THE FALSE PROPHET (Part II)

To be sure, the scarlet beast of Revelation who would dare to be Anti-Christ will garner most of the Tribulation headlines. He will dazzle the world’s Post-Rapture population through his remarkable return to the earth from the Abyss; although the world will see this reappearance as a miraculous resurrection from the dead … not a release from the bottomless pit normally reserved for wicked, fallen angels. The world will worship Satan and the Antichrist, as though they had performed this miracle of recovery from a mortal wound; when, in fact, it was Christ who providentially struck down Nero, then revived him and banished him to the Abyss, to be freed at the appointed time.

But there is another prominent, malevolent figure who will accomplish as much or more than the Beast himself. In last week’s article we examined exactly what it is the second Beast, known as the False Prophet, will do, “on behalf of the first beast.” (Revelation 13). Of special interest, however, is that this man is not labeled as a false prophet until much later in the Great Tribulation. Let’s read what will happen in the last few days before the magnificent return of Christ.

“And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty … And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon” (Revelation 16: 13-16).

This final call that galvanizes even the enemies of Antichrist against the true Messiah occurs after the 6^th (next to last) bowl judgment, which obviously is near the end of the Great Tribulation. Only then will the world, by and large, realize that this man is a false prophet—as well as the first beast a false messiah and Satan a false god. By then it will be too late. The vast majority of the world’s population will understand that they have been duped, when Jesus Christ begins to soundly defeat them in the greatest battle of all time. Great only in terms that the armies of the entire world will be aligned against Christ Jesus; not in the actual disposition of the battle … which borders on being anticlimactic.

“Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who did mighty miracles on behalf of the beast—miracles that deceived all who had accepted the mark of the beast and who worshipped his statue. Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies” (Revelation 19: 19-21).

When this false prophet initially arrives on the scene (early in the Tribulation), he is simply called, “another beast” who “exercised all the authority of the first beast.” (Revelation 13: 11-12). He is the False Prophet, but the world sees him as a true and powerful prophet (the image of a beast for both the Antichrist and the False Prophet is used to convey power, terror, and ability … to destroy). Not until their fate is irreversible—when billions have taken the mark of the beast, which is his name or his number 666, and their two magnificent leaders are unveiled for what and who they really are—will people lament their tragic but deliberate decision to follow the Antichrist and his (false) prophet.

Who or What is the (a) False Prophet?

First, a reminder that Scripture not only permits identification of the Antichrist, but actually encourages the unveiling of the “mystery of the beast with seven heads and ten horns….” (Revelation 17:8). In fact, during the first introduction of the beast (Antichrist), the angel challenges John and, therefore, all readers of Revelation with the following examination: “Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666” (Revelation 13:18).

Can we do the same with the False Prophet? Can we determine who he actually is/will be by name? No, we can’t, because Scripture doesn’t give us any clues as to his actual identity. However, we do know that he will be a modern contemporary man born through a natural birth (beast that arises from the earth); and he will rocket to fame when he dramatically asserts himself as a prophetic representative of and spokesman for the first beast … Antichrist.

Can we, at least, determine the origin or nationality of the False Prophet? The answer to that is, Yes … with a great deal of confidence, but with a disclaimer that it is not an absolute certainty. As always, we will let Scripture do this for us. Regarding the identity of Antichrist, Scripture and history eliminates virtually all speculation as to his identity and his origin … none other than Nero Caesar, the fifth Roman Emperor of the first century. (See my book, Out of the Abyss … can the number of the beast be solved, 666?) Concerning credentials of the false prophet, Scripture reduces suppositions and speculations, and enables us to narrow down the candidates.

The best and most (historically) accurate way to characterize and ascertain a false prophet, including The False Prophet, is to first define a true prophet. That’s why the Bible identifies some prophets as false; because they distort, modify, subtract from, add to, and otherwise falsify the truth. All real truth comes from God, because He IS Truth. By definition, a prophet is false if he declares or prophesies something on his own … not directly from God. Moreover, if the prophecy (meaning with a 100% standard of fulfillment) does not happen, that prophet is a false prophet, not sent by God. (See Deuteronomy Chapters 13 & 18).

Many know about the (true) prophets of God, such as Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Zechariah and Malachi. All prophets proclaimed the truth, most predicted the truth of future events, some did both, and others actually performed miracles, such as Elijah and Elisha. They came from all different backgrounds, and served in different times over hundreds of years. But they had one thing in common: Beginning with Moses, whether they prophesied to the Jews or to the Gentiles, they were all Jewish prophets. God would not choose a gentile, pagan prophet any more than he would select a gentile to be a king or priest in Israel. Likewise, with the prophesied Messiah … he must be a Jew from the tribe of Judah, from the lineage of King David.

That’s what the nation of Israel is all about: To disclose to the world the one and true living God, and to give to the world God’s truth through his Word, which becomes light, life, and salvation to both Jews and Gentiles. The final, ultimate light was Jesus of Nazareth, the very living Word of God. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1, italics for emphasis).

During the last half of the Great Tribulation, I’m convinced that Moses and Elijah will be the two prophets (witnesses) boldly serving the Lord for 3 ½ years with mighty miracles and judgments to rival or exceed those of the False Prophet. Moreover, I believe these two great prophets will go face to face, toe to toe with the False Prophet in a titanic struggle over the allegiance and very souls of millions on the earth. Who will the people choose: Christ or Antichrist? Whose miracles will be believed—those of Moses and Elijah or the (counterfeit) miracles of the False Prophet?

Will they believe the lie that Nero arose from the dead on his own, with a resurrection power given to him by Satan; facilitated and proven by the miracle of the talking statue and fire brought down from heaven by the False Prophet? Or will they fall back in shock and awe, and respond with a righteous fear of Almighty God and turn to his Messiah, Jesus Christ, when confronted by God’s two commanding witnesses who will, “prophesy during those 1260 days” (Revelation 11:3).

Will they choose Christ over Antichrist when they see the awesome power displayed by Moses and Elijah? Will they even acknowledge that these two men from the ancient past have returned to the earth to testify and, “stand before the Lord of all the earth” (Revelation 11:4)? Will people watch in dismay, the death of anyone who dares oppose these two prophets who are granted divine power by means of, “…fire (that) flashes from their mouths and consumes their enemies … they have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall for as long as they prophecy. And they have the power to turn the rivers and oceans into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish” (Revelation 11: 5-6)? Or will they harbor fear of the False Prophet as the greater prophet?

(Scripture warns us that today is the day of salvation. It’s far better to choose Yeshua now while there is time. When you die it’s too late. If you are left behind at the Rapture—which could happen any hour of any day—it will be much too hard to choose. Many (most) will choose Antichrist and the False Prophet to avoid deprivation, hunger, and death. If you choose Christ then, you will be put to death for refusing to take the mark of the beast. You will not be able to remain neutral … if you don’t choose, then Antichrist and the False Prophet will choose for you).

What Do False Prophets Have in Common?

Time/space does not permit the dozens of references in the Old Testament that tell about prophets who claimed they were sent by or spoke for God or references in general about false prophets. Except—for purpose of this article—to state that these false prophets also had a common denominator: In addition to being FALSE, they were also Jewish. Or, if they might have been pagan Gentiles (such as some of the prophets of Baal in the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel), they still served and prophesied to/for Jewish kings, such as the wicked King Ahab and his equally wicked wife, Queen Jezebel; who was not Jewish, but, co-reigned because her husband was a Hebrew.

