DIVINE ENCOUNTER
(RENEWAL
FELLOWSHIP)
DELTA STATE,
NIGERIA.
TOPIC: THE
BEAST, HIS MARK AND NUMBER – 666.
TEXT: REV
13:1-18; 14:9-11.
INTRODUCTION: The
BEAST and his number – 666 is one of the most frightening and abused
subject of Christian discuss, especially as it is taught in relation to the
so-called “End Time” prophecies – Eschatology. Ninety percent of Christians
would believe “the beast” to be single man that will come as the “antichrist”
that will one day appear on the stage of world history to terrorise the
universe, especially the believers. Wherein men will not buy or sell unless
they have the number – 666. As a result, most of these gullible Christians have
gone to the extent of shamefully identifying computer price-bar codes on
manufactured articles as the mark of the Beast. Therefore considering the
impact o these things teachings, there is the need for a closer examination of
who this beast is, what’s his name, mark, number, how long has he been around?
e.t.c.
From
time immemorial mankind having observed the characteristics and habits of
animals has applied them in a figurative or symbolic sense to persons, people,
and government organisations. And the Bible itself has employed this effective
illustration use of communications in revealing their character and nature e.g.
“SERPENT” which is symbol of Satan the devil (Rev 12:9) speak of
cunningness and deceptiveness (2Cor 11:3). Whereas in a good sense it is the
cautiousness of God’s servant (Math 10:16). The “HORSE” is symbol of
warfare, war equipment (Ps 33:17, 147:19, Isa 31:1, Jer 4:13) also usefulness
in battle (Job 39:19-25). The Israelite in the days of Jeremiah was described
as war mount that bespeaks of a righteous warfare (Rev 19:11, 16). The “EAGLE”
speaks of foresightedness, symbolic of wisdom, attribute of living creature Rev
4:7, Discernment, prophetic fore vision of God’s servants (Mat 24:14, Lk 17:37)
Just as eagle’s wing” has the quality of majesty, courage, destructiveness to
enemies, a symbol of a refreshing vigour, endurance, (Ps 103:5, Isa 40:31)
God’s care for the Israel (Exo 19:4 and for the church (Rev 12:14). But in a
bad sense the Eagle is a greedy and predatory animal, symbolic of Babylon and
Egypt (Ezk 17:3, 7, 12, 5). Just as the “LION” in a good sense has the
quality of majesty, courage, destructiveness to enemies, a symbol of justice,
attribute of the living creature near God’s throne (Rev 4:7) of “Jesus” as
a royal majesty king, executor of justice (Gen 49:9, Rev 5:5), of God (Isa 31:4; Hos 11:10) and God’s people (Mic
5:8). On the other hand, it’s characterized by merciless, greed, and predator
which is the nature of “wicked man” (Ps
22:13 and the “Devil” (1pet 5:8) e.t.c.
But
above all, ANIMALS (Beast) IN GENERAL is a manifestation of LACK OD REASONING,
symbolic of “WICKED MEN” (2Pet 2:12, those without discernment and
enlightenment of spiritual truth – “BRUTE BEAST” Jude 10. please see verse
8-13. these are he true “Sons of men” that are still hundred percent baptized
into the life of Adam, even as the “sons of God” are baptized into the life of
Christ. Gal 3:27. And so “… the NATURAL MAN (beastly - Adamic nature) receiveth not the things pf
the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them;
because they are spiritually discern” 1 Cor 2:14. And we know that this natural
beastly Adam life began when Adam – man partook, through the woman – (the soul
of man – mother of al living) “…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”
after listening” to the death-message of the serpent. Gen 3:1-6. Now the
serpent himself communicated his life, which is “beastly” “natural” “satanic”
to man for “…the serpent was the more
subtil than Any Beast of the “field”
…and the “field is the world (mankind) Gen 3:1, math 13:24. Therefore
man’s spiritual life was brought to a “lower nature” of a carnal realm, and for
man to be controlled by (his) lower natures …(the natural sense) – the old
nature leads to death – because the old sinful nature within us is against
God”(Rom 8:5 tlb). Therefore mankind – Adam died to the life of God and
resurrected to a beastly carnal life. And so the world of God says “man (Adam -
man) that is in honour (those having the privilege of being redeem by Christ’s
sacrifice) and understandeth not (walk not in the spirit as one in Christ is
like “the BEAST that perish” Ps 49:12, 20. Why? Because “…that which befallen
the sons of men (not sons of God, compare Ps 82:1-6, Jn 1:12) befalleth THE BEAST;
even one thing befalleth them; as he dieth, so dieth the other yea; they have
all one breath; so that A MAN (Adam-man) hath no preeminence above a BEAST, for
all is vanity” Eccl 3:19. Now, they do not have the preeminence above the beast
because they do not have Christ - the life of God in them. But as for the sons
of God “we know that we have passed from DEATH (soulish nature) unto life.
“…and this is the record, that Go hath given to us ETERNAL LIFE, and this life
is in his sons:” “…that we might live through Him…” 1 Jn 3;14, 5:11, 4:9. So
the origin of the BEAST SYSTEM is the union of the SERPENT – with man and the
unregenerate humanity is his medium of expression. Whether political
government, organisation, religious system, people or persons. Just as the
“church” is to Christ, so is the ‘Beast” to the Devil.
