“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come” ~2 Timothy 3:1
"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. And 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 13:1 & 2
To understand who the beast is in Revelation 13, we must learn some of the symbolism in the prophetic books of the Bible. This is the key to grasping the relevance of what is happening right now on planet earth!
We’re going to start with a few definitions to help understand some of these obscure symbolic images. These explanations will help us know what the prophecies are saying about the very near future.
Decoding Bible Prophecy Terms:
~ a woman|the woman = a church, a religious power ~ a virgin|virgin woman = faithful church(faithful to the word of God) ~ great harlot|mother of harlots = apostate church/unfaithful to the Bible ~ woman on the beast = mother church of Rome/the Catholic church ~ a beast|beast power = a world power/kingdom ~ scarlet beast = papal kingdom controlled by Satan ~ ten horns = ten kings/kingdoms ~ waters|many waters|the sea = multitudes, nations, many people ~ whore of Babylon = church of Rome/papacy READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC
~ queen-mother of harlots = mother church of Rome/Catholic church (apostate church leading the Protestant churches astray from the word and the Commandments of God)
~ daughter of harlots = daughters of the mother church, (apostate churches that follow the church of Rome and refuse to keep the whole word of God)
~ fornication = unfaithfulness to the word of God and His Commandments (kings of the earth commit fornication=the combining of church & state/Papacy & UN - OWO)
~ the false prophet = falsely claiming to speak for God but are against Him ~ the antichrist = spirit of antichrist who denies Jesus ~ the dragon = Satan, the devil, the serpent of old ~ mark of the beast = Satan’s first-day/Sun-day, to worship the Sun/the creation ~ the Lamb of God = Jesus Christ, the Son of God ~ seal of God = God’s seventh-day Sabbath/Rest-day, to worship Jesus/the Creator ~ my people = faithful followers of Jesus Christ that obey His word ~ Jerusalem = faithful Bible followers, those that keep the Commandments ~ mark-seal in their foreheads = our thoughts/beliefs ~ mark-seal in their hands = our works & deeds/our actions
We are seeing an increase in frequency as well as the intensity of natural disasters all over the world. The recent earthquakes in Mexico and Guatemala, the hurricane devastation of the Caribbean islands, as well as the extreme flooding in Texas, raging fires in Oregon, and now one of the worst hurricanes in history hitting Florida might make us begin to ponder this question. Why does God allow these things to happen when He could very well prevent them?
Here’s a bit of eye-opening truth…God is not to blame for these things! Sin is what has caused all of this planetary devolution to occur. We are living in a fallen world, a corrupted, deteriorating planet, along with everything on it. God is starting to remove His restraining hand from this world. So Satan is now unleashing his fury because he’s fully aware that his time is short. In the Bible God tells us of the coming of these end times events.
We are seeing an increase in frequency as well as intensity of natural disasters all over the world. Just here in the U.S. the extreme recent flooding in Texas, the raging fires in Oregon, and one of the worst hurricanes might make us begin to ponder this question. Why does God allow these things to happen when He could very well prevent them?
Here’s a bit of eye-opening truth…God is not to blame for these things! Sin is what has caused all of this planetary devolution to occur. We are living in a fallen world, a corrupted, deteriorating planet, along with everything on it. God is starting to remove His restraining hand from this world. So Satan is now unleashing his fury because he’s fully aware that his time is short. In the Bible God tells us of the coming of these end times events.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” ~1 Peter 5:8
“And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.” ~Luke 21:11
“So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.” ~ Luke 21:31
The ultimate effect of sin is degradation. The falling apart of everything, from the breaking down of our physical bodies, (sickness, disease, pain, and suffering) to the degeneration of all existence, even the planet itself. The degeneration of everything . . . all living creatures, animals and even plants. As well as the worsening of the weather and increase of planetary devastation are all the byproduct and the effect of a broken and fallen world.
Can God stop it? Yes. Will He stop it? Yes, but not until every person has made their decision either for or against Jesus. Not until everyone has heard of the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus, and have made their choice, will this mess finally come to an end.
The ultimate effect of sin is degradation. The falling apart of everything, from the breaking down of our physical bodies, (sickness, disease, pain, and suffering) to the degeneration of all existence, even the planet itself. The degeneration of everything . . . all living creatures, animals and even plants. As well as the worsening of the weather and increase of planetary devastation are all the byproduct and the effect of a broken and fallen world.
