Ezekiels Vision

The Vision

The prophet Ezekiel was a priest who received prophetic messages from God. He lived among other citizens of the nation of Judah during the years of Babylonian captivity, in the year 597 B.C.

In the very first chapter of his book, he describes an amazing vision of God, which came to him at the beginning of his ministry.

Ezekiel 1:1-21 “Now it was, in the thirtieth year, in the fourth (month), in the fifth (day) of the month, as I (Ezekiel) (was) among the captives by the river Chebar (which was the main canal of the Euphrates, south of Babylon, (there, by the river) were opened (to view) the heavens (the higher expanse of the abode of God, as seen from the eyes of a mortal man who dwells upon the earth) and I saw visions (revelations) of God.”

“On the fifth of the month, it (was) the fifth of the month, it (was) the year the fifth of the captivity of the King Jehotachin, the word of Jehovah came to Ezekiel, the son of Buzi, the priest in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar. And was upon him there the hand of Jehovah (overpowering his limited human perception, enabling him, thusly to see the vision of God).”

Matthew Henry.- That he might see the visions of God the heavens were opened; the darkness and distance which hindered his visions were conquered. He felt the power of God opening his eyes to see the visions, opening his ear to hear the voice, and opening his heart to receive both.

(Continuing Ezekiel 1:1-21) “And I (Ezekiel) looked, and behold a wind of storm came out of the north, a great could (a visible, buoyant, moving body mass, “Also (in addition to all this) from its midst (the center of all this action) (came) the likeness of four living creatures (living beings).”

High up, in the heavens, God “mounted the cherubim and flew”; He soared on the “wings of the wind” through His providence unrestrained by time or matter to reveal this vision to the prophet Ezekiel.

(Continuing Ezekiel 1:1-21) “And this (description I Ezekiel give to you) (was) how they (the living creatures ) looked (to me back in the year 597 B.C.); the likeness of a man (was) to them; and to each four faces (as there were four distinctly different men that I saw- but to me, never having seen such marvelous creations, the living creatures seemed to be part man) and ( with) four wings to each of them (not comprehending at the time that they were men in airplanes- consequently, the following narrative); and their feet (i.e., the main landing gear of the planes) (were) feet of straightness (they were extended rigidly and did not bend); and the sole of their feet (upon which the main landing gear seemed to rest- the mudguards actually) (was) (to my recollection) like the sole of the foot of a calf; and they sparkled like the color of burnished copper.”

“And from under their wings on (all) four of their sides (i.e., on each side of the two biplanes were seen) the hands of a man (they were the hands of those seated in the open fuselage); and there (were) (four) (on the biplanes), joining each on (that is on the left and right) (of) their wings to the other. (The aircraft moved, this way and that but) they (the men) did not turn in their going; each one (of the men) toward the front (the direction) of their (pilots) face they went.”

“And the likeness of their faces (looked like) the face of a man, and (in addition, the man) on the right (side) (fig., the man on the right is in a position of strength and power) to the four of them (on basis – they being the only passenger with sole use of a weapon; this one man), had the face of a lion (accounting to the thick growth of his beard); and (in addition to these two men in the biplane) on the left (the weaker) (side) to the four of them (defensively speaking the two pilots in the fighter planes, without weapons were in a position of what would seemingly be an disadvantage; one of the two, the first one I saw had) the face of an ox (in comparative likeness to that sort of an animal); and (lastly) to the four of them (the remaining one had) the face of an eagle (owing to the goggles he wore) , so their faces (were).”

“And their (that is, the) wings (of the biplane) were spread (the lower wings were separated longitudinally) upward (from the lower by the use of wing struts); to each (the left and right sides of) the two (wings) were joined (of) each one (that is, though the wings of the biplane had a right and left side- the construction was of one piece), and (the) two (wings) (that is, the left and right side of the top wings) covered their bodies (from above-were, also constructed of one piece). And each toward the front (in the direction) of their (pilots) faces (they) went (they did not fly backwards but in a forward direction). To where there was the (willful desire of the) spirit to go: they went; they did not turn (as one would bend a horse’s neck to change direction) in their going.”

“And the likeness of the living creatures (firing the weapons), like coals of burning fire (were the projectiles expelled from the firearms), (and) the appearance of torches (were the weapons using an explosive as a propellant). It (the volley of the simultaneous discharge) (was) continually circling among the living creatures. And bright (was the fire of the volley) and out of the fire (the explosive discharge) went forth (a flash, like) lightening (when the weapons were discharged). And the living creatures kept running (rapidly) and (swiftly in the sky) returning (in their continuing attacks), like the appearance of (the great speed of) a flash of lightening.”

“And I looked at the living creatures (in the vision), and behold one wheel (of a motor vehicle) (was) on the earth (this man in the vision was) beside (in addition to the vision of) the living creatures, with the four of its faces (I previously described).”

“The appearance of the wheels (of the motor vehicle) and their workmanship (the rim and hubcap were) like the color of beryl (which is a silver white metal- similar to aluminum) and the likeness one (was) to the four of them (the wheels were all alike). And their (the vehicles hubcaps, were round in) appearance and their workmanship was like the wheel in the middle (in the center) of the (rims of the) wheel.”

“On the four (corners) of their sides (housed within the wheelwell were situated) in their going (forth) they (all the wheels) went; they (the fender areas of the vehicle itself) did not turn (in different directions, but remained stationary) in their going. And their rim, even high (in magnificence and splendor) to them (in my eyes) even awesome (in my sight were the tires) to them (extraordinary and exceptionally outstanding); and their (the tires) rims (with their highly polished chrome hubcaps) (were) full of eyes (like a mirror reflection) all around the four of them.”

(Post #37) Sept. 11 - "False Flag" Attack

(Above Fig. "Belshazzar" King of Babylon)

The Book of Isaiah
GOD: MASTER OF THE NATIONS

God is mustering the armies of His wrath against the inhabitants of Babylon. This chapter foretells the destruction of Babylon by the Medes (serving under the command of Cyrus- being “Liberators of Justice”) and the Persians (forces who are expressly mentioned as the principle agents in the overthrown of the Babylonian monarchy).

Clarke Commentary.- The prophecy opens with the command of God to gather together the forces which He had destined to this service. Upon which the prophet (Isaiah) immediately hears the tumultuous noise of the nations crowding together to His standard; he sees them advancing, prepared to execute the divine wrath. He proceeds to describe the dreadful consequences of this visitation, the consternation which will seize those who are the objects of it; and, transferring unawares the speech from himself to God, sets forth, under a variety of the most striking images, the dreadful destruction of the inhabitants of Babylon and the everlasting desolation to which that great city is doomed.

(1) Who are the modern counterpart to the“Medes & Persians”?
(2) What if the attack on the twin towers was an inside job- an act of “false flagging”?
(3) If the attacks of September 11 had been an “inside job”, puppeteered by the neoconservatives in the White House (“Bilderberg Group”) what would have been the motive? Could it have been to justify the need for the creation of the “Department of Homeland Security”- which has rapidly becoming a militarized menace to American liberties? That's a startling thought, if the attack of 911 was an "inside job."

REVELATION 18:4 “’And I heard another voice out of heaven, saying, ‘Come out of her people of me, that not you share in the sins of her (trusting in her wickedness), and that not you receive the plagues of her; because her sins joined together, even up to Heaven (the throne of God).”

“These oracles are not so much an announcement of doom upon the nations as they are an announcement of salvation of Israel if she would trust her Lord.”

ISAIAH 13 “The burden (the weighty and mournful prophecy) of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amos saw: ‘Lift up a banner on a bare mountain, make the voice rise to them (to the Medes, the assailants of Babylon, the “Liberators of Justice”).”

Who really blew up the twin towers?

