READ THE FIG LEAVES
Signs of the Times
STUDY 5
TOPIC 29—THE GOSPEL PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT the WHOLE WORLD
The First Messenger Angel—The Gospel Has Been Preached to the Whole World
Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” REVELATION 14:6-7
The First Messenger Angel will give his message after the church is caught away I THESSALONIANS 4:17 and the restrainer is removed. II THESSALONIANS 2:7 It will happen before the bowls of God’s wrath are poured out. REVELATION 16:1-21 That will be the last chance for those on earth to hear the eternal gospel, to fear God, to give him glory, and to worship God. They will be warned that his judgment has come. REVELATION 14:6-7
Jesus declared in Mark “…the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations.” MARK 13:10 And he said to them, [the disciples] "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” MARK 16:15 Then in Matthew Jesus declared, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” [emphasis added] MATTHEW 24:14 All of this has been fulfilled by the apostles, evangelist and missionaries since Jesus made this declaration. The world, every nation, tribe, language and people has heard the gospel; but this messenger angel, in the absence of Christians on the earth, will for one last time "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” MARK 16:15 Not one individual will be missed—all will hear.
The First Messenger Angel is bringing the eternal gospel in order to proclaim it to every nation, language and people. [This includes places like China—a place where missionaries have been unable to scratch the surface in recent years.] Futurists believe this shows that at this time all Christians have been caught away or killed. There are no Christians left on earth to proclaim the gospel so an angel has to deliver the message. This is the only appearance of the word gospel in Revelation. The gospel that is being delivered is: “…Fear God and give him glory… and worship him who made heaven and earth…” REVELATION 14:7
While this message is essential and simple, it is powerful in its simplicity, especially, when you consider it is a call to worship God to those who will be living in an evil kingdom where obeisance to the evil ruler and his image will be commanded. This first angel also proclaims that the hour of judgment has come. This angel is warning those on earth, who have partaken of the wine of the passion of Babylon the Great, the apostate church, and her sexual immorality but have not worshipped the beast nor taken the mark of the beast, it is not too late. He is saying turn and worship the true God. One more time mankind can reject the lies of the devil and respond to the eternal truth of God. These warnings of the Messenger Angels will be their last warnings before the trumpets sound and the bowls of God’s wrath are poured out on earth and its inhabitants. If they obey the call of this angel, they will probably join that group of martyrs “under the altar.”
This First Messenger Angel will cover the earth—every spot on earth will hear his message—and every person will hear it in his own language. No one will be missed! When this angel is finished, this will be “The end of the matter; all has been heard…” ECCLESIASTES 12:13 “…then the end will come…” MATTHEW 24:14
TOPIC 30—THE SEVENTH SEAL
Seventh Seal—Silence in Heaven
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. REVELATION 8:1-5
This may be the last time this Temple liturgy of the offering of incense to God with the prayers of the saints will be performed. “And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.” REVELATION 8:3-4 Cornelius, the centurion, was told by an angel that his prayers and alms had ascended as a memorial before God. ACTS 10:3-4 King David asked God to let his prayer be counted as incense before God. PSALM 141:2 And in Revelation it says, “… the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” REVELATION 5:8 In this passage it says the incense is the prayers of the saints. Let us offer God a lot of incense!
With the opening of the first six seals unprecedented chaos will be released on the earth. “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” REVELATION 8:1 I have no explanation and can find no scripture that gives a clue as to why a heaven which is normally filled with praise and worship suddenly goes silent for about half an hour; but I believe the back of the scroll with its indictments has already been read. Once all the seals are opened and the scroll is fully rolled out, then the inside of the scroll is read and the judgments and wrath to come are seen, this causes a solemn silence to fall on all of heaven. Or the silence could be respect to the one who is about to judge the earth and sentence it to the greatest judgments that God and the Lamb’s have ever unleashed on this earth—God’s undiluted wrath. And do not forget it may tell those who are gathered to look at the scroll that Jesus Christ will fight this battle himself. A God of steadfast love and mercy will become an avenging King.
