Seeking Deeper Comprehension.

The study we are continuing today is from yesterday. We are going to try and comprehend everything on a deeper level, all by the grace of God.

'From WWN6(95) - Exegesis of Revelation, Part 2, The Beast and the False Prophet, pp. 2-4:

The section of the prophecy of Revelation 13 which describes the first beast, can be divided in two parts: 

1) A symbolic description of the beast itself and a brief overview of its history (vs. 1-4); and 

2) What it was to do in the time period allotted (vs. 5-7)

(((Rev 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a BEAST rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 

Rev 13:2  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. Rev 13:3  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. Rev 13:4  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? 

Rev 13:5  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. 

Rev 13:6  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 

Rev 13:7  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.))))

As the description and comment on the first beast is concluded, there is found a clause that will be repeated several times in the ensuing revelation - them "that dwell on the earth." (13:8, 12, 14-2x; 14:6; 17:2) 

Rev 13:8  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. 

Rev 13:12  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. 

Rev 13:14  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. 

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people

Rev 17:2  With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Since the warning in Chapter 12, was to the "inhabiters" (v. 12) of the earth,

Rev 12:12  Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the INHABITERS of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 

and since the second beast comes "up out of the earth" (13:11),

Rev 13:11  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. 

Is this phraseology to be restricted to the area PROPHETICALLY DESIGNATED THE EARTH?

OR is to be given the concept which we give to earth - THE WHOLE PLANET?

The answer to this question will even affect the understanding of Revelation 14:6. 

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that DWELL ON THE EARTH, and (ALSO) to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people

Should the text read as in the KJV - "unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." Or, should the conjunctive, kai, be given its alternate meaning with the text reading, "unto them that dwell on the earth, also to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."

In other words, was "the everlasting gospel" to be first proclaimed to the dwellers of the prophetic "earth" and then to every nation worldwide. This is historically what happened.

Does this fact, therefore, help us to read aright as prophetic language - "them that dwell on the earth."

(((The word DWELL--))))  In the Greek New Testament text of the United Bible Societies DIFFERENT Greek words are used in the various verses in Revelation 12, 13, 14, and 17 for the word, "dwell" in the clause, "that dwell on the earth."

ONLY in Chapter 13, is the Greek word the same for "dwell" in verses 8 and 14 (see verses above). However, in the Received Text (Textus Receptus), the same word for "dwell" (katoikeo) is used consistently in Rev. 12:12; 13:8, 14; 14:6; and 17:2. If this is then to be interpreted prophetically, it adds a different dimension to the understanding of  WHERE THE FINAL EVENTS WILL BE FOCUSED.

Those "that dwell on the earth" will "worship him (the beast)" (13:8).

They will be deceived into making an image to the beast (13:14).

They will become intoxicated with the wine of the harlot (17:2). (Italicized emphasis added.)

It would also appear WHEN the "whole" earth is meant rather than its use as a prophetic symbol, the word, "dwell" is not used, but rather holos (ALL), meaning entire, is associated with the word, "earth." See 13:3.

Rev 13:3  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. 

In the connecting verses between the two "beasts" of Revelation 13, there is both warning and admonition. "All that dwell on the earth shall worship the first beast" with but one exception, those whose names are "written in the book of life of the Lamb" do not do so (13:8).

Recognizing that the first beast represents the Papacy, …

(((NOTE: If you have come upon this study without reading any others, please know that this statement isn't given lightly. This hasn't been spoken hastily, but years of study has formed this conclusion and I have several studies on Daniel and Revelation that can give irrefutable proof attesting to the truth of this bold and possibly shocking statement. ))))

…then one criterion which determines where our names are placed is our attitude toward Roman Catholicism. This includes much more than mere Sunday observance. The doctrine of the Trinity - basic in Romanism, the Eucharist, and other issues enter the picture. Little wonder then that the admonition follows - "If any man have an ear, let him hear." (13:9) (Italicized emphasis added.)

In Rev. 13:10 an unique comment is made - "Here is the patience and faith of the saints." It is found again in Revelation 14:12, and only in these two texts in Revelation. Do these serve as "brackets" for the revelation that is given between? If so, then this call to observe the steadfastness of "the saints" is associated with the activities of the second beast of chapter 13 and the giving of the Three Angels' Messages.

The second beast came "up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (13:11) Two things of importance need to be noted. The prophetic symbolism does not connect this beast with the other beasts - there is no common denominator, the multiple heads or horns which mark the other beast symbols are missing. Only two horns are noted. No prophetic or literal time factors are associated with this second beast. He doesn't speak as "the dragon," but simply "as a dragon."" His two horns are like the horns of a lamb." The symbolism combines the two representations which in Chapter 12 are pictured as in deadly conflict, the dragon and the Lamb.

This beast "exerciseth all the power (authority - exousia) of the first beast." Is this saying that its authority is derived from the same source as the first beast, or is it stating that its controlling influence is as extensive as was that of the first beast, or both? The evident time of prophetic emphasis for the second beast is AFTER the deadly wound of the first beast "was healed." (v. 12) Is it then, that we are to consider the exercise of, and source for its authority? If so, the activities of this beast, as described in Chapter 13, would NOT find fulfillment until after 1929, when the deadly wound began to be healed. But when was it "healed"?

