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The Purpose of Revelation

(Revelation 1:1-3) . . .A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel and presented [it] in signs through him to his slave John, 2 who bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw. 3 Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it; for the appointed time is near. .

According to Revelation chapter one the revelation was given  to Jesus Christ by God.  For what purpose?  God gave it to Jesus with the purpose of acquainting his faithful followers with what would take place in the future
It was  given in signs to the apostle John and because it was addressed to Jesus’ slaves, it is therefore probable that only God’s faithful servants would understand it.  By bearing “witness to the word God gave”, it needs the help of the rest of the Bible for it to be understood. Furthermore God’s Holy Spirit gives his servants the wisdom and insight so as to be able to understand it.

Jesus commends those who read and observe the things written in it. This indicates that it was written to be understood.  Although it speaks of the appointed time being near we need to understand that time to God is different to us. Because a day to God is a “thousand years to man” what God calls near may appear to be a long time to man. We also need to approach a study of the revelation with respect for God and Jesus Christ if we are going to understand its contents.

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The Dragon Creates

The prophecy we are going to examine concerns the seven world powers of history. They are respectively Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and finally the Anglo- American world power of our time. Revelation 13 describes how they came into existence.

(Revelation 13:1-2) . . .And it stood still upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a wild beast ascending out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, and upon its horns ten diadems, but upon its heads blasphemous names. 2 Now the wild beast that I saw was like a leopard, but its feet were as those of a bear, and its mouth was as a lion’s mouth. And the dragon gave to [the beast] its power and its throne and great authority.

Just before the start of chapter 13 the last verse of  chapter 12 identifies the dragon as the one standing on the seashore.

In verse 1 of chapter 13 the dragon is seen standing  on the sea shore. Apparently John sees that it exercises power over the sea to produce a wild beast with seven heads and ten horns. The heads have blasphemous names and upon the horns are ten diadems. The dragon gives the beast its throne,  power and authority. The fact that it has diadems and a throne already hints at it having governmental authority. The dragon itself  is also similarly described as possessing seven heads and ten horns.  The similarity between the two cannot be accidental.

(Revelation 12:3) . . .And another sign was seen in heaven, and, look! a great fiery-colored dragon, with seven heads and ten horns and upon its heads seven diadems. . .

By comparing scripture with scripture we can ascertain the meaning of some of the symbols. What is the sea that the wild beast comes out of.

(Isaiah 57:20-21) . . .But the wicked are like the sea that is being tossed, when it is unable to calm down, the waters of which keep tossing up seaweed and mire. 21 There is no peace,” my God has said, “for the wicked ones.”

(Revelation 17:15) 15 And he says to me: “The waters that you saw, ……… mean peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.

Therefore this wild beast is the creation by peoples  under the direction of Satan the Devil, which is symbolized by the dragon.
What is the wild beast?

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The Meaning of Wild Beasts

The Bible writer Daniel shows that God uses wild beasts as symbols of kingdoms and empires.

This example shows how the Bible predicted the conquering of the dual Medo-Persian world power by Alexander the Great the first ruler of the Grecian world power.

(Daniel 8:3-7) . . .When I raised my eyes, then I saw, and, look! a ram standing before the watercourse, and it had two horns. And the two horns were tall, but the one was taller than the other, and the taller was the one that came up afterward. 4 I saw the ram making thrusts to the west and to the north and to the south, and no wild beasts kept standing before it, and there was no one doing any delivering out of its hand. And it did according to its will, and it put on great airs. 5 And I, for my part, kept on considering, and, look! there was a male of the goats coming from the sunset upon the surface of the whole earth, and it was not touching the earth. And as regards the he-goat, there was a conspicuous horn between its eyes. 6 And it kept coming all the way to the ram possessing the two horns, which I had seen standing before the watercourse; and it came running toward it in its powerful rage. 7 And I saw it coming into close touch with the ram, and it began showing bitterness toward it, and it proceeded to strike down the ram and to break its two horns, and there proved to be no power in the ram to stand before it. So it threw it to the earth and trampled it down, and the ram proved to have no deliverer out of its hand. (Daniel 8:8) . . .And the male of the goats, for its part, put on great airs to an extreme; but as soon as it became mighty, the great horn was broken, and there proceeded to come up conspicuously four instead of it, toward the four winds of the heaven. . .

The angel then went on to explain the meaning of these wild beasts and  the meaning of the horns. The world powers were represented by wild beasts and the horns are also kingdoms in a sort of subsidiary way.

(Daniel 8:20-22) . . .“The ram that you saw possessing the two horns [stands for] the kings of Me´di·a and Persia. 21 And the hairy he-goat [stands for] the king of Greece; and as for the great horn that was between its eyes, it [stands for] the first king. 22 And that one having been broken, so that there were four that finally stood up instead of it, there are four kingdoms from [his] nation that will stand up, but not with his power.
Although interesting that the prophecy predicted the conquest of Alexander the Great and also what happened to his empire after his death, this is not what we are considering at present.
What we should notice is that the beasts symbolize world powers and the horns also symbolize kingdoms. By applying what we have learned we discern that Satan produced out of the sea of mankind seven world powers and also the surrounding kingdoms. What does history teach us?