BEAST AS SYMBOL OF
NATIONS (GOVERNMENT)
Like we have earlier
mentioned in part 1 of this study, mankind has been using hid knowledge of the
characteristics and habits of animals in describing persons, people or
government, perhaps in an attempt to prove t the world at a glance the nature
and strength of such government. And of course major world powers of history as
seen in the Bible records, have their governments represented symbolically by
animals. Egypt for instance has the “serpent” as a prominent figure. It was
also represented by the “Bull” (which speaks of ferocity, wickedness (Ps
22:21), strength, power Job 39:9-11. Assyrian, Medopersia used the “Eagle”,
even the shield of the Medes bore the golden eagle; Athens was designated by
the ‘owl’. Rome, the “Eagle” Great, Britain, the ‘Lion,’ the
United States
The
“Eagle” china the “dragon”. Russia the “bear”- ferocity, wicked rulers. Prov
28:15. German, “two headed eagle” etc. But what can this mean to us? It is that
mankind has been identifying himself with the nature of the beast’ world. This
eventually finds true expression in the types of gods people worship, represent
in masquerade forms, such as the “gods” of the ‘sea’ symbolized by various
kinds of fishes, gods of the ‘land’ by
animals figures and “gods” of the ‘air’ by birds. So when the word of God says
“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything
that is in heaven above {sky}, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in
water under the earth; Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve
them;” Exo 20:4-5, it is that man should not give consideration to the nature
or characteristics of the animal world- “the creature” to the point of obsession
(fixed idea that occupies the mind) which will eventually lead to the
manifestation of such animal tendencies, such as rage, hot temper, sexual
immorality, desire for warfare etc which are common features in wrestling,
boxing, Rock “N”Roll music etc. And these are the characteristics of most
animal, of which in so doing, these animals have become “gods” to man. So to
say “thou shalt not bow down thyself to them” is to say man who is supposed to
be the image and glory of God should not manifest the “lower nature” of the
beast, for that would mean the lowering of man – God’s image to the beast, Why?
Because the truth of the matter is, you reveal and manifest who you worship.
And man is only to reveal God, the only true object of worship and not the
creature, unfortunately man has “… changed the truth of God into a lie, and
worshipped and served (bowing down to) the creature (animal creature) more than
the creator (the spirit nature of the father that dwells in us 1 Cor 14:25, 2
Cor 13:3,5, Jn 4:24) who is blessed forever Amen. For this cause God gave them
(mankind) up unto vile affections … Rom 1:25-26. Please read from verses 25-32.
And this is why man must be redeemed from this ugly state of the mind, hence
the Gospel of Christ. The redeeming power and wisdom of God. 1 Cor 1:24.
The
application of the word “BEAST” to the political government is clearly seen in
the book of Daniel even as we read “And four great BEAST came up from the “sea”
(mankind) diverse one from another. The first was like a lion … another beast,
a second like a BEAR, … another like a LEAOPARD … a fourth beast dreadful and
terrible …diverse from all the beast that were before and it had ten horns. Dan
7:1-7. Now see the meaning. “THESE GREAT BEASTS WHICH ARE FOUR, ARE FOUR KINGS,
WHICH SHALL ARISE OUT OF THE EARTH” (among mankind) Dan 7:17. And these four
beasts are the four successive political world powers of Babylon, Medo-Persia,
Greece and Rome. I will advise the reader to study Dan 7:8, 20-22, Rev 16:10,
7:3, 9-12 to further prove that the “beasts” so mentioned clearly describe
political kingdom or governments that were exercising rulership at various
times in word history. It is not my desire to interprete the symbolic meaning of
all the “beast” in the books of Daniel an Revelation, but rather to show the
use and application of the word “BEAST”. Evidently however the care full
comparison of the image of Daniels chapter 2 and that of chapter 7 show that
they are the same except that they are only represented in chapter 7 in their
beastly characteristics. So you have the head of Gold – LION Babylon (Ex 17:3,
7,12,5) describing the greed and predatory power of the king of Babylon, (2)
Silver – a BEAR – Medo-Persia (a Less Majestic and more ponderous creature than
a lion) (3) Brass – LEOPARD – Greece. (4) Iron-dreadful, terrible-diverse beast
– Rome.
Now
a careful analysis of these various beasts though not the same symbolic forms
have certain qualities in common. THEY ARE ALL SHOWN TO BE STANDING IN
OPPOSITION T GOD’S RILERSHIP IN CHRIST (GOD’S KINGDOM) OVER MANKING. And again
HEY STAND TO OPOSE “THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH GOD”, God’s own covenant
people. “I beheld, and the same horn made war wit the saints, and prevailed
against them” Dan 7:21. See Rev 13:7. which actually speaks of the organized
wickedness against the Jews as a nation and secondly, the new covenant people
of God – the Christians. Please compare Dan 7:17, 18-21: 8:9-11, 23-24, Rev
13:4-7, 17:12-14.
From
the above we can see that the use of the word BEAST which in Hebrew mean –
alive, hence raw (flesh) strong, company, congregation, life, multitude, troop
etc and in Greek, a dangerous animal (venomous wild beast), destruction etc,
speaks of a fierce, destructive, strong political or religious power that is
resisting the course of Christ in the world , even as we are told that Paul “ …
fought with the beasts at Ephesus …” (1 Cor 15:32), which certainly must be a group o f people revealing their Ant-Cist qualities against
the Gospel.
“little
children, it is the last time; and as ye have heard that ANTICHRIST shall come,
EVEN NO ARE THERE MANY ANTICHRISTS; whereby we know that it is the last time”
Jn 2 :18.
