God is warning His people
In the book of Revelation verses 12 through 18, we are given some of the greatest deceptions and persecution coming upon God’s people. In addition, we learn of the punishment that God will send upon his enemies. But we also learn how these great powers precede each other, and some even work at the same time. The book of Revelation was to be a «revelation» to Christ churches:
«I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.»
Revelation 22,16
It is Jesus Himself who speaks toJohn and he also the following instructions:
«And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.»
Revelation 22,10
So according to Jesus, the book of Revelation was never meant not to be understood instead the symbols used in this book were to help His churches from the time of John and until Christ second coming so that they could see, understand and avoid being deceived by the tactics of the enemy. However, in time, and especially in our days, the many interpretations given of this book have lead people to the conclusion that it is either possible only to understand parts of it, or that it is in fact sealed, contrary to Christ’ own words. Only one person wins on this confusion, and that is the enemy, «the old dragon», who is the one behind the deceptions and persecutions of in the book of Revelation. As long as people are confused enough to not heed Christ’ blessing for those who read the book, and believe it is impossible to understand anyway, are by this actually giving «the old dragon» a huge advantage. This is the work of Babylon. Babylon is a word that literally means «confusion» and no one can deny the confusion in the Christian and the religious world today. In fact, this confusion is used as an argument to disbelieve by many atheists. And used by many Christians to disregard the Bible as a source of truth. We are going to expose Babylon and join the angel in chapter 18 declaring; “it has fallen”
Who can interpret the book of Revelation correctly?
Me, you, someone else? Does the Bible give us a clue? The answer is everyone and nobody at the same time. Peter writes
«Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.»
2.Peter 1,20-21
And thus no man, no matter how clever and no matter how many academical degrees he has received, and no matter how imaginative, can interpret the book of Revelation correctly. Unless the holy spirit is opening the meaning in the scriptures for him. This is also why anyone can understand the book if given the understanding by the holy spirit. But since it contains information all the way from John’s time and until the end, it is also necessary to have some basic knowledge of history.However, the spirit of truth is only granted people. Jesus said the world could not have the spirit of truth because they knew Him not.
«If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.» (John. 14:15-17).
The disciples understood what Christ was saying because they later declared:
«And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.» (Acts.5:32)
But Paul explains the terrible temptations ahead of God’s church, and how many will be deceived to err:
«Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.» (2.Thess. 2:9-12) .
The deceiving power is called «the mystery of iniquity» and the word iniquity is from the Greek word ανομια which mean ‘violation of law’. since this is about obedience to God, His law is the one spoken of as the one that is violated. Eve was told not to eat of the forbidden tree in the garden of Eden. Satan offered her the deception of a blessing if she broke this law, he also claimed that God would not punish her. He is doing the exact same work today. Every deception that results in disobeying God, comes with the hope of a reward in the flesh, or a blessing. However, Satan is a liar and what-ever short duration of satisfaction given, at the end of the line is misery and death. Paul described in the letter to the Thessalonians that many chose to believe the lie because of the apparent immediate reward they are tempted with. One example is Judas. After realizing his reward would not give him the desired effect, having sold Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He threw the blood-mon-ey back to his deceivers. However, it was too late. In the same manner, many in God’s church has and will «sell the truth» and their loyalty to Christ for the sweet temptation that is found in the lie. And just like Jesus let Judas do what he desired, we see from Paul’s letter that God will let those who do this be deceived, simply because they loved not the truth. What rewards may motivate people to do this? Recognition, position, work, money and so on. Many pastors, priests, and ministers today, if they follow what God shows them to be , would be very much at risk to lose their jobs, their income, and respect from the community. And so, they compromise. I’ve seen many compromising with what they know is right, just to avoid getting into a conflict with people, even family. But Jesus declared that following the truth, and Him, will cause conflict with family and even His own people. The book of Revelation is , by Christ, to be given to His churches, and also that they are to understand them. However not those in the congregations that have chosen to separate themselves from God’s law. The book of Revelation is full of symbols gathered from the Torah and the prophets in the old testament. Therefore those who have accepted God’s law and His prophets will understand the symbolic expression found in Revelation. And that also goes for those which have been ignorant of God’s law, but still is open to God’s leading. The prophet Malachi warned us:
«For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.» (Mal.2:7)
Because God always has a church representing Him, we have to find someone who matches the criteria for a messenger and that has «the spirit of truth», and take a look at how they explain prophecy, and then give it the biblical test. In this way, we know who has the right understanding, but also how we can be blessed by the spirit of truth ourselves. You don’t need another mediator except for Christ if He and His spirit dwell in you. Now. I’m not going to present my own theory of interpretation. I will present one that was by a reformation-movement who honored God’s law and had the love of Christ. And who also thoroughly investigated if they carried false teachings from the other churches. And that’s the criteria we have to look for. And I found that the interpretation of prophecy they give, seems to be correct, and I’ll share it with you. Now, remember I will now move away from the more popular ways of interpreting scripture. For the reason that you can’t measure truth by the number of people that preach it, but rather the quality of what is preached. Also, an opinion does not become true because it is repeated many times but depends on if it can stand the biblical test. And remember that according to the bible, not only the doctrine but also the teacher has to stand the test. So bear with me and see if this makes sense. There are also people and powers that have nothing to gain from this interpretation, and it’s only natural that it will have its enemies.So let’s find out who Babylon really is, and if we’re taking part in its sins. And if are you one of God’s people and you love the Lord, there is, according to Revelation 18, a good chance you might still be one of those deceived. Reason being, Revelation 18 says that God’s people are mixing their teachings with Babylonian doctrines, and have to be warned and separate from them before judgment comes.
