Oliver Wendell Holmes once wrote: “We are all soldiers in a great campaign, the details of which are veiled from us. But it is enough for us to know there is a campaign.” The justice had it partly right. Indeed we are all soldiers in a great campaign, but the details have not been veiled. Rather God has revealed where it began, what issues started it, who the commanders are and our role as soldiers.
Unfortunately, most people aren't even aware that there is a conflict, much less one that affects their lives and eternal destiny. Millions know about Star Wars, and the latest Hollywood movies, Sports Stars, Michael Jordan, etc., but so few understand anything about the Great Controversy – a battle that began eons ago in heaven but is being fought here on earth. Unlike most wars, however this battle isn't over land, political ideology, or natural resources; it is instead, a supernatural struggle between good and evil, right and wrong.
The battle is being waged not on battlefields with missiles, tanks, jet fighters and Smart Bombs, but in our hearts and minds. Nevertheless, it is just as real as the struggle Jesus mentioned long ago. Luke 22:31 Satan desires to have us just the same - don't dare believe any different.
John 10:10 says – "Thief comes to steal, to kill and destroy." And we need to know what he is up to. This is the whole reason for the book of Revelation and the rest of Scripture. Hosea 4:6 says – "God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Verse says- "Because you have rejected knowledge I will reject you..." Revelation tells all we need to know. You see, God has given us here in these last exciting times of earth's history a very descriptive prophetic picture.
He sends a warning in the form of Three Angels' Messages in the heart of Revelation's Prophecies! Goes to all the world – We must avail ourselves of the precious opportunity.
Bible tells us not to be ignorant - lest Satan get an advantage over us. 2 Corinthians 2:11 Now during these last days we know Satan is going to do his masterwork of deception through the great Antichrist power.
2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4 - "Let no man deceive you by any means. Day not come until man of sin be revealed." "Exalts himself above all that called God or worshipped. Sits in temple as God - showing himself to be God." In verse 1 Paul puts this in context – Before the 2nd Coming 2 Thessalonians 2:1 says... Paul told them not to worry about Christ's 2nd Coming. Not come until Antichrist would come and be revealed.
See here - Devil desires worship - Verse 4 says - "Above all that is worshipped" - "He as God"
See this more and more as we go along - Esp. when cover "Mark of the Beast". Remember what Revelation 13:8 states: "All that dwell on the earth shall worship Him." Now listen carefully – since worship is involved – religion becomes the basic premise upon which Satan operates. In order to attempt to deceive God's people – He must work through a grand religious political enterprise. Antichrist - In place of - Against Christ
A Newsweek poll shows people are interested and have some thoughts about concerning this subject. But many are confused – haven't studied it for themselves. So, let's discover the identity of the Antichrist Power.
During our series thus far we have found the Bible to be own divine commentary, providing us with many clear and concise marks of identification – which can only apply to one historical and modern system or power. We learned Daniel and Revelation are to large extent synonymous with each other. Prophetic Twins – they explain each other. We also learned that their figures are symbolic.
So let's review.
Revelation 13 – Introduces us to the Beast power. Revelation 13:1,2,3
Who or What is this Beast? Strange creature – Composed of various parts of animals, Bible says it rises out of sea. Daniel 7:2, 3 - mentions 4 Beasts out of same sea.
Question – Why have a body like a leopard – feet like a bear, mouth - lion? Go to book of Daniel chapter 7 and we will see just how dynamic these prophecies are. Daniel 7:2,3 Daniel speaks of wind stirring up the Great Sea and 4 great Beasts arising from this sea. Revelation 17:15 - Tells us: Sea or Water – symbolic for peoples, multitudes and nations. In symbolic language today we often refer to a large gathering of people as a sea of humanity. So this tells us that it would arise out of a populated area of the world where a great majority of people lived in the western world at the time of its original formation.