From
the word of God quoted above, it is clear that there are many opposers of God’s
will in Christ in the earth, since the word ANTICHRIST simply means “that which
is against Christ”, therefore it is safe to declare that whatsoever opposes the
will of God in His body – the church of Christ, whether it be a government or
people, individuals or religious organisations – is an antichrist. This
opposition is carried out in the form of religious and occult lies, or outright
persecutions of the true sons of God by political powers. A good way to the
understanding of this antichrist definition is found in Gen 3:15. “And I will
put enmity between the (serpent – the devil) and the woman (Eve - the mother of all living, a type of church)
and between thy seed (serpent’s offspring) and her seed (Christ and those that
are Christ’s), it shall bruise thy head (the authority of Satan) and thou shall
bruise his heel” – (the true gospel of Christ, for the feet speaks of “the
gospel of peace” Eph 6:15). We do know that the true bruising of the head of
Satan is not just that man Jesus that hung on a cross beam on Golgotha some two
thousand years ago, but he reality of the cross in life of his people as he
“crosses” out the satanic life in man trough the true gospel in His
resurrection power, so that man in “… acknowledging … the truth … may recover
themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive y him at his
will” 2 Tim 2:26. The freedom of the cross are explained in words of apostle
Paul is “I am CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ
liveth in me; …” Gal 2:20. Dear called out ones, this is the reality of the
cross of Christ which he asked us to take to and follow Him (Math 16:24), where
self, pride, human wisdom, religious deception must die, for his lie alone to be
made manifest in us. The fact however is, all those who are the true sheep of
the lord with the message f the cross, which is the life of Christ, stand to be
oppose by the negative spirit of the serpent – the Antichrist. This is done
through mortal man (his only medium of expression) in their minds, passions and
activities. Therefore we must have a Cain for every Abel (1 Jn 3:12, Gen
4:3-8); a James and Jambres for every Moses (2Tim 3:8, Exo 7:11-13); a Korah (a
conspiring Levite Priest) with his two hundred and fifty princes against Moses
and Aaron (the messenger of God and his prophet Num 16:1-35, Jude 11); a Balaam
against the church – the body of Christ (Num 22:1-22, 31:18, 16, Jude 11) And
of course “ … I saw THE BEAST and the king of the earth, and their armies
(disciples of unrighteousness) gathered together to make war against Him
(Christ) that sat on the horse against is army” (the saints) Rev 19:19. so, if
you must fear the devil in man, who can seduce your wife and steal your
properties etc, after all, we are not told Satan entered into Judas” (Jn 13:27)
and spoke through apostle Peter? (Math 16:22-23).
“And
I stood upon the sand of the SEA, and saw a BRAST rise up put of the SEA,
having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his
heads the NAME(S) OF BLASPHEMY” Rev 13:1. Now the first thing I want us to
consider is where the BEAST is coming from – THE SEA; what is sea?
Looking at Rev 17, we are told that the prostitute that is riding “… upon a
scarlet coloured BEAST full names of blasphemy” (verse 3), is “… SITTED PON
MANY WATERS” (sea) Rev 17:1, and in verse 15, we are told “… The WATERS WICH
THOU SAWEST, HERE THE WHORESITTED, ARE PEOPLE, AND MULTITUDES, AND NATIONS, AND
TOUNGUES”. So here we see a BEAST coming up from among peoples, nations and
tongues, all in plural form. Telling us that this BEAST is not just coming
out of a single nation or people, but it is something that is fund within
humanity. This becomes clearer when we compare it with Dan 7:3, 17. “And
four great beasts came up FROM THE SEA, diverse one from another… these great
beasts which are for, ARE FOUR world political governments (Kingdom) viz: -
Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome of the “great things” of Daniel chapter
2that once the world, but represented in their beastly nature in chapter 7.
Please compare Isa 17:12-13. So, what do we have here in Rev 13:1 as the beast?
It is simply a beast emerging from amongst humanity, something that has been
existence over a vast period of time; - the persecuting power of human
governments. This is made plan when we discover that the characteristics of
“… the beast which I saw was like unto A LEOPARD (spotted skin) and his feet
was as the feet of A BEAR (swiftness, crushing) and his mouth of A LION; …”
(Rev13:2). Which is a perfect picture of
the “four beast of Dan 7:2-8. Therefore, this beast rising out of ht sea is a
political system of government revealing the will and life of Satan, even and
Satan which deceiveth the whole world…”, “the prince of this world” (in the
heart of men) “… the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”
(to gospel of Christ). Rev 12:9, Jn 12:31, Eph 2:2.
THE FIRST BEAST – THE
DELEGATED INFLUENCE OF WORLD HUMAN POLITICAL GOVERNMENNT
“And
I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a BEAST rise up out of the SEA,
having SEVEN HEADS and TEN HORNS, and upon his horns TEN CROWNS, AND UPON HIS
HEAD THE NAMES OF BLASPHEMY” Rev 13:1.
