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There are 23 elements
from prophecy shown here that are aligned with 23 elements that are seen in history.
First, to correctly understand these 23 elements, you must put aside any other
interpretations that you think concerning them, as they might apply to the
interpretation paradigm that you think you already know.
No interpretation can be explained by using the meanings given to the elements from a
different interpretation outside of its own paradigm. The definition of all 23 of these
elements must remain with the explanation that is given here. The Book of Revelation is Written as a Chiastic Pattern. Revelation 1: 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Revelation 22: 6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Revelation 1: 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 22: 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. The Chiasm of the Number 666: In Revelation 13: 18, the number 666 is given. In the verse that it is chiastically linked to; Revelation 17: 9 & 10, that same number is derived from the count of the seven mountains, thus, the number 666 is also seen in that chiastic verse. Revelation 13: 18 Here is wisdom.
Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man;
and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. Elements of Prophecy,
¹ Element of Prophecy » Revelation 13: 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. Elements:
1) wisdom » Revelation 17: 8 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.
Elements:
6) was » Revelation 13: 1 And I stood upon
the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten
horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. Elements:
22) names of blasphemy ¹ 1) Wisdom. º This word links these two verses
together. They are part of the chiastic pattern of the whole book of Revelation. The elements
of the prophecy written in both verses are brought together, and it explains more detail
about each other. The number 666 is given in Revelation 13: 18, and it is also reflected in
the details of the seven heads written in Revelation 17: 9 and 10. Wisdom links Revelation
13: 18 to Revelation 17: 9, 10, and the number 666 in Revelation 17: 9, 10, links it back
to Revelation 13: 18. ¹ 2) count the number º The number is the result of counting.
These numbers to be counted are not the result of letters that are converted to numbers, but
are derived from the papacy itself as numbers that already exist on the beast. ¹ 3) the number of the beast º The count of the numbers of all
the popes from its heads since 1798, make up the combined total for the beast. The count of
the beast is from the seven heads plus the coming eighth, who is destroyed by Christ at
His second coming. The number is 666, and the entire beast is considered. Its seven heads
plus the eighth that follows, comprise the numbers that are used in counting. No errors imposed
by the popes' failure to make an accurate count are to be included. Where there were errors in
the numbering of the popes, these are corrected to what the count would be if they had made no
errors. Only a perfect count could be considered for this prophecy to be considered accurate.
¹ 4) the number of a man º The last legitimate pontificate
that completes the 666 count of the beast, is the man whose number is 666. This is the
eighth papal name since 1798. The historic record provides the count up to the seventh
mountain, leaving only a count of ``1'' away from the total of 666. In defining the seven
as mountains, this designation is not given to the eighth, but is said to be ``of the seven.''
In the Greek, this is given as an eighth that follows in sequence after the seven. Since all
factors point to a singular man as the antichrist, this requires that to match the prophecy,
the next legitimate pontificate must be a man with a new name, and in considering the
prophecy given by Christ Himself in John 5: 43; ``I am come in my Father's name, and ye
receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.'' This man will
have a name that is his own, and not used by another pope, thus it will constitute a count
of ``one'' necessary to complete the count of the number 666. ¹ 5) and his number is Six hundred threescore and six º This number is derived from the
beast, and given in the verse. That same verse is chiastically linked to Revelation 17: 9,
10 and the seven mountains of that verse demonstrates that the same 666 number is contained
within it, and thus links it back again to Revelation 13: 18. The number 666 is the count
given to the beast, and when this number is reached, it identifies that man as the man of
sin. Every element given in the prophecy can be seen as derived from the same source, thus
linking all the elements together into one contiguous account. ¹ 6) The beast ``was'' (vs 8 & 11) º The papacy, as it is seen from 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D. In Revelation 11: 3 it shows that this same papacy obscures the Two Witnesses who prophesy in sackcloth for this same period of time. » Revelation 12: 6 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. ¹ 7) and ``is not'' (vs 8 & 11) º The papacy as it is seen from 1798 A.D. to the end of John Paul. After Napoleon captured Pope Pius VI in 1798, the beast is slain for its harm that it had done to the Two Witnesses. At the same time, the beast receives a deadly wound to one of its heads. The papacy is decreed ``dead'' thus it receives the status of ``is not.'' By this, it was put into the ``bottomless pit.'' » Revelation 11: 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. º The papacy was declared dead
by Napoleon. Its sovereign rule over the earth was terminated. ¹ 8) and ``shall ascend out of the bottomless pit'' º The papacy as it will be seen after
John Paul. The beast ascends from the bottomless pit and then it becomes the time of the
``yet is.'' This corresponds to the 8th head that is also referenced in Revelation 17: 11
and as the ``yet is'' at the end of Revelation 17: 8. Thus when the 8th head arises, it will
do so by coming up out of the bottomless pit. This is the papacy as it regains its former
power, and begins its war against the remnant. Revelation 11: 7 shows that when it arises
from the bottomless pit, it will be this 8th head that will make war on the Two Witnesses,
and kill them. Many of the remnant will suffer martyrdom as their brethren before them.
