As mentioned in my previous article, the format for future articles will be different. We will examine the text itself to determine its proper interpretation, if possible.
Chapter 11. Who are the two witnesses?
“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple, leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months (3.5 years). And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophecy a thousand two hundred and threescore days (1,260 days or 3.5 years), clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have the power to shut heaven so that it does not rain in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified (Jerusalem).” Revelation 11:1-8, emphasis added.
Dr. Andrew Corbett says the following regarding the two witnesses. He is the pastor of the Legana Christian Church in Tasmania, Australia. Dr. Corbett states that the notion that the two witnesses represent individuals, such as Elijah and Enoch or Moses, is incorrect. This idea comes from a futurist’s interpretation of scripture. This futurist interpretation posits that someday, a worldwide dictator will emerge as the Antichrist. The antichrist will form a worldwide government and will begin the persecution of Jews. The two witnesses would then challenge this dictator. The whole world would be captivated by these two miracle-working witnesses. The antichrist will kill them, and God will raise them back to life after a few days. Dr. Corbett says the Book of Revelation does not predict a worldwide dictator (the Antichrist) as futurists claim.
Dr. Corbett believes that the Bible identifies the two witnesses as two lampstands or two olive trees in Zechariah 4:3, 10, 11 and Revelation 11:4, as mentioned above. It appears that Zechariah is referring to Zerubbabel and Joshua as the two witnesses or two olive trees, according to Dr. Corbett. Let us examine the verses of scripture he refers to more closely. Dr. Corbett believes that the entire credibility of the Bible is at stake in this discussion, which is why it is so important.
“For behold, on the stone that I have set before Joshua, on a single stone with seven eyes, will engrave its inscription, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of this land in a single day.” Zech. 3:9. The same verse below is from the KJV of the Bible.
“For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; Upon one stone shall be seven eyes; Behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.” Zechariah 3:9. KJV
This stone set before Joshua appears to be the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the chief cornerstone rejected by the Jews when He came down to earth. The seven eyes seem to be the seven-fold spirit of the LORD. Dr. Corbett believes that Zechariah is referring to Zerubbabel and Joshua, the two witnesses mentioned in the passage. But is that the case? Let us read on.
“And the angel that talked with me came again, and walked with me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, and said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. So, I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit, Saith the LORD of hosts.” Zech. 4:1-6, KJV.
God will accomplish His purposes by His own power and will. God will not depend on the will or power of man. There is no definitive explanation regarding the two olive trees in this section. The candlestick appears to refer to the candlestick of the tabernacle in Exodus 25:31-40. It is not an exact copy but with variations. In Revelation, chapter one, we recall that the seven candlesticks represent the seven Christian churches, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers.
“Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’ Zech. 4:7.
“Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain; And he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace, unto it. Zech. 4:7 KJV
Dr. Corbett quotes this verse to establish the key role that Zerubbabel has in the rebuilding of the temple. Who is this great mountain that will not be able to stop Zerubbabel? Is this a reference to Satan, like in Joshua 3:1? Satan represents all that opposes the plan and purposes of God in Jesus Christ. God will humble them as a great mountain that becomes a plain. Zerubbabel is just a man. Joshua is just a man. And it is not by human might or power that any of this will happen, but by the Spirit of God. I am not convinced that the olive trees represent these two men as Dr. Corbett argues.
“The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; and His hands shall also finish it; And thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you” verse 8. Notice what is being said in this passage. Zerubbabel lays the physical foundation of the temple, but his hands do not finish the temple. His hands finish it. That is, God’s hands finish it, not man’s hands. Jesus Christ finished the use of or need for a physical temple and its daily sacrifices, when He sacrificed Himself once for all, to atone for the sins of the Jews and all people. In the New Testament, the Spirit of God indwells us individually as the temple of God, not a physical temple made of material, but a spiritual one. This again suggests that the two olive trees are unlikely to be a reference to humans.
Then in verse 10 it is written, “…For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; They are seven eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.” Starting in verse 11, it is written, “Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my Lord. Then said he, these are the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” Zech. 4:11-14, emphasis added, KJV.
This is how Dr. Corbett interprets this section. God had previously called Israel an olive tree in Jeremiah 11:16 and the two houses of Israel as His witnesses. “Therefore, the two witnesses were representatives of the Jews and, because this takes place in the covenant (they are bearing witness for Christ), Christians. This could have either been leaders from Ephraim (Israel) and Judah (the southern tribes) or of the Kingly line and the Priestly line (as indicated in Zechariah).” From Dr. Corbett’s website.
I don’t think that is accurate. Israel may indeed have been called an olive tree and a witness of God. But let us remember that both the Northern and Southern kingdoms of God were apostate primarily and evil witnesses, not righteous witnesses. The two anointed ones stand by the LORD of the whole earth. God the Father has the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Spirit who stand by Him always. They are righteous and faithful witnesses and worthy to stand before God the Father. No man is worthy or fit for that position. This is John Wesley’s interpretation of the passage in Zechariah. He was one of the most influential men in my life. He wasn’t perfect in his understanding of scripture, but no man is.
Dr. Corbett believes that the two olive trees and two witnesses in Zechariah are the same as the two spoken of in Revelation 11. Is that the case?
The good Doctor also believes that Revelation 11 is about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Reading Chapter 11 does seem to fit that interpretation in part. This verse in particular seems to fit, “But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Revelation 11:2. To make this fit the futurist interpretation means the temple must be rebuilt someday in the future, maybe the distant future. As you know, I have a hard time believing that will happen.
When was the Book of Revelation written?
In Revelation 11:1, John is told to measure the temple. Dr. Corbett says that this would have been impossible if the Book of Revelation were written around 95 AD in the first century because the Romans destroyed the temple in AD 70. Obviously, that requires a literal interpretation of “measure the temple”. Additionally, Revelation 11 states that the city will be trodden underfoot by the Gentiles for 42 months, equivalent to 3.5 years. The war to destroy Jerusalem and the Temple lasted approximately 3.5 years, concluding in AD 70. He states that the date for the writing of Revelation around 95 AD was given to us by liberal scholars who claim that John was lying to his readers. His prophecy was actually history masquerading as prophecy. “But the jury is back and the AD 95 date for Revelation’s authorship is now considered impossible.” (Taken from Dr. Corbett’s website.) That is a very dogmatic statement and sounds very convincing. Yet theologians on the other side make the same dogmatic statements about the early writing of the Book of Revelation. I covered that subject in Part 4, specifically when the Book of Revelation was written.