Understanding Revelation chapter 12 to 17 takes us to the prophet Daniel:
In the second chapter of the book of Daniel, we have seen a statue that represents the kingdoms that would follow the Babylonian em-pire. The vision is short, scarce on details but still contains the ‘time-frame’ within where all the other prophetic descriptions are to be placed. The statue shows the time from Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon, until Christ second coming. The kingdoms that follow each other, and also their impact on God’s people, explained in more detail in the visions that come after. These powers are a challenge for God’s people, that is the reason why God told them beforehand what would happen, and also how they could recognize the most deceiving of them all, which also has the longest influential time span, and who would also exist until Christ’ second coming.In Daniel 5 these kingdoms are described as beasts, powers that in different forms would subdue or conquer God’s land or people. A beast is, therefore, in the biblical Understanding Revelation chapter 12 to 17 takes us to the prophet Daniel:context, always connected to God’s people in a persecuting or deceiv-ing way. So when the Revelation rise, we can know that they either;
1. Represent a threat to God’s truth.
2. Subdues God’s people
3. Are powers excising in the time frame of the statue in Daniel
Babylon destroyed the temple in Jerusalem and scattered God’s people in those days, and by this, they suppressed God’s people. Jerusalem was now under their jurisdiction. The Babylonians, on the other hand, were conquered by Me-do-Persia, who allowed the peopleof God to rebuild the temple and city. However not under their own rule, but under Persian rule. At one time the total extinction of the Jews was declared in the provinces, but God intervened through queen Esther and saved them. Although they were still attacked, they were now allowed to defend themselves by the king’s decree. This shows the prejudice the Jews suffered under
the Medo-Persian rule:
«But the other Jews that were in the king’s provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey» (Es.9:16).
In this turn of events, where the people of Medo-Persia were given to freely kill the Jews all over the empire, instead ended up getting killed themselves. This was a time of deliverance for the Israelites, but Jerusalem and the people didn’t receive their inde-pendence and were still under pagan rule. Greece, with Alexander the Great in the front, ended the Persian rule and also placed Jerusalem and God’s people under his rule. The Jewish people, who at that time had studied the prophecies of Daniel, greeted Alexander the Great and told him they had expected him. And this is just how God’s prophecies work. People understand what is coming, and are therefore prepared when the prophecies are being fulfilled. And that’s the attention God is giving us by the warnings in the book of Revelation, to prepare us. However, the myriads of false interpretations that have been spread by the enemy of God, has left a multitude of Christians unprepared. Let’s get back to Daniel: In the book of Daniel chapter 5 & 8, we learn how Alexander’s kingdom was to be divided into four king-doms. History tells us that Alexan-der’s four generals did receive one part each. Cassander received the west part of the empire, Lysimachus the north part, Seleucus the east, and Ptolemy the south. However, in later strife, the west-part and north-part was merged togeth-er with the east-portion of Alexan-der’s previous kingdom, under the line of Seleucus. Ptolemy’s descen-dants kept the south. And thus, as explained further in the Bible in chapter 11, there remained thesouthern and the northern king-dom of the Greek empire, both who would be associated with Jeru-salem and God’s people. In chapter 5 the Greek empire is portrayed as a beast with four heads, showing how the kingdom was divided, just like it happened in history. There-fore, two of these heads, north, and south, existed until the fourth and final beast rose from the sea. In Daniel 8 the Greek empire is further explained, but this time as a Goat with four horns going into each of the four directions of the wind:
«and for it came up fournotable ones toward the four winds
of heaven.» (Dan.8:8)
From one of these winds appears a horn growing great
«toward the south, and toward the east, and to-ward the pleasant land.» (Dan.8:9).
Rome came slowly towards the remains of the great empire of Alexander the Great. In the time before Christ, Rome made a covenant with Judea that they would help each other. But some of those leaders had not studied scriptures as they should have. Unlike those who were greeting Alexander the Great, they seemed unaware that they now dealing with the next great power described in Daniel, as they were busy surviving the north and south kingdoms that remained after Alexander. We have seen it before, Hezekiah foolishly showing representatives from Babylon all the treasures He had in Jerusalem. Or King Josiah who decided to help Egypt fight off the Babylonians. Or the many times God’s people went to Egypt for help, just in order to fight off some other threat.But they should have known that they were making a deal with the fourth beast, that Daniel explained to be
«dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth:it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it» (Dan.7:7).
If they had understood this, they would have known that this power would one day take Jerusalem by force. This was the kingdom that was to be divided. The beast is described with ten horns and then another horn coming up amongst them. In the ‘frame-vision’ with the great statue, Rome was the iron kingdom that was later divided into the statue’s legs and feet, that consisted of iron mingled with clay. And thus, at their time, we learn from the vision that was explained to Daniel, that the second coming of Christ would occur. This is the time we are at now. Now notice the time when Daniel receives these visions. When he sees the four beasts in chapter 5, it is the first year of the reign of «Belshazzar king of Babylon». When he sees Medo-Persia and Greece again, as a ram and a goat, there is no description of Babylon any longer. This vision was given in Belshazzar’s third year, which was not long before Babylon fell. God left Babylon out of the next vision, as seen also at the beginning of chapter 11 where the changes taking place are explained even further. Daniel then receives the interpretation from the angel during the
middle period of the Medo-Persian rule. The first thing he learns is:
«And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia, and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his through his he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia.» (Dan.11:2)
All of these powers were relevant to God’s people because of the and also the religious influence. Rome entered into a covenant with Juda. However, this turned out just as awful as Daniel had described it. Rome later took force and restored that which the generals of Alexander the Great hadn’t been able to and North, that had been fighting for so long, were now all part of the Roman rule, including even more territory than Alexander the Great once had death of Cleopatra was a milestone in the development, as Augustus now reigned in Egypt the southern kingdom, Babylon the eastern kingdom, Asia minor the northern kingdom, and Rome the western kingdom beast was not only larger but also more intense the persecutions than the former Chapter 8 in the book of Daniel, the ram symbolizing Medo-Persia is described as «great», the goat symbolizing Greece is described as «very great», and the next power, Rome, is described as «waxed great». This way we know for certain that the kingdom that was predicted to come after the division of Greece, was even larger than that of Alexander the Great, leaving Rome as the only option. Rome’s on and off-going battle with the Jews is common known history. Many were killed. And even Jesus was sentenced to death by this power,
«and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant» (Dan.11:22).