The evidence here is leading to what I believe is a Biblically and historically supported premise: The End-times Tribulation False Prophet will be a Jew.

Because I love the Jewish people, the land of Israel, and the holy city of Jerusalem, I am loath to say that a prominent Jewish politician, priest, or rabbi will most likely assert his popularity, prestige, position in embracing the reappearance of a late/great pagan Roman Emperor. But why not? We’re talking about more than just political expediency; we’re looking at the compelling incentive to acknowledge, esteem, serve, support, and even worship a man who has returned from the dead! Many Jews will be astounded but nevertheless deceived (indeed, people the world over) by the incredible return of Nero Caesar. Many more will be deceived by one of their own, a prominent Jew who will persuade both Jews and Gentiles that Nero is Nero arisen from the dead, not some imposter who thinks he’s clever enough to convince even the intellectuals that he should be worshipped as the Savior of mankind.

Which is why billions left behind (after the Rapture) will not flinch at all when Nero hurls one blasphemous insult after another at the true and living God and His Messiah, Jesus Christ. (See Revelation 13: 5-6). Nor will they blush with embarrassment at trying to cover up or explain away the technological special effects that would normally be necessary in order that a monumental statue to/of/for Nero could talk. They won’t have to find excuses because this statue will actually speak and will order the death of all who think otherwise, i.e. that the statue isn’t actually alive, or that Nero isn’t truly Nero, or that the False Prophet doesn’t really have power to inflict serious harm (and death) on those who resist these diabolical emissaries of Satan. (See Revelation 13: 13-15).

*Note: According to Jesus, there would be false messiahs and false prophets who would deceive many in the end-times (see Matthew Chapter 24). Likely, a few of these prophets will be Gentiles; however, I’m convinced the majority will be Jews, especially THE False Prophet. Let’s read the words of Jesus to support my premise: “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones” (Matthew 24:24, italics for emphasis—some translations read, elect).

The chosen ones identified by Christ are, beyond reasonable doubt, his chosen people, the Jews. For the following reasons: (1) the context of this passage refers primarily to Israel and the Jews, i.e. the sacrilegious object that desecrates the (rebuilt) Temple signaling the immediate need for, “…those in Judea must flee to the hills” (Verse 16). Also, “…pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath” (Verse 20, italics for emphasis). (2) When the phrase chosen ones is used, it refers to God’s chosen people, the Jews. (3) As indicated throughout Scripture, it is the Jews who need/want signs and wonders to validate their belief, not the Gentiles. (4) To a Jew (or even to a Gentile Christian) a prophet isn’t really false unless that prophet is a Jew; because, by definition, a pagan prophet is not even a prophet. Of course there are so-called priests and prophets in other religions, but they represent man-made gods that don’t exist. Thus, the prophecies of those would-be prophets who don’t exist by definition are meaningless. Or, saying it another way: They may call themselves prophets, but because they are pagan, they are presumed to be incompetent, irrelevant, and immaterial when it comes to prophesying; therefore, they are not genuine prophets and don’t even merit classification as false. (5) Whenever God warns about false prophets, whether in Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Jeremiah, or anywhere else in Scripture, he is referring to false prophets in/among the Jews. Many of them are identified by name throughout the Old Testament.

Certainly none of the observant/religious Jews in Israel or anywhere in the world, and definitely not very many secular Jews will acknowledge, let alone worship, so-called miracles performed by a Muslim or Christian (in name only as the true Christians will have been taken from the earth in the Rapture) or Hindu or Mormon, or any other religious figure, other than from or on behalf of Judaism. But they would gladly and quickly respond to one of their own, even if that “brother” is promoting a Roman Emperor! If their Jewish prophet can perform such miracles as described in Revelation 13, why shouldn’t/wouldn’t they believe in and surrender to a messiah that the False Prophet endorses?

The Woman and the False Prophet and the Beast

There’s more. As previously demonstrated, the woman (that great city of Rome represented now by the Vatican) will endorse the Antichrist beast. As a result, she will also reach out to the Jewish prophet who performs miracles in order to further convince and subjugate all doubters that Nero is for real. It will be an alliance never before seen on the earth and (thankfully) never will again. It’s quite likely that the Holy sites of Jerusalem will be shared by the Vatican and by orthodox Jewish groups. Through the political and religious alliance of the Antichrist, False Prophet, and the Woman (Rome), even Muslims will be coerced to cooperate; to the extent that a third Jewish temple will be erected on Temple Mount alongside of the Dome of the Rock … or perhaps even in place of it!

The current dialogue, negotiations, and intensified cooperation between the Roman Catholic Church and Jewish officials is a precursor to these remarkable end-times events. Both Catholic and Jewish leaders will give their allegiance to the resurrected beast. So will leaders of Islam, but more reluctantly. And, of course: where leaders lead, followers follow.

However, Nero will overcome Muslim resistance by acknowledging Islam’s god, and even feign worship of Allah. (Refer to Antichrist’s worship of “the god of fortresses” in Daniel Chapter 11, as explained in my book, Out of the Abyss). In the godless period of the Great Tribulation, there will be little problem in reconciling or blending the beliefs of the False Prophet with the Antichrist with the Catholic woman on the beast. Eventually, all of these “religions” will be swept aside in favor of unadulterated worship of a man who has, “no respect … for any other god” (Daniel 11:37). A man, who will proclaim himself as both God and Messiah.

Though there will be national, international, racial, religious, and political liaisons never before seen, this doesn’t mean a one-world religion or one-world government will arise. There will still be many dissenters, especially the Kings of the East. A one-world government means exactly that: All nations of the earth will yield to and participate in a global alliance, which is simply not found in Scripture. A cross-section group of people from all races, languages, nations will blindly follow Antichrist and the False Prophet, just like they follow Jesus Christ, the true Messiah in today’s world; but not necessarily entire governments. Remember there are only ten kings who yield their kingdoms (nations) to Antichrist and his prophet as found in Revelation Chapter 17 … and three of those nations will be forced to surrender (see Daniel 7). On the other hand, Antichrist will have many enemies and dissidents. This is clearly presented in Daniel Chapter 11.

Not until the very last part of the Great Tribulation will the Kings of the East join with Antichrist and his ten-nation confederation, but only for the purpose of doing battle with Jesus Christ, with the Kingdom of God versus the kingdom of Satan at stake.

Summary

What then is the role of the False Prophet? What will he accomplish that no false prophet in Israel’s history or the history of the gentile nations has accomplished? As summarized in Revelation Chapter 13, this False Prophet will validate the identity of the beast (Nero) and help consolidate the (temporary) alliances between the Antichrist’s ten-nation confederation and the Vatican. Because he is Jewish, the False Prophet will persuade Israel to allow Nero to assume control over the outer court of the Gentiles in the rebuilt Temple (Revelation 11:2). This will lead to the cessation of Temple sacrifices half way through the Tribulation, followed by Nero’s desecration of the Holy of Holies near the end of the Tribulation.

Furthermore, the False Prophet will be permitted to perform miracles that no Old Testament false prophets could do, such as calling down fire from heaven. His miracles will further enhance and validate the original miracle that captivated and amazed the entire world … the resurrected return of an ancient Roman Emperor. Most Jews, particularly observant Jews, understand to varying degrees the difference between their true and false prophets as recorded in the Tanakh (the Old Testament). They remember that the 850 prophets of Baal were no match for God’s true prophet, Elijah.

Which is why the False Prophet will so successfully deceive and persuade millions of Jews (probably the same 2/3s of Jews who will be cut-off according to Zechariah 13:8), before the Antichrist breaks his treaty, turns on the Jews, and begins an all-out war against them. How sad … that so many will believe the False Prophet rather than Moses and Elijah.

