Revelation 13: 11-18
INTRODUCTION:
This study reveals that the last power to persecute the church will be the United States of America. It will bear the mystical number 666, not the Papacy. The USA will do this by replicating the false church-state system of the dark ages—a false worship founded by the Papacy, and has now permeated Protestantism.
PRAYER THOUGHT:
The perils of the last days are upon us, and in our work we are to warn the people of the danger they are in. Let not the solemn scenes which prophecy has revealed be left untouched. If our people were half awake, if they realized the nearness of the events portrayed in the Revelation, a reformation would be wrought in our churches, and many more would believe the message. We have no time to lose; God calls upon us to watch for souls as they that must give an account. Advance new principles, and crowd in the clear-cut truth. It will be as a sword cutting both ways. But be not too ready to take a controversial attitude. There will be times when we must stand still and see the salvation of God. Let Daniel speak, let the Revelation speak, and tell what is truth. But whatever phase of the subject is presented, uplift Jesus as the center of all hope, “the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright and morning Star.” {TM 118.1}
WHO IS THE TWO HORNED BEAST?
1. Rev. 13:11 – The United States of America (USA)
2. THE EARTH – Opposite from the “sea” where the beasts of Daniel and the Leopard-like beast arose – The New World GC 440
But the beast with lamblike horns was seen “coming up out of the earth.” Instead of overthrowing other powers to establish itself, the nation thus represented must arise in territory preciously unoccupied and grow up gradually and peacefully. It could not, then, arise among the crowded and struggling nationalities of the Old World–that turbulent sea of “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” It must be sought in the Western Continent. {GC 440.1}
What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength and greatness, and attracting the attention of the world? The application of the symbol admits of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the United States of America…
3. TWO HORNS – The two party system of the USA. Also, Republicanism and Protestantism. GC 440-442
The beast was seen “coming up out of the earth;” and, according to the translators, the word here rendered “coming up” literally signifies “to grow or spring up as a plant.” And, as we have seen, the nation must arise in territory previously unoccupied. A prominent writer, describing the rise of the United States, speaks of “the mystery of her coming forth from vacancy,” and says: “Like a silent seed we grew into empire.”–G. A. Townsend, The New World Compared With the Old, page 462. A European journal in 1850 spoke of the United States as a wonderful empire, which was “emerging,” and “amid the silence of the earth daily adding to its power and pride.” –The Dublin Nation. Edward Everett, in an oration on the Pilgrim founders of this nation, said: “Did they look for a retired spot, inoffensive for its obscurity, and safe in its remoteness, where the little church of Leyden might enjoy the freedom of conscience? Behold the mighty regions over which, in peaceful conquest, . . . they have borne the banners of the cross!”–Speech delivered at Plymouth, Massachusetts, Dec. 22, 1824, page 11. {GC 440.2}
4. LIKE A LAMB – Gentle, peaceful, innocence
5. SPAKE AS A DRAGON – Will throw out the Constitution (5T 451); Exercise the spirit of intolerance and persecution similar to the dark ages (GC 442); It will become a despotic state.
By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1}
When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result. {GC 445.1}
The beast with two horns “causeth [commands] all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 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.” Revelation 13:16, 17. The third angel’s warning is: “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” “The beast” mentioned in this message, whose worship is enforced by the two-horned beast, is the first, or leopardlike beast of Revelation 13–the papacy. The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. The “mark of the beast” still remains to be defined. {GC 445.2}
After the warning against the worship of the beast and his image the prophecy declares: “Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Since those who keep God’s commandments are thus placed in contrast with those that worship the beast and his image and receive his mark, it follows that the keeping of God’s law, on the one hand, and its violation, on the other, will make the distinction between the worshipers of God and the worshipers of the beast. {GC 445.3}
6. SUMMARY – It is the only power that came up on the New World with a two party system, professing gentleness, peace and innocence.
THE USA WILL COPY THE SYSTEM OF THE DARK AGES
Rev. 13:12– Here we are told the Two-Horned Beast (THB) will rethrone the principles or system of the previous beast — the LLB — the beast with the wound.He will persecute and dominate as did Ecclesiastical Rome (Catholicism) during the dark ages, and cause the world to worship Apostate Christianity; a system which began in the dark ages but which is now led by Protestants.
When the Bible says that the THB “causeth the earth… to worship the first beast
(LLB), it does not mean to worship the Pope, but rather the system or principles of
Apostate Christianity, a system that started with Catholicism, but has spread to all the Western world.
