Isaiah
{26:1} In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a
strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
{26:2} Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth
may enter in.
{26:3} Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee
because he trusteth in thee.
{26:4} Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting
strength:
Which keepeth truth.
Truth. Lest we make the mistake of thinking it doesn't matter what truth is,
we really need to think again.
I've heard it said that everyone has their own truth to follow and yet truth
by its very definition can not be of a personal interpretation.
truth
1.
Conformity to fact or actuality.
2. A statement proven to be
or accepted as true.
3.
Sincerity; integrity.
4. Fidelity to an original or
a standard.
5. Reality; actuality.
Fact. Actuality. Proven, accepted as true. Sincere. Original standard.
Reality, actuality.
Actuality.
actuality
1. The state or fact of being
actual; reality.
Actual.
Reality.
People have different perceptions of reality, but in truth (and that's what
this is about), in truth if everyone had a different reality the world would be
pure chaos on such a level it couldn't function in any cohesive manner at all.
Rule and regulations couldn't exist in a world where one person's reality
differed from another's entirely.
We all exist in our own little worlds of emotions and things in our world,
our reality of existence might effect us differently, but it's the same reality
of existence just the effect and how we deal with it can change even minutely
from person to person.
We all go to a local football game and watch the same game, was the
experience the same for everyone? No. Why? Because our thoughts and emotions are
different from person to person. I may be rooting for a player who has an off
game and fumbles the ball and it saddens me. You might be rooting for the player
who recovers the fumble and scores a touchdown and you're thrilled. All in all
it's the same game we're watching but we have a different emotional investment
in the game. I may see close up another player tripped up, you may have looked
off to the refreshment hawker at that time and didn't see what I saw, same game,
different perspective.
All in all there are fundamental truths regardless of perception.
Even our own Declaration of Independence states... 'We hold these truths to
be self-evident'
Certain truths to be self-evident.
Fundamental truths.
While some are busy debating God's existence, and still others are caught up
in picking apart everything they can in order to refute every instance of God so
that faith can't exist with them, the truth of the entire matter is - God
is truth.
'Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may
enter in'
There will always be those who keep the truth and those who do not, until
Jesus comes again and everything changes.
Keeping the truth is keeping God.
Remember-- Eccl. {12:13} 'Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is
the whole duty of man.'
God is the Truth.
John {14:6} 'Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'
God is the Truth.
Jesus came to live as a man among us with all truth and all mercy.
It's through Jesus' merciful grace that we can go to God. It's through Jesus
that we have a chance where before their was none. From the moment sin entered
human kind there was the way to be forgiven- the looking for the way, the
example of things to come, the reality of the example being made flesh- all ways
to be with God. Jesus' sacrifice enables us to come to the Father, and Jesus'
way is the truth. God is truth, His ways are truth.
So while the world may be filled with many different perceptions of a
situation based on individual emotions and such, just like that football game
there are fundamental truths. There was a game. There was a winner and a
loser. No one can dispute those truths no matter what they saw during the game.
In life there is only one truth- God. We all have different lives that lead
us down many rocky emotional roads, my perception of life will be different from
yours, but the fundamental truth is God loves us, God is love, God is the truth
we all have in common whether we want to believe in Him or not.
Just because I don't go to that football game doesn't mean it didn't
exist.
God exists and not all will follow Him, not all will be keepers of the truth,
not all will accept His love, or accept Jesus' sacrifice.
May God help us all as we search for truth in Him. The world will have it's
own brand of truth and there will be many trying to confound the truth into
obscurity so that it won't matter at all whether it's kept. Regardless of how
people individually view the truth, the truth exists. Help us Heavenly Father,
help us to recognize the truth in You so that we many enter in as keepers of the
truth. Through the mercy and grace of Your Holy, all Merciful Son, Jesus Christ
our Savior.
Amen.
10/08/09--
Revelation-
(Excerpts taken from Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith)
Verse 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If
any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead,
or in his hand, 10 the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which
is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be
tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the
presence of the Lamb: 11 and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever
and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his
image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of
the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of
Jesus.
The Third Angel's Message.--
This is a message of most fearful import. No more severe threatening of
divine wrath can be found in all the Bible. The sin against which it warns must
be a terrible sin, and it must be one so plainly defined that all who will may
understand it, and thus know how to avoid the judgments pronounced against
it.
It will be noticed that these messages are cumulative, that is, one does
not cease when another is introduced. Thus, for a time the first message was the
only one going forth. The second message was introduced, but that did not put an
end to the first. From that time there were two messages. The third followed
them, not to supersede them, but only to join with them, so that we now have
three messages going forth simultaneously, or rather, a threefold message,
embracing the truths of all three, the last one of course being the culminating
proclamation. Until the work is done, it will never cease to be true that the
hour of God's judgment has come, nor that Babylon has fallen. These facts sill
continue to be proclaimed in connection with the truths introduced by the third
message.
There will also be noticed a logical connection between the messages
themselves. Viewing the situation immediately before the first message was
introduced, we see the Protestant religious world sadly in need of reformation.
Divisions and confusion existed in the churches. They were still clinging to
many papal errors and superstitions. The power of the gospel was impaired in
their hands. To correct these evils, the doctrine of the second coming of Christ
was introduced, and proclaimed with power. They should have received it and been
quickened by it into new life, as they would have been had they received it.
Instead of this, they rejected it, and suffered the consequences spiritually.
Then followed the second message, announcing the result of that rejection, and
declaring what was not only a fact in itself, but a judicial version verdict of
God upon them for recreancy in this respect; namely, that God had departed from
them, and they had met with a spiritual fall.
This did not have the effect to arouse them and lead them to correct
their errors, as it was sufficient to do had they been willing to be admonished
and corrected. What follows? The way is open for a still further retrograde
movement, for wider apostasy and still greater evils. The powers of darkness
will press forward their work, and if the churches still persist in this course
of shunning light and rejecting truth, they will soon find themselves worshiping
the beast and receiving his mark. This will be the logical sequence of that
course of action which began with the rejection of the first message.
