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ALIEN LOCUST ATTACK: KEY TO THE MARK OF THE BEAST
QUESTION
There has been a proliferation of "666" and the "mark of the beast" from Revelation chapter 13 for many years within our culture, and there is a general awareness of it around the world. The mark of the beast has been associated with evil, with the devil, and with the belief that there will be detrimental consequences for receiving it.
After the rapture of the church, one would think that there will be increased interest in Bible prophecy. What will be the cause, during the tribulation period, for people to accept the mark of the beast in spite of its widespread reputation of evil and the consequences for receiving it?
RESEARCH FORMAT
The following will be a step-by-step approach to reasoning the answer to this question. Each numbered statement below (in both bold and italics) is labeled either of the following:
Each statement is supported by scripture, historical fact, Hebrew or Greek words studies, and/or expert opinion. What follows is a 31 point step-by-step reasoning for understanding the question posed above.
STEP-BY-STEP REASONING
1. The final week of Daniel's "Seventy Weeks" prophecy in Daniel chapter 9 has not yet occurred. (SF)
Study of the passage of Daniel 9:24-27 is extremely important in order to understand future prophetic events. Week 1 began with the decree of Artaxerxes on March 14, 445B.C. to rebuild Jerusalem, and week 69 concluded with Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem on April 6, 32 A.D., Jesus was proclaimed the Messiah by the crowd. This was exactly 173,880 days, which is 483 years of 360 days each, from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem. Sir Robert Anderson's book "The Coming Prince" is famous for meticulously determining these exact dates.
After the 69th week of the prophecy, the activities in Daniel 9:26 take place, but these activities are not part of the 70 weeks. Instead, there is a gap of time until the commencement of the 70th week. That week will commence, we will later learn, at the confirmation of a one-week covenant by the coming prince. The time in-between this 69th and 70th week has many names, but the most common is "the times of the Gentiles". It is a time period where the clock paused for the nation of Israel at the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and rejection of Jesus Christ, and a Gentile clock started ticking. We read about this time of the Gentiles in several places, but the foremost verses of scripture are as follows:
Rom 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.Luk 21:24
And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.The seventy weeks of Daniel ARE NOT CONTINUOUS
. There is a gap of time, the times of the Gentiles, in which God has turned away from the nation of Israel to focus his attention on the new nation he has chosen, which is the church. This is a very deep study, and instead of getting into it here, I have a link below to a detailed study on this subject. Read "Part I" of the teaching below:http://www.geocities.com/rebornempowered/rapturerevelation.htm
THE NEW COVENANT GAP
Is there proof in Scripture of this gap of time between the 69th and 70th week? Indeed, there are no less than 24 direct or indirect references to this gap of time. Let's look at some of the most quoted examples:
Rom 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.The "blindness in part", or a partial hardening, means that not all of Israel has denied Jesus is the Messiah. But the hardening will last until God's patience and grace for the Gentiles runs out. At that time, Daniel's seventy weeks clock will start again.
Rev 12:5
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.Rev 12:6
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.Revelation chapter 12 begins with a symbolic history of Israel from the birth and death of Christ until the remnant of Israel is chased into the wilderness or mountains for 3.5 years. The "male child" that was born and suddenly caught up to God was Jesus and his ascension. Notice, however, that after he ascended to the throne in verse 5, we jump all the way into the final 3.5 years of the tribulation in the description. This is a time gap jump of at least 1900-2000 years.
III. Luke 4:17-20 and Isaiah 61:1-2
Luk 4:17
And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,Luk 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,Luk 4:19
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.Luk 4:20
And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.And
Isa 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;Isa 61:2
To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;You may be asking "Where is the gap here?" The quotation from Luke is Jesus beginning his ministry in the synagogue. Notice after he reads the passage from Isaiah, he says that today the scripture is fulfilled. But notice the phrase Jesus left out of his quotation: "the day when our God will seek vengeance". Why did he leave this out? Because the first time he came, he was not coming to bring vengeance. The first time he came, he was a lamb, but at his second coming, he will be the mighty lion of Judah. The day of vengeance of God will occur yet in the future, Daniel's 70th week.
Hos 3:4
For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim:Hos 3:5
Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.This passage tells us that the Israelites will be without a kingdom or sacrifice until the "end of the days", when they would turn back to God. This is similar to Romans 11:25, and is another example of the gap of time between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel, before God steps back in the picture in the end of days.
