Revelation 13 - THE SECOND BEAST

"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." Revelation 13:11

The first beast of Revelation 13 is the most powerful end-time RELIGIOUS power. The second beast is the most powerful end-time POLITICAL power. THE LAST TWO END-TIME SUPERPOWERS ARE HERE.

REVELATION 13: THE END OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY - PART 2

The United States of America could hardly be thought of as a superpower in 1851.
The Bible predicted in 7 verses (Rev 13:11-17) that this nation would become a global superpower.
From the War of Independence (1775 - 1883) to its present standing, no other nation has been able to prosecute wars on foreign soil, win or loose, like America.
No other nation has had the economic clout like America to maintain those wars.
No other nation has had the military capability like America to actively engage on a global scale in conflicts abroad whether it be in Asia, Africa or the Middle East.
The first beast of Revelation 13:1-10 went into captivity in 1798 - vs 10
As the first beast is going into captivity we see another beast rise out of the earth in Revelation 13:11
Only one nation fits the prophetic timeline - the United States of America

The founders of the United States were much opposed to the Papal principle of uniting Church & State. They knew too well the intolerance and persecution which had endured for centuries in Europe.

It took well over a hundred years of Catholic immigration, political manoeuvering and media brainwashing, before the American people were willing to elect their first Roman Catholic president in the 1960s. Even then they only did so after he had publicly repudiated the Catholic principle of uniting Church with State.

John F. Kennedy on the Separation of Church and State (1960)

On September 12, 1960, Kennedy went to Texas to address the Greater Houston Ministerial Association and allayed fears that he would 'listen' to the Pope but he also delivered a seminal statement on the separation of church and state

"Reverend Meza, Reverend Reck, I'm grateful for your generous invitation to speak my views.
While the so-called religious issue is necessarily and properly the chief topic here tonight, I want to emphasize from the outset that we have far more critical issues to face in the 1960 election; the spread of Communist influence, until it now festers 90 miles off the coast of Florida—the humiliating treatment of our President and Vice President by those who no longer respect our power—the hungry children I saw in West Virginia, the old people who cannot pay their doctor bills, the families forced to give up their farms—an America with too many slums, with too few schools, and too late to the moon and outer space.
These are the real issues which should decide this campaign. And they are not religious issues—for war and hunger and ignorance and despair know no religious barriers.

But because I am a Catholic, and no Catholic has ever been elected President, the real issues in this campaign have been obscured—perhaps deliberately, in some quarters less responsible than this. So it is apparently necessary for me to state once again—not what kind of church I believe in, for that should be important only to me—but what kind of America I believe in.

I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute—where no Catholic prelate would tell the President (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote—where no church or church school is granted any public funds or political preference—and where no man is denied public office merely because his religion differs from the President who might appoint him or the people who might elect him.

I believe in an America that is officially neither Catholic, Protestant nor Jewish—where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches or any other ecclesiastical source—where no religious body seeks to impose its will directly or indirectly upon the general populace or the public acts of its officials—and where religious liberty is so indivisible that an act against one church is treated as an act against all.

For while this year it may be a Catholic against whom the finger of suspicion is pointed, in other years it has been, and may someday be again, a Jew—or a Quaker—or a Unitarian—or a Baptist. It was Virginia's harassment of Baptist preachers, for example, that helped lead to Jefferson's statute of religious freedom. Today I may be the victim—but tomorrow it may be you—until the whole fabric of our harmonious society is ripped at a time of great national peril.

Finally, I believe in an America where religious intolerance will someday end—where all men and all churches are treated as equal—where every man has the same right to attend or not attend the church of his choice—where there is no Catholic vote, no anti-Catholic vote, no bloc voting of any kind—and where Catholics, Protestants and Jews, at both the lay and pastoral level, will refrain from those attitudes of disdain and division which have so often marred their works in the past, and promote instead the American ideal of brotherhood.

That is the kind of America in which I believe. And it represents the kind of Presidency in which I believe—a great office that must neither be humbled by making it the instrument of any one religious group nor tarnished by arbitrarily withholding its occupancy from the members of any one religious group. I believe in a President whose religious views are his own private affair, neither imposed by him upon the Nation or imposed by the Nation upon him as a condition to holding that office.

I would not look with favor upon a President working to subvert the first amendment's guarantees of religious liberty. Nor would, our system of checks and balances permit him to do so—and neither do I look with favor upon those who would work to subvert Article VI of the Constitution by requiring a religious test—even by indirection—for it. If they disagree with that safeguard they should be out openly working to repeal it.