Now another proclamation is sent forth, announcing in solemn tones that
if any man shall do this, he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which
is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation. That is to say,
you rejected the first message, and met with spiritual fall. If you continue to
reject truth and disregard the warnings sent out, you will exhaust God's last
means of grace, and finally meet with a literal destruction for which there will
be no remedy. This is as severe a threatening as God can make to be inflicted in
this life, and it is the last. A few will heed it and be saved, but the
multitude will pass on and perish.
The proclamation of the third angel's message is the special religious
movement to be made before the Lord appears, for immediately following this,
John beholds one like the Son of man coming upon a great white cloud to reap the
harvest of the earth. This can represent nothing else than the second coming of
Christ. If therefore the coming of Christ is at the door, the time has come for
the proclamation of this message. There are many who with voice and pen are
earnestly teaching that we are in the last days of time, and that the coming of
Christ is at the door; but when we remind them of this prophecy, they are
suddenly at sea, without anchor, chart, or compass. They do not know what to do
with it. They can see as well as we that if what they are teaching respecting
the coming of Christ is true, and the Lord is at hand, somewhere-- yes, all over
the land--should be heard the warning notes of this angel's message.
The arguments on the two preceding messages fix the time of the third,
and show that it belongs to the present day. But the best evidence that the
message is now going to the world, is found in the events that demonstrate its
fulfillment. We have identified the first message as a leading proclamation in
the great Advent movement of 1840-1844. We have seen the fulfillment of the
second message in connection with that movement in the latter year. Let us now
look at what has taken place since that time.
When Christ did not come in 1844, the entire Adventist body was thrown
into more or less confusion. Many gave up the movement entirely. More concluded
that the argument on the time was wrong, and immediately endeavored to re-adjust
the prophetic period, and set a new time for the Lord to come--a work which they
have continued more or less to the present time, fixing a new date as each one
passed. A few searched closely and candidly for the cause of the mistake, and
were confirmed in their views of the providential character of the advent
movement, and in the correctness of the argument on the time, but saw that a
mistake had been made in their understanding of the sanctuary, by which error
the disappointment could be explained. They learned that the sanctuary in Daniel
8: 14 was not on this earth, as had been supposed, that the cleansing was not to
be fire, and that the prophecy on this point did not involve the coming of the
Lord at all. They found in the Scriptures clear evidence that the sanctuary
referred to was the temple in heaven, which Paul calls "the sanctuary," the
"true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man." They saw further that its
cleansing, according to the type, would consist of the final ministration of the
priest in the second apartment, or most holy place. They then understood that
the time had come for the fulfillment of Revelation 11: 19: "The temple of God
was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His
testament."
Having their attention thus called to the ark, they were naturally led to
an examination of the law contained in the ark. That the ark contained the law
was evident from the very name applied to it. It was called "the ark of His
testament," but it would not have been the ark of His "testament," and it could
not have been so called, had it not contained the law. Here then was the ark in
heaven, the great antitype of the ark which, during typical times, existed here
on earth. The law which this heavenly ark contained must consequently be the
great original of which the law on the tables in the earthly ark was but a
transcript, or copy. Both these laws must read precisely alike, word for word,
jot for jot, tittle for tittle. To suppose otherwise would involve only
falsehood.
That law, then, is still the law of God's government, and its fourth
precept now as in the beginning demands the observance of the seventh day of the
week as the Sabbath. No one who admits the argument on the sanctuary disputes
this point.
Thus the Sabbath reform was brought to view; and it was seen that
whatever had been done in opposition to this law, especially in the introduction
of a day of rest and worship which destroyed the Sabbath of Jehovah, must be the
work of the papal beast, that power which was to oppose God, to attempt to
change His laws and to exalt himself above God. But this is the exact work in
reference to which the third angel utters his warning. Hence it began to be seen
by the believers of 1844 that the period of the third angel's message
synchronizes with the period of the cleansing of the sanctuary, which began with
the ending of the 2300 days in 1844, and that the proclamation is based on the
great truths developed by this subject.
Thus light of the third angel's message dawned upon the church. They saw
at once that the world would have a right to demand of those who professed to be
giving that message, an explanation of all the symbols which it contains the
beast, the image, the worship, and the mark. Hence these points were made
subjects of special study. The testimony of the Scriptures was found to be clear
and abundant, and it did not take long to formulate from the truths revealed,
definite statements and proofs in explanation of all these points.
*******
Again, a note here is necessary. After this study with excerpts from
Uriah Smith other studies will be presented because he wrote that so long ago
and we have history to account for that he didn't have. We have truths to reveal
that he obviously couldn't. The mark of the beast has not been placed upon
everyone to this extent--
Rev. {13:15} And he had power
to give life unto the image of the
beast, that the image of the
beast should both speak, and cause that as many
as would
not worship the image of the beast should be killed. {13:16}
And
he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free
and bond, to
receive a mark in their right hand, or in their
foreheads: {13:17} And that
no man might buy or sell, save
he that had the mark, or the name of the
beast, or the
number of his name. {13:18} Here is wisdom. Let him
that
hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is
the
number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred
threescore [and] six.
In light of this part of the 3 angel's message--
Chap. 14 Verse 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice,
If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his
forehead, or in his hand, 10 the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of
God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he
shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels,
and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up
for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast
and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the
patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the
faith of Jesus.
We know that all will receive a mark and that mark could be figuratively - an
action (hand), a belief (forehead), but this mark either way will have
consequences and those consequences are '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.'
No buying or selling which we've discussed already as well. The image of
the beast that is given life by the beast will speak and as a result cause as
many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed- then a mark,
name, number will proclaim the supremacy of the beast's power.
