GLOBAL  IMPACT  STUDIES

If you find the truth, will you believe it?

If any man desires to do God's will, he will have the needed illumination to recognize, and can tell for himself whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking from myself and on my own accord.  John 7:17 

Chapter 11

Revelation Chapter 13

Revelation chapter thirteen continues the scenario begun in Revelation chapter twelve.  It picks up the story when “the remnant of her seed” of the true church of Elohim will be on the scene at the end of this earth’s history during the “last days.”

“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 seat, and great authority. 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. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" (Rev. 13:1-4, emphasis added).

This beast consists of parts of a lion, bear, and leopard. These individual beasts we have seen before in Daniel chapter seven. "As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time" (Dan. 7:12). Here they are seen again, forming a "composite beast." Composite, according to Webster's Dictionary, means "made up of parts, each of which is itself a whole or taken from another whole."

Note the "dragon" gives this beast its power; this is repeated for emphasis. In Revelation chapter twelve, we discovered the dragon is Satan. This beast rising “up out of the sea” has "seven heads and ten horns, and upon his [ten] horns [are] ten crowns, and upon his [seven] heads [is] the name of blasphemy" (Rev. 13:1).

In Revelation 12:3, we read, "And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads." In Revelation 13:1, the beast coming “up out of the sea" has ten horns with crowns instead of on his heads as was pictured in Revelation chapter twelve. The seven heads no longer have crowns upon them; instead, "the name of blasphemy" is on them.

"And I saw one of his [seven] heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed" (Rev. 13:3, emphasis added). Satan has worked through many human instruments, including the papacy, which he worked through from AD 538 until AD 1798, at what time we found in Daniel chapter seven the French army imprisoned the pope. Many who have studied the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation have said this was the "deadly wound" that was inflicted on the papacy. If they are correct in that understanding, that wound was inflicted in AD 1798.

This head's wound, pictured in Revelation chapter thirteen, has been healed when this beast is seen coming on the scene after AD 1798 and not before. The scenario in Revelation chapter thirteen is still in the future and takes place after the "deadly wound" has been healed. The deadly wound was not healed in AD 1929 when the Vatican was given back to the papacy. When its “deadly wound” is healed, it will be fully healed and will have its persecuting power restored.

It is only one of the "heads" that was wounded and not the beast itself. Yet some individuals say the entire beast is the papacy when only one of the heads represents the papacy. Just as the composite beast is made up of a leopard, bear, and lion, so the entity represented here is made up of "ten horns" and "seven heads." Be assured Satan has worked through more than just the papacy. "And all the world wondered after the beast" (Rev. 13:3). "The world wondered after the beast." The world did not wonder after the one wounded head that will be healed.  

In Revelation 13:1, the heads have "the name of blasphemy" on them. According to Webster's Dictionary, blasphemy is defined as "contemptuous or irreverent speech about Elohim or things regarded as sacred." In spite of their profession, all these heads are blaspheming Elohim. There are several illustrations in the Scriptures where blasphemy is shown.

If the papacy is one of the heads of this beast, what are the other six heads? Will you consider this? They represent the other six religious belief systems into which all the world can be divided: heathenism, Judaism, Islam (Muslims), Eastern mysticism, atheism (humanism), Protestantism, along with Catholicism make up the seven heads. This is further discussed in my study of Revelation chapter seventeen.

Then what do the ten horns represent? Could the ten horns with crowns be the same as the ten kings as were seen in Daniel 2:44 represented by the ten toes? In the discussion of Daniel chapter two is a quote from the book Enroute to Global Occupation14 that tells us the earth will be divided into ten parts which the New World Order calls "kingdoms."

This seven-headed and ten-horned beast is a worldwide confederation of the religious and political entities made necessary in man's limited reasoning to meet the chaos, crisis, and destruction caused by the sounding of the first four trumpets. See the study entitled The Creation of the New World Order on my website, Global Impact Studies. 

The sounding of the first four trumpets pictured in Revelation 8:5-12 provides the opportunity for the New World Order to take control of planet Earth. This is the same entity that was portrayed in Daniel 2:42: "As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay," representing a mixture of political and religious powers. Is it any wonder "all the world wondered after the beast [not just the one head that was wounded, but the entire beast] . . . saying who is like unto the beast?" (Rev. 13:3-4)

There should not be a doubt in anyone's mind the papacy will be playing a significant role in this Church/State amalgamation. Elohim singled out the papacy as the head that had been wounded, not just to identify the "heads" as religious entities but to tell us the papacy will play a significant role in this world-ruling entity. However, it will not be the only one. Former Pope Benedict XVI's comment about reaching out to other Christians and "other religions" seems to fit this scenario.

