Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father and principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and third President of the United States (1801–1809) said:
"But is the spirit of the people an infallible, a permanent reliance? Is it government? Is this the kind of protection we receive in return for the rights we give up? Besides, the spirit of the times may alter, will alter. Our rulers will become corrupt, our people careless. A single zealot may commence persecutor, and better men be his victims. It can never be too often repeated, that the time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis is while our rulers are honest, and ourselves united. From the conclusion of this war we shall be going down hill. It will not then be necessary to resort every moment to the people for support. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights disregarded. They will forget themselves, but in the sole faculty of making money, and will never think of uniting to effect a due respect for their rights. The shackles, therefore, which shall not be knocked off at the conclusion of this war, will remain on us long, will be made heavier and heavier, till our rights shall revive or expire in a convulsion." - Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, [Query XVII, Religion]
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REVELATION 13: THE END OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY - PART 1
Devastating events are about to transpire in the remaining hours of the prophetic history of this world and we need to tread carefully with the gentleness and meekness of Christ as much of what the scripture teaches can be hard to swallow for those who do not respect or love the Word of God. Long held beliefs, erroneous as they may be, are clung to tenaciously as if life depended on these. Sentiment and feelings are preferred to settle arguments over a plain thus saith the Lord.
Revelation 12 in symbolic language identifies the enemy of the true church: – the seven headed red dragon symbolising that old serpent, called the devil and Satan. (Revelation 12:9).
Revelation 13 exposes the enemies of God’s church in real time.
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Enemy number one is the first beast of Revelation 13:1-10 - Papal Rome.
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The Dragon (Devil) gave it its power, seat & great authority - Rev 13:2, Rev 12:9
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Hence it is a 'devilish' worship system masquerading as Christianity.
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Its worship is the worship of the dragon disguised as the Christian worship - Rev 13:4
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Enemy number two is the second beast of Revelation 13:11-17 - Apostate Protestantism of the USA
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The second beast has lamblike horns but it speaks as a Dragon, (the Devil) - Rev 13:11
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It is Christ-like in principle (Mark 12:17 - church & state separation) but it legislates as the Devil would.
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These two beasts are the enemies of mankind.
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Both beasts are inspired by the dragon.
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Both beasts will be responsible for the rejection of Christ by most of the world.
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Both beasts will be responsible for the destruction of most of humanity at Christ's second Coming.
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Both beasts will end up in the Lake of Fire - Rev 19:20, 20:10
To understand the Book of Revelation, one must first study the Book of Daniel. The correct understanding of the first Beast of Revelation 13 would be impossible without Daniel. This beast has the body of a Leopard, the feet of a Bear, the mouth of a Lion and ten horns on its head. This composite beast is made up of the beasts of Daniel chapter 7 - Lion, Bear, Leopard & the terrible beast with 10 horns.
Lion, Bear, Leopard and Terrible beast with 10 horns of Daniel chapter 7
The first beast of Revelation 13:1-10 has the same characteristics as the Little Horn of Daniel chapter 7. The Little Horn arose out of the head of the 4th Beast after the ten horns had arisen. The Little Horn plucked up three* of the ten horns by the roots so they do not exist today.
SUMMARY OF REVELATION 13
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Revelation 13 presents a 7 headed beast rising out of the SEA - v 1
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The beast has the body of a leopard, mouth of a lion, feet of a bear & 10 horns - v 2
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The beast represents seven different kingdoms (7 heads) intimately connected with God's people
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One of the Beast's heads receives a deadly wound – Rev 13:3. cf Daniel 11:40
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This wound was inflicted by Atheistic France cf Daniel 11:40.
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The Dragon uses this beast to war against the saints. – Rev 13:2,4,7
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The first beast has the same characteristics as the Little horn of Daniel 7.
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It persecutes the church, leads it into captivity & kills it with the sword.
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The true Church flees into the wilderness as the Earth helps the woman – Rev 12.
