The Apostle John received a vision of end time events, brought by an angel, sent by Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:1) At the end of the first century, the Roman Empire was at its zenith, ruling over an estimated 50 to 90 million inhabitants, or roughly 20 % of the world’s population.
Unlike John, most of us have lived in countries with few restrictions. The freedoms afforded the individual during our lifetimes are unique in man’s history. John couldn’t have envisioned an era of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly. These concepts were foreign in the ancient world, to the extent that we enjoy them today.
Our focus in this issue is the apocalyptic vision of Chapter 13 of the Book of Revelation. It is a fascinating, yet horrific look at the future. The Pandemic crisis of the last year should have been a wake-up call for many citizens in the Democracies of the world, who have generally enjoyed more individual freedoms than at any time in man’s history. During the last year, the State has exercised more control over individual rights by ordering mostly health people to stay at home. Businesses have been shuttered, and many of them will fail. Have the federal, state and local governments overstepped the bounds of their authority while trying to limit the spread of Coronavirus? While the case can be argued that public health is a crucial responsibility of government, have too many individual rights been superseded? We may be having this debate for years. The current restriction on individual rights will be child’s play compared to the role of authoritarian governments of the future.
The final Superpower foretold in Revelation 13 will be the most dominant and powerful authoritarian dictatorship in man’s history. In this age, it hard to fathom the possibility of that kind of power. The Bible indicates it will arise from the heart of Europe!
Chapter 13 of the Book of Revelation begins with the staging of John standing on the seashore, seeing the fearsome image of a “beast,” rising from the water. What is the meaning of this “beast?” A fundamental rule of Bible Study is the Bible explains its own symbols, so we look elsewhere in the Bible to explain this “beast.”
Daniel received a similar vision.
Daniel saw 4 beasts (Daniel 7:3) also rising from the Great Sea.” (v.2) The fourth beast of Daniel 7 (v. 7) has the same description as the one John saw – with ten horns! Daniel was shaken – alarmed at the vision and didn’t understand what the beasts were. An angel explained that the beasts were kingdoms. (v.17, 23) and the horns were kings (v.24).
The similarities between Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 are startling. Along with the major ten horns, or Kingdoms (Daniel 7:7/Revelation 13:11) there is a “little horn” (Daniel 7:8) and “another beast” (Revelation 13:11). They are one and the same. Daniel says this horn will speak “pompous words.” Other translations show that the words are spoken “proudly,” “boastfully,” or “arrogantly.” Daniel was told the little horn makes war against and persecutes the saints (v. 21, 25). Paul called this individual the “man of sin,” “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) Apparently, his blasphemy, boasting and arrogance is the claim that he is God!
This “little horn” or beast is also representative of a government, or head of state. His power and authority are seemingly unlimited because he has “all the authority” of the first beast (Revelation 13:12), and causes the inhabitants of the earth to marvel and worship this government. Additionally, he will exercise supernatural power – calling down fire from heaven. Who is this “beast,” or “little horn?” He is the leader of a Church! He looks like a lamb but speaks like the devil! (Revelation 13:11-12) He will deceive those who dwell on the earth to worship a government that is a combination of 10 Kingdoms. These separate Kingdoms will have one supreme leader — who will unify and consolidate their power, giving it to one main leader — “the beast.” (Revelation 17:12-13)
The visions given to Daniel and John are consistent. The Book of Daniel conveys the historical aspect of world ruling Kingdoms, documenting the rise of 4 successive Kingdoms – Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome, represented by a Lion, Bear, Leopard and Beast with 10 horns, respectively.
Jesus Christ said the time just before His second coming would be filled with religious deception (Matthew 24:5,11) with many claiming to be the Christ. Several issues ago we mentioned that the time of Christ’s coming would be preceded by the condition of denial of Jesus’ coming. “Scoffers” will ask “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:3-4)
If the “man of sin” (2 Thessalonians 2:4) is sitting in the temple of God, fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus regarding the “abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15) by proclaiming himself to be God – and is performing miracles and deceiving the entire world – it may explain why there will be worldwide disdain and disbelief in Jesus return! The world will be deceived – many will think the “man of sin” is God and already here!
The “man of sin” is identified in Revelation as the “false prophet.” He has a partner, called “the beast.” “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.” (Revelation 19:20)
Where will these individuals come from? Does the Bible and secular history give us a guide or precedent for these individuals who will be a major focal point of the future? The last of 4 Beasts in Daniel’s vision has 7 heads and 10 horns and is represented by the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire fell in 476 AD. John describes the fall of Rome as “deadly wound.” (Revelation 13:3) This “wound” was healed when Justinian claimed the restoration of the Roman Empire – this time with the recognition of the Papacy of the Roman Church. Thus, the beginning of the “Holy Roman Empire,” with the Church adopting the general governance structure of the Roman Empire.
From Justinian, the “Holy Roman Empire” continued through Charlemagne, Otto the Great, Charles the Great and Napoleon, with all of them aligned in a Church/State confederation. That is 5 of 7 remaining Horns, with some controversy regarding the exact identity of the 6th. All are European, and that is where the next, and final Horn of the Holy Roman Empire will emerge! Ten powerful nations which will rule the earth — yet to come.
As of this writing, the two greatest Super Powers of the world are the United States and China, as measured by economic, military and political strength. But how long can America hang onto the great power and strength it has wielded on the world stage for the last 100 years?
The 2 greatest Empires to rule the world for the past 300 years were the British Empire and then the United States of America, neither which sought world domination. Their ascendancy to prominence almost seems accidental, but neither sought power. Both were the champions of freedom of the press and freedom of speech, and not so coincidentally spread the Word of God — the Holy Bible through the world. Wherever the Bible has had influence and acceptance, citizens have recognized and embraced freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
China, not mentioned in Bible Prophecy, except for oblique reference, is now poised to replace the United States as the dominant nation of the world. And they may indeed be a prominent competitor to the final resurrection of the “Holy Roman Empire” in the future.
There will be a future rise to this “Beast” power, with a powerful connection — the most powerful in history — with a False Church government.
WN&PR