Daniel was not the only one to have foreseen the rising of the Roman power. Beginning in Revelation chapter 12 and continuing on into chapter 13, John the Revelator also sees the history of the Roman power in its two parts; pagan and papal.

In chapter 12 he sees God's church, represented by the woman, ready to give birth to a man child. She is clothed with the sun, representing the great light of the New Covenant and under her feet is the moon. As the sun is the true source of light and the moon gives only its reflection, the moon here represents the Old Covenant which was only a reflection of the New. The twelve stars are the twelve apostles, and the man child is the Lord Jesus Christ "who was to rule the nations with a rod of iron." Rev. 12:5. (See Rev. 19:11-16)

At the time that the woman was ready to give birth, John beholds a new wonder in the form of a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns*, and it is waiting for the birth of the child Jesus, that it may devour Him. (Verse 4) (*Notice that this dragon has ten horns just as the fourth beast does in Daniel chapter 7. For an explanation of the seven heads see Appendix B.)

In verse 9, the dragon is personified as Satan himself, but a close look at history will show that Satan used the Roman empire as his tool of destruction. It was Herod, the Roman puppet ruler, whom Satan used to kill the first born in Bethlehem in an attempt to destroy the Christ child, and it was Pilate, the Roman prelate, whom Satan used to crucify our Lord. When Jesus was caught up unto God, and Satan realized he had failed and was forever cast out of Heaven, he turned his wrath against the church "and the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God." He used the Roman Emperor Nero to kill Paul and Peter and to exile John to the isle of Patmos, and he used rulers like Diocletian to commit some of the bloodiest persecutions the Christian church had ever known. God gave His church "wings" to flee into hiding among the catacombs, dens, caves and mountains of the wilderness as the Roman power in both its pagan and papal form spewed forth company after company of its persecuting armies. (Verses 14-17.)

Satan gave Rome its power and authority, and it carried out Satan’s plans with such fidelity and allegiance that both are represented by the great dragon; to acknowledge one is to acknowledge the other.

"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. 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. 13:1,2.

As you remember, the sea represents "peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues." While pagan Rome, represented by the dragon, was losing its hold on world dominion, John sees a new beast rising out of that churning sea of turmoil. As history has already shown, it was Papal Rome that arose from the collapse of Pagan Rome. It was this transformation that John witnessed. Rome was putting on its new clothing.

But why is the Papacy represented here as a composite beast? It is no secret that Pagan Rome adopted its beliefs and customs from those it conquered. The Church of Rome, beginning with Constantine in 313 AD and even before, adopted Rome’s pagan beliefs and gave them Christian names. Thus, the Roman Church’s dogmas are based upon the beliefs of the pagan empires that existed before it. This is why we see parts of all the former beasts joined together to make up the composite beast.

"...a mixture of paganism and Christianity produced the Roman Catholic Church. The pagans worshiped and prayed to a mother goddess, so the fallen church adopted mother-worship under the name of Mary. The pagans had gods and goddesses associated with various days, occupations and events in life. This system was adopted and the ‘gods’ were called ‘saints.’ The pagans used statues or idols of their pagan deities in their worship, so the fallen church did also, simply calling them by different (Christian) names.

"From ancient times, crosses in various forms were regarded in superstitious ways. Some of these ideas were adopted and associated with the cross of Christ. The cross as an image was outwardly honored, but the true...sacrifice of the cross became obscured by the rituals of the Mass with its transubstantiation [another Babylonish custom], mystery drama, and prayers for the dead!

"Repetitious prayers, rosaries, and relics were all adopted from paganism and given a surface appearance of Christianity. The pagan office and title of Pontifex Maximus was applied to the bishop of Rome. He became known as the Pope, the Father of fathers, even though Jesus said to call no man father! In literally hundreds of ways, pagan rites were merged into Christianity at Rome.

"Catholic scholars recognize that their church developed from such a mixture. But from their point of view, these things were triumphs for Christianity, because the church was able to Christianize pagan practices." Babylon Mystery Religion, Ancient and Modern, Ralph Edward Woodrow, p. 148.