Another reason we know all 70 weeks of prophecy have not been fulfilled can be found in Daniel 9:24, which lists the purposes of the 70 weeks:
Dan 9:24
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.When these seventy weeks are concluded, these six things will be accomplished. So, ask yourself: has there been an end of sins yet? Has everlasting righteousness been brought in? Have vision and prophecy been sealed up? The answer to all three of these questions is ABSOLUTELY NOT. Therefore, this final 70th week CANNOT have taken place in the past.
A way to think of the gap of time is a chess match. Israel's time clock was running until the time of the crucifixion, then God made his move, stopped their clock and started the clock for the Gentiles. When the times of the Gentiles has come to fullness, the Gentile clock will stop, and the Jews 70th week will begin with the signing of a covenant with the coming prince.
For further study, please access the following studies:
http://www.geocities.com/rebornempowered/69weeks.htm - a detailed study of the 70 weeks by myself
http://www.khouse.org/6640/prophetic/BP006.html - a link to a five-teaching package by Chuck Missler on the 70 weeks.
2. Daniel's 70th week begins with the confirmation of a peace covenant between Israel and her enemies. (SF)
Dan 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.First, we must establish who the "He" of verse 27 is. To do that, look back at verse 26:
"9:26 .....As for the city and the sanctuary,
the people of the coming prince will destroy them.
But his end will come speedily like a flood,
until the end of the war that has been decreed;
there will be desolations."
The last person referred to in verse 26 is "the coming prince". It says "his end will come speedily like a flood...". It follows, therefore, that the "He" of verse 27 is this coming prince, NOT Jesus. Some have made the argument that verse 27 is referring to Jesus and his work on the cross being the "covenant with many", and him being crucified in the middle of the week bringing the sacrifice to an end.
This argument, based on many scriptures, does NOT hold water. Those who hold this view argue that the 70 weeks of Daniel ARE continuous, and there is no reason to believe that there is a "time gap" between the 69th and 70th week. As shown above, there is most definitely was a gap. But if there is any verse that disproves their theory, it is Matthew 24:15-16:
Mat 24:15
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)Mat 24:16
Then let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains:Jesus is referring directly to Daniel 9:27, the abomination of desolation. He says that when this is seen in "the holy place", which is the temple, let them in Judea flee to the mountains. This event has NOT yet occurred. If you want to argue that this happened in 70A.D. when the Romans invaded Jerusalem, then there is no way that the 70 weeks are continuous, because it occurs over 30 years after Jesus was crucified. Bottom line, there is NO WAY you can make Jesus the "He" of verse 27 without violating several other scriptures in prophecy, Matthew 24:15 being the most important.
The final week of Daniel's 70 weeks will begin at the confirmation of a peace covenant by the coming prince with the nation of Israel. The coming prince, who is the antichrist, will likely represent many Muslim nations.
Further study of the antichrist and his prophetic connections with Islam can be accessed at the following link:
http://www.geocities.com/rebornempowered/Babylon1.htm - a study by myself on the 8th empire of prophecy, mentioned in Revelation 17:11, Babylon resurrected (not related to the Left Behind series in the least bit).
3. The 144,000 introduced in Revelation chapter 7 are Jews from the tribes of children of Israel. (SF)
Rev 7:4
And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.Rev 7:5
Of the tribe of Judah were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.Rev 7:6
Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Naphtali were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.Rev 7:7
Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.Rev 7:8
Of the tribe of Zebulun were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
4. The 144,000 sealed servants of God appear on the prophetic scene at the beginning of Daniel's 70th week, a 7-year period of tribulation for Israel. (SI)
Without going through the entire chronology of Revelation, we can piece together when the 144,000 show up in Israel. First, we know they are around in Revelation 9, during the demon locust attack:
Rev 9:4
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.Next, we know that after this attack, the beast and false prophet show up on the scene, and are allowed power for 42 months:
Rev 13:5
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.We also know he kills the two witnesses in Revelation 11, so after they are gone, the beast begins his 42 month reign:
Rev 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.Later in Revelation 14, we see the 144,000 in heaven before the throne:
Rev 14:1
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.Rev 14:3
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.It is clear from verse 3 that they are before the throne, which can only be in heaven. Furthermore, the end of verse 3 states that the 144,000 were "redeemed from the earth". Therefore, they are not on the earth any longer. Don't get confused with the reference to mount Zion, for there is a heavenly Jerusalem, and hence a heavenly mount Zion, according to Hebrews:
Heb 12:22
But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,In Revelation 13, as I will show later, the false prophet will mimic the seal of God on the foreheads of the 144,000 with their own mark of the beast. Clearly, the 144,000 and the seal in their forehead had to precede this event.
