CHRIST AND THE DRAGON. CHAPTER S 12-14. (Genesis 3:15) _This is the fourth parallel section, and we again return to the First Coming of Christ._ "And I will place hostility between you and the woman and between your children [IDARO] and her children [IDARO]; he will crush your head, and you will st... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN I SAW A BEAST COMING UP OUT OF THE SEA. We learn from _Revelation 17_ that this beast is symbolic of anti-christian world powers [governments]. TEN HORNS: destructive power. SEVEN HEADS: universal authority and rule [in this world]. The _crowned horns_ do not symbolize victory, but rather show... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BEAST I SAW. Three well known animals are mentioned here: each symbolic of swiftness, crushing power, eagerness to destroy. THE DRAGON GAVE THE BEAST HIS OWN POWER. Those in nations and governments who persecute the church of Christ, receive their power and their motivation from the dragon, Sata... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE FATAL WOUND HAD HEALED. Remember this was directed to the believers in John's day. The seven heads represent seven empires that follow each other in history (Revelation 17:10). [Old Babylon; Assyria; New Babylon; Medo-Persia; Macedonia; Rome; etc.] The beast symbolizes all anti-christian emp... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WORSHIPED THE BEAST ALSO. At the time when John lived, Roman Emperors demanded that people call them "Lord" and "Savior." See notes on Revelation 13:15-16.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO HAVE AUTHORITY FOR 42 MONTHS. Satan works through the governments of this world throughout the entire Gospel Age. The governments seize power that belongs only to God, and they blaspheme God, heaven, and all God's people. They are allowed to defeat God's people [it seems that way, but see Revelat... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE THE WORLD WAS CREATED. _"God stands at the close of history and looks back on the future as though it had already happened!"_ He can know every choice which we _will_ make, without interfering with our _free will._ Compare John 6:44-45; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOEVER IS MEANT TO BE. Persecution is part of God's decree (Revelation 6:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:3). One who understands this will patiently bear his load, _expecting_ to receive God's blessing! When the world used the "sword" against the messianic community, God himself will avenge them.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN I SAW ANOTHER BEAST. The beast from the sea is the Devil's _"hands."_ This beast from the earth is the Devil's _"mind."_ LIKE A LAMB'S HORNS. This beast is the _false prophet_ (Revelation 16:13; Revelation 19:20). Some have applied this specifically to the Roman church. This is a mistake. This... [ Continue Reading ]
IT USED THE VAST AUTHORITY. A union of "church and state." Anti-christian religion uses the power of anti-christian government. The Roman Empire and the heathen priest worked hand in hand to persecute the Christians.... [ Continue Reading ]
IT MADE FIRE COME DOWN. Tricks and false-miracles to "sell" people the State Religion. Also, since "fire" can symbolize the Holy Spirit, this can refer to what seem to be "outpourings of the Spirit." The Devil does not mind people being religious, just as long as he can turn them away from God. See... [ Continue Reading ]
ALLOWED TO BREATH LIFE INTO THE IMAGE. We see the "unholy alliance" of anti-christian religion and anti-christian government working together to make slaves out of people. When people can be fooled into believing their _leader_ [emperor, dictator, chairman, king, etc.] is a _"god,"_ they give themse... [ Continue Reading ]
NO ONE COULD BUY OR SELL. See note on Revelation 2:20. Anti-christian powers discriminate against the believer who remains true to his Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
ITS NUMBER IS 666. Not having our system of numbers, the ancients wrote numbers using letters of their alphabet. But almost any name can be added up to "666," if the letters are juggled enough. It may be that John intended this to represent the name of the Roman Emperor at that time. But since the n... [ Continue Reading ]