The
fact is there has been a lot of confusion in Christendom as to who this beast
is in the words of Dr Seiss, and I quote in describing the beast, one-half of
most Christians writers say this beast is pope, or the papacy, or the papal
kingdom, or the Roman clergy, or the spiritual Roman Empire; or the various
spiritual orders under the papacy, while no one of them is able to define just
exactly what he does mean; for the theory falls so far short of the record that
is continually breaking down in the hands of its defenders. While the other
half have different applications as there are writers e.g Sir Isaac Newton says
the Greek church is the Beast, Gallway says it’s the French republic, fish
meant it t be the Jesuits, Muteris thinks it refers to the Roman theologians,
wallers says it is evil which arises in the church of Christ stuart says it is
heathen Priesthood, whereas Hendstenberg says is earthly or canal wisdom,
including the heathen philosophers, false doctrines”. In my own opinion,
Hengsternberg is nearer the truth. Otherwise what else can beast describes the
beast whose identity is completely that of the Satan. Now observe this, the
beast is described as having SEVEN HEADS, THEN HORNS and SEVEN CROWNS upon his
head”. Rev 12:3. It simply means, this beast deceives the completeness of his
power from Satan “and the dragon gave him his power”. Rev 13:2
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE “SEVEN HEADS”
“TEN HORNS” and “TEN CROWNS”
Through
out the bible “HEAD” is a symbol of AUTHORITY, whereas “HORN” is used as
suggestive of a DESTRUCTIVE POWER and CROWNS are the badges of royal dominion.
And again SEVEN and TEN are commonly acknowledge as Biblical symbols of
completeness. Meaning that the whole3 picture speaks of the complete
destructive power of Satan that he exerts over the nations and tongues through
men. For it will be a mark of foolishness to imagine Stan who is a spirit “the
prince of the power of the air, that now worketh in the children of
disobedience” (Jn 12:31, Eph 2:2), to have literal seven heads and ten horns.
Again in Rev 17:3 we find “… a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of
names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns and here is the mind which
hath wisdom. THE SEVEN HEADS ARE SEEN MOUNTAINS on which the woman sitteth and
TEN HORNS which thou sawest are TEN KINGS” Rev 17:3, 8-12, while it is not
possible to interprete every verse of the scripture in this article, it will be
worthy of note that the entire context of Rev 17 is rooted in Dan 7; and there
we have four successive political kingdoms. So to say here that the seven heads
means seven kings Rev 17:9-10 that will mean seven kingdoms. And of course, we
know that at the time of John’s writing, Rome was then the embodiment of a
persecuting world government wit seven hills, and for the woman (a church) to
sit upon the beast with seven heads, which are seven mountains, will mean papal
authority (the church) over Rome. But people of God, the picture we are seeing
in Rev 13:1 go beyond merely looking at Rome and the papal authority. For this
beast has power over all the nations, tribes and tongues (Rev 13:7-8 compare
16:13-14, 17:1-3, 15). Therefore, according to the interpreters dictionary of
the Bible comments, “The first of these beast of Revelation Chapter 13)
combines in itself the joint characteristics of the four beast of Daniels
vision according, this first beast represent the combine forces of all the
political rule opposed to God in the world” Vol 1 Pg 369 and since the beast is
a composite beast, it’s the consummation and embodiment of the whole power or
political dominion from the beginning as it reveals itself the final outcome,
hence his influence over all nations. So what do we have
as the “seven heads” of the beast?
It is clear from the Hebrew scriptures that five world political powers were so
named viz; Egypt, Assyrian, Babylon, Medo-persia, and Greece. While in the
Greek scriptures, we have sixth, Rome that was in the power in the days of
John. This is the meaning of “there are
seven kings, five fallen (starting with Egypt down to Greece) and one is (which
was Rome then) and the other is not yet” rev7:10. and that of course is the
Vatican city of papal authority f ecclesiastical power, then it has not yet
appeared when john recorded the revelation. But do nor forget that this
ecclesiastical power eventually gave birth to many daughters – “mothers of
Harlots” Rev 17:5. now the eight king which is the “SCARLET – COLOURED BEAST”
is a product or a power that emerges out of the previous seven – a composite of
all persecuting governments, Rev 17:3, 11. and for the woman to be riding upon
scarlet coloured beast, means the union of the “state” – (Political power) and
the “false church” system. The scarlet coloured nature of the beast speaks of
the sinful – Adam – nature of the power behind the false church, for scarlet
speaks of in though your SIN BE AS SCARLET, they shall be white as snow” Isa
1:18. and of course this is the church to which the lord declare “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are jews, and not, but are
the synagogue (church) of Satan and do lie”
Rev 2:9, 3:9. “for you are not a real jew
(Christian) just because you were born of jewish parents (belonging to a
denomination) No, a real jew (Christian) is anyone whose heart is right with
God; for God is looking for those with changed hearts and mind” Rom 2:28-19, see also Rom 9:6-7.
Summarily,
we can see that “the Beast” is not just one particular person nor the
government of Rome, neither is the woman just the Roman Catholic church alone,
but rather all governments and systems of religious power that Stan in man have
used, is using and will use to persecute God’s people.
THE BEAST – REFLECTION ON
HISTORY, A RECAP
In
the great versions of Daniel chapter 7 and 8, we see the Beast portrayed in
chapter 7as revealing voracious nature of the same world empires and the
Gentile world rule as shown in the four monarchy of the vision in chapter 2.
And so we discover that the “LION” of 7:4, is “Babylon”, the BEAR (7:5) is
Medo-Persia, “LEOPARD” (7:6) is Greece under Alexander, the fourth beast that
could not be named of 7:7 is ht Roman Empire, and verse 8 of Dan gives picture
of the end of the Gentile world Dominion. Here it is revealed that the gentile
world of dominion in the end time will have “Ten Horns” (thought to be the
seieucid dynasty, see Rev 17:12) corresponding to the “Ten toes” in the
monarchy vision i.e the image in Dan chapter 2.