Christina Asquith
The Guardian, Tuesday 5 September 2006
Article history
Shards of glass and dust from the World Trade Centre towers sit on Professor Steven Jones's desk at Brigham Young University in Utah. Evidence, he says, of the biggest cover-up in history - one too evil for most to believe, but one he has staked his academic career on exposing.
The attacks of September 11, Jones asserts, were an "inside job", puppeteered by the neoconservatives in the White House to justify the occupation of oil-rich Arab countries, inflate military spending and expand Israel.
"We don't believe that 19 hijackers and a few others in a cave in Afghanistan pulled this off acting alone," says Jones. "We challenge this official conspiracy theory and, by God, we're going to get to the bottom of this."
While this sinister spin strikes most American academics as absurd, Jones, a physics professor, is not alone. He is a member of 9/11 Scholars for Truth, a recently formed group of around 75 US professors determined to prove 9/11 was a hoax. In essays and journals, they are using their association with prominent universities to give a scholarly stamp to conspiracy theories long believed in parts of Europe and the Arab world, and gaining ground among Americans due to frustration with the Iraq war and opposition to President Bush's heavily hyped "war on terror".

- Christina Asquith

“The Homeland Security Act signed by President Bush on November 25, 2002 creates the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and grants it momentous responsibilities and powers. It is earnestly hoped that DHS will provide needed coordination to government anti-terrorism efforts. The new Department will have wide-ranging authority to compile, analyze, and mine the personal information of Americans.”

Is the Federal Bureau of Investigation worried that corrupt U.S. officials (secretly promoting a New World order via the “Bilderberg Group”) have treasonously crossed the nation’s political border to intentionally expose Americans to serious risk? Are they now the silent minority in control?

What of our border crossings? With suspicions of corrupt U.S. officials allowing the further infiltration of illegal immigrants to enter the country, the FBI should be concerned that terrorists and materials could be used in a “false flag” terrorist attack. Slipping in, in such a disguised manner - they could initiate a “Code Red” lockdown, imprisoning all U.S. citizens.

If you’re a corrupt security official and you’re allowing illegal immigration to come into the country, you’re not going to know who you’re letting in.
Corrupt security officials (secretly sheltered within the New World Order) willing to betray the United States- represent a potentially grave national security threat.

Whether it’s a truckload of illegal immigrants or whether it’s components of a weapon of mass destruction, who will know what those are. We have no assurance that our borders are safe, that our borders are secure when the very source of our security organizations have been compromised.

The first line of defense for the security of a free American lies in scrutiny and examination of the “forces used for our protection”- with certainly that the forces employed- do not become the means of our own destruction.

Critical to the mission and the collaboration among federal agencies is professional integrity where among its members no incident of corruption is tolerated. Our survival in a free world depends upon it.

What if the terrorist attack of 911, was an inside job? Does the then deceived public at large constitute the real enemy or are are real enemies the one’s watching us? Consider the following:

“Code Red”
If the national terrorism threat level were ever to go to “Code Red,” the country would “go into lockdown mode.” Planes could be grounded, trains could stop running, and bridges and tunnels could be closed. US borders might be sealed off, and roadblocks might be set up on interstates and major highways. You literally are staying home, is what happens, unless you are required to be out.

(Study Notes: Web Source)
“Under a Code Red, summarizes the Courier-Post, "you will be assumed to be the enemy if you so much as venture outside your home." In prison parlance, this condition is known as a "lockdown."
A foretaste of the U.S. in lockdown mode was offered by New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina. National Guardsmen and troops from the 82nd Airborne were deployed in the city to deal with looting and other disturbances. Their first priority, chillingly, was to disarm private citizens and evict those who resisted evacuation orders.

"No one is allowed to be armed," declared superintended of police P. Edwin Compass III. To carry out that decree, the rump NOPD (New Orleans Police Department), supplemented with elements of the National Guard from Louisiana and Oklahoma, as well as agents of the U.S. Marshals Service (a division of the Justice Department), began "breaking into homes at gun-point, confiscating their lawfully-owned firearms, and evicting the residents," reported Dave Kopel of the Independence Institute in Reason magazine.
In addition to being a constitutional outrage, this confiscation (act of seizing property without compensation and submitting it to the public treasury) of firearms at the point of a bayonetis a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act which prohibits the use of military personnel as law enforcement officers within the United States. That prohibition has become honeycombed with “exceptions” in recent decades, due to the “War on Drugs” and the “War on Terror In New Orleans, a new and ominous wrinkle was added to the increasingly familiar militarization (equipping or train for war) of law enforcement: The use of mercenaries or contract with the Department of Homeland Security.

“The men form Blackwater USA arrived in New Orleans right after Katrina hit,” wrote Jeremy Scahill in an on-site report for The Nation. “Some patrolled the streets in SUVs with tinted windows and the Blackwater logo splashed on the back; others sped around the French Quarter in an unmarked car with no license plates.” When asked by what authority they were operating in New Orleans, one armed Blackwater operative replied: “We’re on contract with the Department of Homeland Security… We can even make arrests and use lethal force if we deem it necessary.” A separate contingent of 164 Blackwater operative received a separate contact to provide security of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) reconstruction projects.
“This is a trend,” one Blackwater mercenary told Scahill. “You’re going to see a lot more guys like us in these situations.”

Policing the Homeland
* Six days later, Dwight Scarbrough, a Navy veteran who works for a federal agency in Boise, Idaho, received a visit from two armed DHS officers who ordered him to remove political "signs" he had supposedly displayed on federal property--in this case, bumper stickers critical of President Bush and the Iraq war that were displayed on Scarbrough's pickup truck. Despite the fact that Scarbrough was not in violation of the relevant statutes--a fact he made clear in the audiotaped conversation with the Homeland Security officers--he was compelled to move his truck to a nearby parking lot.
"My rights are very dear to me," Scarbrough told Boise Weekly. "I served my country to defend them." His experience with the DHS's anti-bumper sticker police, however, has led him to conclude that "this is a fascist state. At least, it's the beginning of a fascist state."
With the DHS extending its control over local police agencies, prepping the country to go into lockdown, and harassing ordinary citizens for no defensible reason, it's clear that Scarbrough's assessment, while premature, is correct in principle.

By Jeremy Scahill
This article appeared in the October 10, 2005 edition of The Nation.
September 21, 2005
The men from Blackwater USA arrived in New Orleans right after Katrina hit. The company known for its private security work guarding senior US diplomats in Iraq beat the federal government and most aid organizations to the scene in another devastated Gulf. About 150 heavily armed Blackwater troops dressed in full battle gear spread out into the chaos of New Orleans. Officially, the company boasted of its forces "join[ing] the hurricane relief effort." But its men on the ground told a different story.
Research support was provided by the Investigative Fund of The Nation Institute.
Some patrolled the streets in SUVs with tinted windows and the Blackwater logo splashed on the back; others sped around the French Quarter in an unmarked car with no license plates. They congregated on the corner of St. James and Bourbon in front of a bar called 711, where Blackwater was establishing a makeshift headquarters. From the balcony above the bar, several Blackwater guys cleared out what had apparently been someone's apartment. They threw mattresses, clothes, shoes and other household items from the balcony to the street below. They draped an American flag from the balcony's railing. More than a dozen troops from the 82nd Airborne Division stood in formation on the street watching the action.
Armed men shuffled in and out of the building as a handful told stories of their past experiences in Iraq. "I worked the security detail of both Bremer and Negroponte," said one of the Blackwater guys, referring to the former head of the US occupation, L. Paul Bremer, and former US Ambassador to Iraq John Negroponte. Another complained, while talking on his cell phone, that he was getting only $350 a day plus his per diem. "When they told me New Orleans, I said, 'What country is that in?'" he said. He wore his company ID around his neck in a case with the phrase Operation Iraqi Freedom printed on it.
In an hourlong conversation I had with four Blackwater men, they characterized their work in New Orleans as "securing neighborhoods" and "confronting criminals." They all carried automatic assault weapons and had guns strapped to their legs. Their flak jackets were covered with pouches for extra ammunition.
When asked what authority they were operating under, one guy said, "We're on contract with the Department of Homeland Security." Then, pointing to one of his comrades, he said, "He was even deputized by the governor of the state of Louisiana. We can make arrests and use lethal force if we deem it necessary." The man then held up the gold Louisiana law enforcement badge he wore around his neck. Blackwater spokesperson Anne Duke also said the company has a letter from Louisiana officials authorizing its forces to carry loaded weapons.
"This vigilantism demonstrates the utter breakdown of the government," says Michael Ratner, president of the Center for Constitutional Rights. "These private security forces have behaved brutally, with impunity, in Iraq. To have them now on the streets of New Orleans is frightening and possibly illegal."
Blackwater is not alone. As business leaders and government officials talk openly of changing the demographics of what was one of the most culturally vibrant of America's cities, mercenaries from companies like DynCorp, Intercon, American Security Group, Blackhawk, Wackenhut and an Israeli company called Instinctive Shooting International (ISI) are fanning out to guard private businesses and homes, as well as government projects and institutions. Within two weeks of the hurricane, the number of private security companies registered in Louisiana jumped from 185 to 235. Some, like Blackwater, are under federal contract. Others have been hired by the wealthy elite, like F. Patrick Quinn III, who brought in private security to guard his $3 million private estate and his luxury hotels, which are under consideration for a lucrative federal contract to house FEMA workers.
A possibly deadly incident involving Quinn's hired guns underscores the dangers of private forces policing American streets. On his second night in New Orleans, Quinn's security chief, Michael Montgomery, who said he worked for an Alabama company called Bodyguard and Tactical Security (BATS), was with a heavily armed security detail en route to pick up one of Quinn's associates and escort him through the chaotic city. Montgomery told me they came under fire from "black gangbangers" on an overpass near the poor Ninth Ward neighborhood. "At the time, I was on the phone with my business partner," he recalls. "I dropped the phone and returned fire."