I want a Chief Executive whose public acts are responsible to all groups and obligated to none—who can attend any ceremony, service, or dinner his office may appropriately require of him—and whose fulfillment of his Presidential oath is not limited or conditioned by any religious oath, ritual, or obligation.
This is the kind of America I believe in—and this is the kind I fought for in the South Pacific, and the kind my brother died for in Europe. No one suggested then that we might have a "divided loyalty," that we did "not believe in liberty" or that we belonged to a disloyal group that threatened the "freedoms for which our forefathers died."

And in fact this is the kind of America for which our forefathers died—when they fled here to escape religious test oaths that denied office to members of less favored churches—when they fought for the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom—and when they fought at the shrine I visited today, the Alamo. For side by side with Bowie and Crockett died McCafferty and Bailey and Carey—but no one knows whether they were Catholics or not. For there was no religious test at the Alamo.
I ask you tonight to follow in that tradition—to judge me on the basis of my record of 14 years in Congress—on my declared stands against an Ambassador to the Vatican, against unconstitutional aid to parochial schools, and against any boycott of the public schools (which I have attended myself)—instead of judging me on the basis of these pamphlets and publications we all have seen that carefully select quotations out of context from the statements of Catholic church leaders, usually in other countries, frequently in other centuries, and always omitting, of course, the statement of the American Bishops in 1948 which strongly endorsed church-state separation, and which more nearly reflects the views of almost every American Catholic.

I do not consider these other quotations binding upon my public acts—why should you? But let me say, with respect to other countries, that I am wholly opposed to the state being used by any religious group, Catholic or Protestant, to compel, prohibit, or persecute the free exercise of any other religion. And I hope that you and I condemn with equal fervor those nations which deny their Presidency to Protestants and those which deny it to Catholics. And rather than cite the misdeeds of those who differ, I would cite the record of the Catholic Church in such nations as Ireland and France—and the independence of such statesmen as Adenauer and De Gaulle.

But let me stress again that these are my views—for, contrary to common newspaper usage, I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for President who happens also to be a Catholic. I do not speak for my Church on public matters—and the Church does not speak for me. Whatever issue may come before me as President—in birth control, divorce, censorship, gambling or any other subject—I will make my decision in accordance with these views, in accordance with what my conscience tells me to be the national interest, and without regard to outside religious pressures or dictates. And no power or threat of punishment could cause me to decide otherwise.

But if the time should ever come—and I do not concede any conflict to be even remotely possible—when my office would require me to either violate my conscience or violate the national interest, then I would resign the office; and I hope any conscientious public servant would do the same.

But I do not intend to apologize for these views to my critics of either Catholic or Protestant faith—nor do I intend to disavow either my views or my Church in order to win this election.
If I should lose on the real issues, I shall return to my seat in the Senate, satisfied that I had tried my best and was fairly judged. But if this election is decided on the basis that 40 million Americans lost their chance of being President on the day they were baptized, then it is the whole Nation that will be the loser, in the eyes of Catholics and non-Catholics around the world, in the eyes of history, and in the eyes of our own people.

But if, on the other hand, I should win the election, then I shall devote every effort of mind and spirit to fulfilling the oath of the Presidency—practically identical, I might add, to the oath I have taken for 14 years in the Congress. For, without reservation, I can "solemly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution, so help me God."

President John F Kennedy was later assassinated on November 22, 1963 while riding in his Presidential motorcade through Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas.

It was not until 1984 that the US sent its first “ambassador to the Vatican” and since then they have worked more and more closely. The most graphic accomplishment of the Roman~American connection was seen in the fall of the Berlin Wall and the break up of Soviet Communism. The attack on the King of the South (Atheism - Daniel 11:40) had begun. The last two end-timesuperpowers are here.

PROPHETIC SYMBOLS REPRESENTING NATIONS, POWERS, KINGDOMS.