“Then I saw seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given them.” REVELATION 8:2 It is not clear if these are angels who normally stand before God to do his bidding or if they are angels chosen for trumpet duty; but before the angels begin to blow their trumpets, John sees one more thing.
“Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.” REVELATION 8:5 Without controversy, altars in the Bible were used for sacrifices; but they needed fire for the burnt offerings. Fire in the Bible has many meanings and usages; Burning bushes in EXODUS 3:2-3 pillars of fire in EXODUS 13:21 tongues like fire in ACTS 2:3 refining in fire ZECHARIAH 13:9 and for judgment in II PETER 3:7 When the angel threw the censer to earth this signaled the ending of God’s seal judgments and the beginning of the Trumpet judgments and the bowls of his dreadful wrath which will end with the devil, his angels and all unbelievers cast into the lake of fire; REVELATION 20:10, 15 And with the heavens and earth destroyed—burned with fire. II PETER 3:10
Last One-half of the Tribulation—The Great Tribulation
"So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. MATTHEW 24:15-16
For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. MATTHEW 24:21-22
In Matthew chapter twenty-four Jesus says after the abomination of desolation there will be great tribulation. Since the abomination of desolation takes place at or near the mid-point of Tribulation, then the reference to great tribulation is to the last one-half of Tribulation. That will be when further judgments will be unleashed and God’s undiluted wrath will be poured out on the earth.
THEN COMES THE END!
PART 6 THE LAST THREE and ONE-HALF YEARS OF TRIBULATION
Time-Frame Five: The Last Three and One-half Years—Armageddon
Prologue
While scripture never mentions a Revived Roman Empire, scripture in Daniel chapters two and seven talks about the fourth kingdom, of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, being a divided kingdom [the Roman Empire and a revival of the Roman Empire]. The composition of the feet of this statue is not like the legs. Some Bible scholars and commentators are saying this last empire, the seventh, will be a Revival of the Roman Empire, which was the sixth empire. The ten horn kings and the world church will reign in the beginning of this last empire. This empire will eventually be usurped by the devil’s incarnate—the Antichrist. The last one-half of Tribulation is all about this demonic kingdom. From the abomination of desolation, at the mid-point of tribulation, to the end—Armageddon, this satanic kingdom will rule the world with a fist of iron without input from any other entity. The only intervention from God will be his judgments and great wrath.
More beasts [the devil in various forms] arise to torment the people on the earth and to keep them in their grasp. Babylon will fall and the great prostitute, the apostate church, will be destroyed. The grapes of God’s wrath will be ‘harvested’ and the bowls of His wrath will be poured out.
Jesus is coming! But before he does, the armies of the world will assemble for the battle of Armageddon. The Antichrist and the false prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire. The armies will be destroyed by the Word of Jesus. And an angel will bind Satan and throw him into the bottomless pit. The Millennium begins.
TOPIC 31—THE FALL of BABYLON
Come Out of Her, My People!
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” REVELATION 18:4-5
While the call by God for his people to come out of Babylon is connected with the Fall of Babylon in Revelation, he has been calling for us to flee from the midst of Babylon even in the Old Testament. “Flee from the midst of Babylon; let every one save his life. Be not cut off in her punishment, for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance, the repayment he is rendering her.” JEREMIAH 51:6 Although the Babylon of old has been destroyed, her propensity to sin has not been destroyed. We cannot consistently be “yoked” with this world and not partake of her sins. If we partake of her sins then we will share in her plagues. REVELATION 18:4 “For her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” REVELATION 18:5 Again, we must come out of her. If we continue to sin willfully, then we have not seen him or known Him. I JOHN 3:6 If we keep on sinning then we are “in Babylon” and not “in Christ”and we will share in Babylon’s plagues.
Idolatry is the devil’s substitute for worshipping God. God hates idolatry! Idolatry is whoredom. It is sexual immorality. “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” ISAIAH 42:8 “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.” COLOSSIANS 3:5-6 “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” I CORINTHIANS 10:14 Come out of her, My People!