5. The 144,000 sealed servants of God will have the seal of God engraved on their foreheads. (SF)
Rev 7:3
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.The word "sealed" in verse 3 in Greek is "sphragizo", and it means to stamp for reasons of security or preservation. This will be sort of a signet stamp on their foreheads. Later, we find that it was actually the secret name of God:
Rev 14:1
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
6. The seal of God on their foreheads will be visible to the human eye. (SI)
There is no direct scriptural evidence to prove this, but we are told that the demon locusts will know who DOES and who DOES NOT have the seal of God on their foreheads:
Rev 9:4
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.Furthermore, we are told that the name of God is written in their foreheads. The word "written" is "grapho", and is used 121 times in the New Testament to mean something that is literally written down, like a book. Therefore, unless the material used to write on foreheads is some type of invisible ink, it will be seen:
Rev 14:1
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
7. The seal of God allows them to be supernaturally protected from the 5th trumpet judgment, and the demon locusts will be able to discern which persons have and do not have the seal of God in their foreheads. (SF)
Rev 9:4
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
8. The demonic locusts will be visible to the human eye. (SI)
Another one that we don't have direct scriptural proof for, but we know that John the author of Revelation was able to see the smoke ascend out of the bottomless pit, and demon locusts come out of the smoke:
Rev 9:2
And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.Rev 9:3
And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.Furthermore, they are given a lengthy description in the following verses, which lends credence to the interpretation that they will be visible to the human eye:
Rev 9:7
And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.Rev 9:8
And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.Rev 9:9
And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.Rev 9:10
And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
9. Human beings on earth during the demon locust attack of the fifth trumpet judgment, other than the 144,000 sealed, will wish for death yet be unable to attain it. (SF)
Rev 9:5
And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.Rev 9:6
And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
10. Human beings on earth, other than the 144,000 sealed, will see that the 144,000 are not harmed by the demon locusts. (LE)
We are never told this, but it is completely within the realm of logic to believe that if mankind is being attacked, and there are 144,000 people who are immune from the attacks, that mankind will notice this, and/or will be told this by the mass media in place at this time.
This point is probably the most important point to remember in this entire discussion.
11. The world will make the connection that the 144,000 were not harmed by the demon locusts because of the visible seal of God on their foreheads. (LE)
This is labeled as a logical effect because it is not directly stated that all mankind will see that the 144,000 were immune to the demon locust attack. However, it makes sense that such a traumatic event would be covered extensively by the news media, and the fact that these 144,000 would be immune would be a top story. We have the following passage in Revelation 11 which implies that world news coverage will indeed be a factor during this period:
Rev 11:9
And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.Rev 11:10
And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.Rev 11:11
And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.Rev 11:12
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.What I am getting at with this point is that the world will wonder what makes these 144,000 people different, that the demon locusts could not attack them. The obvious difference is that they have the seal of God on their forehead. That is why it is so important to ascertain that this seal is visible to the human eye.
When the beast and false prophet introduce their copy of the seal of God, called the mark of the beast, it is altogether probable that this mark will be an EXACT COPY of the seal of God. Of course, it won't have the same effect, because the 144,000 were supernaturally sealed. The mark of the beast will be a manmade, Satanic seal of doom.
