EndTime Issues ...

 
Orientation
 
Discussed in detail elsewhere[1],[2],[3] is convincing evidence to suggest that Pope Benedict XVI is the seventh head of the beast presented in Revelation 17:10 (NIV or NET translations reflect the contextual meaning better than many other translations, including the KJV).

• With this pope’s resignation (effective February 28, 2013), a conclave will urgently meet to appoint a new leader.
• That is when current history will become alarming! Apocalyptic prophecy will move forward.
• Revelation 17:11 is then activated:

1. That new leader will quickly move us through verses 12–14.
2. Which, in turn, moves us into Revelation 13 (which follows).

To everyone studying this document and its associated references, recall the wonderful promise in Matthew 11:25, that with God the Father’s help (via His Spirit) even babes (little children) can grasp the meaning of His Word. Beckon that spirit.
 
Introduction
 
After John was introduced to the harlot riding the beast prophecy (Revelation 17:1-6) (coalition of church and state) (depicting how Babylon would end) and he struggled emotionally over the horrors he witnessed (17:7), the angel “host” gave him a stunning commentary!
 
“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” (Revelation 17:8).

• “That you saw” means that John’s wilderness vision has ended (vss 3-6).

Contextually, that “beast” represents the Vatican State. However, when used alone, without the harlot, elsewhere in the Apocalypse, it usually refers to the Holy See (the Church–State) (e.g., 11:7, 13:1-2, 14:9, 15:2, 16:13, 17:13, 19:20). This is commensurate with the secular world’s relationship to this Roman Church! – Important!

• The world’s ambassadors are sent to the Holy See.
• It is the Holy See that is a Permanent Observer Nation with the United Nations – now with full rights of member nations.

There is a crucial second meaning to the beast that threads its way through these prophetic discourses.

• At times God insinuates that it could also be Satan himself.
• Satan seems visibly active in several prophecies.

“The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition:” (vs 8)
 
This three-fold sequence is repeated at the end of this verse differently, ending with “and yet is” (KJV). That phrase is not the best translation of only a single word:

• parestai – future tense – “is to come” (NIV) – thus, it “shall ascend” and “is to come”
• This beast is “coming” (all a deceptive parody of Jesus’ “was, is not and is to come”).

How can we apply this timing to the beast?

• “was” – when it was a church–state (harlot–beast) historically that ended in 1870.
• “is not” – when it became an isolated ecclesiastical power without land (1870–1929). That was when it “had the wound by a sword, and did live” (Revelation 13:14) – when the Papal States and Rome were confiscated by the new nation of Italy.
• “will ascend” [a] “is to come” [b] – when it had the Vatican State (“beast”) given to it in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty. This is when the prophecy of those seven sequential heads began to apply.

Shortly, in verse 11, we will see another future reference to when it becomes a world power after the seventh head.

• These sequences are mentioned three times in chapter 13 (vss 3, 12, 14)
• And three times in this chapter (17:8a, 8b, 11)
• Thus – the ascension of that antichrist beast power is a critical event![4]

It is playing an eschatological role as though it were Christ (the image of the end-time antichrist).[5]

• “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18).
• This deceptive role is about to occur. It is imminent.[6]

The bottomless pit or abyss is the abode of demons (Luke 8:31, II Peter 2:4, Jude 6).

• Satan is the king over this abyss (Revelation 9:11) and its members.
• His name Abaddon (H) or Apollyon (G) means destroyer.

This beast – the Holy See – “ascends” out of this hell and “comes” to mankind.

• John was recently told what it would do when it came!
• “Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them” (Revelation 11:7 – NIV).
• But we are promised:

“They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” (Revelation 17:14 – NIV).
 
Where does all its power come from?

• “… and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” (Revelation 13:2).
• The beast and Satan will be in a new and unique coalition (important)!

The World Loves the Beast! This is what lies just ahead!
 
