The document analyzes and discusses the symbols and characters in Revelation chapter 12. It considers that the woman represents Israel, from whom the Messiah would come. The dragon is identified as Satan who seeks to devour the woman's child. The child is Jesus Christ. There is war in heaven as Michael and his angels cast Satan and his demons out. They are defeated through the blood of the Lamb and martyrdom of believers. God protects the woman, representing Israel and later the church, from the dragon's attacks during the tribulation period.
The document provides an analysis and summary of Revelation Chapter 12. It discusses the key symbols and figures in the chapter.
The main points are:
1) The woman represents Israel, who gives birth to the messiah, Jesus.
2) The dragon is identified as Satan, who tries to destroy the woman and her child.
3) The child is Jesus, and the dragon's attempts to kill him refer back to Herod's killing of infant boys in Bethlehem.
4) Michael and the angels defeat Satan and cast him out of heaven down to Earth, where he continues persecuting believers.
God used Joseph and Moses to fulfill His promise to Abraham to make a great nation and be a blessing to all nations. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt but rose to a position of power, saving the Egyptians and surrounding nations from famine. Moses was called by God to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, confronting Pharaoh with ten plagues that demonstrated God's power over the Egyptian gods. The Exodus was meant to show God's saving power and make His name known throughout the earth.
This document contains a passage from Isaiah about the coming Messiah and his titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. It then provides commentary from various scholars and preachers discussing the meaning and fulfillment of this prophecy. They view it as predicting an ideal, divine ruler rather than a mere human king. Some see it fulfilled in Jesus Christ as the spiritual ruler who established his kingdom through love and sacrifice.
God honors Pinchas for his zealous defense of God's honor by killing an Israelite man and his Midianite lover who were publicly engaging in immorality. As a result, God grants Pinchas the priesthood and an eternal covenant of peace. Later, God honors Moses' request to appoint Joshua as the new leader of Israel by having Moses lay hands on Joshua, symbolically transferring his authority. God also honors the request of the daughters of Zelophehad to receive their inheritance, showing God cares for both men and women equally.
This is a study of Jesus being the servant of Jehovah. This is a main theme in Isaiah, and so we are only dealing with a small amount of writings on this topic.
This is a study of Jesus being serious about darkness. Jesus is saying very serious things about the final judgment of those who refuse to have faith in Him.
This document outlines chapters from a deliverance manual by Pat Holliday. It discusses demons and the deliverance ministry. Some key points include:
1) Demons are evil spirits mentioned in the Bible, though the word "demon" itself is not used. Jesus performed exorcisms to cast out demons.
2) The deliverance ministry involves casting out demons from people who are possessed. It is based on the authority and power Christians have been given through Jesus.
3) The deliverance ministry was controversial in Jesus' time, as religious leaders accused him of using demonic power. However, Jesus had compassion and helped people afflicted by demons.
The document provides an analysis and summary of Revelation Chapter 12. It discusses the key symbols and figures in the chapter.
The main points are:
1) The woman represents Israel, who gives birth to the messiah, Jesus.
2) The dragon is identified as Satan, who tries to destroy the woman and her child.
3) The child is Jesus, and the dragon's attempts to kill him refer back to Herod's killing of infant boys in Bethlehem.
4) Michael and the angels defeat Satan and cast him out of heaven down to Earth, where he continues persecuting believers.
God used Joseph and Moses to fulfill His promise to Abraham to make a great nation and be a blessing to all nations. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt but rose to a position of power, saving the Egyptians and surrounding nations from famine. Moses was called by God to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, confronting Pharaoh with ten plagues that demonstrated God's power over the Egyptian gods. The Exodus was meant to show God's saving power and make His name known throughout the earth.
This document contains a passage from Isaiah about the coming Messiah and his titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. It then provides commentary from various scholars and preachers discussing the meaning and fulfillment of this prophecy. They view it as predicting an ideal, divine ruler rather than a mere human king. Some see it fulfilled in Jesus Christ as the spiritual ruler who established his kingdom through love and sacrifice.
God honors Pinchas for his zealous defense of God's honor by killing an Israelite man and his Midianite lover who were publicly engaging in immorality. As a result, God grants Pinchas the priesthood and an eternal covenant of peace. Later, God honors Moses' request to appoint Joshua as the new leader of Israel by having Moses lay hands on Joshua, symbolically transferring his authority. God also honors the request of the daughters of Zelophehad to receive their inheritance, showing God cares for both men and women equally.
This is a study of Jesus being the servant of Jehovah. This is a main theme in Isaiah, and so we are only dealing with a small amount of writings on this topic.
This is a study of Jesus being serious about darkness. Jesus is saying very serious things about the final judgment of those who refuse to have faith in Him.
This document outlines chapters from a deliverance manual by Pat Holliday. It discusses demons and the deliverance ministry. Some key points include:
1) Demons are evil spirits mentioned in the Bible, though the word "demon" itself is not used. Jesus performed exorcisms to cast out demons.
2) The deliverance ministry involves casting out demons from people who are possessed. It is based on the authority and power Christians have been given through Jesus.
3) The deliverance ministry was controversial in Jesus' time, as religious leaders accused him of using demonic power. However, Jesus had compassion and helped people afflicted by demons.
3 our journey of faith nephis theme deliverer and messiah lehis familyDouglas Maughan
This document discusses several topics related to the Book of Mormon:
1. It outlines Nephi's theme of deliverance through faith in Christ, citing over 20 examples of deliverance in the Book of 1 Nephi.
2. It discusses Lehi's family and their journey, mentioning their deliverance from Laban, Laman and Lemuel, and their arrival in the promised land.
3. It examines Nephi's slaying of Laban through the lens of an Israelite kingship initiation ritual, comparing it to the story of David and Goliath.
This is a study of the gospel Jesus preached, and you may be surprised when you discover what His message was, for it was before the cross and resurrection.
4 our journey of faith the exodus patterns provocation of grace & tree o...Douglas Maughan
This document discusses the Exodus motif found in the Book of Mormon. It provides examples of stories that parallel the biblical Exodus story, such as Lehi's family leaving Jerusalem and crossing the ocean. The document also explains how the Nephites saw their own experiences of leaving their lands and traveling as expressions of their spiritual journey, comparing themselves to the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness. Additionally, it explores the concept of the Israelites rejecting God's grace during the provocation in the wilderness, and how this relates to the pride cycle of blessings followed by wickedness found throughout the Book of Mormon.
From the days of Polycarp to the present numerous attempts have been made to unlock the enigmatic 666 and its association with the name of the antichrist. What is its significance? How does the mark of the beast compare to the seal of God?