Can God stop it? Yes. Will He stop it? Yes, but not until every person has made their decision either for or against Jesus. Not until everyone has heard of the gift of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus, and have made their choice, will this mess finally come to an end.
“And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” ~Mark 13:10
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” ~Matthew 24:14
Understanding that a woman in Bible prophecy is a church, and the woman in purple is the false church helps us to better understand all the Bible prophecies.
This woman or unfaithful church is revealed in many ways in the prophecies as the apostate Church of Rome, the harlot in purple who rides on the scarlet-colored beast in Revelation 17. Also understanding that her daughters are the apostate Christian churches that follow after her, emulating her ways. Hence, receiving the mark ofthe beast and its image! This is why they are called the "image" of the beast in Revelation 13, they are reflecting her false doctrine. By knowing this we can clearly see the identity of this beast-power, as well as her image.
If the beast is a world power and the woman on the beast is a church, then the woman sitting on the beast is the mother church controlling the world power, Rome. When combined these two become the papal kingdom. The imagery is very clear that this woman or whore sitting on this beast is controlling where it goes; like when you sit on a horse and steer it with the reins. Therefore this beast (world power) is controlled by the woman (the corrupted church) of Rome being empowered by the dragon (Satan).
“And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” ~Revelation 13:4
Why is this knowledge so important in these end times? Because without this Bible truth we will be deceived into receiving the mark of the beast by continuing to follow after their ways, worshiping on their day, and believing all of their lies.
We are entering the final chapter of the earth’s history. The powers that are being put in place, as the root of the New World Order, are driven and controlled by the beast/aka/apostate Church of Rome. These world leaders are all being led astray under the guise of world peace, world religion, and a common goal to save the planet, (even though the Bible is clear that the earth is destined to total destruction).
Who is the Dragon…?
Who is this dragon that is empowering the beast, who is the great dragon that deceives the whole world according to the Bible? Who was evicted from heaven and cast to the earth? Without any doubt…it is Satan!
“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” ~Revelation 12:9
What is the beast’s name . . . ?
The Bible is very clear on the order of end times events. Jesus tells us what will happen and how to be on guard so we will recognize these things when they happen. Anyone that knows their Bible understands that these things will, and must happen before the second coming of the Lord Jesus!
Jesus compares these excessive signs of the times to that of a woman going into labor, the earth must heave to and fro and this is the beginning of birthing pangs.
The apostle, Paul writes about the how and when all this will happen when he said . . .
The Bible is very clear on the order of end times events. Jesus tells us what will happen and how to be on guard so we will recognize these things when they happen. Anyone that knows their Bible understands that these things will, and must happen before the second coming of the Lord Jesus!
Jesus compares these excessive signs of the times to that of a woman going into labor, the earth must heave to and fro and this is the beginning of birthing pangs.
The apostle, Paul writes about the how and when all this will happen when he said . . .
“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” ~1 Thessalonians 5:1-3
The beast in the bible symbolizes a political-religious power, the false church is its name —the church of Rome—the self-appointed mother church of all Christian churches.
Who are you following, who is your God, and whom do you worship? The Bible prophecies are clear regarding end times and the fact that the whole world will follow the beast power controlled by Satan. Make no mistake that this beast is the world power known as Papal Rome, and the dragon is without a doubt, Satan.
“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” ~Revelation 12:17
We need to know a few facts to understand why this dragon is enraged with the woman, (the church who keeps the Commandments of God). Satan is enraged because he can not create. Jesus created everything that exists and ended His creation with a sanctified day of rest. The seventh-day "Sabbath" is a celebratory day for us to rest and contemplate His magnificent creation, it is also the fourth Commandment!
Satan is consumed with jealously! So He is trying to deceive everyone into believing the day of rest and worship is Sun-day, which was named by the godless pagans after the worship of the creation, rather than the Creator!
“Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” ~Revelation 13:2- 4
And all the world followed after the beast ~Rev. 13:3
This is happening right now, all the world is following after him. If you follow international news, you have seen that the pope is a part of the One World Religion. He is the force behind the world leaders that are following after him. They are all coincidently in agreement with the upcoming international earth day of rest, on Sunday, of course. We must be vigilant in understanding God’s warnings!
Simply put . . . at the end of the age, the beginning of sorrows or birth pangs will take place. We need to know what the Bible says in order to understand that everything is happening right on time. God has predicted everything through His servants the prophets, and will see us through it to the end if we just hold tightly to Him!
