And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Note: The next beast in the vision comes up “out of the earth: and is described as having “two horns like a lamb. This beast represents the United States of America. Here are five clues which help us to accurately determine its identity:

1. It comes to power around 1798 as the Papacy is going into captivity and receiving its deadly wound. At that time the United States was just “coming up” as a youthful nation. The United States declared its independence on July 4, 1776, and by 1790 all thirteen colonies had ratified the constitution. This nation was quickly drawn into world politics and today is a world superpower.

2. The “sea” represents “multitudes and nations.” Revelation 17:15. The beasts that arise from the sea usually do so amid the strife of war. By contrast, this one comes “out of the earth," representing a relatively peaceful emergence in a comparatively unpopulated area. This is exactly the manner in which The United States came to power.

3. This beast with “two horns like a lamb” represents a nation of youth, innocence and gentleness, which is based on the two great principles of civil and religious liberty (“for where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty” 2 Corinthians 3:17). At its inception, the United States had the strength of its form of government, and of its people’s religion. Republicanism and Protestantism were the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity. It is strong because the government and the church are separate, without one controlling the other.

4. It is noteworthy that this beast lacks any crowns. The United States of America is a grand experiment in government that serves its people rather than enslaving them, and in religion that allows freedom of conscience and expression. It is a country that has government without a king and religion without a pope.

5. It becomes a world power, strong enough to force the world, on pain of death, to worship the image of the beast, vss. 12-17.

This beast will speak “as a dragon” and exercise “all the power of the first beast before him.” The “first beast,” as an agent of the dragon, used its “power” in state affairs to enforce religious laws, resulting in the persecution of the “heretics” who would not submit. For America to do this and “give life unto the image of the beast” it would have to abandon the principles of religious freedom, repudiate the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and discard the fundamental beliefs that have made this great nation what it is. When America uses its power to enforce religious laws and persuades other governments to do the same, it creates an “image of the beast” and it gives life, reflecting the intolerance and persecutions of the medieval Papal Church.

In the near future the United States will speak like a dragon and impose a religious law enforcing the worship of the first beast. Protestants in America will reject God’s law, and His power will be withdrawn from the churches and His protection from the nation. Society will become increasingly evil and violent, and at the same time the judgements of God will descend on the United States and on the world. Instead of embracing repentance and inward heart change, Protestant America will demand that the government enforce religious laws to “bring this nation back to God.” First of all a law will be enacted making Sunday a day of rest as all its citizens. This will be a further rejection of God’s law and of His seventh-day Sabbath in the fourth commandment. As world conditions continue to deteriorate, economic sanctions will be legislated against those who refuse to comply with this new Sunday law, and they will be unable to buy or sell. Finally a death decree will be issued against them, and the United States will “cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” Christ’s return to save His faithful interrupts the death decree.

The United States will deceive the world into making “an image of the first beast” through the use of “great wonders” and “miracles.” In Revelation 19:20 this beast is called “the false prophet,” and in Revelation 16:13, 14 he is said to work these miracles through “the spirits of devils.” Matthew 14:23-27 indicates that false Christ will add such strength to those deceptions as to make them very nearly overpowering; 2 Corinthians 11:14 adds that Satan himself is capable of masquerading as “an angel of light.”

[16] And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
[17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
[18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Note: The beast causes his followers to receive a “mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell” without the “mark,” or the “name,” or the “number of the name of the first beast. The mark of the beast will be the observance of a religious law, enforced by the United States and other governments around the world, endorsing the authority of the Papacy. Those who receive the mark in their foreheads believe that this “Sunday law” is necessary to regain God’s favor, while those marked in the hand obey only out of fear of death. This mark is Satan’s counterfeit of the seal God places in the forehead of His followers. Revelation 7:3. God’s seal is His name, character and law written in His people’s hearts and minds and is seen in His seventh-day Sabbath commandment, which identifies Him as our Creator. See note on Revelation 7:2-3. In Revelation 14:12 those who resist the mark of the beast are those who “keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

What is the significance of the number 666? We know that the beast, whose number this is, symbolizes the Roman Papacy, and that it’s “the number of a man.” One of the pope’s titles is said to be Vicarius Filii Dei, “Vicar of the Son of God.” In Latin, the language of Catholicism, some of the letters double as numbers, and the numerical value of Vicarius Filii Dei adds up to 666, and a great many Bible scholars believe that this is how 666 is to be interpreted. (Rev 13 commentary)

..........

Jerusalem does not fit the descriptions of Revelation 13 but thanks for sharing your view but it is one I do not agree with based on the scriptures provided above.

Take Care.

In Deuteronomy 31:9-13, did Moses intend 7 literal years or not?

9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.

10 And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,

11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

13 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

In Deuteronomy 31:9-13, did Moses intend 7 literal years or not?

9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.

10 And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,

11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

13 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

See.....

Numbers 14:34 [34], After the number of the days in which you searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall you bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you shall know my breach of promise.