The Fall of Babylon—Babylon—Dwelling Place For Demons
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast. For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” REVELATION 18:1-3
Angels who have great power and glory that makes the earth bright are God’s archangels. Their deployment is for missions of great difficulty or importance. The ten horn—kings and the Antichrist will have already destroyed the great prostitute. Now this archangel will destroy her infrastructure—both tangible and intangible. He announces with a mighty voice that Babylon is fallen. REVELATION 18:1-2 He says fallen twice. He is saying the great prostitute has fallen and now Babylon is fallen. Then he tells us only demonic beings will now occupy this great and mighty city.
He states the reasons for her destruction. “For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” REVELATION 18:3 These are the same things which condemned the great prostitute. Only the mention of the “merchants of the earth have grown rich,” in this scripture, is different from the indictments against her.
Babylon is the commercial—political part of the great prostitute. The “merchants of the earth” are an integral part of her infrastructure. To become a religious giant, a giant apostate church, it takes more than masses of people who are deceived. It takes the same kind of infrastructure that any commercial business or government would need to function. This archangel sent from God is here to destroy all of it.
The Catholic Church did not exist in John’s day; but the might and deeds of ancient Babylon were known then. Ancient Babylon is not only a good analogy of the Rome the Catholic Church “built,” it is in many points a parallel to it. It is said the Catholic Church claims Peter as their first pope. [He was not!] Regardless of when they actually started, they have been around for almost two millennia.
Just like the Catholic Church, for almost two millennia Babylon served as a center of Mesopotamian civilization. King Nebuchadnezzar lived there. So many legends are bound to Babylon it is hard for archaeologist to separate fact from fiction; but what is known is many scientific discoveries were made there and it was a city whose rulers conquered many people. One historical account says “the citizens grew wealthy through commerce.” A lot of what is “known” about Babylon are archaeological conclusions; but, of course, there is much scripture about Nebuchadnezzar, his statute and his attempt to be worshiped as a god and his humiliation by the God of Daniel. His dream of a statute and Daniels’s interpretations and prophecy still has much meaning for the end-time. [1]
There is great deal of scripture about the fall of ancient Babylon which parallels the coming fall of Babylon, Rome. “And behold, here come riders, horsemen in pairs!” And he answered, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the carved images of her gods he has shattered to the ground.” ISAIAH 21:9 “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the splendor and pomp of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them. It will never be inhabited or lived in for all generations; no Arab will pitch his tent there; no shepherds will make their flocks lie down there.” ISAIAH 13:19-20 “Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord's hand, making all the earth drunken; the nations drank of her wine; therefore the nations went mad. Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been broken; wail for her! Take balm for her pain; perhaps she may be healed.” JEREMIAH 51:7-8 “Though Babylon should mount up to heaven, and though she should fortify her strong height, yet destroyers would come from me against her, declares the Lord.” JEREMIAH 51:53
“‘For the Lord is laying Babylon waste and stilling her mighty voice. Their waves roar like many waters; the noise of their voice is raised, for a destroyer has come upon her, upon Babylon; her warriors are taken; their bows are broken in pieces, for the Lord is a God of recompense; he will surely repay. I will make drunk her officials and her wise men, her governors, her commanders, and her warriors; they shall sleep a perpetual sleep and not wake, declares the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts. ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: The broad wall of Babylon shall be leveled to the ground, and her high gates shall be burned with fire. The peoples labor for nothing, and the nations weary themselves only for fire.’” JEREMIAH 51:55-58 With so much scripture recounting the fall of ancient Babylon and prophesying the fall of the Babylon of Revelation it is little wonder John named the city he saw [Rome] Babylon.
The fall of the Babylon in Revelation is a decisive loss for Satan and his kingdoms of the world. The delicacies and splendors of Satan’s world have failed. The stock market has crashed never to rise again. He has destroyed his religious partner—the great prostitute. Now God has destroyed Babylon—and the means by which “… the merchants of the earth have grown rich…” REVELATION 18:3 The world is already desolate from all of God’s judgments. All of the earth will soon be like this fallen Babylon now that this last bastion of luxury and commerce has been destroyed. The last three and one-half years of Great Tribulation will be hell on earth. “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.” REVELATION 18:2
All of her wealth, power, worldly wisdom, glory, pomp, pleasures, false doctrines, luxuries, her gods, and splendor have all failed. She has been brought to naught. Since her destruction is so total—its only use is as the haunt of every unclean thing. Babylon is a “ghost” town! Once she was the exalted capital of all things evil. She has become like Sodom and Gomarrah when God overthrew them. ISAIAH 13:19 And her judgment has reached up to heaven. JEREMIAH 51:9 Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great.
