9/10/06 - “Prophecy – The Future Told In Advance – Revelation Chapter 13 – Part 2” - 37L - FM
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Hello!  This is Richard Vaughn

This Week: “Prophecy – The future told in advance – Revelation 13 - Part 2”

Last week, we identified 4 of the 9 identifying marks of the beast power of Revelation 13. In review they are 
Point #1- It arose from the ruins of the Roman Empire; 
Point #2- It received it's power and ruling authority from the dragon (Satan and Pagan Rome).     
Point #3- During the Middle Ages the Papacy was a worldwide power.
Point #4- No power on earth, other than the Papacy ever ruled exactly 1,260 years, the period from 538 AD to 1798 AD, as prophesied.  
   
Now we will cover the five remaining, identifying marks of the Beast of Revelation 13.

Point #5  What did the beast receive and what marvelous thing then occurred? Verse 3
"And I saw one of his heads as were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast."
Verse 3 reports that the beast receives a deadly wound, and then the deadly wound is healed and the world marvels and follows the beast. When in 1798, the French General Berthier, under orders from Napoleon, marched his army into Rome and took the Pope prisoner, the Papacy received it's deadly wound. He then died in exile. Half of Europe thought that the Papacy had ended with this event. God, however, was on record in scripture, that the deadly wound would heal. And in 1929 Mussolini executed the "Concordat of 1929" with the Papacy, restoring to them their properties and power. The deadly wound was healing and the influence of the Papacy would continue to grow until the whole world would wonder after this power. The Papacy today is recognized as the most influential power on earth. Multiplied millions look to the Papacy today as the only hope for world unity, love, peace and decency.
Point #5- Only the Papacy fits the identification of Rev 13:3, receiving a deadly wound that eventually healed.

Point #6  What is this beast power guilty of? Revelation 13:5,6. “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies;” “And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”

Blasphemy in the Bible is defined as a mortal man claiming to have the power to forgive sins. Luke 5:21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Also, claiming to be God. John 10:33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.” In both cases Jesus could not be guilty since He is God and therefore can forgive sins.

The Catholic Church claims to forgive sins. The following is taken from a catechism:  “Question: Does the priest truly forgive the sins, or does he only declare that they are remitted?”
Answer: “The priest does really and truly forgive the sins in virtue of the power given him by Jesus Christ.”  Source- Joseph DeHarbe, Catechism of the Catholic Religion; New York; W.H. Sadler, Inc. 1924, Page 279.

It claims the Pope to be God: "Thou art another God on earth" Source- Christopher Marcellus, Oration in the Fifth Lateran Council, Session IV (1512) in Mans, S.C. volume 32, col. 761 (Latin) and "The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of human flesh." Source- Catholic National- July 1895 
Point #6- Again the Papacy fits the identifying point of Blasphemy. 

Point #7 we read Revelation 13:18 “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”

We are told to count the number of the beast's name and that it is the number of a man. When a person wanted to know the number of their name, a practice quite common in centuries past, they would count all of the letters, which were Roman numerals. The sum of the total was the number of their name. God did not need to add this further point of identification, but in so doing, we read in verse 18 that we are to understand by calculation. If the Papacy is the beast power, then this equation has to apply....and it does. The official Latin title of the Pope is "VICARIUS FILII DEI" Here is wisdom. Count the number of his name. * Note- U's are V's in the Roman Alphabet  
V   I   C   A   R   I   V* S  
5+ 1+100+0+O+1+ 5+ 0 = 112
F   I   L   I   I        
0+1+50+1+1 = 53       
D   E   I            
500+0+1 = 501    112+53+501=666    

Point #7- His name by Roman numerals, adds up to 666.    
 
Point #8 What will all who dwell on the earth do to the beast? Rev 13:8.
"All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." This is a religious power as well as a political force. Notice he is worshiped. The word worship is used four times in Revelation 13, but this chapter is about false worship.  
Point #8 - This is a religious power that is worshipped as well as being a political force.  

Point #9 He would make war with and persecute the saints. Rev. 13:7 "It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them." It is common knowledge that the Papacy did order his armies to persecute and destroy conscientious Christians, especially during the peak of its period of control, during the Middle Ages. Many historians say that more than fifty million people died for their faith, during this period of great tribulation. Estimates range as high as 120 million. For only wanting to read the scriptures for themselves, in their own language, and believing as God's Spirit led them, millions were tortured in dungeons and burned at the stake. The church felt it was doing God a favor in stamping out "heresy", but the fact remains, it did persecute and destroy the real people of God.  

Point #9 The Papacy made war with the saints. 

There you have it. No other power on earth outside of the Papacy fits the nine identifying points of Revelation 13, and the nine identifying points of Daniel 7. God has identified him, the beast of Revelation 13, with His Word. No conscientious child of God wants to receive the Mark of the Beast. However multiplied millions of Christians along with the rest of the world, will receive it. If you are not clear on this point, you will receive the mark of the beast also. 

God says in scripture, "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6. 

Now that God’s Word has identified who the beast is, we will next study what the mark is, and God’s word clearly identifies it. You need not receive the mark of the beast friend, and to make sure, you need to know what it is. That will be our topic in next weeks study,  "The Mark of the Beast."
Many of you are hearing this for the first time and are probably shocked. Fifty to sixty years ago and way back to the time of the reformers who ushered in the age of Protestantism, these scriptures were better understood. It was common knowledge that Papal Rome was the little horn power and the beast of Revelation 13. Most Christians today have no idea what they were protesting in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The Christian churches today are so busy celebrating and having a good time, they are neglecting the study of God’s word. Satan doesn’t want your attention on scripture now because he knows he has but a short time. He especially doesn’t want you studying the books of Daniel and Revelation, because if you do, you will uncover his plans to destroy the Christian world.

No, the major focus of the Christian church today is the ecumenical movement, which on the surface doesn’t sound bad. Unification of all Christians. Tear down the walls that separate the denominations and just love one another. Sounds good? 

But friends, there is a dark side. The Ecumenical movement came out of Vatican II in the early 60’s under Pope John XXIII. Plans were laid to crush Protestantism and bring all the separated brethren back under the umbrella of Rome.

Today’s preachers would dare not preach these studies. Many ministers and priests will tell you that there are many scriptures that are not safe to preach. Where are the Elijah’s today? 

I cannot and will not stay silent as we are on the edge of eternity, and Satan wants every Christian to be lost. If you get the mark of the beast, you will be lost. And that will be the subject of study from God’s word next week. The mark of the beast. Some of you will not accept what you hear. But when it happens, and that will be very soon, rejecting God’s message and ignoring God’s call to come out of Babylon, will automatically put you in the group who receive the mark of the beast.

Next Week: “Prophecy – The Mark of the Beast - Part 1”

Until next week, Jesus said in John 5:39, “Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me”. 
Even so, Come Lord Jesus.