Daniel and Revelation

Le Faux Prophète emploie la pression économique pour contraindre les hommes et les femmes à prêter allégeance à la Bête de la Mer . “ Le Faux Prophète ”, “ la Bête de la Terre ”, utilise la force économique contre les hommes qui refusent de jurer fidélité à  l'Empire Mondial , et “ la marque de la Bête ” est son mécanisme de traque et d'application. La capacité d'imposer des sanctions pécuniaires et des sanctions aux nations et aux individus est la clé du pouvoir politique de la Première Bête.

The Inhabitants of the Earth willingly venerate the Beast and take its mark, although believers also are not immune from its allurements . Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” invariably focus on questions about what it is - a medical implant, barcode, or a tattoo – as well as the significance of its “ number ,” ‘ 666 .’ As important as these questions are, far more critical is the issue of how we as believers can avoid taking the Beast’s mark or its  “number.”

The “ great voice in heaven ” pronounced “ woe ” on the “ Inhabitants of the Earth and the Sea because the Devil has descended to you, having great wrath .” The “ Dragon ” then began his war against the “ Seed of the Woman ” by summoning his own “seed,” the “ Beast from the Sea ” and the “ Beast from the Earth .”

The False Prophet employs economic pressure to coerce men and women to swear allegiance to the Beast from the Sea . The “ False Prophet ,” the “ Beast from the Earth ,” uses economic force against men who refuse to swear fealty to the  World Empire , and the “ mark of the Beast ” is his tracking and enforcement mechanism. The ability to impose monetary penalties and sanctions on nations and individuals is key to the political power of the First Beast.

Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” focus on the significance of its Number, ‘ 666 .’ We wish to understand it, and thereby avoid taking it. But to better appreciate the ramifications of taking its “ Mark ,” we must perceive that the Book of Revelation contrasts the “ Mark of the Beast ” with the “ Seal of God .” Every man must choose between two irreconcilable alternatives, and either choice has consequences.

John saw the “ Beast ascending from the Earth ” intent on deceiving the “ Inhabitants of the Earth .” The “ Beast from the Sea ” is characterized by its political power. In contrast, the “ Beast from the Earth ,” the “ False Prophet ,” uses religious performance and propaganda to deceive men, and economic sanctions to suppress all those who do not submit to its demands.

The inhabitants of the earth willingly venerate the Beast and take its mark, although believers are not immune from its allurements . And discussions about the “ Mark of the Beast ” invariably focus on questions about what it is - a medical implant, a barcode, or a tattoo – as well as the significance of its “ number ,” ‘ 666 .’ As important as these questions are, far more critical is the issue of how the believer can avoid taking the Beast’s mark or its “ number .”

All men who refuse to follow the Lamb will render homage to the Beast and take its mark – Revelation 13:16-18.  The “ False Prophet ” uses the power of the first “ Beast ” against anyone who refuses to give full allegiance to it. Its “ mark ” is an economic tool. Commerce is the lifeblood of the World Empire , and leveling sanctions against nations and peoples is its enforcement mechanism. Economic restrictions mean deprivation and suffering for their victims.

The “ Beast from the Earth ,” the “ False Prophet ,” uses economic coercion and religious deception to induce men to “ render homage to the Beast ,” and to erect an image to honor it. All those who give allegiance to the “ Beast ” will take its “ Mark ” and “ Number .” In the  Book of Revelation , the descriptions of this “ Number ” and the “ image of the Beast ” use language and imagery from the third chapter of Daniel.

The Beast of Revelation embodies the ancient imperial power that has stalked the saints since the Tower of Babel incident . History is littered with the remains of past attempts by tyrants and empires to dominate peoples and territories. Each new imperial power may experience initial success. However, all past empires have floundered, declined, and collapsed in the end. The Babylonian kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar and Caesar’s imperial realm, for example, ceased to exist thousands of years ago .

The King invested great effort to make his dream into reality. First, he “ set up ” an enormous image covered in gold to represent his majesty and the irresistible power of the Empire. Then, he commanded all the “ peoples and nations and tongues ” of his realm to pay homage to his image or face a horrific and certain death in the “ burning fiery furnace .”

SYNOPSIS :    Having “overcome” the Beast’s attempt to destroy the church, the victorious People of God now stand “upon” the Sea of Glass and sing the victory song of Moses and the Lamb  – Revelation 15:1-8 .    The fifteenth chapter of the  book of Revelation  introduces seven angels who are about to pour out seven “ bowls of wrath .” When they do, they unleash “ the seven last plagues upon the earth .” Chapter 16 describes the effects of the seven “ plagues ,” which together complete the “ wrath ” of God.