The Gentiles are said to tread the holy city for 42 months. The Roman occupation coincides with this account, for it commenced in AD 66 and ended in AD 70. The 1,260 days differ from the 42 months because they represent the period of time during which the Romans persecuted the Christians or the church, as mentioned in Rev. 12:6. The two witnesses are ministering during the persecution of the church, not the occupation of the city of Jerusalem. The two witnesses are spoken of as individuals but represent the entire church. The beast was to kill not just two witnesses but all the Christians. Therefore, according to Dr. Corbett, these two witnesses must be Jewish Christians. From the word “martyr,” we derive the word “witness.” History records this event as well. Beginning on July 19, AD 64, the persecution of Christians began. That holocaust lasted 9 days and was sparked by Nero, so claimed his enemies, who set fire to the city. Nero blamed it on the Christians. Many thousands of Christians suffered and died. According to Howard Frederic Vos, as cited on Dr. Corbett’s website, the following is revealed. “Thousands of Jewish Christians were martyred in the period between the Day of Pentecost and the Destruction of Jerusalem. This period seems to be described in Revelation as equating to “three and a half years” (7 is a number which symbolically means ‘complete’, therefore 3.5 means ‘incomplete). The two witnesses are described as being dead for three and a half days, and particularly in the city where the Lord Himself was killed: Sodom and Egypt. This would seem to pinpoint the prophetic arrival of the two witnesses in the past, not our future, because they witness in a Jerusalem where the temple still exists. At the end of the 1260 days, persecution against the Church (AD 64-AD 70). Rome was not able to destroy the Christians (incomplete).”
He cautions readers not to be misled by those who claim that the two witnesses have yet to be revealed in the future. It undermines the credibility of the gospel preaching because the two witnesses have come and gone. There is way too much speculation surrounding other views about the future. This chapter of the Book of Revelation is about the past and not the future. (Quotes and thoughts from Corbett’s website).
Unfortunately, history does not reveal the identities of the two witnesses or the things they were able to do. Josephus does make mention of some signs and wonders during this time. Mr. Corbett thinks they were Jewish Christians, and that may be true, but that too is speculation.
Where does symbolism stop and literalism begin? What is speculation, and what is not? How is the non-theologian supposed to determine which speculation to believe?
Futurist claims about the two witnesses
From the Got Questions website, note the following. “No where does the Bible identify these two witnesses by name, although people through the years have speculated….there are three primary theories on the identity of the two witnesses in Revelation: (1) Moses and Elijah, (2) Enoch and Elijah, and (3) two unknown believers whom God calls to be His witnesses in the end times.” They list several comparisons for each of the three options. Each has several seemingly reasonable characteristics that support this as the correct interpretation. The author of this site references the chapter in Zechariah 4 that we looked at earlier. “The two witnesses of Revelation 11, like Joshua and Zerubbabel, will have God’s power flowing through them to accomplish God’s work.” They close with the note that scripture does not identify the two witnesses, so no one should be dogmatic about it.” Apparently, Dr. Corbett disagrees because he is very dogmatic about it.
From the website titled ‘Read the Hard Parts: Simple Truths in Complex Parts of Scripture.’ They list 1) Moses and Elijah, 2) Zerubbabel and Joshua, 3) two new prophets, and 4) the lampstand speaks symbolically of the prophetic witness of the church. This is symbolic because it is said that fire comes out of their mouths, and that is not reality.
From the website, Letter to Laodicea. This is a Church of God website. They are Pentecostal and do not believe in the triune nature of the Godhead. They do believe that Jesus Christ is divine. The options above are referenced, but also note that 1260 days is equivalent to 1260 years. That is true, according to Seventh-day Adventists as well. Some see the two witnesses as the Jewish and Gentile believers; others see it as children of God going out two by two to testify against the Roman Catholic Church. The Seventh-day Adventist Church says the two witnesses are the Old and New Testaments.
This site claims that the court of the Temple Mount, and the holy city of Jerusalem, being overrun by the Gentiles, is fixed and given at forty-two months (42 * 30 days = 1,260 days). In addition, an identical fixed period is assigned to the ministry length of the two witnesses (1,260 days). This author believes that these are two successive time periods and applies the “day for a year” principle in scripture. (Numbers 14, Ezekiel 4). Therefore, each of these becomes 1,260 years times 2 = 2,520 years. This is 7 * 360 days in a year, which equals 2,520 years. This is the exact time period during which the children of God were to be punished for disobeying the laws of God, according to the author of this website. The scriptural references are Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24, and 28.
When was the holy city given to the Gentiles? The first time was in 586 BC when the Babylonians took over. Seven Gentile powers captured Jerusalem, and they are: 1) Babylon, 2) Media Persia, 3) Greece, 4) the Ptolemaic Kingdom, 5) the Seleucid Empire, 6) Rome, and 7) Mecca/Medina. All of these came to power in the first 1,260 years. This dates from 575 BC. (Not 586 BC, which is used by many/most for the destruction of the temple) For the first time, the city of Jerusalem was captured by Gentiles. One thousand two hundred sixty years later brings us to 685 AD. This is where Revelation 11:3 picks up. What do the two witnesses prophecy about? They themselves were the prophecy, as described in Daniel 7:24-25. This passage addresses the 10 horns and the little horn. It also says that this little horn will “wear out the saints of the most High and think to change times and laws for a time, times and half a time (3.5 years).”
The Roman Emperor Constantine relocated the capital of the Roman Empire to Constantinople in the early fourth century. Rome, the city, quickly declined in significance thereafter. It would never again be a significant military power. However, as a spiritual power, the City of Rome grew stronger each year and more powerful under a long line of men who held the title of ‘Bishop of Rome.’ Over time, these bishops were referred to as popes. They were appointed or confirmed by the then-emperor of Rome, who resided in Constantinople. In 684, the emperor, Constantine IV, decided to let Rome choose the pope without the consent and approval of the Roman Emperor. The first pope was John V in the year 685, making his first regnal year 686. From this point on (686), the papacy became a distinct and independent power. The Bible refers to it as a ‘horn’, an independent power.
“From 686 until 1945, there are 1,260 years. During this time, a false Christianity, headed by the papacy, persecuted the Jews through various means: inquisitions, forced migrations, pogroms, crusades, etc., reaching a crescendo in the Holocaust.” 1945 is the final year of the Second World War. Without the help of the then Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, the Nazi Government would not have been able to take on dictatorial powers, which facilitated the slaughter of about 6 million people, mostly Jews.