"King" and "Kingdom" are used interchangeably in prophecy - Daniel 7:17, 23
"Beasts" represent kingdoms - Daniel 7:23
"Heads" also symbolic of kingdoms - Daniel 2: 37, 38.
King Nebuchadnezzar was the head of Gold - Daniel 2: 37, 38.
The Leopard of Daniel 7:6 had 4 heads => 4 kingdoms of the divided Grecian empire
"Horns" symbolic of kingdoms - Ram & He-Goat of Daniel 8:20, 21.
The great horn of the he-goat is said to be the first King.
"King" used interchangeably with individuals or kingdoms - Alexander the Great symbolic of Grecia.
The Ram is said to have two horns, (Medes & Persians) Daniel 8:20
The Ram had one horn higher than the other, the higher horn coming up last.
The higher horn represented the Persian empire - Daniel 8:3, 20
Fourth beast of Daniel 7:24 has 10 horns which are said to be ten kings or ten kingdoms
Beasts = kings & kings used interchangeably with kingdoms as seen already.
Ribs are symbolic of kingdoms - Daniel 7:5, Daniel 8:4
The Ram of Daniel 8 conquers in three directions - West, North & South
The Ram conquers "...so that no beasts might stand before him,..."
The bear of Daniel 7:5 is told to arise and devour much flesh.
Hence the ribs in the mouth of the bear represent the kingdoms it conquers.
"Mountain" is symbolic of a kingdom - Daniel 2:35,44,45.
In Revelation 17:9,10,11 are seen 7 mountains, 7 kings & thec7 headed beast
In Revelation 17 these set of sevens represent kingdoms, nations.
Waters or seas represent kingdoms or powers in Rev 17:15
"City" is used interchangeably with Kingdom. Rev 14:8, 16:19, 18:10,21

the beast with lamb-like horns

The beast has lamb-like horns - Christ is the lamb of God
This beast comes up out of the earth - in contrast to the first beast which arises from the sea
This beast spake as a Dragon - it behaves like the devil - to speak is to legislate by law
This beast exercises all the power of the first beast (Papal Rome) of Rev 13:1-10
This beast will cause the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast (Rome)
This beast doeth great wonders, makes fire come down from heaven on the earth
This beast coerces them that dwell on the earth to make an image to the first beast
This beast will have power to give life to the image of the beast.
This beast will pass a death decree on all who will not worship the image of the beast
This beast will cause all to receive the Mark of the beast.

revelation 13:11-17

The great Methodist John Wesley, taught that the first beast of Revelation 13 was Papal Rome.

Wesley, in his notes on Revelation 14, written in 1754, says of the two-horned beast:

“He has not yet come, though he cannot be far off; for he is to appear at the end of the forty-two months of the first beast.” John Wesley

verse 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."

"And I beheld another beast..."

A beast is a kingdom, nation or power - Daniel 7:23, 8:20,21
It arose around 1798 when the first beast was led into captivity and killed by the sword
The first beast was the beast with the wounded head representing Papal Rome - Rev 13:3
Papal Rome received its deadly wound in 1798 cf Daniel 11:40 - the King of the South push at him
As the first beast goes into captivity / wounded, John beholds another beast arising around 1798
The prophetic timeline points unmistakably to the USA as the second beast of Revelation 13

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: 1776
WAR OF INDEPENDENCE: 1775-1783
CONSTITUTION VOTED: 1787
CONSTITUTION RATIFIED: 1788
FIRST PRESIDENT ELECTED: 1789
BILL OF RIGHTS: 1789
BILL OF RIGHTS ADOPTED: 1791

"...coming up out of the earth;.."

This is another beast distinct from the Papal Beast & exists contemporaneously with it - verse 14
This beast arises after “the first beast before him”– verse 12
It arises around the time the first beast goes into captivity - 1798 - verse 10
This beast (kingdom) arises from the EARTH rather than the SEA.
The SEA is symbolic of nations & wicked people - Rev 17:15, Isa 57:20
The conflict between nations (SEA) leads to the rise & fall of the 7 beasts (kingdoms) of prophecy.
If the sea represents a populous area then the EARTH represents a sparsely populated place.
Recall the woman (God’s church) was persecuted by the Dragon in Revelation 12:13
The Dragon sends a flood, representing persecution, after her … Revelation 12:15
The Woman fled into the wilderness in Rev 12:6 to escape from the Dragon.
The wilderness: a place prepared by God for her where she is FED - Revelation 12:6
In Revelation 12:14, she flees into the wilderness & is NOURISHED there.
She is fed / nourished by the two witnesses of Revelation 11 – the Scriptures.
We are told the EARTH helped the woman – Revelation 12:16
The EARTH swallowed up the Dragon’s flood in Revelation 12:16
Hence the EARTH is the place prepared by God for her where she is FED.
A place in which the 2nd beast was to arise unlike the rise of the other beasts.
The other beasts rose & fell by wars between nations, (SEA) not so the second beast.
The beast arose in the sparsely populated great wilderness of the USA.

"... and he had two horns like a lamb,..."