* (For more information on this subject see The Two Babylons by Alexander Hislop, The Heathen Religion by Gross and the above mentioned book by Woodrow.)

As we have already seen, history has proved the little horn power to be the Papacy. A close comparison between the little horn of Daniel chapter 7 and the composite beast of Revelation chapter 13 will prove beyond a doubt that they are one and the same power.

1. Origin -- The little horn arose out of the pagan form of the Roman Empire. Daniel 7:8. The beast of Revelation 13:2 arises out of the same power; for the dragon, Pagan Rome, "gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."

2. Blasphemy -- Of the little horn it is said that" he shall speak great words against the most High," Dan. 7:25 and of the composite beast that "he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven." Rev. 13:6.

What is blasphemy? In John chapter 10 verses 32 and 33 it tells us how the Jews were about to stone Jesus, and Jesus said, "Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?" The Jews answered him, "For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God." Then, according to scripture, blasphemy is man claiming to be God. Of course Jesus did not blaspheme because He is God, but for a man to claim this title constitutes blasphemy.

Is there anything else that constitutes blasphemy? In Mark chapter 2 we read of a paralytic that desired to see Jesus, but the house where the people were gathered was just too crowded to get in. In desperation the men that were carrying the paralytic took him to the roof where they broke through and let him down through a hole. When Jesus saw those pleading eyes looking at Him, He understood that forgiveness and peace with God was what that man needed, even more than physical healing. Then came those quickening, revitalizing words to the soul, "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Those precious words of relief to the sin-stricken soul were misrepresented and twisted by the priests and scribes that were listening. Even after the paralytic arose and walked they did not believe in Christ’s divinity and reasoned among themselves, "Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?" Jesus, the sin bearer, had every right to forgive sins, but for sinful, erring man to do so is blasphemy indeed.

If what we have studied so far is to stand true to the test, then these traits should be found as characteristics of the Papacy. There are very few people, Christian or otherwise, who are not familiar with the Catholic Church’s confessionals. Men and women go to confess their sins to another man, a priest, who then gives them forgiveness. BLASPHEMY! This has been one of the worst disgraces to humanity ever devised, for what man can stand hearing the secret filthiness of the unconverted human heart without being affected? Man does not have it in him to stand as mediator between man and God. Even the strongest will be brought low, such as Moses when he faltered at the waters of Kadesh. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" 1 Timothy 2:5

Observe the claims of the Papacy concerning the priesthood’s ability to forgive sin: "The priest holds the place of the Saviour Himself, when, by saying, ‘Ego te absolvo’ [I thee absolve], he absolves from sin...To pardon a single sin requires all the omnipotence of God...But what only God can do by His omnipotence the priest can also do by saying ‘Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis’...Innocent III has written: ‘Indeed, it is not too much to say that in view of the sublimity of their office the priests are so many gods.’" Alphonsus de Liguori, Dignity and Duties of the Priest, pp. 34-36

Note what other claims the Papacy attributes to its priesthood: "But our wonder should be far greater when we find that in obedience to the words of His priests - HOC EST CORPUS MEUM [This is My body] - God Himself descends on the altar, that He comes wherever they call Him, and as often as they call Him...Thus the priest may, in a certain manner, be called the creator of the Creator." Ibid

As to the Papacy’s claim to be God, let them speak for themselves on this matter as well.

"We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty." Pope Leo XII, in an Encyclical Letter, June 20, 1894.

"The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ Himself, hidden under veil of flesh." The Catholic National, July, 1895

"For thou art the shepherd, thou art the physician, thou art the director, thou art the husbandman, finally thou art another God on earth." Labbe and Cossart’s History of Councils, Vol. XIV, col. 109.

In the Extravagantes of Pope John XXII, title 14, chapter 4, entitled Declaramus, the Pope claims for himself the title "Lord God the Pope."