THE FALSE PROPHET
1. Rev. 13:13,14– Three persons are brought to view in these verses
2. THE FALSE PROPHET – “he doth great wonders” who wrought “miracles in the sight of the beast.” See Rev. 19:19-20.The person who works the miracles is thefalse prophet. Notice that he performs the miracles in the sight of the beast. Verycarefully compare this with Rev. 13:14
3. THE BEAST (THB) – It is in the sight of this beast that the false prophet performs his miracles, telling the world to make an image of the LLB
4. THE BEAST WITH THE WOUND (LLB) – Catholicism, Protestantism, Capitalism – apostate Christianity, western society.
IS THE FALSE PROPHET THE DEVIL?
Answer: No. See Rev. 16:12, 13 Three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the Dragon (the Devil), the beast, and the false prophet. This shows that they are separate persons. Thus the Devil and the false prophet are different. See also Rev. 20:10
IS THE FALSE PROPHET THE POPE?
Read: Rev. 19:20, 21 shows the beast and false prophet are cast into a lake of fire, then those that are left (the remnant) are afterward destroyed by the sword of Him who sat upon the horse.
The remnant – The rest of the wicked after the beast and false prophet are destroyed.
The Pope will be destroyed with the remnant because the “man of sin” (the Papacy)will be destroyed at the second coming. See 2 Thess. 2:3, 8; GC 321, 356 and 579.
Taking the manner in which the prophecies had been fulfilled in the past as a criterion by which to judge of the fulfillment of those which were still future, he became satisfied that the popular view of the spiritual reign of Christ–a temporal millennium before the end of the world–was not sustained by the word of God. This doctrine, pointing to a thousand years of righteousness and peace before the personal coming of the Lord, put far off the terrors of the day of God. But, pleasing though it may be, it is contrary to the teachings of Christ and His apostles, who declared that the wheat and the tares and to grow together until the harvest, the end of the world; that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse;” that “in the last days perilous times shall come;” and that the kingdom of darkness shall continue until the advent of the Lord and shall be consumed with the spirit of His mouth and be destroyed with the brightness of His coming. Matthew 13:30, 38-41; 2 Timothy 3:13, 1; 2 Thessalonians 2:8.{GC 321.1}
The apostle Paul warned the church not to look for the coming of Christ in his day. “That day shall not come,” he says, “except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Not till after the great apostasy, and the long period of the reign of the “man of sin,” can we look for the advent of our Lord. The “man of sin,” which is also styled “the mystery of iniquity,” “the son of perdition,” and “that wicked,” represents the papacy, which, as foretold in prophecy, was to maintain its supremacy for 1260 years. This period ended in 1798. The coming of Christ could not take place before that time. Paul covers with his caution the whole of the Christian dispensation down to the year 1798. It is this side of that time that the message of Christ’s second coming is to be proclaimed. {GC 356.1}
The prophecy of Revelation 13 declares that the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns shall cause “the earth and them which dwell therein” to worship the papacy –there symbolized by the beast “like unto a leopard.” The beast with two horns is also to say “to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast;” and, furthermore, it is to command all, “both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,” to receive the mark of the beast. Revelation 13:11-16. It has been shown that the United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns, and that this prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome claims as the special acknowledgment of her supremacy. But in this homage to the papacy the United States will not be alone. The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. “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.” Verse 3. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798. After this, says the prophet, “his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” Paul states plainly that the “man of sin” will continue until the second advent. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: “All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life.” Revelation 13:8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church. {GC 578.3}
Neither the Beast nor the false prophet can be the pope.
WHO IS THE FALSE PROPHET AND WHAT DOES HE DO?
1. The false prophet must be a future charismatic religious leader who will work miracles through the power of Satan and deceive the world into accepting the mark of the beast. His influence will place him as the world’s religious dictator.
2. As the doctrines held by the false prophet cannot be fully supported by the Scriptures, miracles are performed to secure the confidence of the masses. To complete the deception, Satan will appear as an angel of light, as a great physician. Yet at the same time he will bring disease and disaster. GC 489.
