The Third Angel speaks and by the grace of God may we hear and understand! This is a very IN DEPTH STUDY so please, please take your Bibles, say a prayer for guidance and delve into it as you would a great, great hill, digging and digging and digging until you get to the treasure you KNOW is beneath that hill.
*******
Three Messages of Revelation 14 by J.N. Andrews
Chapter Five
Proclamation of the Third Angel
This Proclamation NOT a Past Event
It Relates to the Work of the Two-Horned Beast
The Ten-Horned Beast
Its Identity with the Little Horn of Dan. 7
The Seven Heads
The Ten Horns
The Deadly Wound
The Mouth Speaking Great Things
Fate of the Beast.
PROCLAMATION OF THE THIRD ANGEL
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. " Verses 9-12.
NOT A PAST EVENT
THIS is the MOST solemn warning that the Bible contains.
As the pen of inspiration has recorded this language for our instruction, it will be wise for us to listen and obey.
It is certain that the record of our world's history presents no testimony that this message has been heard in the past. And the fact that the first and second angels of this series have been proved to belong to the present generation, most clearly establishes the point that this message does NOT belong to the past ages.
Says J. W. Himes, in 1847: "But the fourteenth chapter [of Revelation] presents an astounding cry, yet to be made, as a warning to mankind in that hour of strong temptation. Verses 9-11. A denunciation of wrath so dreadful cannot be found in the book of God, besides this. Does it not imply a strong temptation, to require so terrific an admonition?"*(Facts on Romanism 112)
IT RELATES TO THE WORK OF THE TWO-HORNED BEAST
The work of the two-horned beast in performing miracles, and causing those that dwell upon the earth, by means of those miracles, to form an image to the beast which all men must worship, certainly pertains to the future. The Third Angel's Message is a warning to prepare the church for this fearful scene. In proof of this fact, we place the prophecy respecting the two-horned beast, and the warning of the third angel, in contrast:-
Of the two-horned beast the prophet says:
"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. . . . 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. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. " Chap. 13:12- 17.
Of the warning of the third angel he says:
"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. " Rev. 14:9-11.
A comparison of these scriptures shows us what an hour of temptation and anguish there is yet before us. If men worship the beast and his image, they will receive of the wine of the wrath of God; and if they refuse, it is at the peril of their lives at the hands of men. This doubtless refers to the time when all who dwell upon the earth, whose names are not written in the book of life, shall worship the beast. Rev. 13:8.
That we may understand the cause of this fearful warning against the worship of the beast and his image, and the reception of his mark, it is necessary that we should examine the testimony respecting the beast, and also the two-horned beast that causes the image to be made to the first beast.
WHAT, THEN, IS THE TEN HORNED BEAST?
This question may be answered by referring to Rev. 13:1-10. When Daniel, in his vision of the seventh chapter, was shown the various empires that should successively bear rule over the earth, they were represented under the symbols of beasts arising from the sea. Three of these having passed away in John's day, it is proper that the fourth of this series, only, should be shown to him. The beast with ten horns, described by Daniel, is also seen by John to ascend out of the sea.
In him were blended the marks of all the preceding beasts, - the body of the leopard, the feet of the bear, and the mouth of the lion. Dan. 7:4-6.
IT'S IDENTITY WITH THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL SEVEN
The beast is evidently the papal form of the fourth empire; for it receives its power and seat from the dragon, imperial Rome. Verse 2. In proof of this, we present the following evidence as arranged by Litch. He is showing the identity of the papal power in Dan. 7 with the beast of Rev. 13:1-10.
"1. The little horn was to be a blasphemous power. `He shall speak great words against the Most High. ' Dan. 7:25. So, also, was the beast of Rev. 13:6 to do the same. `He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God. '
"2. The little horn `made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. ' Dan. 7:21. Thus the beast of Rev. 13:7 was also `to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. '
"3. The little horn had a `mouth that spake very great things. ' Dan. 7:8, 20. So, likewise, there was given the beast of Rev. 13:5 `a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. '
"4. Power was given the little horn of Dan. 7:25, `until a time, times, and the dividing of time. ' To the beast, also, power was given to `continue forty and two months. ' Rev. 13:5.