Revelation 6: 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto
them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and
their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. ¹ 9) and ``go into perdition'' (vs 8 and 11) º The final outcome of this last
presentation of the papacy in its 8th head, will suffer the seven last plagues and be
destroyed at Christ's second coming. ¹ 10) and ``yet is'' º The beast is seen in its three
phases; ``was,'' ``is not'' and ``yet is,'' and the ``yet is,'' is linked to the eighth
in verse 11, which when he comes, will ascend from the bottomless pit. This is the next
legitimate pope. ¹ 11) the ``mind which hath wisdom'' (This is the same as the first element in Revelation 13: 18) º Chiastically linked to Revelation
13: 18 ``He that hath wisdom'' relating to the counting of the 666 beast and man. The verses
of Revelation 17: 9, 10 give more information about the number 666. It shows how it is to be
applied. The intended use of the descriptor; ``mountains'' is specifically for the purpose of
counting, and identifies the source of the numbers to be counted. Understanding these
elements requires wisdom. ¹ 12) the ``seven heads'' º These are the seven papal names as seen since 1798; 1 Pius, 2 Leo, 3 Gregory, 4 Benedict, 5 John, 6 Paul, 7 John Paul. If the beast that has seven heads is
the papacy, then the seven heads upon it must also be Papal. This principle is seen in the
Grecian beast in Daniel 7 having four Grecian heads. These are not just popes that are selected
because they have numbers that can add up to 666, but they are taken from the very same seven
papal names that span from 1798 to 2004. This 1798 date is not randomly selected, but is
indicated by the other verses of Revelation 17. The woman is drunken on the blood of the
saints. Her days of slaying were ended, the papal beast was declared ``dead'' by Napoleon. Her
dominion was broken on that day. Thus the prophecy speaks of the beast that ``was'' and ``is
not,'' and speaks to say that it will be again; ``yet is.'' ¹ 13) are ``seven mountains'' º The entire seven lineages of these
seven papal names. The complete group of each of these names constitutes a mountain. These
seven heads are seven mountains. Each name has more than one pope. Thus the heads and the
mountains are derived of the same element. ¹14) on which the ``woman sits'' º The woman is the people within the
papal system, and in the broader sense, includes fallen apostate Protestantism, from out of
which those of God's people must come. They are the target of this message. Satan wishes to
usurp the power of God, and likewise, the papacy wishes to usurp the Word of God, in changing
God's law by establishing Sunday as the Sabbath day instead of the seventh day. The woman sits
upon these seven mountains, representing the whole time of the beast. The beast arose about 140
A.D. and received its seat and power from the dragon in 538 A.D. ¹ 15) and are ``seven kings: '' º Pius, Leo, Gregory, Benedict, John,
Paul, and John Paul. In the Greek, this is rendered; ``And are seven kings,'' equating the
seven heads to seven mountains and then to seven kings. Then it supplies a ``template'' of
how these seven kings are to appear. ¹ 16) ``five are fallen,'' º 1 Pius, 2 Leo, 3 Gregory, 4 Benedict,
5 John. These names do not appear again after the sixth head Paul. To say they are fallen,
means that their use as a name has ended. There will never again be another one of these five.