Blackwater's success in procuring federal contracts could well be explained by major-league contributions and family connections to the GOP. According to election records, Blackwater's CEO and co-founder, billionaire Erik Prince, has given tens of thousands to Republicans, including more than $80,000 to the Republican National Committee the month before Bush's victory in 2000. This past June, he gave $2,100 to Senator Rick Santorum's re-election campaign. He has also given to House majority leader Tom DeLay and a slew of other Republican candidates, including Bush/Cheney in 2004.

Obamacare Sets Up a Health Dictatorship
WRITTEN BY DR. SAMUEL L. BLUMENFELD
Thursday, 13 August 2009

Now that the Obama Healthcare Reform Bill has been posted on the Internet, anyone can read it. It is over one thousand pages long, and its complexity defies any easy understanding.

The new legislation sets up a Health Choices Administration with a Health Choices Commissioner. The bill (Sec. 141) reads:

"There is hereby established an independent agency in the executive branch of the Government, a Health Choices Administration….The Administration shall be headed by a Health Choices Commissioner who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate."
For all practical purposes, the Commissioner will have the power of a Czar, or dictator, over the new national healthcare system.

The trappings of a police state will come with the law’s enforcement mechanism.

If you are one of those taxpayers who find the Internal Revenue Code treacherously complicated, wait until the National Healthcare system is in place. Its regulations and enforcement will create new nightmares for the average American, for no one will be able to escape the net.

The new law will effect everyone every day: average Americans going for routine checkups, doctors and how they practice, nurses, dentists, chiropractors, hospitals, nursing homes, medical schools, dietitians, therapists, employers, employees, pharmaceutical companies, drug distribution, infant inoculations. It will also effect your Social Security payments, your taxes, your retirement plans. And, of course, it will effect the insurance industry big time.

The law will also create a vast new army of government bureaucrats and a data collection system in which every individual American will be registered. In that file will be a complete picture of your life, from birth to death, your diseases, your hospital stays, your family relations, what you eat, your habits, your religion (so they know where to bury you), and to what extent you should be cared for in your old age.

The law will also regulate what hospitals can do to expand their facilities.
The Secretary will decide what a hospital can and can’t do. In other words, all hospitals will be nationalized and they will begin to look like hospitals run by the Veterans Administration.

And we haven’t even discussed what all of this is going to cost the taxpayer.

Although I hurriedly scanned this encyclopedic law governing healthcare, I was not able to find the word abortion. The law does not come with an Index. But I did find a section devoted to Family Planning Services. You can be sure that tucked away in that Family Planning section is a provision that will make it mandatory for the government to pay for abortions as medical procedures.

Any nation that voluntarily enacts a law of such far-reaching control over the private lives of its citizens and health facilities deserves the kind of care it will get. In Canada, the waiting period for medical services endangers lives. That is why many Canadians head south when serious medical attention is needed as soon as possible. They have a shortage of doctors north of the border. Any doctor who wants to excel in his or her profession is not going to have his horizons limited by a government run health system.
There is a good chance that the more people know the details of this horrendous law, it will be rejected by
their representatives in Congress. The strong showing of opposition at the town-hall meetings ought to send the right message to members of Congress. Vote for this law and you’re out!

By Dave Eriqat
Tax On Being Alive
This morning I skimmed through the entire 1017-page bill known as H.R. 3200, which I’m sure is more than did most of the congress people who voted for the bill. All I can say is, oh my god! This is a sweeping, disastrous piece of legislation that is more appropriately described as a back door route to totalitarian dictatorship!
What they failed to achieve with the two Patriot Acts, they will accomplish under the guise of “health care reform,” and that’s what I call “change you can be terrified of.” Yet, while the Patriot Acts were ostensibly aimed at terrorists, this new law is aimed squarely at U.S. citizens who have done nothing wrong, transforming those citizens who don’t wish to participate in this totalitarian health care regime into de-facto criminals.
This new law essentially establishes for the first time, a tax on being alive, as those individuals who refuse to purchase health insurance that meets with the government’s approval will have to pay a tax equal to 2.5% of their income.
Participation is mandatory whether you need or want the health care it offers.
New Burdens For Individuals
The bill imposes staggering new information reporting requirements on individuals, businesses and health care providers,
If you are a poor person who starts earning more money, you will be required to notify the government of your increase in income, so that the government can increase your health care premiums. And should you fail to notify the government of such a change, you will be liable for back payment of any premiums you should have paid.
This is going to be a bureaucratic nightmare for poor people and a powerful disincentive to working, not to mention hiring. One will be better off becoming, and remaining a ward of the state under this new law. We’re going to have to provide the government with extensive details about our personal lives and finances in order to implement this law.
The above goals simply cannot be accomplished without massive, detailed databases and individual identification schemes. We will inevitably be issued ID cards, which like our social security numbers have become, will become de-facto national ID cards. We will no doubt also be required to provide our bank account information, both to determine our “financial responsibility” for this health care monster, and to automate payments.
Moreover, we are ultimately responsible for the accuracy of the information provided to the government on our behalf. The bill contains numerous provisions for punitive fines in the event that any of the information on file is incorrect. The bill contains so many paragraphs pertaining to enforcement, audits and penalties on those who fail to pay sufficient premiums, that the primary focus of this bill is clearly on generating revenue. In other words, it’s little more than a massive, across the board tax increase.
Reduced Access To Health Care And Higher Prices
Under this bill, the government will dictate the medical care received and collect premiums (taxes), literally from cradle to grave. Private health care is effectively being outlawed. No longer will a person be able to walk into a clinic, pay a reasonable fee and receive treatment. From now on, all health care providers will have to check with the government first to determine what services a patient may receive and how that person will pay for those services.
This bill will accomplish the opposite: fewer health care providers, poorer quality and higher costs.
Since this bill vastly increases the size of the middleman bureaucracy, there is no possible way it can lower costs, since all those additional bureaucrats aren’t going to be working for free.
Additional Objectives
The subtitle of this bill reads,
To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes [page 1].
“And for other purposes” is the exact same wording that appeared in an ominous bill passed a few years ago to build detention camps capable of housing millions of people. I wonder what “other purposes” the government has in mind.
In addition, this bill gives the government massive new surveillance authority over peoples’ medical and financial records, while also giving the government the authority to decide what health care we are entitled to receive, regardless of our means to pay for it.
There is no worse time than right now to impose such an ill-conceived, burdensome bill on the nation. If the intent is to fiscally hobble this country so that economic “recovery” is impossible, this bill will achieve that goal. While this bill might increase access to health care for a tiny segment of the population, it will do so by reducing access to, and the quality of health care for the vast majority of the population, while substantially increasing the cost to them, which is the exact opposite of the purported goal of the bill, which is “To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.”
Update – 22 July 2009
The always awe-inspiring Catherine Austin Fitts has just written a piece that I sense is related to the health care reform initiative passing through Congress. As I mentioned above, the bill seeks to increase accessibility to vaccines. Moreover, the threat from [fill in the blank] flu is being hyped beyond all sanity in order to scare people into submitting to vaccination. Finally, I have long believed that there is a desire among the global elite to reduce the global population and that disease and/or “treatment” for such disease would be an ideal and concealed means by which to accomplish that goal. And as Ms. Fitts points out, if the depopulation process is carried out slowly, it can be profitable as people pay money in a vain quest for a remedy for their terminal disease.
While such a plan sounds utterly preposterous to normal people, the people running the world are by no means normal. They are psychopaths, pure and simple. They would exterminate their entire families without a shred of remorse if it would profit them in some way. Once one understands that fact, nefarious schemes such as described in Ms. Fitts’ piece aren’t so preposterous.