Ezekiel 4:5-6 [4], Lie you also on your left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel on it: according to the number of the days that you shall lie on it you shall bear their iniquity. [5], For I have laid on you the years of their iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days: so shall you bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.

Danial 9:24-27 [24], Seventy weeks are determined on your people and on your holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. [25], Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and three score and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. [26], And after three score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and to the end of the war desolations are determined. [27], And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the middle of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured on the desolate.

..........

The above scripture application here fulfills the prophecy of Daniel perfectly.

Take Care.

 

[eclipsenow]

Any 'beast' discussion that assumes it is a figure we must guess at now has the wrong starting presuppositions.

John indicates 4 times in Chapter 1 of Revelation that 'these things' he's discussing will start soon - and that the whole book is probably about the Roman persecution of the church.
1. "to show his servants what must soon take place"
2. " blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it" - how could the early church obey something that was addressed to Christians 2000 years later?
3. "because the time is near."
4. he SHARES in their tribulation! - John was already in jail because of Rome.

Basically, if Revelation is some sort of timetable that only the last generation will understand:-

• what good has it been for the church for the last 2000 years?
• Why can't anyone agree on this end-times timetable? ;-) Why is it so vague when Jesus and his death and resurrection and the epistles about him are mostly fairly clear?
• Compare that to Amillennials that see it as a book that neatly describes the Roman persecution of the church, Roman temptation to Christians of money wealth and empire, and Roman appeal to trusting in State security rather than God's eternal security. In this case, Revelation has been a relevant warning and encouragement to all Christians in all societies for the last 2000 years. In fact, Christians I know of who have been persecuted in Muslim countries read it this way and laugh at the idea John is talking about a future suffering. They think it silly that John would write to his suffering generation and basically say "You think you've got it bad - wait till you see what happens in 2000 years!"
• The return of Christ at the end isn't a timetable of events but gospel vision and encouragement - it's a sermon reminding us to keep going no matter what happens. It even describes the return of Jesus in judgement from 3 different points of view - repeating the same one magnificent event from 3 camera-views - none of which work in chronological order.
• Phd in Ancient History, theologian and retired Sydney Anglican Bishop Dr Paul Barnett explains further in "Apocalypse Now and Then". https://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-now-then-reading-Revelation/dp/0949108421
• I recommend learning Amil theology as it will free modern Christians from the endless fretting over which credit card or computer chip might be the 'mark of the beast' and being diverted by endless speculation over geopolitical matters and how they fit into a 'Revelation timetable'. Amil will help rather focus them on living for Christ each day and being more compassionate in their local affairs and realistic in their politics.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

No guessing is needed and no prophecy is of private interpretation *1 Peter 1:20. Scripture interprets the scriptures here. A beast in bible prophecy represents a king or kingdom depending on the scripture context.

Daniel 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

Daniel 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

Take Care.

 

[eclipsenow]

No guessing is needed and no prophecy is of private interpretation *1 Peter 1:20. Scripture interprets the scriptures here. A beast in bible prophecy represents a king or kingdom depending on the scripture context.

Daniel 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

Daniel 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

Take Care.

Yes - and the context there is Rome.

 

[Douggg]

The above scripture application here fulfills the prophecy of Daniel perfectly.

I was asking about the 7 years in Deuteronomy 31:9-13. Did Moses intend for those 7 years to be literal 7 years?

 

[LoveGodsWord]

I was asking about the 7 years in Deuteronomy 31:9-13. Did Moses intend for those 7 years to be literal 7 years?

Sorry Doug why do you think Deuteronomy 31:9-13 was a prophecy? I do not see anywhere in these scriptures that they are a prophecy to be honest. From my understanding Deuteronomy 31:9-13 it is referring to the seventh year Sabbatical (see also Leviticus 25:1-7) year or the sabbath of the land. Every seventh year was a sabbatical year and seven weeks of sabbatical years (7 weeks of years 7x7 = 49 Sabbatical years) was the year of Jubilee (shmita) *see Leviticus 25:8-10. Context is given here in Deuteronomy to the sabbatical years (every seventh year) in Deuteronomy 31:7-8 which is in reference to the promised land and v10 being the year of release. Are you referring to the sabbatical years (every seventh year) or "Sabbath of sabbaths" in Jubilee (49 year Jubilee) from Leviticus 25:8-10?

"And you shall count seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall be to you forty-nine years. Then you shall send abroad the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the day of atonement you shall send abroad the loud trumpet throughout all your land. And you shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants; it shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his family." (Leviticus 25:8-10).

Take Care.

 

[eclipsenow]

Again...

Weirdly - we have to go to Deuteronomy's 'Shema' - the prayer of devotion to God - to understand the mark of the beast.

Deuteronomy 6:4-8 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."

Then when we come to Revelation 13, we have Military power represented in the first beast and the propaganda machine for Economic power in the second beast.