Four Beast are four kingdoms – Daniel 7:17, 23 Same four as in prophecy of Daniel 2 Daniel 7:4 - First like a lion - Babylon. Great empire represented by the king of beasts Babylon ruled - 605 BC - 539 BC
Verse 5 – Bear - Medo-Persia – Same as Silver
3 ribs - raised up - (Babylon, Lydia, Egypt) - 538-331 BC
Verse 6 – Greece – Leopard, Brass 4 wings – great speed - 8 years - Alexander the Great 4 heads - generals - Cassander, Lysimachus, Selucus, Ptolemy Greece ruled 331 BC – 168 BC
4th Beast – Daniel 7:7 Rome – Iron Monarchy – Ruled during Christ time 168 BC - 476 AD Had 10 horns – What? Rome would also fall but not as the others to another World empire. Rome was Divided into 10 parts – Verse 24 Seven became modern nations of Europe today
- Franks - France
- Lombards - Italy
- Visigoths - Spain
- Alemani - Germany
- Suevi - Portugal
- Anglo-Saxons–England
- Burgundians – Swiss
- Heruli
- Vandals
- Ostrogoths - all destroyed
Focus on Little Horn
Dan 7:8 - Have to be careful Look at 10 Biblical, Prophetic points - clearly identifies Antichrist. Want to say not talking about people - but a system – a religious political power Church-State system of Papal Rome.
- Arose out of 4th Beast – Rome Verse 8
- Came up Among the Ten – in Rome itself. Verse 8
- After 10 - Verse 8 - 476 AD - Rome fell - 10 Divisions 538 AD - Pope appointed Emperor by Justinian - Decree of Justinian became valid allowing Papacy full domination. 538 AD - Last of the Arian powers fall.
- Uproots three - Verse 8 - Arian powers opposed Papacy - totally destroyed - (Heruli, Vandals, Ostrogoths)
- Man at head - Verse 8 – Pope – Never a religious or political system where one man has so much power.
- Diverse - Verse 24 - Religious - Political
- Speak great words - Verse 25 - Blasphemy John 10:30-33 - Man – God "You being a man, make Yourself God" Mark 2:7 - Forgive sins – "Why does he speak blasphemies like this, who can forgive sins but God only."
- Wear out saints - Verse 25 - Persecuting power Dark ages - 50 million died
- Think to change times and laws - Verse 25 2nd Commandment Deleted - 10th divided
- Rule - for time, times & dividing of time - Verse 25 Rev. 12:14 - Rev. 12:6 31/2 times = 1260 days 1 – Time = 1 Year – 2 Times = 2 Years – ½ Time = ½ Year Bible year of 360 days = 1,260 days or Years Day = Year - Eze. 4:6 - Num. 14:34 Papacy ruled 476 AD – 1798 – 1260 years
During French Revolution – Napoleon sent Berthier to take the Pope captive. Now this is not something that I discovered completely on my own. What you have heard tonight is the teaching of Historical Christianity. Although, you do not hear this taught anymore it was taught and believed by the greatest minds in Protestant church until most recently. George Eldon Ladd – Great Reformed theologian in his book "The Blessed Hope" states this important fact. Beast of Revelation 13 - Same as Little Horn - Revelation 13:5, 6 Blasphemies - 42 months - 1260 years Verse 7 - wars with saints
Now want to ask - Where did this Beast get so much power? Revelation 13:2,3,4 - Dragon gave power Notice by following the Beast you worship the Dragon who gave him power. Who is the dragon? Let the Bible answer - Revelation 12:7-9 Dragon – Devil – Satan is the force working behind these powers opposing God and His truth. "Which deceived whole world" - Shows almost universal ignorance of this diabolical deception at end of time.