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The first beast led into captivity & itself goes into captivity – Rev 13:10
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The first beast killed by the sword & itself is killed by the sword – Rev 13:10
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As the first beast goes into captivity, a second beast rises out of the EARTH - v 11
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The second beast arises out of the EARTH of the New World – the USA.
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This second beast exercises all the power of the first beast.
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It causes all the earth & them that dwell therein to worship the first beast.
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It deceives the inhabitants of earth to make an image to the first beast.
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The second beast causes all to receive the Mark of the first Beast.
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The second beast will pass a death decree on all who refuse to follow its dictates.
THE SEVEN HEADS REPRESENT SEVEN BEASTS
PROPHETIC SYMBOLS REPRESENTING NATIONS, POWERS, KINGDOMS.
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"King" and "Kingdom" are used interchangeably in prophecy - Daniel 7:17, 23
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"Beasts" represent kingdoms - Daniel 7:23
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"Heads" also symbolic of kingdoms - Daniel 2: 37, 38.
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King Nebuchadnezzar was the head of Gold - Daniel 2: 37, 38.
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The Leopard of Daniel 7:6 had 4 heads => 4 kingdoms of the divided Grecian empire
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"Horns" symbolic of kingdoms - Ram & He-Goat of Daniel 8:20, 21.
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The great horn of the he-goat is said to be the first King.
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"King" used interchangeably with individuals or kingdoms - Alexander the Great symbolic of Grecia.
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The Ram is said to have two horns, (Medes & Persians) Daniel 8:20
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The Ram had one horn higher than the other, the higher horn coming up last.
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The higher horn represented the Persian empire - Daniel 8:3, 20
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Fourth beast of Daniel 7:24 has 10 horns which are said to be ten kings or ten kingdoms
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Beasts = kings & kings used interchangeably with kingdoms as seen already.
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Ribs are symbolic of kingdoms - Daniel 7:5, Daniel 8:4
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The Ram of Daniel 8 conquers in three directions - West, North & South
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The Ram conquers "...so that no beasts might stand before him,..."
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The bear of Daniel 7:5 is told to arise and devour much flesh.
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Hence the ribs in the mouth of the bear represent the kingdoms it conquers.
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"Mountain" is symbolic of a kingdom - Daniel 2:35,44,45.
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In Revelation 17:9,10,11 are seen 7 mountains, 7 kings & thec7 headed beast
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In Revelation 17 these set of sevens represent kingdoms, nations.
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Waters or seas represent kingdoms or powers in Rev 17:15
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"City" is used interchangeably with Kingdom. Rev 14:8, 16:19, 18:10,21
verse 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."
Seven Heads
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The seven heads represent seven beasts found in Daniel and Revelation.
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Each beast represents a kingdom or power affecting God's people.
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Daniel 2 and 7 are complete symbolic prophecies outlining four worldly kingdoms.
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Four beasts are outlined in Daniel 7 - Lion, Bear, Leopard and the terrible nondescript beast.
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The fifth beast is found in Revelation 13:1-10 i.e. the beast with the wounded head - Rev 13:1-10
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The sixth beast is found in Revelation 11:7 - the beast from the bottomless pit.
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The seventh beast is found in Revelation 13:11-17 - the beast that arises from the earth.
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Heads symbolise political kingdoms.
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Leopard's 4 heads (Dan 7) parallel goat's 4 horns (Dan 8) which represent kingdoms. (See Dan 8:22).
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The beastʼs 7 heads symbolize 7 successive kingdoms through which Satan has worked (See Rev 17).
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The head that is ʻaliveʼ at any particular time is the beast of the moment (cf. Rev 13:3 & 13:12).
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Revelation 13:1-10 focuses on the Papal head, i.e. the beast with the wounded head.
FIRST BEAST - THE LION REPRESENTS BABYLON
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Daniel chapter 2 has the image of a man
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The image is made of metal - Gold, Silver, Brass, Iron
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These metals represent Kingdoms
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Daniel chapter 7 has four beasts & a Little horn
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The 4th beast is said to be the 4th kingdom - Dan 7:23
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The 3rd beast must be the 3rd kingdom of Daniel 2
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The 2nd beast, the second kingdom of Daniel 2.
