A "beast" in prophecy represents a "kingdom". Daniel 7:23
When a beast comes up out of the "sea," it is represented in prophecy as
rising amid many "peoples and multitudes," (a highly populated area).
Revelation 17:15.
To come out of the "earth" is just the opposite.
A "beast" in prophecy represents a kingdom, a nation, a power.
When a beast arises from the "sea," it always represents a power rising in
a highly populated area; amid "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and
tongues.
A head represents the headquarters of a government.
A "horn" represents a king, a ruler.
Blasphemy is for a man to claim to be God!
The dragon is Satan. Revelation 20:2. The "dragon" represents not only
Satan, but also a kingdom through whom Satan worked to try to kill baby
Jesus as soon as He was born. The dragon represents Rome, and had "ten
horns." A horn represents a king.
When the Roman empire collapsed, ten divisions resulted. They were:
the Alemani (Germany)
the Franks (France)
Burgundians (Switzerland)
the Suevi (Portugal)
the Anglo-Saxons (Britain)
the Visigoths (Spain)
the Lombards (Italy)
the Vandals
Ostrogoths
Heruli
The last three were destroyed by the Pope of Rome because they refused to
become "Christian." These ten divisions of Rome are the ten horns on the
"dragon."
"These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out
of the earth." Daniel 7:17. These are the four world empires, ruling
consecutively from the time of Daniel down to the time of the fall of
Rome. They are:
Babylon - the Lion (605 - 538 B.C.)
Medo-Persia - the Bear (538 - 331 B.C.)
Greece - the Leopard (331 - 168 B.C.)
Rome - the Terrible Beast (168 B.C. - 476 A.D.)
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MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN
MENE: God hath numbered thy kindom, and finished it
TEKEL: Thou art weighed in the balances and art found wanting
PERES: Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians
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A "harlot" represents a corrupt church system. Thus, a harlot (whore) is a
corrupt church. She's called "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF
THE EARTH."
A woman in Bible prophecy represents a church.
A virgin is God's pure church.
Who is the "beast?" It's the Papacy.
1) Received its "seat" and authority from Rome. Revelation 13:4.
2) Rules the world for 1260 years (from 538 A.D. - 1798 A.D.).
3) Then received a "deadly wound" which later heals. Rev 13:3.
4) Is both a political and a religious power, which is
worshipped. Revelation 13:4.
5) Tampered with God's law. Daniel 7:25.
6) Has a leader who claims to be God on the earth and to be able to
forgive sins (blasphemy). Revelation 13:1.
7) Is a mother church (daughters have come out of her). Rev. 17:5.
8) Made war with the saints. Revelation 13:7.
9) Is a world power which is wondered at. Revelation 13:3,4.
10) Has "a man" at the head of it with the number of his name being
666. Revelation 13:18.
11) Has a dreaded "mark" which will cause you, or any person to be cast
into the lake of fire and lose eternal life. Revelation 14:9,10.
In 538 A.D the entire city of Rome was handed over to the Pope - the
Bishop of Rome. For the next 1260 years, church leaders reigned with full
civil authority. The 1260 years of the Papacy's rule are called the "dark
ages."
What about 666? On the Pope's official mitre has been seen the title
"Vicarius Filii Dei," which means "Vicar of the Son of God." The claim
that this is his official title has been stated publicly through the
years. The April 18, 1915 issue of Our Sunday Visitor, state: "The letters
inscribed in the Pope's mitre are these: VICARIUS FILII DEI," which is
Latin for Vicar of the Son of God." In Revelation 13:18 it says, "Count
the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is
Six hundred threescore and six (666)." Let's do it now and see what we
find. Remember the Roman numerals you learned in school?
V = 5
I = 1
C = 100
A = 0
R = 0
I = 1
U = 5
S = 0
"U" and "V" have the same value. Look in your encyclopedia under
"Alphabet."
F = 0
I = 1
L = 50
I = 1
I = 1
D = 500
E = 0
I = 1
Total = 666 !
The "Man Child" is Christ. Revelation 19:15,16.
Oh, God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus was my substitute when He
died on the Cross. I believe His shed blood, death, burial, and
resurrection were for me. I now receive Him as my Savior. I thank You for
the forgiveness of my sins, the gift of salvation and everlasting life,
because of Your merciful grqace. Amen. (Luke 18:13)
So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like
the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things?
(Matthew 6:31,32)
Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you
all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of
God your primary concern. (Matthew 6:32,33)
For I know the plans I have for you...They are plans for good and not for
disaster, to give you a future and a hope...If you look for me in earnest,
you will find me when you seek me. (Jeremiah 29:11,13)
Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31)
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is
going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.
(Hebrews 11:1)
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father
except through me. (John 14:6)
The Moon Turned into Blood
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The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the
great and the terrible day of the Lord come. (Joel 2:31)
Fulfillment: The moon became as red as blood on the night of the "dark
day," May 19, 1780.
The Stars Fall from Heaven
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And the stars shall fall from heaven. (Matthew 24:29)
Fulfillment: The great star shower took place on the night of November 13,
1833.