It's obvious that there are only seven different names. All are mountains, that is; having several popes that are using these same seven names. The name of Pius appears six times and is already seen as a mountain. In order that Gregory and John and Paul are to be mountains, requires that the entire time of the beast is considered. There, the papal record displays them all as mountains. It is precisely that verse (Revelation 17: 9) which introduces the symbol of a mountain, that is linked to the verse (Revelation 13: 18) which gives us the number 666. The numbers of these mountains are what is counted.

The passage that outlines how these seven heads are to appear, is written in Revelation 17: 8-11. This outline must be aligned with the seven heads of the papacy, if the papacy is the correct identity of the beast. History reveals a perfect alignment. The last pope who completes this count, is the man whose number is 666. Shortly after that time, power is restored to the papacy.

Applying the seven heads as seven mountains to the papacy and the popes, works like this; The seven different names that have been used by the popes since 1798 constitute the seven heads. Each different name comprises one of the seven heads. These are the seven heads of the beast, which Revelation 17: 10 also calls mountains. All the popes that use the same name are a mountain. John Paul I was not a mountain, nor was he a part of a mountain, until John Paul II arrived, then the head name of John Paul becomes a mountain. A mountain is the line of popes that all bear the same name, differentiated by a number. Pope 1, Pope 2, Pope 3, etc. It is these numbers that are derived from the popes, that are used in the counting of the number of the beast. The popes of these `mountains,' throughout the papal reign are represented. Counting all the numbers of all the popes that use these seven papal names, produces the count of the beast, up to the current point in time. There is no dispute regarding the conversion of letters into numbers, because these are already numbers begging to be counted. With John Paul II, from 1978 to 2005, the cumulative total of all the numbers of these seven mountains is now at 665. The eighth completes the count of the beast and he is thus revealed as the 666 man of sin.

Though some think that this recent election that introduced Benedict XVI has changed the count, and has voided the prophecy. This is false. The count continues to stand at 665, because this prophecy has already identified Benedict as one of the first five that have ``fallen'' and is thus identified as an antipope, in which his number is zero.

Errors in the Papal Record

If the papal record had contained no errors, we could just use the numbers that are shown after their name. The errors in the papal record are thus corrected to what they actually are, without any errors. The count is thus corrected to reflect the legitimate number of popes within each mountain. Since there was no John XX; and Benedict X and John XVI were deposed, the number of legitimate popes named John and Benedict are corrected to 21 and 14 respectively. All other popes of these seven mountains are legitimate and their numbers are counted directly. If the Vatican would move to correct the errors in the numbering of the popes, to eliminate the gaps in the official papal list, then the count would be exactly as it is shown in this research, and there would not have been any need to explain the errors of the papal numbers, and anyone could readily produce this same exact count themselves. The papal numbers are corrected to reflect their respective count as though no errors were made. Thus, antipopes are not counted nor do their numbers affect the count in any way. If their number has been skipped, then their number is applied to the next legitimate pope. The official papal record has failed to maintain this rule in all instances and thus they have introduced error into the record. These errors are corrected to eliminate the errors in the count.

There is no John XX in any papal record, and John XVI and Benedict X (1058-1059) were deposed, so the ``actual'' number is reduced by the same amount. This corrects the count to the true number that was naturally done with the following antipopes not listed in the record: Benedict XIII (1394-1423), Gregory VIII (1118-1121) and John XXIII (1410- 1415) were deposed and their count continues with the true Benedict XIII (1724-1730), Gregory VIII (1187) and John XXIII (1958-1963). Gregory (1012) and John (844) were deposed and were not even numbered, therefore the count was never affected by them.

An explanation of the discrepancy in the numbers assigned to the name John; ``It should be observed that there is no John XX in the catalogue. This is due to the fact that, in the `Liber Pontificalis,' two dates are given in connection with the life of John XIV (983). This introduced confusion into some of the papal catalogues, and a separate pope was assigned to each of these dates. Thus three popes named John were made to appear between Benedict VII and Gregory V. The error led the pope of the 13th century who should have been called John XX to style himself John XXI (Duchesne, ``Lib. Pont.'' 2:17).

Pope Benedict IX ascended to the papacy three times and was deposed as an antipope twice. In spite of his vile life and having been deposed, he retired from the papacy as a legitimate pope and of him it is said that he died penitent.

The table below is derived by adding up each number of their names in a ``mountain'' fashion. Pope Paul for example adds 21 to the count by adding the numbers of all the popes named Paul; 1+2+3+4+5+6. Thus the mountain of a head consists of all the numbers of the valid popes of that name added up. The names of the seven heads are beside their respective number.

Table 2

1+3+21+78+91+105+136+231=666

Example: There were 12 popes named Pius: 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+ 8+9+10+11+12=78

The 7 heads are;

Head..Name........Number......Count
1 Pius XII...............(12)..................78
2 Leo XIII...............(13)..................91
3 Gregory XVI.......(16)...............136
4 Benedict XIV.....(14)...............105
5 John XXI ............(21)...............231
6 Paul VI..................(6).................21
7 John Paul II...........(2)...................3
Antipope...Benedict XVI................0
8Antichrist..New Name..(1)...........1
Total.............................................666

Anyone capable of performing math calculations, can confirm from this record, that the count is correct. These facts hold up against all scrutiny.

Revelation 13: 18 confirms that the number 666 is both the number of a man and the beast.

Revelation 17: 9, and 10 confirm that the eighth head that arises after the seven, is the beast, and is only one person, who is alive to the end and is destroyed by the second coming of Christ. He is the eighth, following in sequence after the first seven, but not included in the list of heads that are also called mountains. The eighth is not a mountain.

There is only one more space to fill to make the count complete. **There is the possibility of an interim antipope, preceding the Antichrist. The number of an antipope cannot count toward the total, because an antipope counts as a zero. Only a legitimate pontificate can contribute to the count of the number. **(This was written during the time of John Paul II, Benedict XVI has taken the role of the one who is the antipope.)

The events after the death of John Paul II also confirm the prophecy and this research as the correct interpretation. *Benedict XVI, because his name has been used by other popes, and is a name that has been declared ``fallen,'' constitutes an antipope. We have entered another interim waiting period of an undetermined length of time. He ``withholdeth, until'' he is ``taken out of the way'' (2Thessalonians 2: 6, 7) then the ``wicked'' one will be revealed.