Daniel 7:25, Revelation 11:3, and Revelation 13:5 all describe the same 1,260-year period, from 686 until 1945 inclusively, according to this website. Saints can refer to either physical persons or spiritual persons, as in born-again believers, according to this website. During this period, very few Jews were born-again persons. The city of Jerusalem was given to the Gentiles for 1,260 years and will be given unto His two witnesses for another 1,260 years.
The ten horns and the three manifestations of the little horn are: 1) the Umayyad dynasty, which ruled Jerusalem from 661 to 750. 2) the Abbasid dynasty, which ruled Jerusalem from 750 till 878 and from 904 till 939. 3) The Tulunid Dynasty, which ruled Jerusalem from 878 to 904, 4) the Ikhshidid dynasty, which ruled Jerusalem from 939 to 969, 5) the Fatimid dynasty, which ruled Jerusalem from 969 to 1073 and from 1098 to 1099, 6) the Seljuq dynasty, which ruled Jerusalem from 1073 to 1098. While under Fatimid rule, Jerusalem was captured by the First Crusade led by Godfrey de Bouillon in 1099. That started the first period of rule over Jerusalem by the ‘little horn’ of Daniel 7:8, which lasted until 1187. 7) the Ayyubid dynasty, which ruled Jerusalem from 1187 till 1229 and from 1244 till 1260. The Ayyubid ruler Saladin defeated the Crusaders in 1187. Ayyubid ruler Al-Kamil surrendered Jerusalem to the Sixth Crusade under Fredrick II in 1229, which was the second emergence of the ‘little horn.’ This period lasted until 1244. Ayyubid ruler As-Salih, with the help of the Kwarezmians, besieged and recaptured Jerusalem in 1244, ending Christian rule until 1917. 8) the Mamiuk dynasty, which ruled Jerusalem from 1260 till 1516. 9) The Ottoman Empire, which ruled Jerusalem from 1516 till 1831 and from 1840 till 1917. 10) The Egyptian rule of Jerusalem, under Mohammed Ali, from 1831 till 1840.
“The Ottoman Empire was defeated in 1917 during WW I by the third emergence of the ‘little horn’ known at that time as the ‘last crusade’, a combination of the British Empire, French, and Italian forces which re-established Christian rule over Jerusalem. This rule lasted until May 1948.” Taken from their website.
What then is the identity of the two witnesses? This website claims the two witnesses are the Jews. They use this verse, 1 Kings 11:26-36. This is the story of God breaking the nation of Israel, comprised of 12 tribes, apart. The tribe of Joseph was divided into two, resulting in two additional tribes, for a total of 13. However, the Levites did not receive a land inheritance, which brought the number back down to 12 tribes when Joshua divided the land. Ten tribes would be given to Jeroboam, and one tribe would be given to Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, in addition to the one he already led. Therefore, Rehoboam receives two tribes, and Jeroboam receives 10 tribes, for a total of 12 tribes. Of the two tribes from David’s line, one of which is Judah and the other is Benjamin. The two witnesses are the people of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. These are Jews, of course.
I included this information because it is interesting historical information and may have bearing on the end times. Just how all this might come together is not yet clear to me.
How are we to understand the 1,260 days and the two witnesses?
The following section will examine the summary that Steve Gregg provided in his book regarding the four views of Revelation. We just covered the 1,260 days as interpreted by Dr. Cochran and the Church of God. Let us review this from Gregg’s book, pages 269 and 270.
Historicist. The 1,260 days refer to 1,260 years, which pertain to the time of papal rule by the Roman Catholic Church. The two witnesses represent the Waldenses, Albigenses, and others who refused papal authority in the years before the Reformation in 1517.
Preterist. The 1,260 days refer to the period of the Jewish war with Rome, which ended in 70 AD. The two witnesses are either historic prophetic witnesses or a representation of Jewish religious and civil authority.
Futurist. The 1,260 days refer to the second half of the 7-year Great Tribulation period, the last 3.5 years. The two witnesses are two literal prophets yet to appear in the future. They might be Elijah and Moses or Elijah and Enoch. Or the two witnesses might represent a larger body of witnesses.
Idealist. The 1,260 days represent the entire church age from the death of Jesus to His return. The two witnesses are the church of Jesus Christ.
We will continue to examine specific examples and how they illustrate the two witnesses and the 1,260 days.
From the website, Jesus plus nothing. This site believes that the two witnesses have their ministry during the first half or 3.5 years of the Great Tribulation period. This person thinks the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah and presents much supporting evidence. Both Moses and Elijah are associated with the miraculous, as evidenced by the miracles cited in this passage.
Cochran Ministry’s website states that the two witnesses are not two people at all, because people don’t breathe fire. This is an example of figurative language, along with the two witnesses. The two witnesses are two candlesticks and two olive trees. A witness testifies to something regarding God. In Jeremiah, God called Israel an olive tree. He says that this is a constant throughout the Bible: an olive tree represents God’s people, specifically Israel, always.
But in the Book of Romans, the olive tree represents all of God’s children, not just Israel. See Romans 11:17-24, where the cultivated olive tree is used to portray Israel, and the wild olive tree represents Gentile believers. Is this not an example of the olive tree representing not just Israel but also Gentile believers? I think it is.
The olive tree is used symbolically throughout the Bible to represent peace, reconciliation, the end of conflicts, God’s blessings, and prosperity. The oil from the olive tree represents the anointing of God. Its enduring nature represents God’s love and faithfulness. (Taken from a website titled Quora and an article titled, ‘Symbolism of the Olive Tree.
Dr. Corbett claims the meaning of the olive tree will not change. The tree is the race of people, Israel. The branches are the people of the tree. The word says these are two witnesses and two olive trees. Again, in Romans 11, both the Jews and Gentiles (two races or all races) are part of the olive tree. Most of the Jews have been broken off because of their unbelief, while the Gentiles have been grafted into the olive tree by faith. The Jews can also be grafted in again by faith.
In Revelation 1:20, the candlesticks represent the seven churches, comprising Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ. The seven stars are the angels, and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches. The two witnesses are two different churches. One is Israel (Judaism) and the other is the Gentiles (Christianity). These are the two witnesses, according to Dr. Corbett.