Who are the "Medes & Persians"- of the end of the days?

HEADS Of The BEAST

REVELARION 17:9-11 “The seven heads (fig., representing fallen and active world empires that oppressed the nation Israel over the course of history) are seven mountains (dynasties, or forms of government), where the woman (the spirit- the “vital principle” of idolatry who rides upon them– as a dominant ruler of the world,) sits (to abide sovereign) on them; and the (earthly) kings (having had dominion) are seven: the five (past empires, within the course of ancient history) fell, [(1) Egypt, (2) Assyria, (3) Ancient Babylon, (4) Persia, (5) The Greek Kingdoms- “Alexander The Great”] and the one (the 6th head – Rome) is (currently in existence, having prevailed throughout the great part of Europe to become the basis of civilization which we now know), the other (the 7th head, representing the dominion of the Antichrist) not yet came (into existence at the time of John’s writing), a little he must remain. And the beast (that will come out of the earth, the Great Harlot, the “Babylonian Empire”) which was (in existence in past history, for the literal Empire) and is not (any longer in existence as an independent nation), even he is eighth (head), and of the seven it is, and to perdition it goes.”

(Prehistory Preview)
REVELATION 17:12-14 “’And the ten horns which you saw [on the Beast with the Seven heads], are ten kings [the heads of the ten tribes of Israel comprising the Northern Kingdom- the Christians], who a [unified] kingdom not yet received [they are persons of distinguished honor forming the heads of a loose tribal confederation], but will receive authority as kings [over their own independent tribes] one hour [independently yet] with the [scarlet] Beast [in a time frame of these events] ’”
Verse 13 “’These [the loose tribal confederation of Christians] have one mind [though wholly independent of each other, they are united in promoting the same ultimate end- to profess belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ], and the power and the authority of themselves [as demi gods] to the [scarlet] beast they shall give up [acknowledging his designs to be abominable]. These [of the scarlet beast, the “Synagogue of Satan”] with the Lamb [the “Mighty God”- having left his life as a quilt offering for the offences within the Jewish Levitical Priesthood] will make war, and the Lamb will overcome them because Lord of lords he is and King of kings, and those with him (the) called and elect [the armies of heaven- the “prophetic soldiers”- the prophets having borne the “Word of God” as the ultimate revelation of God’s will to man] and [those with the Lamb will be the] faithful ones [the glorified believers who will follow and accompany Christ into the battle ].’”
Verse 15 “And he (the angel, who came to me to show me the judgment of the great harlot), says to me, ‘The waters which you saw, where the harlot (the center of a formidable political world power involved in a secret bid for worldwide domination), sits, are peoples[joined together by the common bonds of society- distinguished from magistrates- free citizens, even heathens and Gentiles] and [disorganized] crowds [common people and the rabble], even nations and tongues [hypothetically the deceptively lead puppeteer members of the Bilderberg Group]. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast [the loose tribal confederation of Christians- claiming Jesus Christ to be the “Mighty God”], these will hate the harlot [the city of Babylon seeking bid for worldwide dominion], and will make her desolated and naked [lacking of any and all spiritual clothing- strip her of all her power and all her attractiveness], and the flesh of her they will eat [utterly and completely obliterate all vestiges of the false religious system used to gain control of the world by the Antichrist and his henchmen], and will burn her down with fire [so to be consumed in total and absolute destruction]. For God gave in to the hearts of them to do the mind of Him, and to do one mind, and to give the kingdom of them to the beast, until should be completed the words of God."

PSALM 149:6-9 “May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations [through seizure and enforced dominion] and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them [to bring back the boundaries of the law].”

Revelation 13:15 “And (through covert operations and political stratagem) was given to it (the formidable political world power of Babylon) to give a spirit (a breath of life) to the image of the beast (so to publicly raise the 8th head, the throne of Babylon), that even might speak the image of the beast and might make as many as would not worship the image [poised as “protection and security” to the homeland] that they be killed [brought to a political ruin– considered as a terrorist sympathizer].”
Verse 16 “And it (the treasonous underground branch- removing the boundaries of the law, dissipating the light of sinful rebellion in it’s secret bid for world dominion) makes all, the small (the insignificant one) and the great (in magnitude), and the rich and the poor, and the (independent) freeman and the slave (those in servitude), that it (the underground “reign of terror”) may give to them a (blemishing mark) on the right hand (of those who joined their hand in pledge or service voluntarily or involuntarily), or on the foreheads of them (distinguishing them as devotees) even that not any could buy (safe passage) or sell (their service without the risk of reprisal), except he having the (blemishing) mark, or the name (of the godless renown) of the beast, or the number of the (of the 6th head epitomizing the) name of it [as being that of Rome, whose heads of state having usurped the scepter of Jerusalem by treason and war immediately assumed the sacred title of vice-regent of the Deity]. Here is wisdom. The (one) having reason let him count [in historical sequence] the number of the beast: for it is the member of a man [and not a god]. The number of it (is) 666 [symbolically portraying Rome- a nation that endured through three consecutive falls of Jerusalem, at the hand of Babylon].”

(Post #36) False Flag Operations

Revelation 13:13 “And it (a Babylonian Monarch, a son of Nebuchadnezzar, underhandedly) deceived those dwelling on the earth (luring them into a disadvantageous action- entrapping them), because of the signs (grave or serious prophetic events) which was given to it do before the beast (the Antichrist) who has the wound of the sword (first denying self-deification) and (yet) lived.”

False flag
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
"False colors" redirects here. For the imaging technique, see False-color.
False flag operations are covert operations conducted by governments, corporations, or other organizations which are designed to deceive the public in such a way that the operations appear as though they are being carried out by other entities. The name is derived from the military concept of flying false colors; that is, flying the flag of a country other than one's own. False flag operations are not limited to war and counter-insurgency operations, and have been used in peace-time; for example, during Italy's strategy of tension: A theory of strategy of tension (Italian: strategia della tensione) is an alleged way used by world powers to divide, manipulate, and control public opinion using fear, propaganda, disinformation, psychological warfare, agents provocateurs, as well as false flag terrorist actions.[1]

Thomas Commentary.- The Pseudo-prophet (false prophet) will perform these to obscure the truth, to confuse people, and to win the wrong orientation for their inner allegiance. These will be genuine miracles [Study Notes: via, the fulfillment of genuine prophecy, thusly, then construed as] supernatural accomplishments, not mere trickery. They will almost deceive the elect, but the faithful will recognize them for what they are because of the purpose for which they are performed and the doctrine that they are seeking to prove.
The beast’s sign-producing power extends even to the point of John’s wildest dreams of calling down fire from heaven.

The signs performed by the beast will serve to lead people astray [relinquishing their liberty and freedoms for protection and security] and bring them [as sheep to the slaughter] to the worship of a false god.

Beale Commentary.- Therefore, the beast poses as a spokesman for truth but is a false prophet and false teacher.
True prophets receive their inspiration and commissions as they stand “before the presence of the Lord”. Likewise, the false prophet receives his inspiration and commission as he acts “in the presence of the beast (Antichrist).

