We continue examining the major figures in the Last Days -- that period of time between Christ's Ascension and His Return. While it is abundantly clear John writes of things happening in his day, each would be an example of a type. That is, while The Beast is the Roman Empire, any government which operates with certain similarities to Rome is also an example of The Beast. Or, while Nero is as much an example of the Antichrist as any man who ever lived, he is but one example. It is critical we understand John was explaining the situation of his day in terms of eternal principles, as a means to facing ephemeral circumstances.
John opens this vision on the shore of Patmos, and sees the indescribable beast rising from the sea. That is, he sees an evil government rising from the fallen human population of the world. While the seven heads are specifically identified in a later chapter, it is enough here to note it is a blasphemous mockery of the sevens of holiness: the seven lights, the seven angels, the seven spirits, etc. The ten horns and crowns indicate a total dominance over the human race. We take a moment to observe Rome set a precedent in human government, depersonalizing offices, procedures and citizens in a hideous and crushing dehumanization of all men. The law of contract has displaced the law of covenants. This was a departure from the previous very personal rule of ancient governments among mankind. Thus, the Beast is described as utterly rapacious. It's no surprise to learn the Beast gains all this directly from Satan.
Among humans, to see something suffer a fatal blow, then recover, creates the image that thing is indestructible. This goes for governments, as well. For those languishing under the lash of oppression, this creates a sense of dread. For those who willingly serve such a power, it becomes the excuse for elevating their favorite Beast to godhead. It is common to hear such things as, "There's no other place I'd rather live. This is the mightiest nation on earth; no one can defeat us!" We know it certainly seemed that way in Imperial Rome, yet we have seen it throughout these Last Days. When such governments proceed to make official pronouncements claiming divinity, divine favor, or divinely ordained power and authority, their actions are those of total unaccountability. For this, Satan empowers them further, as this serves his purposes.
Without fail, such governments always turn against true believers. This is because those following Christ cannot ever give the unconditional allegiance human governments demand. We always reserve our ultimate allegiance for Christ. Thus, every human government makes enemies of Christians, labeling them in various ways as enemies of the State. Because the State has been granted the authority of the sword over this world under the Covenant of Noah, this empowers it to dominate in things of this world, even as it speaks evil of the Kingdom. But those who truly belong to Christ can never treat the State as God. John makes a solemn warning not to compromise on this. Further, he shows how any entity which uses means of force on the earth will inevitably fall to such force. Thus, the Kingdom outlives all states and governments, even at the cost of property and life.
For every false god, there is a cultus, a religion to enforce a proper regard. John reveals in verse 11 a second beast rising from the earth. This is simply the reverse of the symbol of Satan's lying flood being swallowed up. These lies surface in one form or another all the time. In this picture, John describes yet another blasphemous mocking of Christ, the Lamb of God. However, this lamb speaks the exact same lies as Satan. John draws the dramatic image of a national civic cult, a religious devotion to the State. In John's day, this was the cult of emperor worship. Since that time, it often reappears in various forms of cheer-leading and political enthusiasm. This is all a facade, though. While the Beast appears indestructible, it's a lie. While the Second Beast appears to perform signs and wonders, it's all a lie. These deceptions are enough to persuade people to build monuments to the State, or to men who represent the State, often at great cost of resources. These monuments become sacred. Who dares observe they tend to hide the very real evil are charged with civil blasphemy, and their lives are destroyed, figuratively if not literally. This civil cult becomes the means to enslaving all, much as tattoos on people in Rome were the mark of ownership by some person or institution. The hand is the minimum mark, for it shows ownership by the State over all human activities. Marking the forehead is reserved for true devotees. Either way, every human necessary for life becomes subject to State control.
The number of the Beast -- 666 -- has occasioned any number of silly efforts to make it represent a concrete name. While it's possible to match various names with numerical values, according to any number of schemes, none of it matters. Remember, this is symbolic of all Beasts. When any man is measured against the Kingdom, regardless of his human greatness, he will ever fall short. Things sacred are in sevens, and three sevens -- 777 -- is the trinity of holiness. Satan, the Beast and the Second Beast are this trinity. Three sixes are a trinity of failure, of sin, of falling short of God's standards. It matters not the man's name. Whomever rules on a human throne can never reach God, can never please God, but is forever stained by the mark of the trinity of Darkness.
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Ed Hurst
27 September 2007
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