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The Lion therefore, must be Babylon, the 1st kingdom
SECOND BEAST - THE BEAR REPRESENTS MED0-PERSIA
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Daniel chapter 2 has 4 worldly kingdoms
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The Gold was symbolic of Babylon, the 1st kingdom
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Babylon is represented by the Lion in Daniel 7
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Another kingdom was to arise after Babylon
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The Bear is the second beast of Daniel 7
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Babylon falls to the Medes & Persians in Daniel 5
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The 2nd beast is the second kingdom of Daniel 2.
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The Bear is the Silver chest of the Daniel 2 image
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The Bear, therefore, represents the Medo-Persia
THIRD BEAST - THE LEOPARD REPRESENTS GRECIA (GREECE)
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Daniel chapter 2 has 4 worldly kingdoms
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The Leopard represents the Brass kingdom of Daniel 2
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The Medes & Persians conquered Babylon - Daniel 5
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A third kingdom was to arise after Medo-Persia
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The Leopard is the third beast of Daniel 7
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The Leopard is the 3rd kingdom of the Daniel 2 image
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The rough-Goat conquers the Ram in Daniel 8
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The Ram is Medo-Persia - Daniel 8:20
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The rough Goat is Grecia - Daniel 8:21
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The Leopard, therefore, represents Grecia
FOURTH BEAST - THE TERRIBLE BEAST REPRESENTS ROME
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Daniel chapter 2 has 4 worldly kingdoms
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The terrible beast is the iron kingdom of Daniel 2
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The Grecians conquered Medo-Persia - Daniel 8
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A fourth kingdom was to arise after Grecia
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The terrible beast is the fourth beast of Daniel 7
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The 4th beast is the 4th kingdom of the Daniel 2 image
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Characteristics in Daniel 8 point to Rome
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Rome is the fourth Kingdom of Iron of Daniel 2
FIFTH BEAST - WITH 7 HEADS & 10 HORNS IS PAPAL ROME
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The beast with the wounded head of Rev 13 is the 5th
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This beast is a composite of the Daniel 7 beasts
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It has the characteristics of the Little Horn of Daniel 7
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The fourth beast transitioned to the Little Horn - Dan 7
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The fourth beast was Rome, the legs of Iron - Dan 2
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The Iron transitioned to the feet of Iron & Clay - Dan 2
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The Iron is Rome, the Clay is religion & of the 'Bible'
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The fifth beast is Papal Rome
SIXTH BEAST - THE BEAST FROM THE BOTTOMLESS PIT
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This beast represents a nation - Dan 7:17, 23
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It makes war against the Holy Scriptures - Rev 11:7
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It arose from the bottomless pit, the grave - Rev 11
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It has existed before & now rises from the grave
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This beast would manifest a disbelief in God - Atheistic
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Like Sodom, it would manifest great immorality.
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It would be located where Christians suffered terribly
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It would arise around 1798
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See Revelation 11 study
SEVENTH BEAST - THE BEAST THAT RISES FROM THE EARTH
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The beast represents a nation - Dan 7:17, 23
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It arises as the first beast of Rev 13 goes into captivity
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It is described in Revelation 13:11-17
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It will make an image of the first beast - Papal Rome
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Like Rome the church will unite with the state
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It will enforce the worship of the first beast
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It will institute the Mark of the first Beast of Rev 13:1-10
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It will enforce a death decree on all dissenters - Rev 13
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It is the false prophet
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Like the Dragon & Beast, will be cast into the lake of fire
verse 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."
ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns,
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Like the leopard, bear, lion and dragon the ten horns are drawn from the prophecy of Daniel 7
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The ten horns are said to be “ten kings [kingdoms].” Daniel 7:24.
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'King' & 'kingdom' are used interchangeably in prophecy (see Dan 2:38-39; Dan 7:17, 23).
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Horns represent kings/kingdoms, civil or religious governments or powers.
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Four horns in Dan 8:8, 22 are said to be “four kingdoms.”
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Ten crowns on the ten horns signify kingly power.