(Post #35) A Sign

Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary.- “And I will set among them a sign and I will send from them those who escape [“from the tokens of the divine displeasure”] to the nations…” – a banner on a high place, to indicate the place of meeting for the dispersed Israelite exiles, preparatory to their return to their land. The Gentile survivors spared by God shall act as missionaries to their several nations and represent it.

Gaebelein Commentary.- The survivors (of Jerusalem) are the Israelite remnant, and they go out to many a foreign country to proclaim the glory of the true God.

Poole’s Commentary.- Prophets were to be judged true or false, not from any signs or wonders which they did, but from the doctrine they taught, and would by those signs establish.

(Babylonian Empire - Secret Bid for Worldwide Dominion)

Revelation 13:15 “And it (one of the Babylonian monarchs, drunk on the blood of the saints) does great signs (evidenced by a grave “Memorable Occurrence” or serious prophetic event), that even it makes (consuming) fire (of divine wrath) to come down out of heaven onto the earth before men.”

Great Sign
ISAIAH 66:19 “And I will set among them a sign and I will send from them those who escape [“from the tokens of the divine displeasure”] to the nations…”

Barnes Commentary.- A Sign. The word used here, and translated sign- means a flag, or a standard; a memorial, or any pledge, token or proof of a Divine mission, or a miracle wrought in attestation of a Divine promise or message. It was customary for miracles or prodigies (grave or serious prophetic event) to be exhibited on similar occasions.
What is its meaning here is to be determined by the connection. That would seem to me to require some such interpretation as this: That when God should come to take vengeance on His foes, and to manifest His glory, He would establish some mark or memorial; would erect some standard or give some signal, by which His true friends would escape, and that He would send them to distant nations to proclaim His truth and gather together those who had not seen His glory. What that sign should be, He does not here say. Whether a standard, a secret communication, or some intimation beforehand, by which they should know the approaching danger and make their escape, is not declared. It is by no means easy to determine with certainty on this passage; and it certainly become no one to speak dogmatically (inflexibly) or very confidently. The heavy judgments referred to may have been the impending calamities over Jerusalem. The glory of God referred to, may have been the signal manifestation of His perfections at that period in the approaching destruction of the city, and in the wonders that attended the “manifestation” of the Messiah (the “Mighty God”).
By these warnings and previous intimations they were to be preserved. The sign was “among them,” i.e., in the very midst of the nation; and the object of the intimation was, to secure their safety, and the speedy propagation (broadcast or circulation) of the true religion among them.

(Review)
911 - ARMAGEDDON – Proclamation of War on Terrorism

ISAIAH 30:25-26 “And shall be on every high mountain and on every lifted up hill, rivulets, steams of [reviving] water [of retributive measures of justice] in a day of great slaying [when human aspirations go beyond the limits of the law, in the day of great slaying] when towers fall. And the [reflected] moon light [of armed defensive combat necessitated through right and justifiable measure] shall be like the light of the sun [the law of the land in its going forth]; and the sun’s light [of divinely sanctioned retributive judgment upon the rebels- to re-establish the age old foundations] shall be sevenfold [in perfection of divine vengeance of the Almighty], as the light of seven days [when the prophecies are accomplished and has been summoned a bird of prey from a far off land to fulfill the purposes of Jehovah], in the day of Jehovah binding up the [violent] break of His people [through the forceful entry made upon them by foreign invasion], and the wound of His blow [the severe chastisement manifest in the bondage and captivity of His people He] heals.”

(Post #34) Worship Of The Beast

(Babylonian Empire)

Revelation 13:12 “And it [the Babylonian monarchy, a counterfeit political imitation of the Dragon] makes the earth and those dwelling in it [groups of politicians, academic and business leaders- members of the international power elite capable of influencing international policy] that they should worship [the Antichrist, effecting the capitulation of society to the worship of secular power, that is], the first beast of which was healed he wound of (the) death of it [claiming himself to be the true follower of the Lamb- who was equated equal in power and authority to God].”

(Review)
Mounce Commentary.- Deification of secular power is in fact the worship of Satan. The motivation of worship is not the beast’s moral greatness but the awesome power of his might. The authority he wields is the authority of Satan himself.

Poole’s Commentary.- And they worshipped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast?’ Possibly worshipping in this latter clause is not to be understood of Divine adoration, but a civil subjection.

(For Serious Consideration):

In conspiracy theory, the term “New World Order” (the capital letters are distinguishing) refers to the advent of a cryptocratic or totalitarian one-world government.
Cryptocracy, from the ancient Greek κρυπτός (kryptós, hidden) and κραττείν (krateín, to rule), refers to a type of government where the real leaders are hidden, or merely unknown.[1] A puppet government or figurehead, whether aware or not of their status as such, usually figures into this type of government in concept. It can also be used when referring to similar arrangements in organisations, orders, sects and cults. As such governments are, by definition, secret, they are most commonly featured in conspiracy theories or works of conspiracy fiction rather than the historical record.
Totalitarianism (or totalitarian rule) is a political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life wherever feasible[2]. Totalitarianism is generally characterized by the coincidence of authoritarianism (i.e., where ordinary citizens have no significant share in state decision-making) and ideology (i.e., a pervasive scheme of values promulgated by institutional means to direct the most significant aspects of public and private life)[3].
The common theme in conspiracy theories about a New World Order is that a powerful and secretive group of globalists is conspiring to eventually rule the world through an autonomous world government, which would replace sovereign states and other checks and balances in international power struggles. Significant occurrences in politics and finance are speculated to be caused by an extremely influential cabal operating through many front organizations. Numerous historical and current events are seen as steps in an on-going plot to achieve world domination through secret political gatherings and decision-making processes.

Mounce Commentary.- In the final days of Antichrist the false prophet stands for the role of false religion in effecting the capitulation (surrender and submission) of society to the worship of secular power. It is the universal victory of humanism .

[Humanism: A human philosophy for the here and now it is a cultural movement based on the philosophy of the ancient Greeks and Romans who enjoyed the open-endedness of a quest and the freedom of discovery that it entails- rather than on the sovereign authority of God.]

Mounce Commentary.- Peterson, in his self-styled and highly readable “pastoral midrash,” writes that “dragon, sea beast and land beast are a satanic trinity that infiltrates the political world in order to deflect our worship from the God whom we cannot see to the authorities that we can see, and to deceive us into buying into a religion or belief-system that has visible results in self-gratification [NOTE: lust for power and authority].

Mounce Study Notes Expounded Out of Context: As the dragon gave his authority to the first beast, so the second beast exercises the authority of the first. He carries out the desires of the first beast as a prophet who stands in readiness before his god. His purpose is to cause everyone to worship the beast whose fatal wound has been healed [emulating to some degree the order sent out by the Roman Empire to be tolerant to Christians, which was seen as an imperial backing to the church. The primitive Christians derived their orders from the decrees of heaven and therefore Constantine, though he usurped the scepter by treason and war, immediately assumed the sacred title of vice-regent of the Deity making himself accountable to the Deity alone for the abuse of his power. The healing of the tatal wound could be viewed as the promotion of emperor worship.]

Mounce Commentary.- His purpose is to cause everyone to worship the beast whose fatal wound has been healed.

Thomas Commentary.- A specific exercise of authority is to bring men to worship the first beast, to practice gross idolatry by worshiping a man as God.

MacArthur Commentary.- The false prophet’s efforts to promote the worship of the Antichrist will receive a tremendous boost from a startling, spectacular event: the apparent healing of the first beast’s fatal wound.

(Post #33) The Babylonian Empire

(Babylonian Empire)

Revelation 13:11 “And I (John) saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, and spoke as a dragon [seeking dominion over a New World Order]. And all the authority [the designed stratagem] of the first beast it does before it [as an enforcer- being a counterfeit political imitation of Antichrist]. “

Study Note: Although the dragon is not mentioned in this scene, yet from its position on the seashore it now calls up a second evil helper.
John uses only a few words to describe this monster. On sentence is extremely suggestive: he had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon [seeking universal dominion through stealth]. And all the authority [the designed stratagem] of the first beast it does before it [as an enforcer- being a counterfeit political imitation of Antichrist]. And it makes the earth and those dwelling it that they should worship the first beast [seeking world dominion] of which was healed the wound of death of it [claiming their victory through Jesus Christ - manifesting themselves to be the firstfruits of God and the Lamb- to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the people].”