I can talk about this until I'm blue in the face and it'll mean little to
many because it's doom saying, it's nay saying to people, it's crazy talk,
unrealistic. And you know what? Because we don't have a script to follow that
will allow us to say oh yeah... this is it for sure, but only prophetic
mysteries we can what unfold, maybe it's a little of all of that but shouldn't
we err on the side of caution? Isn't our eternal life worth such erring? To err
in man's eyes and yet hold fast the truth in God's eyes, isn't that what the
disciples did with Jesus? They were erring horrifically in man's eyes, stoned,
tortured, imprisoned, beheaded, hung on a cross because man believed the
disciples were not of God. Why do we believe that things will be different for
God's true followers today? Why do we imagine that the majority will follow
God's truth and so they must be right- because we live in an enlightened age?!
Hardly. Satan is working harder than ever to deceive and all but the very elect
will be deceived, a fact we dare not forget.
May God continue to bless us and open our hearts and mind to all truth in
Him and only in Him. As the gravity of our situation unfolds dare we choose the
world and give up eternal life? By the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, may His
strength overcome our weakness, may His righteousness overcome our filthiness.
Amen.
10/8/10
10/8/11
'We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto
ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,
until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts' (II Peter
1:19)
Continuing our
study, may God bless us and open our understanding to His truths. All praise,
all thanksgiving, all worship, all honor, all glory to our God!
*******
As the
description and comment on the first beast is concluded, there is found a clause
that will be repeated several times in the ensuing revelation - them "that dwell
on the earth." (13:8, 12, 14-2x; 14:6; 17:2)
Rev 13:8 And all THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH shall
worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the
first beast before him, and causeth THE EARTH and THEM WHICH DWELL THEREIN to
worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them THAT DWELL UPON 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 UPON THE EARTH, that they should make an
image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them THAT DWELL
UPON THE EARTH, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people
Rev 17:2 With whom the KINGS OF THE EARTH have
committed fornication, and the INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH have been made drunk
with the wine of her fornication.
Since the warning
in Chapter 12, was to the "inhabiters" (v. 12) of the earth
Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye
that dwell in them. Woe to the INHABITERS OF THE EARTH and of the sea! for the
devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath
but a short time.
-- and since the
second beast comes "up out of the earth" (13:11),
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another BEAST COMING UP
OUT OF THE EARTH; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
-- is this
phraseology to be restricted to the area prophetically designated the
earth?
Or is to be given
the concept which we give to earth - the whole planet?
***The answer to
this question will even effect the understanding of Revelation 14:6.****
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on
the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Should the text
read as in the KJV - "unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,
and kindred, and tongue, and people."
Or, should the
conjunctive, kai, (AND) be given
its alternate meaning with the text reading, "unto them that dwell on the earth,
ALSO to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
G2532
καί
kai
kahee
Apparently a
primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;
AND, ALSO, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition)
with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if,
indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.
In other words,
was "the everlasting gospel" to be FIRST proclaimed to the dwellers of the
prophetic "EARTH"-- (Which we've noted in the past is the United States) -- and
THEN to every nation worldwide. This is historically what happened.
(Historically in the early-to mid 1800's the prophecies were opened and the
prophecies ALL point to the message of the everlasting gospel, salvation in
Jesus Christ our Lord and His return. This began in earnest in the United
States first and this is historical.)
Does this fact,
therefore, help us to read aright as prophetic language - "them that dwell on
the earth."
In the Greek New
Testament text of the United Bible Societies different Greek words are used in
the various verses in Revelation 12, 13, 14, and 17 for the word, "dwell" in
the clause, "that dwell on the earth."
ONLY in Chapter
13, is the Greek word the same for "dwell" in verses 8 and 14.
However, in the
Received Text (Textus Receptus), the same word for "dwell" (katoikeo) is used
consistently in Rev. 12:12; 13:8, 14; 14:6; and 17:2.
If this is then
to be interpreted prophetically, it adds a different dimension to the
understanding of where the final events will be focused.
Those "that dwell
on the earth" will "worship him (the beast)" (13:8). They will be deceived into
making an image to the beast (13:14). They will become intoxicated with the wine
of the harlot (17:2).
It would also
appear when the "whole" earth is meant rather than its use as a prophetic
symbol, the word, "dwell" is NOT used, but rather HOLOS, meaning entire, is
associated with the word, "earth." See 13:3.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were
wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and ALL (holos)
the world wondered after the beast.
In the connecting
verses between the two "beasts" of Revelation 13, there is both warning and
admonition. "All that dwell on the earth (PROPHETIC EARTH United States - NOT
HOLOS) shall worship the first beast" with but one exception, those whose names
are "written in the book of life of the Lamb" do not do so (13:8).
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall
worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world.
This is important
to note- this means that ALL in the United States WILL worship the first beast
UNLESS their names are written in the LAMB'S book of life!
And is it possible this is a progression that the MARK which people will
possess will start HERE in the United States? We've talked about the mark before
and noted logically that while a lot of people are expecting to be forced to
submit to some freaky computer chip implant, or bar code mark- this isn't how it
will be given at all- more on that later.
This is just a thought- one of many that keeps us studying and searching
for the truth that will one day be fully realized, even if we have yet to
comprehend we are warned, we are watching, and we are praying.
I want to read
the verse noted above and substitute the words United States where it is
indicated the prophetic term for earth is used and not the whole world earth
term.
Rev 13:8 And all THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES
shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb
slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the
first beast before him, and causeth THE UNITED STATES and THEM WHICH DWELL
THEREIN to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them THAT DWELL IN THE
UNITED STATES by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the
sight of the beast; saying to them THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES, that they
should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them THAT DWELL IN
THE UNITED STATES, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people
Rev 17:2 With whom the KINGS OF THE UNITED
STATES have committed fornication, and the INHABITANTS OF THE UNITED STATES have
been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Now this changes
the entire picture of HOW people truly believe prophecy will be unfolded,
doesn't it?