Christ is the lamb - John 1:29, Rev 13:8
Christ recognised the CIVIL power and RELIGIOUS power - Matthew 22:21, Mark 12:17
Horns are mentioned in Daniel 7, Rev 12, 13 & 17
Revelation 13:11 is the only place where the kind of horn is described.
These horns are lamb-like - Christ like.
Horns represent kingdoms, powers, nations.
The first beast of Rev 13, the Papacy, was also represented in Daniel 7 as a little horn.
The little horn was a union of two powers - Church and State.
The founding fathers of the United States, knew the consequences of uniting Church & State
Uniting Church & State resulted in persecution in Europe and the colonies
The founding fathers of the USA determined to separate the two powers of church and State.
Church & State were not to be combined into one horn but separated into two.
The USA has two great lamb-like (Christ-like) characteristics.
Christian exiles fled to America (the New World) from Europe (the Old World)
They sought an asylum from ROYAL OPPRESSION and PRIESTLY INTOLERANCE.
They established government based upon the foundations of CIVIL LIBERTY & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
These are the two horns of the American Constitution - the separation of Church & State
The Roman Papacy is quite the opposite - the union of Church & State
The Second Beast is predicted to make an image to / of the first beast - unite Church & State

"... and he spake as a dragon."

The dragon is "... that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,..." - Rev 12:9

Jesus said that the devil is a liar and a murderer - John 8:44

The Second beast is a liar & a murderer.

It will institute the Mark of the Beast which has to do with false worship - see Rev 13:16,17

It will implement a death decree & therefore is a murderer - Rev 13:15

To speak is to legislate hence legislation in favour of the first beast will be implemented by the USA

verse 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."

"And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him,..."

The first beast is Papal Rome.
Papal Rome is a union of Church & State
Papal Rome did according to its will for 1260 years - Daniel 11:36, 7:25
The USA will exercise all the power of the first beast - Professed Christianity will unite with the State
Papal Rome was a persecuting power so will the USA be a desolating persecuting power

"... and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast,..."

The second beast is in sympathy with the first beast.
It is a church state system but unlike Papal Rome, without a Pope.
To "causeth" is to enforce by law
The second beast will cause the Earth to worship the first beast.
The Second beast will cause "them that dwell" in the Earth to worship the first beast.
They will be forced (“causeth”) by legislation to pay homage to the first beast.

The EARTH here represents the LITERAL earth* itself rather than a place of “few people” as in v 11
In what way can the earth be made to worship? (Exo 23:10-11).
WORSHIP has to do with a particular day ordained for that purpose.
In ancient days, the earth / land "enjoyed her Sabbaths" 2Chronicles 36:21, Leviticus 26:34
She enjoyed her Sabbaths when she remained unworked on the Sabbath day
The landed rested and kept Sabbath as well as the people.
Hence by implication, laws enforcing worship, will allow the earth "to worship" the first beast.
The 2nd beast forces the Earth & the PEOPLE to worship the 1st beast by legislating a day of worship
SUNDAY is the day of worship for the first & second beasts
Hence expect SUNDAY worship to be enforced upon all people by legislation.
Many of the States in America already have Sunday Blue Laws awaiting enforcement.

*It would make the interpretation of the verse under consideration non-sensical if it referred to a place of "few people" as it would read: “causeth the earth (few people) and them (people) which dwell therein to worship the first beast.”

THE TYPE IN SCRIPTURE OF THE EARTH BEING MADE TO WORSHIP

“And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.” Exodus 23:10,11

“To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.” 2Chronicles 36:21

“Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.” Leviticus 26:34,35

verse 13: "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,"

Deceptive miracles will occur to trick people that God is behind this power cf. Matt 24:24; Rev 19:20.
Miracles empowered by Satan will be performed by those professing to be of Christ (Matt 7:21-23)
This fire is miraculous & deceives (v 14), hence cannot refer to bombs as bombs do not deceive.
“Cloven TONGUES like as FIRE” came upon the believers on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2)
The second beast will DECEIVE by means of a counterfeit Pentecostal fire
Today the tongues speaking movement is helping to unite various denominations.
Many believe that all who speak in ‘tongues’ must have the Holy Spirit.
They will be led to conclude that those upon whom it falls are of God.
It will be a spiritual counterfeit of the fire which fell in the days of Elijah.

verse 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.

It will deceive men into forming an image of the beast - a copy of the papal system
The people of the U.S.A will make a copy, likeness or image of the papal system.
The beast itself, Papal Rome, is a combination of Church & State
The image to the beast will be a combination of Church & State.
Religion and Politics will unite.