One of the wonders which this beast performs is to make "fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." (v. 13)

This beast is defined as "the false prophet." (19:20)

The allusion to fire coming down from heaven, being done by a prophet, calls to mind, Elijah who is to come before "the great and dreadful day of the Lord." (Mal. 4:5)

This is telling us two things: 1) In the final confrontation, there will be a REVERSAL of evidence. The false and deceptive will produce what will appear to be genuine evidence of Divine manifestation. And 2) This second beast is a religious power seeking to fulfill the role of Elijah.

In determining the identity of this "beast power," we have given it two identifications, the United States and Apostate Protestantism. (((See previous NOTE above. These conclusions are verified in truth through much study. If you're interested in the studies, they are on Daniel and Revelation and can be found by searching my many years of studies posted.))))

In the transitional verses from the first beast to the second, is found the dictum - "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity." This is interpreted as having been fulfilled in taking the Pope captive, and by declaring the government of the Papacy at an end in 1798, thus concluding the 1260 prophetic days. It was at this time, as the Papacy ceased its domination over "the kings of the earth," that the United States came into existence as a nation - "coming up out of the earth." However, to so interpret, excludes the identification as Protestantism, because Protestantism arose in the area prophetically identified as "the sea," and over two hundreds years before the downfall of the Pope. We can respond that it is Apostate Protestantism that is being identified since the symbol is termed, "the false prophet." If this be so, then one must ask, "When did Protestantism become apostate?" To this, we have responded that this state resulted from the rejection of the First Angel's Message. And textually the First Angel's Message is placed in the setting of this prophetic revelation to John, with the Second Angel proclaiming the fall of Babylon, of which the "false prophet" is one part. (Rev. 16:13, 19)

In recognizing this "beast" as a religious power we must also recognize two other factors of prophecy. 

1) As noted above, the prophetic emphasis in Revelation 13 is on the activities of the "false prophet" after the "deadly wound was healed." This extends the time element for the main thrust of "apostate" Protestantism well over 100 years from the above date (1844) set for its inception. 

2) This religious force causes the "image" to be formed. (13:14) The "image" to the first beast would be religio-political even as the Papacy was and is. It must also be understood, that this "religious" power says to those "that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast." This clearly indicates that the political power through which the "image" will be formed is democratic, the electorate is asked to grant the authority. But the "life" of this image is given to it by the "false prophet." (13:15)

Penalties for failure to come into line are twofold: 1) The "false prophet" initiates economic sanctions (13:16-17). 2) The created "image" of the union of church and state - issues the death decree (13:15).

Rev 13:14  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. 

Rev 13:15  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. 

Rev 13:16  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: 

Rev 13:17  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. 

The final verse of Revelation 13 - verse 18 - demands careful exegesis.

Rev 13:18  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.

It can be noted as both a literal fact, and it can convey spiritual import. Use of this verse has been made by Adventist evangelists by identifying the Pope with title - VICARIVS FILI DEI - which in the Latin equals - 666. A publication recently came to this desk which claimed that this title "has long been a forgery of Adventist publishing and is thoroughly fraudulent." Documentation was given for this charge from a work by Gilbert M. Valentine, The Shaping of Adventism, published by Andrews University. Evidently someone has not done their homework, and this would include George R. Knight, who chaired Valentine's original research. It is the Catholic Church itself which admits that "the title of the Pope of Rome is Vicarious Filii Dei. This is inscribed on his mitre; and if you take the letters of his title which represent Latin numerals (printed large) and add them together they come to 666."

A spiritual truth is also hidden in this number and "wisdom." The Greek text reads - "For a number of man, it is" - no article, and the word for man is anthropos.

Six is one shy of seven, which is a Biblical perfect number, but it is a combination of three sixes, three being another perfect number. Thus the number 666 could be interpreted as perfected imperfection.

This even carries overtones of "six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work." Man in the worship of the works of his hands - Cain worship - and self glorification, cannot "Fear God and give glory to Him ... and worship Him who made ..." providing for man, the seventh day of rest, which is the essence of the First Angel's Message. (14:6-7)

Rev 14:6  And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 

Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

The Third Angel's Message also addresses this issue. "If any man worship the beast," but the "beast" is man in the height of his imperfection and rebellion against God.

Rev 14:8  And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 

Rev 14:9  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, 

Rev 14:10  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: 

Rev 14:11  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever 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 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. 

Rev 14:13  And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 

This full picture justifies Thayer's definition of "the Wicked" one, "the man of sin," as "he in whom all iniquity has as it were fixed its abode" (II Thess. 2:8.) (See Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 48, art. anomos) This is the one which the "false prophet" leads those who dwell on the earth to worship. (Italicized emphasis added.)

More tomorrow…. By the will of our God!

All through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD NOW AND FOREVER!!!!!!!