It fits better
though, it really does. It fits so much better when we consider the verses that
tell us people will be marrying and given in marriage as it was in the days of
Noah. IF everyone in the world was caught up in the mark it presents a whole
new outlook. The waiting for globalization to take place. The looking for a
suspicious mark that would make everyone in the whole world receive it or they
couldn't buy or sell. Think about that logically for a moment. We have SO
incredibly many places in our world that don't even have a monetary system set
up like the huge western world cultures. We have many individual monetary
systems. I'm NOT saying it's on the realm of the impossible though- remember
Satan loves to deceive and he's more than happy to encourage things to come to
pass as a wide majority might expect so those people can point at the seemingly
unfolding prophecies and deceive many! I am saying that we have to take into
consideration that it is highly possible that the United States will be the
focus of the mark of the beast.
So let's examine this as a possibility at the least...
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea,
and saw a beast rise up out of the sea (Europe/Middle East), having seven heads
and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of
blasphemy. (This beast is proven
to be the Papacy - 7 blasphemous heads- 10 horns- 10 crowns)
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto
a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth
of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
(A composite beast of which the Papacy is having become the culminating beast
that would live until Christ's return)
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were
wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered
after the beast. (The papacy receive what many thought was a death blow in 1798
but obviously the papacy survived that deadly would and was healed and yes- many
wondered that it could recover from such a blow.)
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which
gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like
unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Satan gives the papacy its
power and many worship Satan inadvertently, unknowingly, uncaringly. There are
no other forces exactly like the papacy- none make war with the papacy- not any
longer.)
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth
speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue
forty and two months. (The papacy
reigned for 1260 years - 42 prophetic months.)
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy
against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in
heaven. (In many of its beliefs the papacy has blasphemed against God, His name,
His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.)
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war
with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all
kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
(The papacy has faced great animosity worldwide and has overcome that
animosity in many, many ways. There are many ambassadors to the Vatican, and
more added all the time.)
FUTURE-- ?
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall
worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world.
(The U.S. will worship the Papacy ((Remember this is Satan we are dealing
with, and deception is his greatest tool, the worship of the Papacy in the U.S.
will NOT necessarily be a blatant worship- meaning the whole of the U.S. will
NOT convert to Catholicism. However the whole of the U.S. aside from those who
are truly God's will be deceived into worshipping the papacy power, the beast,
in spite of itself.)
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 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.
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up
out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a
dragon. (The beast power of
democracy- seemingly good and right and yet the controlling power is corrupt and
evil.)
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the
first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to
worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. (The papacy wielded and
wields a deceptive power, a hidden power very political as well as religious.
This democratic power that controls the U.S. is also a religious/political power
no matter how much the political power tries to divorce itself from all things
religious. In spite of itself the U.S. worships the first beast - a false
religious/political power exactly like the Papacy.)
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he
maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
(Elijah made fire come down from heaven and exposed the pagan religion at
work. In these last days it will be the beast of the U.S. that will make fire
come down from heaven- and in truth haven't we? Weren't we the ones to wield the
first nuclear explosions that changed the course of history? Something to think
about.)
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the
earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of
the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an
image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
(People in the U.S. are deceived by the seeming miracles that occur here-
the grand inventions, the American dream, the American way, the pride of the
U.S.A. - are we making an image to the beast? Do we encourage our political
parties to profess their belief in Jesus Christ? There has been great
controversy over whether our current president truly believes in Jesus Christ.
There is great controversy over the incoming political candidates and their
stance on religion and Jesus Christ. The U.S. is a huge image- truly- of that
first beast, only in such away many will NEVER see it, many never want to see
it.
Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the
image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause
that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
(Power to the image- we can only imagine how this will come to pass but we see
more and more governmental control all the time- the 'big brother' aspect of our
lives has grown by leaps and bounds and show NO signs of lessening. Is it
possible the worshipping is as one worshipping a golden calf? They worshipped
that calf that had NOTHING at all to do with the One True God. They worshipped a
THING that to our thinking is nothing at all religious. Worshipping something
doesn't necessarily have to mean it's a known religion, not by a long shot.
)
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and
great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or
in their foreheads: (Our actions
and thoughts- we act from the beliefs we have in our thoughts. We are marked by
our beliefs. We all will have to choose whether to believe God or Satan, and our
thoughts and actions will reveal our marked state.)
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save
he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (We cannot forget how at the beginning
of the book of Revelation we read this--(((Rev 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be
rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest
see. )))) What if… and it's a big what if… this is a spiritual buying and
selling? Seriously. Is it possible? If we receive the mark of the beast- of
Satan we most certainly cannot buy gold tried in fire from God, we most
certainly cannot offer to sell to anyone anything Godly if we do not possess
anything truly from God. These
are marks that GOD sees! We aren't told they will be visible marks known to
man. We are told we will receive
the mark if we are Not God's. God also seals people-(((Rev 9:4
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the
earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have
not the seal of God in their foreheads. )))) There is a mark and a seal and
while so many are concentrating on the tiny 666 devilish marking on the back of
a fictional anti-christ's head, and concentrating on being controlled by a
government power that forces them to accept numbers to label them (don't we
have that with our social security numbers already?) these people are being
deceived! It's much more logical
to believe that Satan- who knows those who are marked as His and those who are
not- will be AFTER those who are not and will make an effort to destroy all
those who are not his by any means possible.)
Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath
understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and
his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (When people receive the mark of
the beast, when people choose Satan over God, they are bowing down to the
Papacy which is the head of all things ungodly. The papacy is the most
deceptive of all evils and all things that deceive imitate this great deception
of the dragon.)
Now I'm not
saying I'm right with all this, I'm really not. But I am saying we have to
consider all things and not just get set in our ways to the point that we are
deceived ourselves.
May God bless us
as we continue our studying! Help us Lord, help us! We want to buy of you gold
tried in fire! We need Your eye salve! We have to have YOUR raiment! Please
Lord! Please!
Thank you God!
Thank YOU! All praise, all glory, all honor to YOU always!
In Christ
forever!
Amen.