LITTLE HORN: in
that same verse is found a “little horn” “… and behold in this horn were eyes
like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things”. This is believed to
be ANTIOUCHUS EPIPHANIES (175-163) who came to power after eliminating several
rival claimants. In verse 25, we are told he spoke great words against the most
high “wear out ht saints of the most high, and THINK TO CHANGE TIME and LAWS
(referring to the hellensing policy, and in particular to his ban on observance
of the Sabbath and feast days – may we not forget that all of these feast days
and Sabbath were shadows that ended in Christ. Please see Heb 9:26, Mk
14:22-24, Col 2:13-17, and THEY (God’s Children) shall be given into this hand
until A TIME and TIMES and the DIVIDING OF TIME” (31/2 years). Which duration
of the persecution under him. Here from “31/2 years” became a symbol of
persecution, a period of distress permitted by God fro a limited time after which
there will be relief for the faithful ones. Compare Rev 11:2-3, 12:14, 13:5, Lk
4:25 and Jm 5:17.
LOOKING BEYOND ROME, THE PEOPLE AND
HISTROY
Like
we have earlier indicated elsewhere in these article, the first beast of Rev
13:1 goes beyond the issue of the Roman Empire and the pope. For the image of
Daniel with the ten toes speaking of the Roman Empire has continuity to
humanity (mankind) until it is finally
consumed by the judgment of the saint of the most high. And so we read in
relation to Antiochus, a manifestation of the man of sin” (2 Thes 2:3 in his
day. “But then the Ancient Days will come and open His court of justice and
tale ALL POWER FROM THE VICIOUS KING, (Satan in man) to consume and destroy it
till the end. Then EVERY NATION UNDER THE HEAVEN, and ALL their POWERS, shall
be given to the people of God, THEY (the saints) shall rule ALL THING FOREVER,
and ALL RULERS SHALL SERVE and OBEY THEM Dan 7:26-27. and to prove that this is
prophetic of the redemptive work of
Christ as he judges the sin in mankind a parallel reading is found in Rev 11:15 “… The Kingdom of this world are
BECOME the kingdom of the lords, and of his Christ (anointed ones), and he (in
them) shall reign forever and ever. “And in fact “DON’T YOU KNOW THAT SOME DAY
WE CHRISTIANS AE GOING TO JUDGE AND GOVERN HT EWORLD? That we Christians will
judge and reward the very angels in heaven? 1 Cor 6:2-3 tlb. You better know it
if you had not! Please compare Rev 2:26, 3:21 20:4, Rom 8:19-21. Back again in
rev 13:1, we have indicated that this is a composite beast representing the
four beasts of Daniel’s Vision, and that it represents the combined forces of
al political rule that stands to oppose God’s reign in the world, with numbers
7 and 10 (heads and horns respectively) symbolizing the completeness of its
dominion over all the nations ad tongues. Now may we understand some spiritual
truths about the books of Revelation as we will now progress to deal with a few
verses closely. First of all, it is a book of “THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
which God gave unto John to show IT his servant (Christians) THINGS MUST
SHORTLY COME TO pass, and he sent and SIGN(IFIED) it by his angel unto his
servant John. “Rev 1:1. Please note THREE WORDS on this passage of Scripture.
It is REVEALATION (apokalupsis – disclosure, appearing, coming, lighten,
manifestation, be revealed, revelation) of Jesus Christ (Saviour – anointing).
Meaning that in reading this book, God intends us to be able to see Christ in
relation to his body, the church. Not some tigers, horns, death, Antichrist,
literal harps and trumpets, and angels with wings etc, but rather the very
person of Christ. Secondly, it has to d with “things that must shortly come to
pass”. Again this is where people miss it. Some say it has been fulfilled,
others say it is yet to be fulfilled, but the word says, He (Christ) is “… the
lord which is and which was and which is to come…’ Rev 1:4, 8. which means he
is Lord that is being revealed now, was revealed YESTERDAY and is YET t be
revealed in the FUTURE to many, for he is the Christ of “… yesterday, today,
forever.” Heb 13:8. Therefore Revelation is a living and open book, unlike the
book of Daniel that was closed till the time of the end, Dan12:4. Revelation
was fulfilled and it shall yet be fulfilled, for the nature of God in Christ is
what is being revealed to humanity. Thirdly, it is sent and SIGNIFIED” now the
word signified is from the Greek word SIGN, meaning that the book of Revelation
is a sign book, it is communicated through SYMBOLS, so t interprete this book
literally will amount t interpretational error and that will be misleading,
which actually is the problem of many teachers and preachers of God’s word. Now
after we have been told of ht e beast receiving power from the dragon – the
devil (rev13:2, 12:9) verse 3 now says hat one of his heads seemed wounded
beyond recovery – but fatal wound has healed! All the world marveled at this
miracle and followed the creature in awe” tlb. People have believed, the
healing of the head to mean the recovery of he Roman Empire after a temporary
set back because of the schisms among its emperors. But what really wounded this head? In
verse 14 we are told is the “SWORD”. And of course we do know that the SWORD is
the WORD of God. Jesus while warning the pergamos church to repent holding unto
the doctrine of the Necolaitanes, said “… or else I will come unto thee quickly
I will fight against them with THE SWORD OF MY MOUTH (Rev 2:16) “…the SWORD OF
THE SPIRIT which is the WORD OF GOD” (Eph 6:17). This is the only instrument of
power that can destroy the beast, the man of sin whom the lord shall consume
with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of his
coming” (2 Thess 2:8) “for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29). This is
the revelation of his person – the word is truth (he being the word of God.