¹ 17) and ``one is,'' the sixth º Pope Paul VI 1965-1978. John the
Revelator was taken away in the spirit; Revelation 17: 1. "And there came one of the seven
angels which had the seven vials," ``saying... Come hither;'' and Revelation 17: 3 ``So he
carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness'' John was shown the things in the future
as though he was there. There is nothing in this language that indicates that it
has anything to do with the time that John lived. On the contrary; it indicates that it is at
a time that John is taken to in his vision. John himself did not live in the wilderness, nor
did he write in the perspective of his own time. The time that this whore woman is put into the
wilderness is at 1798. The perspective of the seven heads is then shown to John from the time
of the sixth. Five mountains are fallen before this, and the seventh has not yet come.
¹ 18) the ``not yet come'' º John Paul introduced a new name,
and from the perspective of Pope Paul VI, the sixth
head, John Paul had not yet existed. At the time of Paul, (1963-1978) there
had never been a pope named John Paul. John Paul I said that he chose the
names of his two previous predecessors, and fashioned his name after theirs. This
directly fulfills the element; ``not yet come,'' with reference to the sixth head.
¹ 19) and when he comes, he must continue a ``short space.'' º John Paul 1978-2004+, 26 years. John Paul comprises the smallest mountain. The short space is a measure that is short, in relation to the other six heads. The tenure of John Paul has been 26+ years, and in comparison to the other six heads, it is by far the shortest space. The next shortest tenure is that of Paul, where the total number of years of that mountain is 67 years. The other mountains number in years as follows; Pius 161, Leo 99, Gregory 125, Benedict 88, John 122 ¹ 20) ``the eighth,'' º The eighth is numbered in the
sequence after the seven. This eighth is the ``yet is'' of Revelation 17: 8. (See below on
Revelation 17: 8 and 11). ¹ 21) and is ``of the seven'' º It follows the seven as an eighth
head. He fills the office that was held by the other seven. He is not listed among the seven
which are mountains, and therefore he is not equated to being a mountain, thus he is a single
king or head and yields a count number of ``one.'' This ``one'' completes the final appearance
of the beast, and precisely finishes the count from 665 to 666. Blasphemy and the Seven Heads ¹ 22) ``a beast, full of names of blasphemy,'' ``and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.'' » Revelation 13: 1. And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. » Revelation 17: 3 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. º The seven heads all have the name
of blasphemy written upon them. This element is given just before it is said that this beast
has seven heads. Here, it does not limit the papal heads to seven, but says that it is
``full of names'' of blasphemy. In Revelation 13: 1 it is written; ``and upon his heads the
name of blasphemy'' thus it associates blasphemy with the names of its heads. The popes'
claim to absolve a sinner of his sins is blasphemy. If these heads were kingdoms such as
Babylon, Medo-Persia, or Grecia, then explaining the presence of blasphemy would require a
more convoluted interpretation, and without any Biblical support. The Wounding of One of the
Heads of the Beast ¹ 23) head wounded and healed » Revelation 13: 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. º This wounding was to pope Pius VI in 1798. It was a Pius XI who received sovereignty again in 1929, thus the same head was healed. The Concordat of 1929 is the rescinding of Napoleon's 1798 decree that the papacy is dead, and reinstating it into the political arena. It was Pope Pius VI that was the head of the beast that was wounded, and it was Pope Pius XI who was the same head that was healed in 1929. The beast has been ever rising in power. Pope Pius was the first of the seven heads. Pope Pius VI in 1798 was the head of the beast that was wounded with a deadly wound and did live. It was a Pius XI who received sovereignty again in 1929, thus the wounded Pius head was healed.
CHART Column 2 Column 3
Column 1.......Column 2......Column 3 The Two Witnesses In Revelation 11: 7 it reads; ``And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.'' And in Revelation 17: 8 it reads; ``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. This reference to the beast that ``ascendeth out of the bottomless pit'' from Revelation 11 and Revelation 17 are the same, and the context of Revelation 17 is definitely near the terminal end of time, and Revelation 11 is at the end of the sixth trumpet. The eighth head is identified with the ascending from the bottomless pit. This is what some refer to when they say the beast shall rise again to power, and enforce Sunday laws when the beast returns. In Revelation 17: 8 - 11 where the seven heads are outlined, is demonstrated a small chiastic pattern. Three matching parts are all aligned in verses 8 and 11, leaving only one phrase from which it is discerned to be its equal. 17: 8 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. 17: 11 And the beast that was, and
is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the
seven, and goeth into perdition. Note the following parallel;
Group 1 ****** ****** ******
Notice that in groups 1, 2 and 4, are all verbatim identical in the verses, but group 3
shows three different facets of what we are to understand, is also three things that are
identical. The beast, at this time, ascends from his bottomless pit, and this is the eighth, that follows after the seven, and this is also the "yet is," placing it at its time.
