Understanding Revelation – Topic 26 The three powers which will lead the world to Armageddon An exposition of Revelation Chapter 16:13-16 Contents Introduction.....................................................................................................................................3 Spiritism...........................................................................................................................................3 The beast.........................................................................................................................................4 The dragon.......................................................................................................................................5 Identity of the dragon............................................................................................................................................................5 Significance of the ten horns...............................................................................................................................................5 Further evidence of the dragon’s composition...................................................................................................................8 Influence of the occult..........................................................................................................................................................8 The false prophet............................................................................................................................9 Parallels between the image to the beast and the false prophet......................................................................................9 Influence of the occult........................................................................................................................................................10 Parallels between The Great Controversy and Revelation 16:13-14........................................................................11 Current movements towards unity..............................................................................................13 Armageddon........................................................................................................................................................................14 Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................15 The importance of watchfulness........................................................................................................................................16 Appendices....................................................................................................................................18 Appendix A – Satans efforts against God’s people..........................................................................................................18 Appendix B - The Dragon as Spiritism..............................................................................................................................18 Appendix C - Does the dragon represent paganism?......................................................................................................19 Appendix D - Kings, rulers and governors........................................................................................................................19 Appendix E - Testimony of the author...............................................................................................................................20 Appendix F – Spiritism versus Christ and His people......................................................................................................21 Bibliography..................................................................................................................................22 © COPYRIGHT 2012 This work is subject to international copyright legislation. It may be copied or printed for personal use. It cannot be published in any other format or sold without the permission of the author. The three powers … Armageddon 2 Revelation Chapter 16:13-16 Understanding Revelation Topic 26 V03 Introduction One thing that Scripture is certain about is the fact that sin and rebellion will come to an end. After six thousand years of human history the greatest conflict ever known will reach its climax. The protagonist is Christ and His people set against the antagonist Satan and his supporters - the enemies of God. This conflict will reach its climax just prior the Second Advent of Christ. Today we see evil increasing indicating that the conflict between good and evil is intensifying. John the Revelator declared: 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. Revelation 12:12 The closer we come to the climax of earth’s history, the more frenzied Satan’s efforts will become to bring the world to ruin (see Appendix A). The climax we are referring to is known as Armageddon in Scripture. Up until the Second Advent, all proper nouns in the book of Revelation have a symbolic application. Consequently Armageddon is symbolic of the last battle between good and evil. It is featured in the sixth plague. Spiritism When we study the seven last plagues it is evident that the sixth plague prepares the way for Babylon’s destruction and reveals who initiates Armageddon while the seventh plague brings about the destruction of Babylon.1 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. 16And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon. Revelation 16:13 -14, 16 In the professedly Christian world there is a tremendous revival of the powers of the Occult. This revival commenced in 1848 with the manifestation of modern Spiritualism (or Spiritism). Under various guises this deceptive power has rapidly spread throughout the western world and is infiltrating every strata of society. According to the prediction, the spirits of devils are to work through three powers – organizations - symbolized by the dragon, the beast and the false prophet. The three unclean spirits come out of the mouth of each of these three powers, indicating that they must first have taken possession of them. These entities then become the mediums of Satan used to convince and unite the world against God. It is important to correctly interpret these three symbols so that we will recognize the fulfillment of this prophecy. 