But Rome didn’t stop with the crucifixion of Christ, they also burnt down the temple in Jerusalem and destroyed the city and the people within it. Then they continued to kill and persecute the followers Christ wherever they could. This power was like none of the others, just like Daniel . Its sins towards God’s people were far greater than the nations before. And then we find the apostle John at the island of Patmos, where the same power Daniel had seen would persecute God’s people, had sentenced him to captivity on this island, after first having tried to kill him. But God would not allow his servant to be killed, for chosen him to record the book of Revelation, uncovering even more of the challenges that were in store for God’s people. , this time God’s people had fled Judea and were now spread all over the Roman empire and beyond. Jesus is the one that gives revelations (Rev.1,1). And in chapter 12 we receive a rough explanation of what is to come. Remember now, that in the time frame we are now at the legs and feet of the statue. And thus, what is being revealed to John, is to the fourth beast and its division see a woman described as being clothed in the sun with the moon under her feet. The moon gets it’s light from the sun, in the same way, the light contained in the old covenant, represented by the moon, was derived from the light in the new covenant, represented by the sun. The moon shown under her feet shows that this part is past, and the woman clothed in the sun marks a new era for the church of God. A woman in the Bible is often seen as symbolizing God’s church. In the old testament, God’s people are compared to a woman when they were faithful, and then a harlot when they were unfaithful to Him. Here, in Revelation, she is seen giving birth to a child that would later be taken to heaven, which is clearly to be understood as the birth of Christ and His ascension. However the enemy Daniel had spoken of, as the fourth beast, is here described as a dragon. In Daniel, we were never told what the beast was, but have a look at what it says in Revelation:
«And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.» (Rev.12:4-5)
Rome assisted Herod in killing the babies in Bethlehem and ended up taking part in the crucifixion of Christ Jesus. Then we learn that the dragon continued to persecute Christ’ followers. Something John, who was writing this in captivity, had already felt on his body.
But a change was coming. And then, even more, persecution. We learn of a time prophecy:
«And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.»
The 1260 years mentioned, would be explained further to John, but was also mentioned to was speaking of the same time period when he was looking at the fourth beast. Because both the two are speaking of the same time , the feet, there is overlapping information in the two testimonies. Daniel saw the beast, the Roman empire, that it would be divided into ten kingdoms, the ten horns. Then a little horn would start , and later cause three of the other horns to be plucked out. This one horn grows out after Rome has been divided, but still out of Rome. And is said to persecute God’s people for 1260 years (times, and dividing of time *). By this, we know that have some sort of in the little horn, and by this horn cause great persecution upon God’s people. Although Daniel is limited in his description of this power, because of the fact that he is covering the entire time span from Babylon, all the way to of time. Including also Me-do-Persia and Greece, which was relevant for all those people living in the era after he wrote it. The book of Revelation, on the other hand, starts after the time of all these kingdoms have passed, and concentrate more on the current and future ‘beasts’. However we have already learned from the book of Daniel, that the second of Christ would happen while Rome was divided, and while the little horn was talking blasphemous words. Thus, everything in is tied to the time of Rome and the divided kingdom. However, just like God showed Daniel more what would happen when one power overthrew another, and also how Rome came to its power contains even more on the time that was to come.But notice that John does not see the dragon in chapter 12 coming out of the sea. Reason being that it is already a power that exists. Consequently, he doesn’t see it emerging. On the other hand, he does witness the birth of the other beasts, as they ascend out of the the earth. So John’s first beast is already in the world, and from the description, it is clear that it is the Roman empire, and then he sees it getting reborn. Now the reborn kingdom is also a deceiving and persecuting power. Before the ‘rebirth’, Rome would first a specific change. Constantine represented the first of several emperors, and also the first step of turning Rome from pagan to Christian. This happened over 200 years after John died and the book of Revelation was written. While Rome was turning ‘Christian’, the persecution of Christians was temporarily stopped. This was a great temptation for God’s people. When the pagans they once feared came to meet them halfway, would they not seem intolerant if they didn’t make peace with them? Many left Christ with their hearts, but not in their profession, just in order to obtain peace and prosperity in the now pagan-Christian kingdom. In addition, many let go of their obedience to God in the process. This would, as Paul said, lead the way for «the man of sin»:
«Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition» (2.Tess.2:3).