This final sentence is the template pattern of the whole of the two texts; it is discussing the beast and how it appears. The ``was'' is from 538 to 1798, the ``is not'' is from 1798 to the end of the seventh head, and the ``yet is'' is the time of the eighth head until he is destroyed at the Second Coming. The eighth head is the next legitimate pontiff following John Paul II. In Revelation 11: 7 - 13 it shows that the final elements of the prophecy are at the terminal end of the second woe. And the third woe that follows quickly, is the beginning of the sounding of the seventh angel's trumpet announcing God's fully restored eternal reign. As the beast ascends from this bottomless pit, it is written that it will make war on the two Witnesses, and kill them. This will be fulfilled by the enactment of the Sunday laws. The Two Horned land beast in conjunction with the papal beast, will make an image to this beast ``whose head was wounded and did live.'' Pope John Paul II has set up the conditions for this to happen in his encyclical; Dies Domini, in which he implores his faithful to petition their governments to enact civil laws respecting Sunday as the sacred day of worship. The grand deceptions and miracles that will be performed by the next legitimate pontiff, will capture the awe of the Sunday- keeping churches, and they will in turn unite with this papal beast and form the ten horns which receive power for one hour with the beast, to carry out this task; the image of the beast will then be made and the mark will follow. Whereupon the buying and selling will be made by only those with the mark of the beast. Finally, they will issue a death decree upon all those who keep the true seventh day Sabbath, and when they think they have ridden the earth of these Two Witnesses, they will rejoice and ``give gifts to one another.'' Then those who have been martyred for the truth will be raised up by God, and stand on their feet, causing those who see them great fear. Then they ascend into heaven and the Law of God will be displayed with a particular emphasis on the fourth commandment. One of these heads of the beast was wounded with a deadly wound and did live; and this was Pius VI in 1798. It was a Pius XI who received sovereignty again in 1929, thus the same head was healed. It is after this that the beast arises again. In 538 A.D. the beast ``was'' and in 1798 it became the ``is not'' and it will soon become the ``yet is'' when the eighth head arrives. In Revelation 12: 3, the dragon is shown to have seven heads and ten horns; 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. ``The line of prophecy in which these symbols are found begins with Revelation 12, with the dragon that sought to destroy Christ at His birth. The dragon is said to be Satan (Revelation 12: 9); he it was that moved upon Herod to put the Saviour to death. But the chief agent of Satan in making war upon Christ and His people during the first centuries of the Christian Era was the Roman Empire, in which paganism was the prevailing religion. Thus while the dragon, primarily, represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome.'' GC p. 438 There is an equation in Revelation 12, that identifies Satan as the dragon, and the dragon is equated to Rome. The account concerning the dragon continues into Revelation 13, where the dragon gives power and his seat to the beast. Rome, is also portrayed, as having ten horns. It was three of these ten horns of Rome that the dragon gave up to accomplish the transferring of his seat and power to the beast. Rome's ten horns are the dragon's ten horns. Thus in Daniel 7, there are four beasts, bearing seven heads, and ten horns. Since the dragon has been directly equated with Rome, and the dragon is also said to have seven heads and ten horns, that during the time the dragon is represented through Rome, it shows that the head of Rome, is the last of the seven heads in Daniel 7. There is not shown another kingdom head after Rome. After Rome collapses, ten kingdom horns arise from it. These are the ten horns of the dragon. The little horn of Daniel 7, arises after these ten horns of Rome, and is a subset of the other the ten horns of the broken Roman empire. The crown removed from Israel passed
successively to the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. God says, `It shall
be no more, until He come whose right it is; and I will give it Him.'