“and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder,” (vs 8)

• Multitudes will “marvel” at the resurgence of the Roman Catholic Church’s power.
• “Marvel” (thaumao – G) has the sense of “admire” in a worshipful way.[7]

This beast is honored by those not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life (written before the creation of this world).

• A similar message is noted in Revelation 13.
• “And all the world wondered after the beast” (vs 3).
• “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (vs 8).
• The saints have their names written in the Book of Life.
• In turn, they also have writings on their foreheads:

“I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name” (Revelation 3:12b,c).
 
“Earth dwellers” are the wicked in prophecy.

• They marvel because they see the beast rise in prominence (something is about to happen to the Holy See in the March conclave!).
• He will become the “god of this world” (II Corinthians 4:4) – as you will see.[8]

The prophecy, that the beast will go into perdition, is later fulfilled in John’s Revelation.

• “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone” (Revelation 19:20).
• As he “ascends” to power, his destiny is sealed (cf. Daniel 7:11, 17-18, 23, 26).

That “king of the abyss” – Satan – will also meet his end under a principle called lex talionis. The “law of retributive justice.”[9]

• “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10; cf. 13:10).

As noted in 12:12, the “dragon” (“beast”) knows its “time is short.”

• During its brief time of power, several prophecies reveal that it will be:

• A period of persecution and martyrdom of the saints.[10]
• Three and a half years, 42 months (Daniel 12:7; Revelation 11:2, 13:5 as examples).

 

Coalescing many prophecies from Daniel and Revelation, one can construct a sequence with several timing markers

Between the ascension/coming and perdition (eternal end) three papal beast prophecies are sequentially given!

1. 1929–2013: Seven sequential popes, ending with Pope Benedict XVI (17:10 – “heads”)
2. 2013–?: Ten world powers (NWO) give growing support to the beast (harlot/beast) (17:12 – “horns”). They war against Christ (17:14a).
3. 42-month period: Era of the dragon-supported sea beast and earth beast (Revelation 13), which becomes a world power (13:7). This coalition blasphemes God (13:5-6), wars with saints (persecution/martyrdom) (13:7, 15; 17:14).

It is alarming to observe that what begins in 2013 will be associated with growing hatred and resistance towards Christ and His followers.

• How will the imagery of a peaceful papacy with accommodating ecumenism change so dramatically?
• What is the catalyst that suddenly alters these relationships?

Note: Details regarding these questions are found in special study materials (references 1-3), Matthew 24 and Scripture’s Most Important “Time” Prophecies produced by Prophecy Research Initiative.
 
The Beast Prophecy Continues (beyond February/March 2013)
 
“And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition” (Revelation 17:11)
 
The last of the seven popes (Benedict XVI) has left the papal scene!

• The association with the beast of verse 8 is made. It is the one that “was” and then “is not.”
• That means that it has ascended from hell or the abyss and moves into a new phase.

The narrative: “even [or ‘now’] he himself [the beast] is an eighth and is from the seven, and goes to destruction.”

• This beast is not portrayed with seven heads.
• It is either a new picture of the beast[11] or a new head on the beast.[12]

Most scholars see it as the former.[13] It, too, is associated with the Holy See but follows Pope
Benedict XVI, the seventh head. That’s why they are numbered.
 
The NIV and RSV note that he “belongs to the seven” – there is an ideological coalition with those papal leaders.

• We now have a “[full] embodiment of satanic power”[14] – an “eschatological manifestation.”
• How? The dragon gives power to that beast (13:2c), as do the ten horns – the new world order (17:12-13). A geopolitical force is described – centered in Rome! This coalition turns against Christ.
• It represents the embodiment of demonic powers parodying Christ!
• It blasphemes God (13:5-6), wars with saints (persecution/martyrdom) (13:7, 15) as never before. [15]
• During this world network activity, history will be concluded.