The problem I see with this interpretation is that the candlesticks in Revelation 1 are the seven churches of Jesus Christ, and Judaism is not Christian in any sense of the word. The olive tree symbolism representing only Israel is not accurate. Judaism can’t be one of the witnesses that stand before a holy God. Rabbinic Judaism is antichrist.
Steve Gregg’s view of the two witnesses. Steve believes that now that he knows about Josephus’s history, the things described in prophetic Scripture, such as Matthew 24 and Revelation, have already taken place. This is the preterist position, which holds that much, if not all, of Revelation was fulfilled in 70 AD.
Chapter 10 is a transition to many people, nations, and kings. Before that, it was all or mostly about Jerusalem. Now the scope included the Gentile world. Seas are the Gentiles, and the earth is the Jews. This prophecy in Revelation 11, 12, 13 is the small book John refers to. This smaller prophecy has not yet been fulfilled because it is sealed, whereas the other was not to be sealed. This period spans from AD 70 to the return of Jesus, known as the church age. This is why it is sealed up for an extended period, according to Gregg.
Five different times, we are told to consider 42 months or 3.5 years in various ways. But nowhere is it said that this is part of a seven-year tribulation period. Only in chapters 10, 11, 12, and 13 is the little book mentioned. After chapter 13, we get back to the central part of the Revelation. 3.5 years is symbolic and means not 3.5 years, but the time of the Gentiles, which goes from 70 AD to the return of Jesus. Gregg can’t offer compelling evidence for that view, but it makes sense to him. The two witnesses are not two people. The two witnesses are the body of Christ. Christ’s earthly ministry lasted about 3.5 years until His death. 3.5 years is symbolically the ministry of Jesus on earth, and the continuation of the ministry of Jesus Christ in heaven—the church ministers in His name for many years. According to Gregg, 42 months is symbolically identified as the time of the Gentiles.
God’s headquarters was Jerusalem for around 1,000 years, but is now in His people. We are the temple of the living God and His new headquarters. Why two witnesses? After the fall of Jerusalem, the Jews and Gentiles did not seem to have distinct characteristics. They seem to be all of the same family of God. The two witnesses refer to the scriptural truth that through the testimony of two witnesses, a thing is established. By the mouth of two witnesses is a thing established or confirmed. The two witnesses are one body but many members. Who can shut heaven and breathe out fire? This is for the future, as no one can do this now, so say the futurists. Yet Moses and Elijah both did these things. Three times, Elijah called down fire from heaven and stopped the rain for three and a half years. Turning water into blood is what Moses did. Futurists, therefore, take this to mean the two witnesses are Moses and Elijah.
Gregg believes this same power is now given to the church of Jesus Christ. Most Old Testament miracles are either during the time of Moses or Elijah. This power is now working miraculously during this time referred to in Revelation. The power of God, confirming His word and will, is now at work during this time, as revealed in Revelation 11. We are now to listen to Jesus Christ, whereas Jews used to listen to Moses and Elijah. Jesus Christ replaces them.
The beast, who is later mentioned in the book of Revelation, is now introduced. The beast comes out of the pit and slays or makes war against the two witnesses and kills them. Their bodies lie in the open for 3.5 days. Gregg thinks this means that the church will look dead because of persecution and apostasy, but it is not dead. These two prophets will be raised from the dead. How does that make sense? Futurists say that only now, with the advent of TV, is this possible. Isn’t that amazing, so say the dispensationalists. Why would anyone be watching for these two to come to life? They would not, and especially at the same time, all over the globe. Gregg says, All this misses the point. Steve Gregg interprets this as the rapture of the church, when the two witnesses are raised from what appears to be death. He believes Revelation 20 is also a summary of the end of the world and the return of Christ. Chapters 12 and 13 primarily focus on this interim period, symbolically spanning 3.5 years, rather than 42 months literally.
I believe Steve Gregg is a genuine man of God who truly wants to know the truth. His views are interesting and seem to make some sense. However, I am left wondering if what is written can really be understood as interpreters use scripture as literal and or symbolic when their overall interpretation needs it. Moreover, I am not sure that any of this can be known definitively without God providing the interpretation. I understand that many of these individuals claim the Bible interprets itself, and I agree with that. However, it appears that something more is needed.
Summary
“My two witnesses – This is extremely obscure; the conjectures of interpreters are as unsatisfactory as they are endless on this point…. Those who wish to be bewildered may have recourse both to ancients and moderns on this subject.” Taken from Adam Clark’s Commentary. I couldn’t have said it better!
There is much left in this chapter to discuss that falls outside my current study. I am concentrating on those topics and widely known representations contained in this book, such as the 1,260 days, the woman, the beasts, and so on. I will leave this Chapter with this last note. There are likely many other interpretations of this Chapter that I have not covered. I pray that God will direct me to any of them that is Biblically true.
Chapters 11-13 of the Book of Revelation
From Steve Gregg’s book about the four views of the Book of Revelation, chapters 11 through 13.
Who is the woman? Who is the beast(s)?
Historicist. The woman represents the visible Christian Church, which the Jews and the Roman Empire persecuted until AD 313. The male child within her represents the true Church of Jesus Christ, not the nominal Church. The beasts (plural) represent the different aspects of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church or the papacy.
Preterist. The woman is Israeli. She gives birth to Jesus, the Messiah and the head of the true church. The first beast represents Nero, Rome, or both, which persecuted the Church of Jesus Christ. The second beast is either a cult leader of the emperor, a Roman murderer, or a false prophet of Israel.
Futurist. The woman is saved in Israel during the tribulation period as she flees the persecution of the antichrist. The first beast is a political world leader. The second beast is a religious leader in the world. This beast forces everyone to worship the dragon via the first beast.
Idealist. The woman represents the real Church of Jesus Christ. The first beast represents political power, and the second beast is closely related to the first, but it is a religious power or a false religion. Neither is literal. Both are symbolic.
Evangelist Bill Ford, on YouTube, says the following. He thinks this passage has been misinterpreted more than the others! Contrary to others, he says this can’t be Israel because, for the most part, Israel has rejected Jehovah. Therefore, this woman must represent the real Church of God and not ethnic Israel. She is clothed with the sun, representing the glory of God. On her head are twelve crowns, meaning the church will rule with Christ as the bride of Christ. She gives birth to a son. He thinks this is the ‘Elijah Company’ which will shortly come to pass in our day. She gives birth to a son, a full-grown man – an overcomer, who will rule with a rod of iron. It is not Mary giving birth to Jesus, as some say. This woman fled into the wilderness for 3.5 years, and May did not. Nor did Jesus, the son, get caught up into heaven immediately after He was born, according to Bill Ford. Jesus, when He returns, an Elijah-like anointing is coming, just as it was the first time when John the Baptist came with Elijah’s anointing. What if a new generation with a special anointing (an Elijah anointing) comes before Jesus returns? This is the overcoming church, the man-child, being pictured giving a last opportunity to repent.