What other time did the devil deceive the whole world? Thank God not all today - many - but not all. Today we have an opportunity to know the truth of Bible prophecy. Remember in the Garden of Eden - story of fall. Satan began his deceptive plan. He gained temporary possession of world. Many think that the Devil is some comic character - red tail, fork - No. Some don't believe - Devil is a real, smart, intelligent being. He deceived Adam & Eve and the led world astray But, very next thing God gives in the Scriptures is a Promise of escape - 1st prophecy of Bible Genesis 3:15 Enmity between you and the Woman – War between Dragon & Woman - Devil & Church! Same as Revelation 12:17
Struggle – God & Satan on Earth! Satan is after the people of God at the end just as he has always been. Only two sides = Represented over and over Throughout Bible
After this first prophecy – notice next incidence recorded. See this enmity with Cain & Abel - remember story - told to bring a lamb. Cain brought a substitute for what God had required. God does not accept anything other than what He commands. Discover this is always the great trademark of Dragon. Tries to substitute or counterfeit for exact truth of God. Remember – Antichrist means – "In place of" Descendants of Cain - Earth corrupted - Flood After Flood - same two sides again
One group - Tower of Babel which later became Babylon. At this same time – God called Abraham out. He became the father of the faithful – keepers of true, pure religion. Two sides again - Dragon at Babylon - worshipped the Sun. Babylon - symbol of Sun Worship which was considered the god above all the many gods. Study Dragon's side for a moment - Capital at Babylon –
Pagan religions developed there - sun worship - with immoral rites and ceremonies. Dragon's side fought among themselves - Medeo-Persia came into power - conquered Babylon Still Dragon behind it all - Baal worship continued as before. Then Greece took over - same pagan sun worship. It was common practice to continue worshipping old gods - they just changed or added a few things.
Then Rome began to rule - religion was the same. They called it MITHRAISM - was universal religion of Pagan Rome, It was nothing more than a sophisticated system of sun worship. And so the Dragon also represents Pagan Rome especially as the Devil worked through this pagan power to try and kill Jesus and persecute His church. Now time for seed of Woman to appear again. Read about it in - Revelation 12:1
Woman in prophecy represents a CHURCH - Jeremiah 6:2 - "I have likened the daughter of Zion unto comely, delicate woman." Who is Zion? - Isaiah 51:16 - "Zion thou are my people."
Pure Woman - God's church - His people - People make up a church New Testament Church - pure doctrines - 12 stars - 12 apostles Revelation 12:2-5
Who was the man child - caught up to throne? - Jesus The dragon tried to kill Him - Verse 4 Roman Leader - Herod ordered all babies put to death under two years. Verse 5 caught up to throne - Christ resurrected to heaven. Came forth from the tomb.
Then Christianity spread rapidly. Paul preached gospel - all the way to gates of Rome. Dragon worried - so time for Dragon to bring forth his seed. What is seed of Dragon? Who did the Dragon (Pagan Rome) give its power, throne and authority to? Now friends remember for centuries Dragon tried to destroy God's people through Babylon - Medeo-Persia - Greece - Rome Babylon taken God's people captive - Daniel 1, 2
Make bow down - Image - Daniel 3 - Persecution of early Christians - Persecution failed Now! Master Piece - Devil stepped into church - Actually he was always in the religion business.
Ancient Babylon very religious city - 53 temples, 955 small sanctuaries, 384 street altars - sun worship And so now - Organized own Medieval Church system - counterfeit religious system. Made up of doctrines from Lion, Bear, Leopard and nondescript Beast – Rome - Combined with Christianity. Roman church formed at that time. You see friends, Beast of Revelation 13 made up of all four Beasts of Daniel 7
Papacy got doctrine from all four - Christianity mixed with paganism. Some say, "How can this be?"
Papacy got it from Rome
Rome from Greece
Greece from Medeo-Persia
Medeo-Persia from Babylon
Babylon from Dragon
Dragon behind all four empires - especially sun worship of Roman empire. Mithraism - outwardly refined sun worship - almost the whole world practiced.
Dragon especially symbolized Pagan Rome as the Devil worked through it in promoting paganism and false worship. Let's go back to: Revelation 13:1,2 Dragon gave Beast power, seat, great authority. Rome did give Papacy power, seat, authority. 330 AD Constantine - Roman Emperor gave city of Rome to Pope.
538 Justinian gave Pope political as well as Religious power over world.
History and Catholic sources use very words – ‘Among adherents of this interpretation were the Waldenses, the Hussites, Wyclif, Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Melanchthon, the Baptist theologian John Gill, the Martyrs - Cranmer, Tyndale, Latimer, and Ridley." George Eldon Ladd, THE BLESSED HOPE p. 33
"The Pope is Antichrist here on earth"- Martin Luther, De Papa.Ch.2
John Wesley's Commentary on the Bible – Chapter 13, verse 1 – "O reader, this is a subject wherein we also are deeply concerned and which must be treated, not as a point of curiosity, but as a solemn warning from God! The danger is near. Be armed both against force and fraud, even with the whole armor of God. Out of the sea – that is Europe. This beast is the Roman papacy, as it came to a point six hundred years since, stands now, and will for some time longer. To this, and to no other power on earth, agrees the whole text, and every part of it in every point. This beast is a spiritually secular power, opposite to the kingdom of Christ. A power not merely spiritual or ecclesiastical nor merely secular or political; but a mixture of both"
verse 7 – "To make war with saints - With the Waldenses, and the Albigenses, Against these many of the popes made open war. Until now the blood of Christians had been shed only by the heathens or Arians; from this time, by scarce any but the pope."