Recall the three great prophetic beast expressions in Revelation 13 and 17:

1. 1929–2013: Seven sequential popes, ending with Pope Benedict XVI (17:10)
2. 2013–?: Ten world powers (NWO) give growing support to the beast (harlot/beast) (17:12). They war against Christ (17:14a). Thus, this “new beast expression” is the full antichrist!
3. 42-month period: Era of the dragon-supported sea beast and earth beast (Revelation 13) world power (13:7).

Sequence of Revelation 17 (not to scale):
 
 

The third phase is described in Revelation 13, where the horns of the beast have crowns. The New World Order is in force! At the end – they all go to perdition!
 
Satanic Prophecies
 
This may be an area new to many. Here is a challenging question:
Do you think Satan knows the Bible and end-time prophecy?

• He not only knows Scripture, but he has used demonically inspired followers to write his parallel prophecies, obviously to his advantage.

There are numerous satanic predictions directly related to our time! Here are a few:
 
A Marian apparition from LaSalette, France (1846), approved by Popes Pius IX and Leo XIII, regarding apostasy within the Catholic Church when it would become the seat of the Antichrist:
 
“The earth will be struck by calamities of all kinds (in addition to plague and famine which will be wide-spread). There will be a series of wars until the last war, which will then be fought by the ten kings of the Antichrist [Revelation 17:12], all of whom will have one and the same plan [Revelation 17:13] and will be the only rulers of the world. Before this comes to pass, there will be a kind of false peace in the world. People will think of nothing but amusement. The wicked will give themselves over to all kinds of sin … this will be the hour of darkness. The Church will suffer a terrible crisis … Rome will lose the Faith and become the seat of the Antichrist … The Church will be in eclipse, the world will be in dismay.”[16]
 
The next came from St. Malachy O’Morgair in the twelfth century (1102 A.D.).

• His sequential prediction of papal heads has been uncannily accurate.
• His “last pope” – Benedict XVI – is to be followed by a leader called Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman). Then – the understanding of “Babylon’s mysteries” would occur (the harlot of Revelation 17:1-6)!

• He is number “eight” (Revelation 17:11).
• Malachy said that he would guide the final period of the “Church.”
• But at the end – it will be destroyed.

Of deepest interest is his imagery of this last leader as the antichrist, which matches the “man of sin” (II Thessalonians 2:3).

• He is involved with ten world powers in an illicit relationship (17:2), warring against Christ (17:14).
• He blasphemes God (13:6).
• He persecutes saints (13:7).
• He is under the control of Satan (13:2).
• He is directly associated with murdering God’s people (17:6).

Evidence weighs heavily that this last leader will be a charismatic individual of “distinguished character.” The world will wonder after him (13:3). Then he will become a “king of fierce countenance” (Daniel 8:23).

• “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper” (Daniel 11:36).

Following Malachy, Saint Francis of Assisi (1182 -1226) noted that at the time of the end “a man, not canonically elected, will be raised to the Pontificate, who, by his cunning, will endeavor to draw many into error and death … [he will not be] a true Pastor, but a destroyer.”[17]
 
More recently (1955), Father Herman Bernard Kramer wrote that the last pope would rule with a rod of iron the whole world as the Man of Sin.[18]
 
It was revealed by Cardinal Mario Luigi Ciappi (1909–1996) that the last papal leader will lead the Church into apostasy.[19]

• “terrible things are to happen”[20]

The late Malachi Martin (Jesuit priest) notes in his book, Windswept House, that the archangel Lucifer was formally “enthroned” in the Roman Catholic Citadel June 29, 1963.

• Purpose:

1. To raise Lucifer as the true prince over Rome.
2. To assure “sorcerous inception and embodiment in flesh of that [satanic] immaterial spirit” into a priest who would later become Petrus Romanus (the last Peter of Rome).