12. The demon locusts of the fifth trumpet judgment will be explained by the powers that be as aliens that are enemies to human beings. (PS)
Read this passage again, then think about how "the experts" on CNN, FoxNews and MSNBC would explain these creatures:
Rev 9:7
And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared for war; and upon their heads as it were crowns like unto gold, and their faces were as men's faces.Rev 9:8
And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as teeth of lions.Rev 9:9
And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to war.Rev 9:10
And they have tails like unto scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men five months.Try to picture in your head what these creatures would look like with the following features:
Is there any doubt that a creature, such as the one with the traits above, would be described as a alien, an extra-terrestrial being? You must also keep in mind some of the things that had been happening previously on the earth, according to the book of Revelation:
There is currently quite a stir about "Planet X", a theory that there is a 10th planet written about by the ancient Sumerians and other ancient groups, which has a highly elliptical orbit around our sun and another dwarf star that we cannot see. It is believed this planet caused the large asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars when it crashed into a planet that used to be there. Please click here for a great description of the Planet X and the stir that is currently going about:
http://xfacts.com/x1.htm (click the "Next Page" link at the bottom of each page to proceed).It is also believed that this planet will pass close enough to earth to disrupt the rotation on its axis, which would also explain our ability to only see 2/3 of the daytime and nighttime as before. The planet would cause the earth's rotation to speed up by 1/3. Consider these verses together, the first a quotation by Jesus about what would happen during this time, the second the verse in Revelation describing what John saw when the fourth trumpet was blown:
Mat 24:22
And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.Rev 8:12
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; that the third part of them should be darkened, and the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night in like manner.Remember that immediately after the days and nights are shortened, the fifth trumpet judgment of the demon locust occurs. If some kind of unknown planet or other body causes the effects of Revelation 8:12 to occur, and just after this the "alien creatures" show up, is it possible that they will be explained as aliens that arrived from this "crossing planet"?
Leaving behind the whole Planet X argument, the powers that be WILL have some sort of explanation for the demon locust creatures. I believe it is altogether PROBABLE, not just possible, that they will be explained as extra-terrestrial creatures, not as demonic creatures.
13. The five month torment by the demon locusts will be the one of the most painful, frightening and tormenting events in human history. (LE)
It is currently November 30, 2002. If anyone can think of a more horrifying event of torture in human history up to this date than what is described in the verses below, I will concede this point:
Rev 9:2
And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.Rev 9:3
And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.Rev 9:4
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.Rev 9:5
And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.Rev 9:6
And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.Rev 9:7
And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.Rev 9:8
And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.Rev 9:9
And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.Rev 9:10
And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.Rev 9:11
And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
14. The two witnesses of Revelation chapter 11 come on the prophetic scene at the beginning of Daniel's 70th week. (SF)
Rev 11:3
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.This verse tells us that the two witnesses' ministry in Jerusalem will last 1,260 days, which is 42 months of 30 days each.
Rev 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.This verse tells us the end of their testimony comes when the beast kills them.
Rev 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.Rev 13:5
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.These verse states that the beast rules 42 months.
When we put this all together, Daniel's 70th week is 7 years, or 84 months. The two witnesses' testimony lasts 42 months or 3.5 years, then the beast is given power 42 months or 3.5 years. Their powers do not overlap. Therefore, we can state as a fact that the two witnesses appear on the scene at the beginning of Daniel's 70th week.
15. The two witnesses will display supernatural powers, such as calling down fire from heaven and causing it to not rain on earth during their 3.5 year ministry. (SF)
Rev 11:5
And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.Rev 11:6
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.Note the four different supernatural powers in these verses:
16. The two witnesses, after 3.5 years, are killed by the antichrist. (SF)
Rev 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
17. After 3.5 days, the two witnesses are resurrected by the Spirit of God, and are caught up to heaven in the sight of their enemies. (SF)
Rev 11:11
And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.Rev 11:12
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
18. Some time after the fifth trumpet judgment of demon locusts, and after the death of the two witnesses, the beast and false prophet of Revelation 13 invade Jerusalem and become a world power. (SI)
This is similar to point number 12 above, and is establishing chronology. First we see that the beast must kill the two witnesses before he can come to power:
Rev 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.How do we know they invade Jerusalem? Several verses state such, the first being that the two witnesses are killed when the beast enters Jerusalem to kill them:
Rev 11:7
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.Rev 11:8
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.Other verses reveal that they will be in Jerusalem, in the temple:
Dan 11:45
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.2Th 2:4
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.Dan 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.Mat 24:15
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)Having established that they will be in Jerusalem, the following verses establish that they do indeed come to power:
Rev 13:1
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.Rev 13:5
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
19. At some point during Daniel's 70th week, after the abomination of desolation, the antichrist is killed. (SF)
Chapter 13 of Revelation makes it abundantly clear that the beast is killed, and that the wound he suffers isn't only symbolic, making reference to it 3 times:
Rev 13:3
And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.Rev 13:12
And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.Rev 13:14
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
20. The false prophet will claim to have to power of the resurrection from the dead, to prove he has the same power as God displayed in raising the two witnesses from the dead, by making the people of earth believe that he raised the antichrist from the dead. (PS)
This is the first purely speculative statement of the research, and cannot be proven from scripture. However, from the points above, we do know that the antichrist was killed, and yet he lived. I firmly believe that only God has the power to rise a human being from the dead. Human beings who have commanded people to rise from the dead, and had them obey (including the apostles, disciples, etc.) were simply harnessing the power of God. Consider the following verses:
Joh 5:21
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.Act 3:15
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.2Co 1:9
But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:From these verses, it is clear that only God has the power to raise the dead, but humans have been able to petition God for the power to raise the dead. Only God, however, can raise the dead.