When the leading religious bodies of America unite upon common points of doctrine and gain the power of the civil government to enforce their beliefs, they will have created an “image” or copy of the original Beast, and the enforcement of civil penalties upon objectors will result.

As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with Papal Rome in forcing the conscience and compelling men to receive the Mark of the Beast, the people of every country will be led to follow her example. Rulers and legislators, in order to secure public favour, will yield to the popular demand for a law enforcing the Beast’s Mark. Liberty of conscience will no longer be respected. The Lamb-like Beast will then have spoken as a dragon!

STEPS TOWARD TYRANNY

The same steps in the formation of the first beast, Papal Rome, will probably be followed in the formation of the image of the beast:

Falling away from the truth
Loss of spiritual power. False teachings. Controversies. A love of power.
Amalgamation with pagan ideas - Easter, Lent, Christmas, Sunday observance etc.
The convening of ecumenical councils to unite all the various churches under one head
The union of church & State power resulting in the end of religious liberty.
Religious persecution with the Marl of the Beast & the Death Decree, the sure result.

Three of these steps have already been taken in the formation of the Image of the Beast.

Presently we are seeing the drive to unite all denominations in the Ecumenical Movement.

THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT - SHALL CHRISTIANS UNITE?

Christians should unite ON THE TRUTH.
The argument that the Christian witness is failing because we are divided is false.
Throughout history division in the church has been essential to preserve the truth.
The Christian Church would not exist if the disciples had not separated from the Jewish church
If Luther did not separate from Rome there would have been no Protestant Reformation
Had Wesley not seperated from the Anglican church there would have been no Evangelical Revival

Dr. Emil Brunner (German Theologian) illustrates the erroneous thinking of multitudes of deceived Christians : "The church today faces a life and death struggle in which a totalitarian Christianity, or a totalitarian government is the issue. To achieve this goal of Christianity, all minor differences seperating the churches must be forgotten.”

The drive for unity is an attempt to gain power.
A united ‘Christian’ voice is a powerful political tool to bring about the uniting of Church & State.
One would also expect a united Christianity to seek a visible earthly head.
The “man of sin”, the Pope will meekly take the throne.
Sadly many think that this ‘unity in diversity’ to unite Church with State is the will of God
In reality the union of church & state is the will of Satan!
Let there be unity but only on truth.
Can two walk together except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3)

verse 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."

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast...
The USA has risen to become the most powerful nation on earth both economically & militarily. It is the only nation in the world that can prosecute a war in any number of countries simultaneously. God has wonderfully blessed America which has been the great defence against religious intolerance and persecution. Under Godʼs Omnipotence it has become in some respects the greatest nation of all time. Tragically the USA will use its economic and military 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.
In the final conflict those who refuse to accept the mark of the beast or to worship it will be condemned to death.

The USA exactly fulfills the predictions.
It arose at the right time in the late 1700s from the sparsely populated wilderness of North America.
It has become the worldʼs sole superpower
It has a Republican form of government and grants all its citizens religious liberty.
Sadly it is changing character as is soon to speak like a dragon and enforce religious worship.

THE MARK OF THE BEAST

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:

The USA will lead the world into receiving the Mark of the Beast.

The Mark of the Beast is not a literal mark
(a) The word “mark” is from the Greek word 'charagma' which means a stamp.
To say that this proves that the mark is a literal stamp is as foolish as saying that the use of the Greek word 'therion', “beast,” proves that the beast will be a literal beast. Though the word therion means “beast,” the beast is clearly a symbol.

Many things may serve as a sign or mark: The Lord calls His Sabbaths a sign distinguishing His people from the heathen. (Exo 31:13; Eze 20:12; Eze 20:20).

The word “sign” means a distinguishing mark. Such a mark is not a physical object but it is a mark of identification nevertheless. To receive the mark is a sin and sin is the breaking of Godʼs law.

(b) Revelation speaks of Godʼs seal and the Mark of the Beast. One is the counterpart of the other. The mark of the beast is the counterfeit of Godʼs seal, mark or sign (See on Rev 7). As Godʼs seal is not a literal mark neither is the beastʼs mark.

(c) The specification that the mark is received in the “RIGHT hand” indicates symbolism because if the mark were literal it could be taken in either hand.

The hand is symbolic of work (Ecc 9:10). The right hand is symbolic of “fellowship” (Gal 2:9) and those who take the mark will show their fellowship with the beast.

The forehead is symbolic of the mind or will (Eze 3:9).

