My Thoughts on Revelation 13's Symbolisms
I remembered the frightening thought I had reading Revelation 13 when I wasn't saved. I was wondering would there be such a person who would have seven heads and ten horns or a beast literally out of the earth with two horns? It had me thinking that while Satan is portrayed to be a seven-headed dragon and the Antichrist is portrayed to be a seven-headed beast so why does the False Prophet have only one head? The symbolism can be very confusing. In Scripture, a head can refer to a king, and Revelation 17 has the scarlet beast represented by seven kings - five have fallen, one is still in power, and one is yet to come. The seven heads model was used to interpret the final Pope which some assumed that after Benedict XVI resigns or dies - the next Pope would be the False Prophet. I remembered how I expected the Rapture to hit. Others try to erroneously interpret Revelation with the heretic Malachy's "prophecies".
I. The Antichrist as the beast out of the sea
The word "Antichrist" does not appear in Revelation. However, John used the word Antichrist in 1 John 2:18. John used the word Antichrist (antichristos) to describe the coming Antichrist and the many antichrists in his day. Why John didn't use the word antichristos or Antichrist in Revelation is something I can't really explain. My speculation was that the Beast was to refer to the true nature of the Antichrist.
Now, try to notice that Satan is symbolically pictured to have seven heads. It doesn't mean Satan is seven-headed like a Hindu god or Buddhist god. In Hinduism and Buddhism, many of their gods are portrayed to have many heads to portray their power. I remembered a Hindu and a Buddhist once told me that it's a symbol of the power of their gods. The serpent Sheeshnag in Hinduism also has seven heads. The Antichrist is also portrayed (symbolically) to have seven heads too. Others think the seven heads represent even world empires - Egypt, Phoenicia, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Speaking of which, the interpretation of Daniel also includes Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome as the four beasts of Daniel 7.
The Antichrist's symbolism is a composite of the four beasts of Daniel 7. Greece was unique to have been symbolized as a leopard with four heads. The leopard was a sacred symbol of Greece. Rome is portrayed as the dreadful iron beast with ten horns and among the horns is the Antichrist. The Romans had that much power. Today, we have the European Union which acts like it knows the whole world in the palm of its hands. Babylon is a winged lion. The winged lion is the symbol of Babylon. Persia is a bear devouring much flesh. The Persian armies moved like a bear. Older symbols of the Persian Empire had the symbol of the bear. Sir John Chardin wrote in "Travels in Persia" that the standard of the Persians was emblazoned with the bear. Did the vision Daniel get actually have those symbols which were easily identified with the nations of that time? Otherwise, the interpretation of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome would just be randomly assigning them to four mysterious creatures and they could mean just anything. Sum them up together and you get a seven-headed beast with the body of a leopard, feet of a bear, mouth of a lion, and ten horns!
I think the seven heads of both Satan and the Antichrist are a counterfeit of seven. Seven represents completion while six is the number of men. 666 was said to be the codename of Emperor Nero though he had already died when Revelation was written. It could also mean seven years of the Tribulation divided into the first half and the Great Tribulation. McGee considers the seven heads to be a completion of cunning. However, even with seven heads - the number of the Antichrist is still 666. Now, there are some people whose numerical value is 666. The name Martin Luther and Adolf Hitler also added to 666. The phrase "Cute Purple Dinosaur" also equals 666. The name Vicarius Filii Dei is also 666. Why some theologians considered the Pope to be the Antichrist is because the name Vicarius Filii Dei (Vicar of Christ) is both blasphemous and adds up to 666.
How does the blasphemy come in? You can consider the Antichrist is guilty of two types of blasphemy. First, he is guilty of making himself equal with God (which he can't) 2 Thessalonians 2:1-7 says that he will be in God's Temple declaring himself as God. The second one is where he slanders and takes the name of the Lord in vain. I think the Antichrist will appear pretending to be Jesus Christ (hence, I think the vision of the Divine Mercy "Jesus" is preparing the world for the Antichrist) and will slander God directly sooner or later during the Great Tribulation period.