"5. The domination of the little horn was to be taken away at the termination of that specified period. The beast of Rev. 13:10, who led into captivity and put to death with the sword so many of the saints, was himself to be led into captivity, and be killed with the sword, at the end of the forty and two months.
"With these points of similarity in the two emblems, the little horn and the beast, who can doubt their identity?*(Restitution p. 119)
"The dragon (imperial Rome) gave unto the beast (papal Rome) his power, and his seat, and great authority. "
We have before proved that the city of Rome was the seat of the dragon, which is here represented as transferred to the beast.
It is well known that the seat of empire was by the emperor Constantine removed from Rome to Constantinople; and that Rome itself, at a later period, was given to the popes by the Emperor Justinian.
THE SEVEN HEADS
The seven heads are seven forms of civil power which successively bear rule. These seven heads belong alike to the dragon of Rev. 12, the beast of chap. 13, and that of chap. 17. This shows conclusively that the dragon and these two beasts are symbols of the same power under different heads for there are not three sets of seven heads, but it is evident that the heads are successive forms of its power, one of them bearing rule at a time, and then giving place to another. Rev. 17:9, 10.
It appears that the dragon of chap. 12 and the beast of chap. 13 and that of chap. 17 each represents some one or more of the seven heads yet as each is seen with the seven heads, they must each in a certain sense extend over all the period covered by the three symbols; for there are NOT twenty-one heads. The proper period of each seems to be this: the dragon before the 1260 years, the beast of chap. 13, during that period, and the beast of chap. 17 since the deadly wound and captivity at the close of that period.
THE TEN HORNS
The ten horns are the ten kingdoms of the fourth empire. They are distinct from the seven heads, and hence the ten kingdoms are not to be counted as one of the heads as some have done. The horns are contemporary, that is, all reign at the same time; while the heads are successive, but one existing at a time. It seems that John in Rev. 13:1-10, goes TWICE over the history of the beast, once in verses 1-3, and again in verses 4-10.
THE DEADLY WOUND
We now inquire respecting the time when the beast received its deadly wound. That this event took place at the close of the 1260 years and not before the commencement of that period or during its continuance, we think evident from the following facts:-
1. A head wounded before that period would not be a head of the beast, but a head of the dragon. The prophecy does not relate to the wounding of a head of the dragon, to make way for the rise of the beast, as some suppose, but to the wounding of a head of the beast.
2. Nor could it take place during the 1260 years; for it is said that the beast receives his power and seat from this dragon, and that from that time he was to have power for 1260 years, so that he should be able to overcome the saints, and should have power over all kindreds and tongues and nations.
This 1260 years' rule began with the act of the dragon in giving his seat, the city of Rome, unto the beast, in 538, and ended in 1798, when the city of Rome was taken from the beast, and his power was wrested from him. During this period, therefore, the deadly wound and overthrow of the beast could not take place.
3. The time when the beast received this deadly wound seems to be clearly marked in verse 10. It is there stated that he that leadeth into captivity and killeth with the sword, must be led into captivity and killed with the sword. That is, the papal power, which had thus acted for 1260 years, must at the close of that period of triumph be thus used. Such were the facts in 1798. So John goes over the history of the beast TWICE, first in verses 1-3, ending with the deadly wound; and the second time in verses 4-10, ending with the beast's being led into captivity and slain. This is the event predicted in Dan. 7:26: "They shall take away his dominion. "
THE MOUTH SPEAKING GREAT THINGS
The mouth given to the beast speaking great words and blasphemies, evidently signifies the same as the mouth of the little horn of Dan. 7, which should speak great words against the Most High, and think to change times and laws. It is the papacy claiming infallibility, and pretending to be the vicar of God upon earth. That this prophecy has been fulfilled in the most wonderful manner, and that the 1260 years of papal triumph expired about the close of the last century, cannot be denied. The papal power was then subverted, and the seat of the dragon wrested from him.
We believe, however, that verse 8 -
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world"
- has never yet been fully accomplished.