1 Revelation 16:19 The three powers … Armageddon 3 Revelation Chapter 16:13-16 Understanding Revelation Topic 26 V03 The beast First we will examine the central power symbolised by the beast. We will discover this organization is the earthly leader at the time of Armageddon. The beast is fully described in Revelation 13:1-10 and is clearly identified as the Papacy.2 This means that the spirits of devils will have taken possession of the Papacy and will speak and work through this agency to influence the rest of the world to unite against God and His people. There is ample evidence to demonstrate that for a considerable period of time, the powers of Spiritism have resided within the Papacy. Not only does the Roman Catholic Church hold festivals to honour the departed spirits of loved ones, but it claims to have within the church, members who claim to receive messages from the dead. Instead of calling this practice of the occult, necromancy, the Roman Catholic Church calls it mysticism. And instead of calling the people who perform this abomination mediums, they are called ‘mystics’.3 Roman Catholicism is renowned for its supposed miracles and for purported communications from departed saints. And it is true that some of the miracles the Church claims are inexplicable from a human point of view. The miracles at Lourdes, that great Catholic centre of Mariolatry, testify to a supernatural power as even impartial, non-religious doctors have affirmed that these miracles occur. Lourdes is impressive. Anyone who is unaware of the warnings of Scripture in regard to the deceptive and alluring influence of evil spirits would be readily convinced that the power of “God” is present there. These miracles confirm in the minds of Catholics that God is blessing the Catholic Church while also convincing many Protestants similarly. The miracles in the Church of Rome declare to the unsuspecting world that God is blessing the Catholic Church. Further evidence that Spiritism is in the Catholic Church is the presence of the so-called gift of tongues. It has been indisputably proven that tongue-speaking is a counterfeit of the true gift. It is the manifestation of evil spirits impersonating the Holy Spirit. Millions of Catholics and non-Catholics are bewitched by this phenomenon. Further evidence that the Papacy is under the influence of Spiritism is the revelation that the Pope is the high priest of witchcraft. Witchcraft originated in ancient Babylon and is deeply satanic. The evidence of this is the use of the crooked crucifix by popes. This is the insignia of witchcraft. Let it be clearly understood that, while Scripture exposes the Catholic system, it also reveals that many of God’s true people are in the Church of Rome and that God will ultimately call them out. …Come out of her my people... Revelation 18:4 Although it is obvious that the Church of Rome is under the influence of occult powers, this is evidenced in such a way as to deceive the unwary. 2 A.P. Cooke, Antichrist 666, (Sydney: Self-published, 1985), 3 R.A. Anderson, The Antichrist 666, ed., (Washington DC: Review and Herald Publishing Assoc, 1980), The three powers … Armageddon 4 Revelation Chapter 16:13-16 Understanding Revelation Topic 26 V03 The influence of evil spirits in the Church of Rome will become even more pronounced in the future. The beast (the Papacy) is the central power through which the spiritual forces of Satan will work in the last days to unite the world against God. The dragon Identity of the dragon The next power is called the dragon. There has been much confusion in identifying the dragon. The view of some is that the idea that the dragon represents Spiritism cannot be upheld from Scripture. This interpretation is based on a misunderstanding of an isolated statement in the book The Great Controversy.4 (See Appendix B). The dragon is first introduced in Revelation Chapter 12, where in verses 3 and 4 a woman is pictured, representing the Church of God. This woman is described as giving birth to a man child - Jesus. A great red dragon stands before the woman waiting to devour her child as soon as it is born. Primarily the dragon here is Satan. …that old serpent called the devil and Satan. Revelation 12:9 Some have held that the dragon primarily represents paganism, but this view cannot be sustained either (see Appendix C). History tells us that the power used by Satan to try and destroy Jesus at his birth was Imperial Rome under the Caesars. It was Herod the Great, king of Judea, the Roman governor, who endeavored to destroy the Christ child. This resulted in the killing of the babes of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). However as one author correctly comments: While the dragon primarily represents Satan, it is, in a secondary sense, a symbol of pagan Rome.5 The dragon, or serpent power, of Revelation Chapter 12, continues down through the Christian era to the last days. It must therefore symbolise more than just pagan Rome. In prophecy a beast represents a political power (Daniel 7:17), so the Dragon (a type of beast) must represent political powers that are used by Satan to oppose the cause of God. Satan always works through earthly agencies such as political powers, religious organizations, secret societies and the like. He used political powers to oppose God’s people after the fall of pagan Rome. Rome’s territory was occupied by the Gothic barbarians who formed themselves into the ten kingdoms of Western Europe. At various times, most of these European political powers were effective agents of Satan in opposing God’s people. Significance of the ten horns In Revelation 12:3 the dragon is described as having ten horns. These initially represent the ten divisions of Western Rome (Daniel 7:24). Whenever one reads of the ten horns in Daniel or Revelation they always represent (at least initially) the ten kingdoms of 4 Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, (Mountain View, CA.: Pacific Press Publishing Assn., 1898), 588 (see Appendix C). 