But it won’t be a cakewalk for this unholy, ungodly coalition. In addition to oriental countries like China and Japan (Kings of the East), other nations such as Egypt, and the two witnesses who will pose a formidable opposition to the Antichrist and his prophet, there will be a continual succession of divine judgments never before experience by mankind. These seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments will disrupt and disprove and erode the power claims made by Nero and his false prophet, as well as the Roman Catholic Church—to the point that the beast and the false prophet will turn on and destroy their Catholic ally. Thereby, revealing their true agenda which has been Satan’s warped, unattainable goal from the beginning: To be like the Most High God by replacing the Kingdom of Heaven with Satan’s kingdom on earth ruled by Satan’s messiah and prophet.

Things to Ponder

You might want to read for yourself the amazing and utter destruction of the Woman (that great city) as explicitly depicted in Revelation Chapter 18. And the precursor of that destruction, vividly described by these graphic words: “The scarlet beast and his ten horns all hate the prostitute. They will strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her remains with fire. For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes. They will agree to give their authority to the scarlet beast, and so the words of God will be fulfilled. And this woman you saw in your vision represents the great city that rules over the kings of the world” (Revelation 17:16-18, italics for emphasis).

What is God’s purpose? His words that will be fulfilled?

“Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: ‘The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever’” (Revelation 11:15).

“Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens: ‘It has come at last—salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ….’” (Revelation 12:10).

IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. AND THAT TIME IS VERY SHORT!

“Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!” (Hebrews 12:25).

CHRIST OR ANTICHRIST (JESUS OR NERO) … who will it be?

From the first century birth, life, death, and resurrection of Messiah Jesus to the present time, many Christians and non-Christians have been seeking to know the identity of Messiah’s arch-enemy, the Antichrist, who is called a little horn, ruler, or king in the Book of Daniel, the man of lawlessness in Paul’s 2nd epistle to the Thessalonica Church, and a beast-king in the book of Revelation. Those not all that interested in Biblical prophecy and/or current events sometimes pose the question: Does it really matter if we know who this man is (will be)? Let’s see if we can answer that question with at least some degree of satisfaction.

In part, this article is a continuation of last week’s topic that established a great deal of relevancy to the Roman conquest of Jerusalem in 70 AD and the remarkable diplomatic outreach of friendship from modern-day Rome (and Germany) to Israel and the Jewish people that these nations sought to destroy. This week’s article will continue the amazing, but nevertheless unmistakable link between the ruler whose armies destroyed Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple, and the end times man who will orchestrate a seven-year treaty with Israel; facilitated by certain contemporary heads of state who are strangely sympathetic to the nation of Israel.

In making this connection, we will revisit the main supposition found in my book, Out of the Abyss, as well as Eye of Prophecy articles found in the category of Antichrist. This astonishing premise comes in two parts: (1) The Antichrist cannot be a modern-day man, born and raised in the Omega (last) generation. Why? Because Revelation 17:8 is explicitly clear: The beast (Antichrist) had historically lived and died before John saw the vision of the beast. And, (2) the ruler of Daniel Chapter 9 whose armies destroyed the temple is the same ruler who will arrange this treaty with Israel at the outset of the seven-year Tribulation period. Moreover, it’s not at all difficult to demonstrate beyond any reasonable doubt which notorious figure from the past precisely fulfilled Daniel’s prophecy. All we need do is to thoroughly examine the text, revisit first century history; then combine points 1 and 2 listed above. When we do this, the prophecy leads us directly to one and only one man: NERO!

Out of the Abyss examines several Biblical passages that provide compelling evidence to document the accuracy of this premise and conclusion. The last passage referred to in the book is found in Daniel Chapter 9. Specifically, I’m referring to the shocking prophecy that predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Shocking especially to the Jews, because their second temple hadn’t even been rebuilt; yet here is Daniel telling his people that the temple would be destroyed … obviously referring to a future temple as Solomon’s Temple had already been torn down. Not only shocking, but also unfathomable to Israel after the erection of the second temple, because it was unthinkable to them that the second temple would also be destroyed.

*Note: The book of Daniel was written around 536 BC. The second temple wasn’t finished until 516 BC.

But Biblical prophecy ALWAYS comes to pass. So, let’s take another look at what the angel Gabriel told Daniel: “After this period of sixty-two sets of seven, the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple….” (Daniel 9:26a).

Which Roman Emperor Ordered the Campaign Against the Jewish Revolt of 66 AD?

Obviously, this is a rhetorical question, as I’ve already given you the answer and/or you already knew this from reading Out of the Abyss or some of the Eye of Prophecy articles; or perhaps you actually remembered it from a history class or two. But if you did remember it from a World History class in high school or college, or perhaps from a Sunday school class, I guarantee that you are only one of a handful! The vast majority of people, even Christians, have no clue that Nero personally commissioned two generals, Vespasian and Vespasian’s son Titus to crush the Jewish rebellion.

From a Biblical prophecy perspective as well as a historical back-drop, most Bible scholars, pastors, teachers, or historians in general say very little about Nero’s involvement. And for a logical reason: (1) Nero died in June, 68 AD, over two years before the final sack of Jerusalem took place in August, 70 AD. (2) The overriding consensus among even the best of prophecy scholars portrays the Antichrist as a modern-day man—born and raised in the generation that will experience his rise to power. Thus, Nero’s connection to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple is essentially irrelevant, immaterial, and inconsequential to most students of prophecy.

But, when we intently study Daniel 9:26 and place it’s prediction in a real-life context and a real-time reality that establishes an inseparable link between the ruler and the ruler’s armies of this phenomenal prophecy, there’s only one viable conclusion to make: Nero is that ruler. Nearly two full chapters in Out of the Abyss are dedicated to documentation and rationale showing that it is not a modern-day man born in some current country that was once (2000 years ago) part of the ancient Roman Empire. Rather, Daniel 9 unequivocally attached the ruler that will arise with the actual armies that attacked and destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. For sake of time and space, I’ll quote just a few excerpts from the book:

“…People of the prince or ruler to come includes all of the prince’s country-men; but more exactly it was the armies (Roman Legions) of this people that fulfilled the prophecy. But whose armies are they? Whose people are they? If you study the text carefully, there is a clear possessive correlation between the ruler and the armies or the people. The New Living Translation simplifies the English to demonstrate this connection by stating that, ‘…a ruler will arise whose armies’ (Italics for emphasis). Whose is possessive, meaning those armies or people specifically belonging to that particular ruler. Or, if you prefer the translation that says, ‘people of the prince,’ the same possessive principle applies. The people directly affiliated, associated, or united with the prince destroyed the Temple’” (Out of the Abyss, page 254-255).

Next, “But Gabriel through Daniel is not saying that the armies of the ruler would first destroy the Temple, and then the ruler would come after that. He’s simply saying that both the ruler and the people of that ruler would come after Messiah is killed. What Gabriel is emphasizing or distinguishing is the fact that the armies of the prince would destroy Jerusalem, instead of the prince and his armies together; that it would be the armies independent of the ruler, with an excessively strong implication that the ruler didn’t live to see the conquest finished” (Out of the Abyss, page 255).

Then, “People of the prince who is to come is a prepositional phrase that demands a possessive correlation. People of the prince who is to come will destroy the city neither prophetically or grammatically state nor even imply that the city would be destroyed before the prince arrived. In other words, this ruler and his armies are inseparably linked together in possessive relationship and in a real-time context” (Out of the Abyss, page 255).