God’s persecuted church had become united with the Roman kingdom in more ways than one, and when Rome was attacked they stuck with Rome. Church leaders were elected and many determined they should be the voice of truth, even though they had rejected the spirit of truth, and their obedience to God for the sake of money, position and other benefits. And thus the Catholic church, as we know it today, was born. And not by the will of the apostles. As we are about to see, this papal institution was to last all the way up to our very own days, which makes it very enduring and significant. It’s the iron that endures. The Roman power had fallen and gotten divided.However, the constant battle between the east Roman and the west Roman districts left the two to go their separate ways. But the Roman emperor Justinian did something special.He gave his religious high priest-ly power, that emperors in Rome had for a long time, and he gave it to the bishop of Rome, the pope. The edict of the emperor Justinian, dated A.D.533, made the bishop of Rome the head of all the churches. Not only that, but the pope was given the power to expose and punish heretics. Meaning that those who didn’t agree with the pope’s definition of truth, and the pope’s right
to dictate how the Bible was to be interpreted was branded as heretics. However, the pope didn’t have the ‘key’ that Christ had given, the spirit of truth. Rather, he had gotten his consent and his power from the «terrible beast».«The Heruli, Goths, and Vandals, who conquered Rome, embraced the Arian and became enemies of the Catholic Church. It was especially for the purpose of exterminating this heresy that Justinian decreed the pope to be the head of the church, and the corrector of heretics. The Bible soon came to be regarded as a dangerous book that should not be read by the common people, but all questions in dispute were to be submitted to the pope.» (Daniel and Revelation, U.Smith) The edict that Justinian made concerning the pope being the high priest of all Christians, couldn’t move into effect, ‘from Rome’, until the Arian Ostrogoths, the last of the three horns, was plucked up. They were driven out of Rome in A.D.538, and then the pope could finally take his seat in Rome as «Father» and «high priest», titles that once only belonged to the emperor. And so the little horn grew strong and great, out of the head of the Forth beast. Receiving a religious leader, who was allowed to dictate and punish those who had different beliefs, God’s people were once again persecuted.The power to punish heretics from Rome was to last for a very long time. Interestingly enough the bible tells us exactly how long.John is shown a woman riding the beast in Revelation 17. He sits, persecuted by pagan Rome, on Patmos, while receiving the vision, and he says: «And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.» The word that here is translated «admiration», should most likely be ‘wonder’, from the Greek word θαυμα. He probably had no admiration for someone who was drunken with the blood of his fellow believers. And this is how the woman is described:
«So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.» (Rev.17:3-6)
At the time John saw this it seemed, perhaps, even unlikely that Rome would undergo a change into Christendom. But here, suddenly, is seen the woman that was to represent a church, now not only being a harlot, even a mother of harlots, a leader, and doing to Gods people that which the pagan Rome was already doing, and had been doing to the disciples of Christ for some time. Would the fall of the church be that great? Yes, it would.And he marveled at the vision. And learned that the beast ‘was, and isn’t and will be’: «The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.» (Rev. 17:8)Rome was persecuting God’s people severely, but would for a time stop when it was transforming from a pagan nation to a Christian one. However when the pope could take his seat in Rome, as the judge of heresy, the beast would rise again – «and yet is».However, the shocking turn of events was that it went from a pagan persecuting power to a seemingly Christian persecuting power. This was the blasphemous horn Daniel saw coming out of the fourth beast, and this was the continuance of Roman persecution that was prophesied in Revelation chapter 12. It would also be permitted to succeed in its terrible acts for 1260 years.When the Arian Ostrogoths was driven out of Rome in A.D 538, the pope had already been given, from emperor Justinian, his right as the high priest of all the Chris-tian churches of the world, whether they wanted him as a leader or not. But it wasn’t until now that he could accomplish this, from Rome. And so, from this point in time, we can add 1260 years, that ends up in 1798. A year where events happened, as we will see, that finally weakened the pope’s power in Europe as it had been. We learn from Revelation 17 that the ten horns will despise the woman they had allowed to ride the beast for so long, and reject her. Although most of the kings and queens of Europe had cooperated with the pope, they now had risen against her one by one, adopting their own state churches or alternatives. And as this continued, many places it was now Catholics against Protestants.Many governments that before had manipulated by using the church, now had a contempt for the Catholic institution.The 10th of February 1798, Rome fell into the hands of Berthier, a general of the French army, and the pope was taken captive and died in exile. Napoleon had later invited the pope to his coronation in but placed the crown upon his own head, and crowning also, his wife, to clearly show that he was not under the pope.A long period, where the pope had used governments to persecute God’s people was over, and although the papacy continued, they had lost the persecuting power they once had. Even this was foretold in the Bible:
«And I saw one of his heads as it was wounded to death, and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.» (Rev.13:3).
However, the 1260 years it was allowed to physically persecute God’s people, was over. Now they had to persecute and manipulate while hiding in the shadows. The Jesuit order has been used to do this, and also other secret organizations. As Daniel has been told:
«And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.» (Daniel 7:25).
God permitted his people to be subdued, just like in the story of Job where the devil was permitted to harm him for a time. Satan was hoping to make Job curse God, but Job remained faithful. Because of the moral fall, the true church was allowed to be under the rod of the false Christian leader. But many that were faithful, suffered Job did. However, God would not permit it to be like this forever.
«Papists deny that the church has ever persecuted anyone; it has been the secular power; the church has only passed decision upon the question of heresy, and then turned the offenders over to the civil power, to be dealt with according to the pleasure of the secular court. The impious hypocrisy of this claim is transparent enough to make it an absolute insult to common sense. In those days of persecution, what was the secular power? – Simply a tool in the hand of the church, and under its control, to do its bloody bidding. And when the church delivered its prisoners to the executioners to be destroyed, with fiendish mockery it made use of the following formula: “And we do leave thee to the secular arm, and to the power of the secular court, but at the same time do most earnestly beseech that court so to moderate its sentence as not to touch thy blood, nor to put thy life in any sort of danger.” And then, as intended, the unfortunate victims of popish hate were immediately executed. (Geddes’s Tracts on Popery; View of the Court of Inquisition in Portugal, p.446; Limborch, Vol. II, p.289. Quote in it’s entire from Daniel and Revelation by U.Smith)
This is how it was done in Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The persecutors of the true church used the governments to punish those who would not yield to their religious authority was free of the pope’s , and many rejoiced in their new found freedom. But as we are about to see, the churches that went out of Rome were found to have some family resemblance, and one part of this group would even make an image of the beast
Revelation 13
In Revelation 13 we are again reminded about papal Rome. Here the beast, unlike the one in Revelation 12 that is about to take the newborn babe, has the same heads and horns. However, the crowns are no longer upon the heads, but on the horns. Then we learn of this beast, in the following explanation, that it is in the stage or time when Rome is already divided, and it has been reborn as a persecuting power
make sure that we understand which power is meant, we are again introduced to the same explanations as those that were revealed to Daniel, about the single horn, or kingdom, growing up amongst divided Rome. It is said that the dragon, that was first mentioned, and that we have identified with Rome, would «give power unto the beast:
«and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?» (Rev.13:4).