The second monster gratifies the needs of the first monster, so he exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf. The nature of this service is clarified immediately: he assists in ensuring that earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast.

Beale Commentary.- The beast has primarily a "prophetic" role since it is later repeatedly call “the false prophet”. Whereas the true prophet was to lead people to worship God, this prophet leads them to worship the state. This is reinforced by Christ’s prophecy that false prophets and messiahs would arise in the believing community itself. Jesus also likened false prophets to beasts and foretold that “false prophets” would “come…in sheep’s clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves” (Matt. 7:15). The image of a wolf in lamb’s clothing suggest a traitor within the fold of the church [or trusted political system]. Though the beast professes to represent the truth and appears harmless as a lamb, his inner Satanic nature is revealed through his speaking- with the authority of the dragon, reflecting the alluring, deceptive speech of Satan…that led to the sin of Adam and Eve.
Therefore, this imagery and background suggest deception within the covenant community itself. Whereas the first beast speaks loudly and defiantly against God [through abominable defamation of the righteous and good character of God], the second beast makes the first beast’s claims sound plausible and persuasive. Therefore, it takes a discerning Christian to detect the evil inherent in the second beast.
The second beast is now explicitly said to be aligned with the first beast, further confirming its identification with the state. He exercises the authority of the first beast. This is emphasized by saying that he exercises this authority “in the presence” of the first beast. This authority also comes from Satan [seeking to usurp the throne of God- World Supremacy and a New World Order]. The second beast uses its authority to “coerce the earth and those dwelling in it to worship the first beast.”

Barnes Commentary (Paraphrased).- “Coming out of the earth.” Professor Stuart renders this, “ascending from the land.” The former was represented as rising up out of the sea; indicating that the power was to rise from a perturbed or unsettled state of affairs- like the ocean. This, from that which was more settled and stable- as the land is more firm than the waters.
“And he had two horns like a lamb.” In some respects he resembled a lamb; that is, he seemed to be mild, gentle, inoffensive animal. “And he spoke as a dragon.” The general sense is, that while this “beast” had, in one respect- its resemblance to a lamb- the appearance of great gentleness, meekness, and kindness, it had, in another respect, a haughty, imperious, and arrogant spirit. “And he exercised all the power of the first beast before him.” The same amount of power; the same kind of power. This shows a remarkable relationship between these two beasts; and proves that it was intended to refer to the same power substantially, though manifested in a different form. In the fulfillment of this, we should naturally look for some government whose authority extended far, and which was absolute and arrogant in its character, for this is the power attributed to the first beast.

[This description would have a remarkable fulfillment in the blending of church and state, considered as a theocratic dominion. The relation to the secular power is the same as would be indicated by these two beast; the dominion was as wide-spread; the authority was as absolute and arrogant. In fact, on these points they have been identical. The one has sustained the other; either one would long have fallen if had not been upheld by the other. These two things, the secular and the spiritual power, constituting a New World Order in the proper sense of the term, are in fact – united so as to constitute in reality but one kingdom, and yet so distinct in their origin, and in their manifestations, as to be capable of separate contemplation and description, and thus properly represented by the two “beasts” that were show in vision to John.]

[The meaning here, according to the interpretation proposed all along in this chapter, is, that the “supreme head”, considered in its religious influence, or as a spiritual power- represented by the second beast- secured for the civil or secular power- represented by the first beast- the homage of the world. It was the means of keeping up that dominion, and of giving it its ascendency among the nations of the earth. That new power gave life and energy to the influence of the Dragon.]

MacArthur Commentary (Paraphrased).- the major weapon in Satan’s arsenal is deception. "Satan", Jesus declared, is “a liar and the father of lies”. From his first appearance on earth in the Garden of Eden until his final appearance at the end , Satan is a liar and a deceiver. He constantly seeks to confuse people, “blind(ing) the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ…
Since Satan is a deceiver, it follows that his agents are also deceivers.
The partnership between political and religious power exhibited by Antichrist and the false prophet will not be new. The Roman Empire united political and religious power by demanding that its subjects worship the state (personified as the goddess Roma) and the emperor.
The worldwide joining of political and religious power will occur in the end times. For a time, the two powers will coexist.
Some view this second beast as an institution, a form of government, or an ideology. But he, like the first beast will be a person. Further proof of that comes from 19:20: “And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the ark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.”

[Obviously, it is people along with their ideologies, institutions, or governments, that God will cast into the lake of fire.]

MacArthur Commentary.-That a the false prophet arises from the earth suggests that he will be subtler, gentler, less overpowering and terrifying than the Antichrist. He will be winsome and persuasive, the epitome of the wolves in sheep’s clothing Jesus warned of.
The description of the first beast, with its ten horns, seven heads, ten crowns, and seven blasphemous names, was grotesque and frightening. In contrast, the second beast merely had two horns. That indicates that he is not characterized by the same massive might as Antichrist. And unlike the savage, ferocious, fierce, and deadly Antichrist who is likened to a leopard, bear, and lion, the false prophet seems as harmless as a lamb. He does not come as a conquering dictator, but on the surface appears as a subtle deceiver, with meekness and gentleness, though not without great authority.
Despite his deceptively mild appearance, the false prophet is not less a child of “evil” than the Antichrist. That is evident because he spoke as a dragon- a strange voice indeed for a lamb. The false prophet…will be the dragon’s mouthpiece, SPEAKING HIS WORDS.
False prophets often appear meek, mild and harmless. They offer hope and solutions to the problems troubling men and women. The false prophet will come like a lamb, speaking false, deceptive words of comfort.

Mounce Commentary.- The beast out of the earth is a deceiver. Elsewhere (in Revelation) he is uniformly called the false prophet. His two horns like a lamb represent his attempt to convey the impression of gentle harmlessness. This passage recalls the warning of Jesus, Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matt. 7:15). The horns like a lamb may refer to the seductive inducements (considerations of loyalty, patriotism, self-interest, etc.) held out to Christians by the beast.
The role of the second beast (the formidable political underground world power- involved in a secret bid for worldwide dominion now visible on earth) is to cause people to worship the first beast. To achieve this end he is empowered to work miracles.

Wall Commentary.- “…this beast, the false prophet, is an exemplar of those subtle forms of evil which deceive people into embracing lies as God’s truth.

[All agree that this must be some great impostor, who under a pretence of addressing worldwide political problems, shall deceive the souls of men.]

Henry Commentary.- The power which he exercises: All the power of the former beast; he promotes the same interests, pursues the same design in substance, which is, to draw men off from worshipping the true God to worshipping those who by nature are not God, and subject the souls and consciences of men to the will and authority of men, in opposition to the will of God.

Holman Commentary.- What is the earth monster? So far in the description this could be thought of as religious power gone corrupt… Religion has frequently joined political power as its handmaid. Throughout time kings have often been accorded divine status and been served by the state priesthood. By the end of the first century, the priests of the emperor’s cult were active in promoting emperor worship.
Now the earth monster becomes what must be a specific individual [of particular, yet successive kings of the monarchy], though often through church history the monster has been seen as representative of an earthly power such as the Roman government or a religious heresy.

Ironside Commentary.- To be forewarned is to be forearmed. God’s holy Word has predicted the coming of this false one and has clearly shown what will lead up to his revelation. No Spirit-taught Bible student can fail to observe the shadow of the Antichrist falling across many pages of prophecy. “you have heard,” wrote the apostle John, “that Antichrist shall come” (1 John 2:18). The only question that troubles many has to do with the identification of the person of thing referred to. Is the Antichrist a person or a system? Many weighty names could be quoted in favor of either view, but, in order that our faith may not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God in this matter as in all else, we desire to be guided by the written Word.
The Antichrist will be a man, as the Christ of God is a man. Babylon is a vast organized system, even as the church of God is a divine organization. But the one is a Satanic counterfeit of the other. The Antichrist is the final head of the apostate system.