I repeat what I said earlier. For years the John Birch Society has been warning the world of the coming of a one-world government. The Patriot Movement has been arming itself to combat this one-world government when they attempt to take control. The one-world government is destined to happen just before the return of Yahushua, and there is nothing man can do to stop it. Elohim, Who has foreknowledge, tells us this will happen, and so it will prove to be true. It is for our encouragement Elohim tells us in Daniel 2:44, "In the days of these kings shall the Elohim of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed."

Elohim has told us before the return of His Son, there will be a one-world government consisting of all the religious bodies united with the political entities of the world. The question is asked, "Who is able to make war with him?" (Rev. 13:4). The question implies no one "is able to make war with him," not even the Patriot Movement! And remember, Satan gives this beast "his power, and his seat, and great authority" (Rev. 13:2).

There is a most disturbing reference to the New World Order being an alleged quote by a person doing work for the UN.  David Spangler (Director of the United Nations Planetary Initiative Project) states in his book, Re-imagination of the World:  "Lucifer comes to give us the final gift of wholeness. If we accept it, then he is free, and we are free. This is the Luciferic initiation. It is one that many people now, and in the days ahead, will be facing, for it is an initiation in the New Age.  No one will enter the New World Order unless he or she will make a pledge to worship Lucifer."  “The dragon [Satan] gave him (NWO) his power, and his seat, and great authority” (Rev. 13:2). 

"And there was given unto him [the seven-headed, ten-horned beast] a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against Elohim to blaspheme His name [Yahuwah], and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him [the beast] to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" (Rev. 13:5-7, emphasis added).

Even though this beast will make war with the saints and overcome them (Rev. 6:11), it will not overcome the 144,000 as we will discover in Revelation chapter eleven. In spite of what some will tell you, there are literal time prophecies contained in the books of Daniel and Revelation. This is the first one ("forty and two months") we have seen in our study of the prophecies and will not be the last. Everything mentioning time after AD 1798 is in literal time and not prophetic time. Many will vehemently oppose this view, but if you will ask them if the one thousand years mentioned in Revelation chapter twenty is literal time or prophetic time they will have to admit that it is literal and not prophetic.

“And the Angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and swore by Him [Yahuwah – The eternal, self-existent One] that lives forever and ever, Who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be [prophetic] time no longer” (Rev. 10:5-6). 

All the times mentioned that are to take place during “the time of the end” are to be taken literally and not prophetically using a day for a year.  This first beast in Revelation chapter thirteen takes control of planet Earth after the head that was wounded has been healed.  Surely we can see that there will not be another one thousand two hundred and sixty years to go through if the “forty and two months” in Revelation 13:5 were to be understood prophetically and not to be taken literally!

The death and destruction during the sounding of the first four trumpets pictured in Revelation 8:5-12 will unite the world for the preservation of humanity and open the door for the New World Order to take control. This is the "red flag" the New World Order has been waiting for and has often taken into its own hands to try to bring about. War will be waged against the saints of Elohim, and the beast (NWO) will "overcome them" and kill many of them.

"And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him [the beast], whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 13:8, emphasis added). Worship consists of more than ceremonies and services; it has to do with homage, respect, honor, and obedience. Anyone found worshipping this beast, or any part of it, is not a member of Elohim's true church. This amalgamation of church and state will not fool the true worshippers of Elohim, but they will pay the price for their loyalty to Elohim (the Supreme Being) of the Universe.

Whenever a church has controlled the state, persecution followed to carry out that church's concepts of worshipping "God" and carrying out its dogmas. We have examples of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Church of England, and the Catholic Church through the Dark Ages. It does not matter what religion it is; persecution of those who do not conform is the inevitable result.

Many are concerned about the state meddling in the affairs of the church, but the real concern should be the church meddling in the affairs of the government and the use of the civil government by the churches to enforce their religious decrees. Whenever a church uses the civilian government to implement its wants, we are setting a precedent for future abuse. Elohim has made it clear in the Bible how He is to be worshipped, and no one has the right to force another to conform to a particular religion's beliefs and practices.

Yahuwah Elohim created us with the freedom to determine for ourselves how we will worship Him or not. Elohim has left it to the individual as to what he will do. Forced worship breeds hypocrisy.

The spirit of Satan actuates anyone using force to compel people to worship "God" according to their understanding.