As we already mentioned, it was the Roman emperor that gave the pope the position to persecute and judge «heretics» as head of all churches. Again we receive the same information in Revelation 13, of this power: «And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies power was given unto him to forty and two months.» (v.5). 42 months in prophecy, is as being the same as 1260 years, as one prophetical day stands for one year. The biblical month was always 30 days, and 30 days times 42 months is 1260 prophetic days, which then interpreted as years. When the children of Israel had sinned, God said:
«After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.» (Num.14:34)
Although we learn in chapter 13 that one of the beast’s heads would receive a deadly and that it would be healed, we can also see Revelation 13that God says: «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.» (v.8)Now how can the time period that this beast was to persecute and succeed over God’s people be over, and still receive such attention and growth? We know today that the members of the Catholic church, that is loyal to the pope, counts millions worldwide, and itis still the biggest Christian domination in the world. This is a deceitful power, it falsifies history, and it has also spread all over the world, which makes it an important power in earth’s history, and especially for God’s true church. For the reason that when falsehood gets more attention than truth, then indeed the false is a contender for the truth, and then also for the true head of the church, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ and the pope bears similar titles, but they represent two distinctly different laws. Moreover, this false church also claim their head is Christ, and this obviously makes it a serious issue for God, and it is, therefore, explained very thoroughly in the book of Revelation. But now the battle is not so much with the physical sword as the spiritual. The spiritual warfare is still very much ongoing, although the pope doesn’t have the type of power it had during the 1260 year period. The ten horns that represent divided Rome, although many had sworn to their own state church and protestant churches flourished, they still continued to obey the ten commandments that were modified by the papacy. And thus in some way are still loyal to the pope, rather than loyal to God. In the bible, worship of God is synonymous with obedience to His law. (See 1.Sam.15:22, Isaiah 1, Gen.4:1-5, Deut.11:28, John.14:15 & 21 etc.). The word worship in the bible means to ‘to depress’, ‘bow’, humbly beseech’ etc. It’s apparent that we cannot worship God, and at the same time oppose His government. Thus, those worshipping the beast, are those that are obedient to the law of the beast. It does not necessarily mean that someone needs to bow down before it physically. Paul says this in words that very easy to understand:
«Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto or of obedience unto righteousness?» (Rom. 6:6).
If we knowingly put the law and word of the beast before the word of God, then by the definition of the Bible, we worship the beast. The end of the 1260 years that papal Rome was to suppress the people of God, was 1798. And after teaching us about this, we learn of a new power that is to arise around this time. Satan does not give up, and will always have a power he will use to try to break theGod’s elect. When he saw the pope losing influence and power, he found himself a new puppet, that would be his last tool in the battle against Christ and His followers. The last new beast «exerciseth all the power of the first beast», and the rise of this beast is pinned around the time when the of the other beast was .
Beast out of the earth
«And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had to do in the sight of the beast to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 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.» (Rev.12-17)
To identify it, it is important to note at what point in time this beast surface. Remember the statue that Daniel saw in the vision, that the second coming of Christ would be whilst Rome was divided, but a part of it was also still in existence. This last new beast, by honoring the former, shows that the first beast is keeping its influence alive until the very end.Although Europe continued in it’s divided , a large amount of the ten tribes had fled to a new land, west of Europe. This started long before 1798. However small powers are not mentioned as beasts in either the book of Daniel or . This is, therefore, a large power. We learn that it will coexist with the pope, and will not take over or conquer Rome, rather it will be their friend. Nor will it unite Europe, but it will grow up «out of the earth» (Rev.13:11) The papacy was described to rise Beast out of the earth up from among the strife of the all the continually conflicting areas, to: «rise up out of the sea» (v.1), and «The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.» (Rev.17:15). This means that this beast was reborn in a new form, but in the same place the one that was before it. It’s worth noticing that the crowns of the dragon moves to the horns of a new version of the old beast. At the end of the 1260 year period, we see a new power emerge from the earth, without any crowns on, neither on the head nor on the horns.This beast is described to have two horns like a lamb, but speaking like a dragon. A beast represents , and the horns of the lamb reveal that it is a ‘newborn’, and we know it didn’t come out of the strife of the ‘old world’, and we can conclude that it surfaces in a new place. In the time around 1798, a new country would slowly grow from a smaller nation to a superpower and also be without a king or sole ruler (without crowns). Instead, as shown in the next verses, it has to get the people to make the laws, which shows us that it has a form of democracy. There is no other power matching this description at this time, except for the United States of America. Most of the inhabitants are of the ten kingdoms from the statue in Daniel, but starting a new system in a new country.Europe and USA are ethnic brothers, one rising up in war and constant strife, the other in a more peaceful new area.But was the USA randomly picked? Were there special characteristics that applied to the USA from 1798? The following quote was written for over a hundred years ago: «The half-century has extinguished three kingdoms, one grand duchy, eight duchies, four principalities, one electorate, and four republics. Three new kingdoms have arisen, and one kingdom has been transformed into an empire. There are now forty-one states in Europe against fifty-nine which existed in 1817. Not less remarkable is the territorial extension of the superior states of the world. Russia has annexed 567,364 square miles; the United States, 1,968,009; France, 4,620; Prussia, 29,781; Sardinia, expanding into Italy, has increased by 83,041; the Indian empire has been augmented by 431,616. The states that have lost territory are Turkey, Mexico, Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands.”In their bearing upon the prophecy before us, these statements are worthy of the particular attention of the reader. During the half century named, twenty-one governments disappeared altogether, and only three new ones arose. Five lost in territory instead of gaining. Only five besides the United States added to their domain, and the one which did the most in this direction added only a little over half a million of square miles; while the United States added nearly two million square miles. Thus the American government added over fourteen hundred thousand square miles of territory during the fifty years named, more than any other single nation, and over eight hundred thousand more than were added, during that time, by all the other nations of the earth put together. Can anyone doubt what nation was emphatically “coming up” during the period covered by these statistics? Certainly, it must be admitted that the United States is the only power that meets the specifications of the prophecy on this point of chronology.» (Daniel and Revelation p.289) Notice again that it says: «saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live». The power that comes out «of the earth», is here speaking to the ones «that dwell on the earth». In ancient times the ruler did not need the people to push through , but notice that here the inhabitants are advised by the power; «that they should make an image to the beast».It is, therefore, logical to conclude that there is some sort of democratic process. That the power will manipulate them, is written in the same verses. However, the people will join in and partake and will be deceived. Just like the beast that came out of the sea was papal power connected with civil power. Then this new persecuting beast must represent Christian America connected to power in a persecuting form. Just like all the former beasts, and also the one that was right before, the one that it is an image of. By doing this they will accomplish to make «an image of the beast». But this beast is also going to make people worship the first beast. Therefore, the obedience in question is related to the law of the original beast, being the papacy, and not a new one created by them. For man worship, and are a servant of who they obey, whether they it or not.So what is going on here? Well, simply put, it’s history repeating . The USA was long regarded as the place where state and religion were kept separate. Even though the majority once were protestants, they sought to give their fellow man the right not be persecuted by a civil power for the sake of their beliefs. This was the attitude that had and put into practice quite violently during the 1260 years of the papacy. When the church could make power uphold their religious laws. This way of doing things was rejected by US law.However time is about to, or perhaps already has, changed. Remember, a beast in the bible is always persecuting God’s people, chances are pretty high that the USA will also do this. Like the Jews that understood the prophecies and waited for and told Alexander the Great that they knew he was coming. So we can know that the USA will attempt to use civil force towards God’s people.We notice in the verses describing the beast from the earth, that they still have kept, and brought with them many of the doctrines of their «mother», the harlot. Those are also the doctrines they will enforce, and by doing that, pay homage to their mother, the first beast that came up from the sea. If you make use of the same laws and also use persecution like the «mother», it is clear that the mother is the one that is honored.