Robert Breaker, YouTube channel, states the following. He is a futurist and believes that most of the Book of Revelation is about the future. The sign of the woman is in heaven. Could the following be the sign in heaven that John saw? On September 23, 2017, the alignment of the stars is a sign in the heavens, according to Robert. Star groupings have shapes, as we are all familiar with. Some think that the gospel message is in the stars. The woman John saw, as he looked up into heaven, was the woman giving birth to a man-child. God gave the stars as signs. The Jews need a sign. Mr. Breaker is stating that on September 23, 2017, a sign appeared in heaven. Virgo went into Jupiter’s womb for nine months, and there were 12 stars around her. Venus, Mars, and Mercury planets, plus the others, equal 12 stars. This is the only time in all of human history that this has happened, according to Robert. Trump was the President and declared that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel in December 2017. Additionally, the Jewish Jubilee, which occurs every 50 years, is in 2017. The Balfour Declaration was in 1917, 1967 (the Six-Day War), and 2017, the USA recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Robert says there are so many coincidences that it seems improbable that these are merely coincidental. This heavenly sign, this is one of them. Rabbi Judah ben Samuel states that after 10 Jubilees, the Messiah will appear. From 1517 plus 10 Jubilees, bringing us to 2017. Bob Barber, a teacher, believes that every 7 years the Jewish Shemita cycle demonstrates that these cycles, at the 11th Shemita, work out perfectly for WW1 and WW2. I’m not sure how all this works, but he says it is compelling and probably can’t just be another coincidence. Therefore, the Great Tribulation is expected to begin in seven years. That brings us to 2024. What if the seven good years (Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream) are 2017 to 2023? After that comes a seven-year period of bad years, which is the Great Tribulation, from 2024 to 2031. He firmly believes we are close to the rapture. Robert admits he might be wrong. He thinks 2017 was a big deal. He says it was a sign for the Jews, not the church.
I must admit that this is interesting and clearly demonstrates the imaginative capabilities of theologians and Christian teachers. However, like the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the date 1844, which failed to herald the return of Jesus Christ, Robert tells us that the 2017 date was a sign only for the Jews and a sign in heaven. SDA still maintains that 1844 was a key prophetic date, and at that time, Jesus began a new ministry in heaven, which we can’t see but must take on faith. Robert is basically doing the same thing with the year 2017.
If you have been around long enough, you know that numbers can be manipulated to say whatever you want them to say. We are often misled by those who manipulate numbers to tell us stories. For instance, we are told that inflation is only a fraction of what we experience it to be in our everyday lives. Numbers are frequently used as propaganda in politics and business. This is all very much like what the ‘prophets of profits’ do to us all the time. They use current events to string us along, sell books and conferences, when the truth of the matter is that what they often portray as truth is just their imagination.
Ligonier ministry states that the son the woman will bear is their Messiah, Jesus. The dragon is Satan. Satan is trying to destroy Jesus and His church. The devil fails. The woman is not Mary, the mother of Jesus. The woman is the Jewish faithful remnant.
The Got Questions website also believes the woman is Israel. The son is Jesus. The woman’s flight into the wilderness for 1,260 days is a picture of the Great Tribulation in the first 3.5 years. Midway through the Great Tribulation period, the antichrist is revealed, and at some point, he sits in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem and requires all to worship him. They call that the abomination of desolation.
Grace Digital Network YouTube says the following. The woman clothed with the sun, a great sign. This is not literal. This is the land of Israel in Joseph’s dream, many years earlier. Joseph dreamed another dream, and in this one, he saw 11 stars and the sun and moon bowed down to him. The woman gives birth and has a male child, and this is the Messiah. The red dragon is a symbol of Satan, representing his nature and character. The war in heaven and the persecution of the woman will go unnoticed for now.
Revelation Chapter 13, the two beasts and the mark of the beast
The first beast is from the sea. This beast will make war with the saints of God. Let us begin with a very brief analysis from Steve Gregg’s book, starting on page 332.
Historicist. This first beast is the Roman Empire. The picture connects very well with Daniel 7 and the fourth beast described in that chapter. They both have 10 horns, both blaspheme God Almighty, and they both persecute the saints of God. In this passage in Revelation, the beast has an additional characteristic. That is, the beast has seven heads, which are declared to be seven (7) mountains. On these mountains, the whore of Babylon sits (Rev. 17:9). In history, Rome was identified as ‘the city on seven hills’. The differences between the two beasts (Daniel 7 and Revelation 13) are minor.
Historicists explain things differently. Some say the two beasts both represent Rome as a pagan city. The second beast is Rome’s pagan priesthood. Others view the first beast as representing pagan Rome, and the second beast emerging from the earth is the revival of Roman paganism in the form of the papacy. Another view still sees both beasts representing the papacy of the Roman Catholic Church. The first beast represents a political papacy and church, while the second beast represents an ecclesiastical power through the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church.
For many centuries (about 400 years), the Protestant Church saw the first beast as the papacy. Included in this is a list of the greatest names in the Christian world—many of these men I greatly admire. Today, the most vocal proponent of the first beast being the papacy is the Seventh-day Adventist Church, to the best of my knowledge.
What is the mark of the beast to the Historicist? A significant number of names can be reduced to the number 666. Irenaeus, in the second century, believed that the name “Lateinos” was derived from the Greek word “Latinos,” meaning “Latin.” The fourth beast of Daniel is Rome, also known as the Latin Empire. Latins now reign. The Roman Catholic Church has a Latin Bible and speaks in Latin, and in some places still does. Prayers were said in Latin and so on. All things were Latin or Latinized. That is the mark of the beast.
As many of us know, the Roman Catholic Church used the Latin language to celebrate the Mass, even if the language of the country/nation in which they were located was another language. I recall attending the Roman Catholic Church as a youth and hearing Mass said in Latin. As an altar boy, I actually learned a bit of Latin. I never knew the meaning of the words I said in Latin.
In what ways does the beast (papacy) blaspheme God?