Jn1:1, 1Jn 1:1) in his people, even as he “maketh – his ministers a flame of fire” (Heb 1:7) God’s “… battle axe and weapons of the gospel of
Satan with it’s wrong doctrines in the earth today. There is a terrible shaking
going on in the spirit realm because of these truths you are reading now and of
course the camp of the lords side I winning that the kingdom will be the Lords.
So historically speaking, the wounding of this confederated political and
ecclesiastical power of Rome was Martin Luther (1483 – 1546) came up with the
revelational truth of “the just shall live by faith” heralding thereby the era
of spiritual enlightenment and reformation, when in October 13, 1571 he nailed
his ninety five. These on the church door at Wittenberg as a challenge to
debate the abuse of indulgences. Pope Leo x could not stop him. Records has it
that Luther in his second day in the Diet of worm, 18th April 1521
made the greatest speech that shook the world. The ending of which in his reply
speech reads “unless I am convinced by the testimonies of the
scripture or by clear argument that I am in eror – for popes I have councils
have often erred and contradicted themselves – I cannot withdraw, for I subject
to the scriptures. I have quoted, my conscience is captive to the word of God.
It is unsafe and dangerous. Here I stnd, cannot do otherwise so help me
God”.
And
you know what people of God? With this uncompromising boldness in God’s
personal revelation declared before the universe, came forth a powerful
spiritual liberation in all realms in the lives of people all over the world
e.g the advancement of natural sciences, germany now zoomed into limelight of
civilization. Count Zinzondorf who lived between 1700 – 1760 followed suit with
his powerful spiritual revolution of the world, with the Moravian missionary
church establishing 100 years of continuous prayer meeting. But what eventually
followed at the heel of this move of
God? The Godless Hegel’s and Kante – the seed of the serpent, came into scene
with their human philosophy (see Col 2:8). Once again the beast’s head (the
ecclesiastical power of Rome) that was wounded was healed. Germany became
ninety percent atheists and agnostics, then came in the blood thirsty
antichrist Hitler, with a move to stop out the Jews and all forms of godliness.
Russian took off with communism, Karl Max, a friend of Hegel, was a German Jew
who backslided from faith. So you see,
the wounding of the head (authority) of the Beast is the revelation of
spiritual truth in a n age, a continent, a city or a local assembly from where
it spreads out, only for the false messenger of the devil to come and stand
against it through their false doctrines, then of course tte power of the beast
is revived again. So we have the vicious cycle of wounding and healing the
Beast which is life of Satan in man until the final end. For God in his people
shall prevail. Acts 19:20, Ps 60:12. Amen.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE
BEAST SYSTEM
Progressing
from the previous studies, we will now look at a few verses of Rev 13. before
coming to the main verse about the name and number.
“And they worshiped
the dragon which gave power unto the beast, and they worshiped the beast,
saying who is like unto the beast?”
Rev 13:3. notice this statement was made because of the healing of the head
(authority) of the beast that was wounded. In other words, people are surprised
as one human persecuting government falls and another verses, even worse than
the first one, which is actually the picture of human history. It is like
saying hoe powerful is human government, it looks like it cannot be destroyed.
So what do we have here as we reflect on history? Nebuchadnezzar erected “an
image of Gold” whose height was three scores cubits” Dan 3:1 and demanded “all
people nations and language” would bow to it in adoration, infact he was so
high minded that “the king spake, and said is not this great Babylon that I
have built for the house of the Kingdom BY THE MIGHT OF MY POWER, and for the
honour of my majesty?” Dan 4:30. here , then is human nature saying “I am in
control, who is like unto me?” then come in Sennacherib King of Assyria, who
marched to Jerusalem with a host of armies and tried to defy the living God of
Israel by saying who is that your God that will deliver you out of my hands?
See 2 Chron 32:14-15. in other words, who is like Sennacherib? With Pharaoh, it
is “who is the God of the Hebrews?” so we find all of these great empires from
Egypt, Syria Medo-Persia, Greece down to Rome, rising and falling, with all
their boastful Kings, being energized by influence of the Satanic Adamic power.
This beastly pride in man which he had tried to blasphemy the name of the
living God was clearly revealed in the life of Herod (Acts 12:21-24) who really
persecuted the church, killed James and felt so elated that in his side h
forgot God. “And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his
throne, and made an oration unto them (who worship the best); and THE PEOPLE
GAVE A SHUT, saying IT IS THE VIOCE OF a god, AND NOT A MAN” and this is just
the same thing as saying “who is like the beast?” This is how the beastly
nature in man is being even a temporary, short time of existence “power to
continue forty and teo months” (Rev 13:5) and there was given
unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies …against God, to
blaspheme His name (exalting the
beastly nature to be worshiped instead of God) and His
tabernacles (the tabernacles of God is
(with) men- 21:5 …meaning that the spirit of man, ht supposed throne of God
where he is to be worshiped (Jn 4:24)
has been completely defiled by giving it over to the adoration of the creature
instead of the creator”. Rom 1:25), and them that dwell
in heaven” (Rev 13:5-6). Those dwelling in
Heaven are redeemed of the Lord, the overcoming saints who are also being
blasphemed. Hence we said “and they (Saints) overcome him (beast dragon in
mankind) by the blood of the lord Lamb, and by the word of their testimony,
…therefore rejoice, TE HEAVENS and YE THAT DWELL IN THEM. Rev 12:11-12. Telling
us of those who are now having their existence in Christ in God in the heavenly
realms. Please see Col 3:1-3, Heb 3:1, Eph 2:6.
