2. The Bible records a number
of religious crises of the
past, (e.g. Daniel 3:13-18;
Exodus 12:1-23; Exodus
32:26; 1 Kings 18:21), but
they fade into insignificance
when compared with the last
great conflict between truth
and error. The controversy
will be fought between two
world–wide movements in
the time near the end of the
world. 2
3. One program will
be inspired by Satan
and all those who
conform will receive
the “mark of the
beast”. The other is
directed by God,
and those who
respond will receive
the “seal of God”.
3
4. Heaven’s richest blessings
are promised to those
with the “seal of God”
while God’s most fearful
wrath is poured out upon
those who have the “mark
of the beast”. Eight
times in the book of
Revelation the “mark of
the beast” is spoken of,
4
5. and because God gives
such a strong warning
against receiving this
mark, it is important
that we know exactly
what the mark is and
how to avoid it.
5
7. Revelation 13:1-2
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,
7
8. Revelation 13:1-2
and upon his heads
the name of
blasphemy.
13:2 And the beast
which I saw was like
unto a leopard, and
his feet were as the
8
9. Revelation 13:1-2
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. “
9
10. WHO IS
THE BEAST ?
1. Is the Beast a person ?
2. Is the Beast an organization ?
3. What is it’s mark ?
4. How can I avoid it ?
10
11. WHO IS
THE BEAST ?
Let us use clues
from the bible
To identify this
beast.
11
12. Here is the beast
that has the
dreaded mark.
This mark we
definitely don't
want! The most
awful warning of
all time is directed
against it.
(see Rev. 14:9,10)
12
13. “And the third angel followed them,
saying with a loud voice, “If any
man worship the beast and his
image, and receive his mark in his
Revelation 14:9-10
THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE
13
14. forehead , or in his hand, the same
shall drink of the wine of the
wrath of God, which is poured out
without mixture into the cup of
14
Revelation 14:9-10
THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE
15. Revelation 14:9-10
his indignation; and he shall be
tormented with fire and brimstone
in the presence of the holy angels
and in the presence of the Lamb”
15
THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE
16. Before we learn
what the mark is, we
must discover who
the beast is. In fact,
the Bible makes it
so clear that we’ll
simply list the
characteristics of it
and you'll be able to
tell who it is!
Are you ready?
16
17. The Beast of Revelation 13
Clue #1
A "beast" in
prophecy
represents a
kingdom, a
nation, a power.
The prophetic
book of Daniel
tells us
17
18. “Thus he said,
The fourth
beast shall be
the fourth
kingdom upon
earth,… “
Daniel 7: 23
18
20. The Beast of Revelation 13
Clue # 2
This beast
comes up out
of the "sea."
20
21. When a beast arises
from the "sea," it
always represents a
power rising in a
highly populated
area; amid "peoples,
multitudes, and
nations, and tongues.
see Revelation 17:15.
It would have to
conquer the existing
government. 21
22. 22
Here it is plainly shown that seas or
waters represent peoples and nations.
“And he saith unto me, The waters
which thou sawest, where the whore
sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes,
and nations, and tongues. “
Revelation 17:15
24. The Beast of Revelation 13
Clue # 3
This beast has
seven heads and ten
horns. A head
represents the
headquarters of a
government. The
head of a country
is called the
country’s “seat“.
24
26. Daniel 7:24
“And the ten horns
out of this kingdom
are ten kings that
shall arise: and
another shall rise
after them…..”
Fourth Beast of Daniel 7
26
27. Bible Symbols and Their Meaning
2. Waters = People, Nations, Multitudes, Tongues
1. Beasts = Kingdoms, Nations, A Power
3. Heads = Head Quarters of a Government
27
4. Horns = Kings, Kingdoms or Rulers
28. The Beast of Revelation 13
Clue # 4
The beast has
the name of
‘blasphemy'
(Rev. 13:1).
28
29. Revelation 13:1
“…. And upon his
heads the name
of blasphemy. “
Revelation 13:5
“And there was given
unto him a mouth
speaking great things
and blasphemies…”
29
34. Amazing !
Blasphemy is for a man
to claim to be God !
Of course Jesus didn't
blaspheme because He
is God. But for someone
less than God - it would
be. But there's more.
34
39. For anyone less than God to claim to
forgive sins - it's blasphemy. Concerning
the beast it says, "and upon his heads the
name of blasphemy." Revelation 13:1. The
very leaders of this power would both
claim to be God on the earth, and claim to
have power to forgive men's sins! 39
40. The Beast of Revelation 13
Clue # 5
“…And the
dragon gave
him his power,
and his seat,
and great
authority. “
Revelation 13:2
40
41. It's clear that the
beast gets its "seat"
and "authority" from
the dragon. But who
is the dragon? 41
42. "And he laid hold
on the dragon, that
old serpent, which is
the Devil and Satan,
and bound him a
thousand years."
Revelation 20:2
This text makes it clear. The dragon is Satan.