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The two horned beast of Rev 13:11-17 has no crowns on its horns - no kings rule in this kingdom.
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The ten horns represent the ten divisions of Pagan Rome - Western Europe
and upon his heads the name of blasphemy
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Blasphemy is to claim to be God or in place of God, Anti-God (John 10:33)
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Blasphemy is to claim to be able to forgive sin (Mark 2:7)
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The seven beasts are pagan and atheistic powers
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Their emperors / kings claim to be God or are divine, hence are blasphemous powers
verse 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.
like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion
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This beast is a composite of the Daniel 7 beasts
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The Lion represents Babylon
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The Bear represents Medo-Persia
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The Leopard represents Grecia (Greece)
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The ten horns are off the fourth beast which represents Rome
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The beast receives a deadly wound - Rev 13:3
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These beasts are pagan powers
the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
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This beast receives its power seat & great authority from the Dragon
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The Dragon is that Old Serpent, called the Devil & Satan - Rev 12:9
verse 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.
one of his heads as it were wounded to death;
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This beast is a composite of the Daniel 7 beasts
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The Lion represents Babylon
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The Bear represents Medo-Persia
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The Leopard represents Grecia (Greece)
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The ten horns are off the fourth beast which represents Rome
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These beasts are pagan powers.
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The beast receives a deadly head wound - Rev 13:3
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This deadly head wound is said to heal - Rev 13:3
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No other beast sustains a deadly wound which heals. They are all replaced by the next power
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Papal Rome, the fifth beast, received a deadly wound in 1798
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Atheistic France delivered that deadly in 1798 cf Daniel 11:40
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Daniel 7:25 - God's people were persecuted by Papal Rome for 1260yrs - a finite period
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In Daniel 11, God's people are persecuted in verses 33 to 35
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Daniel 11:35 & 40 tells us this finite period ended in 1798 when the King of the North is attacked
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John picks up on this in Rev 13:3, "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death;"
verse 40: And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
POPE PIUS VI TAKEN PRISONER ON FEBRUARY 20, 1798
and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
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The wound dealt the Papacy was the loss of her ability to persecute dissenters / God's people
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Papal Rome lost her civil power. The church continued with the election of another Pope.
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The Lateran Pact (1929) signed by the Italian dictator Mussolini began the healing of the wound.
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It recognised Vatican City as a sovereign state separate from the Holy See, the Church of Rome.
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The Lateran Pact gave Papal Rome $92 million as compensation for the loss of the Papal States
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The Papal States were regional territories governed by Papal Rome which Italy took over in 1870
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Despite the sins of Papal Rome being exposed, all the world is wondering / marvelling after her.
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The wound will be healed when Rome regains her ability to persecute those who go against her.
verse 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?"
they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast:
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The dragon gave the beast its power seat and great authority - Rev 13:2
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The dragon is the devil and Satan - Rev 12:9
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According to scripture, Papal Rome is a satanically inspired religious system
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The Papal worship is the same as the worship of Satan, the dragon or the Babylonian Sun worship.
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Folk who follow the Papal worship are being deceived into worshipping the dragon or Satan.
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These folk are sincere and want to worship God but are psychologically held fast by the Papacy
verse 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.
a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies;
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The little horn of Daniel 7 has a mouth speaking great things - Daniel 7:8, 11, 20, 25
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In Daniel 11, the king of v 36 speaks marvellous things against the God of gods - Daniel 11:36
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In Revelation 13, the beast has a mouth speaking great things & blasphemies - Rev 13:5,6
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These verses connect Daniel 7, 11, & 13. They speak of the same power - Papal Rome
Blasphemy:
Mark 2:7 "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"
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“The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ Himself, hidden under veil of the flesh.” The Catholic National, July, 1895.
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“The pope is crowned with a triple crown as king of heaven, and earth, and purgatory.” Ferraris' Promptta Bibliotheca, Vol. VI, p 26, article "Papa."