(Post #32) Patient Endurance

(Patient Endurance and Faithfulness)

Revelation 13:10 “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone gathers captivity, into captivity he goes. If anyone will kill by a sword, by a sword he must be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”

Holman Commentary.- The Revelation passage teaches the inevitable coming of unjust suffering on the saints through the Antichrist monster.
In light of the coming imprisonment and death of Christians the readers are to maintain patient endurance and faithfulness. By their steadfastness in the face of imprisonment and death, saints demonstrate that they are truly people who believe.

MacArthur Commentary.- Antichrist will not be all talk; he will also be capable of decisive deadly action. Because they (the “God fearers”) will refuse to worship him, antichrist will make war with them; believers in the true God will bear the brunt of his murderous fury. He will perceive them as a threat to his authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. The result will be a world-wide slaughter of God’s people.
That Antichrist will successfully make war with the saints and overcome them does not mean that he will have the power to destroy their faith. He will overpower them physically, but not spiritually. Genuine saving faith cannot be destroyed, because “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nor will the Lord Jesus Christ, who is infinitely more powerful than Antichrist or Satan, permit any true child of his to suffer the loss of eternal life. But Antichrist will slaughter God’s people on an unprecedented scale as he expresses his world dominance.
Unlike unbelievers, the elect will not be deceived by Antichrist, nor will they worship him. Antichrist will not be able to destroy believers’ saving faith, for the Lord Jesus Christ promised, “he who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name form the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” ( Rev. 3:5). Believers have been in the keeping power of God since before creation, and they will be there after the destruction of this order and the establishment of the new heaven and the new earth (Rev. 21:1).
Believers are doubly secure, because the book of life belongs to the Lamb who has been slain. Not only the decree of election, but also the atoning work of Christ seals the redemption of the elect forever. Antichrist may take their lives, but he cannot destroy their faith.
This astounding vision of the beast from the sea concludes with a call for spiritual understanding. The warning If anyone has an ear, let him hear is used to emphasize a particularly important truth.
Here the phrase introduces a proverb that concludes this passage: If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints. These proverbs contains important practical truths for those believers alive at the time of Antichrist’s persecution. They are to depend on God’s providence and not to take matters not their own hands. Those believers destined by God’s sovereign plan for captivity (imprisonment) are to accept that incarceration as God’s will. They are not to resist or fight against Antichrist. …if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. God’s people must not retaliate against their persecutors; there is no place now, and there will be no place then, for militant, aggressive, violent believers terrorizing their persecutors. “Those also who suffer according to the will of God,” wrote Peter, “shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right (1 Pet. 4:19).
Instead of reacting violently, believers must exemplify the perseverance and the faith of the saints. They must be like the Lord Jesus Christ, who “while being reviled…did not revile in return; while suffering…uttered no threats, but kept entrusting himself to Him who judges righteously” (l Pet. 3:16).

PSALM 76:8-10 “You (Jehovah) have caused judgment to be heard from Heaven (when You came to overthrow and destroy the enemies of Your people); the earth feared and was stilled, when God arose to judgment, to save all the humble of the earth (the afflicted, the crushed, the oppressed; those forbearing under the affliction). For the wraths (divinely sanctioned retributions) of man (taking forceful means to reestablish the boundaries of the Law) thank You (for the display of just principles and the stability and power of just government): You encircle Yourself (as with a sword- to make use of it as a weapon for the execution of Your own purpose, girding Yourself) with the wraths left over (retributions of man that have been held in check through lawful restraints of the godly, God fearing man).”

Barnes Commentary.- “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone gathers captivity, into captivity he goes. If anyone will kill by a sword, by a sword he must be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” The general truth is, that men will, in the course of things, be dealt with according to their character and their treatment of others; that nations characterized by war and conquests will be subject to the evils of war and conquest-or that they many expect to share the same lot which they have brought on others. This general statement accords with what the Savior says in Mat. 26:52: “All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” This has been abundantly illustrated in the world; and it is a very important admonition to nations not to indulge in the purposes of conquest.

The particular idea here is, that it would be characteristic of the power here referred to that it would “lead others into captivity.” This would be fulfilled if it was the characteristic of this power to invade other countries and to make their inhabitants prisoners of war; if it made slaves of other people; if it set up an unjust dominion over other people of if it was distinguished for persecuting and imprisoning the innocent, or for depriving the nations of liberty.

Beale Commentary.- The exhortation was used to encourage the readers not to compromise and to bear up under the consequences of suffering for their faith. With such discernment they should be strengthened to endure their destiny of “captivity” in prison or even death by the “sword”. Their spiritual insight should motivate them to “suffer according to the will of God" and to “entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what it right”.
“Herein is the perseverance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Ironside Commentary.- Only those who have exchanged the heavenly hope for an earthly one will be deceived by this great leader (Antichrist). He is the coming man for whom the world is waiting. Mistaken and blinded statesmen will hail him as the head of the nations, the one who will solve the problems- social, political, and economic that are now disturbing the world. How blessed to be warned by God Himself of all these things beforehand, that we may walk apart from everything that savors of that day of reproach and blasphemy. And when it actually comes, who can question the value of this present scripture for the guidance and consolation of God’s earthly people Israel. Otherwise they might well be in despair at the apparent defeat of righteousness and the triumph of iniquity.

Thomas Commentary.- “If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone gathers captivity, into captivity he goes. If anyone will kill by a sword, by a sword he must be killed. Some try to understand this verse as a warning of divine punishment to the persecutors. God will ultimately triumph and punish the wicked. This furnishes a basis for the patience and faithfulness of the saints in the hour of their persecution. This also serves to warn the persecutors.
A second interpretation of this verse sees it as addressed to the saints, encouraging readiness for destined sufferings and warning them not to take action against the beast. The only distinctive support for this second view derives from Jesus’ words in Matt. 26:53, advocating refraining from the use of the sword.
Endurance characterized the outlook of John and his contemporaries in their persecution. The pressures of the times will require endurance because of the persecuting hand of the tyrant and faithfulness through dark times until his eventual doom. Remembrance that God is sovereign over all that happens and that the dragon and the beast have only a short time, will provide fuel to sustain these to spiritual qualities.

But “the triumphing of the wicked is short,” and “the man of the earth” will be destroyed in due time. Faith will have its reward when the Lard appears from Heaven to take vengeance on all who dare lift up their bloody hands against His afflicted people. “Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”

(Post #31) Beast Opened His Mouth In Blasphemy

Revelation 13:5 “And it (the “little horn”- the Antichrist) opened the mouth of it in blasphemy (irreverence) toward God, to blasphemy the name of Him [through presumptuous claims], and (vehemently condemned) the temple of Him [the “Church of New Jerusalem” – portrayed as a city “adorned with precious stones,” “pearls,” and “gold” and clothed “ in bright, pure linen,” which respectively represents the glorious reflection of God’s presence], and those (called and chosen- the genuine warriors- of God and to the Lamb) tabernacling in Heaven (“to denote a place of worship, considered as the dwelling-place of God, regarded at the true place of worship”). And was given to it (the “beast’) to make war with the saints, and to [usurp their divinely sanctioned position, thusly to] overcome them. And was given to it authority over every tribe and tongue and nation [universal dominion as an invisible reign of terror among the visible]. And will worship it (rendering divine honors to it) all those dwelling on the earth, whose names are not written, in the life-book of the Lamb, which was slain from the foundation the world.”

MacArthur.- The words and deeds of this great and terrible monster (Antichrist) show that its true master is the devil. Several expressions of evil speech pile up here: proud words; blasphemies; blaspheme God; slander His name. To blaspheme means “to revile” or “defame someone in speech;” “to harm one’s reputation.” The slander God’s name is to defame His character.
The monster’s verbal assault on God and heaven became a physical assault against God’s people on earth. Its master – Satan – had determined to “make war” against those who obey God. One ways this will be carried out is through the monster who will conquer the saints. This can only mean that many Christians will be either imprisoned or killed. What a contrast to the beast’s loyal followers []: every tribe, people, language and nation.
The dragon gave his beloved beast authority to rule; the beast exercised that authority and parlayed it into global dominion.
In his great teaching concerning the end of the age, Jesus had warned his disciples: ‘For false Christ’s and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect- if that were possible” (Matt. 24:24). The present scene is the final fulfillment of Jesus’ prediction. The ones who will be led astray by the beast’s blasphemies are those whose names have not been written in the book of life. Of course, the reverse is also true” those whose names are written in the book will not worship the monster. The monster gained the allegiance []- and made citizens in his kingdom-

Study Notes: Antichrist’s evils will run rampant only for a short period of time. The consummation will reveal the slaughtered Lamb’s victory and rule for eternity. Planned from the creation of the world, his kingdom will endure forever and ever.