But there is more…. 42
43. The “dragon” in Revelation 12, is described as
standing before the woman about to give birth to
the man child, Jesus Christ (Recall the study
entitled “The True Church”). This precedes this
beast power of Revelation 13. 43
48. Primarily the dragon
represents the devil.
Revelation 12:9. However,
recall that Satan worked
through an earthly
kingdom to try to kill baby
Jesus when he was born.
48
50. It was the Roman kingdom.
King Herod was employed by
and a representative of Rome.
So here is another clue.
The beast gets its power, seat
and authority from the Roman
kingdom. 50
51. It should now be
clear that the beast
gets its "seat" and
"authority" from the
dragon. But who is the
dragon? Pagan Rome 51
53. The dragon which gave its “authority” (Rev.
13:2) to the religious power that had the “mark”
was none other than “pagan Rome.” Now, what
power acting in the realm of religion received
from pagan Rome it’s “seat and great authority”?
The historian states, “out of the ruins of political
Rome arose the great moral empire in the “giant
form” of the Roman church.” (The Rise of the
Medieval Church, page 150, A.C. Flick.)
53
60. The Beast of Revelation 13
Clue # 6
. “And all that dwell
upon the earth shall
worship him, whose
names are not written
in the book of life of
the Lamb slain from
the foundation of the
world.”
Revelation 13:8
60
61. 61
This is not only a political power
but a religious power as well. It
demands worship and gets it.
62. The Beast of Revelation 13
Clue # 7
. “…..All the world
wondered after the
beast.”
Revelation 13:3
It is a worldwide Power
62
63. Maybe you already know who the
"beast" is.
Can you think of any world-wide
political and religious power with
a man at the head of it who
claims to be God on earth and to
be able to forgive sins?
63
64. Whose leader is "wondered
after" by the whole world?
Can you think of any world-wide
political and religious power :-
64
Who received its "seat" and
authority from Rome?
65. The Beast of Revelation 13
Clue # 8
It would reign
for 1260 years
before it
receives it’s
deadly
wound.
65
66. Revelation 13: 5
“And there was
given unto him a
mouth speaking
great things and
blasphemies;
66
67. Revelation 13: 5
and power was
given unto him
to continue
forty and two
months. “
67
69. 69
This meant the Beast would have a period of
dominance for 1260 years.
Recall that historical circumstances suggests
that the Papacy fulfilled this between A.D.538
and 1798
70. Rest assured that this “leopard like” beast of
Revelation 13 and the “little horn” of Daniel 7
are one and the same power.
70
71. The Beast of Revelation 13
Clue # 9
It would receive a deadly wound
Revelation 13: 3
13:3 “And I saw one
of his heads as it
were wounded to
death; and his deadly
wound was healed..”
71
72. The wounding of the head was fulfilled in
1798 when Berthia at the head of the French
Army, declared the political rule of the
Papacy at an end, and took the Pope
prisoner to France. However, “the deadly
wound was healed”, for in 1929 the Lateran
Treaty restored temporal power to the Pope,
who was given the rule of the Vatican City.72
73. The prophet saw a much greater restoration
when the wound was completely healed.
Following the healing all but a faithful few
would worship the beast. This is still future.
The mouth speaking great things and 42
months parallels Daniel 7, when Rome
oppressed the people of God during the dark
ages. 73
74. The Beast of Revelation 13
Clue # 10
It would
make war
with the
saints
74
75. Revelation 13: 7-8
13:7 “And it was given unto
him to make war with the
saints, and to overcome
them: and power was given
him over all kindreds, and
tongues, and nations.
75
76. 13:8 And all that dwell
upon the earth shall
worship him, whose
names are not written in
the book of life of the
Lamb slain from the
foundation of the world”.
76
Revelation 13: 7-8
77. Here we notice that the beast persecutes the
true followers of Christ and requires the
inhabitants of the earth to worship him.
77
80. There is only one power on the face of the
earth that fits all of the Bible characteristics
given above. That power is the Papacy – or
the Roman Catholic Church. 80
81. “He shall speak
pompous words against
the Most High, shall
persecute the saints of
the Most High, and shall
intend to change times
and law. Then the saints
shall be given into his
hand for a time and
times and half a time. “
Daniel 7:25
81
82. Throughout the ages,
Satan has used many
weapons against the ten
commandments, but the
most dangerous
weapon of all has been
the teaching that Christ
gave the church
authority to add to, or to
take away from the
commandments of God.
82
83. In spite of God’s thrice-
repeated warning
(Deut 4:2; Prov.30:6;
Rev 22:18),
this doctrine has
shaped the thinking and
conduct of millions of
professed Christians.
83
84. The Beast of Revelation 13
But ….
What is
The Mark
of The
Beast ?
Is the Papacy.
84
85. We have now identified the
beast power as the Papacy.
The next question is “What
is the mark of the beast “–
It is not something visible
like a tattoo, for it is
received by choosing to
accept it with our minds.