7/24/05: This prophecy is shown to be correct, and a perfect match of the prophecy up to the time of John Paul. There is no reason to consider that with the papal election after John Paul II's death, that it does not also fulfill the prophecy. It indeed has fulfilled this prophecy. It has since shown that the antipope that I have always retained in this interpretation as a possibility, is indeed confirmed as outlined in the prophecy.

On Sun, 22 Mar 1998, I had sent this email; ``So far, in my study, I have figured that there will be a new pope shortly. This new pope will only reign for a short term. (unknown duration, but short). He will then be followed by the antichrist. Though the next pope would ultimately become an antipope due to his being deposed. The count will remain at 665, awaiting the antichrist pope, who will not adopt the papal names but use his own name. This results in adding the `1' to 665.''

7/24/05: The initial conclusion this research produced was that the next pope after John Paul II would be an antipope. In order to have an antipope, it was determined that it would be known at his election that he would become an antipope if the name that is chosen by the new pope elect was taken from the roster of 79 names of the popes that have already been used. Thus a new pope that chooses a papal name that had already been used, would automatically be an antipope, and the next new name would constitute the final ``1'' needed to complete the count to 666, and would be the antichrist.

So it was a simple outcome: a new name for the next pope would make him the antichrist, and a used name would make him an antipope.

I have since come to understand that the used papal name could not come from any name prior to the last seven papal names, because it would enter into the equation an eighth papal mountain that does not constitute a count of ``1'' but a count exceeding ``1'' and though he himself would become deposed, his introduction of another ``mountain'' is not permitted in the interpretation of this prophecy. It would change the number of the mountains, and it would permanently render the count in excess of 666. So the possible antipope must come from one of the last seven heads. Benedict is the fourth papal name since 1798, of which the prophecy declares as having already ``fallen.'' This declaration of being already fallen affirms the conclusion that Benedict XVI is an antipope. If Benedict is not declared an antipope, then his contribution to the continuing count will stand, for there is no other reason shown in the historic record for a legitimate pope's number to be nullified, other than if he becomes an antipope.

Many Catholic writers and theologians also have anticipated that the antichrist would become the last pope. A few ancient and contemporary Catholic writers have also predicted the rise of an antipope, who precedes the antichrist. Here are some notes from the web at ``betrayedcatholics.com''

``St. Cyril of Constantinople wrote: `Foretells the fall of the Church and papal throne.'

``St. Francis of Assisi wrote: `There will be an uncanonically elected pope, who will cause a great Schism...'

``Abbot Joachim wrote: `Towards the end of the world, Antichrist will overthrow the Pope and usurp his See.'

``Sister Ludmilla of Prague `After the world war...one will endeavor to prevent the Pope from exercising his sacred office....'

``Father Jerome Votin ``..The shepherd (Pope) will be smitten and the sheep scattered.'

``Father E. S. Berry describes the False Prophet as an antipope. All these quotes prove, contrary to popular belief, that the papal See could be overthrown temporarily. And, as the Catholic Encyclopedia (Vol. I) article written by Fr. Maas concludes: `...since Antichrist simulates Christ, and the Pope is an image of Christ, Antichrist must have some similarity to the Pope.'

``I am convinced that it is theologically necessary that Antichrist be a pope. I agree... Antichrist, the Man of Sin, Son of Perdition, to deserve these titles must hold a unique spiritual office, one in which the greatest possible doctrinal disciplinary and moral corruption can be accomplished. And to oppose Christ who is all Truth the essential procedure of Antichrist will not be one of force but of deception. This follows from St. Paul's prophecy of a great spiritual blindness in the time of Antichrist and the Great Apostasy... With due respect for possible non-Catholic claimants, I scoff at the notion that anyone other than a pope could be the Antichrist. p. 31. Strojie is not alone among Roman Catholic writers in his concerns about the modern papacy. Malachy Martin is also concerned although not as outspoken in his criticisms as Strojie. Martin speaks of a `new agenda' which the pope seems to be desirous of fulfilling which involves far more than the future of the Roman Catholic institution.

``Saint Malachy was a 12th century Irish monk, who, while on a visit to Rome had a vision of all the popes who would ever reign. Malachy `saw' -and committed to paper- a series of Latin phrases describing the popes to come. He catalogued each one with an epigrammatic verse, such as `the tears of the sun'. Malachy made the prophecy in 1139. Reportedly it was entrusted to Pope Innocent II in 1140. But for some reason it was ``lost'' in the Vatican for 400 years, only to be `discovered' in 1595 A.D. Malachy's predictions reputedly were made in 1139 while he was on a pilgrimage to the Vatican, where he was appointed papal legate for Ireland. On his last trek to the holy see in Rome, in 1148, Malachy accurately predicted the place and time of his own death: Clairvaux, France, on All Souls Day, November 2, of that same year.

``In his predictions for the pope to follow John Paul II he gives this motto: The Glory of the Olive.

``It is interesting that Jesus gave his apocalyptic prophecy about the end of time from the Mount of Olives. This Pope will reign during the beginning of the tribulation Jesus spoke of. The 111th prophesy is ``Gloria Olivae'' (The Glory of the Olive). The Order of Saint Benedict has claimed that this pope will come from their ranks. Saint Benedict himself prophesied that before the end of the world his Order, known also as the Olivetans, will triumphantly lead the Catholic Church in its fight against evil. Traditionally, the olive branch has been associated with peace, but in both the Old and New Testaments it also serves as an emblem for the Jews. Putting the two together, some commentators believe that the reign of this pope will be a peaceful one during which the prophesied conversion of the Jews will take place. Several ex-Jews are said to be highly placed in the Catholic Church now. And, it is noteworthy that the previous Benedict XV was a pope obsessed with peace. Some others say, he will lead all faithful followers of the Lord Jesus to martyrdom and others say that he will tear down the walls of the Vatican, auctioning off all the objects within, in order to feed and enlighten those in the Third World who have not yet heard the Gospel of Christ.'' (end of web notes.)

The popes that were predicted in Malachy's line-up does not guarantee their status as being legitimate popes. Malachy listed all the antipopes from his time as well. The motto itself has led many to speculate that his name would be Benedict. Benedict XVI has said that he chose his name in honor of the peace efforts of Benedict XV. It appears then, that the prophecy of Malachy has converged with the element of the prophecy from the Bible, in regard to the name of Benedict, who is one of the first five that are fallen, which thus makes him an antipope.