You will recall that blasphemy is defined in John 10:33 and Luke 5:21 as assuming you are equal with God and that you have the power to forgive sins. That is blasphemy.
Here are just a few statements made by Popes over the long history of the Roman Catholic Church.
“The Roman Pontiff judges all men, but is judged by no man….I have the authority of the King of Kings. I am all in all and above all….. Wherefore, if those things that I do be said not to be done of man but of God?…. I conclude, and commanding, declaring, and pronouncing, to the necessity of salvation, for every creature to be subject to me.” Pope Nicholas V, 1397-1455.
“We hold the place of Almighty God on earth.” Pope Leo XIII on June 20, 1894. His successor had the nerve to say the following. “The Pope….is Jesus Christ Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh.”
Then on April 30, 1922, Pope Pius XI declared, “You know that I am the Holy Father, the representative of God on earth, the Vicar of Christ, which means that I am God on earth.”
If these statements do not make you sick to your stomach, then you are not alive to things of God. The beast Popes, like their father the dragon, represent him very well. Satan, the dragon, wants to dethrone God Almighty and have the whole world worship him. The beast (papacy) is here to make that happen.
The little horn and the beast are said to make war against the saints. For the better part of 1,000 years, the Roman Catholic Church has tortured, beaten, robbed, raped, and murdered millions of genuine Christians. And we all know the most recent history of the sexual abuse of minors within the walls of the Catholic Church.
Some historicists claim that the 1,260 days are 1,260 years. There are lots of views on when this period begins and ends.
If you ever see or hear a future pope repent of all this Satanic blasphemy, then you can be assured that man will not last long. But don’t hold your breath, for there has been no papal repentance for around 1,500 years. The only way the Roman Catholic Church can repent is to dissolve the entire enterprise, sell all assets, and make amends for all the wealth they have stolen. The Roman Catholic Church must also admit its guilt for its many sins, such as the murder of millions of born-again Christians over the centuries. If the Roman Catholic Church can repent, then Satan can as well. Don’t hold your breath.
Could one of the beasts be the United States of America?
The Seventh-day Adventist Church takes a historicist perspective of the Book of Revelation. Their belief regarding the two beasts, especially the second beast, follows and ties into the role of the United States in end-time prophet events. The first beast is the papacy, and the second beast is the United States. See the appendix at the end of this article.
As the Christian Church in America becomes more lukewarm, carnal, and worldly, it is interesting to note that the view held by the fathers of the Reformation and our American form of Christianity all, or most, believed the papacy was being identified in these prophetic passages. However, today it is no longer politically correct. Today, we have leaders who are falling all over themselves to embrace the Roman Catholic Church. It actually makes spiritual sense that when the Holy Spirit of God is grieved away, the vacuum will be filled with false doctrine and false prophets. We have Christian leaders today who are even trying to combine Christianity with Islam.
Preterist. Of course, the preterist believes that all this was accomplished by A.D. 70. Many Roman Emperors encouraged or demanded worship of themselves as gods. This is what this passage of scripture refers to as blasphemy. Under Nero, the Roman beast persecuted Christians for about 42 months.
The second beast is much less specific. The most accepted view is that the second beast is the ‘cult of the emperor’, which is the effort to force the worship of the first beast.
Caesar Nero adds up to 666, the mark of the beast.
Futurist. They also refer to Daniel 7. They believe the sea represents Gentile nations. They connect this beast to the Roman Empire and some to the religious antichrist. The 42 months are the second half of the Great Tribulation period. The antichrist or little horn blasphemes God Almighty during the tribulation period.
The second beast is a religious leader (an individual) or counterfeit messiah, who is the lesser of the two beasts. Some even see the papacy as being a real possibility. Some of them think the second beast, not the first, is the antichrist. Many of this camp identify all these terms (the man of sin, the little horn, the prince that shall come, the willful king and antichrist) with the first beast.
The mark of the beast to the futurist. Many envision a cashless society, where a card or chip, possibly worn on the hand or forehead, will be necessary for buying and selling. One person claims that the mark of the beast refers to the antichrist being Roman, because if you add up the six Roman numerals, they total 666. They attempted to identify the person, but found too many possibilities, so they abandoned that approach.
Refer to article Part 4 for more information about the cast of characters.
Let us now consider what ChatGPT reveals about how the early church fathers, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and evangelicalism today interpret these chapters.
Revelation Chapters 11–13 — Interpretations Compared- ChatGPT
Overview and Context
Chapters 11–13 transition from the seventh trumpet to the conflict between the woman, the dragon, and the beasts. Chapter 11 covers the measuring of the temple, the two witnesses, and the sounding of the seventh trumpet. Chapter 12 portrays the cosmic struggle—the woman clothed with the sun, the male child, and the dragon. Chapter 13 reveals two beasts—one from the sea and one from the earth—culminating in the mystery of the number 666. Interpretations differ among the early Church Fathers, Eastern Orthodox tradition, and modern Evangelical thought.
Revelation 11 — The Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet
• Early Church Fathers: Victorinus of Pettau (3rd c.) sees the two witnesses as Elijah and Enoch, prophets preserved to return and oppose the Antichrist. Partial: “The two prophets Enoch and Elijah… will preach and bear witness… and be killed by the beast ascending from the abyss.” (Comm. on the Apocalypse, on Rev 11). Oecumenius and Andrew of Caesarea allow a symbolic interpretation—Law and Prophets or the Church’s twofold witness. Their resurrection symbolizes the vindication of divine truth.
• Eastern Orthodox: Interprets the witnesses as typological figures representing the Church’s prophetic and martyrial witness throughout history. The seventh trumpet signifies the consummation of God’s kingdom and the singular Second Coming, not multiple eschatological stages. Liturgical echoes appear in hymns proclaiming, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ.”
• Evangelical Views: Futurists take the witnesses literally—often Elijah and Moses (miracles parallel to Exodus and Kings). Historicists view them as faithful teachers during the medieval period of apostasy. Idealists interpret them as the ongoing testimony of the Church through persecution.
Revelation 12 — The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon
• Early Church Fathers: Victorinus identifies the woman as the Church, the child as Christ, and the dragon as Satan. Andrew of Caesarea broadens the meaning: the woman represents both the Theotokos and the Church; the dragon symbolizes Satan and all demonic opposition. The male child’s ascension mirrors Christ’s victory and the Church’s protection.
