When we were last together we revealed who the two-horned beast symbolized. As we proceed with this fascinating study, keep in mind that we are revealing authentic historical documentation to prove how the visions of Revelation are nearly all fulfilled - rather than the revisions of church history that insist most of Revelation is yet to be fulfilled. You have heard the modern viewpoint on end-time doctrine for so long, the old historical viewpoint seems foreign and hard to believe. Broaden your horizon by giving true history a chance to prove its case.
In Revelation 13 & 17 we find a seven-headed beast who is one and the same, so I will use references from each of these chapters to obtain a full picture of the message we are to receive. And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast...Rev. 13:3.
Keep in mind this reference is describing an empire - all seven heads of the beast symbolize empires. So how is an empire killed? How does an empire come back to life? We will find insight in Rev. 13:14...the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. Now we know that the empire was mortally wounded by a sword, yet lived again. Does this sound like a riddle? Yes - a fascinating solvable riddle! One thing we do know thus far, the sword must be a symbolic term since the empire that was killed by it, comes back to life.
What does a sword spiritually symbolize in the New Testament? ...sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...Eph. 6:17. The Word of God - Bible - is a spiritual sword to fight a spiritual enemy. The enemy of mankind lives in the invisible spiritual realm - named Satan. In order to keep the Revelation reference in a spiritual perspective - which is imperative - we must understand that the sword is a spiritual weapon that caused the mortal wound to the empire.
Jesus - His name is called the Word of God...Rev. 19:13. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations...Rev. 19:15. Keep in mind that no matter what beast-empire is in power, the Revelation exposes who is the invisible authority behind them. Who is the invisible power behind them? So glad you asked that important question - questions demand answers.
Satan - the dragon - is the invisible power and authority behind all pagan empires. The name of the empire is of little significance, but knowing about Satan's manipulative power behind the scenes is of grave importance.
The Imperial Roman Empire was reigning at the time John received this vision, and he was aware that the mortal blow, or wound was struck against it - sixth head of the beast. If the sword that struck the mortal blow against the sixth head is the Word of God, how could Jesus strike a mortal wound against this great empire? Another good question.
Jesus arrived and impacted the kingdoms of the earth during the reign of the Imperial Roman Empire - sixth head of the beast. If Jesus is the Word of God, symbolized by the sword, did Jesus do anything physically to harm this empire? No! If Jesus - the sword - struck a mortal wound against the head of the beast, how did death occur? ...for this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil...I John 3:8.
When Jesus destroyed the works of Satan - death occurred. Satan wielded the power of death over mankind until the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus' victory over death - His sword - struck a mortal blow against Satan, the power and authority of the sixth head of the beast - during its reign. Jesus saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven...Luke 10:18 - evidence of the mortal blow.
We now understand that the mortal wound was received by Satan, the invisible power behind the pagan sixth head of the beast - Imperial Roman Empire. Jesus took from him the keys to the earthly kingdom -- power over death - authority over mankind and dominion of the earth. Jesus restored to mankind all that was lost to Satan in the Garden of Eden.
The sixth head of the beast lived again, because Satan, the power behind the Imperial Roman Empire, was not killed, only his works received a mortal blow - he lived to continue his hostile activities against mankind, because his end was not for this time in history. Jesus Christ began His reign upon the earth when He died and rose again, deposing the reign of Satan when the sixth head of the beast was in power.
Oh my, we have only scratched the surface for defining the riddle of the seven-head beast, but there is so much fun ahead. Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
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