Finally, “Where have you ever read or seen or thought that a ruler of any era would be connected to armies or people hundreds or thousands of years earlier. All monarchs, both in Biblical and secular history, are linked directly with the armies of that particular time of the ruler’s life … But that’s the current hindsight application made by those who hold to a modern-day Antichrist and a Revived Roman Empire. Meaning that this prince who is to come must be born and rise to power after an enormous lapse of time (2000 years), with a 21st century result of an impractical and unrealistic time-capsule detachment from the armies that destroyed the city and the Temple” (Out of the Abyss, pages 256 & 257).

That is why it’s so important to historically remember exactly who it was that ordered the campaign against Israel … which was none other than the Roman Emperor Nero. And because he died prior to the completion of this campaign, it was necessary for the prophet Daniel to specifically tell us that it was actually the armies of the ruler who would destroy Jerusalem, rather than the ruler himself. Because in both ancient and modern times, we invariably credit military victories to the leader. Thus we say that Alexander the Great conquered Persia, not Alexander and his troops.

Then, when we read in Revelation 17:8 that the beast of Revelation (Antichrist) will make his appearance by first coming out of the abyss (with obvious implication that he must first be banished or placed in the abyss), we can much more easily grasp the connection between Nero and his generals/armies that sacked Jerusalem in the 1st century to the “reappearance” of the beast king of Revelation at the outset of the Great Tribulation. And, when we realize that Nero’s name in Hebrew fits precisely with the Gematria number of the beast in Revelation 13 (six hundred, sixty-six), we see overwhelming proof that Nero will return as the Antichrist.

Again quoting Out of the Abyss: “Nor has any conquest, in ancient or modern warfare, been accomplished or even recognized by means of troops conquering a city or country, then the supreme leader (king or emperor) of that army born hundreds of years later or even a few years later. In fact, that makes no sense at all. The only way the armies can be connected to, belong to, controlled or ordered by their leader, is a direct result of the leader—by virtue of being alive—delivering commands to his subordinates; thus, for that ruler to be unequivocally associated with and attached to the people that do the conquering. Make sense? … The passage does not state nor even imply a (far away) future ruler to the Roman Legions of the first century. Instead, we see culpability by direct possessive association with and correlation between first century Rome and a first century Roman ruler” (Out of the Abyss, page 264).

One last quote from my book, “The armies or people who destroyed the city and the Temple were Roman Legions that belonged to Nero, as ultimate Commander-in-Chief of all Roman Legions. These legions are long gone, and couldn’t possibly be the people or armies of a modern-day born Antichrist” (Out of the Abyss, page 264).

We need to think in terms of a Revived Roman Emperor, not a Revived Roman Empire. In my book, I also explain how or in what manner Nero is “revived,” again by using other Scriptural precedents and principles to verify the very event that will captivate and mesmerize hundreds of millions of people left behind at the Rapture … the reappearance of the beast. Which leads us to the answers or reasons why identification of the Antichrist puts into place a significant piece of the prophetic puzzle.

Pre Rapture & Post Rapture Benefits to Knowing the Identity of Antichrist

First, we need to dispel the notion that we are not meant to know the identity of the Antichrist until after the Rapture. To hold to that view is a direct contradiction of Revelation Chapter 13, in which the angel through John challenges the readers of Revelation (which obviously included the 1st century Christians) to “solve” the meaning of the number of the beast, which was one of several critical clues to identify the beast. “Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666” (Revelation 13:18).

Next, to comprehend the mystery of the woman and the scarlet beast on which she sat, as presented in Revelation Chapter 17; which also is equivalent to matching the identity of both the woman and scarlet beast to Rome and the Roman Emperor Nero, respectively. Believe me: it can be done. Read Out of the Abyss or the Eye of Prophecy articles in the category of Antichrist with an open mind. Then decide for yourself. However, our passage of Daniel 9 can stand alone as prophetic and historical proof as to the identity of the ruler and his armies.

Then to understand that ALL of the book of Revelation was written and relevant to 1st century believers, if for no other reason that the imminent return of Christ. Unlike the book of Daniel, which was (temporarily) sealed—meaning that it couldn’t be fully understood until the time of Christ—the angel told John, “Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near” (Revelation 22:10).

As thoroughly documented in my book, I’m convinced that the 1st century Christians knew beyond any doubt that Nero was the Antichrist. This is what the modern-day Preterists contend, however, they overlooked or distorted one monumental fact: The return of Nero as the Antichrist. In order for their premise that Nero was the beast of Revelation to be correct, they had to symbolize nearly all of the events of Revelation, including most of the twenty-one seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments of God. In other words, they claim that the Tribulation took place in the 1st century, which simply did not happen. Essentially, they missed or discounted or ignored the amazing mystery disclosed by the angel to John in Chapter 17, specifically verse 8: The beast had lived and died BEFORE the vision of the beast was given to John. BUT, the beast would reappear from the abyss! That reappearance could have occurred in the 1st century or any century thereafter, as the only event to precede it would be the Rapture itself … which has always been the imminent hope of every believer.

It’s vital that we grasp this before the Rapture takes place, so that the post-Rapture population will realize that the Bible was right after all, i.e. concerning the identity of the beast of Revelation, who is the little horn of Daniel, and the man of lawlessness depicted in Paul’s epistle to the Thessalonians.

According to Revelation 17:8, the beast who had died (before John saw the vision of the beast), will ascend from the abyss, and many, “…will be amazed at the reappearance of the beast who had died.” The source of this amazement is also recognized in John’s first vision of the beast by the following description: “I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal would was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast. They worshipped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshipped the beast. Who is as great as the beast? They exclaimed. Who is able to fight against him?’” (Revelation 13: 3-4).

What is the miracle that caused such astonishment (marvel) and what is it that will lead to unadulterated worship of and allegiance to the Antichrist? What was the great power given to the beast by the dragon? Was it his charisma, or eloquence, or statesmanship, or leadership traits, or all-inclusive genius? NO, it was one and one thing only … his spectacular recovery from the deadly wound (death) and return from the grave! This is what will appeal to people from “every tribe and people and language and nation” (Revelation 13:7). And, this is why the ten kings of Revelation 17 and Daniel 7 will yield to the authority of the beast-king.

But, if some (hopefully many) who are left behind at the Rapture grasp the truth that the revived Roman Emperor Nero’s return was predicted 2000 years ago by John in the book of Revelation, and 2600 years ago by the prophet Daniel (as explained in this article), they will not be “amazed” at such a thing. They will look back and realize that the Bible foretold this all along. And perhaps, just maybe, they will choose Christ instead of Antichrist.

The Choice (Who will you believe?)

“But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. This is exactly what Isaiah the prophet had predicted: ‘Lord, who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?’” (John 12:37-38). Then the passage goes on to say: “Isaiah was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah’s glory. Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God” (John 12: 41-43).

In Isaiah’s time, in Jesus’s time, and in our time, people would not believe despite the overwhelming evidence that Jesus is, in fact, the Son of God; who died on the cross to purchase our redemption, and to save us from our sins and the penalty of those sins … eternal separation from God. How much more proof does someone need, than the historical fact that Jesus arose from the dead!?