The document discusses different concepts of God held by various cultures and languages. It provides examples of names for God in Zulu ("uMvelinqangi"), Hindi ("Pram-atma"), and other languages that describe God as a holy spirit without physical form. The document argues that most concepts of God predate modern religions and describe God in similar spiritual terms rather than anthropomorphic ones, emphasizing God's greatness. It aims to show that belief in one supreme creator God is universal to human nature.
This document provides an introduction and overview of key ideas in the book of Exodus. It discusses how Exodus tells the story of the Israelites' transition from families in Egypt to a nation, and how God redeems them to become God's people. The document also notes Exodus covers the revelation at Sinai, the Israelites' wanderings, rebellions, and the construction of the tabernacle. It highlights Exodus as a narrative of adventure and God's role in liberating the Israelites from slavery.
''Lord show us the Father and it sufficeth
us." This request of Philip is the request a
thousand times repeated by the faithful of
the ancient covenant, it is the cry of the
prophets, it is the prayer of the Israel of God.
It is even more than this. It expresses the
longing of humanity as a whole, it is the
most profound desire of every human heart,
it is the secret sigh or open aspiration of your
own heart.
A study of the Gospel of Mark with a particular emphasis on the use of the Scriptures of Israel in presenting Jesus as the fulfilment of the New Exodus hopes of Isaiah.
By Rev Jon Swales, Curate at St George's Church, Leeds
This document provides an analysis of the prophecy in Daniel 7 of the four beasts and the "little horn" power. It summarizes that the four beasts represent four successive world empires: the lion represents Babylon, the bear represents Medo-Persia, the leopard with four wings and heads represents the swift Greek empire of Alexander, and the terrible beast with iron teeth represents the Roman Empire. It then focuses on analyzing the "little horn" power, concluding that it represents the papacy based on evidence that it would rise after the ten divisions of Rome, be both a political and religious power that would oppress God's people for 1260 years, and try to change God's law, such as instituting Sunday worship in place
This document provides a summary of a sermon given by C.H. Spurgeon on October 13, 1872 about Jesus being described as "a root out of dry ground" in Isaiah 53:2. In under 3 sentences:
The sermon examines the metaphor of Jesus being like a root that grows from dry ground to illustrate that He derived nothing from His lineage, nationality, followers, or means of propagation, but instead He was self-contained and self-sustained, and through Him those around Him found life and strength. It explores how Jesus came from humble beginnings with no earthly advantages or support to spread His message through simple means without force or state power.
This is a study of Jesus being a banner for the peoples. This is an end time theme when the people see Jesus and HIs glorious rest and become a part of HIs Kingdom.
A Biblico-Theological Approach to Hosea 1:2-9 and 3:1-5 on the Judgment and M...inventionjournals
Hosea, the prophet of God, was instructed by God to symbolically prophesy to the erring people of Israel on the impending devastation awaiting them, if they did not return to him (God). The stages of this prophecy are aptly represented in the marriage of Hosea to an adulterous woman, Gomer. Thus, God, represented by Hosea, had a covenant with Israel but the latter left him for other gods, entrusting their care and protection into the hands of other nations. Enraged by this, God prophesied through Hosea, the punishment meant for Israel for her intransigence and also his mercy on them, if they returned to him. God’s judgment is not exclusive of his mercy. The above stated prophecy of Hosea to Israel is, in this write-up, situated in the Nigerian context especially, in the Nigerian tribal issues which are dragging the progress of the country to the mud. Thus, recognizing the method of analogia limpit,1 this write-up tries to represent the Hosea-Gomer event in Nigeria-tribes event and happenstances wherein Nigeria marries the three major tribes in dispute, whose ideological reconciliation with Nigeria (or the spirit of mother Africa) would earn the country a greater favour from God than the present malediction ravaging it.
Exploring ancient christian mystery traditionsDavid G
Here we will explore the mystery traditions and connectivity between Venus, Mary the Magdalene, Jesus the Christ, royal marriage rules, fallen angels, the Nephilim, a hidden tradition of Mother Nature, and how all these things tie so tightly together.
I have researched the meaning behind the 5-pointed star, how Epochs are measured, why Venus was important (meditate on why Satanists hijacked and corrupted this symbol, just as they did the Lion of Judah constellation, remaking it Orion; depicting him killing that Lion), why royals were forbidden to breed with common people (a Nephilim promise to God in the days of Noah), Jesus the Christ's hidden marital status, his intimate relationship with Mary Magdalene, of her true ecclesiastic status and royal pedigree, and the secret Mother Goddess we worship alongside the Father as One Being. Yet, one needs also to consider the throbbing headache of trying to understand how all these seemingly disparate things so inseparably bind together, once we explore deeply enough to find their initial points of connection.
The Omega Conspiracy: Satan's Last Assault on God's Kingdom, by I.D.E. ThomasGuy Boulianne
This document provides a foreword and introduction to Dr. I.D.E. Thomas's book "The Omega Conspiracy". The foreword discusses the author meeting Dr. Thomas in 1992 and his groundbreaking work on linking UFO phenomena to biblical topics like the Nephilim. The introduction discusses how human beliefs and assumptions have changed throughout history as new discoveries were made, and how the skies have long been a source of mystery and fascination. It notes how both Christians and devotees of astrology look to the skies for meaning, and discusses Jesus' warnings of signs in the heavens preceding his return.
In this section of our study, Pastor Mitch goes through chapters 12 and 13 and gives some possible explanations for the difficult parts of this passage.
The beginning of the GREAT Tribulation. The most severe persecution of the Jews in history is to begin. Bad as things were they are going to get worse, much, much worse. If you want to view video clips of this series broken down into 5 minute clips http://community.webshots.com/user/matav1
3 our journey of faith nephis theme deliverer and messiah lehis familyDouglas Maughan
This document discusses several topics related to the Book of Mormon:
1. It outlines Nephi's theme of deliverance through faith in Christ, citing over 20 examples of deliverance in the Book of 1 Nephi.
2. It discusses Lehi's family and their journey, mentioning their deliverance from Laban, Laman and Lemuel, and their arrival in the promised land.
3. It examines Nephi's slaying of Laban through the lens of an Israelite kingship initiation ritual, comparing it to the story of David and Goliath.
This is a study of the gospel Jesus preached, and you may be surprised when you discover what His message was, for it was before the cross and resurrection.
4 our journey of faith the exodus patterns provocation of grace & tree o...Douglas Maughan
This document discusses the Exodus motif found in the Book of Mormon. It provides examples of stories that parallel the biblical Exodus story, such as Lehi's family leaving Jerusalem and crossing the ocean. The document also explains how the Nephites saw their own experiences of leaving their lands and traveling as expressions of their spiritual journey, comparing themselves to the Israelites who wandered in the wilderness. Additionally, it explores the concept of the Israelites rejecting God's grace during the provocation in the wilderness, and how this relates to the pride cycle of blessings followed by wickedness found throughout the Book of Mormon.