"We define that the Holy Apostolic See (Vatican) and the Roman Pontiff (Pope) hold the primacy over the whole world." Decree of the Council of Trent, quoted from Philippe Labbe and Gabriel Cossart, The Most Holy Councils, Vol. 13, col. 1167. What more need be said? The Pope has spoken. (II Thessalonians 2:3,4)

3. Unholy War -- In Dan. 7:21, it is said that the little horn "made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;" In Rev. 13:7 it is given unto the composite beast "to make war with the saints, and to overcome them:"

It has been estimated that between 50 to 100 million people have been murdered by the Inquisitions, persecutions, and Holy Wars of the Roman Catholic Church. "That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind will be questioned by no Protestant who has a competent knowledge of history. The memorials, indeed, of many of her persecutions are now so scanty that it is impossible to form a complete conception of the multitude of her victims, and it is quite certain that no power of imagination can adequately realize their sufferings." History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe, vol. 2, p.32, W.E.H. Lecky.

"And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth." Rev. 18:24

4. Duration of Its Power -- Power to prevail over the saints was given to the little horn for a "time, times, and the dividing of time." Dan. 7:25. In the Chaldean language, of which Daniel wrote this chapter, a more perfect translation would be "a year, two years, and a half year" or, in other words, three and one half years. The composite beast was to have power over the saints for "forty and two months." Forty-two months equates to three and one half years; the same amount of time.

In the Jewish calendar year there are only 360 days. There are 12 months with 30 days each. Then three and one half years equals 1260 days. This same time period is mentioned seven times in the Bible in connection with the persecution of the saints for the Truth’s sake.

Here are those references:

Dan. 7:25...a time, times, and the dividing of time.

Dan. 12:7...a time, times, and a half.

Rev. 11:2...forty and two months.

Rev. 11:3...1260 days.

Rev. 12:6...1260 days.

Rev. 12:14..a time, and times, and a half a time.

Rev. 13:5...forty and two months.

One might say that there is a problem with this reckoning, for if this time period is to be taken literally it falls far short of the historical record. History shows that the Papal persecutions and inquisitions lasted centuries. Then how is this problem to be resolved?

The answer is quite simple actually. It has already been shown and is almost universally agreed among the Christian world that the depictions of beasts, heads, horns and wings in Biblical prophecies are symbols and not to be taken literally. Then it is no real stretch of the mind to understand that the days here mentioned are symbolic as well.

In several places in the Bible there can be found a day for a year principle. When Jacob made an agreement with Laban to work seven years for the hand of Rachel in marriage, Laban tricked Jacob and gave him Leah instead. Notice the words Laban uses in regards to fulfilling another seven years of service for Rachel. "Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years. And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also." Gen. 29:27,28. In this passage a week clearly equals seven years.

In another place the rebellion of Israel is recorded, where they refused to enter into the promised land. The Israelites had sent twelve men into the land to spy it out. They remained there forty days, and upon their return ten of the spies gave false reports which spread fear throughout the encampment, and because of this fear and unbelief they distrusted God and refused to go in to possess the land promised to them. Notice the punishment for their rebellion. "After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise." Num. 14:34. For each day the land was searched they were to wander in the wilderness one year.

One more example should suffice to remove any doubt. In the fourth chapter of Ezekiel, God has appointed Ezekiel the task of laying before the house of Israel and Judah their iniquity by acting out a little play. Notice what God commands Ezekiel regarding the bearing of their iniquity. "I have appointed thee each day for a year." Ezekiel 4:6.

Since Scripture clearly presents a day for a year principle, it would be wise to apply this principle to the time periods of prophecies and see if history proves them accurate. In fact, history proves this principle very accurate. Scholars such as Sir Isaac Newton, who wrote more about the Bible than science, used this same priciple in his prophetic reckoning. "...three times and a half, that is, for 1260 solar years, reckoning a time for a calender year of 360 days..." Sir Isaac Newton, Observations Upon the Prophecies of Daniel and St. John, p. 127,128.