Chapter 2

The Alignment of Thirty Four Matching Elements of This Prophecy

There are 34 elements of the prophecy shown here that are aligned with 27 of these elements that are seen in history. First, to correctly understand these 34 elements, you must put aside any other interpretations that you think concerning them, as they 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 a head, or a mountain in one proposed interpretation, cannot be imposed upon a different interpretation. The definition of all 34 of these elements must remain with the explanation that is given here. The raw question is: Does the suggested historic evidence align with the words of the prophecy?

A Matching Alignment Confirms the Interpretation

When a prophecy is interpreted correctly, it will take all the elements of the prophecy and congeal them into one contiguous account. Where false interpretations are introduced, they fail to fit the whole account, often appearing to stand separate from the rest of the elements of the prophecy. When one portion of the truth is perceived, it is like striking a rich vein in a mine; it leads along a path to more truth.

By examining the template of prophecy that was written by John the Revelator, and comparing it to the recent historical record of the Catholic church, I see a clear and complete alignment. I ask that all who read this document to examine carefully all the evidence, study the book of Revelation, and watch and pray.

The papal record shows there to be seven heads from the demarcation point of 1798 as outlined in the prophecy, and the cumulative sum of the numbers of these seven heads, equals a total of 665 with John Paul II.

There are many elements within this prophecy and all these elements must follow a continuity within their fulfillment. They must fit accurately and be clearly evident. It aligns perfectly. I neither wrote the prophecy nor the history that it aligns with, but I can affirmatively write that they form the most detailed and precise alignment than any other prophecy that identifies the beast as the papacy.

The difference between this interpretation I present here, and other interpretations is this: I demonstrate a contiguous account that brings together all of the elements of this prophecy, and the contiguous historic record demonstrates that it matches all of the contiguous elements of this prophecy, like a strand of DNA; both history and prophecy form the same pattern. No other interpretation makes ANY connection at all. They are presented as singular elements that have a non-contiguous application. The number 666 is not shown by them to be related to the seven heads. They give the number 666 only one interpretation, and that interpretation is not associated with the other elements of the prophecy. But the interpretation I present, connects every element... together. It was from these first matching elements of the prophecy that were able to direct this research to the next set of matching elements.

Just as one half of a strand of DNA matches the other half, so also does this interpretation match that of the outline template of the prophecy. It was these elements of the prophecy that were able to direct this research to the next set of matching elements and it leaves no loose ends.

I am not asking anyone to discard their cherished belief, without providing it its place, a far more ``Perfect'' interpretation that is exceedingly better in every aspect, and has its roots in a Biblical interpretation only, and is not corrupted with false teachings. It is not predicated in any aspect on Catholic interpretation. The papal title interpretation, though it is directed at the papacy, is based on the conversion of letters into numbers as written in the Catholic Douay Rheims bible footnotes.

The correct interpretation demonstrates an alignment through all of the elements of this prophecy, whereas the belief most prominently held among Adventists, has only involved a few of the elements of this prophecy, and for those elements, it fails to draw any connections between them.

This research has revealed an exact match between the number 666, and the count of the popes' numbers. The mathematics of this prophecy require an exactness which is met precisely by the historic record. It also follows within the continuum of the straight line of truth and provides further knowledge along this continuum. The latter part of this prophecy is about to unfold before the whole world. As soon as the next papal *election takes place, it will be seen to fall exactly within the disclosed parameters of this prophecy. You should be able to understand now what this prophecy says and know what will soon take place. *(after John Paul II)

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. I can never accept any other interpretation, that does not display this high degree of accuracy and form this kind of alignment.

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.

The Elements of the 666 Prophecy From Scripture

---and---

Their Matching Elements of Historical Fulfillment

In this segment, Revelation 13: 18 and Revelation 17: 8 - 11 to which it is chiastically linked, are listed with each of their separate elements, and showing their historic counterpart that matches with a brief note.

Listed Elements:

1) wisdom
2) count
3) number of the beast
4) number of a man
5) the number 666
6) was
7) and ``is not''
8) and ``shall ascend out of the bottomless pit''
9) and ``go into perdition''
10) and ``yet is''
11) The ``seven heads''
12) seven mountains
13) woman sits
14) seven kings
15) five fallen; 1-5
16) one is; 6th
17) not yet come; 7th
18) short space
19) the eighth
20) of the seven
21) names of blasphemy
22) head wounded and healed

The Scripture references for these elements;

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.

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.

9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

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.

1) Wisdom

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 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. The number 666 calculated from Revelation 17: 9, 10, links back to Revelation 13: 18. ``He that hath understanding''... As the many elements between these passages are correctly identified in history, the source of the count and the factors that guide it are provided to give the understanding of the how the count is to be done. Rev 17: 9, provides the mathematical parameters for the counting of the 666 beast.

Of the many elements of prophecy that are found to be fulfilled in the historical record of the Catholic church, this one is an exception. Here, the mind which hath wisdom, depicts someone who deciphers the mathematical clues from all of the elements within this prophecy, demonstrating that it requires the alignment of all of its elements in the correct interpretation. It does not state as some translators have rendered it to mean that ``anyone who has wisdom'' can solve this. If this were the case, where are all these wise people? As often with puzzles, one person solves the puzzle, then it is shown to others.

A previous application of the riddle of the number 666, refers to another writer who had made a calculation. Andreas Helwig (1572-1643) was the one who deciphered the count of the letters Vicarius Filii Dei in the year 1612, and others that are merely making reference to his work, need no wisdom to copy his research. Yet this application by Helwig has been met with such grand *apologetics, that it is impossible to convince a Catholic that it is true. And, they are right because it is not true. But with this new interpretation, no one can refute that the historic record of the popes bear out this number. *(and matched likewise by the Seventh-day Adventist church in their lessons from June 8, 2002). Seventh-day Adventists have ever sought for evidence to support this theory, seeking for that infamous papal tiara with the Vicarious Filii Dei inscription written upon it. Has anyone asked; From where did Andreas Helwig get his information? Do we as Adventists need documents from 1915 to prove a theory that was devised in the year 1612?

2) Count the number

The number is the result of counting. It is NOT a symbolic number, but a number that is the result of counting lesser numbers. Neither are these numbers to be counted, the result of letters that are converted to numbers, but are numbers that are derived from the papacy itself as numbers that already exist on the beast.