THE DEATH OF THE
BEASTLY PERSECUTOR
Verse
23 of Acts we are told “And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him,
BECAUSE HE GAVE NOT GOD THE GLORY, “And of course God will not share His glory
with the beastly earth man. But certainly only with His sons whose will have
become that of the father, for “… the glory which thou givest me I have given
them, that thy (saints) may be even as
we are one, I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one,
and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them , as
them hast loved me “ (Jn 17:22-23). This is because the glory of the latter
house the saints shall be greater than the former (Jesus) Hag 2:9. so
immediately distruction that came to Herod, confirms the duration of the existence of power (rev 13:5)
that God is allowing the beastly animal nature of man to exist, whereas man is
thinking that he is God, through political and economical power in nations, in
scientific advancement etc, thereby disregarding the creator, and so polluting
the earth with human corruptedness until mankind’s rebellion will be pushed,
even as the word says, “The Nations wee angry with you (by refusing his
rulership over them), but now it is your turn to be angry with them. It is time
to judge the dead (dead in sin and trespasses Eph 2:1-2), and reward your
servants an people alike, all who fear your name, both great and small – AND TO
DESTROY THOSE WHO HAVE CAUSED DESTRUCTION UPON THE EARTH” Rev 11:8 tlb, please
compare Ps 104:5. Verse 24 of Acts 12 now says “But the word of God grew and
multiplied”, so what we do we see here? The destruction of the beastly nature
results in the increase and growth of the life of God in man. Mind you,
according to verse 7 of Rev 13, there is a time this beastly life in man and
his human agents is allowed to rule as though overcoming the saints (compare
Rev 11: 7-11), all human race, kindred’s, tongues and nations”. However, the
fact is “…THE KINGDOM OF THIS WORLD ARE BECOME(ing) THE KINGOM OF OUR LORD, AND
OF HIS CHRIST AND HE SHALL REIGN FOR EVER AND EVER”. Rev 11;15. prophet David
saw this vision of the totality of God’s victory over all human nature as he
declares “all the ends of the world shall remember and turn
unto the lord and all kindred’s of the nation shall worship before thee for the
kingdom is the lords and he is the
governor among the nations” See Ps
22:27-28. Oh! What a victory. Please Ps 86:9, 100:3
NAMES NOT WRITTEN IN THE
BOOK OF LIFE
“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 13:8.
GENEALOGY AND REGISTER, A POINTER TO
THE BOOK OF LIFE
In
order to understand what the “Book of Life” means, we have to understand it was
a common feature of the Jewish community to have register and Genealogical
records for the purpose of Head counts (polls) Taxes those able to go war, for
priesthood ministration etc. Hence the records says “All Israel were reckoned
by Genealogy” 1 Chron 9:1, “Besides their genealogy of males …” 2 Chron 31:16,
“… Genealogy of little ones” 2 Chron 31:17. it is like what we call census today, to determine the
age, the males and female figures in the
country, and records of immunization etc. The Jew so relied on these
genealogical records that the children of Habaiah, Koz and of Bar-zilla, were
cast out of the priesthood because they could not find their register among the
priesthood “And of the priest … These sought their register among those that
were reckoned by genealogy, but it was not found: therefore were they, as
polluted, put from the priesthood” Neh 7:63-64. but the most interesting aspect
of this genealogical records is the
register kept for all those who returned from the captivity of Babylon of meet
a few remnant at home in Jerusalem “… And I fought a register of the genealogy
of them, which came up at first and found WRITTEN therein” Please read Neh 7.
Record has it that when these Jewish people returned from exile and saw that
their relations whom they left behind were completely polluted and corrupted by
intermarrying and worshiping the gods of other surrounding nations, they
resolved to keep a register of all those who returned form the exile, who, to
them are the only pure people as far as the Jewish life is concerned. These
pure people will therefore have nothing to do with those they returned to meet
in anything even as far as worshiping together in their synagogues was
concerned. The record of those who returned from captivity was therefore seen
as the records of those who are alive unto God, for observing His rules – the
book of life. What are we saying? It is that those who have been called out of
this present evil world (gal 1:4) into Christ, the “… chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people …” 1 Pet 2:9, now make up
those whose names are written in the book of life (Living). Hence the question
“And what concord hath Christ with Beliah or what part hath he that believeth
with an infidel? 2 Cor :15. so when Moses told God” … blot me, I pray thee, out
of thy book which thou hast written “Exo 32:32, because of the rebellion of the
Israelites that God brought out of Egypt and the desire of God to wipe them
out, Moses was only saying , may I not be reckoned ant longer among those you
have chosen for yourself, as a holy people. In other words, Moses chose to be
identified with them. The words of Jeremiah clearly explains this “O Lord the hope of Israel, all who turn away from you shall be disgraced
and shamed, THEY ARE REGISTERED FOR EARTH AND NOT FOR GLORY, for they have
forsaken the Lord, the fountain of Living waters” Jer 17:13 tlb. This is the same thing as saying they are not
registered (written) in heaven – the book of life. And so in Isa 4:3 we read
“And he who is LEFT in Zion and REMAIN in Jerusalem (the city of God – the
Church) will be called HOLY, everyone who is RECORED FOR LIFE IN JERUSALEM and
FOR ENTERNAL LIFE” Amp. Furthermore “so shall you know that I am the lord your
God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain. Then shall Jerusalem be holy (that is
after judging her enemies) and strangers and foreigners (NOT BORN INTO THE