Today the signs of the times declare that we are standing on the threshold of great and solemn events. Everything in our world is in agitation. Before our eyes is fulfilling the Saviour's prophecy of the events to precede His coming: `Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars.... Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.' Matthew 24: 6, 7. The present is a time of overwhelming interest to all living. Rulers and statesmen, men who occupy positions of trust and authority, thinking men and women of all classes, have their attention fixed upon the events taking place about us. They are watching the strained, restless relations that exist among the nations. They observe the intensity that is taking possession of every earthly element, and they recognize that something great and decisive is about to take place--that the world is on the verge of a stupendous crisis.'' Edu 179.5 The dragon's seven heads have seven crowns. These are the crowns of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia and Rome. Seven crowns, seven heads, and the last head of Rome bearing ten horns, of which three of these; the Ostrogoths, Vandals and Heruli, were uprooted, to give the beast its power and its seat. Rome, as representing the dragon in Revelation 12, is the time of the dragon as seen in its seventh head. Revelation 12 does not set the dragon at its first head, but setting it at Rome, placing the dragon in its seventh head. The seven heads as presented in Daniel 7, are the seven heads and ten horns of the dragon. The correct identification of the dragon's heads, requires that the beast's seven heads be something other than the heads of the dragon, for the beast is a separate entity from the dragon. Revelation 13, begins with the transition to the new beast from the dragon. Thus the dragon lives vicariously through the beast in which Satan has infused with his control. The dragon's dominion is farther extended than is the beast's. Thus their heads are found in their times respectively; the dragon's, from the days of Eden to the end; and the beast's, within its timeframe, from 140 A.D. to the end. This distinction that separates the dragon from the beast, and their respective prophecies, will clear up the confusion among most interpretations; the mixing of two separate prophecies and their symbolic elements, will create confusion and false interpretations. The elements defining the beast's heads, cannot be applied to the dragon's nor the elements that define the dragon's heads can be derived from those that define the beast's. These elements cannot be all mixed together, and produce a correct interpretation; it will produce a false interpretation every time. The dragon's seven heads were not broken down into divisions that are described as ``five fallen'' and ``one is'' and the seventh as ``not yet come.'' In the latest commentary by Ranko Stefanovic; ``The Revelation of Jesus Christ,'' published by Andrews University in 2002 reads; ``However, as William G. Johnsson states, the seven heads of the dragon represent `the kingdoms through which Satan has worked to oppress God's people throughout the ages.' '' ``It is significant that the beasts of Daniel 7 have together seven heads and ten horns in total.'' RJC p. 404 ``However, while the dragon had the seven crowns on his heads, the beast has ten crowns on his horns. We saw earlier that the seven crowns on the dragon's heads denote Satan's false claim of full authority and power over the world.'' RJC p. 405 If Babylon was a head, and Medo-Persia has a head, and Grecia has four of them and Rome was the terrible beast that had one head and ten horns, then you have the recipe for the prophecy that identifies the dragon as having these seven heads and ten horns. Indeed, it was Rome that broke into ten parts which are represented as horns, and of which the Dragon, being equated with Rome, gave up three of these horns to give its power and a seat to the beast. (A dragon-beast parallel is also shown; Medo-Persia with three ribs in its mouth, and the beast uproots three horns). This is the Biblical explanation of the heads and horns of the dragon, as it is evidenced within Revelation 12 and 13, which cover the same prophetic details that are written in Daniel. In Revelation 13: 2 it depicts the two; the dragon and sea-beast, showing that they are two distinct and separate identities. Both Daniel 7 and Revelation 12 make reference to Rome. These two prophecies blend together. Daniel starts in Babylon, and shows the rising little horn. Revelation shows the dragon making the transfer of his seat and power to the beast. Israel was free, until it was taken captive by Babylon. Power was then transferred to Medo-Persia, then to Grecia, and finally to Rome. All of these kingdoms have held the Jews captive. When the papal beast came, power was then transferred from the political agents of Satan, to the religious institution of the papacy. To say the crown passed means simply that these world powers that persecuted the people of God, were allowed by God to rule. Only one ruling kingdom on the earth at any time as the prophecy indicates. There were 7 crowns thus it is said; The ``crown'' passed. If you align the imagery of Daniel and Revelation placing the little horn as the leopard-like beast, the chronology will show that the papal horn is one of a subset, placed on par with the ten horns of the beast of Rome, arising from Rome, as it did and uprooting three of them. These three horns uprooted by the little horn, which is also represented as the leopard-like sea beast, forbid that these ten horns are also those of the beast. ``Chapter 12 3-6, 13-17 (ch. 13: 1, 2, 11). God's People in the Minority.