(d) In Ezekiel 9, a marking occurs which is clearly symbolic (See Eze 9-10. Eze 10:2 esp. shows that this is symbolic). Note that this mark was a sign to preserve the faithful from the destruction that followed. The previous chapter (Eze 8) lists the abominations that led to the destruc- tion, the worst being SUN WORSHIP (Eze 8:16). Remember this as we continue.

IDENTIFYING THE MARK OF THE BEAST

(a) The mark is mentioned 8 times in the Revelation. It is said to be:
“a mark” - Rev 13:16

“the mark” - Rev 13:17

“his mark” - Rev 14:9

“mark of his name” - Rev 14:11

“his mark” - Rev 15:2

“the mark of the beast” - Rev 16:2

“the mark of the beast” - Rev 19:20

“his mark.” - Rev 20:4

Name stands for reputation or character. “A [good] name [is] rather to be chosen than great riches...” (Pro 22:1).

The mark of his name is thus the mark of his character. As the beast is rebellious, the mark is a mark of rebellion against Godʼs requirements.

(b) Rev 13:17 states that buying and selling will only be possible to those who receive:

1. “the MARK...”
2. “or the NAME of the beast...”

3. “or the NUMBER of his name.”
There will either be three means of buying & selling or all three things are the same. The mark is the counterfeit of Godʼs seal and by studying the Seal of God we see that the name and mark are the same thing. Godʼs seal can only go in the forehead as salvation is by faith (head) not works (hand). In Rev 7 Godʼs SEAL is placed in the foreheads of the 144,000 (Rev 7:3). In Rev 14:1 the Fatherʼs NAME is said to be in the foreheads of the 144,000. Thus to receive Godʼs seal is to receive His name, and name stands for character (Pro 22:1). Those who receive beastʼs mark receive his name or character (Pro 22:1).

(c) The Mark of the beast involves knowingly breaking Godʼs law. The final conflict will be over the law of God. “The dragon... went to make war with the remnant which keep the commandments of God...” Rev 12:17. Those who receive the Beastʼs Mark are contrasted with the Saints who “KEEP the commandments OF GOD.” (See Rev 14:9- 10). There will only be two groups, those that accept the mark or those that keep Godʼs commandments. The mark therefore concerns the breaking of Godʼs commandments.

(d) God only destoys people because of sin. As God will destroy those who receive the Mark OF THE BEAST, it must be a sin and “sin is the transgression [breaking] of the law.” 1John 3:4.
The Beast parallels the Little horn which claims to have changed Godʼs law (Daniel 7:25). Because the beast commands men to keep itʼs commandments rather than the law of God, Paul calls the head of this system “the man of SIN.” (2Thess 2).

(e) Taking the Mark will be an act of worshipping the beast. When someone receives the mark of the beast, they do so, knowing what theyʼre doing - worshipping the beast - and rejecting the God of the Bible. (Rev 14:11, 19; 19:20; 20:4). The primary factor involved with the mark is worship. Buying and selling is mentioned only once.

(f) As we have identified the beast as Papal Rome the mark of the beast must be the mark of Roman Catholicism.

SUMMARY

1. The mark is not a literal chip, mark, impress etc.

2. It is the counterfeit of Godʼs seal or mark, i.e. a counterfeit of Godʼs Sabbath

3. To receive the mark is to receive the beastʼs character of rebellion against God.

4. The mark of the beast will be a sin, i.e. it will involve breaking Godʼs law.

5. It is the mark of Roman Catholicism - the Mark of the Beast.

THE MARK OF PAPAL ROME

Roman Catholicism openly confesses that the MARK of its authority is seen in its change of Godʼs Sabbath from the seventh day of the week to Sunday, the first day of the week.

In reply to a letter of Oct. 2, 1895, asking if the Catholic Church claims that the change of the Sabbath to Sunday, the first day is her mark, the following was received:

“Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act, and the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters.” Signed A.F. Thomas, Chancellor for the Cardinal.

“Sunday is our MARK of authority...The church is above the Bible and this transfer- ence of sabbath observance from Saturday to Sunday is proof of the fact.” Catholic record of London, Ontario, Canada, Sept. 1, 1928.

As proof that it has authority the Papal Church states that she, “substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority.” A Doctrinal Catechism, S. Keenan, p 174.

Indeed, there is not one Biblical command to observe Sunday in place of the seventh-day Sabbath. Those who command it are in rebellion against Godʼ.

