Bible Lessons # 20 -   The Beast # 666  - Code: 66; Color: gold

 

 

This lesson continues our study in Revelation. God reveals future events concerning his church. As we discover how accurately most of it has already been fulfilled our faith is strengthened and we can be sure the future events will take place as outlined. We will want to prepare for what is coming. We suggest you read Rev.13:1-10,18 and make a list of clues about this mystic Beast, then go back through the Bible to find God's own interpretation of the symbols.

 

1. Rev.13:1-2 - What kind of animal is this beast?

Who gave the beast his power, seat, and authority?

 

Rev.13: LB 1. And now, in my vision, I saw a strange Creature rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, and ten crowns upon its horns. And written on each head were blasphemous names, each one defying and insulting God. 2. This Creature looked like a leopard but had bear's feet and a lion's mouth! And the Dragon gave him his own power and throne and great authority.

   ---  This reminds us of the 4 beasts of Daniel 7, and in lesson # 16 we learned that animals ("beasts") represent nations, kingdoms, or political powers, and that water represents multitudes, or peoples.

   --- "and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." KJ

   --- That would be the dragon of Rev.12 that we identified in lesson 19 as primarily Satan but specifically as Pagan Rome, the nation Satan used to try to destroy Christ.  Since this kingdom inherits the capital or "seat" and the authority of Pagan Rome we will know that its throne will be set up in Rome. That will be clue # 1. (Other clues are: 7 heads, ten horns with ten crowns, and the word "Blasphemy" which implies a religious relationship.)

 

2. Rev.13:5-6- - How long was his power to last?

What type of great words did he speak?

 

Rev.13:5.LB - Then the Dragon encouraged the Creature to speak great blasphemies against the Lord; and gave him authority to control the earth for forty-two months. 6. All that time he blasphemed God's Name and his temple and all those living in heaven.

   --- Based on Jewish calendar of a 360 day year and a 30 day month we have the same 1260 day prophecy referred to in four other places. Compare with Dan.7:8,25, and with Rev.12:6,14. It is evident that these verses refer to the same 1260 year- period from 538 to 1798 A.D. (See lessons 16 & 19).

     ---"Blasphemy" is another clue! See the next texts for a Bible definition.

 

3. Lu.5:20-21 - What is one Bible definition of Blasphemy?

 

Lu.5: LB 20. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, "My friend, your sins are forgiven!" 21. "Who does this fellow think he is?" the Pharisees and teachers of the Law exclaimed among themselves. "This is blasphemy! Who but God can forgive sins?"

   --- For any mere human to claim the power to forgive sin is blasphemy. Only God is able to forgive our sins. Jesus was the Great Creator---God in human flesh so it was proper for Jesus but no one else can do this! (Jn.1:3-5,14)

 

4. John 10:33 - Of what other blasphemy was Jesus accused?

 

Jn.10:33.LB They replied, "Not for any good work, but for blasphemy; you, a mere man, have declared yourself to be God."  

   --- So we learn that for either a man to claim to be God or to be able to forgive sins is blasphemy!

 

5. Rev.13:7 - Who did this power fight against or make war with?

Who did he have power over?

Rev.13:7.LB The Dragon gave him power to fight against God's people and to overcome them, and to rule over all nations and language groups throughout the world.

   --- We have two more clues: He persecutes God's people and He rules nations. We see here a religious-political power that persecutes those who disagree.

   --- History tells us that during the spiritual Dark Ages of 538 to 1798 people were prosecuted as heretics for refusing to confess their sins to the priests or to accept the pope as God, or God's only representative on earth. The nations political army, controlled by the church, put thousands of heretics to death.

 

6. Mat.10:17,21 - What warning did Jesus give about future persecutions?

 

Mat.10: LB 17. But beware! For you will be arrested and tried, and whipped in the synagogues. 21. Brother shall betray brother to death, and fathers shall betray their own children. And children shall rise against their parents. . .

 

7. Ps.31:13-15 - Who can we trust in times of persecution?

 

Ps.31: LB 13. I heard the lies about me, the slanders of my enemies.  Everywhere I looked I was afraid, for they were plotting against my life. 14. But I was trusting you, O Lord. I said, "You alone are my God; 15. my times are in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly."

 

8. Ps.44:22; 46:10-11. - When we feel like sheep ready for slaughter what should we do?   What hope do we have?

 

Ps.44: LB 22. We are facing death threats constantly because of serving you! We are like sheep awaiting slaughter.

Ps.46: LB 10. "Stand silent! Know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation in the world!" 11. The Commander of the heavenly armies is here among us! He…has come to rescue us!

   --- Even if we die, we will win with King Jesus and inherit His new earth.

 

9. Ps.119:77,88 - What do we need in order to live?

 

Ps.119: LB 77. Surround me with your tender mercies, that I may live. For your law is my delight. 84. How long must I wait before you punish those who persecute me? 85. These proud men who hate your truth and laws have dug deep pits for me to fall in. 86. Their lies have brought me into deep trouble. Help me for you love only truth. 87. They had almost finished me off, yet I refused to yield and disobey your laws. 88. In your kindness, spare my life; then I can continue to obey you.