Anyone or anything worshipped other than the True God is idolatry. God says idolatry is whoredom. He destroyed whoredom when he put it into the minds of the ten horn/kings to help destroy the great prostitute. Any entity of any kind used in the prostituted worship by the mother of harlots and her children, will be destroyed by God’s archangel. Now there is nothing visible or tangible left on earth that worships anything but the devil and his Antichrist. Those who do not worship him and take his mark will be killed—martyred. God will soon destroy the devil.
The Judgment of Babylon
Babylon will be judged.
for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed. As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, “I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.” For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her. REVELATION 18:5-8
“Babylon was a golden cup in the Lord's hand, making all the earth drunken; the nations drank of her wine; therefore the nations went mad. Suddenly Babylon has fallen and been broken…” JEREMIAH 51:6-8 “And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.” REVELATION 18:24 Her destruction will be final.
The Final Destruction of Babylon
“'Then a mighty angel [the archangel sent to destroy Babylon] took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, ‘So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more; and the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more, and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.’” REVELATION 18:21-23 “…For in a single hour she has been laid waste.” REVELATION 18:19 "Flee from the midst of Babylon; let every one save his life. Be not cut off in her punishment, for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance, the repayment he is rendering her.” JEREMIAH 51:6 “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the splendor and pomp of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them.” ISAIAH 13:19 “O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us!” PSALM 137:8 “‘Now it shall be, when you have finished reading this book, that you shall tie a stone to it and throw it out into the Euphrates. Then you shall say, ‘Thus Babylon shall sink and not rise from the catastrophe that I will bring upon her. And they shall be weary…’ ” JEREMIAH 51:63-64
Babylon—USA—Parallels
Some views hold the United States of American, for reasons not scripturally known, does not appear in end-time prophecy. There is even a greater number of views on what happens to us before the Tribulation. Scripture witness is sorely lacking for any view on the United States’ role in the end-time; but scripture in Revelation chapter eighteen seems to describe the United States. “…the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.” REVELATION 18:3 Although several countries have now surpassed the United States, throughout the twentieth century the United States was recognized as having the highest standard of living in the world. Nevertheless, many countries of the world have grown rich from the power of our luxurious living—including some of those who now have a higher standard of living than we do.
“And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore.” REVELATION 18:11 “The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud.” REVELATION 18:15 The United States is still the number one importer of goods in the world. In 2024 the value of goods imported was about 4.1 trillion US dollars.
“‘…And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off 1and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, ‘What city was like the great city?’ And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth. For in a single hour she has been laid waste.’” REVELATION 18:17-19 Only China has more container ship traffic than the United States. And China is by far the largest exporter of goods in the world. A good portion of it to the United States.
“‘For this reason her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.” REVELATION 18:8 “Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, ‘So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;’” REVELATION 18:21
In their wailing they raise a lamentation for you and lament over you: 'Who is like Tyre, like one destroyed in the midst of the sea? When your wares came from the seas, you satisfied many peoples; with your abundant wealth and merchandise you enriched the kings of the earth. Now you are wrecked by the seas, in the depths of the waters; your merchandise and all your crew in your midst have sunk with you. EZEKIEL 27:32-34
Our Yellowstone National Park doesn’t just have a volcano, it is a volcano. In fact, it is a super-volcano. When this volcano erupts, the degree of destruction to the United States and to the world depends on the scientific source you consult; but by everyone’s calculation the devastation would be catastrophic. [2] The United States could well become “…a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.” REVELATION 18:2 “And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the splendor and pomp of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them. It will never be inhabited or lived in for all generations; no Arab will pitch his tent there; no shepherds will make their flocks lie down there.” ISAIAH 13:19-20
Earth Mourns Babylon’s Destruction
And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, "Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore, cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble, cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and slaves, that is, human souls. “The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, never to be found again!” The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud, “Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls! For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste.” And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, "What city was like the great city?” And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, "Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste. REVELATION 18:9-19
All the luxury is gone and all the vehicles of sexual immorality. In verse thirteen it mentions “slaves, that is, human souls.” This may be referring to the evil subculture of sex traffickers. All the merchants of all luxury items, gold and jewelry and fine linen, are in business no more. There are no buyers or sellers. All shipping has ceased. The stock market has crashed never to recover. There are no employers—except for the devil. Men weep and mourn aloud. The mark of the beast will control what little buying and selling of necessary items which are available in their Great Tribulation future. They have reason to mourn Babylon’s destruction.