{26:1} In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a
strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
{26:2} Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth
may enter in.
{26:3} Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee
because he trusteth in thee.
{26:4} Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting
strength:
Which keepeth truth.
Truth. Lest we make the mistake of thinking it doesn't matter what truth is,
we really need to think again.
I've heard it said that everyone has their own truth to follow and yet truth
by its very definition can not be of a personal interpretation.
truth
1.
Conformity to fact or actuality.
2. A statement proven to be
or accepted as true.
3.
Sincerity; integrity.
4. Fidelity to an original or
a standard.
5. Reality; actuality.
Fact. Actuality. Proven, accepted as true. Sincere. Original standard.
Reality, actuality.
Actuality.
actuality
1. The state or fact of being
actual; reality.
Actual.
Reality.
People have different perceptions of reality, but in truth (and that's what
this is about), in truth if everyone had a different reality the world would be
pure chaos on such a level it couldn't function in any cohesive manner at all.
Rule and regulations couldn't exist in a world where one person's reality
differed from another's entirely.
We all exist in our own little worlds of emotions and things in our world,
our reality of existence might effect us differently, but it's the same reality
of existence just the effect and how we deal with it can change even minutely
from person to person.
We all go to a local football game and watch the same game, was the
experience the same for everyone? No. Why? Because our thoughts and emotions are
different from person to person. I may be rooting for a player who has an off
game and fumbles the ball and it saddens me. You might be rooting for the player
who recovers the fumble and scores a touchdown and you're thrilled. All in all
it's the same game we're watching but we have a different emotional investment
in the game. I may see close up another player tripped up, you may have looked
off to the refreshment hawker at that time and didn't see what I saw, same game,
different perspective.
All in all there are fundamental truths regardless of perception.
Even our own Declaration of Independence states... 'We hold these truths to
be self-evident'
Certain truths to be self-evident.
Fundamental truths.
While some are busy debating God's existence, and still others are caught up
in picking apart everything they can in order to refute every instance of God so
that faith can't exist with them, the truth of the entire matter is - God
is truth.
'Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may
enter in'
There will always be those who keep the truth and those who do not, until
Jesus comes again and everything changes.
Keeping the truth is keeping God.
Remember-- Eccl. {12:13} 'Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is
the whole duty of man.'
God is the Truth.
John {14:6} 'Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'
God is the Truth.
Jesus came to live as a man among us with all truth and all mercy.
It's through Jesus' merciful grace that we can go to God. It's through Jesus
that we have a chance where before their was none. From the moment sin entered
human kind there was the way to be forgiven- the looking for the way, the
example of things to come, the reality of the example being made flesh- all ways
to be with God. Jesus' sacrifice enables us to come to the Father, and Jesus'
way is the truth. God is truth, His ways are truth.
So while the world may be filled with many different perceptions of a
situation based on individual emotions and such, just like that football game
there are fundamental truths. There was a game. There was a winner and a
loser. No one can dispute those truths no matter what they saw during the game.
In life there is only one truth- God. We all have different lives that lead
us down many rocky emotional roads, my perception of life will be different from
yours, but the fundamental truth is God loves us, God is love, God is the truth
we all have in common whether we want to believe in Him or not.
Just because I don't go to that football game doesn't mean it didn't
exist.
God exists and not all will follow Him, not all will be keepers of the truth,
not all will accept His love, or accept Jesus' sacrifice.
May God help us all as we search for truth in Him. The world will have it's
own brand of truth and there will be many trying to confound the truth into
obscurity so that it won't matter at all whether it's kept. Regardless of how
people individually view the truth, the truth exists. Help us Heavenly Father,
help us to recognize the truth in You so that we many enter in as keepers of the
truth. Through the mercy and grace of Your Holy, all Merciful Son, Jesus Christ
our Savior.
Amen.
10/08/09--
Revelation-
(Excerpts taken from Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith)
Verse 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If
any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead,
or in his hand, 10 the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which
is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be
tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the
presence of the Lamb: 11 and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever
and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his
image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of
the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of
Jesus.
The Third Angel's Message.--
This is a message of most fearful import. No more severe threatening of
divine wrath can be found in all the Bible. The sin against which it warns must
be a terrible sin, and it must be one so plainly defined that all who will may
understand it, and thus know how to avoid the judgments pronounced against
it.
It will be noticed that these messages are cumulative, that is, one does
not cease when another is introduced. Thus, for a time the first message was the
only one going forth. The second message was introduced, but that did not put an
end to the first. From that time there were two messages. The third followed
them, not to supersede them, but only to join with them, so that we now have
three messages going forth simultaneously, or rather, a threefold message,
embracing the truths of all three, the last one of course being the culminating
proclamation. Until the work is done, it will never cease to be true that the
hour of God's judgment has come, nor that Babylon has fallen. These facts sill
continue to be proclaimed in connection with the truths introduced by the third
message.
There will also be noticed a logical connection between the messages
themselves. Viewing the situation immediately before the first message was
introduced, we see the Protestant religious world sadly in need of reformation.
Divisions and confusion existed in the churches. They were still clinging to
many papal errors and superstitions. The power of the gospel was impaired in
their hands. To correct these evils, the doctrine of the second coming of Christ
was introduced, and proclaimed with power. They should have received it and been
quickened by it into new life, as they would have been had they received it.
Instead of this, they rejected it, and suffered the consequences spiritually.
Then followed the second message, announcing the result of that rejection, and
declaring what was not only a fact in itself, but a judicial version verdict of
God upon them for recreancy in this respect; namely, that God had departed from
them, and they had met with a spiritual fall.
This did not have the effect to arouse them and lead them to correct
their errors, as it was sufficient to do had they been willing to be admonished
and corrected. What follows? The way is open for a still further retrograde
movement, for wider apostasy and still greater evils. The powers of darkness
will press forward their work, and if the churches still persist in this course
of shunning light and rejecting truth, they will soon find themselves worshiping
the beast and receiving his mark. This will be the logical sequence of that
course of action which began with the rejection of the first message.