After the Rapture, there will be no more fence-sitting; nor more gray areas or indecision or neutrality concerning the claims of Christ or his antithesis. Why? Because the claims of Antichrist will force people to decide one way or the other. At first, Nero will ask for your loyalty and allegiance, citing his miraculous return from the grave 2000 years after he died. Later, however, he will insist on it, to the extent of demanding that everyone take his mark if they want to buy, sell, eat, and otherwise experience some semblance of safety, security, and prosperity. He will demand that you acknowledge him as the Messiah. He will seek to kill all those who do not bow down in complete surrender to him or to his statue. He will claim that he is divine and the only real God on earth. (See II Thessalonians 2).

If you are reading this article after the Rapture, you already know that the man who fills your television screen, your laptop, your Ipad is none other than the ancient Roman Emperor Nero. Already you have been reminded incessantly that he returned from a 2000-year old grave. Therefore, he is divine; for what other man could possibly do that? But then you look around and realize again that hundreds of millions of people are gone. Who took them? Where are they? But you know … how could you not know?

What more do you need to realize that Jesus is the true Christ, the divine Son of the true and living God? What more evidence must you have to understand that all those people who were taken from the earth belonged to Messiah Jesus? Who else could have done such a miraculous thing … to suddenly take so many people from the earth before your very eyes? Certainly not Nero. In fact, he will have already ranted and raved against the Most High God by accusing him of robbing the earth of so many people. And in the same breath, expressing relief that the earth has been cleansed of those bigoted Christians, who intolerantly stood in the way of the real Utopia that only Nero can bring to the earth.

What will you believe? The Truth or the Lie? Who will you choose? Christ or Antichrist? Will you realize that whatever power Nero wields was given to him by Satan? But even that power was given by God. “Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months” (Revelation 13:5, italics for emphasis).

Now is the Day of Salvation

Why wait until after the Rapture to choose everlasting life in heaven that only Christ can give you? It will be so much harder then. In fact, to choose Christ after you’ve been left behind will mean certain death. “…Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die” (Revelation 13:15).

Just as in Jesus’s day, many understood him to be the Messiah, but they refused to personally invite him to be their Savior. Why didn’t they take that next step, and accept him as their redeemer and God? It certainly wasn’t a matter of physical life or death to them. No, they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the religious leaders would spurn them and they would lose their positions, popularity, prestige, and lives of pleasure.

But during the Tribulation, it will be a matter of your very survival … of deprivation of housing, transportation, clothing, and food. It will be a literal choice between life and death. If you choose Christ, you will live forever; you will be saved from hell, but not from the wrath of God and the wrath of the beast as the tribulation plays out. So, why wait? Or as believers, why wait to tell someone we love that the time is very short?

Choose Jesus now and be among those who will be wonderfully transformed at the Rapture. If you have already died by then, you will be resurrected. If you are still alive at that time, you will instantly be given a glorified body that will equip you to live in Heaven forever. No more pain, or tears, or heartache, or suffering. No more death.

“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36, NASB).

To not make a decision is to say, “No” to Jesus. To put this destiny-changing, life-giving decision off is to face the horrible evil of the Antichrist during the Tribulation, and the wrath of a loving, but holy God. To reject the awesome love of God as demonstrated by the amazing gift of God’s Son to the human race which meant that Christ had to make the greatest sacrifice of all time (His very blood and life), is to separate yourself from God and from the host of heaven for all eternity in hell. There’s no sugar-coating this harsh reality.

Even now, it could be a difficult choice for you. You might experience ridicule from friends or family. You might be subject to outright persecution, especially if you live in a Muslim country or in an atheistic nation like Russia or China. Even many in the United States and Europe are expressing a great deal of hostility and intolerance toward Christians and the Bible.

After the Rapture, however, the decision will increase tenfold in intensity and difficulty; with the inevitable consequence that the Antichrist will eventually choose for you. Take the mark of the beast and have a few months or years of relative security (maybe) on an earth destined for judgment and extreme makeover; or choose Christ and live forever. But your forever might begin soon afterward, as Nero and the False Prophet will hunt you down.

Here’s what is said about the Christian saints of the Tribulation: “…And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die” (Revelation 12:11). However, the vast majority of those left behind, those who do not die in the plagues will, “…refuse to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God” (Revelation 9:20).

So, I implore you: Choose Christ now. To do so is to choose life … everlasting life. And you won’t even have to make the hardest choice anyone will ever have to make after the Rapture: Christ or Antichrist. Jesus or Nero?

Things to Ponder:
– During the Great Tribulation, it will take extreme courage, ultimate bravery to reject the mark of the Beast and to choose the true Messiah, Jesus. But why put yourself through that? Why delay your decision and risk dying without Christ now or even worse … living and dying without Christ during the Tribulation?
– What are you waiting for? What are you holding onto? Remember the words of Jesus: “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8: 36-37).

HOW CLOSE ARE WE?

(12th and final article in the series based on the book, Out of the Abyss … can the number of the beast be solved, 666?)

The time is very near for the most spectacular event in human history since the miraculous birth, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ … the Rapture. The first five articles of this blog site captured in fairly extensive detail many features of this stunning event; followed by five articles to identify the Antichrist, then six more articles to disclose and document the characteristics of the woman who forms an alliance with the beast. This blog is the twelfth and final article to bring all this together and also to lead into next week’s topic that will focus on current events.

When the Rapture occurs, it will usher in the astonishing reappearance of the beast; an unheard of and seemingly impossible seven year treaty between Israel and the Muslin nations; followed by the greatest natural and man-made episodes of destruction and death in human history (four horsemen of the apocalypse) interspersed with massive God-directed judgments; culminating in the glorious appearing (return) of Messiah Jesus. The Book of Revelation even discloses the approximate number who will perish … one half of the earth’s population. Not too long ago, the world’s head-count reached seven billion. Although we have no idea exactly how many will be taken at the Rapture (my own estimation is one out of seven or about one billion), somewhere around three billion people will die during the Great Tribulation. Put this in the context of roughly 40 million killed during World War II, makes the tribulation casualty count nothing less than staggering … mind boggling.

I’m not sure we fully understand just how close it is. We’ve reached the apex of wars and rumors of wars that Jesus warned about in Matthew 24. World War III will not be another war with a winning and losing side as experienced in the first two world wars; only for the world to return to a semblance of peace while it awaits yet another global conflict. With the horrific weaponry, not the least of which is nuclear, the world simply could not sustain or survive another world war; unless God, himself, intervened. Most social, political, economic, and military experts agree that another global conflict would, in fact, be the war to end all wars, an end to civilization itself. Whether by an evil rogue nation that would unleash a nuclear bomb on another country or by a nuclear armed nation desperately trying to defend itself, it is virtually inevitable that these weapons of mass destruction would be employed in the next global war.

We’re approaching the end of the famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world that are also part of the birth pangs foretold by Christ; although there will be a few more to come. In the past few decades, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented increase in both the frequency and severity of world-wide catastrophes, such as massive tsunamis, incredibly destructive tornadoes, repulsive plagues (Aids virus), tragic famines, and shocking earthquakes of 7.0 or higher magnitude.

Listen to the words of Jesus: “For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones” (Matthew 24: 21-22).

What makes the current rumors of war so different from past conflicts is Scripture’s timetable predictions that in the very last days Israel and Jerusalem would be the center of world attention and tension. Before our very eyes, day after day we are witnessing precise fulfillment of Biblical prophecy in the Middle East, the most startling of which is Iran’s (and other nations) recent publicized threats to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. The words spoken by Iran’s former president are eerily similar, if not identical to the prophetic words of Scripture. “Come, they say, ‘let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the very memory of its existence’” (Psalms 83:4).