When is Jesus coming?
So the question is, when is Jesus coming? According to Daniel, He was to come and gather His faithful while Rome was still in it’s divided state, and while the little horn was still speaking, but after the prophetic time period of persecuting God’s people. Because thebeast/little horn were still to be ac-tive when Christ returns. Note that the beast that came out of the earth operates at the same time as the papacy:
«And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.» (v.12).
He exercises the power of the first beast «before him», and cooperates with him during his existence. When Christ comes it speaks of this deceiving power that will be working to make the mark of the beast, while the other power is still there. However in this verse the name used is different, identifying the two-horned beast that came out of the earth even more clearly:
«And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.» (Rev.19:20).
This confirms what Daniel saw, that the beast/little horn would exist until the second coming of our Lord Christ. But the scripture also shows that the beast from the earth that partakes in the sins, will also coexist with the first beast, and these two will be dealt with at the same time. It is called «the false prophet», showing that it is a false Christian power, which is why it is so deceptive to God’s people. It appears to speak on behalf of the God they worship, but this is, in fact, a lie. Even so, they shall win the entire world over to the law made by the first beast, the papacy. At least for a short time. It will be a world-wide deception, which means there will be a world-wide Christian movement with a false prophetic message. For those among God’s true followers that seeks unity, this unity that this When is Jesus coming? false movement offers will be very deceptive and convincing. It will appear as though they uplift «Christ», and say that all is done in His name, to His glory. But the bible is clear that it’s worship is not leading people to salvation. The false prophet is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, thus making it a challenge for the «real sheep» to expose it. However, Jesus has actually exposed it beforehand in His Revelation to His churches. Here, the beast is described to have horns, something innocent and related to Christ. But it speaks like a dragon, which reveals that it is just another one of the old dragon’s tools to deceive and persecute the people of God. And in the end, it will be exposed by the help of its fruits.
Babylon the Great
After the Reformation began, and people started opposing the papacy, a new-found respect for the word of God started to grow. But many groups ended their reformation with a strong leader and didn’t continue to gain more understanding by the way of the scriptures. Some other groups continued their growth. Yet others of those who continued, divided into new fractions. The congregations split up again and again, and whenever there was a disagreement, the opposing side went out and formed another congregation, with a slightly different theology. This is still an ongoing process, up until this very day. The explosion of different congregations with different understandings of the scriptures is massive. The pagans argue and disagree with each other, the different Jewish congregations disagree with each other, Muslims fight Muslims and Christians keep disagreeing among themselves. The word Babylon actually means con-fusion, and today everyone that has gone astray from the true gospel is in the middle of this confusion. Even those that have the truth, is somewhat unsure if they really have it. In addition, we have the atheistic society throwing its influence upon the world. But even the atheistic inspired powers, both before and now suppress each other with different beliefs and adds to the former sins ofthe pagans, Jews, Christians, and Muslims. TV series and movies are openly thrashing God and present the doctrines of the self-claimed ‘enlightened’, and of the “goddess of reason” that was worshipped during the French revolution. Their professed enlightenmentis a glorification of what God forbids, adultery, murder, and blas-phemy. The horrible thing is that most Christian’s eyes are glued to the screen, taking part with their hearts and minds, slowly adopting the kind of morality that is being presented while thinking they are still Christians.The ones that deny God have Babylon the Greatproven to be just as persecuting as the religious counterpart, as seen in communism and socialistic coun-tries.But the harlot, the Catholic church, riding the beast had something written on her forehead; «Babylon the great». Because under her rule, she managed to confuse the truth a great deal, just like Daniel prophe-sied. But we learn that the majority of the Protestant churches that left her, the mother, ends up walking in her footsteps after all. But this time, as we see in Revelation 13, the beast that comes out of the earth is the one who will exercise the power the first beast had.The Protestant community refused to reform all the way back to what Christ intended it to. Many still continued to keep the altered law of the pope. And although many did it in ignorance, we will see that they too are in Babylon. And if they are to be saved they must leave.
How to become a harlot.