From the days of Polycarp to the present numerous attempts have been made to unlock the enigmatic 666 and its association with the name of the antichrist. What is its significance? How does the mark of the beast compare to the seal of God?
The document discusses different concepts of God held by various cultures and languages. It provides examples of names for God in Zulu ("uMvelinqangi"), Hindi ("Pram-atma"), and other languages that describe God as a holy spirit without physical form. The document argues that most concepts of God predate modern religions and describe God in similar spiritual terms rather than anthropomorphic ones, emphasizing God's greatness. It aims to show that belief in one supreme creator God is universal to human nature.
This document provides an introduction and overview of key ideas in the book of Exodus. It discusses how Exodus tells the story of the Israelites' transition from families in Egypt to a nation, and how God redeems them to become God's people. The document also notes Exodus covers the revelation at Sinai, the Israelites' wanderings, rebellions, and the construction of the tabernacle. It highlights Exodus as a narrative of adventure and God's role in liberating the Israelites from slavery.
''Lord show us the Father and it sufficeth
us." This request of Philip is the request a
thousand times repeated by the faithful of
the ancient covenant, it is the cry of the
prophets, it is the prayer of the Israel of God.
It is even more than this. It expresses the
longing of humanity as a whole, it is the
most profound desire of every human heart,
it is the secret sigh or open aspiration of your
own heart.
A study of the Gospel of Mark with a particular emphasis on the use of the Scriptures of Israel in presenting Jesus as the fulfilment of the New Exodus hopes of Isaiah.
By Rev Jon Swales, Curate at St George's Church, Leeds
This document provides an analysis of the prophecy in Daniel 7 of the four beasts and the "little horn" power. It summarizes that the four beasts represent four successive world empires: the lion represents Babylon, the bear represents Medo-Persia, the leopard with four wings and heads represents the swift Greek empire of Alexander, and the terrible beast with iron teeth represents the Roman Empire. It then focuses on analyzing the "little horn" power, concluding that it represents the papacy based on evidence that it would rise after the ten divisions of Rome, be both a political and religious power that would oppress God's people for 1260 years, and try to change God's law, such as instituting Sunday worship in place
This document provides a summary of a sermon given by C.H. Spurgeon on October 13, 1872 about Jesus being described as "a root out of dry ground" in Isaiah 53:2. In under 3 sentences:
The sermon examines the metaphor of Jesus being like a root that grows from dry ground to illustrate that He derived nothing from His lineage, nationality, followers, or means of propagation, but instead He was self-contained and self-sustained, and through Him those around Him found life and strength. It explores how Jesus came from humble beginnings with no earthly advantages or support to spread His message through simple means without force or state power.
This is a study of Jesus being a banner for the peoples. This is an end time theme when the people see Jesus and HIs glorious rest and become a part of HIs Kingdom.
A Biblico-Theological Approach to Hosea 1:2-9 and 3:1-5 on the Judgment and M...inventionjournals
Hosea, the prophet of God, was instructed by God to symbolically prophesy to the erring people of Israel on the impending devastation awaiting them, if they did not return to him (God). The stages of this prophecy are aptly represented in the marriage of Hosea to an adulterous woman, Gomer. Thus, God, represented by Hosea, had a covenant with Israel but the latter left him for other gods, entrusting their care and protection into the hands of other nations. Enraged by this, God prophesied through Hosea, the punishment meant for Israel for her intransigence and also his mercy on them, if they returned to him. God’s judgment is not exclusive of his mercy. The above stated prophecy of Hosea to Israel is, in this write-up, situated in the Nigerian context especially, in the Nigerian tribal issues which are dragging the progress of the country to the mud. Thus, recognizing the method of analogia limpit,1 this write-up tries to represent the Hosea-Gomer event in Nigeria-tribes event and happenstances wherein Nigeria marries the three major tribes in dispute, whose ideological reconciliation with Nigeria (or the spirit of mother Africa) would earn the country a greater favour from God than the present malediction ravaging it.
Exploring ancient christian mystery traditionsDavid G
Here we will explore the mystery traditions and connectivity between Venus, Mary the Magdalene, Jesus the Christ, royal marriage rules, fallen angels, the Nephilim, a hidden tradition of Mother Nature, and how all these things tie so tightly together.
I have researched the meaning behind the 5-pointed star, how Epochs are measured, why Venus was important (meditate on why Satanists hijacked and corrupted this symbol, just as they did the Lion of Judah constellation, remaking it Orion; depicting him killing that Lion), why royals were forbidden to breed with common people (a Nephilim promise to God in the days of Noah), Jesus the Christ's hidden marital status, his intimate relationship with Mary Magdalene, of her true ecclesiastic status and royal pedigree, and the secret Mother Goddess we worship alongside the Father as One Being. Yet, one needs also to consider the throbbing headache of trying to understand how all these seemingly disparate things so inseparably bind together, once we explore deeply enough to find their initial points of connection.
The Omega Conspiracy: Satan's Last Assault on God's Kingdom, by I.D.E. ThomasGuy Boulianne
This document provides a foreword and introduction to Dr. I.D.E. Thomas's book "The Omega Conspiracy". The foreword discusses the author meeting Dr. Thomas in 1992 and his groundbreaking work on linking UFO phenomena to biblical topics like the Nephilim. The introduction discusses how human beliefs and assumptions have changed throughout history as new discoveries were made, and how the skies have long been a source of mystery and fascination. It notes how both Christians and devotees of astrology look to the skies for meaning, and discusses Jesus' warnings of signs in the heavens preceding his return.
In this section of our study, Pastor Mitch goes through chapters 12 and 13 and gives some possible explanations for the difficult parts of this passage.
The beginning of the GREAT Tribulation. The most severe persecution of the Jews in history is to begin. Bad as things were they are going to get worse, much, much worse. If you want to view video clips of this series broken down into 5 minute clips http://community.webshots.com/user/matav1
This document discusses the identity of the beast in Revelation 13. It provides biblical evidence and quotes from EGW to identify the beast as the Papacy. Key points include:
1) The beast receives its power and authority from pagan Rome.
2) It speaks blasphemies against God by claiming titles and powers that belong to God alone.
3) It persecuted God's saints for over 1,260 years, from 538-1798 AD.
4) Its number, 666, is the numeric value of the title "Vicar of the Son of God" used by the Pope.