3) Number of the beast

The count of the numbers of all the popes from the seven heads 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 tenure of the beast is considered in the count. No errors imposed by the popes' failure to make an accurate count are included. Where there were errors in the numbering of the popes, they are corrected to what the count would be if they had made no errors. Only a perfect count of perfect mountains could be considered for this prophecy to be accurate.

4) The number of a man

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, and in the same likeness of the first 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. *(I have always been careful to include the word `legitimate' as a qualifying factor, because of the possibility that he could be an illegitimate pontificate... an antipope).

5) And his number is Six hundred threescore and six

This number is derived from the beast, and is given in the verse. That same verse is chiastically linked to Rev 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 Rev 13: 18. The number 666 is the count given to the beast, and when this number is reached by the `eighth,' it identifies that man as the man of sin. Every element given in the prophecy can be seen is derived from the same source, thus linking all the elements together into one contiguous account.

6) The beast ``was''

The papacy in its power, 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.

During this time, the papal church executed its power and persecuted many and killed those whom it called heretics.

Revelation 13: 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. Napoleon took pope Pius VI captive in 1798, and declared that the papacy was dead.

7) And ``is not''

The papacy from 1798 A.D. to the end of the restrainer that follows John Paul, and who ``withholdeth'' the arrival of the antichrist until he is ``taken out of the way.''

After Napoleon captured Pope Pius VI in 1798, the beast is slain for its harm that it had done to the Two Witnesses. (Rev 11: 7) At that time, the beast received 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.''

The beast as it became ``is not'' was killed, and as it becomes ``yet is'' it will return again for one last war against God's people, His Two Witnesses, and then go into perdition.

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. As the papacy had put the Scriptures into seclusion, away from the people, so also was it placed into the seclusion of the bottomless pit in 1798. There it remains until it rises again, and with the aid of its ten Protestant horns, rise to power as the eight head.

The papacy was declared dead by Napoleon. Its rule over the earth was terminated.

8) And ``shall ascend out of the bottomless pit''

This is the papacy as it will be seen after Benedict XVI is deposed. The beast ascends from the bottomless pit and then it becomes the time of the ``yet is.'' This corresponds to the 8th head 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.

Rev 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.

9) And ``go into perdition''

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.

10) And ``yet is''

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 following John Paul II. With the arrival of Benedict XVI on April 19, 2005, his name being one of the first five that preceded Paul VI the sixth ``one is'' head, is identified as having already fallen. Though he appears in all respects to be legitimate, this prophecy identifies him as an antipope. By asserting this interpretation, it is a prediction of the outcome of Benedict XVI's pontificate, that when this comes to pass, you will know that the ``yet is'' has arrived. The antichrist will then be the next ``legitimate'' pontificate, and he will take the papacy back from the antipope Benedict XVI.

11) The ``seven heads''

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 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 dominion were temporarily ended, the papal beast was declared ``dead'' by Napoleon. Thus the prophecy in Revelation 17 speaks of the beast that `is not,'' when the first head was wounded, and ends with the eight that comes after these seven are finished. Beginning with Pope Pius VII after the death of Pope Pius VI in prison, we have now all seven heads presented.

12) Are ``seven mountains''

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. A new head is formed from a new papal name, and it becomes a mountain when that name is used again.

13) On which the ``woman sits''

The woman sits upon seven mountains, representing the whole time of the beast. The beast arose in 140 A.D. and received its seat and power from the dragon in 538 A.D.. "Although Catholic tradition, regards St. Peter as the first Bishop of Rome and therefore as the first pope, there is no evidence that Peter was involved in the initial establishment of the Christian community in Rome..or that he served as Rome's first bishop. Not until the pontificate of St. Pius I in the middle of the second century (140-155) did the Roman church have one bishop as pastoral leader..." (Richard McBrien "Lives of the Popes" p. 25)

14) And are ``seven kings''

Pius, Leo, Gregory, Benedict, John, Paul, and John Paul. In the Greek, this is written; ``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.

15) ``Five are fallen''

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. This recognizes the equal status of the seven kings as being the seven heads which are also seven mountains. It is only the last pope of each mountain that bears the same name that becomes fallen when each mountain count had reached its maximum. This fact stood ready to announce that Benedict XVI would become an antipope from the moment that he chose that name.

16) And ``one is'' the sixth

Pope Paul VI 1963-1978. 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 were fallen before this, and the seventh had not yet come.

This particular passage has been used by Preterists to pinpoint the sixth head to be the head ruling in power at the time the prophecy was written by John. This is also used by Historians who believe that the 7 heads are 7 kingdoms. There is no evidence that the emperors of Rome, have any place in the remaining end-time elements of this prophecy, and they do not fit. There are not only seven emperors, but eleven. The fifth emperor of Rome was Nero and the eighth was not the antichrist, and there remains yet an unexplained period of more than 1,800 years between the last emperor and the end. No explanation is given to explain this long delay.

The structure of this phrase does present a better explanation. John was taken in vision to the future. It is from the perspective of the sixth head that he is shown, that the whole of the seven heads are perceived. It places a demarcation point at the sixth, and before the seventh, that requires the seventh to appear only after the sixth. This requirement is met by John Paul, whose name was not present before Paul. While the five that have fallen, have arisen with a Pius on five occasions, interspersed between the second, third, and fourth heads, and Leo occurs twice. But after the fifth, this jostling of heads has stopped, and continues in a straight progression. This progression through history since John XXIII, aligns with the seventh head being ``not yet come.'' Each mountain that occurred before the sixth had been declared fallen, at the same time. They each had all achieved their maximum in their individual contribution towards the total of 666.

Rev 21: 9 And 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. Rev 21: 10 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,

The same language used in Rev 17: 1 and 3 is also seen in Rev 21: 9 and 10; ``one of the seven angels which had the seven vials'' ``saying, Come hither,'' ``And he carried me away in the spirit.'' John did not see the holy city descend upon the Isle of Patmos where he was, but in the context we see, we associate it to be in the future after the millennium. The angel bidding John with his words; ``Come hither,'' excludes it from being relevant to John's day.

17) The ``not yet come''

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 predecessors, and fashioned his name after theirs. This directly fulfills the element; ``not yet come,'' with reference to the sixth head.

18) He must continue a ``short space''

John Paul 1978-2005; 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 was 26 years, and in comparison to the other six heads, it is 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.

Since John Paul is the seventh head, and seventh mountain, and the count has been taken to the last number possible (exactly 665, no more, and no less), before reaching the total of 666, it coerces the conclusion that the next legitimate pontificate must introduce a new name, and add only one to the count. This concurs that there is mathematically only one more space to fill to make the count complete.