Simply put . . . at the end of the age, the beginning of sorrows or birth pangs will take place. We need to know what the Bible says in order to understand that everything is happening right on time. God has predicted everything through His servants the prophets, and will see us through it to the end if we just hold tightly to Him!
“That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming?”~2 Peter 3:2-4
“Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.“ ~Luke 21:28
Are we in the last days…?
“And He said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in My name, saying I am Christ; and the time draws near: go you not therefore after them.” ~Luke 21:8
in My name ~ Claiming to be Christian
saying I am Christ ~ Claiming Christ's power & authority
go you not therefore after them ~ Do not follow after them
The whole world will follow after this beast power, without question. Why will people be so submissive? Because they will have been deceived. They will truly believe they are following Jesus. They are already being deceived because they don’t obey God by keeping His word. They don’t keep His word because they don’t know it, they don’t know the truth of what the Bible says. They simply believe what the pastors and priests tell them.
“Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them.” ~Ezekiel 22:26
Some are taught that the Commandments were done away with—many are taught that they were changed, that the Catholic church of Rome changed the seventh day Sabbath to the first day because they think they have authority over the Bible—most of the Protestant churches claim it was changed because Jesus rose on Sunday. But nowhere in the Bible does it say this. In fact, it says the opposite. All the way to the very end of the Bible it maintains the Commandments of God are still standing. Don't continue to worship in vain by holding to the commandments of men. Stop following the beast and turn back to the true, living word of God.
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” ~Matthew 15:9
Jesus warns us repeatedly to not forget Him by forgetting His Commandments—to remember the fourth Commandment, the Sabbath day that He hallowed as a day to rest and contemplate His magnificent creation.
“Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day” ~Deuteronomy 8:11
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” ~Exodus 20:8-11
You tell me. The following verses paint a pretty clear picture regarding every aspect of life as far as I’m concerned.
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”~2 Timothy 3:1-5
“… In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” ~Jude 1:18ESV
”But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.”~Matthew24:37
”For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful.” ~Romans 1:26-31
”For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” ~Matthew 24:7&21
”For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”~Matthew 24:7
”For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” ~Matthew 24:21
Wouldn’t you say this sounds exactly how things are in this very day and age? There’s such an enormous surge in wickedness of every kind. Crime is running rampant, murder and rape are at an all time high. Sexual immorality, pornography, multiple sex partners, indulgence in unnatural lust/homosexuality/incest/ transgenderism, and abortion, as well as overindulgence in every possible thing. Pride and greed have become the all-consuming ruler of this present world.
Oh yes, I’d have to say we are most definitely heading into the last days. God tells us that once this order of event starts, it will not end until everything that God has predicted happens. And this is all the more reason to believe that soon Jesus will come again to execute judgment upon the evildoers and restore order, peace, love, and justice upon this earth.
Wouldn’t you say this sounds exactly how things are in this very day and age? There’s such an enormous surge in wickedness of every kind. Crime is running rampant, murder and rape are at an all time high. Sexual immorality, pornography, multiple sex partners, indulgence in unnatural lust/homosexuality/incest/ transgenderism, and abortion, as well as overindulgence in every possible thing. Pride and greed have become the all-consuming ruler of this present world.
Oh yes, I’d have to say we are most definitely heading into the last days. God tells us that once this order of event starts, it will not end until everything that God has predicted happens. And this is all the more reason to believe that soon Jesus will come again to execute judgment upon the evildoers and restore order, peace, love, and justice upon this earth.
“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.“ ~Luke 21:25-28
“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.” ~Matthew 24:34
Clearly, the majority of the world is choosing to reject God and His grace filled offer of redemption. However, there is still time for you to choose to give your heart to Jesus. You will then receive the seal of God (Revelation 7:2-3) and be protected when the four winds are totally released and Satan has full control of this world. Oh yes, God’s people shall be delivered, that is a promise!
Clearly, the majority of the world is choosing to reject God and His grace filled offer of redemption. However, there is still time for you to choose to give your heart to Jesus. You will then receive the seal of God (Revelation 7:2-3) and will be protected when the four winds are totally released and Satan has full control of this world. Oh yes, God’s people shall be delivered, that is a promise!
“… And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation. Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.” ~Daniel 12:1
Is your name in the book of God?
Q:Are you ready get the seal of God?
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You might say that I was a rather late spiritual bloomer, tripping my way into the Lord's arms not all that long ago. Nevertheless, I've been on the fast track ever since through a decade of Bible study courses and daily devotion. Changing careers a few years back and becoming a published author of Christian motivational books, leading to spiritual children's books and now this blog.