However, VTH asserts that the beast cannot represent the Papacy alone and instead represents
This document provides commentary on key passages from Revelation chapter 12. It describes a woman representing God's faithful people being threatened by a dragon representing Satan. The woman gives birth to a son (Jesus) who defeats the dragon. The dragon makes war on the remnant of the woman's seed, who keep God's commandments. The document suggests this remnant will face persecution but ultimately overcome through faith in Jesus.
The document discusses the mark of the beast as described in Revelation. It identifies the beast as the papacy based on several clues from Revelation and Daniel. The papacy received its seat and authority from pagan Rome. It claims to forgive sins and demands worship, fitting the characteristics of blasphemy. The mark of the beast will be enforced by the papacy near the end of time and involves rejecting God's commandments. The number of the beast, 666, is identified with titles for the pope. In contrast, God's people will keep His commandments and have the seal of God, identified as the seventh-day Sabbath.
The document summarizes 8 facts about the Antichrist from the biblical book of Revelation. It states that the Antichrist will receive his power from Satan, the whole world will follow him due to being healed of a fatal wound, and people will worship Satan for empowering the Antichrist. Additionally, the Antichrist will rule for 42 months, wage war against Christians conquering them worldwide, and Christians will be killed or imprisoned if they do not accept his mark. A false prophet will perform miracles promoting the Antichrist and forcing people to worship him.
This is a study of Jesus being the coming Shiloh. It is a verse that has been studied in depth and has several possible meanings, but most scholars agree that it is Jesus who is the Shiloh.
This document summarizes interpretations of Genesis 49:10 from various biblical commentaries and sources. It is generally agreed that this verse is a prophecy about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The key points are:
1) "Shiloh" is believed to refer to the Messiah who would bring peace.
2) The prophecy says the scepter/authority would remain with Judah until Shiloh/Messiah comes, indicating his arrival before the loss of Jewish authority.
3) The gathering of the people to Shiloh refers to people from all nations coming to faith in Christ.
The document discusses spiritual warfare and temptation based on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. It summarizes how God protected and provided for the Israelites after delivering them from Egypt but they still displeased God through idolatry, sexual immorality, testing God, and grumbling. Paul warns the Corinthians not to commit these same sins. The Israelites' failures are examples for believers to learn from so as not to fall into temptation. We should stand firm in faith and resist evil desires through God's strength and the weapons of righteousness.
Bible Truths - Prophecy of Daniel and Revelation - Bowing to the Beast #13 - What is the first beast of Revelation 13? This presentation covers Babylon and what it represents in the Scripture. The basis of this presentation comes from Daniel 3 and the golden image of Nebuchadnezzar. There are two beasts spoken of that are world powers that combine government and religion. When you follow Jesus you might go through some very difficult times, but you don't go alone. Jesus said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."
#BibleTruths #ProphecyDaniel #BowingToTheBeast #BibleTruths2020 #AmazingFactsProphecy #EndTimeProphecy2020 #ProphecyDanielRevelation #BibleProphecy2020 #RevelationProphecy2020 #ProphecySeminar #SignsYouCantIgnore #LandmarksOfProphecy2020 #AmazingFacts
This document provides an in-depth analysis of Revelation 12, which depicts the battle between good and evil expressed from Genesis to Revelation. It uses the symbolism of the dragon or serpent to represent Satan's power opposing the woman, who represents God's people. The woman first represents ancient Israel but later the Christian church. The dragon seeks to destroy the woman's offspring, who are believers in God. The document examines how Satan worked through seven successive kingdoms - Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and the Papacy - to persecute God's people throughout history. It analyzes the symbolism in Revelation 12 in the context of the conflict between Christ and Satan from the creation of humanity to
The Three Phases of the Anti-Christ PowerRobert Taylor
This document outlines keys to unlocking prophecies in the Bible. It discusses various symbols found in prophecies and their meanings, such as beasts representing ruling powers. It analyzes prophecies about a beast with seven heads and ten horns in Revelation 12-13 and 17. This beast represents the papacy, which ruled as a head/empire for 1260 years before being wounded but healing. Biblical knowledge of the antichrist power and its mark are said to be the last message before Jesus' return. Intellectual biblical knowledge is presented as the greatest reformer of Christianity.
Verse one: “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars”
The “woman” is the Church, also called virgins or Christ bride. Ezekiel 16, Matthew 25:1-13; Revelation 14:4; Revelation 19:7. This is a distinction from the Harlot who rejects Christ (Rev 17:1)
“clothed” refers to Orthodox Israel who did not receive Christ, type and shadow - Joseph, son of Jacob/Israel dreamed about his brothers and family that they would kneel before him, they rejected him. This is Israel in the tribulation. (Genesis 37:5-11)
The document discusses the seven seals described in Revelation chapter 5-7. It provides keys to understanding the seals, such as the white horse representing the purity and aggressiveness of the early church. Each successive seal represents a changing "character" of the church, from persecution to corruption. The sixth seal depicts end time events like those Jesus described, and the seventh seal deals with his second coming, represented by silence in heaven.
This document provides an overview and analysis of key passages from Revelation chapter 12. It summarizes that the chapter describes a heavenly vision of a woman representing God's church giving birth to the messiah, and being persecuted by a dragon representing Satan. It then discusses symbols such as the sun, moon, and stars as representing different aspects of God's true church and leadership. The document analyzes the time periods of persecution of the church and its flight to remote places for protection.
Prophecy provides insight into past, present, and future events according to God's will and plan. Prophecy is highly accurate, as shown through its fulfillment, such as the prophecies regarding Jesus's birth and death. Biblical prophecy falls into categories including pre-millennial, millennial, and post-millennial prophecies concerning the end times buildup to Christ's second coming, His 1,000 year reign on Earth, and eternity. The rebirth of Israel in 1948 and the Six-Day War of 1967 are the greatest fulfillments of prophecy since Christ, signifying the last generation has begun.
This document discusses various topics related to biblical prophecy including: the accuracy of prophecy and its fulfillment throughout history; categories of prophecy including messianic, pre-millennial, and post-millennial; and key prophecies related to Israel such as the restoration of the nation and control of Jerusalem. It asserts that understanding prophecy removes fear about doomsday scenarios and provides stability by revealing what will truly transpire according to the Bible.
The woman represents the early Christian church. She is described as:
1) Clothed with the sun, representing that the church is enlightened by Christ.
2) Having the moon under her feet, symbolizing that the church has surpassed and replaced the Jewish law and traditions.
3) Crowned with twelve stars, alluding to the twelve apostles who established the church.