Mounce Commentary.- The beast is allowed to speak arrogantly and blaspheme for a period of forty-two months. Once again the model in the little horn of Daniel 7 with its “mouth that spoke boastfully” (Dan. 7:8), who is to “speak against the Most High” (Dan. 7:25) and “magnify himself above every god, and…say unheard-of things against the God of gods (Dan. 11:36). The “proud words” spoken by the beast are explained by the phrase that follows (“even blasphemies”).
To slander the name of God is to speak evil of all that He is and stands for.
Universal authority is given to the beast. It extends over every tribe, people, language, and nation. Although the saints are to be conquered by the beast, the real victory belongs to them. They are those who are “victorious over the beast”. In the crucial test of faith they relinquish their lives rather than their confidence in God. This is true victory!
The “creation of the world” refers to the creation of the visible order. Jesus speaks of a kingdom prepared since the creation of the world (Matt. 25:34). That is, the death of Christ was a redemptive sacrifice decreed in the counsels of eternity.

Barnes Commentary.- “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things.” These arrogant claims consisted in the assertion of a divine right; in the power assumed over the liberty, the property, and the consciences of the people; in the arbitrary commands that were issued; and in the right asserted of giving absolute law. “And blasphemies.” That is, the whole power represented by the “beast” will be blasphemous [a defamation against God’s righteous and good character].
“And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name.” By his own arrogant claims; by his assumed authority in matters of conscience; by setting aside the divine authority; and by impious declarations in derogation of the divine claims.

(Post #30) The Days of the Beast

Revelation 13:3 “And marveled all the earth after the [scarlet] beast [being described as the lord of evil, the enemy of God and the tempter of human beings]; and they [those of the world in rebellion against God] worshiped the dragon [rendering to him divine honors] who gave authority to the beast [the Antichrist], and they [the gathered people seeking bid for worldwide dominion, and in such a posture as counterfeit firstfruits to God and to the Lamb] worshiped the beast [as though worthy of divine respect], saying ‘Who (is) like the beast [seeking a bid for worldwide dominion] who is able to make war with it [a worldwide network who attempts the enthronement of theocratic rule in the name of the Almighty God], who is able to make [a justifiable holy] war with it [a government of a state lead by officials who are regarded as divinely guided]?’”

Holman Commentary.- We do, however, learn the response of the whole world to this. They had refused to acknowledge God... Further, many theologians have noted that evil’s greatest triumphs occur when it mimics good. Although the dragon had lost its place in heaven, it still had plenty of power on earth.
Thus, the world’s people are so deceived that they worship Satan as God; they give the monster the divine status that belongs to Jesus. The monster is truly a pseudo (counterfeit)-Jesus, an Antichrist. Consider Psalm 89:6-8:

“For who in the skies above can
Compare with the Lord?
Who is like the Lord among
The heavenly beings?
In the council of the holy ones
God is greatly feared;
He is more awesome than all
Who surround Him.
O Lord God Almighty, who is
Like you?
Your are might, O Lord, and
Your faithfulness
Surrounds You.”

Ironside Commentary.- The days of the beast are the days referred to by our Lord Jesus Christ when He said that if it were possible the very elect would be deceived. But, thank God, he will preserve his own, even in that dreadful day.

Barnes Commentary.- “And they [the counterfeit firstfruits] worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast.” The word worship is not always, however used in a religious sense. It means, properly, to kiss; to kiss towards anyone; that is, to kiss his own hand and to extend it towards a person, in token of respect and homage. Then it means to show respect to one who is our superior; to kings and princes; to parents; and pre-eminently to God. The word, may be used here to mean that homage or reverence as to a higher power, was rendered to the “dragon;” not strictly that he was openly worshiped in a religious sense as God. And can anyone doubt that the homage thus rendered, so contrary to the law of God, and so much in derogation of His claims, was in fact homage rendered to this presiding spirit of evil?
“And they worshipped the beast.” That is, they did it, as is immediately specified, by saying that he was incomparable and invincible; in other words, that he was superior to all others and that he was almighty. Who is like unto the beast? That is, he is to be regarded as unequalled and as supreme. This was, in fact, ascribing honors to him which belonged only to God; and this was the manner in which that civil and secular power was regarded; to maintain that they were the vicegerents [appointed deputies] of heaven; to claim for themselves sacredness of character and of person; and to secure from the people a degree of reverence which was in fact idolatrous.

Study Note - If Such a Monster Reigns On Earth: Who is able to make war with him? Nothing was able to resist that absolute despotism (tyrannical rule and abuse of power- a “reign of terror”); and the authority of princes and rulers that were allied with the Antichrists rule was of the most absolute kind, and the subjugation of the world was complete…the darkness of “terrorism” prevailed. Under such a rule there was no civil, as there was no religious liberty; and the whole arrangement was so ordered as to subdue the world to an absolute and uncontrollable power.

Beale Commentary.- The allegiance of the ungodly multitudes now expresses itself in worship of the dragon “because he gave his authority to the beast.” “Worship” is a way of showing allegiance and praise.

Mounce Commentary.- The inhabitants of the earth worshiped not only the beast but the dragon as well – the one who has given his authority to the beast. Deification of secular power is in fact the worship of Satan. The motivation of worship is not the beast’s moral greatness but the awesome power of his might. The authority he (Antichrist) wields is the authority of Satan himself.

Poole’s Commentary.- And they worshipped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast?’ Possibly worshipping in this latter clause is not to be understood of Divine adoration, but a civil subjection.

Revelation 13:5 “And was given to it (the “beast”, Antichrist) a mouth speaking great things (of arrogant claims in the assertion of a divine right – as though “firstfruits to God and to the Lamb”) and blasphemies (not so much directly spoken against God but as implied by self-deification- in forming a union of divinity with humanity)…”

(False Claims to Sacred Scripture – and Danger of Scripture When Taken Out of Context)

Consider (To whom does this psalm speak- to "terrorist or those that seek to stop them? The Rightful Firstfruits to God and to the Lamb):
PSALM 149:6-9 “May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations [through seizure and enforced dominion] and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them.”

(Continuing Revelation 13) Verse 5 “…and was given to it [the Antichrist] authority to act forty-two months (the time allotted for Jerusalem, the righteous city fearing God to be trampled).”

A Teaching for Consideration – (A Disclaimer to Antichrist’s Claims)

RIGHTEOUSNESS- is defined as holy and upright living, in accordance with God’s standard. The word “righteousness” comes from a root word that means “straightness.” It refers to a state that conforms to an authoritative standard. Righteousness is a moral concept. God’s character is the definition and source of all righteousness. Therefore, the righteousness of human beings is defined in terms of God’s.

CORPORATE UNITY of MAN with GOD

HOSEA 14:9 “’I (Jehovah) am as a green cypress. From Me your fruit [the state of bearing a tree of like kind] is found.”

The corporate unity of Man with God is tied to purity of heart and moral rectitude of life; being and doing right. The righteousness or justice of God is the divine holiness applied in moral government and the domain of law. As an attribute of God it is united with His holiness as being essential in His nature; it is legislative, as He is the righteous governor of all; and is administrative or judicial, as He is a just dispenser of rewards and punishments.
In theology, as in the Scriptures, the terms justice and righteousness are used synonymously. The justice of God is both an essential and relative attribute of the divine existence. It is a necessary outflow from the holiness of God.

In summary, the non-corrosive tempering agent of “righteousness,” keeps the standard of the law in tack, yet, provides a judicial “balance” for the maintenance of moral purity. In this capacity, the doing of judgment for the maintenance of righteousness- can surpass the letter of the law. Righteousness is a fruit of just judgment; the two go hand in hand.