Heaven Rejoices Over Babylon’s Destruction
Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” REVELATION 18:20
In three different places in scripture heaven rejoices at the fall of Babylon, “The third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of water, and they became blood. And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, ‘Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!’” REVELATION 16:4-6
“‘After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.’ Once more they cried out, ‘Hallelujah!’ The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.’” REVELATION 19:1-3
“Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!” REVELATION 18:20
TOPIC 32—THE SECOND MESSENGER ANGEL
The Second Messenger Angel Declares Babylon is Fallen
Another angel, a second, followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.” REVELATION 14:8
This Second Messenger Angel will tell every spot on earth that Babylon has fallen, the great prostitute, the apostate church—she who made all nations drink the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality. REVELATION 14:8 There will be no more false [apostate] churches to join for a sense of false peace and false security. Everything which pertains to God and to Jesus Christ on the earth is being purged from the earth by the devil. If anyone who has not worshipped the beast or its image turns to Jesus Christ, they will have to be totally committed to him; for there is no “church” support left on earth. They must not fear death! For they will be martyred for their belief in Christ and refusal to take the mark of the beast. “… do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” MATTHEW 10:28
TOPIC 33— THE SECOND BEAST—THE BEAST OUT of the EARTH
The Second Beast—The Beast Out of the Earth
Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. REVELATION 13:11-18
John sees a second beast. “Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.” REVELATION 13:11 When we say the word “another,” we usually mean one just like the other one. This beast is a beast just like the other one—satanic; but there are some differences. This beast rises out of the earth—and earth often represents people—Israel. People are from the dust of the earth. GENESIS 2:7 For this reason some commentators believe it will be a Jew that is the false prophet; for a Jew might more easily convince other Jews of the authenticity of the Antichrist; but I could not find supporting scripture for this possibility.
It has just two horns. Horns mean power and authority; but they are like a lamb’s—not a ram. This is the false prophet in sheep’s clothing Jesus warned us about. MATTHEW 7:15 He will be the ultimate false prophet. And when he opens his mouth to speak, his true self is revealed—for he has the voice of a dragon—the devil, and he deceives the people.
He will be an individual; but in the presence of the Antichrist he exercises all the authority of the first beast. He makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast—The Antichrist, whose mortal wound was healed. REVELATION 13:12 “It [the second beast] performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people.” REVELATION 13:13 Just as the two witnesses sent from God will do. Some of these signs may be genuine. Remember, Pharaoh’s magicians could turn staffs into serpents, water into blood, and make frogs come up on the land; EXODUS 7:10-11 & 7:20-22 & 8:6-7 But others will be done by deception. It may be hard for those left on earth to tell the difference because this beast is a master deceiver and through the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth. REVELATION 13:14 He shall make deceit prosper. DANIEL 8:25
Some believe this deceiver could be papal Rome—the false prophet. Rome has been a deceiver for centuries. They have always sought to bring the whole world under their influence. Some of the Protestant reformers believed that the Antichrist is the papacy—one office—many men. This may be; but this is one man—a deceiver—which arises in the end-time. The Catholic Church may also be deceived by the Antichrist; for they love signs. But remember Jesus reproved the Pharisees because they asked for a sign. MATTHEW 16:1-4
Great Signs
The Catholic Church loves “miracles, signs and apparitions.” They have recorded many over the years; and before sainthood is bestowed on anyone, a miracle by that person has to be proven. Although the apostate church will be destroyed around the time the false prophets rises, these signs and “miracles” are what men seek. Remember, Jesus was often asked for signs. I am personally aware of some Catholic’s appetence for Apparitions.