THE FATE OF THE BEAST
It is certain that the time never yet has been when all except true Christians worshiped the beast. But this time is yet to be witnessed in the fulfillment of the prophecy respecting the two-horned beast.
We expect this in the hour of temptation that shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
It is in view of this scene that the third angel utters his voice of warning. The beast of Rev. 13:1-10, though wounded with a deadly wound, was to recover from that wound, and must, according to Rev. 19:19, 20 and Dan. 7:7-11, continue till the battle of the great day of God Almighty, after which he is to be cast into the lake of fire.
*******
Do you need an even more in-depth study than this? You might. Because I DON'T want you taking anyone's word for the validity of the statements made here. For a deeper study please go here--
https://sites.google.com/site/whostosaywereright2/Home/daniel-chapter-eight-a/daniel---revelation-uriah-smith
There is a A LOT of very pertinent information in those studies. History corresponding to prophecy and all of it lining up so perfectly it's impossible to doubt. Yet people do doubt. People tear things apart bit by bit and Satan loves it, every moment of it. Satan loves it when people choose to believe lies over truth because then he doesn't have to concern himself with them any longer. And people will often believe lies rather than the truth because the lies make them feel better, the lies mean less giving up of selfish beliefs. I've sadly heard before that such and such cannot be wrong or so many people wouldn't believe it. LIES! It's because so many are believing it that it should be suspect, not believed! Narrow is the way, NOT BROAD! But people want to forget that part, people want to join the broad way, they want the easy path, they want the accepted road. The truth is out there for all who truly want TRUTH, God's truth, and not something to selfishly make them feel better. We aren't promised anything good here and now, we are promised eternity with our Savior after He returns for us. If we think we are promised good here and now and by good I mean an easy path, a path with the fewest obstacles, then we are looking at God the wrong way! As soon as the least little thing goes wrong it will be all too easy to blame God and give up on Him if you really believe you are promised peace here on earth now. And by peace I mean a life free of stress, strife, heartache, pain and more. You are promised a help to get through it all, but not that you won't have to experience any of it.
Please, study. Take the time and study like you've never studied before! By the grace of God the truth will be known by you and the Holy Spirit will give you all you need to live in the truth no matter the cost.
In the love of our SAVIOR!
*******
Three Messages of Revelation 14 by J.N. Andrews
Chapter Five
Proclamation of the Third Angel
This Proclamation NOT a Past Event
It Relates to the Work of the Two-Horned Beast
The Ten-Horned Beast
Its Identity with the Little Horn of Dan. 7
The Seven Heads
The Ten Horns
The Deadly Wound
The Mouth Speaking Great Things
Fate of the Beast.
PROCLAMATION OF THE THIRD ANGEL
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. " Verses 9-12.
NOT A PAST EVENT
THIS is the MOST solemn warning that the Bible contains.
As the pen of inspiration has recorded this language for our instruction, it will be wise for us to listen and obey.
It is certain that the record of our world's history presents no testimony that this message has been heard in the past. And the fact that the first and second angels of this series have been proved to belong to the present generation, most clearly establishes the point that this message does NOT belong to the past ages.
Says J. W. Himes, in 1847: "But the fourteenth chapter [of Revelation] presents an astounding cry, yet to be made, as a warning to mankind in that hour of strong temptation. Verses 9-11. A denunciation of wrath so dreadful cannot be found in the book of God, besides this. Does it not imply a strong temptation, to require so terrific an admonition?"*(Facts on Romanism 112)
IT RELATES TO THE WORK OF THE TWO-HORNED BEAST
The work of the two-horned beast in performing miracles, and causing those that dwell upon the earth, by means of those miracles, to form an image to the beast which all men must worship, certainly pertains to the future. The Third Angel's Message is a warning to prepare the church for this fearful scene. In proof of this fact, we place the prophecy respecting the two-horned beast, and the warning of the third angel, in contrast:-
Of the two-horned beast the prophet says:
"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. . . . 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. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. " Chap. 13:12- 17.
Of the warning of the third angel he says:
"If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the lamb; and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. " Rev. 14:9-11.