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The Seven World Powers

Egypt was the first world power that interacted with God’s people.
From Egypt to our day seven successive world powers are portrayed

1.Egypt,

2.Assyria,

3. Babylon,

4.Medo-Persia,

5.Greece,

6. Rome and at present the

7.Anglo- American world power.

What evidence do we have that Satan has been in control of these seven world powers.

Jesus identified Satan as the ruler of the kingdoms of the world by the way he handled the Devils offer of the kingdoms of the world to Jesus in exchange for one act of worship.

(Luke 4:3-8) . . .At this the Devil said to him: “………….5 So he brought him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in an instant of time; 6 and the Devil said to him: “I will give you all this authority and the glory of them, because it has been delivered to me, and to whomever I wish I give it. 7 You, therefore, if you do an act of worship before me, it will all be yours.” 8 In reply Jesus said to him: “It is written, ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”

Jesus also acknowledged the authority over the nations that Satan had when he called Satan “ the ruler of the this world”

(John 12:30-31) . . .In answer Jesus said: “This voice has occurred, not for my sake, but for YOUR sakes. 31 Now there is a judging of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

The next scripture is very illuminating because an angel sent  to Daniel was opposed by “the prince of the royal realm of Persia”. Now no human could withstand a angel, yet the angel says that Michael had to come and help him.

(Daniel 10:12-14) . . .And he went on to say to me: “Do not be afraid, O Daniel, for from the first day that you gave your heart to understanding and humbling yourself before your God your words have been heard, and I myself have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the royal realm of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days, and, look! Mi´cha·el, one of the foremost princes, came to help me; and I, for my part, remained there beside the kings of Persia. 14 And I have come to cause you to discern what will befall your people in the final part of the days, because it is a vision yet for the days [to come. .

The obvious conclusion is that the Medo-Persian empire was being controlled by a wicked spirit  prince under Satan’s direction. God’s angel was sent to influence the ruler of Persia at that time, but this wicked angelic prince opposed him with the result that Michael the archangel had to come to his aid. What do we learn from this? That probably the seven heads of the dragon pictured seven wicked angels that had been given authority from Satan to control the seven world powers of history. What is also apparent is the enormous power that these wicked angels also possess.
Scripture there teaches that patriotic people in general, by their heartfelt  devotion to nationalism in fact are directing their worship to Satan. The following scripture suggest that those who wholeheartedly give their support to the governments of the world are giving their support to Satan. This helps us to understand why the Jesus  said that friendship with the world means enmity with God

(Revelation 13:4) . . .And they worshiped the dragon because it gave the authority to the wild beast, and they worshiped the wild beast with the words: “Who is like the wild beast, and who can do battle with it?”

Down the centuries the governments have been misled into persecuting God’s faithful servants. Bible translators and copyists and other upholders of the Bible have been severely persecuted even today.

(Revelation 13:7) . . .And there was granted it to wage war with the holy ones and conquer them, and authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

What do the ten horns symbolize?  Apparently when ten is used symbolically it is used to signify a complete number, so in the case of the ten horns it means all the kingdoms.
Here is an example that supports the view.

(Revelation 2:10) . . .Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of YOU into prison that YOU may be fully put to the test, and that YOU may have tribulation ten days. Prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life.

The ten days in this statement are a way of speaking of the complete time of their testing while on earth. Obviously they were not all given ten literal days before being killed. Servants of God down the centuries have all had varying and different tests but they remained faithful unto death. Therefore the ten horns associated with the wild beast refer to all the kingdoms associated with the wild beast. In the case of the four  horns on the he-goat in Daniel’s prophecy, they represented  four definite kingdoms that arose after  Alexander the Great died.

The Bible next records that another beast having two horns, would  be exercising the authority of the first wild beast and supports and recommends nationalisim to all. If we recall that the Ram that represented the Medo-Persian empire had two horns then apparently the two horns imply a dual world power.

(Revelation 13:11-12) . . .And I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking as a dragon. 12 And it exercises all the authority of the first wild beast in its sight. And it makes the earth and those who dwell in it worship the first wild beast, . . .

This dual world power proposes the erection of an image of the wild beast and it gives this image life and a voice and authority. Who can it be?

(Revelation 13:14, 15) . . .And it misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs that were granted it to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast 15 And there was granted it to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who would not in any way worship the image of the wild beast. . .

Notice that the two horned beast gives the image life and uses the image like a ventriloquist uses a puppet.
The significance of the work being performed by this wild beast will become obvious later, but for now consider that it takes the lead in making an image of the wild beast. We will proceed to investigate the image. Because the wild beast itself refers to the world powers from Egypt down to our time, the wisdom of God is shown by the use of symbols that can actually embrace the concept of time as well.
At Revelation 17 the Bible records the existence of a wild beast that appears to be a mirror image of the wild beast with seven heads and ten horns. By changing the color it emphasizes the fact that it is not the same beast and also draws attention to its royal position. If this image is going to reflect all the world powers from Egypt down to our time, then it has to be an organization that includes all as participents.