Nancy Fowler a woman who lived just outside of Conyers Georgia, where we lived in the early 1990s, began having visions of the Virgin Mary—the mother of Jesus—in 1989. Since then, her home in Conyers has become one of the largest and longest lived Marian apparition sites in the United States. At its height, 80,000 people gathered on the 13th of every month to hear her relate a message for the United States from the Virgin Mary. The people who attended these gatherings took water from a well Mary was supposed to have blessed, now holy water. They left petitions and prayers in a basket in the apparition room. They took pictures of the sun, looking for signs from Mary. These are just some of the mementos they took home with them. All of these objects they took home became holy objects to them. One Emory graduate student’s dissertation was on the Conyers’ apparition. I will not judge whether this was real or deception. I just want to emphasize the extent Catholics seek and look for signs and miracles.
In 1858, a young peasant girl in Lourdes France experienced a series of Marian apparitions in the grotto of Massabielle. Those apparitions at Lourdes are believed by Catholics to be a divine message and testament to the Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. Since then Lourdes has become renowned for miraculous healings which have taken place in what they consider to be sacred grounds. Several popes have affirmed the importance of Lourdes as a place of spiritual significance and pilgrimage for Catholics.
On average, around six million people make the pilgrimage to Lourdes. [In 2023 three million people made the pilgrimage] About eighty-thousand of those visitors are sick or disabled persons from all over the world seeking a miracle. The water of Lourdes has become popular because fifty “official” miracles have been linked to the use of the water. Both drinking the water and using it for a bath has produced miracles. Many ceremonies and rituals occur throughout the year at Lourdes where people claim healings for souls and bodies. Again, I will not judge the actions of all these pilgrims. I, too, believe in healings and miracles—just not sure God requires us to make a pilgrimage to a foreign land to receive our miracle. [1]
People from all over the world come as pilgrims to visit a small village in Ireland—Knock Ireland. More than 1.5 million people a year come to this really small village of less than twelve hundred people. Astonishing attendance can be traced back to 1879 when fifteen locals claimed to have seen an apparition of the Virgin Mary on the wall of the parish church. Priest Monsignor James Horan, often referred to as the builder of Knock, put pressure on Knock officials to built an airport to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. The first flight to Knock was in 1985. He was also instrumental in building Knock’s Basilica in 1976 to accommodate the number of pilgrims visiting the village. The site was transformed into a Holy Shrine. The new church was built in anticipation of the centenary of the apparition. It was expected that 1979 would bring an even greater presence of pilgrims and the arrival of the pope. Pope John Paul II did visit in 1979. He granted the church its Basilica status. [2]
Again, I do not wish to be judgmental; but since these pilgrimages are so commercialized and since so much rhetoric is placed on apparitions, signs and holy water, then it may be the false prophet is increasing in his deception. One thing is for certain, none of the pilgrimages I read about even mentioned the name of Jesus. So to point to signs which do not point us to Jesus, is to place focus in the wrong place.
Now to the false prophet of the end-time. Making fire come down from heaven is a mimic of the two witnesses who will have just been killed. This beast will do all of his signs “in front of people.” Deceit will be his intention. Everything he will do is for the first beast, The Antichrist; for they will be united in power—they both will have the same authority; REVELATION 13:12 and they will be united in destruction: Both will be thrown into the lake of fire together. REVELATION 19:20
False Prophet—Factotum of The Antichrist
Again, this will be the ultimate false prophet. He will be the factotum of The Antichrist. Although he will exercise all of the authority of the first beast, it seems he can only use this authority in the presence of the first beast. REVELATION 13:12 & 13:14 Everything that he will do is for the first beast. He is declared to be the false prophet in scripture. REVELATION 16:13 Just as the Antichrist is culmination of many antichrists, this false prophet is the culmination of many false prophets. “And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two [individuals] were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” REVELATION 19:20 Scripture confirms the first beast and the false prophet are still in the lake of fire a thousand years later when the devil is thrown into the lake of fire. REVELATION 20:10
The Image of The Beast
and by the signs that it [the false prophet] is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed [by God] to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, REVELATION 13:14-16
This second beast will tell those he has deceived to make an image for the beast which was wounded by the sword and yet lived. REVELATION 13:14 Although verse fourteen says “make an image for the beast,” verse fifteen tells us it is an image of the beast. Since those deceived will make the image, it has something in common with all images. It will be made by human hands.