A comparison of these scriptures shows us what an hour of temptation and anguish there is yet before us. If men worship the beast and his image, they will receive of the wine of the wrath of God; and if they refuse, it is at the peril of their lives at the hands of men. This doubtless refers to the time when all who dwell upon the earth, whose names are not written in the book of life, shall worship the beast. Rev. 13:8.
That we may understand the cause of this fearful warning against the worship of the beast and his image, and the reception of his mark, it is necessary that we should examine the testimony respecting the beast, and also the two-horned beast that causes the image to be made to the first beast.
WHAT, THEN, IS THE TEN HORNED BEAST?
This question may be answered by referring to Rev. 13:1-10. When Daniel, in his vision of the seventh chapter, was shown the various empires that should successively bear rule over the earth, they were represented under the symbols of beasts arising from the sea. Three of these having passed away in John's day, it is proper that the fourth of this series, only, should be shown to him. The beast with ten horns, described by Daniel, is also seen by John to ascend out of the sea.
In him were blended the marks of all the preceding beasts, - the body of the leopard, the feet of the bear, and the mouth of the lion. Dan. 7:4-6.
IT'S IDENTITY WITH THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL SEVEN
The beast is evidently the papal form of the fourth empire; for it receives its power and seat from the dragon, imperial Rome. Verse 2. In proof of this, we present the following evidence as arranged by Litch. He is showing the identity of the papal power in Dan. 7 with the beast of Rev. 13:1-10.
"1. The little horn was to be a blasphemous power. `He shall speak great words against the Most High. ' Dan. 7:25. So, also, was the beast of Rev. 13:6 to do the same. `He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God. '
"2. The little horn `made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. ' Dan. 7:21. Thus the beast of Rev. 13:7 was also `to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. '
"3. The little horn had a `mouth that spake very great things. ' Dan. 7:8, 20. So, likewise, there was given the beast of Rev. 13:5 `a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. '
"4. Power was given the little horn of Dan. 7:25, `until a time, times, and the dividing of time. ' To the beast, also, power was given to `continue forty and two months. ' Rev. 13:5.
"5. The domination of the little horn was to be taken away at the termination of that specified period. The beast of Rev. 13:10, who led into captivity and put to death with the sword so many of the saints, was himself to be led into captivity, and be killed with the sword, at the end of the forty and two months.
"With these points of similarity in the two emblems, the little horn and the beast, who can doubt their identity?*(Restitution p. 119)
"The dragon (imperial Rome) gave unto the beast (papal Rome) his power, and his seat, and great authority. "
We have before proved that the city of Rome was the seat of the dragon, which is here represented as transferred to the beast.
It is well known that the seat of empire was by the emperor Constantine removed from Rome to Constantinople; and that Rome itself, at a later period, was given to the popes by the Emperor Justinian.
THE SEVEN HEADS
The seven heads are seven forms of civil power which successively bear rule. These seven heads belong alike to the dragon of Rev. 12, the beast of chap. 13, and that of chap. 17. This shows conclusively that the dragon and these two beasts are symbols of the same power under different heads for there are not three sets of seven heads, but it is evident that the heads are successive forms of its power, one of them bearing rule at a time, and then giving place to another. Rev. 17:9, 10.
It appears that the dragon of chap. 12 and the beast of chap. 13 and that of chap. 17 each represents some one or more of the seven heads yet as each is seen with the seven heads, they must each in a certain sense extend over all the period covered by the three symbols; for there are NOT twenty-one heads. The proper period of each seems to be this: the dragon before the 1260 years, the beast of chap. 13, during that period, and the beast of chap. 17 since the deadly wound and captivity at the close of that period.
THE TEN HORNS
The ten horns are the ten kingdoms of the fourth empire. They are distinct from the seven heads, and hence the ten kingdoms are not to be counted as one of the heads as some have done. The horns are contemporary, that is, all reign at the same time; while the heads are successive, but one existing at a time. It seems that John in Rev. 13:1-10, goes TWICE over the history of the beast, once in verses 1-3, and again in verses 4-10.