(Revelation 17:3) And he carried me away in [the power of the] spirit into a wilderness. And I caught sight of a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored wild beast that was full of blasphemous names and that had seven heads and ten horns. . .

The angel explains the meaning of the image.

(Revelation 17:7-11) . . .And so the angel said to me: “Why is it you wondered? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the wild beast that is carrying her and that has the seven heads and the ten horns: 8 The wild beast that you saw was, but is not, and yet is about to ascend out of the abyss, and it is to go off into destruction. And when they see how the wild beast was, but is not, and yet will be present, those who dwell on the earth will wonder admiringly, 9 Here is where the intelligence that has wisdom comes in: The seven heads mean seven mountains, where the woman sits on top. 10 And there are seven kings: five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet arrived, but when he does arrive he must remain a short while. 11 And the wild beast that was but is not, it is also itself an eighth [king], but springs from the seven, and it goes off into destruction.

When the apostle John wrote this account the world power at that time was Rome. So that was the “one is”. The “five have fallen” then must be “Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece.” The world power that had not yet arrived at that time was the “Anglo American” world power..
Then the angel explained that the image itself was an eighth king that springs from the seven. therefore the 8th world power was this mirror-like organization. Is the picture becoming clearer now?

Now what can that be? Do you remember that a two-horned lamb-like beast proposed the making of an image to the wild beast? The two horned beast in keeping with out definitions is a dual world power. The only other dual power is the Anglo-American world power. does it fit the description of what the two horned beast of Revelation 13 did? Yes! The Anglo-American world power did exactly that when it proposed the setting up of an organization in which all governments participated which was called the “League of Nation.” Who gave it life and existence? Who was its main financial supporter?” Check the history of the “League of nations.” It “was” after the first world war but suddenly it disappeared and was “is not” when Hitler took the world into the 2nd world war. However the prophecy says that it “and yet is about to ascend our of the abyss.” The Anglo-American world power brought it back to life in 1942 when it got the nations to set up the organization named the “United Nations.” This was the same organization, and even its name carries the same thought. What is the UN. but an 8th world power springing from the seven. The history of the UN says that it ascended out of the abyss in 1942 but it is destined to go into destruction from God’s kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ.

A an 8th world power it acts on the will of the all the nations including the remnants of those previous world powers The image also has an amazing history. It was, but is not, and yet will be present.  There can only be one explanation for that. What organization reflects all the governments of the world together with the remnants of the previous world powers ? Scripture even explains the identity of the ten horns. They are all the kings that had no status as world powers and yet because they give their power and authority to the image of the wild beast they enjoy the prestige and possess the authority of world powers. If this is not an accurate description of the UNO then what is, yet it was written over 2000 years ago in the book of Revelation.

(Revelation 17:12-13) . . .And the ten horns that you saw mean ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they do receive authority as kings one hour with the wild beast. 13 These have one thought, and so they give their power and authority to the wild beast.

What is the destiny of this whole wild beast arrangement? God’s kingdom is shown in Revelation as going to war and making and end of these kingdoms.

(Revelation 19:19-21) . . .And I saw the wild beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to wage the war with the one seated on the horse and with his army. 20 And the wild beast was caught, and along with it the false prophet that performed in front of it the signs with which he misled those who received the mark of the wild beast and those who render worship to its image. While still alive, they both were hurled into the fiery lake that burns with sulphur. 21 But the rest were killed off with the long sword of the one seated on the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth. And all the birds were filled from the fleshy parts of them.

Does this mean the end of everybody? No! Because Jehovah is having the good news of the kingdom preached. Those who take their stand for God’s kingdom do not engage in this war but they will be preserved when the time for the destruction of the system of things occurs. Notice that in the foregoing scripture the two-horned beast, the Anglo-American world power is also referred to as the “false prophet.” Why is this? Because according to the “Lords Prayer” God’s kingdom was the only hope for mankind. The false prophet persuaded the peoples of the world to set up and image and held it up as the only hope of mankind for peace and prosperity. Most of the world indirectly or directly through nationalism support the wild beast and its image and so they will be destroyed because of not taking note of the message that Jesus Christ commissioned  his disciple to preach in these last days.

(Matthew 24:38-39) . . .For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; 39 and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.

Before the final destruction of this system the Revelation indicates that the member nations of the image of the wild beast will be motivated by God to bring destruction on the harlot “Babylon the Great.” As I have discussed the identity of Babylon the Great in the article “Who is Babylon the Great? “ I suggest that the reader, that wants to further his understanding of the subject read that article.
What should be noted is the method of study. As far as possible scripture has been used to explain scripture. If you wish to examine a list of articles discussed on this site, use this link and also the other links as well.

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