Those who have the mark
will be against God’s
commandments because
those who reject the mark
are noted as “keeping the
commandments of God”. 85
86. 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:
Revelation 13:16-17
86
87. 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. “
Revelation 13:16-17
87
88. Before Jesus returns to this earth the
second time, a power will force men
into submission to receive the “mark of
the beast”. Those without the mark will
be boycotted and will be refused
permission to buy or sell.
88
89. Revelation 13:18
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. (666) 89
91. The Pope is commonly called “Vicar of
the Son of God”. In Latin this is
“Vicarius Filii Dei”. Latin letters have
numerical value (e.g. C=100) and the
numerical equivalents of these letters
total 666. He is also called “The Highest
of the Clergy” of “Dux Cleri”, and this
too totals 666.
91
92. 92
with those in
Revelation 14:12
who keep God’s
commandments and
have the faith of Jesus
Those mentioned in
Revelation 14:9-11,
who receive the
mark are in direct
contrast
100. 100
What are the elements
of a sign or seal ?
Name:
Title:
Territory:
101. Christ has a sign that
He seeks to place
upon the foreheads
of His people. In
Revelation 7 we see
God’s people sealed
with the “Seal of the
living God” that they
might stand in the
day of wrath. There
are three elements of
a seal. 101
114. To keep the Sabbath is a
sign that we give our
allegiance to God and not
to man. The issue is not
over whether one day is
any better than another,
but it is what the day
stands for that counts.
Sunday observance is a
“mark” of the church’s
power, but the Sabbath is a
“sign” of Christ’s power.
114
116. Christ has a sign that
He seeks to place
upon the foreheads
of His people. In
Revelation 7 we see
God’s people sealed
with the “Seal of the
living God” that they
might stand in the
day of wrath. There
are three elements of
a seal. 116
139. The prophecy states that the little horn
power would intend or think to change
the law of God. In last week’s study, we
saw how the Papacy has attempted to
change the Ten commandments and, in
particular, the fourth commandment, by
changing the Sabbath from Saturday to
Sunday. Please note that no criticism is
intended in this study toward people who
are Roman Catholics.
139
140. However, in fairness the truth of the false
system of worship must be exposed to the
world. Those who keep the commandments
as changed by Rome, whether members of
the Church of Rome or not, are in fact
yielding their allegiance to the power that
changed them. Thus this change would be a
“mark” that would distinguish between
those who follow man’s commandments and
those who obey God’s holy law.
140
141. The Beast of Revelation 13
But ….
What is
The Mark
of The
Beast ?
Is the Papacy.
Sunday Observance
141
149. Those who receive this
“mark” will be those who
give an outward visible
sign of submission to the
papal authority, and the
“mark” will indicate a
person’s direct
opposition to the known
will of God.In the last
great crisis, when the
Sabbath truth is fully
understood, those who
149
150. reject this light, and
observe Sunday, will be
declaring their opposition
to the law of God.
Sunday observance will
become the distinguishing
“mark” of those who have
chosen to reject the
Sabbath in favour of
Sunday. Therefore, the
keeping of Sunday will be
150
151. the outward sign that a
person has the mark of the
beast. When the nations in
league with the Papacy
compel men to receive the
mark (Rev.13:16,17); then
the issue will be clear for
all, and the “mark” will be
received or rejected,
depending upon whose
side the individual takes
his stand. This is still future
151
152. 152
The “Mark of the Beast”
can be received in the
forehead or the hand.
When we understand
the Sabbath-Sunday
issue, it becomes clear
as to why this is so. The
forehead represents the
intelligence, and in this
case is used to
represent an intellectual
commitment.
153. 153
The acceptance of Sunday can be accepted
intellectually, but some will be forced into
observing the day because of law. These
receive the mark in the hand (the hand is used
for work); many will not have any
conscientious belief on the subject.
154. However, the only way the
seal of God can be received
is by a whole hearted
commitment to the Sabbath
truth. God never uses force
when asking men to follow
Him. He leaves the choice
with the individual. Those
who keep the Sabbath, and
receive the “seal” will do so
because they have lovingly
and willingly chosen to give
God their total allegiance.
154
155. To keep the Sabbath is a
sign that we give our
allegiance to God and not
to man. The issue is not
over whether one day is
any better than another,
but it is what the day
stands for that counts.
Sunday observance is a
“mark” of the church’s
power, but the Sabbath is a
“sign” of Christ’s power.
155
156. 156
The Sabbath is Christ’s holy day, but Sunday
is man’s substitute. Depending on which day
you keep, shows whose side you are on. It is
a matter of allegiance, not just a day.
157. 157
My friend where do you
stand on this issue?
There is only one right
choice. Take your stand
by God’s flag of
allegiance and
acknowledge Him as the
great Creator by
upholding His great sign
and keep the seventh day
Sabbath – His holy day.
Christ is calling you to
obedience so that you will
not receive the mark.