Some believe it could be a statute like the one Nebuchadnezzar set up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. At its dedication all were instructed to fall down and worship the image when they heard the sound of every kind of music. If they did not, they would immediately be thrown into a fiery furnace. DANIELl 3:1-6 The Pagan world is full of statutes; and they are worshipped in many places. Whatever this image of the beast is, it will be embraced by those left on earth and it will be worshipped or they will be martyred.
Many will worship the image; but those who worship the image “…will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” REVELATION 14:10 The first bowl of God’s wrath is poured out on those who worship the image of the beast. REVELATION 16:2 Some believe this image will be set up in Rome; but it will be set up in or near the Temple in Jerusalem. I could not find definitive scripture; but I believe the abomination of desolation will take place in the rebuilt temple. DANIEL 9:27 & MATTHEW 24:15 This abomination of desolation could be when the image is set up in or near the temple when the Antichrist seats himself in the temple and declares himself to be God. II THESSALONIANS 2:4
The Image Given Breath
And it [the false prophet] was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. REVELATION 13:15
There is a lot in this verse we need to understand. First, the false prophet “was allowed” by God, not the first beast, to give breath to the image. Giving “breath” to the image means giving it “life” so that it “lives.” Since God allowed the image to have “breath,” the image is alive; but not in the way God gives the breath of life to us. God will never give the ability to give life to any other or give life to a demonic idol. Rather, the false prophet will breathe a demonic spirit into the image, mocking God given life. The image may now speak and may cause those who would not worship it to be slain.
The phrases “might even speak” and “might cause” say to me that although the image could speak and cause people to be put to death, someone else, the false prophet, or something else, the devil, is still in control of this image. Remember the image is breathing the breath of the false prophet. He does not have a God given ability to think for itself. He may be able to think if God allows Artificial Intelligence to advance to the point the image appears to have an innate intelligence.. Because many will worship this image, this image’s ability to perform will far exceed the technology man has achieved to date. The deception will be even greater when they see the image come to life and speak from what seems to be its own intellect. If it is Artificial Intelligence, it will be a step far above what is available now and will be demonic its deceit.
Again, this scripture is saying the image of the beast has the ability to cause those who do not worship the image to be slain. The image commands—worship the image or the image will have you killed, beheaded. REVELATION 13:15 This is a regression to the Old Testament policies of kings like Nebuchadnezzar who said worship the image when I command or be killed; but in this case it will be the image that does the commanding—not a king. But both are still controlled by the same devil.
This image will definitely be different from the images of the Old Testament. Although it will be made by human hands it will have breath and a mouth that speaks—unlike the images and idols of the Old Testament that had neither breath nor speech. PSALM 135:15-17 & HABAKKUK 2:19
TOPIC 34—THE THIRD MESSENGER ANGEL WARNS AGAINST THE MARK
The Mark of the Beast
Also it [the false prophet] causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. REVELATION 13:16-18
No where in Revelation will you find the word “Antichrist;” but John was familiar with the word. He is the only writer in the Bible who used the word Antichrist and antichrist. I JOHN 2:18 [NKJV] In chapter thirteen of Revelation the beast rising out of the sea is always referred to as a beast while the beast rising out of the earth is referred to as the false prophet, implying that he is a man. All evil beasts are the devil or his incarnate; but this beast rising out of the sea was given the dragon’s authority. REVELATION 13:2 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound and that wound was healed REVELATION 13:3 and given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words. REVELATION 13:5 So this beast, rising out of a sea of people, became the devil incarnate after he had risen above the sea of people.