John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness RATHER than light, because their deeds were evil.”
When Sunday is enforced and men choose Sunday RATHER than the seventh day Sabbath, Saturday, they will receive the Mark of the Beast

THE MARK IS A COUNTERFEIT OF GOD'S SEAL

The mark of the beast is the counterfeit of Godʼs seal, mark or sign (See on Rev 7).

What is the mark or sign of the Creator God?

“I gave them my sabbaths to be a SIGN between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord.” Eze 20:12.

The Sabbath is the memorial of creation and the sign of righteousness by faith.

As we rest on the Creatorʼs Sabbath we remember that God is due our worship because He made us, and that salvation is not of our works but Godʼs creative work. He creates in us a clean heart. (See Ps 51:10). Sunday keeping is the beastʼs counterfeit of the Lordʼs Sabbath.

v 16... Small, great, rich, poor, free, bond

All will be compelled to receive the beastʼs mark. “Free and BOND” indicates that the spirit of slavery will rise again.

v 16... Mark in the forehead or in the right hand
The words “In” (Rev 13:16; 14:9) and “upon” (Rev 20:4) are both from the same Greek word 'epi' meaning “on, in or upon.” Those who WILLINGLY CHOOSE to observe the Papal Sunday law in place of Godʼs Sabbath, when compelled, will thereby receive the Mark in their FOREHEAD, the symbol of the mind / will. (Eze 3:8).

Those who unwillingly observe the Sunday law in place of Godʼs Sabbath in order to BUY & SELL will receive the mark in the RIGHT HAND, the symbol of fellowship & work, “...the right hands of fellowship.” (Gal 2:9; Deut 28:12).

The specification of “RIGHT hand” indicates symbolism as a literal mark could be taken in either hand.

ECONOMIC BOYCOTT
v 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.

Those who refuse to observe the Sunday law will eventually be forbidden to buy & sell (Rev 13:17). Identification cards, chips, digital currency etc and cashless systems are some of the means which may be used to enforce Sunday observance. These methods which control buying and selling are not the mark but the means of pressuring people into accepting the mark. God is not going to destroy people because they accepted something which allowed them to buy and sell! Those who are to be destroyed will be because they committed sin. The issue is sin. Taking the mark of the beast, will involve knowingly committing sin.

As Esau sold his birthright for temporal gain (Gen 25:29-34) so many will sell eter- nal life in order to buy and sell.

SUNDAY LEGISLATION IS COMING

Sunday is held in common between Catholics and virtually all ʻProtestantʼ churches. The prophecy foretells that the USA (the two horned beast), will make an image or copy of the Papal beast in which the State will enforce the churches laws. World affairs are converging to this final crisis.

THE LAST TEST

The enforcement of Sunday-keeping by the USA will actually be the enforcement of the mark of Papal Rome. Those who, understanding the claims of Godʼs law, choose to observe the false instead of the true Sabbath will honour man above God and receive the Mark of the Beast. The last great test will be a choice between the commandments of God and the commandments of man.

STEPS TO TYRANNY

Though well meaning, the on-going political activity of many Christians will lead to a situation few realise. Various world events are leading to the return of religious tyranny. The irony is that the coming religious intolerance will be led by the so-called “land of the free” - Protestant USA.

1. Terrorism laws are leading to persecution
In order for the USA to form an image of the Papacy it must be prepared to persecute and overide existing rights.

Rights such as:
(a) The right of privacy.
(b) The right to a fair trial.

(c) The right to trial within a reasonable period.
(d) Freedom from detainment, within a reasonable period, if uncharged.

Since the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001 the USA, on the grounds of national security, has effectively removed these rights. New laws allow authorities to override all these rights on those declared to be terrorists. The definition of a terrorist is soon to include those who refuse to accept the mark of the beast.

2. Moral decay will lead to religious law

Moral corruption, increasing lawlessness, and the inability of the churches to make any real difference through persuasion alone, are leading Christians to seek political action - a new union of Church & State.

3. Shooting Massacres

The constitution which seperates Church & State also allows people to bear arms. The terrible shooting massacres are leading many toward changing the constitution in respect to the bearing of arms. Once the Constitution is changed in one particular the door is open to change it in any particular.

4. Disasters & pestilences (diseases) will lead to religious law
Natural disasters, and diseases on man and beast will become more and more frequent & terrible (Matt 24:7). Christian leaders will declare that these calamities are the result of Sunday desecration and claim that they will not cease until Sunday keeping is strictly enforced.

5. Miracles will lead to religious law

Events occurring in Christian churches, and believed by millions to be miracles from God, will confirm the believers and convince others that God is with them and their efforts to have Sunday observance enforced by law.