From Revelation chapter 13, we know the false prophet will have supernatural power to work miracles, and to even give life to inanimate objects:
Rev 13:14
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.Rev 13:15
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.Given these facts, then, is it so much of a stretch to state that the false prophet will claim to be able to copy the power of God, in the case of the two witnesses, to raise the antichrist from the dead?
21. The resurrection of the dead of the antichrist will actually be a Satanic possession of the antichrist. (SI)
I labeled this scriptural interpretation, but it could easily fact labeled as fact. Consider these verses:
Rev 13:2
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.Rev 13:4
And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?The beast has power and authority solely by the dragon. We know that the dragon is Satan from this reference:
Rev 20:2
And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,Furthermore, we read that the beast is possessed by an unclean spirit:
Rev 16:13
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.Now, we know that the deadly wound of the beast was actually "healed", the Greek word being "therapeuo" which also is used to describe Jesus' healing power. So, how was the beast healed? How was he risen from the dead? Could it be that the science of medicine at this stage of history will be so advanced that the clinically dead can be brought back to life?
Regardless, we know that the beast's power comes solely from Satan, so it is no stretch to state that Satanic possession is what keeps the beast alive.
22. The false prophet will display other supernatural powers, including calling down fire from heaven. (SF)
Rev 13:11
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.Rev 13:12
And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.Rev 13:13
And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,Rev 13:14
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.Rev 13:15
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
23. The supernatural powers displayed by the false prophet will have the effect of convincing the world that he is "sent from God". (LE)
The Greek word for false prophet is "pseudoprophetes", and describes one who, acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet, utters falsehoods under the name of divine prophecies. The second beast of Revelation 13. . .
Rev 13:11
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.. . . is later called the false prophet in several places:
Rev 16:13
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.Rev 20:10
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.It is commonly interpreted that the "two horns like a lamb" described in verse 11 above will be the false prophet somehow combining two major religions (Islam and apostate Christianity?). The false prophet, by definition, means he claims to be a true prophet of God when in fact he is not. We know he deceives humankind during Daniel's 70th week:
Rev 13:14
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.Therefore, it is altogether logical to state that people will be convinced, due to his miracle-working power, that the false prophet is a true prophet of God, able to perform the same miracles as the two witnesses before him.
24. The false prophet, after showcasing the same power as the two witnesses, will bring life to an image or likeness of the beast antichrist that the people of earth were commanded to build. (SF)
Rev 13:15
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast...
25. The image or likeness of the beast, after coming to life and speaking, will have the power to force the world inhabitants to worship the image of the beast, or be killed. (SF)
Rev 13:15
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.Ok, this takes some analysis. First, who is the "he" of this verse? We have to look at verse 11 to see who the last person this pronoun is referring to:
Rev 13:11
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon....The pronoun is referring to the second beast, also known as the false prophet. Second, we see in verse 15 that the IMAGE does two things: (1) speak and (2) cause that as many as would not worship the beast should be killed. This is done by the image, NOT by the false prophet. This is one powerful image....somehow, it will have the power to cause the death of whomever would not worship it. Incredible, mind-blowing stuff.
There is much speculation about what this image is and how it will function. Some of the more interesting ideas include:
The Greek word was image is "eikon", from we get the english word "icon". It is defined as a figure or likeness of what it is the image of. When you look at Daniel chapter 6 and the image built by Nebuchadnezzar, I believe there could be a prophetic parallel in that story. It is a statue of gold that is built, and whoever would not bow down and worship it would be killed. That story focused on a statue of gold that Nebuchadnezzar built after he had a dream of a large image. It could be that a similar sort of statue is built in this case, but this time, is actually given life and made able to speak.