Our Generation

That’s how close we are. If/when a nation’s leader articulates the last day prophetic words that the Bible says will be uttered, it won’t be successive generations that will experience the anxiety and consequences of those threats; it will be that very generation! A parallel example (one that was good) is God’s prediction through the prophet Isaiah that a Persian ruler, whom God even named before the ruler was born (Cyrus), would issue a decree for the Jewish exiles to return to Israel. Isaiah even prophesies the words that Cyrus would declare some 150 years later, “When I say of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd,’ he will certainly do as I say. He will command, ‘Rebuild Jerusalem’; he will say, ‘Restore the Temple’’’ (Isaiah 44:28). If you like, read Ezra 1:2-4; which is the decree that Cyrus announced, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy.

This Iranian (along with other Shiite groups) threat is much more than idle boasting. The Iranians are serious—backing it up with their own messianic claims that Islam’s Madhi (messiah) is waiting for a massive intifada (Muslim uprising) against Israel and those who support Israel. Iran is banking on its ability to quickly finish years of nuclear development to provide enough enriched uranium to arm a nuclear warhead or two, or three. Depending on which intelligence sources are accurate, this could be a few weeks, but no longer than a few months.

There is no doubt with those leaders in Israel, who fully understand the mindset of their enemies, that Iran is not bluffing; that Iran’s megalomaniac rulers would detonate a nuclear device in Israel, if they had the capacity to do so. A preemptive strike by Israel would lead to Muslim reprisals that would engulf the entire Middle East in a conflict that would dwarf past wars in Israel. One that could be a catalyst to persuade the superpowers to take sides; one that would lead to global war and the apocalyptic carnage that today’s super weapons can inflict.

What we read in today’s headlines involves much more than just sabre rattling. We are watching Israel’s mortal enemies defy United Nations sponsored economic sanctions against them as their very economy begins to collapse around them. Their hatred for the Jews and all who would align themselves with Israel is both irrational and irreversible. They would rather die than give up their diabolical pursuit of Israel’s annihilation. And, they would love to see the United States brought to her knees.

The upsurge of international tension fostered by civil war in Syria, unprecedented strife between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, especially in Egypt, the overt and covert support of most Muslim nations (including Iran) by Russia, China, and North Korea, the ambiguous waffling of the United States between isolationism and support of Israel cannot possibly remain in a vacuum. Like any other balloon such as the economic bubble that burst in the US in 2008, you can’t keep filling the balloon with hot air indefinitely. Something has to give.

Animosity even exists between Shiite branch ultra-conservative Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and Iran. Saudi Arabia is extremely fearful of a nuclear armed Iran, so much so that they are prepared to purchase nuclear weapons from Pakistan should Iran’s centrifuges produce the required amount of enriched uranium. You see, the Saudis are wealthy enough to simply buy nuclear warheads Rich enough? Instant nukes … just buy them!

Danger! Red Lines Ahead

The greatest of these dangers to the United States is the recent and blatant disregard for Israel’s security, via appeasement of Iran over the UN sanctions. Our President simply doesn’t grasp the senseless hostility of many Muslim nations and groups against Israel and against the United States. Or, if he does understand the malicious intentions of both radical and moderate Muslims, then we can only wonder about our President’s real objectives. No amount of negotiation or concessions will dissuade or deter radical Muslim leaders, especially Iran, from accomplishing their malevolent design of world domination. At the very best, negotiations will only delay Islam’s renewed effort to accomplish its goal of world-wide implementation of Sharia law through jihad (holy war). At the very worst, more concessions will intensify and accelerate the insane and apocalyptic ambitions of rogue nations such as Iran.

The current administration has already backed away from the red line it drew in Syria, regarding Syria’s use of chemical weapons on its own people. Our President had promised reprisals against the Syrian government should this red line be crossed. The red line is now a yellow line: let’s be cautious and not rush into doing what we said would be done. Another red line drawn through Iran has also been blurred. According to the current administration, there’s no way the US would allow Iran to fully develop nuclear weapons. As this article is being written, our President and his staff have not only retreated from this red line, they are contemplating the relaxation of economic sanctions that have at least delayed the relentless goal of Iran—the possession and unthinkable use of a nuclear arsenal.

Why are these things so dangerous to our country? Because we are perilously close to crossing the red line that God, himself, has drawn around Israel. It is the line that became symbolically visible when God called Abraham to leave his home, and journey to the land that would be given to him and his descendants forever. I repeat for emphasis: Forever. This unconditional covenant includes a wonderful promise for Abraham and his descendants (the Jews) that included the Gentile nations. It also contained an ominous warning to these nations. God said to Abraham: “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12: 2-3).

In just the last few years these verses have been quoted many times by Evangelical Christians who support Israel, by Messianic Jewish leaders, by observant (religious) Jews, even by secular Jews … by all those who understand the history of and purpose for the very existence of Israel. One of these purposes is to be a light for the Gentile nations, by bringing to the world the “light of the world,” Messiah Jesus.

In direct proportion to or even greater proportion (depending on the extent of God’s mercy) that the United States withdraws support of Israel, God will remove his support of our nation, or any nation. To the extent that the US does not recognize Israel’s sovereign right of freedom to build more settlements in Judea and Samaria, the God-given rights and freedom of this country will be taken away from us. In the measure that our government ignores and even jeopardizes the security and safety of Israel or lessens its economic and military aid to Israel, God will remove his protection and prosperity from this wonderful nation we call the United States of America.

“Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal Son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!” (Psalms 2: 10-12).

Numbers in the Bible

As explained in my book, Out of the Abyss, numbers are an integral part of the Bible. Both literally and symbolically certain numbers specifically represent and depict the interaction of God in human affairs. The significance of the number forty, whether days or years, in Scripture is that it constitutes a period of testing, trial, or preparation for an individual or nation. Included in this preparation is a lesson of patience and dependence upon God; waiting for God to instill in his people a total awareness of the need to completely trust him for what comes next … all the while developing determination and courage to fulfill the purpose of God.

Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days/nights, while the Israelites were being tested and primed to receive the greatest (at that time) revelation from God ever given to mankind—the complete law of God. For 40 years the Hebrews wandered in the wilderness to learn from their mistake of not trusting God; but also to prepare them for what would be some of the greatest battles they would ever fight in the early history of their nation, in order to enter, conquer, and possess the Promised Land. Israel’s first King, Saul, reigned for forty years while God was preparing another King (David) “a man after his own heart” to finally conquer Israel’s enemies and unify the twelve tribes into one nation. King David ruled for 40 years to prepare Israel for the generation to follow, one in which Israel experienced total peace and prosperity under King Solomon, who also ruled for 40 years.

It’s been forty years since the last major war in Israel … the Yom Kippur War of 1973. I believe that it is more than mere coincidence that the current life and death (for that is what it is to Israel) issues over a nuclear Iran and its sworn determination to annihilate Israel, has entirely seized the attention, time, energy, skills, resources, and patience of the world’s superpowers. Likewise, it’s more than a random interval that this 40-year period of time has brought Israel and the world to the brink of a regional and potential global conflict with consequences so devastating that only the return of Messiah will save Israel from extinction and the world from unparalleled savagery.

By means of blog sites, web sites, emails, articles, newspaper, books, and other internet news sources, I keep a very close eye on Jerusalem, Israel, and the Middle East as a whole. I am not alone in my observation: Not since just a few decades before the birth of Jesus, have the Jews expressed a more intense and enthusiastic longing for Israel’s Messiah, as they do today.