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13. If those who hide and excuse their faults could see how Satan exults over them, how he taunts Christ and holy angels with their course, they would make haste to confess their sins and to put them away. Through defects in the character, Satan works to gain control of the whole mind, and he knows that if these defects are cherished, he will succeed. Therefore he is constantly seeking to deceive the followers of Christ with his fatal sophistry that it is impossible for them to overcome. But Jesus pleads in their behalf His wounded hands, His bruised body; and He declares to all who would follow Him: “My grace is sufficient for thee.” 2 Corinthians 12:9. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30. Let none, then, regard their defects as incurable. God will give faith and grace to overcome them. {GC 489.2}
Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement. Momentous are the interests involved therein. The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. Soon–none know how soon–it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behooves every soul to heed the Saviour’s admonition: “Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Mark 13:33. “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Revelation 3:3. {GC 490.1}
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour’s advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: “Christ has come! Christ has come!” The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: This is “the great power of God.” Acts 8:10. {GC 624.2}
WHO IS THE 666?
The 666 is the number of “the beast” and also the number of “a man.” Thus the number points to the head of the power represented by “The Beast”.
The 666 must be a political dictator who will pass laws persecuting those who refuse to accept the mark of the beast.
WHY THE 666 CANNOT BE THE POPE
The pope is not the 666 because the Bible says count the number of “the beast”. What beast? — The LLB or THB? Has to be TUB.
The LLB is always referred to as having a wound, (Rev. 13; 3; 12; 14) The verses of Rev. 13:11-18 is strictly dealing with the TUB – the USA
A Word to the Little Flock page 8,9 – states that the number 666 is placed on the power that is found in verses 11-18. Verse 11 is clearly speaking about theUSA
WLF 8, 9 – “The number 666 is placed on the THB, not the pope. The power in Dan. 11:45 is the same as the two horned beast in Rev. 13:11-18.
WLF 19 – “666 is on the image beast, not the LLB.”
Ø 2 SM 380– The image of the beast is to be primarily “The Protestant World” See also 5T 451; 6T 17 and GC 579
We are to be ready and waiting for the orders of God. Nations will be stirred to their very center. Support will be withdrawn from those who proclaim God’s only standard of righteousness, the only sure test of character. And all who will not bow to the decree of the national councils and obey the national laws to exalt the sabbath instituted by the man of sin, to the disregard of God’s holy day, will feel, not the oppressive power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the image of the beast. {2SM 380.1}
By the decree enforcing the institution of the papacy in violation of the law of God, our nation will disconnect herself fully from righteousness. When Protestantism shall stretch her hand across the gulf to grasp the hand of the Roman power, when she shall reach over the abyss to clasp hands with spiritualism, when, under the influence of this threefold union, our country shall repudiate every principle of its Constitution as a Protestant and republican government, and shall make provision for the propagation of papal falsehoods and delusions, then we may know that the time has come for the marvelous working of Satan and that the end is near. {5T 451.1}
The light we have received upon the third angel’s message is the true light. The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll; but a most solemn work is to be accomplished in our world. The Lord’s command to His servants is: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1.{6T 17.1}
Since the middle of the nineteenth century, students of prophecy in the United States have presented this testimony to the world. In the events now taking place is seen a rapid advance toward the fulfillment of the prediction. With Protestant teachers there is the same claim of divine authority for Sunday keeping, and the same lack of Scriptural evidence, as with the papal leaders who fabricated miracles to supply the place of a command from God. The assertion that God’s judgments are visited upon men for their violation of the Sunday-sabbath, will be repeated; already it is beginning to be urged. And a movement to enforce Sunday observance is fast gaining ground. {GC 579.1}
Ø Note: the prevailing belief is that the number 666 is the numerical identification of the Pope. We have to stand on what Scriptures teach. Here are two reasons;
a. The Number 666 has been, and is commonly used in paganism and spiritualism.Since the Papacy is a mixture of paganism/spiritualism and Christianity, it would not be strange for the pope to have the no. 666 on his person.
b. The numerical identification system is arbitrary as 666 can be applied to many other names.
c. The practice of correlating numbers with the letters of name or title is a form of divination known as numerology. This occult practice is clearly condemned in the Scriptures (see: Deut. 18:10; 2 Kings 17:17; Jer. 14:14)
SUMMARY:
The USA will be the leader and engineer for the upcoming so-called “new world order”; the mark of the beast. It is nothing more than a replication of ecclesiastical Rome – a three-fold union of Protestantism, Catholicism, and Spiritualism, (5T 451) led by two Dictators -the 666 and the false prophet. (Political and Religious) With the establishment of this ungodly system, the people of God will once again face persecution. However, those who heed the call of the 144,000 will be sealed and God will deliver every one that shall be found “written in the Book” (Dan. 12:1), bringing in the great multitude “which no man could number.” It is at this time that the Loud cry will take place and the kingdom established.
Meat In Due Season – 16. The Two-horned Beast (2HB) (google.com)