• Eastern Orthodox: The woman typifies both Mary (Theotokos) and the Church. The child is Christ. The dragon is Satan, cast down by Michael’s hosts. Orthodox theology sees this as a vision of the Church’s perseverance amid persecution and a pattern of the Incarnation’s cosmic significance. Feasts of the Theotokos and the Archangels draw hymnographic imagery from this passage.
• Evangelical Views: Futurists view the woman as Israel, the male child as Christ, and the dragon as Satan. The wilderness flight signifies Israel’s preservation during the future tribulation. Idealists read it as a symbol of the Church’s conflict with demonic forces across the ages.
Revelation 13 — The Two Beasts and the Number 666
• Early Church Fathers: Victorinus identifies the beast from the sea with the Roman Empire and the beast from the earth with false prophets or heretical leaders. Partial: “The number of the beast is the number of a man, 666… he who has wisdom may reckon Nero.” (Comm. on the Apocalypse, on Rev 13). Irenaeus (Against Heresies V.30) suggests several names (Lateinos, Teitan) and cautions restraint. Andrew of Caesarea interprets the beasts as manifestations of satanic power recurring throughout history.
• Eastern Orthodox: Understands 666 as symbolic—the fullness of imperfection. The beasts represent recurring anti-Christian systems culminating in a final Antichrist. Orthodox teaching warns against speculative identification and stresses fidelity to Christ as the actual safeguard. (An excellent reminder to us all.)
• Evangelical Views: Futurists: the first beast = final world empire; the second = false prophet enforcing worship via economic control (mark of the beast). Historicists: successive corrupt powers (Roman Empire, papacy). Idealists: archetypes of tyranny and idolatry. Partial-Preterists: 666 refers to Nero Caesar via Hebrew gematria, reflecting first-century Roman persecution.
Comparative Summary
The Church Fathers viewed Revelation’s imagery as rooted in the Roman world, yet revealing timeless patterns of divine victory. Orthodox tradition emphasizes repentance, perseverance, and spiritual discernment over speculation. (I am much inclined toward their wisdom.) Evangelical futurists focus on chronological prophecy and tribulation events, while historicists and idealists derive moral and theological insights from the recurring conflict between truth and evil.
Endnotes (Selected)
1. Victorinus of Pettau, Commentary on the Apocalypse (ANF translation).
2. Andrew of Caesarea, Commentary on the Apocalypse (tr. Eugenia Scarvelis Constantinou, CUA Press, 2011).
3. Oecumenius, Commentary on the Apocalypse (6th c., CUA Press).
4. Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Book V, ch. 30.
5. Orthodox Study Bible and GOARCH catechetical materials on Revelation 11–13.
6. Evangelical sources: G. K. Beale, The Book of Revelation; John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ; Robert L. Thomas, Revelation Commentary.
In the following article, we will look at Chapters 14-16 of the Book of Revelation.
Appendix
Seventh-day Adventist Church’s
view of the second beast
What about the United States in the end times event? Is our country spoken of in the Bible? If not, how is it that one of the greatest nations to ever exist is not mentioned in a prophetic book of God?
“And I beheld another beast (political entity) coming up out of the earth. And he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.” Rev. 13:11, SDA emphasis added. Who is this talking about?
Later, this second beast is identified as the false prophet, as seen in verse 18. Satan gives his power to these two beasts. The number of the second beast is 666.
Early reformers, John Wesley, in his notes on Revelation 13:11, written in 1754, says of the two-horned beast, “he is not yet come, though he cannot be far off; for he is to appear at the end of the forty-two months of the first beast.”
“The only political entity that is not part of the multitude of nations in Europe is the United States,” according to the SDA church. That doesn’t make much sense to me, as there are other world leaders on earth today, such as Russia, India, and China, that are not part of Europe either. While India and China definitely do not claim Christianity, Russia claims Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
Rise of the United States:
1776 is the Declaration of Independence
1783 Independence Acknowledged by England
1787 Constitution framed
1791 Bill of Rights added
1798 Recognition by France, the mightiest power in Europe, at the time
According to the SDA church, our constitution will need to be changed, and the lamb-like provisions in it, such as religious freedom, will need to be changed. And this is precisely what we are seeing today, a concerted effort to outlaw religious freedom. We have moved from a republic to a democracy. We hear this refrain, all the time, that we must save democracy. Our founders never envisioned a democracy because they considered it a poor form of government. In the near future, it is easy to see that our religious freedom could evaporate if the progressives and Democrats gain control of our government and our constitution. We are truly one election away from this happening.
The dragon blasphemed God and persecuted the saints, see Rev. 12:17. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring…” those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” How did the dragon speak?
“The state has not the right to leave every man free to embrace whatever religion he shall deem true,” according to the Roman Catholic Church. This has been a fundamental principle of our constitution, and the Catholic Church abhors and denies this right.
“The church has the right to require that the Catholic religion shall be the religion of the State, to the exclusion of all other religions,” another Catholic quote. Our Constitution was written to forbid a state religion expressly, but the beast wants the state to expressly declare that the Roman Catholic Church is the state’s religion. Furthermore, the state must enforce religious exercises and the keeping of her commandments.
“Cursed be those who assert liberty of conscience and of worship and such that maintain that the church may not employ force.” The syllabus of Pope Pius 1X, December 1864, is the source of these quotes.
“The Roman Catholic Church must demand the right to freedom for herself alone.” La Civilla Catholica, p. 82-86 (official Jesuit Publication)”
“The Roman Catholic Church is to wield its vote for the purpose of securing Catholic ascendancy in this country.” Catholic World, July 1870.” Dragon language again.
“And it exercises all the authority of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and those dwelling in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” Rev 13:12. How does one do that? What laws must be put in place? To accomplish this, rules that govern the conscience must be written and complied with. Those who obey those new laws are worshipping the first beast, according to the SDA church.
“And it does great wonders, so that it makes fire come down from heaven onto the earth in the sight of men. And it deceives those dwelling on the earth, because of the miracles which were given to it to do before the beast, saying to those dwelling on the earth that they should make an image to the beast who had the wound by a sword and lived”, Rev. 13:13-14.
Literal fire or spiritual fire? The SDA church believes that the fire is not to be taken literally. It is the fire of deception that will be used. Books have been written today about ‘Strange Fire’ from the United States Christian Churches. Many churches are involved in signs and wonders to the extent that the truth of the Word of God is not being followed. The strange fire, maybe a significant part of charismatic and Pentecostal churches across America, leading many into deception, is the warning from the SDA church.