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“What only God can do by his omnipotence, the priest can also do...Indeed it is not too much to say that in view of the sublimity of their office the priests are so many Gods.” Dignity and Duties of the Priest, Alphonsus De Liguori, p35.
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“Does the Priest truly remit [forgive] sins, or does he only declare they are remitted? The priest does really and truly remit the sin in virtue of the power given him by Christ.” Joseph Deharbe, S.J., A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion, p275.
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“The Pope is supreme judge of the law of the land...He is the viceregent of Christ, and is not only a priest forever, but is King of kings and Lord of lords.” La Civilta Cattolica, March 18, 1871.
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“The Pope is of so great authority and power that he can modify, explain, or interpret even Divine laws...THE POPE CAN MODIFY DIVINE LAW, since his power is not of man, but of God, and he acts in the place of God upon earth.” Lucius Ferraris, “Papa,” art. 2, in Prompta Bibliotheca
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"The pope has power to change times, to abrogate [change] laws, and to dispense [do away] with all things, even the precepts of Christ." Decretal, De Translantic Episcop cf Daniel 7:25
"and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months."
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Prophetically, 42 months is 1260 days, hence 1260 years - see Genesis 7:11, 8:3,4 re: the flood
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The flood started in the 2nd month & ended in the 7th month which is 5 months duration
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Genesis 8:3: the flood lasted 150 days - 150 days/5 mths = 30 days in a month x 42 mths = 1260 days
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This time period is given in Daniel 7:25 as "a time, and times and the dividing of time"
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Revelation 12 explains (4) as 1260 days - Rev 12:6 & 14
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Papal Rome continued for 1260 years from 538 AD to 1798 AD - Daniel 7:25
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Papal Rome received a deadly wound in 1798 commencing the "time of the end" - Daniel 11:40
verse 6: "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven."
"...opened his mouth in blasphemy against God..."
As noted in verse 5
Mark 2:7 "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"
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“The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ Himself, hidden under veil of the flesh.” The Catholic National, July, 1895.
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“What only God can do by his omnipotence, the priest can also do...Indeed it is not too much to say that in view of the sublimity of their office the priests are so many Gods.” Dignity and Duties of the Priest, Alphonsus De Liguori, p35.
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“Does the Priest truly remit [forgive] sins, or does he only declare they are remitted? The priest does really and truly remit the sin in virtue of the power given him by Christ.” Joseph Deharbe, S.J., A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion, p275.
"...to blaspheme his name,..."
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Papal Rome blasphemes God’s name by misrepresenting Godʼs character.
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The word “Name” also stands for character. (Ecc 7:1)
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The doctrines of the immortality of the soul & Hell fire misrepresent God’s character.
"to blaspheme ... his tabernacle, ..."
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Scripture teaches that Christ is our high priest. Heb 3:1, 4:14-15, 5:5 & 10, 6:20, 7:26
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Christ ministers in the tabernacle made without hands. Hebrews 9:11
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Papal Rome blasphemes Godʼs tabernacle by setting up a counterfeit earthly priesthood.
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Rome sets up a blasphemous system of mediation in place of Christ, our Mediator (1Tim 2:5)
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Rome blasphemes by setting up an earthly ministry in place of Christ's heavenly ministry
"... to blaspheme ... them that dwell in heaven."
Them that dwell in heaven include the Father, the Son, the angels and elders.
Papal Rome blasphemes them that dwell in heaven by claiming to be greater than even angels.
“Indeed, the excellence and power of the Roman Pontiff is not only in the sphere of heavenly things, and earthly things, and those of the lower regions, but even ABOVE THE ANGELS, than whom he himself is greater.” Lucius Ferraris, “Papa II” Prompta Bibliotheca, Vol. VI, p27. Official Roman Catholic Publication.
verse 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."
"... to make war with the saints,..."
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Revelation 13 borrows much from Daniel 7
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The Little horn made war with the saints for a "time, and times and the dividing of time" - Dan 7:25
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Papal Rome went to war against Bible believing Christians for 1260 years
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Countless Christians were martyred in the various Inquisitions.
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Pagan Rome martyred around three million Christians.