Tragically, God’s own people rejected their Messiah after he was born in Bethlehem of a virgin; with equal tragedy they have paid an enormous price for missing Messiah’s first visitation. Although most Jews of today’s world await what they believe is the first appearance of Messiah, while we Christians are waiting for his return, the fact remains: Messiah will arrive at the appointed time to rescue Israel from her enemies in a miraculous fashion.

Make no mistake: God still loves Israel and has not forgotten her. He is willing that all of Israel would be saved–along with many Gentiles; saved from their individual sins and the penalty of sin (everlasting separation from God) and saved from national ruin by their enemies.

Summary

God waits in Heaven for the precise moment when he will send his Son back to this earth to complete the majestic plan of salvation and to deliver what the Bible calls God’s “special possession” from utter defeat at the hands of her adversaries.

We who are believers in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Son of Man, the Son of David, and the Son of God also wait for our deliverance from this ungodly world, a world gone mad … blinded by the god of this world who seeks to destroy the true Church of God and the very nation of Israel from where Messiah will rule and reign.

The beast awaits his release from the Abyss to regain the glory he once had, and then to expand that glory on a truly global scale. The woman waits and longs for another opportunity to establish a mighty ecclesiastical kingdom that rules over the kings of the earth.

“For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus.” The time is short … very, very short for us to give such a witness on behalf of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Look to 2014 and 2015 for some extraordinary events … some things that might even signal the beginning of the end. I certainly am not making any predictions for the Rapture, i.e. day or hour. It could be next year, the year after, three years, or it could be while you’re reading this article!

“The land of Judah will be the Lord’s special possession in the holy land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem to be his own city. Be silent before the Lord, all humanity, for he is springing into action from his holy dwelling” (Zechariah 2: 12-13).

Things to Ponder

Is your hope in the return of Messiah Jesus growing stronger? Do you see how Biblical prophecy is coming more alive and active every day, by the unfolding of events in the Middle East? Is it becoming clearer that we are on the precipice of something huge, of a bubble about to burst because it has been stretched beyond capacity by the ominous confrontations of nations against nations? Are you listening for the final trumpet call of God? Are you looking up? Soon, it could be very soon!

THE WOMAN AND THE BEAST (Part VI)

11th article in a series based on the book, Out of the Abyss … can the number of the beast be solved, 666?) This is also the final article in a six part series of the Woman and the Beast

The Woman Identified by Her Clothing

I never cease to be amazed by the meticulous detail found in so many Biblical passages. Most of three full chapters (Revelation 17, 18, & 19) talk about the Beast who reappears from the Abyss and the Woman who sits on the Beast. As we’ve seen in the five articles on the Antichrist and now the six articles on the Woman, the Beast is Nero and the Woman is both ancient Rome and the subsequent Holy Roman Church. Specifically I’m referring to the actual articles of clothing worn by the woman in John’s vision. Let’s see how this apparel matches precisely with the attire of the Roman Catholic Church … literally.

“The woman wore purple and scarlet clothing and beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls….” (Revelation 17:4a). Why would the vision given to John include a description of the woman’s apparel? Answer: For the same reason that most of the visions in Revelation provide specific portrayals of people, places, and things—for the purpose of explaining exactly what will happen, what to look for, or what can be expected during the unfolding of the last days, including the Great Tribulation. Because, however, the visions of Revelation were given to John in the first century, all that has transpired to the present day is historical, to us. It is this history of the woman that we have been examining in the past few articles.

For example: “The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses” (Revelation 19:14). The “him” of this verse is Christ; the “armies” are all believers in heaven who will accompany Jesus during the final battle of Armageddon. It’s true that the white linen symbolically represents purity (cleansed by the blood of Christ), but the color white is also literal in this verse and other passages in the Bible. Same thing with the woman on the beast: The colors purple and scarlet are literally what adorns the woman, although they represent royalty and power/importance respectively.

Notice the sequence of the colors in Revelation 17:4; purple first, then scarlet. That is not just a random order of the colors. It’s far beyond mere coincidence that only the Roman Emperors were permitted to wear the “trabea” which was a deep purple toga; because purple was the color of both royalty and divinity in the Roman Empire and with other nations/monarchs. The Woman (that great city that rules over the kings of the world) was first embodied by the Roman Empire. When the Roman Empire fell, the Holy See filled the vacuum that had created an unstable, unguided, uncertain future for most nations within the realm of the Roman Empire.

The main color of the Roman Catholic Church was and still is red or scarlet; even though there are four main colors used in Catholicism … white, purple, red, and green … depending on the specific celebration or occasion. Not only was the Roman Empire recognized for its vast wealth (“beautiful jewelry made of gold and precious gems and pearls”), but so was the Roman Catholic Church known for its lavish prosperity and display of precious metals in/on clothing, edifices, artifacts, and instruments involved in the sacraments.

Of more than passing interest is the fact that for the first three centuries, the only color worn by church officials was the color white. Not until the Roman Catholic Church began to assert her authority and prominence over individual churches did purple and scarlet begin to replace white as the dominate liturgical colors.

Coat of Arms: For those not familiar with Coat of Arms, it’s simply an insignia normally in the shape of a shield worn (as clothing) or carried on flags or banners by kings/queens, nobility, and soldiers to represent a nation’s heraldry. Webster’s Dictionary defines heraldry as, “the practice of devising, blazoning, and granting armorial insignia…” Not long after kings and nations began to use insignia in the middle Ages, the Holy See soon followed with its Coat of Arms. And, for the last 800 years or so, each Pope has designed his own coat of arms in addition to the traditional symbols found on the Apostolic See’s Coat of Arms, such as two crossed keys, one gold and the other silver. Again, this demonstrates a pattern throughout Roman Catholic Church history to rival and exceed the authority of kings, whether these kings endorsed Catholic dogma or not.

The current Pontiff is Pope Francis who recently succeeded Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger), who inexplicably and suddenly resigned. Pope Benedict XVI chose a coat of arms (in keeping with past Popes) with symbols that best represented what was important to him—historically, theologically, personally, and traditionally. Time does not permit discussion of the individual symbols, except to say that the three emblems on the front of the shield (a Moor’s head, a bear, and a scallop shell) have a strange, enigmatic history. The dominant color of the shield is red, with gold as a strong second color.

What I want to focus on is the fundamental shape of the entire shield itself, which is the most universally used form in Roman Catholic heraldry: a chalice. Synonyms for chalice are: cup, vessel, and goblet. Most of us know about the Holy Grail, from King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The legend of the Holy Grail (the cup that Jesus drank from at the Last Supper) began some 1500 years ago; though the actual cup used by Jesus has no literal or symbolic importance in Scripture whatsoever. Yet, the Catholic Church places great significance on this relic, and the composite chalice shape of the Coat of Arms is not simply a coincidence. Nor is utilization of the word, “goblet” in Revelation 17:4 and the goblet shaped Coat of Arms a random correlation; rather, there is an unmistakable connection between the chalice imagery of Roman Catholicism and the golden goblet held in the hand of the woman on the beast. It’s one of many identifying features of the woman of Revelation 17 & 18 that can be seen explicitly throughout Roman Catholic history and in the modern-day world.