So how did the Catholic church get the stamp of «Babylon» upon her head and become a harlot? In the time when John wrote the book of Revelation, dictated to him by Christ Himself, the church was innocent and pure. But it’s with the world and the way it mixed with its ways, turned it from the straight path, into the path of deception. The conclusion was that the largest body of the church be-came corrupted, just like a ‘harlot’. They turned worldly, without zeal for the sake of Christ and His truth. They exchanged the pure truth for paganism and got a very confusing mix of the two. By winning the admiration and acceptance of the world, they ended up becom-ing worldly themselves, all done in the name of Christ. In the end, they started, like Cain did Abel, to persecute and even kill those that would not partake in their ways of exercising their religion. Those who remained faithful was an annoying reminder to them that they were corrupted, and instead of changing themselves they sought to get rid of those that lead a more pure life. They became like Cain that at-tacked Abel. This mentality is also what caused the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducee’s to persecute Jesus. He was the constant reminder to them of their corrupt ways, their love for money and the world while still claiming to be humble, and so they wanted him out of their faces. They felt that He threatened their power and posi-tion. And instead of searching their own motives, they wanted to rid themselves of the One who exposed them. And this is the way it has always been since Satan first re-belled in Heaven. When he couldn’t achieve his goal by flattery, lies, and deception, he went forviolence. This also goes for those doing his bidding. He is offering men ‘the world’, a good life, and great achievements, but only if they obey him. However, the gift he of-fers has a very short lifespan. If his gifts are rejected, and the offer does not convince the victim, he will try to lie or deceive to make people walk into his traps. Or he might try to project his evil char-acter onto God. If nothing helps he tries to kill those who will not and will use the people that received him «as an angel of light» to carry out his evil plot. (2.Cor.11:14)
Who is Babylon, and the message that God has for them:
In the very end, before the return of Christ, while the papal and the protestant beast (USA) are deceiving the nations by the hand of their fallen churches and their media-machine, there is to be given a special message.Before this, there is sent three an-gels, bearing three important mes-sages to the world. But in the very end, another angel is said to:
«come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.» (Rev.18:1).
The message he gives is not to be mistaken:
«And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.» (18,2).
The corruption of the churches, and now also the daughters of the harlot, the Protestants, have become «the habitation of devils and the hold of every foul spirit», instead of being a dwelling place for the spirit of God. These are very serious words! And what else is seen? God’s people have started to partake in the sins of Babylon, and they need to evacuate immediately:
«Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.» (Rev.18:4).
Here we can see the request for the last separation that needs to be made before Christ is coming in the clouds.Christian churches have become like the rest of the world with its amusements and evils, and no longer bear any likeness to Christ whom they profess to love and serve. Many of the churches have become a dwelling place for evil spirits and immorality. You probably know very well how the people, living only 100 years ago would react if they had seen what is happening today. The moral degradation of the human race has increased rapidly.Almost every TV-show contains rejection of God as creator or rejection of His or people Who Babylon, and the message that God has for them: are being encouraged to break one or all of God’s commandments. It glorifies violence, murder, lies, and adultery. The church has slowly been changed by its association with this world and adopted the opinions, the sadistic humor and the evil moral that we find there. The more hours that are spent in company with those who oppose God, either by TV, Computer or by living with them, the more we will be changed into their likeness. It is no longer a question if we will be changed, but when.Everyone is preaching peace, but there is no longer any peace. Anxiety, as predicted, is one of the largest plagues upon men in our days, without that stopping anyone’s plans.Protestant churches are filled with of the negative sort, and the members are too blind to see what is going on. The cartoons that are served the children on TV are filled with demonic symbols, evil spirits and spiritualism, and even more those directed at the youth. They all teach rebellion. But their association with evil spirits in the congregations, and in the world, is not the only moral fall of these churches. The world and the churches alike have become like the people of Sodom hating the moral voices that are heard among them. They said to Lot who tried to hinder their evil ways:
«And they said again, This one fellow came into sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them.» (Gen.19:9).
Isn’t this the accusation that is given to those who cry out for reform? That they try to judge them, and that the ones: «making themselves a judge» are at fault? However, they are just voices who are trying to save them, not judge them. But it is not seen or under-stood this way, because they are blinded by their lusts to break free from God’s moral laws, although not from the name of Christ and His reward. And because they are reluctant to give up their faith in salvation by Christ, whilst doing or condoning abominations, they have committed yet another great sin. The third commandment states:
«Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.» (Exo. 20:7).
They are using God’s name as a front to promote their ways. And their glorification of sin is blasphemous. What else did Sodom do? Remember Babylon is about to be destroyed like Sodom was, and therefore is worth noticing the resemblance between them. Also in both cases, an angel is asked to call out the people from Babylon, and angels also came to take Lot out right before the destruction of the city.
«For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory. The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.» (Isa. 3:8-9).
«I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem a horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.» (Jer. 23:14)
Even more:
«Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, the fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.» (Ezek.16:49-50).
If God then allowed Jerusalem to be destroyed for it’s to , then what about the branches that were grafted on the stem of the tree, the Christian churches? Shall they be let off any easier?
«Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high minded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.» (Rome.11:18)
For what did the Catholic church do, that the Protestant churches haven’t now already done? The protestants too persecuted those who had a different understanding of the scriptures, and in some ways they still do. They have become one with the world, just as the first church became corrupted by mingling with the pagan world back then. They too have strived for money and positions, their eyes filled with covetousness and violence. Children are «sacrificed» daily on the altar of Mammon which is money. Babylon and her daughters have fallen, morally, in every way. According to Revelation 18, Babylon the Great will be destroyed at the second coming of Christ. The two head leaders in deceiving people, the papal beast, and the USA as the false prophet, will be among the first to be cast in the lake of fire. And all those who partake in the sins and fornications of Babylon will also partake in her destruction. Remember their punishment are specially recorded in Revelation for the explicit reason that they, unlike the rest of the world, have done these things in the name of God. And their influence has been worldwide. Time is ticking. For anyone that knows the state they are in or the state of the world they live in, the time to leave these corrupted churches is right now. We know that the great mass of churches have already fallen, fallen and are no longer are a dwelling place forGod’s spirit, but for false spirits and false prophets. The world as well in the same condition.
The last event to take place.
The second coming of Christ is knocking at the door, only one prophecy is left to be fulfilled. And that is that the USA and the people living there will make an image of the beast, meaning they will ask the government to unite and take sides with their religious standpoint. And then the mark of the beast will be enforced open the people.