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Papal Rome killed up to 50 million Christians for believing doctrines Rome labelled as HERESY.
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This Great Tribulation covered the period called the Dark Ages (See on Matt 24:21-22).
“The Catholic church has persecuted...We have always defended the persecution of
the Hugenots, and the Spanish Inquisition...When she thinks it good to use physical force, she will use it.” A Roman Catholic publication, The Western Watchman, of St Louis, Dec. 24, 1908.
“Torture was little used from the 9th to 12th centuries, but with the revival of Roman law the process was re-established in the 12th century...In 1252 [Pope] Innocent IV sanctioned the infliction of torture by the civil authorities upon heretics, and torture came to have a recognized place in the procedures of the inquisitorial courts.” New Catholic Encyclopaedia, art. Torture.
“The civil authorities, therefore, were enjoined by the popes, under pain of excommunication to execute the legal sentences that condemned impenitent heretics to the stake.” Joseph Blotzer, article, ʻInquisitionʼ, Catholic Encycloedia, Vol. VIII, p
“Cursed be they who assert liberty of conscience and of worship, and such as maintain the church should not employ force. The State has not the right to leave every man free to embrace whatever religion he shall deem true.” Pope Pius IXʼs Encyclical and Syllabus (Dec. 8, 1864).
In the March 13, 2000 article above, Alessandra Stanley documents Pope John Paul 11 asking for forgiveness of the church’s errors: “Saying ''we humbly ask forgiveness,'' John Paul II today delivered the most sweeping papal apology ever, repenting for the errors of his church over the last 2,000 years.” “Pope Asks Forgiveness for Errors Of the Church over 2000years” Alessandra Stanley March 13, 2000.
"... and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."
Papal Rome held sway over the kings and queens of Europe for centuries
Recall King Henry IV of Germany waiting in the snow for three days for an audience with Pope Gregory VII at the Castle of Canossa. Such was and will be the power the Papacy will have over kindreds, and tongues and nations.
King Henry IV of Germany outside the Castle of Canossa awaiting permission from Pope Gregory VII
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."
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All who worship the beast do not have their names in the Lamb's Book of Life
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These will lose eternal life
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They are depicted in Revelation 14:9,11, Rev 19:20
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Christ determined beforehand to die as a ransom for man’s sin. 1Pet 1:19-20
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God gave man a free will and in doing so took a risk.
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He knew man would sin and had a plan to save sinners who chose to follow that plan.
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God’s law is an unchangeable law, the transgression of which is sin and the wages of sin is death.
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And all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Rom 3:23
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So God sent his son in the nature of sinful fallen man John 1:1, 14
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He did this to demonstrate not what a God could do but what a man connected with God could do i.e. to cease from sin & keep God’s law. – Jer 31:31, Heb 8:10, 2Peter 1:4
verse 9: "If any man have an ear, let him hear."
Those who are willing to do Christʼs will and accept truth (John 7:17) will understand.
We all have literal ears but only the wise have spiritual ears that shall hear and understand - Daniel 12:10, Rev 2:7,11,17,29, Rev 3:6,13,22
verse 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."
"He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity:...he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword."
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The sword can refer to Godʼs word, “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph 6:17.
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The sword can also symbolize the power of the State (Rom 13:3-4).
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Here in Rev 13:10 it refers to the power of the State.
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The beast killed Christians with the SWORD OF THE STATE
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The beast itself is killed by the SWORD OF THE STATE.
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In 1798 the French State abolished the Papacy. See on verse 3.
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The church wields the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
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The church must not use the sword of the State to further its ends.
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Papal Rome for 1260 years led Bible believing Christians into captivity.
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Papal Rome killed millions of Bible believing Christians
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Papal Rome would itself go into captivity and be killed by the sword
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The Pope Pius VI was literally led into captivity in 1798 & died in captivity at the hand of the French.
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Jesus said, “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Matt 26:52.
SUMMARY OF REVELATION 13:1-10
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The beast arises from the warring “sea” of wicked humanity – Isaiah 57:20
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It has seven heads & 10 horns representing the seven beast kingdoms of Daniel & Revelation.