Who worships the Beast? Revelation 13:8 says that those who worship the Antichrist are those whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life. That's why I think John F. MacArthur's interpretation of the mark of the Beast can be faulty. MacArthur as a Calvinist might consider that those whose names are not written in the Lamb's Book of Life are non-elect. The non-elect will worship the Antichrist. They will accept the mark. Notice that they had all the chances to repent but they repented not. They could've repented but they chose to follow the Beast. A bit of that study would suggest that God is willing to forgive anyone who received the mark yet the Book of Revelation warns that these same people are destined to repent not of their sins. They will continue to curse God. Those marked have already decided not to repent.
II. The False Prophet as the beast of the earth
I was thinking that while some believe the Pope as the Antichrist - I think otherwise. Others have believed that the Antichrist will appear as the Mahadi to the Muslims, as Maitreya to Hindus and Buddhists, and that he will appear like this and that to other religions. I don't think the Pope is fulfilling that role. The name "Vicar of Christ" means in the place of Christ. A vicar also means a representative. The only real Vicar of Christ is the Holy Spirit - not the Pope. The False Prophet misleads while the Holy Spirit leads to the truth.
I was thinking of why I think the Pope could be the False Prophet instead of the Antichrist. The Antichrist is a political figure. The False Prophet is a religious figure. Also, the prophecy of St. Malachy writes of the final Pope (Peter the Roman) as, "In extreme persecution, the seat of the Holy Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the Roman, who will feed the sheep through many tribulations, at the term of which the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the formidable Judge will judge the people. The End'." I think the formidable Judge here is the Antichrist. While I wouldn't recommend interpreting Revelation with the Malachy "Prophecies" but it seems to be rather interesting that a satanic prophecy might be shooting itself at the foot. Peter the Roman will be feeding the flock but I think he will be misleading them to worship the formidable judge who is none other than the Antichrist.
We must consider the imagery of the False Prophet. The False Prophet is like unto a lamb but he spoke like a dragon. Jesus called the false prophets as wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15). I think that's why the False Prophet is represented like a lamb but spoke like a dragon. The False Prophet also has two horns. What's interesting to know is that the Pope's miter is nothing like the miter of the high priest of the Old Testament. Rather, it resembles the miter of Dagon and it forms two horns. The former pope Benedict XVI once had an optical illusion where he seemed to have horns. Pope Francis' shadow later created an illusion where the person seemingly had horns. Coincidence? Maybe yes, maybe no. But it could be a sign that the final Pope will be the False Prophet who will mislead people to worship the Antichrist.
The False Prophet will do miracles which are more of signs and lying wonders. God's miracles are authentic. Satan's ability to do miracles is very limited. However, Satan will be given full authority (and it'll be the last one God will allow him to have) during the Tribulation Period. Remember, it was Satan who directed all the misfortune at Job with God's permission. I was thinking about this fire from Heaven. Could it be that he will have some assistance with science or will he cast a powerful illusion? Perhaps, God will really allow the False Prophet to let fire come down from the skies but only at a limited scale. Though it's possible to make it look like it came from the sky and real fire appears. I don't want to stick around and find out. I'm looking forward to leaving not to the appearance of the Antichrist! What's important is that the False Prophet plays with fire and he will soon be in the Lake of Fire with the Antichrist - both will be cast alive into it as a preview of those who die in their sins.
What's interesting to know is that the False Prophet commands people to make an image of the Beast. An interesting tidbit has it that Faustina Kowalska a nun and Catholic mystic allegedly had a vision of Jesus. It's said that the image of the "Divine Mercy Jesus" is to be set to make him known. Jesus Christ? More like the image of the Antichrist who is yet to come. What's interesting is that some images of Maitreya Buddha or Maitreya in Hinduism resemble Faustina's "Jesus". A lot of satanic wonders about idols happen today. I don't think that they were weeping real blood or real water. Some miracles were debunked such as when the image of Mary was placed with salt. Another incident had a clogged-up toilet creating a "miracle". While demons can't raise the dead or give you another leg - they can still produce illusions to deceive! I think Satan will be given extra power to do miracles. I don't know if God will allow Satan to resurrect the Antichrist but I think it might happen. Remember God allowed Satan to harm Job in such a way so it's possible that the Antichrist will resurrect for real but with God's permission.