The Woman Identified by Her Morality

“…In her hand she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality” (Revelation 17:4b). The Greek word for obscenities (or abominations as found in other Bible translations) is: bdelgma, pronounced bdel-oog-mah. It means foul or detestable. Since we’ve already touched on this subject, and because the primary purpose of these articles is to disclose and document the dual features and identity of the woman who sits on the beast, there is no purpose in elaborating on the myriad events that can be found throughout the history of the Roman Catholic Church. Except to say that many incidents involving the Catholic Church can only be seen as “immoral” and “detestable”; not the least of which is the recent and ongoing world-wide scandal of Catholic priests and the abuse of children. Both social and religious leaders attribute this abuse primarily to the vow of celibacy required for all Catholic priests. Nowhere in the New Testament does it command that church leaders take a vow of celibacy for any purpose whatsoever, other than personal preference … which doesn’t require a vow. Even the so-called first Pope of the Catholic Church, Peter, had a wife!

Regrettably, there have been reprehensible scandals involving Protestant and even Evangelical church leaders, but nothing approaching the enormity of distasteful incidents throughout Catholic Church history. Nor is this a comparison based just on the number of offenses; rather, it’s a matter of simply matching the historical development and record of the Catholic Church to prophetic passages found in the book of Revelation. Furthermore, I am not bashing individual members of the Catholic Church. Rather, I hope and pray that they will do as Revelation 18:4 pleads with them to do: “Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her.” Revelation Chapter 18 provides more descriptive details of the great city (woman) Babylon, which as we’ve studied is an encryption for Rome. Such as, “For all the nations have fallen because of the wine of her passionate immorality. The kings of the world have committed adultery with her. Because of her desires for extravagant luxury, the merchants of the world have grown rich” (Revelation 18:3).

The Woman Identified by Her Persecution

“I could see that she was drunk—drunk with the blood of God’s holy people who were witnesses for Jesus. I stared at her in complete amazement” (Revelation 17:6). Sadly, the history of the Catholic Church is replete with periods of repression, persecution, torture, and killing of those Catholicism classified as heretical, dissident, unorthodox, or even uncooperative, non-conforming trouble-makers. Who hasn’t heard or read something about the Crusades, Joan of Arc, or the Spanish Inquisition; just to mention the major periods of oppression against anyone who would dare defy the Supreme Pontiff and Roman Catholic divine right of rule. Wars (both cold and hot) were fought between Catholics and Protestants, between the Papacy and Monarchs, and within the Catholic Church itself.

Nowhere in Scripture do we find that the Kingdom of God on this earth (which is currently in the hearts of individual believers) is to be defended or extended by suppressive force, i.e. overt or covert persecution, repressive tyranny, or by warfare. Only when Christ returns will there be the need to conquer the enemies of Christ, of Israel, and of tribulation saints. “Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war” (Revelation 19:11). As the text states: this will be a just and righteous campaign … contrary to the unjust and unrighteous subjugation of dissenters to the Catholic Church.

The Future of the Woman

Although the comprehensive world-wide influence of the Catholic Church has somewhat declined in the last 200 years or so—more so in the political and economic arenas of the world—she will once again rise to power during the Great Tribulation. After all, the Catholic Church claims around 1.2 billion members in today’s world, so there has been no substantial decline in the sheer number of people. In fact, we have seen a resurgence of interest in recent Popes, particularly the previous two, Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and the current Pope Francis. Recently Pope Francis reached the number one position of the most “talked-about” person thus far in 2013.

Soon after the Rapture, followed by reappearance of the beast (Nero) she will “sit on the beast” for both support and control. But, as so often happens with incompatible bedfellows, especially with ungodly alliances, will also happen to the Woman as graphically depicted in Revelation. “The scarlet beast and his ten horns all hate the prostitute. They will strip her naked, eat her flesh, and burn her remains with fire” (Revelation 17:16).

These are very strong words/images to declare the demise of the Woman, the Great City. But there’s more: “How terrible, how terrible for that great city! She was clothed in finest purple and scarlet linens, decked out with gold and precious stones and pearls! In a single moment all the wealth of the city is gone! And all the captains on the merchant ships and their passengers and sailors and crews will stand at a distance. They will cry out as they watch the smoke ascend, and they will say, ‘Where is another city as great as this?’ And they will weep and throw dust on their heads to show their grief…” (Revelation 18: 15-18).

*Note– Although Rome is inland from the Mediterranean Sea, if the entire city went up in flames, the smoke could be seen by those on ships in the Mediterranean. Not so with Babylon (Iraq). Just another passage to validate that the great city is Rome and all that Rome contains, including the Vatican.

Summary

And, so the bedfellow relationship between the woman on the beast and the kings of the earth will reach its climatic zenith during the Great Tribulation. The Roman Catholic Church (and other ecclesiastical systems with similar false gospels and hierarchical control over their members) will seek an alliance with the Beast (Nero) who reappears from the Abyss, and his ten-kingdom coalition. For a period of time this unholy union will succeed; but with great indignation and fury the Beast will turn on the woman and destroy her. And, this time, God himself will orchestrate first the destruction of Babylon the Great (Rome), then total victory over the Beast and all nations who would dare oppose Messiah Jesus. “For God has put a plan into their minds, a plan that will carry out his purposes…” (Revelation 17:17a).

For a short time, probably 42 months following the Rapture, the Holy Roman Church will achieve its never-ending objective: religious and political restoration of the mighty Roman Empire. And for a period of time, the revived Roman Emperor Nero will be a willing accomplice. Ironically, those left behind that belong to the world will direct their worship to the risen beast, which means that the Woman on the beast will have no alternative but to “go along with the ride.”

But let’s not leave it here. Let’s look at the ending that resounds with the final victory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation Chapter 18 begins and ends with a stunning description of Rome’s destruction. Then Chapter 19 begins with, “After this I heard what sounded like a vast crowd in heaven shouting, ‘Praise the Lord! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. His judgments are true and just. He has punished the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the murder of his servants’” (Revelation 19:1-2). Then in verse three we read, “And again their voices rang out: ‘Praise the Lord! The smoke from that city ascends forever and ever.’”

Later in this same chapter we read, “Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet … Both the beast and his false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur” (Revelation 19: 19-20).

Thus, Satan’s two-front war consisting of hostile annihilation of believers in Christ through kings and governments along with Satan’s more subtle strategy of infiltration through a religious system that distorts the truth of the Gospel and seeks to capture and destroy the very souls of men and woman, will be utterly defeated by the King of all kings (empires) and the Lord of all lords (ecclesiastical).

Hallelujah to the Lamb of God! My Redeemer Lives! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

Things to Ponder

Though it’s evident that the majority of Catholics have been misled by the false gospel and church traditions taught by their leaders, we must understand that there are those among them who have, indeed, accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. This would include some priests, bishops, cardinals, and hopefully even the Pope, himself. The problem is the stranglehold of the Catholic system itself, with the ultimate sword of excommunication dangling over their heads.

This is no different from the Jewish religious leader’s intimidation through the Pharisees and Sadducees over religious and non-religious Jews alike … before, during, and after the time of Christ. The New Testament tells us that many Jews, including priests, teachers, and even a member of the Sanhedrin (Nicodemus) believed in Jesus; but were reluctant to publicly express their faith in Christ, for fear of being expelled from Judaism—with all the privileges afforded by membership in this hierarchical system of extra-Biblical rules and regulations.

Unfortunately, many who bear membership in the Catholic Church and other organizations like it will miss the Rapture and suffer through The Great Tribulation. Unless, that is, “they call upon the name of the Lord to be saved” … by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone! Nothing else is needed, certainly not a baptismal entrance to and membership in any formal religious system. Baptism is like the wedding ring. The ring doesn’t marry us, it only shows that we are married. Neither baptism nor church membership saves us; instead it demonstrates to the world that we have been born-again from above … a rebirth that is as permanent as our physical birth!