19) ``The eighth''

The eighth is numbered in the sequence after the seven. This eighth is the ``yet is'' of Rev 17: 8. (See below on Rev 17: 8 and 11).

20) And is ``of the seven''

The eighth head follows after the seven and is set apart from them, he is not included in the listing of the seven that are also called mountains. Because he is the antichrist, he comes in his own name. This ``one'' completes the final appearance of the beast, and precisely finishes the count from 665 to 666. The Catholic church will turn the keys of their kingdom over to this eighth head antichrist, thinking that he is indeed the ``Christ.'' He will appear to fulfill their expectations of the coming of Christ.

21) Full of Names of Blasphemy on His Seven Heads

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.

By falsely attributing the power to forgive sins to the popes and the priests, the papal church fits this identifying element. Any method by which man has employed to displace the true Gospel is false. God made the provision for the dispensing of man's sins, fully and completely, and to displace this with any other system, constitutes blasphemy. Thus the popes' claim to absolve a sinner of his sins is blasphemy. By first insisting that no one can have their sins forgiven except through the church, they then lay claim that no one can have salvation outside of their church.

The seven heads all have the name of blasphemy upon them. This element is given just before it is said that this beast has seven heads. Here, in chapter 17, 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. If these heads were kingdoms such as Babylon, Medo-Persia, or Grecia, then explaining the presence of blasphemy would require a more convoluted definition of blasphemy, as they would not demonstrate blasphemy in the same way as the papacy does. It would not be defined as blasphemous for Babylon to forgive the sins of its people. They would only forgive the sins that might have been committed against its own laws, for it could care less about the sins committed against God's laws.

22) The Wounding and Healing of One of the Heads of the Beast

Rev 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.

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, 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 in 1929, thus the wounded Pius head was healed.

``The influence of Rome in the countries that once acknowledged her dominion is still far from being destroyed. And prophecy foretells a restoration of her power. `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 3. The infliction of the deadly wound points to the downfall of the papacy in 1798. After this, says the prophet, `his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.' Paul states plainly that the `man of sin' will continue until the second advent. 2Thessalonians 2: 3 - 8. To the very close of time he will carry forward the work of deception. And the revelator declares, also referring to the papacy: `All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life.' Revelation 13: 8. In both the Old and the New World, the papacy will receive homage in the honor paid to the Sunday institution, that rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church.'' (The Great Controversy 578.3)

Here is another parallel between the dragon and the beast; The dragon, while Rome was its head, received a head wound. Later, the beast would suffer a wound to one of its heads in 1798. History and prophecy show that two heads have suffered a wound; one of the heads of the dragon, and one of the heads of the beast. The head wound of the dragon occurred after the cross of Christ before the transfer of power to the beast began, and the head wound of the beast occurred in 1798 A.D.

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.

Rev 13: 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

Napoleon, upon hearing of the new pope dispatched another order to take pope Pius VII captive, and he too was held in prison, to remind the world that the papacy is ``dead.'' He was released only after the death of Napoleon.

This element also indicates the nature of the identity of the beast's heads. It says that one of its heads was wounded. One of these heads of the beast was wounded with a deadly wound and did live. That head being Pius, indicates that the beast's heads are also popes.

From 538 A.D. to 1798 A.D., the beast ``was'' and in 1798 A.D. it became the ``is not'' and it will soon become the ``yet is'' when the eighth head arrives.

In a Wider Context

By enlarging the passage of Scripture to include the elements from both chapters 13 and17, this alignment of the seven heads is shown to also align within the larger context of the prophecy. Out of this list of 34 elements, 12 are not included in the 22 listed above, making a total of 34 matching elements. This brings the alignment to 26 elements which the papal church matches already and 7 elements that are yet future.

More Elements

23) The Whore.
24) That sitteth upon many waters.
25) The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her.
26) The inhabitants are made drunk with her wine.
27) Into the wilderness.
28) Sitting on a scarlet colored beast.
29) Arrayed in purple and scarlet.
30) Decked in gold and pearls.
31) Drunk with the blood of martyrs and saints.
32) The ten horns that reign one hour with the beast.
33) The many waters.
34) The ten horns turn on the whore to destroy her.

23) The Whore.

The largest church in the world is described here; Catholicism. It is called the whore because of its false doctrines that it has incorporated into its system and because of the nature of this church, it tenaciously clings to these false doctrines lest it should admit that their popes were in error. The Reformation reflects this. The whore woman represents the people within the papal system, and in the broader sense, includes fallen apostate Protestantism which are her harlot daughters, from out of which those of God's people must come. They are the primary 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. God is gleaning every precious soul of His that are still amidst their assemblies in the final call: ``Come out of her My people.''

24) That sitteth upon many waters.

During the 1260 year reign of the Catholic church, it had proselytized most of the inhabited world. No other church could boast of this.

25) The kings of the earth have committed fornication with her.

Many kings were anathematized by the popes until they repented before them, for refusing to accept their decrees. It was easier to follow the papal church than to resist her. Through the centuries of papal dominion over the kings of the earth, these kings have lent their power to the will of the papacy.

26) The inhabitants are made drunk with her wine.

The Catholic church had embarked on its own Douay Rheims Bible and have added to this, their own tradition which they have regarded above that of the Word of God. Their Bible was derived from the minor Egyptian Codices which were corrupted by the writers who did not believe in the truths of the Word of God. New doctrines have been created by the popes and their tradition has been elevated to a status higher than that of the Bible. Many of the false Catholic doctrines that are derived from the Apocrypha, which contradicts the established Word. Ultimately, the papal church has accumulated a long list of doctrines that are contrary to the teachings of the Holy Word of God.

27) Into the wilderness.

The true people of God were hiding from papal oppression during their 1,260 years of ruling over the kings of the earth. But since France had taken Pope Pius VI prisoner in 1798, she lost her power and had been driven into the wilderness. There she has remained until the rising of the eighth head, which is to come after Benedict XVI.

``Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.'' And, says the prophet, ``I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death.'' And again: ``He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.'' The forty and two months are the same as the ``time and times and the dividing of time,'' three years and a half, or 1260 days, of Daniel 7-- the time during which the papal power was to oppress God's people. This period, ...began with the supremacy of the papacy, A.D. 538, and terminated in 1798. At that time the pope was made captive by the French army, the papal power received its deadly wound, and the prediction was fulfilled, ``He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.'' (The Great Controversy 439.2)

28) Sitting on a scarlet colored beast

The papacy is the beast whom this whore woman sits upon, and this beast has received its power and seat from the red dragon beast spoken of in Rev 13: 2. The additional elements of the whore woman riding the beast are added and contribute more details to the papacy, with actions showing its perspective from post 1798, and adds harlot daughters which expands it to include apostate Protestantism.

29) Arrayed in purple and scarlet.

The common attire of the Roman Catholic priests is that of the colors purple and scarlet. Their tradition has persisted in spite of this identifying feature.

30) Decked in gold and pearls.

The many cathedrals of the Catholic church are heavily decorated with a costly array of precious stones and gold.

31) Drunk with the blood of martyrs and saints.

Choosing to honor many of its adherents as saints, and declaring all opponents of Catholicism to be heretics, many of the Protestant reformers were persecuted and put to death.

32) The ten horns that reign one hour with the beast.

The Bible states that the ten horns have not received their kingdom yet, but at the last hour, they will rule with the beast and lend their power to its wishes. Benedict XVI has followed John Paul II in the attempt to unify the many Protestant churches back into the mother church. It's from among these that the ten horns form. Let the prophecy speak for itself when that time comes.

33) The many waters.

The Bible does well to define the waters in Revelation 17: 15. The waters which thou sawest... are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. It portrays the worldwide scope of the influence of the papal beast. The Three Angels' Messages are also to go to every nation, kindred, tongue and people, in a final loud cry, when the eighth arrives. The words of warning to the world are the words of these three angels.

34) The ten horns turn on the whore to destroy her.

After the ten horns have lent their power to this beast, and have come to realize that they were deceived, they then turn upon her to destroy her. This event will be fulfilled at the time appointed.

In my final analysis of all of the elements from this prophecy, the papal record accurately matches them all.

No other interpretation has been able to demonstrate anything near this depth or degree of accuracy. Every prophetic element is seen to match the record with the same simplicity and accuracy as the previous sets before it.

Chapter 3

Rules of Interpretation of Prophecy

There are basic rules of prophetic interpretation that cannot be violated, and every interpretation must meet these basic rules if it is correct.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, or making a list of new rules, I considered that there are some basic rules already in use. After searching the internet for the best sites that gave credible information regarding rules of interpretation, I found about seven suitable sites and extracted from these, rules and other guidelines that are credible. This is by no means an authoritative list, nor comprehensive. Here they are;

1) Applied to Bible study, rules are nothing more than a means of disciplining the mind by which we allow the Bible to mean what it must mean, not what ``we'' want it to mean. A passage has a certain meaning, and we need to study it to understand what it is trying to say.

2) A verse can only mean what it means in its context and must not be pulled out of its context. When it is pulled out of context, it is often presented as meaning something that it cannot mean within the context.

3) Many times another passage will shed light on the obscure passage and bring forth a sudden revelation of understanding. We know more than one instance in which this had happened. However, one word of caution is in order at this point. Such a practice can be overdone by ``forcing'' comparisons that are not relative. (similar to rule #2)

4) The Ultimate Test: Of course, no prophetic expositor can prove his or her predictions about the future. It is impossible to prove the accuracy of a conclusion before it happens. The most direct method to test a prediction for accuracy, is to record the prediction before the event comes to pass. Then, when the predicted event occurs, ordinary people can judge the accuracy of the prediction. This simple procedure allows an impartial jury of observers to decide which predictions and interpretations are accurate by simply noting the presence or absence of events which have been predicted.

5) The book of Daniel was written about 26 centuries ago, but unlike the other 65 books in the Bible, some of the prophecies in the book of Daniel were sealed up ``until the time of the end.'' The angel, Gabriel, said to Daniel, ``. . . Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.'' (Daniel 12: 9) What does ``closed up and sealed until the time of the end'' mean? It means that certain information in the book of Daniel remains ``top secret'' until the time of the end arrives. My study of Bible prophecy has brought me to the conclusion that we are living chronologically ``at the time of the end.'' If this conclusion is true, the time has come for the secrets of Daniel to be unveiled.

(I have had these same thoughts; That if we are at the time of the end, as near as many say we are, then these elements contained in the prophecies, must be able to show that there are corresponding fulfillments already within our recent history.)

God embedded secrets in the book of Daniel a long time ago. These secrets have remained hidden within the text of Daniel for almost 26 centuries. Now that we have come to the time of the end, it is time for the secrets of Daniel to be opened. No one can know the truth about some of Daniel's prophecies until all of the necessary information is unsealed. The book of Daniel was sealed up until the time of the end; therefore, only those people who live at the time of the end can know all the truth about Daniel's prophecies.

6) When God decides to disclose a truth or open to us its understanding, He enables ordinary men and women to discover what He has hidden. Through the ages we find this process at work: On or about the time of fulfillment, elements of prophecy are understood. For example, when it came time to understand the timing of Christ's birth, the wise men from the East figured it out. (Matthew 2: 2) The apostle Paul also noticed this phenomenon. Consider his words: ``Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, (as I have already written briefly.) In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.'' (Ephesians 3: 2 - 6) In Daniel 3, we read about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego facing a mandatory requirement to worship a golden image set up by the king of Babylon. In Revelation 13: 15 we read about the inhabitants of the world facing a mandatory requirement to worship an image set up by the king of modern Babylon. These dramatic stories of faith were recorded in Daniel to benefit all generations, but especially for the final generation!

7) Often, two or more prophecies describe the same event. Because of this, precise alignment of the prophecies is not only possible, but essential to understanding the big picture. Together they are the events that unite the 18 prophecies in Daniel and Revelation into one grand story. God has revealed things to come, by visions, in figures and parables; and in this way the same things are oftentimes revealed again and again, by different visions, or in different figures and parables. If you wish to understand them, you must combine them all in one. Psalm 89: 19; Hosea 12: 10; Habakkuk 2: 2; Acts 2: 17; 1 Corinthians 10: 6; Hebrews 9: 9, 24; Psalm 78: 2; Matthew 13: 13, 34; Genesis 41: 1 - 32; Daniel 2, 7, 8; Acts 10: 9 - 16

8) This statement is critical: Rules are not invented; rather, man may only discover the presence or operation of rules by repeatedly testing the architecture which God created. We detect the presence of a rule when we recognize a consistent behavior or architecture. After finding the presence of a rule, it becomes necessary to carefully state the rule so that the behavior can be independently validated by others. When you see an unfamiliar rule that appears to be invented just to support a particular interpretation, or it is applied to one use only, it is not a legitimate rule.