-- Under the symbols of a great red dragon, a leopardlike beast, and a beast with lamblike horns, the earthly governments which would especially engage in trampling upon God's law and persecuting His people, were presented to John. The war is carried on till the close of time.'' Vol. 7 Bible Commentary p. 972 ``It was the same Herodian spirit, only in another personality, as `the dragon' of Revelation 12: 17 is the same as the dragon of verse 3, the real inspiring power in each being the dragon of verse 9. In the one case he works through pagan Rome; in the other through our own government.'' (Notes from the EGW Estate in Early Writings p. 186) ``Paganism had given place to the Papacy. The dragon had given to the beast `his power, and his seat, and great authority.' Revelation 13: 2.'' Great Controversy p. 54 ``As he influenced the heathen nations to destroy Israel, so in the near future he will stir up the wicked powers of earth to destroy the people of God....'' Maranatha p. 32 ``Kings and rulers and governors have placed upon themselves the brand of antichrist, and are represented as the dragon who goes to make war with the saints- -with those who keep the commandments of God and who have the faith of Jesus. In their enmity against the people of God, they show themselves guilty also of the choice of Barabbas instead of Christ.'' Testimonies to Ministers p. 38 From the two accounts that depict seven heads and ten horns, those which belong to the dragon are those seven heads of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia and Rome with its ten horns, and those that belong to the beast are the popes that are presented since 1798, with the eighth that is destroyed at the second coming; Pius, Leo, Gregory, Benedict, John, Paul and John Paul, and ten Protestant horns which are seen at the end with the eighth, during the final war. The Sabbath will be the focus of the beast's attack. The dragon has employed the kingdoms of this world to persecute the people of God throughout history, and then transfers his power to the papal beast, to do from within the church that which he could not do while the woman was ``hid from the face of the dragon.'' The beast arising from the sea, also forms seven heads, which are seen from its final countdown of the last seven heads beginning in 1798 with an eight that becomes the ``yet is'' and is destroyed by Christ at His coming. I set out to answer one question, without there being a person to direct my path to direct me to the answer, I had to examine it myself. One single question: Did the numbers that the popes use on their names have anything to do with the count of the number 666? There are only two possible answers to this; Yes, or No. To determine this, I must be able to see in the papal record that the number is there. Only the correct count could prove the answer as a ``Yes.'' In all probability, it is harder to find any one specific number such as 666, than to find a thousand other possible numbers without a match to 666. A ``Yes'' is by odds harder to find than a ``No.'' When I saw that there were seven names since Napoleon declared the papacy dead, It reminded me of the verses about the seven heads, and I knew at that time that these were the seven papal names whose numbers were to reveal this answer. I made three or four attempts to count the numbers of these seven names, each time producing a total that was close to 666. I then made corrections to the errors I found and the count came to 665. Not exactly what I expected, but in referencing the texts on the seven heads, I saw it also brings in an eighth, who (the context of the Greek, indicates that this eighth follows in succession after the seven) would complete the count to 666. I began to realize that I was finding more things about this prophecy than I had even thought to look for. I then checked it over three more times to make sure there were no more errors in counting. Then I examined these last seven to see how they matched the ``five fallen, one is, and the other is not yet come'', and realized again, these also matched. Even to the detail of the short space. When I have personally observed from the historic record that the popes fulfill not only the number 666, but adds to the same record, a match for every sequential element from this prophecy, then I can never accept any other interpretation, that do no better than speculation. No other interpretation has been able to demonstrate anything near this depth or accuracy. Every prophetic element is easily seen to match the record with the same simplicity and accuracy as the previous matching set before it. There is no attempt on my part to set any agenda beyond my initial plan to determine whether or not the number 666 could be found from the papal numbers. But when I found that the number did exist there, it also revealed that it did so by aligning with all the rest of the elements of the prophecy. It was not in my plan to discover the
identity of the seven heads, and the detailed fulfillment of the whole rest of the prophecy,