Teachings of Daniel in chapters nine and eleven, Jesus’ reference to them in Matthew chapter twenty-four, and Paul’s explanation in II Thessalonians chapter two are the basis for declaring the actions of the beast as those of the Antichrist. “…let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.” REVELATION 13:18 The beast will have the number of a man.
There are three other things we can know about the mark of the beast. (1) Satan never has an original thought. After Jesus marks his saints and the 144,000, the devil will decide he needs to mark his people. (2) The mark will be conformity to, acceptance of, and membership in an evil empire. (3) You will be doomed if you take the mark and doomed if you do not take it; but you are doomed only to first death if you refuse the mark. The false prophet will control the “mark.” REVELATION 13:16 He will use it to control buying and selling. REVELATION 13:17 After all of the judgments of God and his wrath there will probably be very little left to buy or sell; so his control will be monstrous and with great consequence.
The greatest mystery in these verses is “…the name of the beast or the number of its name.” “This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.” REVELATION 13:18 There have been endless calculations performed and many formulas developed to determine the name that is 666. There have been even more guesses; but still we do not know the name of the beast. Many languages allow for number names. Even those countries do not yet have a name for the number 666.
Gematria, the practice of assigning a numerical value to a word or a name, is most common in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin languages. For centuries, and in every ingenious kind of way, men have tried to put a name to 666. Some have decided it is the papacy; but it is not an office. Rather, it will be a charismatic leader who will arise in the end-time to become The Antichrist—it could be a pope!.
Recently, an author came to my attention who has gained fame claiming he has determined the identity of the Antichrist. He has named Charles Prince of Wales as the Antichrist. He says that now he is King Charles III does not change his Antichrist identity. I will not judge the man or his motives; for to judge the writings and actions of a man is to judge him; but after a brief look at his book and viewing a few minutes of an interview with him, I did not hear any Scriptural support for his suppositions. Rather he relied heavily on the symbolism in King Charles III’s coat of arms. His “book of evidence” is now a collector’s item; for people are looking for knowledge about the future. It may be possible once the true Antichrist is revealed to go back and look at what were signs of his identity; but they cannot be use as a body of evidence to identify him now without scripture witness. [1] The Antichrist could be living today; but only a revelation of God’s word could identify him now. This we know, he will be revealed at the time scripture says he will be revealed—when the restrainer is taken away—the Holy Spirit that indwells the Church is the restrainer—then he will be revealed.
Scripture tells us 666 is “… the number of a man…” REVELATION 13:18 and that this “… calls for wisdom and understanding.” Wisdom comes from God. In God’s design of things, he gives wisdom, then understanding and finally knowledge. The name of the Antichrist will be determined using this order of learning.
In the secular realm it is the opposite. First, we pursue knowledge. Then we reach understanding. Finally, using our knowledge and understanding for a time, we obtain wisdom. The secular route seems to be the way most approach this mystery; but true to the precepts of God, we need wisdom first before we can solve what 666 means. No one thus far has the wisdom and understanding to put the correct name to 666. As we get nearer the end of times the name which fits the number 666 will, perhaps, become known; but it will take wisdom from God first, then understanding to calculate the beast’s name. Finally, then we will have knowledge of what his name is.
Whatever that name is, the false prophet will make sure you have it tattooed or implanted in your forehead or hand before you can buy or sell. No one will be exempt. Those who refuse the mark become martyrs.
An interesting side note: The Bible only mentions 666 in one other place in the Bible and that is the number of talents of gold which came to Solomon in one year. I KINGS 10:14
The Third Messenger Angel
And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” REVELATION 14:9-11
The Third Messenger Angel will also cover every spot on earth; but he will neither proclaim the gospel nor announce the doom of the apostate church; but he will have a message of doom. “…If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever…” REVELATION 14:9-11 Just as Esau “…found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears,” HEBREWS 12:17 neither will there be a chance of repentance for those who worship the beast or his image. “…and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” REVELATION 14:11
Written by Mallard E. Guy Jr.
Over a Period of Two + Years
Finished October 28, 2023
Last Edited August 2025