Liberty of conscience is the issue at stake; to be able to worship "Elohim" according to the dictates of your conscience or to have the choice of not worshipping "Elohim" at all.

The early settlers of America fled Europe, where the church controlled the state to obtain its wants, and the rights and guarantees which would preclude that from happening here in the United States of America were written into our Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Elohim will limit this beast to “forty and two [literal] months” of being in power. We also saw in Daniel 8:24 that the "king of fierce countenance," Satan, "shall destroy the mighty and the holy people" (emphasis added). So Elohim's true church will be persecuted by both "the beast" (New World Order) and Satan.

We also saw in Revelation 9:4-5 Satan tormenting but not killing those who had not been sealed in their foreheads at that time. He has a purpose in doing this because Elohim will not allow Satan to kill any of humanity at that time, so Satan uses this means to force humanity into doing his bidding.   

"If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints" (Rev. 13:9-10). Some are destined to go to prison, and some are destined to be killed by the power in control.  One thing is clear in Daniel and Revelation; Elohim's true church, along with all the inhabitants of this earth, will suffer significantly during the "last days."

There will be no "rapture" before “the time of trouble," as foretold in Daniel 12:1. No pre-tribulation means of escaping what is coming upon the earth. Many are counting on being "raptured" out of this world before “the time of trouble" begins, but they are in for a horrible shock to their belief system, and they will not be prepared to go through “the time of trouble."

In Revelation 6:11, we read: "until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled" (emphasis added). In Revelation 13:10, we read, "He that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword" (emphasis added). Let us not forget in all of this what it says in Daniel 2:44: "And in the days of these kings [the New World Order] shall the Elohim of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed." We were told in Revelation 12:11 that Elohim's faithful followers "loved not their lives unto the death." 

When the New World Order comes into power, the time for setting up Elohim's eternal kingdom will soon be at hand! "So likewise you, when you shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled" (Matt. 24:33-34, emphasis added). When someone comes to the door of your house, you know it will not be long before he or she enters; all that has been foretold will take place. All things prophesied in Matthew chapter twenty-four will come to pass in a single generation (Matt. 24:34) and not over nearly a three-hundred-year period as some have contended.

A second beast is described in Revelation 13:11: "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon." Revelation 12:9 tells us Satan "was cast out into the earth," and this second beast is pictured "coming up out of the earth!"  Strange how the language of these two verses connect with each other!

"And he [the second beast] does great wonders, so that he makes fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men" (Rev. 13:13, emphasis added).

In Job chapter one, we read of a scenario that took place in heaven. Satan complained to Elohim that the only reason Job worshipped Him was that He protected him. Satan suggested to Elohim to let him "have at" Job and watch how quickly Job would "curse You to Your face" (Job 1:9-11). Yahuwah Elohim granted Satan permission to afflict Job but put limits on what Satan was permitted to do to Job personally (Job 1:12).

In Job 1:16, we read, "While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The fire of Elohim is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee" (emphasis added). Was the fire from Elohim that “burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them?” No! Yahuwah had given Satan permission to do to Job what we read being done to him in Job chapter one. Elohim frequently gets blamed for what Satan has done, but from this verse, we learn that Satan can cause "fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men."

"And [Satan] deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast" (Rev. 13:14, emphasis added). In Revelation 12:9, we read, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world" (emphasis added). Satan "deceives the whole world" by the "miracles which he had power to do" (Rev. 13:14).

Revelation 13:11-18 describes the second beast pictured in Revelation chapter thirteen, and not one of those verses refers to the first beast pictured in Revelation 13:1-10. We must keep things in their proper context in our study of the Word of Elohim.

In many commentaries on Revelation chapter thirteen, "666" is attached to the first beast and is taken out of the context of the second beast. This cannot be done if you are to maintain proper context. "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" (Rev. 13:18, emphasis added). It is not the number of “the title of a man,” but "it is the number of a man."

We have seen so far in the discussion of Revelation chapter thirteen, the evidence seems to indicate the second beast is Satan, but here we have "666" being "the number of a man?" In Isaiah 14:16, we read, "they that narrowly look upon thee [Satan], and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms" (emphasis added).

In Ezekiel 28:2, we read, "Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus [Satan], Thus saith Yahuwah Elohim; because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a god, I sit in the seat of Elohim, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not Elohim, though thou set thine heart as the heart of Elohim" (emphasis added). In these two verses, we see Satan referred to as a “man."