5 Ibid., ed.,438. The three powers … Armageddon 5 Revelation Chapter 16:13-16 Understanding Revelation Topic 26 V03 Western Europe. Thus these original kingdoms of Western Europe were clearly a component of the dragon power. The same author quoted above lays down a principle as to what constitutes the dragon power. Kings and rulers and governors have placed upon themselves the brand of antichrist, and are represented as the dragon who goes to make war with the saints.6 If the dragon of Revelation 12:3-4 represented pagan Rome and in Revelation 12:4-16 represented the ten kingdoms of Western Europe, then the dragon of the end time in Revelation 12:17 must represent the kings, rulers and governors (who) have placed themselves under the brand of antichrist. We already know that the earthly antichrist is the Papacy. Therefore the dragon of Revelation 12:17 represents the political powers who in the last days, under the direction of the Papacy, make war on God’s people.7 (See Appendix D) Revelation Chapter 17 reveals particular political powers which could fulfill the description of the dragon in the last days. Notice this prediction concerning the final conflict. The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. Revelation 17:12-14 These ten horns play their part in the end time, when they give their strength and power to the beast, the Papacy. In doing this they place upon themselves the brand of antichrist and so could be represented as the dragon. It is important therefore to identify them. Revelation Chapter 17 is a repetition and enlargement of Revelation Chapter 16 - especially the portion dealing with the punishment of Babylon. In that the dragon is one of the agencies through which the powers of the occult, or Spiritism, are to work, whoever is represented by the ten horns or ten kingdoms must comprise the dragon. While the ten horns initially were the ten kingdoms of Western Europe, Scripture indicates that the predictions of the end-time have a global application. …and all the world marveled and followed the beast. Revelation 13:3 And all who dwell on the earth will worship him… Revelation 13:8 … to every nation, tribe, tongue and people. Revelation 14:6-7 … the kings of the earth and of the whole world…. Revelation 16:14 … the kings of the earth… the inhabitants of the earth…. Revelation 17:2 … peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. Revelation 17:15 6 Ellen G. White, Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, ed., 3rd ed., (Boise, ID.: Pacific Press Publishing Assn., 1962), 39. 7 See Appendix 3 for further details rejecting the view that the dragon represents Spiritism. The three powers … Armageddon 6 Revelation Chapter 16:13-16 Understanding Revelation Topic 26 V03 … the earth was illuminated with his glory. Revelation 18:1 … all nations….Revelation 18:3 … the merchants of the earth…. Revelation 18:11 …the kings of the earth…. Revelation 18:9 … all who were slain on the earth. Revelation 18:24 Therefore in applying the symbol of the ten horns in the end-time, we suggest that these should be applied in a global setting. There are some clues. Significant evidence has emerged which confirms that the New World Order will take the form of ten divisions of the nations. In 1974 the Club of Rome, which directs the formation of the New World Order, issued a global map depicting these ten divisions which will embrace the whole of the political world. The divisions were initially called kingdoms by the Club of Rome, but because Bible believers recognized this as a fulfillment of Revelation 17, the Club of Rome changed this term to regions Figure 1: Map showing the planned ten political-economic regions of the New World Order The prediction of Revelation Chapter 17, clearly states that the ten political entities represented by the ten horns will unite in the support of the Papacy. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. Revelation 17:13 Already we have witnessed movements toward co-operation among the ten regions mentioned above. The influence of the United Nations Organization is increasingly apparent. While complete union may not eventuate, Scripture declares that there will be unity in support of the Papacy. The three powers … Armageddon 7 Revelation Chapter 16:13-16 Understanding Revelation Topic 26 V03 Further evidence of the dragon’s composition Further evidence that the political powers mentioned above could comprise the dragon entity, is given in Revelation Chapter 13. Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 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. Revelation 13:11-12 These verses predict that the United States of America, when it compels the earth to worship the Papacy, speaks as a dragon. In doing this the USA places itself under the brand of antichrist. Because the USA, as the sole remaining super power, is increasingly exerting pressure upon the nations to conform to her policy, it is not difficult to envisage how she will pressure the rest of the world to accept papal policy. As one commentator states: In the Book of Revelation, under the symbols of a great red dragon, a leopard- like beast and a beast with lamblike horns are brought to view, those earthly governments which are especially engaged in trampling upon God's law and persecuting His people.8 The earthly governments that are represented by the dragon in the end-time are the kings, rulers and governors of the world who place themselves under the brand of the antichrist. Influence of the occult According to the prediction of Revelation Chapter 16, out of the mouth of the dragon emerge the bewitching powers of Spiritism. This could mean that the political powers of the world are to fall under the control of evil Spirits. There are concrete examples of how the forces of the occult have influenced some political powers in the past. In the interval between the two world wars, the people of Germany became very involved in the practice of witchcraft. It has been suggested that it was this influence that prepared the populace for the reception of Nazism, by which Adolph Hitler was able to seize control of the German nation.9 Documentary evidence shows that during World War II both Mussolini and Hitler were influenced by the occult. Leading spiritists of Europe have acknowledged that Hitler was deeply involved in the occult and that he spent many hours of the night in communication with unseen powers. In addition, Mussolini did nothing of importance without first consulting his astrologer. According to the famous American medium Jean Dixon, during World War II Franklin D. Roosevelt spent many hours, along with his war chiefs, in contact with occult powers to obtain direction for the conduct of the war. According to the “Time” magazine dated 16 May 1988, Ronald and Nancy Reagan were deeply involved in astrology and many of Reagan’s policies were guided by the stars. Nancy Reagan planned almost all presidential travel, press conferences, and even the president’s cancer surgery, based on information she was receiving from her astrologer. 