   --- It is only by God's mercy that we have life! Both temporal health and eternal life is a gift from the great Life-giver. These verses describe the experience of God's persecuted people especially during the long dark ages when the Papal leaders persecuted "heretics"

 

10. Lu.6:27-29 - What did Jesus say to do when mistreated and persecuted?

 

Lu.6: LB 27. Listen, all of you. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you; implore God's blessing on those who hurt you. 29. If someone slaps you on one cheek, let him slap the other too! If someone demands your coat, give him your shirt besides.

 

11. 2 Sam.22:2-3 - Who will save us from violence?

 

2 Sam.22: LB 2. Jehovah is my rock, my fortress and my Savior. 3. I will hide in God, who is my rock and my refuge. He is my shield and my salvation, My refuge and high tower. Thank you, O my Savior, For saving me from all my enemies.

 

12. Jer.20:11- - What will be the final end of all persecutors?

 

Jer.20:11. But the Lord is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.

 

13. Rev.13:9-10 - What happens to those who lead others into captivity?

 

Rev.13:9. If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity; he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

   --- When the 1260 years came to an end, the head of this Roman Papacy, namely Pope Pius VI, was taken captive by the French General Berthier. Napoleon pronounced the death of the papacy. But prophecy said that this deadly wound would be healed. History shows how this has been accomplished.

 

14. Rev.13:3-4 - After the wound was healed how many would honor the beast?

 

Rev.13: LB 3. I saw that one of his heads seemed wounded beyond recovery--but the fatal wound was healed! All the world marveled at this miracle and followed the Creature in awe. 4. They worshiped the Dragon for giving him such power, and they worshiped the strange Creature. "Where is there anyone as great as he?" they exclaimed. "Who is able to fight against him?"

   ---  Some more clues to confirm the identification as that of the Roman Papacy are: Deadly Wound, Wound Healed, and Receives World-wide Honor! Ever since the wound was healed in 1929, when Mussolini returned Vatican City to the church as a political state, the church has grown in world-wide prestige and honor, just as God said it would.

 

15. Rev.13:8 - Who are the only people who will not be deceived or forced into giving allegiance (or worship) to this power?

 

 8. And all mankind--whose names were not written down before the founding of the world in the slain Lamb's Book of Life--worshiped the evil Creature.

 

16. Rev.13:18 - Does the Papacy have leaders with a title value of 666?

 

18. Here is a puzzle that calls for careful thought to solve it. Let those who are able interpret this code: the numerical values of the letters in his name add to 666!

   --- "The numerical value of his name is 666" reads the comment in my Catholic Army New Testament version. Does the papacy have a leading man with a name or title that has this value? Yes, it does. The title conferred on every elected Pope is "VICARIUS FILII DEI" a Latin title which means: "Vicegerent of the Son of God." Adding the Latin letters with numerical value gives us the sum of exactly 666!

 

17. Mat.11:25 - To whom has God revealed his secrets?

 

Mat.11: LB 25. And Jesus prayed this prayer: "O Father, lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise, and for revealing it to little children.

   ---Are you a humble teachable child of God? If you are God will help you understand this prophecy.

 

 Today I am praying for all who will be studying this lesson.

 May God bless you with a clear understanding of His present truth.

         Edward Graves

 

  

 

 

Some Extra texts and thoughts ---  omitted from the Lesson.

 

Mat.12: LB 14. The Pharisees called a meeting to plot Jesus' arrest and death. 15. But he knew what they were planning, and left the synagogue, with many following him. He healed all the sick among them. 16. But he cautioned them against spreading the news about his miracles. 17. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: 18. Look at my Servant, see my Chosen one. He is my Beloved, in whom my soul delights. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will judge the nations. 19. He does not fight nor shout; He does not raise his voice! 20. He does not crush the weak, Or quench the smallest hope; He will end all conflict with his final victory, 21. and his name shall be the hope of all the world.

 

   --- Jesus, the meek and lowly healer, demonstrated how the Sabbath should be kept by performing an act of mercy. He was branded as a Sabbath-breaker by the church leaders of his day and they studied how they might kill him. Finally, when the prophetic time came for Jesus to give himself as a sacrifice for our sin, He did allow himself to be killed! What a contrast between Jesus and his persecutors. Likewise, there is to be a great contrast between the followers of the "Beast" and the followers of the "Lamb".

 

By what are we healed of sin?

 

1 Pet.2: LB 24. He personally carried the load of our sins in his own body when he died on the cross, so that we can be finished with sin and live a good life from now on. For his wounds have healed ours! 25. Like sheep you wandered away from God, but now you have returned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls who keeps you safe from all attacks.

 

 Where is Jesus now?

 

1 Pet.3: LB22. And now Christ is in heaven, sitting in the place of honor next to God the Father, with all the angels and powers of heaven bowing before him and obeying him.

 

For one hour, (two weeks, or some indefinite short time) there will be a world union that will cause everyone to give allegiance or worship to this renewed religious-political power. It will be against God's people. In the end who will overcome?

 

Rev.17: LB 12. His ten horns are ten kings who have not yet risen to power; they will be appointed to their kingdoms for one brief moment, to reign with him. 13. They will all sign a treaty giving their power and strength to him. 14. Together they will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them; for he is Lord over all lords, and King of kings, and his people are the called and chosen and faithful ones.