An image looks like the original. The first beast was a religious power using the state to enforce its doctrines. The second beast will enact state laws and implement religious laws simultaneously.
“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” Rev. 13:15. The US presently does not have the power to say this to other countries. Does any government or any other authority have this power?
The SDA church believes the USA may indeed be the second beast. For instance, not long ago, President Ronald Regan was the first to recognize the Vatican state. The end of Communism was a ruse, and who got the credit? The Pope did. Isn’t it interesting that both the Pope and Regan were shot? President Bill Clinton also reached out to the Pope. Clinton praised him for the fall of the Soviet Union, explicitly referring to Pope John Paul II. The Roman Catholic Church claims to be the mother of all churches.
The Roman Catholic Church must have the whole world. It must have political and religious authority. The pope, John Paul II, said, “For unity, all churches must accept papal authority.” The second beast will now use religion to unite the world under a single authority, merging it with the state. The USA will facilitate that.
In recent times, there have been those who have attempted to unite Christianity with Islam. The pope believes that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Combined, the Roman Church and Islam claim adherents of over 3 billion people. That is approximately 50% of the world’s population.
Is the United States going to become a persecuting power just like Rome was and is? Acts 2 talks about the fire that came down from heaven, like tongues of fire, at Pentecost. This new power again unites the religious and the political systems and can force compliance.
“The image of the beast represents that form of apostate Protestantism, which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas.” The Great Controversy, p. 445.
If you do not take the mark of the first beast, you can’t buy or sell. Is it a chip? Or tattoo? The SDA church believes that we are talking about religious doctrine and the truth. The mark means the one whom we will obey. Rev. 13:18
The number 666 is associated with a man. On the Pope’s miter hat, it is written, “Vicarius Filii Dei”. That is Latin with a numerical value of 666. In Greek, the title of “the Latin kingdom,” which the pope uses, also adds up to 666. In Greek, the title of the Italian Church is Italika Ekklesia, which also adds up to 666. In Greek, this title, “Latin speaking man,” another title of the Pope, is Laterinos, which also adds up to 666. Pontifex Maximus also adds up to 666. The system and the man both have the number 666, according to the SDA church.
What is the seal or mark of the beast? Not surprisingly, the SDA Church says it is the sabbath. God’s seal represents his name, his title, and his territory. They say that the sabbath gives life to the entire law of God. They support their position by referencing the Book of Daniel.
Daniel 7 states that the little horn will alter times and laws. How does the pope do that? The following quote will shock you: “The pope has power to change times, to abrogate laws, and to dispense with all things, even the precepts of Christ.” Decretal De Translat. Espiscop, Cap.
If Jesus does not change, why is it that the papacy has the right to change the law of God? Jesus Himself said that He came not to abolish the law but to fulfill the law of God.
What is the mark of the beast? Ask the beast, the Roman Catholic Church, “Of course, the Catholic Church claims that the change (Sunday worship) was her act…And the act is a ‘Mark’ of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters.” Letter Oct. 28, 1895, from C. F. Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons.
“Sunday is our mark of authority….The church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.” Catholic Record, September 1, 1923. Many nations once closed their businesses on Sundays, but few do so today. For the pope to claim that the Roman Catholic Church is above the Bible is to proclaim that they are above Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God. What blasphemy!
“I want to hear some American stand up and shout: Give us justice, give us decency. And to hell with the Constitution (of the United States of America).” The Catholic News, July 25, 1963.
Our constitution deliberately prevents the state from establishing a religion and from prohibiting the free exercise of religion. The founding fathers never expected to keep religion out of the state, but to keep the state out of religion. The Roman Catholic Church hates that idea, for they believe that their Church is above the State or Nation and its President or supreme leader. How many times did Lucifer state, “I will”? He, Lucifer, is the father of the Roman Catholic Church, which exalts itself above the Bible, the State, the Nation, and God Himself.
At one time, the state mandated that businesses close on Sunday as a day of rest and forced everyone to obey its laws. That was overturned as a violation of the separation between church and state. SDA church believes that eventually, the church and state will come together and force compliance. The pope requests laws regarding Sunday observance. President Bush said the best way to honor the Pope is by observing Sunday. Is this dragon speech or not?
Our government is currently restricting free speech and what can be said. “The unrestrained freedom of thinking and of openly making known one’s thoughts is not inherent in the rights of citizens and is by no means to be reckoned worthy of favor and support.” Pope Gregory XVI.” The dragon despises free speech, and so does the Roman Catholic Church.
“If Catholics ever gain a sufficient numerical majority in this country, religious freedom is at an end.” Bishop of St. Louis, November 23, 1851.
“On the venerable day of the Sun, let the Magistrates and people residing in the cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.” Edit of Constantine AD 321.
“Christians shall not Judaize (keep Sabbath) and be idle on Saturday (Sabbath original) but shall work on that day; but the Lord’s day, they shall especially honor.” Council of Laodicea, Canon 29. The Roman Catholic Church, at one time, actually forbade sabbath keeping (the SDA church claims this is just like Pharaoh did in the days of Moses. AD 1163 Synod of Tbolouse issued a decree against sabbath keeping. King Ildenfonsus of Arragon banished Waldensers in 1194 as a consequence. They were killed. All this according to the SDA Church.
My brief comments follow. This history may be entirely accurate, but it doesn’t make the Sabbath a requirement for today. The Roman Catholic Church, in its pride, may have thought it was setting aside the sabbath day for Sunday. But that assumes God had not already done so in the New Covenant, which He did. That is the sin of the Roman Church in believing it had the power to set aside God’s law. I think that the Sabbath was given to the nation of Israel, not the Church. The Sabbath requirement of the 10 commandments ceased when God divorced Israel and banished them to all the nations. When Jesus died, the New Covenant began. See my article on the Sabbath for more information.
This is what the first beast did. What about the second beast? The second beast is going to do the same thing, according to the SDA church. Those who kept the sabbath by this decree were punished by not being able to buy and sell. All those who did not comply were to be punished, excommunicated, and lose everything they owned. To unite all the religious expressions, signs, and wonders will convince them to join. And all kinds of music, pop, rock, heavy metal, all types and kinds, which produce religious fervor.
Daniel 3:15 says, “that when you hear the sound of all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good, but if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace.”
From Christ to 1517 (the date of the start of the Reformation), the Roman Catholic Church controlled nearly all Christian ministry. Then the Protestants took center stage, but the question posed by the SDA church is whether they really represent God.