• Shortly thereafter, Pope Paul VI was inaugurated. With knowledge of this event, he noted: “The smoke of Satan has entered the Vatican.”[21]

Mystic, Roman Catholic theologian and prolific author, Ronald l. Conte, Jr., said (2004) that the final pope “will reaffirm the authority of the Roman Pontiff over the Church” and “will emphasize the supremacy of the Roman Catholic faith and the Roman Catholic Church above all religions and denominations, and its authority over all Christians and all peoples of the world.” Conte added that during this pope’s reign the “great apostasy” and “first part of the tribulation during our generation” will begin.[22]
 
Intriguing are the strong efforts the Roman Church put forth to hide the mystical Third Secret of Fatima (Marian apparitions in 1917 in Portugal).

• The then Cardinal Ratzinger said that it was filled with prophecy that would threaten the Catholic faith. Thus – they lied about it.
• The Church feared that it would mark the “beginning of the end times!”
• Which, he said, would “correspond to what has been announced in Scripture!”[23]

Fascinating, isn’t it? Keep the Church – keep the world – from knowing what even the devil knows about end-time prophecy. Keep it in such a way that we can control people’s beliefs and perceptions!
 
The late Malachi Martin also had these insights:
 
“On a syndicated radio broadcast, Father Malachi Martin was asked the following
question by a caller: ‘I had a Jesuit priest tell me more of the Third Secret of Fatima years ago, in Perth. He said, among other things, the last pope would be under control of Satan … Any comment on that?’ Fr. Martin responded, ‘Yes, it sounds as if they were reading, or being told, the text of the Third Secret.’ In a taped interview with Bernard Janzen, Fr. Martin was asked the following question: ‘Who are the people who are working so hard to suppress Fatima?’ Fr. Martin responded, ‘A bunch, a whole bunch, of Catholic prelates in Rome, who belong to Satan. They’re servants of Satan. And the servants of Satan outside the Church, in various organizations … It’s an alliance. A dirty alliance, a filthy alliance.’”[24]
 
The record of spiritualistic manifestations regarding end-time prophecy is protean. Suffice it for now (2013) – we have passed into the second phase of the apocalyptic papacy recorded in Revelation 17!
 
Soon thereafter the final phase will begin. Forty-two months later God’s people will know he is “on His way.”
 
The Catholic Church has known:
 
“Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the mystery of iniquity in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the Truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in the place of God and his messiah who has come in the flesh.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church: Second Edition, Catholic Church (Random House Digital, Inc., 2003), pp. 193-194.
 
Interesting, isn’t it?! They know prophecy but have a hard time implicating themselves.
 
What is that eighth? It is a coalition of:

1. The Roman Catholic Church
2. The Vatican
3. The ten regions of the world
4. Satan
5. The false prophet (another study)

John F. MacArthur, Jr., evangelical Christian pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, wrote:
 
“In the long war on the truth, the most formidable, relentless and deceptive enemy has been Roman Catholicism. It is an apostate, corrupt, heretical, false Christianity; it is a front for the kingdom of Satan. The true church of the Lord Jesus Christ has always understood this. And even through the Dark Ages from 400 to 1500, prior to the Reformation, genuine Christian believers set themselves apart from that system, and were brutally punished and executed for their rejection of that system.”
 
Is he being prophetic for what now lies ahead?
 
At some point, we should expect to see Satan appearing as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14), pretending to be the Messiah returned – a debut the “eighth” prepared him for.

• “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (II Corinthians 11:14).
• This is why Christ warned about false Christs.
• “Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not” (Matthew 24:26).

Can you imagine?
 
“In the last days Satan will appear as an angel of light, with great power and heavenly glory, and claim to be the Lord of the whole earth. He will declare that the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week; and as lord of the first day of the week he will present this spurious sabbath as a test of loyalty to him. Then will take place the final fulfillment of the Revelator’s prophecy. ‘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? 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. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations’ [Revelation 13:4-7]. [Revelation 13:8-18, also quoted.]”[25]
 
Get ready! Take Jesus personally.
 
References:

 Franklin S. Fowler, Jr., M.D.
Prophecy Research Initiative – non-profit 501(c)3 © 2013
EndTime Issues…, Number 150, February 17, 2013