This document discusses marketing practices and strategies. It covers trends in marketing like outsourcing and globalization. It also discusses organizing a marketing department through functional, geographic, product-based or market-based structures. Finally, it outlines tools for monitoring and improving marketing performance, including annual plans, audits, and reviews of efficiency, profitability and strategy. The overall document provides an overview of holistic marketing organization and best practices.
The document discusses factors companies should consider when deciding to enter global markets and how to manage international operations. It covers evaluating foreign markets, risks of going abroad, modes of entry like exporting and licensing. The text also addresses adapting marketing strategies for other cultures, managing global brands, and organizational structures like export departments and international divisions.
The document discusses the new product development process. It describes the challenges companies face in developing new offerings, such as shortage of ideas, fragmented markets, and faster development times. The document outlines the main stages in new product development, from idea generation to concept testing, prototype testing, and market testing before launch. It also discusses factors that influence consumers' adoption of new products, such as the characteristics of innovations and the categorization of consumers based on their willingness to adopt innovations early or later.
The document discusses various topics related to personal communications and marketing. It covers direct marketing techniques like direct mail, catalogs, and telemarketing. It also discusses interactive marketing using websites, search ads, and display ads. Additionally, it examines the role of word-of-mouth marketing and social media. The document provides guidance on designing a sales force, including considerations around structure, size, and compensation. It also offers tips for salespeople to improve skills like selling, negotiating, and relationship building.
The document discusses developing integrated marketing communication programs. It outlines the steps to developing an advertising program, which are to set objectives, decide on a budget, develop the campaign, decide on media, and make measurement plans. For sales promotions, companies should establish objectives, select appropriate tools, develop the program, pretest it, implement and control it, and evaluate results. When planning brand-building events and experiences, companies should choose appropriate events and design effective programs to measure engagement. Finally, public relations can be used through tools like publications, events, sponsorships, news, and speeches, with objectives, messages, vehicles, implementation, and evaluation guiding PR decisions.
The document discusses marketing communications and integrated marketing communications programs. It covers the major modes of marketing communications including advertising, sales promotion, public relations, direct marketing, and personal selling. It outlines the steps in developing effective communications programs, including identifying the target audience, determining objectives, designing the message strategy and creative appeals, selecting communication channels, establishing a budget, and deciding on the right media mix. Finally, it discusses developing an integrated marketing communications program that coordinates these various communications tools.
The document discusses retailing, wholesaling, and logistics. It covers the major types of retailers like supermarkets, department stores, and discount stores. It also discusses wholesalers, distributors that buy products in bulk and break them down for resale. Logistics involves coordinating the flow of goods from manufacturers to consumers through transportation and warehousing. The document examines the marketing decisions of retailers and wholesalers around areas like pricing, product assortment, and supply chain management. It also looks at trends in these industries and asks about the future of private label brands.
This document discusses marketing channels and channel management. It begins by defining a marketing channel system as the set of organizations involved in making a product available to consumers. It then discusses how companies design channel systems, manage channel members, integrate channels, and address channel conflicts. The document also covers the rise of e-commerce and m-commerce channels and the issues companies face with these new channels.
This document discusses developing pricing strategies and programs. It begins with questions about how consumers evaluate prices and how companies should set and adapt prices. It then covers topics like how the internet has changed pricing, common pricing mistakes, consumer psychology around pricing, estimating costs, competitor price analysis, different pricing methods, selecting a final price, price discounts and changes, and how to respond to competitive pricing changes. The goal is to help companies determine the optimal ways to set, adjust, and maintain prices for their products and services.
The document discusses key aspects of services marketing. It defines a service as any act or performance that is intangible and does not result in ownership. Services are classified along a continuum from pure tangible goods to pure services. Services differ from goods in being intangible, inseparable from their delivery, variable in their delivery, and perishable if not provided immediately. The document outlines challenges in services marketing like matching supply and demand and reducing customer failures. It provides best practices for achieving service excellence, improving quality using models of expected service, and enhancing customer support for goods companies.
The document discusses key concepts around product strategy and marketing, including how products are classified based on durability, tangibility and use. It also covers how companies can differentiate products through features, style and other attributes. Additionally, it examines the importance of product design and how companies manage their product mix through line extensions. The final sections explore co-branding strategies and how packaging, labeling and guarantees are used as marketing tools.
The document discusses competitive dynamics and strategies for different market positions. It addresses how market leaders can expand the total market and defend their share, how challengers can attack leaders, and how followers and nichers can compete. The document also covers strategies for different stages of the product life cycle and how marketers should adapt to economic downturns through focusing on value and customers.
The document discusses brand positioning and differentiation. It defines positioning as how a product is defined by consumers on important attributes compared to competitors or other products. Marketers identify competitors' strengths and weaknesses through customer ratings. Brands can be differentiated through points-of-difference (unique attributes) or points-of-parity (shared attributes). Effective positioning comes from desirable, deliverable, and differentiating attributes. The document also discusses brand mantras, perceptual maps, and emotional branding to convey a brand's identity.
The document discusses branding and brand equity. It defines a brand as a name, symbol or design that identifies a seller's goods and differentiates them from competitors. Brand equity is the added value provided to products and services through branding, which is reflected in how consumers think, feel and act regarding the brand. Building brand equity involves identifying brand positioning, implementing brand marketing, measuring performance, and growing brand value over time. Strong brands provide advantages like greater loyalty and margins as well as marketing effectiveness.
The document discusses market segmentation and targeting. It defines a market segment as a group of customers who share similar needs and wants. It identifies different ways to segment consumer markets, including geographic, demographic, psychographic, and behavioral segmentation. The key requirements for effective segmentation are that the segments are identifiable, substantial, accessible, differentiable, and actionable. Companies must also choose the most attractive target markets to enter.
This document discusses analyzing business markets and organizational buying. It begins by asking chapter review questions about the nature of business markets, buying situations, and the business-to-business buying process. The document then defines organizational buying and discusses the key characteristics of business markets. It also outlines the different types of buying situations and stages in the buying process. Finally, it discusses building relationships with business customers and how institutional and government buyers purchase goods.
The document discusses marketing research and outlines the marketing research process. It describes the key steps as defining the problem, developing a research plan, collecting information, analyzing the information, presenting findings, and making a decision. It also discusses different types of marketing research, metrics for measuring marketing performance, and how marketers can evaluate return on investment from marketing expenditures.
This document discusses collecting marketing information and forecasting demand. It describes a marketing information system as consisting of people, equipment, and procedures to gather, analyze, and distribute timely and accurate information to marketing decision makers. It also discusses internal records, marketing intelligence systems, influential macroenvironment factors, and methods for measuring and forecasting demand such as surveys, sales force opinions, and past sales analysis.