Whatever this image is, it will be worshipped. We must imagine something that will be so convincing, so adored, so honored, so loved that people will worship it.
26. After making this image to both speak and live, the false prophet will introduce the mark of the beast. (SF)
Rev 13:16
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:Rev 13:17
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.Again, we must look at the last person that this pronoun is referring to. The image of the beast in the previous verse would NOT qualify as a "he". If the image of the beast would be referenced by a personal pronoun, it would be with an "it", not a "he". Therefore, we must conclude that the "he" is referring to the second beast, or the false prophet.
This "he" is definitely not referring to the beast or antichrist, which is a common misconception. The antichrist does not administer the mark of the beast.
27. The mark of the beast will be an exact copy of the seal of God that was on the foreheads of the 144,000. (PS)
Satan will first produce a counterfeit messiah by the false prophet. He will then create a counterfeit copy of the seal of God that protected the 144,000 Jews from demon locust attack. I labeled this as pure speculation, but it really is a logical assumption.
When people see that these 144,000 Jews are protected from the devastating demon locust, they will gladly accept a similar mark, a mark that looks EXACTLY like the seal of God on the forehead of the 144,000. Of course, this Satanic mark will not have the same effect as the seal of God.
28. The mark of the beast will be an etching or tattoo on the skin, capable of holding financial information, similar to a bar code. (PS)
This is also labeled pure speculation, but we are told that no one will be permitted to buy or sell without the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of his name. To do so, it will have to include some financial information. As of 2002, this type of technology is available, but not yet on a wide-scale basis. The technology has been used for years in grocery stores, but with cards instead of a tattoo or mark on the skin, but instead in cards.
The word "mark" in Greek is "charagma", and means a stamp or imprinted mark. Maybe it will be invisible, but likely not since the mark which Satan is counterfeiting will be visible. The seal of God was only on the forehead of the 144,000, but this "charagma" will be on either the forehead or right hand. This is an indication that convenience will be a factor, because it will be easier to scan the mark when buying and selling is taking place.
29. The financial world at this time in history will be advanced to the point that the ability to buy and sell goods on the open market will be able to be restricted and tracked by computer. (PS)
The technology is definitely on its way, if not here already. It just is not ready to be implemented world-wide. Possibly this won't be administered world-wide, but at this point, the earth will have lost at least a couple billion people in the first part of the tribulation. There is absolutely no way to predict what countries will still be functioning at this time...whether America will be destroyed, etc. The point is that the financial world is well on its way to being able to implement this type of technology.
30. Humans will be unable to buy or sell goods in the open market unless they have received the mark of the beast in either their hand or forehead. (SF)
Rev 13:17
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
31. The beast and false prophet will claim that their mark, in addition to the benefit of being able to buy and sell in the open market, will protect humans from the aliens, just as the 144,000 sealed were protected, because it will be an exact copy of the seal of God. (PS)
Refer back to point #12. Given the outrageous appearance of the demonic locust that come from the bottomless pit, it is well within the realm of possibility that these creatures will be explained as aliens. We know that something called "Wormwood", a burning star, will also be a factor as it "falls upon" the rivers and waters:
Rev 8:10
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;Rev 8:11
And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.Rev 8:12
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the and the third part of the stars; so as moon, the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.The earth will be in complete chaos at this point. The day and night is shortened by one third, meaning the earth is spinning FASTER on its axis than before due to gravitational changes caused by the great star Wormwood. Think of it. Please close your eyes and picture what would be the reaction on earth after the three verses above. Then, think about what the next verse says:
Rev 8:13
And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!Whatever chaos was caused by the trumpets of chapter 8 are really NOTHING compared to the final three. And the fifth trumpet is next: the alien locusts. After the devastation from the fifth trumpet, to which the 144,000 will be immune, people on earth will be ready and willing to receive an immunization mark to protect them from any future attack from the extra-terrestrial attack of the locusts. It will be an exact copy of the seal of God on the foreheads of the 144,000, but of course, without the same effect.
CONCLUSION
The combination of the following factors, described above:
will be the causes of the mark of the beast being accepted by human beings on the earth during the tribulation, despite any foreknowledge of its well-known devastating eternal consequences.
David Lowe
November 30, 2002