Now another proclamation is sent forth, announcing in solemn tones that
if any man shall do this, he shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which
is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation. That is to say,
you rejected the first message, and met with spiritual fall. If you continue to
reject truth and disregard the warnings sent out, you will exhaust God's last
means of grace, and finally meet with a literal destruction for which there will
be no remedy. This is as severe a threatening as God can make to be inflicted in
this life, and it is the last. A few will heed it and be saved, but the
multitude will pass on and perish.
The proclamation of the third angel's message is the special religious
movement to be made before the Lord appears, for immediately following this,
John beholds one like the Son of man coming upon a great white cloud to reap the
harvest of the earth. This can represent nothing else than the second coming of
Christ. If therefore the coming of Christ is at the door, the time has come for
the proclamation of this message. There are many who with voice and pen are
earnestly teaching that we are in the last days of time, and that the coming of
Christ is at the door; but when we remind them of this prophecy, they are
suddenly at sea, without anchor, chart, or compass. They do not know what to do
with it. They can see as well as we that if what they are teaching respecting
the coming of Christ is true, and the Lord is at hand, somewhere-- yes, all over
the land--should be heard the warning notes of this angel's message.
The arguments on the two preceding messages fix the time of the third,
and show that it belongs to the present day. But the best evidence that the
message is now going to the world, is found in the events that demonstrate its
fulfillment. We have identified the first message as a leading proclamation in
the great Advent movement of 1840-1844. We have seen the fulfillment of the
second message in connection with that movement in the latter year. Let us now
look at what has taken place since that time.
When Christ did not come in 1844, the entire Adventist body was thrown
into more or less confusion. Many gave up the movement entirely. More concluded
that the argument on the time was wrong, and immediately endeavored to re-adjust
the prophetic period, and set a new time for the Lord to come--a work which they
have continued more or less to the present time, fixing a new date as each one
passed. A few searched closely and candidly for the cause of the mistake, and
were confirmed in their views of the providential character of the advent
movement, and in the correctness of the argument on the time, but saw that a
mistake had been made in their understanding of the sanctuary, by which error
the disappointment could be explained. They learned that the sanctuary in Daniel
8: 14 was not on this earth, as had been supposed, that the cleansing was not to
be fire, and that the prophecy on this point did not involve the coming of the
Lord at all. They found in the Scriptures clear evidence that the sanctuary
referred to was the temple in heaven, which Paul calls "the sanctuary," the
"true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched and not man." They saw further that its
cleansing, according to the type, would consist of the final ministration of the
priest in the second apartment, or most holy place. They then understood that
the time had come for the fulfillment of Revelation 11: 19: "The temple of God
was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His
testament."
Having their attention thus called to the ark, they were naturally led to
an examination of the law contained in the ark. That the ark contained the law
was evident from the very name applied to it. It was called "the ark of His
testament," but it would not have been the ark of His "testament," and it could
not have been so called, had it not contained the law. Here then was the ark in
heaven, the great antitype of the ark which, during typical times, existed here
on earth. The law which this heavenly ark contained must consequently be the
great original of which the law on the tables in the earthly ark was but a
transcript, or copy. Both these laws must read precisely alike, word for word,
jot for jot, tittle for tittle. To suppose otherwise would involve only
falsehood.
That law, then, is still the law of God's government, and its fourth
precept now as in the beginning demands the observance of the seventh day of the
week as the Sabbath. No one who admits the argument on the sanctuary disputes
this point.
Thus the Sabbath reform was brought to view; and it was seen that
whatever had been done in opposition to this law, especially in the introduction
of a day of rest and worship which destroyed the Sabbath of Jehovah, must be the
work of the papal beast, that power which was to oppose God, to attempt to
change His laws and to exalt himself above God. But this is the exact work in
reference to which the third angel utters his warning. Hence it began to be seen
by the believers of 1844 that the period of the third angel's message
synchronizes with the period of the cleansing of the sanctuary, which began with
the ending of the 2300 days in 1844, and that the proclamation is based on the
great truths developed by this subject.
Thus light of the third angel's message dawned upon the church. They saw
at once that the world would have a right to demand of those who professed to be
giving that message, an explanation of all the symbols which it contains the
beast, the image, the worship, and the mark. Hence these points were made
subjects of special study. The testimony of the Scriptures was found to be clear
and abundant, and it did not take long to formulate from the truths revealed,
definite statements and proofs in explanation of all these points.
*******
Again, a note here is necessary. After this study with excerpts from
Uriah Smith other studies will be presented because he wrote that so long ago
and we have history to account for that he didn't have. We have truths to reveal
that he obviously couldn't. The mark of the beast has not been placed upon
everyone to this extent--
Rev. {13:15} And he had power
to give life unto the image of the
beast, that the image of the
beast should both speak, and cause that as many
as would
not worship the image of the beast should be killed. {13:16}
And
he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free
and bond, to
receive a mark in their right hand, or in their
foreheads: {13:17} And that
no man might buy or sell, save
he that had the mark, or the name of the
beast, or the
number of his name. {13:18} Here is wisdom. Let him
that
hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is
the
number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred
threescore [and] six.
In light of this part of the 3 angel's message--
Chap. 14 Verse 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice,
If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his
forehead, or in his hand, 10 the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of
God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he
shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels,
and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up
for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast
and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the
patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the
faith of Jesus.
We know that all will receive a mark and that mark could be figuratively - an
action (hand), a belief (forehead), but this mark either way will have
consequences and those consequences are '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.'
No buying or selling which we've discussed already as well. The image of
the beast that is given life by the beast will speak and as a result cause as
many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed- then a mark,
name, number will proclaim the supremacy of the beast's power.