FAMILY OF GOD) shall no more pass through it” Joel 3:17 amp. From these
readings, we can see that those who are written in heaven (book of Life) are
those who are born of God – for the natural Adam man dead in sin” …must be born
again” Jn 3:7 … into God’s own new family
presently on the earth in order to have your name recorded among the
living. “Now you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s
country, and you belong in God’s HOUSEHOLD with every other Christian “ Eph
2:19 tlb. So you see, to be in heaven is to belong to the family of God, the
church of God, the father’s house. See Heb 3:1, 12:22-23, 1 Tim 3:15, being
controlled by the indwelling spirit of God as a result of the new birth “for we
are God’s (own) hand work (His Workmanship) RECREATED IN CHRIST JESUS (born a
new)” Why? That we do those good works which God predestined (planned before
hand) for us, (taking paths which he prepared ahead of time) that we should
walk in them – living the good life which he prearranged and made ready for us
to live therefore – strip yourselves of your former nature – put off and
discard your old unrenewed self – which characterized your previous manner of
life and becomes corrupt through lusts desires that spring from delusion. And be
constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind – having a fresh mental and
spiritual attitude. And put on a new nature (the generate self) created in
God’s image, (Godlike) in true righteousness and holiness” Eph 4:22-24. so
people of God, those who are believing and living the life of God even now are
those whose names are written in heaven – book of life., so without doubt, you
can know those whose names are written in the book of life, hence Paul could
say “ … help those women which labour with me in the gospel, with CLEMENT also,
and with other FELLOW LABOURERS, whose names are in the book of life” Phil 4:3.
Paul could not have been imagining those names to have been written, he knew
what it takes in the family –heavenly life of God because he was also there “…
for the tree is known by his fruit” Math 12:33. therefore all those whose name are not written in the
book of life are those who are still carnally minded, living the life of sin
and evil. In the words of Christ, they are the “…GENERATION (genealogy,
community, household) of VIPERS” (snakes, beasts) Math 12:34, giving meaning to
their type of life –“AN EVIL AND ADULTEROUS GENERATION…” Math 12:39.
THE JUDGEMENT OF THE
BOOKS OUT OF THE BOOK.
REV 20:12
“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 13:8. once again may we state here that the book
is about the activities and character of the life of the lamb, which is the
same thing as saying that those whose names are written in this book of life
are written in heaven –the new heavenly community of God in the earth. And that
we can know those whose names are written in this book. Because Moses knew his
name was written in God’s book of life, for he was not only among the called
out ones from Egypt but also a chosen
instrument of God. Exo 32:32. Paul rightly named Clement and other fellow
labourers “…whose names are in the books of life.” Phil 4:3. Paul himself
referred to the church in Corinth as being a book “… ye are our EPISTLES of
(letters) written in our hearts, known and read to all men.” 2 Cor 3:2. And of
course several letters put together makes a book. Again it is worthy of note
that, ESPITLE (espistole) is primarily a message (from espitle to send to)
hence a letter. The difference is that a letter is something that one is moved
to do expressing the writers’ wishes and feeling to an individual, and the
recipient sharing the same feeling and impact yet not a contributor. Whereas an
Espitle has a general aim, addressing all and sundry to whom it may concern. It
is like a public speech that looks toward publication. So you see, the
Corinthian church was a message prepared for the whole world to read and so
understand God’s life. Furthermore, this Corinthian address (book) is prepared
written by and with the finger of God – the Holy Spirit. “who also hath made us
able ministers of the new testament; not of letter, but of the spirit; for the
letter (old Covenant) killeth, but the spirit (Christ the law of the spirit of
Christ, Rom 8:2) giveth life, 2 Cor 3:3,6. And the pages of this book where
this law is written are the hearts of men. “For this is the covenant that I
will make with the house of Isreal (the body of Christ) after those days, saith
the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and WRIYE THEM IN THEIR HEARTS…”
Heb 8:10, see verse 13 also. So those with the law of God
written in their hearts constitutes the pages of the book of life having the
life of the lamb. Therefore they are written in heaven, they belong there. David prophetically spoke about the life of Christ
and the activities of the wicked when he said “for the zeal of thine house hath
eaten me up (Jn 2:17) and the reproaches of them that reproached thee
(Blaspheme God) are fallen upon me … add iniquity unto their iniquity and let
them not come into thy righteousness. Let them be BLOTTED OUT OF THE BOOK OF
LIFE (living) and not be written with the righteous” Ps 69:9, 27-28. in other
words, they should not be counted worthy to inherit the promise of the father,
because they are not identifying with course and the life of Christ among men
in the earth. See Math 25:25-40, why? Because in order for your name to be left
written in the book of life, you will not only be part of the household of God,
living the life, but you must also overcome all pressures and temptations even
as he overcame. See! He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white
raiment (the righteousness of Christ) and I will NOT BLOT PUT HIS NAME OUT OF
TH EBOOK OF LIFE, but I will confess his name before my father, and before his
angels: and he that overcometh, and keepeth my WORKS UNTO THE END, to him will
I give power over the nations” Rev 3:5, 2:26. These are those who are right
hand of God (Math 25:31-34), the place of authority where Christ is now sitting
with his people, the risen ones in Him. Col 3:1-3, Eph 2:6.
But for those