Even Gabriel, the angel of Elohim, is referred to as a man. "Yea, while I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation" (Dan. 9:21, emphasis added).

Both Isaiah 14:16 and Ezekiel 28:2 refer to Satan as a “man.” The evidence we find in Revelation 13:11-18 indicates Satan is the second beast pictured in Revelation chapter thirteen. Those who have studied the occult or have been in the occult know whose number is "666.”  It is Satan's number!

One last item of great importance in Revelation chapter thirteen needs to be discussed:  "the mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads" mentioned in verses sixteen and seventeen. "And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (emphasis added).  It is apparent that it is a "mark," and it is the name or the number of his name, that is "666." It is not a "micro-chip!"

People have come up with all sorts of interpretations of this verse rather than relying on the fact the Bible interprets itself. We should be able to find the answer in the Bible. "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" (2 Pet. 1:20). It says it is a "mark in the right hand, or in their foreheads" and it could be "the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Rev. 13:17, emphasis added).

We are not told what the mark is, but we are told what the number is. If we add anything more to it than what it is saying, we are in danger of violating what we find written for our admonition in Revelation 22:18-19. "For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If any man shall add unto these things, Elohim shall add unto him the plagues [Rev. 16:1-21] that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, Elohim shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

This is a very solemn warning to all those who would tamper with the Word of Elohim and needs to be heeded when we consider what is written here in Revelation 13:16-17! Those who think this is an implanted computer chip should consider the global “earthquake,” the meteorite shower, and the two asteroid impacts. What chance do you think the technology needed to implant computer chips and monitoring them has of surviving such catastrophes?

For years people have been warned about "666," and yet, in the end, they will accept this mark to buy or sell. On my website, I have an article dealing specifically with "666" and why people will receive this mark in spite of all the warnings that have been given concerning this number and what that mark is. It is entitled The Mark of the Beast.  Satan has been setting up the people of this world for this great deception for centuries.

We also find in this section of Scripture mention of "an image to the beast." "They should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he [Satan] had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many would not worship the image of the beast should be killed" (Rev. 13:14-15, emphasis added).

It appeared the serpent in the Garden of Eden had the ability to talk with Eve, but it was Satan speaking through the serpent. This is the first case of ventriloquism and maybe how Satan makes it appear the image can talk.  When this takes place, everyone will know first-hand what is meant by "he had power to give life unto the image of the beast . . . should both speak." Just before this is written, we are told he "deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast" (Rev. 13:14). The means of deception Satan practiced on Eve in the beginning, he will practice on all of humanity at the end of time.  Most are unaware of the power and extent of Satan's capabilities.

We will learn what that image to the beast is when it is made. We have not been given any Scriptural evidence at this point to identify this image. The second commandment, which was deleted from the original Ten Commandments by the papacy, forbade image worship. Those who are true and faithful to Elohim will know not to bow down to any image, just as the three Hebrew children did not bow down to the image of gold King Nebuchadnezzar erected (Daniel chapter three), even though this image appears to be able to speak. Not being able to speak was left out of Revelation 9:20, where we are told this about the idols humanity worshiped:  “which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk.” 

Many have spiritualized away the plain language the Scriptures are written in, and they lose their meaning as Elohim gave it to John. John was given a vision, and it was left for him to put in his own words to describe the vision he was given.

Important a matter as it is not to receive the "mark in the right hand, or in their foreheads," or to "worship the image of the beast" if you do not have an intimate personal relationship with the Creator by this time you will not survive the test and will give in to the compelling power of the beast.

An evergreen tree does not look much different from the other trees during the summer, but when the blasts of winter come, they remain green. So the true "Christian" will remain one during the worst of times. "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (Eccl. 12:1).

It is now during the times of peace we need to prepare for what is coming upon the earth. To learn to trust our Maker by taking the time necessary to know Him intimately so you can trust Him in any emergency.

Even though people will take the “mark of the beast” and even worship the “image of the beast,” does not mean their destiny at this point has been decided for eternity.  It does mean that whoever takes the mark or worships the image will receive Elohim’s wrath contained in “the seven last plagues.”  When we get to my study of Revelation chapter sixteen and “the seven last plagues,” we will see salvation is still available until the seventh last plague when the door of probation for humanity closes.

        ____________________

      1. Who is represented by the first beast in this chapter?

      2. Who is represented by the second beast in this chapter?

      3. How long will the first beast be in power?

      4. Where is the mark of the beast placed?

      5. Who brings fire down from heaven (sky)?