verse 24 – "And another – this seems to mean the Roman Antichrist." Clearly the Papacy received power from Pagan Rome. Nothing more than continuation of Rome - Named Roman Catholic Church. Where did Rome get it? - Greece Where did Greece? - Medeo-Persia Where did Medeo-Persia? - Babylon Babylon from Dragon.
No wonder such warning in Rev.14:9,10 – Devil behind it all! Revelation 14:9,10 When the Dragon gave power - gave doctrines as well. Paganism came into Christianity.
To gain prestige, acceptance and people the Papacy took in customs of Babylon - Rome. Relics of sun worship, pagan idols left - took in images of Peter, Mary, Saints. Other Pagan things take on Christian status.
Book - "Protestant Christianity" - "Interpreted Through It's Development" - John Dillenberger and Claude Welch, pg. 4 - See FACTS. Show you some ways it happened.
Where did Christmas come from? Existed long before Christ. Babylon - worshipped sun. Noticed days shortened in December. Dec. 25 - days longer - "Sun is reborn to us." Birthday of sun not Son.
Dr. Gilbert Murray, Professor of Greek Oxford said: "Mithraism had so much acceptance, that it was able to impose on the Christian its sun's birthday, 25th of December, as the birthday of Jesus."
Nothing wrong to think of the birth of Jesus. But must take note how easy what began as pagan institution came into Christianity.
How about Easter? Not in Bible – Easter originally had nothing to do with Resurrection. Regulated by sun, moon – the first Sunday after first full moon of Spring after the sun crosses equinox - sometimes as much as 5 weeks difference between years. - Again Easter originated in Babylon. - In honor of goddess Ishtar - Goddess of reproduction. - Noticed - everything new life - crops, spring - Rabbit, eggs - what to do with Resurrection? Nothing!
Rabbits - quick reproduction
Eggs - fertility
Easter Sun Rise Service - same as pagans when got up early to worship the sun.
Charles Colson in Article "Beyond the Easter Bunny" writes: "Easter's origins can be traced to a host of pre-Christian cultures. Its name is attributed to Oster (the Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility) and to her counterparts in Babylon, Astarte and Ishtar. The Easter festival was celebrated on the day on the day of the spring equinox, with honor given to rabbits, symbols of fertility, and brightly colored eggs representing the sunlight of spring and new life. The Druids, Hindus, Japanese, Chinese, and Babylonians celebrated spring with sacred eggs."
My question - Are we always following the Word? The thing that should worry us is – If traditions, heathen customs crept in so easy, what about other teachings?
Now we need not be concerned about things which do not contradict the Word like Christmas and Easter, but we must be concerned about those that contradict a plain command of God. Satan will do anything in his power to deceive the world and enlist as many as possible in his ranks. Revelation 12:12 – "Woe unto inhabitants of the earth - Devil come down unto you, having great wrath." This why here - so not be deceived in the darkness of this old world. 2 Peter 1:19
Jesus gave us prophecy so not to be ignorant of Satan's devices so we can live fully for the Lord before He comes. Need to study Bible prophecy – more important than anything else as history moves toward its climax. 2 Peter 1:19 - Until the day dawns – Coming of Jesus
Heard it before - I'll say it again - night by night we are going to let prophecy unfold all last days deceptions. Revelation shows us heaven's wonderful provisions for victory over his ensnaring efforts. There's no doubt the end of all things is here. Swiftly approaching what Tennyson called that divine event toward which all creation moves. To be ready we need knowledge of the prophetic word of God. Who will say with me tonight that you want to learn all you can to be ready to meet King Jesus.