“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles...saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast...” Rev 13:13-14; 16:14; 19:20; Matt 24:24.5.

Those who do not presently believe in the supernatural will easily be deceived when undeniable ʻmiraclesʼ begin happening.

6. Ecumenism will lead to religious law

The uniting of churches will result in the largest voting force of the USA. When this united body seeks to influence the government to enforce DOCTRINES HELD BY THEM IN COMMON, the government will not only listen, but act. It cannot do otherwise. America, thinking it is doing God service, will then influence the entire world to follow its example.

7. Spiritualism will lead to religious law

Messages from demons, but believed by many to be from God, will declare that God is pleased with those promoting Sunday legislation and displeased with those who keep the Biblical seventh day holy. (Rev 16:14; Isa 8:19-20).

THE LAST EARTHLY POWERS ARE IN PLACE

In 1990 Dr. Malachi Martin, an Irish Roman Catholic priest; a retired professor of the Vaticanʼs Gregorian University; an historian; and most importantly, a Vatican insider having been a close associate of the Jesuit Cardinal Agostino Bea, a Vatican Administrator - revealed the Vaticanʼs assessment of its own political power. The title page of Dr. Martinʼs book, "The Keys of this Blood," summarised this theme:

“The struggle for world dominion between Pope John Paul II, Mikhail Gorbachev [then leader of the Communist USSR] and the capitalist West [which is defined as the USA and Western Europe].”

In 1990s the Soviet Union collapsed and fell out of the race, leaving two players - The Roman Catholic power and the USA. 2000 years ago John the Revelator described the rise and history of these very powers and showed that in the end they will form an alliance against the truth.

The Sunday Law Enforced

The masses, deceived by the false miracles, angered by the disasters, upset with low moral standards and led on by religious leaders, will agitate for enforced Sunday observance. At last the legislators of free America, in order to secure public favour, will give in to the popular demand for the law enforcing Sunday observance. Those who refuse to honour this mark of Roman Catholicism will not be able to buy or sell. The deceived will finally believe that the few who refuse to observe Sunday in place of the Sabbath are bringing the judgments of God upon them. They will reason that it is better that a few die rather than the world continue to suffer cataclysmic disasters (cf. John 11:50)). A decree will finally go forth appointing a day when all the faithful are to be slain. (Rev 13:15).

The Impending Crisis

Significant changes in our world are taking place and soon we will all be brought to a final test. All will make a decision of eternal consequence. As three Hebrews youths refused to worship the image in the days of literal Babylon and God delivered them (Daniel 3), so He will deliver the end-time faithful who refuse to worship the image of the beast.

WHAT CAN WE LEARN?

(a) The beast and the image of the beast exist today. They are the subject of Revelation 13

(b) Millions of Christians have been deceived into accepting the Roman Catholic counterfeit interpretation called Futurism, which teaches that the antichrist has not yet risen.

(c) The events which led to the union of Church & State known as Papal Rome, are happening again today as politically active Protestant churches are seeking political power. The Bible calls this union the “image of the beast.” See on Rev 13.

(d) Professed Christians united with the State power will be the last great persecutors of the faithful!

(e) The leading Churches of the USA, united with the State, will lead the world in the persecution of the faithful while thinking they are doing God service. What an irony. As the established religious system of Christʼs day crucified the Saviour, so the established churches of the end-time will attempt to crucify Him in the person of His saints.

Roman Catholicism and Sunday Laws

Much could be quoted to show that Roman Catholicism believes that the State should enforce Catholic doctrines, including Sunday sacredness. A few modern quotations show nothing has changed:

“Therefore, also in the particular circumstances of our own time Christians will naturally strive to ensure that CIVIL LEGISLATION respects their duty to keep SUNDAY holy.” Pope John Paul II, Dies Domini, 1998.

In 1998 Pope John Paul II issued another apostolic letter, Ad Tuendum Fidum (To Protect the Faith) designed to add to Catholic Canon Law:

“....WHOEVER obstinately rejects A TEACHING OF THE ROMAN PONTIFF or the College of Bishops...is to be punished with an appropriate penalty.” John Paul II, Ad Tuendum Fidum, 1998.

vs 17 & 18 "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. 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."

The Beast is Papal Rome
The Beast has a Mark - Sunday worship
The Beast has a number - 666
The Beast has a name - the name of a man
The number of the beast is the number of his name - 666
The number of the beast is the number of a MAN which is 666
The MAN of papal Rome is the Pope
The number of his name is 666
'He' is the 666 god
See "The Two Babylons" on this site