8 Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, ed., 276, (1886 edition). 9 Alton Blakeslee, “Perils in Occult”, Sydney Sun, 15 August 1977. The three powers … Armageddon 8 Revelation Chapter 16:13-16 Understanding Revelation Topic 26 V03 Today witchcraft, sorcery, astrology and numerous other forms of the occult have permeated the Western world, preparing the ground for the fulfillment of Revelation 16:13-14. The false prophet The third power through which the spirits of devils are to work, is symbolized as the false prophet. A false prophet is one who claims to be a spokesman for God, yet is not a faithful witness. A false prophet claims to receive messages from God, but in reality does not act as an intermediary between God and man. False prophets relay untrue messages which are from a source other than God. In Revelation Chapter 16 the false prophet is a symbol of apostate Protestantism. Once the Protestant churches were God’s spokespeople, proclaiming His message to the world. Today they are in apostasy, yet they still pose as God’s spokesmen. The Revelator appears to equate the false prophet with the image to the beast. In Revelation Chapter 19, where the false prophet is described, it will be seen that his details correspond with the description of the image to the beast of Revelation 13:12-17. The image to the beast will be comprised of the Protestant churches of America united with the American political powers. When this union eventuates, one can readily understand how the false prophet and the image to the beast could be deemed identical.10 Parallels between the image to the beast and the false prophet Revelation 13 (image to the beast) Revelation 19 (false prophet) v12 he compels them… to worship the first v19 He is with the beast (the Papacy) beast (Papacy) v14 signs he did in sight of the beast (Papacy) v20 worked miracles in sight of the beast (Papacy) v14 he deceives by the signs which he did… v20 by which he deceived those who received causes all to receive a mark (v16) the mark of the beast v14 to make an image to the beast v20 those who worshipped his image. The following points may make these parallels a little clearer: 1. The false prophet is one who once genuinely spoke for God yet has since become apostate but continues to pose as a spokesman for God. Balaam, the false prophet of Numbers Chapters 22-24 can be seen as typical of the false prophet of Revelation. 10 See Topic 20, A.P. Cooke, When Religious Persecution Returns, ed., 2nd ed., (Sydney: Self-published, 2010),. The three powers … Armageddon 9 Revelation Chapter 16:13-16 Understanding Revelation Topic 26 V03 2. The false prophet, the image to the beast, is connected with the second beast of Revelation Chapter 13 (the USA) when it compels obedience to the Papacy. It is therefore a religious entity in league with civil powers (Revelation 13:11-14, 16). 3. The false prophet will support the Papacy and deceive the people into accepting papal worship in the form of the mark of the beast (Revelation 19:20). The only religio-political power which fulfils the above specifications is the American Protestant churches, as a group, when they finally unite and ally themselves with the civil power of the USA.11 In Revelation Chapter 19, where the final conflict of Armageddon is symbolized, the false prophet is deeply involved: And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. Revelation 19:19-20 Some claim that the false prophet is the USA, but the false prophet is a religious entity. Influence of the occult As stated previously, the image to the beast, the false prophet, will be formed when apostate Protestants unite with civil powers to enact religious laws which will violate conscience.12 In effect this union will constitute another papacy - hence the term image to the beast. It follows then that if the spirits of devils are to come out of the mouth of the false prophet, they must first enter into the non-Catholic, Protestant churches and take control. Spiritism has a far greater degree of influence in the Protestant churches than is generally realized. For many decades, their leaders have demonstrated a favorable attitude towards Spiritism. This is to be expected when the majority of the clergy cling to the doctrine of the immortality of the soul, upon which Spiritism is based. (See Appendix E). A striking example of the infiltration of Spiritism into Protestantism is the charismatic movement. Hundreds of thousands of sincere people are led to believe that they receive the Holy Spirit by purportedly speaking in tongues. The evidence, however, shows that the power involved in this movement is a form of Spiritism - an impersonation of the Holy Spirit.13 The charismatic movement is pervading both Protestant and Catholic Churches. It has stated that its aim is to unify all Christians and lead them towards Rome. Revelation Chapter 16 predicts this outcome. The spirits of devils will gather (or unite) the whole world. We will witness prolific manifestations of Spiritism in the future within the non- Catholic churches as well as amongst the political leadership of the world. 11 F.D. Nichol, ed. Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary (Washington DC: Review and Herald Publishing Assn, 1957). 7:982. 12 A.P. Cooke, When Religious Persecution Returns, ed., 13 ? The three powers … Armageddon 10 Revelation Chapter 16:13-16 Understanding Revelation Topic 26 V03