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The beast is a composite of the beasts of Daniel 7.
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Hence, the 10 horns represent the 10 divisions of the 4th beast of Daniel 7
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Daniel 7 is important in deciphering Revelation 13:1-10
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Revelation 13:1-10 is dealing with the beast that has a wounded head.
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It is a blasphemous power as noted below in pts (8) & (9)
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It claims to be God – John 10:33
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It claims to be able to forgive man’s sins – Mark 2:7
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The wounded head is predicted to heal - v 3
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Prior to the wounding, it persecuted God’s saints.
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After the wound, it lost its power to persecute.
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Healing of the wound will be manifested in its ability to persecute again.
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The Dragon (Serpent, Devil & Satan) gave it, it’s power, seat & great authority.
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Hence it is a devilish system of worship masquerading as the Christian worship.
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All the world will be made to worship the Beast power.
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In worshipping it, the world will be worshipping the Dragon (Devil & Satan)
"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding..."
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The wise shall understand - Daniel 12:10
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WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING is found in keeping Godʼs statues and judgments (Deut 4:5-6).
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Those who keep Godʼs judgments and statutes will understand the truths for the last days.
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We are to count the NUMBER of the Beast
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It is the NUMBER of a man
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It is the NUMBER of his name
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The NUMBER is 666
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Daniel chapter 2 described the image of a MAN
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Daniel Chapter 7 presented the eyes and mouth of a MAN in the Little Horn
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Revelation 13 presents the NUMBER of the MAN
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The number is the NUMBER of the NAME of the MAN - Rev 13:17
WHAT IS THE MAN'S NAME?
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This manʼs number is another clue to help us identify this power in Revelation 13:1-10
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A specific man with a specific number must be intended.
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We have identified the beast as Papal Rome, the man is easily identified.
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The man of the Papacy is the one Roman Catholics call the “papa” or Pope.
The Roman Catholic paper, Our Sunday Visitor stated:
““The title of the Pope of Rome is Vicarius 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.” “Answers to Readerʼs Questions,,” Our Sunday Visitor [Catholic], Nov 15, 1914.
Note: Vicarius Filii Dei is one of the Popeʼs titles. Whether it is on his mitre or not is of no consequence.
As we are told to “count the number...the number of a man, the number of his name” we should choose a language in which letters have numerical value. As the Beast is Papal Rome, and as the Popeʼs title is in Latin (ROMAN), and as Roman, unlike English gives certain letters numerical value, it is obvious that we should use Latin, or ROMAN numerals.
When the letters of the Popeʼs Roman title are taken as Roman numerals they total 666. See chart above.
666 is also associated with SUN WORSHIP which helps confirm that 666 is associated with Papal Rome which openly claims to have changed the Sabbath from the seventh day to the day first day (SUNDAY) of the week. See on Daniel 7:25.
“The dignitaries of church and state will unite to bribe, persuade, or compel all classes to honor the Sunday. The lack ofdivine authority will be supplied by oppressive enactments. Political corruption is destroying love of justice and regard fortruth; and even in free America, rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favor, will yield to the popular demand fora law enforcing Sunday observance. Liberty of conscience, which has cost so great a sacrifice, will no longer berespected. In the soon-coming conflict we shall see exemplified the prophet’s words: ‘The dragon was wroth with thewoman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have thetestimony of Jesus Christ.’” Great Controversy, page 592.
As the first beast, Papal Rome, went into captivity in 1798, there is seen rising another beast from the earth in the 1700s
RISING AROUND 1798
ONLY ONE NATION FITS THE TIMELINE - THE USA.
It is no surprise that the most powerful nation on earth figures in Bible prophecy. This now dominant nation, emerged relatively peacefully in the late 1700s to independent power, in the great wilderness land discovered by Columbus and known as The New World. It has since grown to super power status and will play a significant and terrible role in the last days of this earth's history just before the second coming of Jesus.
See webpage "Revelation 13: The End of Religious Liberty - Part 2" (still to come)