The document defines marketing as an organizational function involving processes for creating, communicating, and delivering value to customers. Marketing management involves choosing target markets and growing customer relationships through superior value. The document outlines fundamental marketing concepts like customer needs and segmentation. It also discusses how marketing has evolved from a production focus to a customer-centric approach involving relationship building and integrated strategies. Successful marketing management requires tasks like developing strategies, understanding customers, building brands, and communicating value.
The document discusses developing marketing strategies and plans. It covers topics such as phases of value creation and delivery, the value chain, core business processes, characteristics of core competencies, holistic marketing, strategic planning processes, SWOT analysis, marketing opportunities analysis, goal formulation, generic strategies, marketing alliances, elements of success, contents of a marketing plan, and evaluating a marketing plan. The key aspects are strategic planning is carried out at different levels of an organization, a marketing plan includes elements like situation analysis, marketing strategy and financial projections, and a marketing plan should be simple, specific, realistic and complete.
Philippine Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) CurriculumMJDuyan
(𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝟏𝟎𝟎) (𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝟏)-𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐬
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐏𝐏 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬:
- Understand the goals and objectives of the Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP) curriculum, recognizing its importance in fostering practical life skills and values among students. Students will also be able to identify the key components and subjects covered, such as agriculture, home economics, industrial arts, and information and communication technology.
𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫:
-Define entrepreneurship, distinguishing it from general business activities by emphasizing its focus on innovation, risk-taking, and value creation. Students will describe the characteristics and traits of successful entrepreneurs, including their roles and responsibilities, and discuss the broader economic and social impacts of entrepreneurial activities on both local and global scales.
Strategies for Effective Upskilling is a presentation by Chinwendu Peace in a Your Skill Boost Masterclass organisation by the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan on 08th and 09th June 2024 from 1 PM to 3 PM on each day.
Main Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docxadhitya5119
This is part 1 of my Java Learning Journey. This Contains Custom methods, classes, constructors, packages, multithreading , try- catch block, finally block and more.
Communicating effectively and consistently with students can help them feel at ease during their learning experience and provide the instructor with a communication trail to track the course's progress. This workshop will take you through constructing an engaging course container to facilitate effective communication.
Beyond Degrees - Empowering the Workforce in the Context of Skills-First.pptxEduSkills OECD
Iván Bornacelly, Policy Analyst at the OECD Centre for Skills, OECD, presents at the webinar 'Tackling job market gaps with a skills-first approach' on 12 June 2024
Gender and Mental Health - Counselling and Family Therapy Applications and In...PsychoTech Services
A proprietary approach developed by bringing together the best of learning theories from Psychology, design principles from the world of visualization, and pedagogical methods from over a decade of training experience, that enables you to: Learn better, faster!
3. 1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a
woman clothed with the sun, with the
moon under her feet, and on her head a
garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with
child, she cried out in labor and in pain to
give birth.”
Who is this woman?
4. The first symbol, called by John “a great sign”
is the woman. Who does she represent? There
are four popular options:
1) Mary
2) Church
3) Redeemed of both Israel and Gentiles
4) Israel
5. Mary
This view has been popular in the Catholic
Church, but there are too many discrepancies
between the woman in Revelation and the life
of Mary. There is nothing beyond the fact
that Mary gave birth to Jesus to connect her to
the “great sign” in John’s vision. Barclay says
of this woman, “she is so clearly a
superhuman figure that she can hardly be
identified with any single human being.”
6. The Church
This view has more support among those who do
not believe in the Pre-Millennial return of Christ. In
this view the “child” is new believers. Matthew
Henry views the woman as the church, which is “the
spouse of Christ, and the mother of the saints.” He
believes that the twelve stars is “the doctrine of the
gospel preached by the twelve apostles, which is a
crown of glory to all true believers.” The is, according
to Henry, “a holy progeny to Christ, desirous that
what was begun in the conviction of sinner might
end in their conversion, that when the children were
brought to the birth there might be strength to bring
forth.”
7. Redeemed of Israel and the Church
Leon Morris believes that the woman begins as
a reference to Israel but then shifts to
represent the Church in the wilderness being
persecuted for her faith. Similarly,
Kistemaker posits that the “woman represents
the covenant community of both Old and New
Testament eras.
8. Israel
A popular position is that the woman is Israel,
especially among Premillennialists. While
some see the reference to the “sun, with the
moon under her feet, and on her head a
garland of twelve stars” as coming from pagan
mythology, it is much more likely that John is
referring to Hebrew references, namely, the
dream of Joseph in which the twelve stars are
the twelve tribes of Israel.
9. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven:
behold, a great, fiery red dragon having
seven heads and ten horns, and seven
diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a
third of the stars of heaven and threw
them to the earth.
Who is the dragon?
10. 1. Satan—Lucifer, the angel of light who rebels
against God.
2. Corrupt Government Generally—Type, Israel,
antitype Jesus—Egypt’s attempt to kill the
firstborn a prophetic forerunner of Herod’s
attempt to kill the Christ child, Rome’s
persecution of Christians.
3. Rome—Was this primarily a reference to Roman
government in John’s time? Is the dragon Roman
rule and its attempts to persecute the church?
11. 4. Every time the number 10 is used in
Revelation it is in association with an
entity that is in opposition to God
(Wilson). The dragon is later identified as
the “serpent,” the “devil,” or “Satan.” Satan
first appears in Scripture as a serpent who
seduces humanity and reappears in
Revelation where he will meet his ultimate
defeat.
12. 5. Many associate this Dragon with the fourth beast
of Daniel 7:7, which is clearly referring to the
Roman Empire. Therefore many scholars believe
that the beast of Revelation represents Rome, or
the revival of the Roman Empire in some form in
the future. Some take the European Common
Market to be a revival of the Roman Empire and
see it emerging as the world power that the Satan
will use to control the world’s economy, religion,
and politics.
13. There are three main views concerning
when the events of verse 4 occur:
1. In the past, namely, the fall of Lucifer
recorded in Isaiah 14:12-15.
2. During the ministry of Jesus, as He
records that He saw Satan fall (Luke
10:18).
3. In the future. Are these events yet to
come?
14. 4b And the dragon stood before the
woman who was ready to give birth, to
devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5
She bore a male Child who was to rule all
nations with a rod of iron. And her Child
was caught up to God and His throne.
Who is the Child?
16. JESUS
This event is looks like a reference to the attempt of
Herod to have the child Jesus killed. However, Satan
was trying to destroy Israel before she could give us
the Messiah—the attempt to destroy the plan of God
in the Garden of Eden, the attempt to kill the infants
of the Jewish babies in Egyptian bondage, the
attempts to kill David, and so on. The most apparent
answer to this question is that while there have been
many types in the Old Testament, the Child is
ultimately the Christ Child.