I can talk about this until I'm blue in the face and it'll mean little to
many because it's doom saying, it's nay saying to people, it's crazy talk,
unrealistic. And you know what? Because we don't have a script to follow that
will allow us to say oh yeah... this is it for sure, but only prophetic
mysteries we can what unfold, maybe it's a little of all of that but shouldn't
we err on the side of caution? Isn't our eternal life worth such erring? To err
in man's eyes and yet hold fast the truth in God's eyes, isn't that what the
disciples did with Jesus? They were erring horrifically in man's eyes, stoned,
tortured, imprisoned, beheaded, hung on a cross because man believed the
disciples were not of God. Why do we believe that things will be different for
God's true followers today? Why do we imagine that the majority will follow
God's truth and so they must be right- because we live in an enlightened age?!
Hardly. Satan is working harder than ever to deceive and all but the very elect
will be deceived, a fact we dare not forget.
May God continue to bless us and open our hearts and mind to all truth in
Him and only in Him. As the gravity of our situation unfolds dare we choose the
world and give up eternal life? By the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, may His
strength overcome our weakness, may His righteousness overcome our filthiness.
Amen.
10/8/10
10/8/11
'We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto
ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,
until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts' (II Peter
1:19)
Continuing our
study, may God bless us and open our understanding to His truths. All praise,
all thanksgiving, all worship, all honor, all glory to our God!
*******
As the
description and comment on the first beast is concluded, there is found a clause
that will be repeated several times in the ensuing revelation - them "that dwell
on the earth." (13:8, 12, 14-2x; 14:6; 17:2)
Rev 13:8 And all THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH shall
worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the
first beast before him, and causeth THE EARTH and THEM WHICH DWELL THEREIN to
worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them THAT DWELL UPON 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 UPON THE EARTH, that they should make an
image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them THAT DWELL
UPON THE EARTH, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people
Rev 17:2 With whom the KINGS OF THE EARTH have
committed fornication, and the INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH have been made drunk
with the wine of her fornication.
Since the warning
in Chapter 12, was to the "inhabiters" (v. 12) of the earth
Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye
that dwell in them. Woe to the INHABITERS OF THE EARTH and of the sea! for the
devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath
but a short time.
-- and since the
second beast comes "up out of the earth" (13:11),
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another BEAST COMING UP
OUT OF THE EARTH; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
-- is this
phraseology to be restricted to the area prophetically designated the
earth?
Or is to be given
the concept which we give to earth - the whole planet?
***The answer to
this question will even effect the understanding of Revelation 14:6.****
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on
the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Should the text
read as in the KJV - "unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation,
and kindred, and tongue, and people."
Or, should the
conjunctive, kai, (AND) be given
its alternate meaning with the text reading, "unto them that dwell on the earth,
ALSO to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."
G2532
καί
kai
kahee
Apparently a
primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;
AND, ALSO, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition)
with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if,
indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.
In other words,
was "the everlasting gospel" to be FIRST proclaimed to the dwellers of the
prophetic "EARTH"-- (Which we've noted in the past is the United States) -- and
THEN to every nation worldwide. This is historically what happened.
(Historically in the early-to mid 1800's the prophecies were opened and the
prophecies ALL point to the message of the everlasting gospel, salvation in
Jesus Christ our Lord and His return. This began in earnest in the United
States first and this is historical.)
Does this fact,
therefore, help us to read aright as prophetic language - "them that dwell on
the earth."
In the Greek New
Testament text of the United Bible Societies different Greek words are used in
the various verses in Revelation 12, 13, 14, and 17 for the word, "dwell" in
the clause, "that dwell on the earth."
ONLY in Chapter
13, is the Greek word the same for "dwell" in verses 8 and 14.
However, in the
Received Text (Textus Receptus), the same word for "dwell" (katoikeo) is used
consistently in Rev. 12:12; 13:8, 14; 14:6; and 17:2.
If this is then
to be interpreted prophetically, it adds a different dimension to the
understanding of where the final events will be focused.
Those "that dwell
on the earth" will "worship him (the beast)" (13:8). They will be deceived into
making an image to the beast (13:14). They will become intoxicated with the wine
of the harlot (17:2).
It would also
appear when the "whole" earth is meant rather than its use as a prophetic
symbol, the word, "dwell" is NOT used, but rather HOLOS, meaning entire, is
associated with the word, "earth." See 13:3.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were
wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and ALL (holos)
the world wondered after the beast.
In the connecting
verses between the two "beasts" of Revelation 13, there is both warning and
admonition. "All that dwell on the earth (PROPHETIC EARTH United States - NOT
HOLOS) shall worship the first beast" with but one exception, those whose names
are "written in the book of life of the Lamb" do not do so (13:8).
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall
worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world.
This is important
to note- this means that ALL in the United States WILL worship the first beast
UNLESS their names are written in the LAMB'S book of life!
And is it possible this is a progression that the MARK which people will
possess will start HERE in the United States? We've talked about the mark before
and noted logically that while a lot of people are expecting to be forced to
submit to some freaky computer chip implant, or bar code mark- this isn't how it
will be given at all- more on that later.
This is just a thought- one of many that keeps us studying and searching
for the truth that will one day be fully realized, even if we have yet to
comprehend we are warned, we are watching, and we are praying.
I want to read
the verse noted above and substitute the words United States where it is
indicated the prophetic term for earth is used and not the whole world earth
term.
Rev 13:8 And all THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES
shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb
slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the
first beast before him, and causeth THE UNITED STATES and THEM WHICH DWELL
THEREIN to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them THAT DWELL IN THE
UNITED STATES by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the
sight of the beast; saying to them THAT DWELL IN THE UNITED STATES, that they
should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the
midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them THAT DWELL IN
THE UNITED STATES, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people
Rev 17:2 With whom the KINGS OF THE UNITED
STATES have committed fornication, and the INHABITANTS OF THE UNITED STATES have
been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.
Now this changes
the entire picture of HOW people truly believe prophecy will be unfolded,
doesn't it?