Beware also of the ``wisdom'' of men who make up their own rules of interpretation, and tell you that all the heads and horns of the beast and the dragon in Revelation 12, 13, and 17 are all the same. The Bible does give its own direction to its study, and is simple enough for children to understand; 2Timothy 3: 15 And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

9) The historic record must accurately match the prophecy. If it appears that a compensatory explanation is needed to explain the apparent discrepancy in sequence or appearance, then it is not the correct historic fulfillment of that prophecy. To know whether we have the true historical event for the fulfillment of prophecy: if you find every word of the prophecy (after the figures are understood) is literally fulfilled, then you may know that your history is the true event; but if one word lacks a fulfillment, then you must look for another event, or wait its future development; for God takes care that history and prophecy shall agree, so that the true believing children of God may never be ashamed. Psalm 21: 5; Isaiah 14: 17 - 19; 1 Peter 2: 6; Revelation 17: 17; Acts 3: 18

10) And in applying such rules, and after arriving at an understanding... ``The most important rule of all is, that you must have faith. It must be a faith that requires a sacrifice, and, if tried, would give up the dearest object on earth, the world and all its desires - - character, living, occupation, friends, home, comforts, and worldly honors. If any of these should hinder our believing any part of God's word, it would show our faith to be vain. Nor can we ever believe so long as one of these motives lies lurking in our hearts. We must believe that God will never forfeit his word; and we can have confidence that He who takes notice of the sparrow's fall, and numbers the hairs of our head, will guard the translation of His own Word, and throw a barrier around it, and prevent those who sincerely trust in God, and put implicit confidence in His Word, from erring far from the truth, though they may not understand Hebrew or Greek.

11) The respective parts of a beast in a prophecy pertain directly to the beast that they are shown to be on. The most violated rule in many interpretations, is the relationship of the heads to the beast that they are on; To say that the papal beast has seven heads, and show them to be kingdoms that rose and fell before the papal beast had even begun, places them outside of the time of the beast shown. In all examples shown in the prophecies of Daniel, the heads of the beast shown, are the leaders of the kingdoms that the beast symbol represents.

In applying rule number 9 to the historic record, let it be understood that the numbers that the popes have used on their names, have not always been correct, and the actual count of the beast is done by the count of the popes as they occurred naturally; There were 21 legitimate popes named John, and though the record lists John XXIII (23), from 1958, he is the 21st John by natural count. While the actual numbers used on the names of the popes had given rise to the original question that I had sought to answer, it is only the natural numbers that are used in the true count of the number. Five of the seven mountains are numbered correctly. The historic record of these errors is listed here with the error that it contains and the correct number in {brackets}.

John XVII 1003 {XVI, 16}
John XVIII 1003-09 {XVII, 17}
John XIX 1024-33 {XVIII, 18}
John XXI 1276-77 {XIX, 19}
John XXII 1316-34 {XX, 20}
John XXIII 1958-63 {XXI, 21}

Benedict XI 1303-04 {X, 10}
Benedict XII 1334-42 {XI, 11}
Benedict XIII 1724-30 {XII, 12}
Benedict XIV 1740-58 {XIII, 13}
Benedict XV 1914-22 {XIV, 14}

The historic record reflects the absence of a Benedict X, and John XVI and John XX.

I encountered this ordinal rule that an antipope has no count, as the number that the antipope had used, is taken by the next legitimate pope who takes that same name. Thus the count continues unchanged as if there were never any antipopes. This is demonstrated in several papal lines where antipopes have been present.

Chapter 4

The ``Perfect'' Truth

The members of the Seventh-day Adventist church, many of them, outspoken and vocal, believe that the alleged papal title; Vicarius Filii Dei, is the interpretation that is intended in the prophecy giving us the number 666. Many also falsely believe that this interpretation is within the established truths and are foundational pillars of the SDA church. The Vicaruis Filii Dei calculation was produced by Andreas Helwig, in 1612.

The origins of this belief is not known by most SDAs and because SDAs are among the foremost in promulgating this, it is believed among most non-SDAs that this papal title interpretation originated from the SDA church.

They are not aware that the whole process, involving the conversion of letters into numbers, is not indicated in the prophecy, but is based upon the footnotes of the Douay Rheims bible which reads; ``Six hundred sixty-six... The numeral letters of his name shall make up this number.'' This error sets up for a whole line of errors.

The Douay Rheims bible also gives footnotes for Revelation 13: 1; ``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.''

The Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church, has responded to an inquiry of their views and it is openly evident that it is predicated on the Catholic interpretation.

The BRI states: At John's time five were fallen, namely Egypt, which is mentioned in Revelation, Assyria, ancient Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. One is, which is Rome. John experiences the Roman empire. One has not yet come, which is the Papacy. The ten horn exists at the same time as the last head lives. From John's perspective this was still future. All of this belong to the period ``the beast was'' which brings us to the end time. The period ``the beast is not'' refers to the Millennium. In Revelation 20 Satan's fate during the Thousand years is described, and during this time he is in the abyss. The period ``it will be'' will take place after the Millennium, this is the eighth head. Satan will be freed from the abyss but will go to destruction.

Notice that there is only one small difference between the BRI and the Catholic view. The BRI has inserted the ``papacy'' as one of the beast's heads. It is obvious that the BRI has fallen for the Catholic's ``Preterist'' interpretation, mingling ``Historicism'' with ``Preterism.'' (Why do our ``leading'' brethren ``espouse'' Catholic teaching?)

As I examined the ancient-kingdoms-as-heads theory, I saw that the elements of the prophecy did not match. This observation was also noted by George McCready Price when he wrote in 1967:

"For many centuries the Catholic Church has had her own interpretation of this chapter, as will be found in her notes in her Douay Bible. Her theologians, followed closely by the Modernistic critics, have always assumed that the time viewpoint from which the angel’s explanation was given to John was the time of the Roman emperors. Accordingly they have always thought they had to bring in Egypt and Assyria to lead off the list of Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, in order to have five "kings," or empires, which at that time had "fallen," as stated in verse 10. Pagan, or imperial, Rome was then reigning, and would be No. 6 of the series. Of course the next one, No. 7, which at that time had not yet come, would be the horrible antichrist. This was also the teaching of the early church fathers.