17. 6 Then the woman fled into the
wilderness, where she has a place
prepared by God, that they should feed
her there one thousand two hundred and
sixty days.
Israel’s days in the wilderness as in the OT?
The church during the Tribulation Period?
a.) Wilderness = heaven
b.) Wilderness = a place of protection on earth
Israel during the Tribulation Period?
18. 7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and
his angels fought with the dragon; and the
dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did
not prevail, nor was a place found for them
in heaven any longer. 9 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.
19. Satan’s access and role as the accuser comes to
a violent end as Michael (no doubt at the
command of God) removes Satan from the
premises of heaven. It is as though God says,
“That is enough! Get out of my sight!”
20. 10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in
heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and
the kingdom of our God, and the power of
His Christ have come, for the accuser of
our brethren, who accused them before
our God day and night, has been cast
down.
21. The use of the plural “our” would indicate
that it is not one person, but a group. Some
take the reference to “brethren” to suggest
that the voice is that of the saints in heaven.
However, angels are sometimes referred to as
“brethren” (22:9) and the context lends itself
to the conclusion that the voice is that of the
faithful angels rejoicing at the defeat of Satan
and his angels (Morris).
22. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of
the Lamb and by the word of their
testimony, and they did not love their
lives to the death.
It is somewhat ironic that “they”
overcame by the death of the Lamb
and by their own martyrdom. The
word “testimony” is from the Greek
word “marturia.”
23. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you
who dwell in them! Woe to the
inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For
the devil has come down to you, having
great wrath, because he knows that he has
a short time."
Here is a word of encouragement. The fact
that the enemy is fighting so hard is evidence
of the fact that he knows that his time is short.
24. 13 Now when the dragon saw that he had
been cast to the earth, he persecuted the
woman who gave birth to the male Child.
The dragon persecuted who?
1.) Mary and Jesus
2.) Israel and Jesus
3.) Israel and the Church
4.) Church and Believers
25. Gause (1983) believes that the reference to
the identity of the woman shifts, in verse
5, from Israel who gave us the Messiah, to
the church who is the mother of believers:
In our terminology we make a shift from speaking
of Israel to speaking of the Church. We do this to
mark the transition from birth to motherhood.
This transition is from promise to fulfillment—
from Old Testament to New Testament.
26. 14 But the woman was given two wings of a
great eagle, that she might fly into the
wilderness to her place, where she is
nourished for a time and times and half a
time, from the presence of the serpent.
In the history of Israel there was a time when
God delivered His people “on eagles’ wings” (Ex.
19:4). Once again, God promises protection, but
not just protection, He also promises
nourishment. Just as He did for Israel in the
wilderness by providing manna, quail and water,
God promises to nourish His people while they
are in a place of protection.
27. 15 So the serpent spewed water out of his
mouth like a flood after the woman, that
he might cause her to be carried away by
the flood.”
The fact that the flood comes from serpent’s
mouth may indicate a decree or violent decrees.
Gordon suggests that it is something like the anti-
Semitic views of some people that have historically
stood behind the persecution of the Jewish people.
A flood is a common symbol of overwhelming evil
as shown in Psalms 18:4; 32:6; 69:1-2; 124:2-5)
28. 16 But the earth helped the woman, and the
earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the
flood which the dragon had spewed out of his
mouth. 17 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.
The earth was cursed because of man’s sinfulness,
but now the earth becomes the means by which the
attack of the enemy is swallowed up and the woman
and her offspring protected. The reference to the
woman and her offspring may refer to Israel (the
woman), and Gentile believers (her offspring)
(Gordon)—in other words, all believers, both Jew
and Gentile.
29. Some of the facts and timetables of this chapter are
hard to pin down, however the theme of the chapter is
crystal clear:
God will protect His people—all believers, Jew and
Gentile
Satan cannot win
The promise made in Genesis 3:15 may seem to have
tarried, but the promises of God are yea and amen.
We can trust God even in the times of trouble and
tribulation.
30. Bi 622
Mark E. Hardgrove, Ph.D., D.Min., M.Div.
32. In chapter 13 we are introduced to two
more beasts: the one that arises from the
sea, and the other who arises from the
land. These two beasts, together with the
beast of chapter twelve (who has been
identified as the devil, i.e., Satan) form an
unholy trinity. a
33. 1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I
saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having
seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns
ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous
name.
Many of the Greek manuscripts support a
translation that pictures the beast of chapter 12
standing on the sand looking for the beast of
the sea to arise and join him in his reign of
terror. This is the translation preferred by
Aune (1997), Gause (1983), Kistemaker (2001),
Morris (1987), Mounce (1977) and others.
34. What does the “sea” symbolize?
“chaos” Genesis 1:2
The Mediterranean Sea, which from John’s
perspective stood between Jerusalem and Rome.
Rome, therefore, represented the beast that was
bringing persecution against the saints.
John interprets “sea” symbolically in 17:15, where the
angel told him, ‘The waters that you saw on which
the prostitute sat, they are people and the crowds
and nations and languages” (Kistemaker). See also
Isaiah 17:12, which refers to the nations raging like a
raging sea.
35. If one recognize the second beast as a reference
to Rome, which sits on seven hills, the
indication for John’s readers is that the Rome is
the child of Satan, which he is using to persecute
the church. From a futurist perspective the beast
is more than ancient Rome. Rome itself is a
symbol of something, perhaps a reference to
political power generally, which was not God’s
original design for human governance. Instead,
God’s intention, which will be realized in His
millennial reign, was for a Theocracy in which
He sits at the center of human governance.
36. Lahaye (1999, pp. 198-199) believes that the seven
heads represent the seven stages of human
government through time:
1. Assyrian
2. Egyptian
3. Babylonian
4. Medo-Persian
5. Greek
6. Roman (Old Roman Empire)
7. Revived Roman Empire made up of ten nations
37. Jeffrey proposes the Ten Regions (Divisions) of
the New World Government, which correspond
to the ten horns:
Region 1: Canada and the United States of America
Region 2: European Union—Western Europe
Region 3: Japan
Region 4: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Pacific
Islands
Region 5: Eastern Europe
Region 6: Latin America—Mexico, Central and South America
Region 7: North Africa and Middle East (Moslems)
Region 8: Central Africa
Region 9: South and Southeast Asia
Region 10: Central Asia
38. The seven crowns represent political authority.
The crowns are not on the heads, but on the horns.
This is political power that underwrites the power
of the beast. This beast has been identified by
many as the Antichrist who is an individual who
controls and manipulates a worldwide
governmental structure.