but that was the natural result in the course I first set out to do. # 18 I pursued this research to extract the facts from History... This was matched along side with the Prophecy. When I found the element that seven heads are present in the prophecy, I find them also present in the historical record. I then have the heads of the beast from which to count. (Think ``Chiastic''; Revelation 17: 9 is linked to Revelation 13: 18) The number 666 matches in both verses. Two elements were then found to match. Much later, a further breakdown of these seven heads according to the prophecy, were also found to match within these same seven heads. There are five fallen, one is and a seventh new head. The third match is evident. From there, many subsequent elements have been also found to match the prophecies. Every new element that connects with this prophecy has an exact corresponding match in the historic record, and it is all formed into a contiguous account. No element is difficult to understand from the historic record. The matching is an easy one, and nothing is distorted in order to show that it matches. Egypt is not a ``head'' of the beast. Egypt is not a head of the Dragon either! I stand on Daniel 7 for the Biblical interpretation of the seven heads of the dragon of Revelation 12. They are starting with Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, (X 4, 4 heads) and Rome, with its ten divisions. And Rome, the dragon's seventh head is found attempting to kill the Christ Child. Then, (after this) the power of the ``dragon'' is transferred to the ``beast.'' Egypt and Assyria are not part of these prophecies. That theology is the concocted distortion perpetrated by the Catholic Jesuits. The seventh head as being the papacy, totally fails in reference to the ``short space'' in which this seventh head must continue. There, you have a near 1,800 year period, which is by far longer than any one of the other six heads you hold in your interpretation. The ``Short Space'' is 25 years and counting....not 1,800 years as the predominant interpretation would have us believe. Catholic Intrusion into Adventist Interpretation The precedent for aligning the ancient kingdoms as the heads of the beast is a direct invention of the papacy. If you did not know this, then go and look up the bible text for the Catholic Douay Rheims bible, and read the footnotes for Revelation 13: 2. It will clearly show the source of this fallacy. The only adjusted difference between the Catholic interpretation and the ``modified'' SDA interpretation regarding these heads, is the inclusion of the ``papacy'' as one of the latter heads just prior to the antichrist. But they have totally failed to notice that the ``seventh'' head of their modified list, fails to meet the prophetic element of being the ``not yet come,'' and that it ``continues a short space.'' Plus, it creates an unexplainable situation, in that they identify the papacy as the beast, yet also the papacy as one of its own heads. This amalgamation within its own paradigm, totally violates the interpretive principles, regardless of whose principles you wish to use. It is written in the footnotes of the Douay Rheims bible on Revelation 13: 18 that ``the letters of his name make up the number.'' Yet when trying to apply it to any application of any person's title, or name, there arises the problem of ``what language'' should be used; Greek or Latin or Roman, or English. This entire problem flies out the window and vaporizes when it is considered that only numbers are used in the interpretation I present, as there is no letter to number conversion, and no controversy over what language to use. The second interpretive problem that comes to mind, is that every other method of interpretation does not show any connection between the number 666 and the beast's seven heads. (Between Revelation 13: 18 and Revelation 17: 9, 10) The number according to them is not associated with the beast AND the man AND these two being the same thing. The papal title cannot pinpoint the last man. The man of sin is not identified by this alleged papal title. Andreas Helwig in 1612 devised the 666 counting from Vicarius Filii Dei. (It's not the truth... it is not what Revelation 13: 18 is about). 2Thessalonians 2: 6 And now ye know
what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. This passage directly indicates that the antichrist is not revealed until he is in his time. This tells us that whatever is thought to identify this man of sin nearly four hundred years earlier, is false. The number 666 cannot be in reference to the numerical count of the letters in the alleged papal title; ``Vicarius Filii Dei'' and thus refer to every single pope that has ever lived and reigned in Rome. This could not apply to all previous popes. This applies only to the final man; the "eighth" and last pope who rules as the beast. 