«And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 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.» (Rev.13:16-17).
Now, notice that when this power is making their religious persecution, it is not said as it was of the papal beast during its reign of 1260 years: «And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them». It is not written that this power is given to overcome them. The USA will deny people the right to buy or sell without obedience to their system, trying to rob God’s people of the very right to eat and drink and to exist. It also says, as it has always has been when a false church asks the civil power to do their bidding:
«and cause that as many as would not worship the im-age of the beast should be killed.» (Rev.13:15)
Something new has happened since the last time there were persecutions. And this time, God will, after a small period of end-time persecution, turn the tables. Instead of his faithful being slaughtered, as they were before, He declares at the end of the existence of the papal power:
«He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.» (Rev.13:10)
We see this illustrated in none other than the kingdoms of pre-vious beast’s, the first in Babylon. When Nebuchadnezzar sets up an image that he then proclaims that all must worship, or else die. Three The last event to take place.men from Judea, by conscience and loyalty to God, say that they cannot do that. They are, as always, with persecutions, rattled on by others:
«Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near and accused the Jews.» (Dan.3:8).
Read the following verses too, where it is clear that they rattle on these three faithful servants of God, and goes to the government to have the death penalty carried out on them. Thus they are taken to the furnace to be killed. They into the oven, death as anyone can come. Yet they were surely saved. But those following the orders of the , which was to put these men to death, were killed themselves by the flames they were throwing them into.The same thing happened with Daniel under the Medo-Persian rule. It was the leaders of the that wanted to rid themselves of Daniel. Daniel had a higher rank than themselves, and he was a man than they were. Because of this, they fooled the passing a law, that no one could worship any other than the king for 30 days, lest they are thrown into the lion’s den. The king was flattered and put the seal on the law. Then, they lay in wait outside Daniels home, to catch him in the act of praying to the God of his fathers. And, not surprisingly, Daniel did still stay faithful to his God and went to pray to Him. The other leaders went back to the king, the civil power, and told him he had to throw Daniel to the lions for breaking his law. Unwillingly, he did throw him in the lion’s den. Again, as close to death as anyone can possibly come. But yet, he too was saved. The didn’t hurt Daniel at all, and he was retrieved back from out of the den after the night was over. Instead, those who had accused Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den themselves, with all their families, and they were all killed by the lions before they were at the bottom of the den. The same death they wanted Daniel to have, they received for themselves.Also in the time of Queen Esther. All those who had received a com-mand to kill the Jews after their own pleasure, and went to follow this decree, the ones who ended up dead.This is what will happen at the very end. The USA will deny the people go God the right to trade for even food. Therefore God will send a plague upon the earth, that will cause them to their trade:
«Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their me-chandise any more» (Rev.18:10-11)
When the death decree is given, and the persecution has already started, God says:
«For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her in-iquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cupwhich she hath filled fill to her double.» (Rev.18:5-6)
God’s people have been through many stages, as shown to John through the whole book of . However, there will not be another time like the 1260 years, where they overcame the people of God and suppressed the truth. Only those who «leave Babylon be spared.The same thing happened at the foot of Mount Sinai. They had just heard and been reacquainted with the law of God, yet while Moses was away for 40 days and nights, they made themselves a golden calf from all the spoils they had gotten in Egypt.
«They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.» (Exo.32:8)
In the same way, God will enlighten the whole world, and Babylon, with His law and truth at this point, they will all realize that they have indeed ‘fallen’. But startled at first, they who love not the truth will again go back to their former way of worship, just as Israel did at Sinai. They chose a golden calf because it was what they were accustomed to, and it was a part of the trend in the world, in Egypt, whom they had mingled with. However, many of the fallen people of today will quickly turn back to the type of worldly wor-ship they were accustomed to, after being enlightened. They will turn to the idols of this world. Then God commands that the mass of people be divided into two groups.
«Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.» (Exo.32:26-28)
Although the people of God will not carry out the punishment for Him, they will be asked to ‘come out of Babylon’, that is, the corrupt churches, for God Himself will punish the other group by the hands of His angels. The work of executing judgment is not left in the hands of man, but in the hands of His angels. (Rev.14:14-20) Then God says the in the following two verses, what is the patience of the saints at this time of trouble at the very end:
1. “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Rev.14:12) And if they keep this they have this promise:
2. “He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here the patience and of the saints”.
When His people are at the brink of death, as close as Daniel with the lions, and also with his three friends that were thrown in the oven, God will turn the tables by sending plagues, and also by the second coming of Christ. He comes, not to a planet where all his faithful servants have been for no good reason, just to please the heart of the persecutors. But comes to triumphantly gather His faithful people from the claws of the enemy. He comes to deliver His people, just like he once delivered Israel out from Egypt, a moment all His faithful servants have longed for since they first suffered martyrdom, without being rescued from their tribulation. The special situation of the last days is that there is no ignorance. As the angel mentioned in Revelation 18 is said to «having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.» (Rev.18:1). And yet when the world has shown it’s face, they still choose to do what they had planned and their rebellion and their persecutions. They have been given a choice and they have chosen rebellion. Seeing that this is so, there is no reason for God to allow any more evil. He will deliver His people and they will be alive, waiting for Him, ready to receive Him. And their pursuers will suffer the fate they intended to fall upon them. Here is the patience of the saints, here is the hope that will make them endure, for those who are alive when these events occur. Then we go back to what was revealed to Ron by the angels guarding the earthly throne of God, the Ark of the Covenant. This discovery will be shown to the world when the Sunday laws are being enforced. There is no doubt that this will have an impact on the world, if only for a short time. The last call for man to repent and turn from their idols, and choose the only God who our worship, our Creator and Father, and His Son – Jesus Christ. It is rightfully their planet. They will stop the misery, and give it to the meek, the poor in spirit, they that mourn, they which hunger and thirst after righteousness, they who are merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, and they which are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. (Matt.5:1-11)
Choose today which side you want to be on, who you will obey. And walk over, and stand by His side. This is the time.