It fits better
though, it really does. It fits so much better when we consider the verses that
tell us people will be marrying and given in marriage as it was in the days of
Noah. IF everyone in the world was caught up in the mark it presents a whole
new outlook. The waiting for globalization to take place. The looking for a
suspicious mark that would make everyone in the whole world receive it or they
couldn't buy or sell. Think about that logically for a moment. We have SO
incredibly many places in our world that don't even have a monetary system set
up like the huge western world cultures. We have many individual monetary
systems. I'm NOT saying it's on the realm of the impossible though- remember
Satan loves to deceive and he's more than happy to encourage things to come to
pass as a wide majority might expect so those people can point at the seemingly
unfolding prophecies and deceive many! I am saying that we have to take into
consideration that it is highly possible that the United States will be the
focus of the mark of the beast.
So let's examine this as a possibility at the least...
Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea,
and saw a beast rise up out of the sea (Europe/Middle East), having seven heads
and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of
blasphemy. (This beast is proven
to be the Papacy - 7 blasphemous heads- 10 horns- 10 crowns)
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto
a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth
of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
(A composite beast of which the Papacy is having become the culminating beast
that would live until Christ's return)
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were
wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered
after the beast. (The papacy receive what many thought was a death blow in 1798
but obviously the papacy survived that deadly would and was healed and yes- many
wondered that it could recover from such a blow.)
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which
gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like
unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Satan gives the papacy its
power and many worship Satan inadvertently, unknowingly, uncaringly. There are
no other forces exactly like the papacy- none make war with the papacy- not any
longer.)
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth
speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue
forty and two months. (The papacy
reigned for 1260 years - 42 prophetic months.)
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy
against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in
heaven. (In many of its beliefs the papacy has blasphemed against God, His name,
His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.)
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war
with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all
kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
(The papacy has faced great animosity worldwide and has overcome that
animosity in many, many ways. There are many ambassadors to the Vatican, and
more added all the time.)
FUTURE-- ?
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall
worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world.
(The U.S. will worship the Papacy ((Remember this is Satan we are dealing
with, and deception is his greatest tool, the worship of the Papacy in the U.S.
will NOT necessarily be a blatant worship- meaning the whole of the U.S. will
NOT convert to Catholicism. However the whole of the U.S. aside from those who
are truly God's will be deceived into worshipping the papacy power, the beast,
in spite of itself.)
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 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.
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up
out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a
dragon. (The beast power of
democracy- seemingly good and right and yet the controlling power is corrupt and
evil.)
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the
first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to
worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. (The papacy wielded and
wields a deceptive power, a hidden power very political as well as religious.
This democratic power that controls the U.S. is also a religious/political power
no matter how much the political power tries to divorce itself from all things
religious. In spite of itself the U.S. worships the first beast - a false
religious/political power exactly like the Papacy.)
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he
maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
(Elijah made fire come down from heaven and exposed the pagan religion at
work. In these last days it will be the beast of the U.S. that will make fire
come down from heaven- and in truth haven't we? Weren't we the ones to wield the
first nuclear explosions that changed the course of history? Something to think
about.)
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the
earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of
the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an
image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
(People in the U.S. are deceived by the seeming miracles that occur here-
the grand inventions, the American dream, the American way, the pride of the
U.S.A. - are we making an image to the beast? Do we encourage our political
parties to profess their belief in Jesus Christ? There has been great
controversy over whether our current president truly believes in Jesus Christ.
There is great controversy over the incoming political candidates and their
stance on religion and Jesus Christ. The U.S. is a huge image- truly- of that
first beast, only in such away many will NEVER see it, many never want to see
it.
Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the
image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause
that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
(Power to the image- we can only imagine how this will come to pass but we see
more and more governmental control all the time- the 'big brother' aspect of our
lives has grown by leaps and bounds and show NO signs of lessening. Is it
possible the worshipping is as one worshipping a golden calf? They worshipped
that calf that had NOTHING at all to do with the One True God. They worshipped a
THING that to our thinking is nothing at all religious. Worshipping something
doesn't necessarily have to mean it's a known religion, not by a long shot.
)
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and
great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or
in their foreheads: (Our actions
and thoughts- we act from the beliefs we have in our thoughts. We are marked by
our beliefs. We all will have to choose whether to believe God or Satan, and our
thoughts and actions will reveal our marked state.)
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save
he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (We cannot forget how at the beginning
of the book of Revelation we read this--(((Rev 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be
rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy
nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest
see. )))) What if… and it's a big what if… this is a spiritual buying and
selling? Seriously. Is it possible? If we receive the mark of the beast- of
Satan we most certainly cannot buy gold tried in fire from God, we most
certainly cannot offer to sell to anyone anything Godly if we do not possess
anything truly from God. These
are marks that GOD sees! We aren't told they will be visible marks known to
man. We are told we will receive
the mark if we are Not God's. God also seals people-(((Rev 9:4
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the
earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have
not the seal of God in their foreheads. )))) There is a mark and a seal and
while so many are concentrating on the tiny 666 devilish marking on the back of
a fictional anti-christ's head, and concentrating on being controlled by a
government power that forces them to accept numbers to label them (don't we
have that with our social security numbers already?) these people are being
deceived! It's much more logical
to believe that Satan- who knows those who are marked as His and those who are
not- will be AFTER those who are not and will make an effort to destroy all
those who are not his by any means possible.)
Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath
understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and
his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (When people receive the mark of
the beast, when people choose Satan over God, they are bowing down to the
Papacy which is the head of all things ungodly. The papacy is the most
deceptive of all evils and all things that deceive imitate this great deception
of the dragon.)
Now I'm not
saying I'm right with all this, I'm really not. But I am saying we have to
consider all things and not just get set in our ways to the point that we are
deceived ourselves.
May God bless us
as we continue our studying! Help us Lord, help us! We want to buy of you gold
tried in fire! We need Your eye salve! We have to have YOUR raiment! Please
Lord! Please!
Thank you God!
Thank YOU! All praise, all glory, all honor to YOU always!
In Christ
forever!
Amen.