The blasphemous names written on the heads may
be referring to a creed, motto, or slogan adopted
by the government. The Caesars of John’s day
regarded themselves and referred to themselves as
“Lord and God,” which was a blasphemous title to
Christians.
39. 2 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.
The description of the beast is reminiscent of
the description of the beast in Daniel 7:3-8.
However, Daniel saw four beasts described in
order, while John sees one beast with four
distinct characteristics. Daniel looked
forward, John looks back and see a beast that
is the culmination of the beasts of Daniel.
40. Gordon says of the Antichrist:
This is Satan’s superman. He is the devil’s Messiah,
the devil incarnate, Satan manifest in the flesh.
Here is someone whose power base initially is
Europe. He heads up a consortium that resembles
a revived Roman Empire; he is the supreme of a
United States of Europe, a ten-nation confederacy.
He is the one who, in the second half of the
Tribulation, becomes the president of the planet,
the world’s last dictator.
41. 3 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.
Satan stages a pseudo-resurrection. Satan does
not have power to resurrect people from death
(Jesus alone has that power), so this may be
something of an act that fools the world. Notice
John says, “as if it had been mortally wounded. It
will look to the world as though this man is dead,
but then he will seem miraculously to rise up and
the world will marvel. His power and following
will be enhanced by this event.
42. 4 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?“
They will sing songs to the dragon that are
reminiscent of the songs sung to God, and are
perhaps, intended to mock, for example, the
song of Exodus 15:11:
Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
43. 5 And he was given a mouth speaking great
things and blasphemies, and he was given
authority to continue for forty-two months.
The Antichrist’s rule, “42 months.” This is three and a
half years, the same length of time given to the Gentiles
to trample the Holy City (11:2). This is the same amount
of time that Israel and her children (Gentile converts?)
are in the wilderness.
This represents the second half of the Great Tribulation
Period. The Antichrist and the false prophet begin the 7
year tribulation period rather peaceful, but then the
Antichrist breaks his treaty with Israel and turns on
them with a vengeance.
44. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy
against God, to blaspheme His name, His
tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.
He opens his mouth and begins to speak
blasphemy against God, against God’s name,
God’s tabernacle, and God’s church in heaven.
“To blaspheme the name of God is to speak evil of
all that he is and stands for” (Mounce). But it also
implies a claim to be God. As Lahaye notes, “The
Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy because He said
He was God, and He was crucified for blasphemy.”
45. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the
saints and to overcome them. And authority was
given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him,
whose names have not been written in the Book
of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of
the world.
He is given the authority to “make war with
the saints and to overcome them.” And this
war extended to “every tribe, tongue, and
nation.” It will be a global attempt by the
Antichrist to find and kill anyone who will not
worship him.
46. These are both the Jews who finally
recognize Christ as Messiah, as well as
Gentiles who receive Christ as Lord. Those
who are not caught up to be with the Lord in
the air (1 Thess. 4:17), who are not “raptured”
prior to the beginning of the Tribulation
Period, will only be saved through a time of
trial, tribulation, and blood. It seems that
during the Tribulation Period those whose
names are written in the Book of Life, those
who refuse to worship the beast, will face
death.
47. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He
who leads into captivity shall go into
captivity; he who kills with the sword must
be killed with the sword. Here is the patience
and the faith of the saints.
John is calling believers to consider both what
he has just said, and what he is about to say.
He continues, warning that there will be
those who will be led into captivity and there
will be those who are killed with the sword.
48. 11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the
earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and
spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the
authority of the first beast in his presence, and
causes the earth and those who dwell in it to
worship the first beast, whose deadly wound
was healed.
This beast looks harmless, that is, as a lamb. He’s
a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He has horns like a
lamb, they look harmless, yet he speaks like the
dragon. Satan uses this beast as his religious
mouthpiece. This false prophet points the
people to the Antichrist, the incarnation of evil,
as the object of worship.
49. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even
makes fire come down from heaven on the earth
in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those
who dwell on the earth by those signs which he
was granted to do in the sight of the beast,
telling those who dwell on the earth to make an
image to the beast who was wounded by the
sword and lived.
50. The false prophet is given power to perform
miracles, mimicking the act of God in bringing
down fire from heaven, as was demonstrated by
Elijah on Mount Carmel. Baal’s priests were not able
to produce the fire, but the false prophet in the end
time struggle will gain a massive religious following
by doing what appear to be great miracles. After
gaining the religious devotion and fervor of the
world, he will point them to the Antichrist as the
one who should be worshipped.
51. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the
image of the beast, that the image of the beast
should both speak and cause as many as would
not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
In addition, an image will be built, an idol of
sorts that will appear to be able to have life
and to speak. This idol is an image of the
Antichrist that the false prophet appears to
provide with the ability to converse and to
live. This is a direct challenge to the rebuke of
God through the Psalmist who chided the
people for worshipping idols.
52. The miracles will astound and convince many
that this must be the real deal; this must be a
God thing. But miracles and the supernatural
alone are not the final measure of what is godly
or what is real. Nothing that happens contrary
to the Word of God, no message contrary to the
Word of God (even if accompanied by great
miracles), is of God. God gave us a standard to
measure every religious claim by, it is His Word
and even if heaven and earth should pass away,
His Word will endure forever
53. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and
poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their
right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no
one may buy or sell except one who has the
mark or the name of the beast, or the number of
his name.
The Antichrist, with the backing of the false
prophet, will institute a one world religion, a
one world government, and a one world
economy and participation in this process
will only be allowed when allegiance is
pledged to the beast, which will be ratified by
the “mark.”
54. Again, this is an attempt to imitate God. God
seals the Church through the Holy Spirit, and
the 144,000 are sealed by God, so Satan places
a seal upon his followers as well. It seems that
this will be a literal seal of some sort that will
be affixed (or implanted?) on the right hand
or the forehead of those who have pledged
allegiance to the beast.
55. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has
understanding calculate the number of the
beast, for it is the number of a man: His
number is 666.
The number 666 has been the source of
speculation throughout church history.
Some suggested it corresponds to the
name of Nero in Latin. Others note that
the number 6 is the number of man, and
the threefold use of it suggests a false
trinity. As such, it would be an appropriate
number of the three beasts.
56. A modern view is a number that corresponds
to our social security number. Currently, the
social security number consists of three series
of numbers, namely, three digits-two digits-four
digits, hence, 324. But if the entire world
were to be catalogued more numbers would
be needed and perhaps three series of six digit
numbers would suffice.
57. Further, the use of microchips is gaining
popularity in use for animals and now for
small children. These chips contain
information about individual who has it
implanted beneath one’s skin and can even
track an individual from satellites.