It's no surprise that the Pope has been endorsing the image of Faustina to the world. Is it really a preview of the False Prophet pointing the people to the Antichrist. Not to mention, the Pope is working double time for ecumenism. The late John Paul II labored for 25 years with ecumenism. Mother Theresa taught salvation by works regardless of what religion you're in. Benedict XVI had dialogues with other religions. The incumbent Pope Francis is doing all he could to bring religions together. Not to mention, Pope Francis looks very gentle while speaking with great authority. We're getting another preview of the upcoming False Prophet. In the future, the False Prophet will lead the people to accept the mark of the Beast.
It's no surprise that the Pope has been endorsing the image of Faustina to the world. Is it really a preview of the False Prophet pointing the people to the Antichrist. Not to mention, the Pope is working double time for ecumenism. The late John Paul II labored for 25 years with ecumenism. Mother Theresa taught salvation by works regardless of what religion you're in. Benedict XVI had dialogues with other religions. The incumbent Pope Francis is doing all he could to bring religions together. Not to mention, Pope Francis looks very gentle while speaking with great authority. We're getting another preview of the upcoming False Prophet. In the future, the False Prophet will lead the people to accept the mark of the Beast.
III. The mark of the Beast
Right now, it's very easy to speculate on what it will be. Cashless society? Certainly, it will give way to the mark. Biochips? Well, they're already improving at a rapid pace and people may soon want them because of their convenience at the cost of personal liberty. Coronavirus vaccine? I don't know where people get that idea. Some people even feared life-saving vaccines because of that speculation. I remembered how the Makro grocery was once said to be satanic because of membership shopping. My pastor asked that is Makro tied with the church of Satan? Is Makro requiring you to worship the Beast before you can go shopping? That would be very good questions to ask those who feared membership shopping in certain establishments. I believe that they had a good reason to implement membership shopping. I think the reason has to be because they are wholesalers. It's not about accepting a satanic system though I believe it will certainly give way sooner or later. Christians can have all the membership shopping and barcodes stamped into their merchandise all they want. The barcode contains three sixes but it doesn't read as 666. WWW also is 666 but it's not yet the final program. People can have all the membership shopping all they want except the mark of the Beast. McGee also says that these things today such as membership shopping or biochips are not yet the fulfillment of the prophecy but it sure shows that it will soon happen.
What is the emphasis of the Mark of the Beast? It's not just 666 but also the number of the Antichrist. The historicist view has it that it's about the followers of the Pope. Others have identified the Mark of the Beast with Ash Wednesday. Matthew Henry's commentary on Revelation explains that Roman Catholic theocracies outlawed non-Roman Catholics. In the past, not getting your ash mark on Ash Wednesday means you can't buy and sell or were outlawed. You can't buy and sell without the mark because you're considered an outlaw. One emphasis on the Mark of the Beast is not just buying and selling. You can have a biochip today without having to worship the Antichrist. Later on, you will have to first worship the Antichrist before you can even get marked. Technology itself isn't evil but rather the misuse of it. God gave us the gift of science to improve our lives after the fall. Unfortunately, some people are using science for their own selfish gain. The same science used to save lives and build cities has been used by wicked men to destroy lives and cities.
The real purpose of the mark is not primarily to buy and sell. True, nobody can buy and sell without the mark because illegal citizens are considered criminals. Should we allow illegal citizens to buy and sell in this day and age? Not one bit and the Antichrist will simply use that rule to his advantage. The real purpose of the mark as mentioned eight times in Revelation is the worship of the Antichrist. That means no Christian will ever get the mark and MacArthur is right about that. The real problem of those who receive the mark is that they refuse to repent. They worship the Antichrist, they receive his mark, and they worship his image. You can't separate the mark of the Antichrist from the worship of the said person.
IV. Conclusion
At this point, studying Revelation is indeed important. However, a bit of a warning. Sometimes, it's possible to be more interested in Antichrist than Christ. That was a concern McGee made in his commentary. True, I did remember getting into the error of wanting to learn more about the Antichrist than about Christ. While knowing the spiritual enemy is important but don't you want to know Jesus more than Satan? There was a time I actually got obsessed with Satan that I lost track of reading God's Word. I lost track of witnessing and witnessed rather wrongly. The Antichrist and the False Prophet revealed until the Rapture so why should Christians bother to find out who the two will be?