THE DEADLY WOUND
We now inquire respecting the time when the beast received its deadly wound. That this event took place at the close of the 1260 years and not before the commencement of that period or during its continuance, we think evident from the following facts:-
1. A head wounded before that period would not be a head of the beast, but a head of the dragon. The prophecy does not relate to the wounding of a head of the dragon, to make way for the rise of the beast, as some suppose, but to the wounding of a head of the beast.
2. Nor could it take place during the 1260 years; for it is said that the beast receives his power and seat from this dragon, and that from that time he was to have power for 1260 years, so that he should be able to overcome the saints, and should have power over all kindreds and tongues and nations.
This 1260 years' rule began with the act of the dragon in giving his seat, the city of Rome, unto the beast, in 538, and ended in 1798, when the city of Rome was taken from the beast, and his power was wrested from him. During this period, therefore, the deadly wound and overthrow of the beast could not take place.
3. The time when the beast received this deadly wound seems to be clearly marked in verse 10. It is there stated that he that leadeth into captivity and killeth with the sword, must be led into captivity and killed with the sword. That is, the papal power, which had thus acted for 1260 years, must at the close of that period of triumph be thus used. Such were the facts in 1798. So John goes over the history of the beast TWICE, first in verses 1-3, ending with the deadly wound; and the second time in verses 4-10, ending with the beast's being led into captivity and slain. This is the event predicted in Dan. 7:26: "They shall take away his dominion. "
THE MOUTH SPEAKING GREAT THINGS
The mouth given to the beast speaking great words and blasphemies, evidently signifies the same as the mouth of the little horn of Dan. 7, which should speak great words against the Most High, and think to change times and laws. It is the papacy claiming infallibility, and pretending to be the vicar of God upon earth. That this prophecy has been fulfilled in the most wonderful manner, and that the 1260 years of papal triumph expired about the close of the last century, cannot be denied. The papal power was then subverted, and the seat of the dragon wrested from him.
We believe, however, that verse 8 -
"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world"
- has never yet been fully accomplished.
THE FATE OF THE BEAST
It is certain that the time never yet has been when all except true Christians worshiped the beast. But this time is yet to be witnessed in the fulfillment of the prophecy respecting the two-horned beast.
We expect this in the hour of temptation that shall come on all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
It is in view of this scene that the third angel utters his voice of warning. The beast of Rev. 13:1-10, though wounded with a deadly wound, was to recover from that wound, and must, according to Rev. 19:19, 20 and Dan. 7:7-11, continue till the battle of the great day of God Almighty, after which he is to be cast into the lake of fire.
*******
Do you need an even more in-depth study than this? You might. Because I DON'T want you taking anyone's word for the validity of the statements made here. For a deeper study please go here--
https://sites.google.com/site/whostosaywereright2/Home/daniel-chapter-eight-a/daniel---revelation-uriah-smith
There is a A LOT of very pertinent information in those studies. History corresponding to prophecy and all of it lining up so perfectly it's impossible to doubt. Yet people do doubt. People tear things apart bit by bit and Satan loves it, every moment of it. Satan loves it when people choose to believe lies over truth because then he doesn't have to concern himself with them any longer. And people will often believe lies rather than the truth because the lies make them feel better, the lies mean less giving up of selfish beliefs. I've sadly heard before that such and such cannot be wrong or so many people wouldn't believe it. LIES! It's because so many are believing it that it should be suspect, not believed! Narrow is the way, NOT BROAD! But people want to forget that part, people want to join the broad way, they want the easy path, they want the accepted road. The truth is out there for all who truly want TRUTH, God's truth, and not something to selfishly make them feel better. We aren't promised anything good here and now, we are promised eternity with our Savior after He returns for us. If we think we are promised good here and now and by good I mean an easy path, a path with the fewest obstacles, then we are looking at God the wrong way! As soon as the least little thing goes wrong it will be all too easy to blame God and give up on Him if you really believe you are promised peace here on earth now. And by peace I mean a life free of stress, strife, heartache, pain and more. You are promised a help to get through it all, but not that you won't have to experience any of it.
Please, study. Take the time and study like you've never studied before! By the grace of God the truth will be known by you and the Holy Spirit will give you all you need to live in the truth no matter the cost.
In the love of our SAVIOR!
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