As was previously shown, the Roman Catholic Church rose to its fullest power in 538 A.D. when all obstacles had finally been removed. Going forward 1260 prophetic days or 1260 literal years brings us to 1798 A.D.; the very year that Napoleon sent his general Berthier to capture the Pope and seize his estate in perfect fulfillment of this prophecy. Pope Pius VI was stripped of his power, both civil and ecclesiastical, and died in exile at Valence France, August 29, 1799.

3½ years = 42 months = 1260 days
1 prophetic day = 1 literal year

Although the power of the Roman Catholic Church was broken by the wounding of its head it would not remain that way long.

"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. 13:3.

The healing of the deadly wound began when Napoleon re-established the Papacy on March 14, 1800. Napoleon desired pomp and pageantry to attend his coronation, of which the Catholic Church was so famous, therefore, just for the occasion he elected a new Pope. Napoleon was careful, however, to give back only a small portion of the Pope’s former power.

Even so, the wound continues to heal to this day. Since Pope Pius XII, the Popes have been getting more and more involved with the political affairs of nations, pushing for a one world community. When Mussolini signed over Vatican city to the Papacy in 1929, he gave back the estate and wealth Napoleon took away and gave to the Papacy much of their former power for political control. The Pope is the only ecclesiastical representative allowed a place in the UN council meetings, and why not? It was the Papacy’s coercing that brought about the formation of the UN in the first place. ( After the World Wars "He [Pius XII] provided enlightened guidelines for the birth of a new world order after the fall of the previous political systems." Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter Tertio Mellennio Adveniente, par. 22) To illustrate just how far their influence goes, just look at the tearing down of the iron curtain and the collapse of communism in the USSR. Are the Papacy’s ties to the Solidarity Movement and personal involvement with Gorbachev just mere coincidences? (See New York Times, March 9, 1992, "My Partner, the Pope" by Gorbachev.) Just recently another precedent has been set, for the first time a Pope has set foot on Cuban soil to speak with Fidel Castro, and now there is toleration for Catholicism in a once atheistic country. Persecution for churches unrecognized by the Cuban state has already begun. How far will it all go? "And all the world wondered after the beast."

5. Both exist until Christ’s second coming--In Daniel 7:9-14 we witness the time of the judgment, the destruction of the little horn and the saints receiving their inheritance. The same picture is presented in Revelation 19:11-21 concerning the composite beast. The little horn and the composite beast are to exist until the second coming of Christ when the beast is "slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the flame" and "cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." Daniel 7:11; Rev. 19:20.

"Here then are the points that prove identity; for when we have in prophecy two symbols, as in this instance, representing powers that come upon the stage of action at the same time, occupy the same territory, maintain the same character, do the same work, exist the same length of time, and meet the same fate, those symbols must represent the same identical power; the Papacy." Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, p. 565

"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." Rev. 13:18

The last verse of Revelation chapter 13 gives one more key to the identity of the beast, The number of the beast is "the number of a man" who is considered to be the visible head of the church. One of the titles for the pope of Rome is Vicarius Filii Dei, meaning "Vicar of the Son of God." The numerical values of this Latin title total to exactly what God said it would be - 666.

It was these revelations from God’s Word that helped spark the Protestant reformation. These truths were predominantly held in common by the majority of the reformers, such as Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Spurgeon and many more. Why then don’t many believe it today? The answer lies with the Papacy.

As the heat of the fire grew too hot for the Mother church, she hired two of her most distinguished Jesuit doctors of theology to come up with a plan. Two new schools of prophetic reckoning (futurism & preterism) were established in the latter part of the sixteenth century which pointed to another as the fulfillment of these prophesies. The Protestant world, however, did not at first fall for the deception. It wasn’t until the early 1800's, after the persecutions had stopped and the Protestant churches went to sleep, that the wool was pulled over their eyes. How sad to think that the majority of professed Christians today are practically unaware of the danger they are in because they are learning in one of the schools of the "Mother of Harlots." (See Appendix E, for more details.)

In the Greek

H� LATIN� BASILEIA ("The Latin Kingdom") = 666
ITALIKA EKKL�SIA ("Italian Church") = 666
LATEINOS ("Latin Speaking Man") = 666

all have the same numerical value of 666.

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