13: 1. And I saw a beast coming up out the sea, having seven heads and ten horns: and upon his horns, ten diadems: and upon his heads, names of blasphemy. The footnotes of the Catholic Douay Rheims bible on Revelation 13: 1 which carries over to the text of Revelation 17 reads; A beast... This first beast with seven heads and ten horns, is probably the whole company of infidels, enemies and persecutors of the people of God, from the beginning to the end of the world. The seven heads are seven kings, that is, seven principal kingdoms or empires, which have exercised, or shall exercise, tyrannical power over the people of God; of these, five were then fallen, viz.: the Egyptian, Assyrian, Chaldean, Persian, and Grecian monarchies: one was present, viz., the empire of Rome: and the seventh and chiefest was to come, viz., the great Antichrist and his empire. The ten horns may be understood of ten lesser persecutors. Seven Heads The first reference of seven heads and ten horns is found in Revelation 12: 3. John saw "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads." In verse 9 we are told the identity of the dragon: "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan." The great red dragon pictured here having seven heads and ten horns represents Satan. Notice the last phrase in verse 3, "and seven crowns upon his heads." A head portrayed wearing a crown conveys a connection with a civil power. The seven crowned heads represent the seven head powers through which Satan would attempt to control the world. Verse 4 identifies the power he worked through during the time period of this vision; Rome. Pagan Rome is One of the Seven Crowned Heads Revelation 12: 4 "And the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born." Herod ordered the death of all male
children under two years of age in an attempt to kill the Christ Child at His birth (Matt. 2:
16). In Revelation 12, Satan worked through the political power of Pagan Rome. Pagan Rome is
As we travel through history, the seven
heads rise and fall with the powers they represent. In the dragon of Revelation 12 and the
composite beast of Revelation 13, we see Rome in its two phases each having seven heads and ten
horns. Revelation 13: 1; "And I stood upon the
sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and
upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Revelation 13: 2; "The beast which I
saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the
mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."
Revelation 13: 3; "And I saw one of his
heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered
after the beast." Verse one depicts this composite sea
beast as having "seven heads." In verse three, the first of those seven heads received a
"deadly wound." We recognize the wound to this head as the wound inflicted by French
General Berthier with the capture of pope Pius VI and subsequent loss of his civil power
in AD 1798. The same head of Pius that was wounded is the same head Pius that was healed.
The 16th chapter of Revelation
depicts seven angels holding seven vials containing the seven last plagues. In Revelation
17, one of the angels commissioned to carry out the seven last plagues directs John to
view the judgment of the great harlot. Revelation 17: 1 "And there came one
of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come
hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters."
The great whore represents the
papacy, Satan’s counterfeit religious system; "that sitteth upon many waters." The angel
explains, "the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and
multitudes, and nations, and tongues" Revelation 17: 15. This system enjoys a worldwide
support base. Revelation 17: 2: "With whom the
kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been
made drunk with the wine of her fornication." World leaders, "the kings of the earth"
have "committed fornication" with this great apostate power. This immoral union of church and
state is responsible for the deaths of millions of God’s followers throughout history. "The
wine of her fornication" is the false teachings that have intoxicated the world. Many principal doctrines of mainstream
religions today, Protestant and otherwise, have origin in this system. Various doctrines that
people hold dear such as Sunday worship, image worship, confession to men rather than Christ,
infant baptism, the immortality of the soul, and eternally burning hell are unfounded in
Scripture. In this way the entire world has been "made drunk with the wine of her fornication."
Revelation 17: 3: "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." John relates that one of the angels
holding the seven vials that "talked with me" (in verse one) "carried me away in the spirit
into the wilderness." Here is the key. John was physically on the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 1:
9). The angel carried him "in the spirit," away from Patmos, to another point in time for the
vantage point of this vision. He was taken to the time of the sixth head, which was Pope Paul
VI, from 1958 to 1963. John was also carried away to a point in
time in which he saw the reward of the pure woman, Christ’s bride. "There came unto me one of the
seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me,
saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the
spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem,
descending out of heaven from God" (Revelation 21: 9, 10). John did not see the holy city
descending from the vantage point of Patmos. He was taken in vision, "in the spirit," to
a point in time where he actually saw that event. The beast in Revelation 13: 1, has
the "name of blasphemy" on its seven heads, in Revelation 17: 3 the entire beast is "full
of names of blasphemy." The beast in Revelation 17, is farther down the road of time. It is
being portrayed after 1798 and has many names of blasphemy. Both passages reveal that the
names of these heads are associated with blasphemy. The beast is the papacy, and the
blasphemous heads are the popes. The seven heads of the beast are the seven names of the
popes that have reigned since 1798. It is from these seven names that the numbers of their
names are added that make the count toward 666. The final one is completed by the
eighth. | |||||||||||||