``A number of years ago, before the paradoxical language of this chapter was well understood, even some Adventist writers were deceived by this part of the wine of Babylon. They adopted this Catholic interpretation of this most vital of all the prophecies, probably because they thought they had a clear case for making No. 7 of this series a symbol of the great antichrist. They overlooked the fact that Egypt and Assyria are never once referred to in any of the serial prophecies of Daniel. They also forgot the well known historical fact that the Babylon of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel is often called the Neo-Babylonian empire, or the second Babylonian empire; because the first career of Babylon antedated both Egypt and Assyria, going back to the time of Nimrod, soon after the Flood.

``As we shall see in later chapters, the religious factor is vastly more important to the conflict of the ages than is the political, and it is always more the concern of Bible prophecy. This was the case in ancient times. Neither Egypt nor Assyria, though cruel and oppressive, ever exerted anything like the bewitching, seductive, and deceptive influence which, during all the centuries from Nimrod to Belshazzar and long after, the cults and priesthoods centered in "holy" Babylon exercised over the surrounding nations. A. H. Sayce tells us that from the days of Hammurabi’s empire onward Babylon "continued to be the capital of Babylonia and the holy city of Western Asia.."—Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh ed., Vol. III, p. 98. In fact, both Egypt and Assyria were relatively insignificant in their religious and cultural influence on the rest of the world.

``The advocates of Egypt and Assyria disregarded the plain statement of the prophecy that No. 7 of the series would have only a very brief career—"and when he cometh, he must continue a short space" (verse 10), or "must remain only a little while" (R.S.V. ), or "his stay must be brief" (Goodspeed). But everybody knows that the Catholic Church has lasted almost as long as all the others put together.

``These are serious objections and indicate that this cannot be the correct interpretation. The true view will not involve any denial of facts. We need a sensible, self-consistent interpretation of this chapter, so that we can give intelligently the last gospel message, "Come out of her, my people." Revelation 18:4.'' George McCready Price, The Time of the End, chapter 3.

The Clear Word bible that many use today has also espoused this view because it includes the interpreted note ``within'' the text itself.

These specific corruptions of the Sacred Scriptures, are deceptions that are directly targeting the prophecies that apply to the very last days, and many are being deceived, ...EVEN THE ELECT!!

Examine the research I have produced here. It complements what SDAs have already known, and knits together all the parts of the prophecy. As for the removing the landmarks, I know that Ellen White spoke against those who accuse others of removing the old landmarks, when it was clear that they had no idea what the old landmarks were. Then she went on to identify the landmarks which she referred to. No, this 666 count interpretation does not remove the old landmarks.

The Landmarks Defined

``In Minneapolis God gave precious gems of truth to His people in new settings. This light from heaven by some was rejected with all the stubbornness the Jews manifested in rejecting Christ, and there was much talk about standing by the old landmarks. But there was evidence they knew not what the old landmarks were. There was evidence and there was reasoning from the word that commended itself to the conscience; but the minds of men were fixed, sealed against the entrance of light, because they had decided it was a dangerous error removing the ``old landmarks'' when it was not moving a peg of the old landmarks, but they had perverted ideas of what constituted the old landmarks.

``The passing of the time in 1844 was a period of great events, opening to our astonished eyes the cleansing of the sanctuary transpiring in heaven, and having decided relation to God's people upon the earth, also the first and second angels' messages and the third, unfurling the banner on which was inscribed, ``The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.'' One of the landmarks under this message was the temple of God, seen by His truth-loving people in heaven, and the ark containing the law of God. The light of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment flashed its strong rays in the pathway of the transgressors of God's law. The nonimmortality of the wicked is an old landmark. I can call to mind nothing more that can come under the head of the old landmarks. All this cry about changing the old landmarks is all imaginary.'' Counsels to Writers and Editors p. 30.

History has already repeated itself here, because today's Adventist has fallen for the papal title interpretation as being an historic landmark of the SDA faith. It is not.

She made reference to William Miller's dream, in which the man with the dirt brush would come in and sweep away all the rubbish that has been brought in that has occluded the gems of truth that we have been given. The papal title interpretation that derives the count of 666 from the words ``Vicarius Filii Dei'' is not an old landmark that many seem to believe, but is rubbish that needs to be swept out of the Seventh-day Adventist church, starting with the outspoken public evangelists, and all the way to the laity. The Seventh-day Adventist church will never experience the unity that President Jan Paulsen has called for, until this and all such rubbish is swept out of the church.

The Identification of a Beast's Head from Prophecy

The example given in the prophecy in Daniel 7, of the leopard beast, shows that it has four heads. Alexander the Great ushered in the Grecian empire. His rapid conquest is shown by a fast beast with four wings.

When Alexander died, his kingdom was divided among his four generals; Cassandra, Lysemachus, Ptolemy and Seleucid. Ultimately Grecia was divided into four notable parts. These four heads of the Grecian beast are also Grecian. The Babylonian head was the king of Babylon. Thus it sets forth a very clear principle of interpretation that the heads of a beast, are of a like nature to the beast which they are on. And so are the three other beasts; their heads are the leaders of the kingdom of the beast that they are on. It is a straight conclusion that if the seven heads are the heads ``of the beast,'' then they are the heads ``of the papacy,'' then the seven heads must also be papal. By correctly identifying the dragon's seven heads, it is easier to understand the identity of the beast's seven heads. Since the seven headed beast in Revelation 13 is equated to the little horn, then the heads of the dragon cannot be the same as the heads of the beast. In all prophetic examples given that employ the symbols of the beasts and their heads, the known interpretation of their heads have shown that the heads are the leaders, kings, rulers, of the kingdoms represented by the beast they are on.

The beast has seven heads, and therefore if the papacy is to be the identity of this beast, the papacy then must show seven heads. I think that it is the most straightforward interpretation of this symbol; that the popes are the heads of the papal Church, and from among these compose the seven heads of the beast.

The seven heads cannot be the ancient kingdoms that many seem to believe. All but one of these ancient kingdoms have come to their demise long before the ``beast'' ever arose from the sea. How, I ask, can these ancient kingdoms be the heads of the papal beast? No one has answered that question. To make these ancient kingdoms of the beast, requires that the identity of this beast to be changed into being a representative of Satan, and to ``remove'' it from its ``papal'' identity. The primary source where this ``ancient kingdoms as heads'' theory is found, comes straight out of the footnotes on Re