The Apocalypse Chapter 13 - Ground Zero

Chapter 13 of the Apocalypse of St. John, also commonly known as the Book of Revelations, is one of the most powerful, awe-inspiring passages in the Bible. The reader of it instinctively knows that it is critical to understanding major events surrounding the End Times. The predictions in it are unique and specific, especially the prophecy of that most enigmatic and morbid of numbers: six hundred sixty-six.

The events of Chapter 13 of the Apocalypse precede the final battle between Jesus Christ and the armies of the Antichrist. It is the time that all good people have been waiting for: the coming of a kingdom, a government, that will rule with peace and justice, truly this time, for ALL. No more want, no violence, no crime, no more locking your doors at night and sleeping with a Ruger in the nightstand drawer.

Yet, Chapter 13 shows us that the world that we desire cannot be born without birth pangs. Scripture makes an analogy about the Last Days by comparing wheat (the believer) to chaff (the lost). They must both pass through the threshing floor (cf. Jeremiah 23:28, Matthew 3:12, Luke 3:17). One might also make a similar analogy of the Last Days to childbirth: each one of us is either the baby (the believer) that is born into life or the afterbirth (the lost) that gets discarded (cf. 1Thessalonians 5:3, Isaiah 26:17).

I was challenged by some here on BIN to reveal what or who the Beast of Chapter 13 is, as well as what his mark, number, and image mentioned there really are. Therefore, I have decided to make Chapter 13 Ground Zero; the point at which I will start this conversation about Biblical End-Time Prophecy. It is my hope that I can help the reader more fully understand these prophecies by dispelling some commonly-held misconceptions concerning them. I think you will find my analysis more common-sense and logical than most of the fantastic theories that surround this subject.

We all know that Jesus spoke by the Spirit given to him, yet many did not believe the things he said. So, while I do believe that what I present here was shown to me by the Spirit of God, you will have to decide for yourself if what I write is true.

Let’s get started…

13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

This is the same beast that is shown John in Revelations 17 where an angel of the Lord tells John the meaning of this vision. He is told that the seven heads are “seven kings” and the ten horns are “ten kings”. It must be understood that in the Bible the word “king” is often used synonymously for “kingdom”. For instance when we read in Acts 4:26 “The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ”, it is understood that whole kingdoms, with their peoples and armies, are what is meant, not just the guys wearing the crowns.

So it is in this passage and in Chapter 17, the seven heads of this beast, these “kings”, are really whole kingdoms or, in modern terms, nations. Don’t let the use of the term “him” confuse you into thinking a man is being spoken of. The Beast is referred to as “him” in the same way you would refer to your dog as “him”, as in “Give him his chew toy.”

The ten horns are also called “kings”. This time however, John clarifies that these “kings” really are individual people since the horns are wearing “crowns”. Chapter 17 verifies this when the angel tells John that these kings “have received no kingdom as yet”.

Therefore, we can reasonably conclude that the Beast itself is a certain kind of system by which seven different kingdoms or governments in history operated. That system is designed by Satan, the “name of blasphemy” on the heads of the Beast. Its primary goal is to enslave people and persecute the followers of God and His Christ. Think ancient Babylon, the Chaldeans, the Assyrians, the Seleucids, and yes, the Roman Empire.

13:2  And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Leopards are spotted, spots being symbolic of sin. Bear’s feet, full of claws made for killing and destroying, is symbolic of a powerful military. The mouth of a lion, that roars and strikes fear, symbolic of the voice of leaders who often shout their speeches from the podium. The dragon, Satan, as mentioned above, is the inspiration and power behind this Beast.

13:3  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Most people are expecting some world leader to get shot in the head and then miraculously survive, but as I’ve shown, the head on the Beast is a kingdom or government, not a man. Therefore, this verse speaks of a previous Beast kingdom or empire that was thought to be gone, but will be revived in the Last Days. That kingdom will be the Roman Empire, which was destroyed (“wounded to death”), and as we will see, revived by Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich.

The policies, strategies, and practices of the Third Reich were based on those of Ancient Rome. Both were empires built upon the foundation of conquest. Both persecuted Jews and Christians. You can even see the similarity in their symbols. Both the Romans and the Nazis bore the emblem of a two-headed eagle sitting atop a shield.

13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?

It is important to understand what the word “worship” means. It is derived from the term “worth-ship” which means being worthy, in this case, of service. Worship is not singing hymns at church or kneeling before the altar. That is called praise. To worship something or someone is to devote your time and service to it or them because they are worthy of it.

In Chapter 17 the Roman Beast is called “the beast that was and is not, and yet is”. In other words, the Roman Empire existed in the past (“was”), but fell out of existence (“and is not”) and yet still exists in modern times under a different name (“and yet is”).

Therefore the verse above indicates that the leaders of the world were serving the agenda of Satan, the dragon, by bowing to the demands of Nazi Germany. It is well documented that nearly every European leader signed treaties and agreements with Adolf Hitler in order to appease his appetite for power and stave off his threats of military action. Under Hitler, Germany rose to awesome power, no other country was like her. Moreover, the German Army was the fear of Europe and no one wanted to go to war with it.

13:5  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

This Beast is given a “mouth”, a leader and orator. Recall the powerful speeches Hitler gave and how he railed against the people of God. He spoke “great things” as he promised the people of Germany power, prosperity, and domination.

Interestingly, from the time the Nazis invaded Poland in September of 1939, starting World War II, to the Battle of Kursk, which most historians agree was the turning point in the war when the Germans and their Axis allies began to lose in February of 1943, was exactly 3 ½ years, or 42 months.

13:6  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

As mentioned above, Hitler was an atheist who hated the Jews and their God and often gave powerful speeches against them.

13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

As history shows, the Third Reich murdered 6 million Jews, as well as an additional 5 to 7 million people, most of whom were Christians. At the height of WWII, the Nazis occupied nearly all of Europe, North Africa, and much of western Asia and the Middle East. Additionally, their Axis allies warred with China, the Pacific Island’s nations, and the United States while the rest of the countries of the world trembled. Truly, the Third Reich Beast did, for a short time, have power over the whole world.

Yet, while the Third Reich is now gone, the attempt to revive the Roman Empire was not abandoned. After WWII, the western nations took charge. They themselves were already steeped in Roman influence, designing their public buildings with Roman columns. Their courthouse entrances display reliefs or statues of the blindfolded Roman goddess, Justitia holding aloft her scales. They formed Roman style Senate bodies and Parliaments and based their laws on the Napoleonic Code, which itself was adopted from the Romans.

13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

The prophet here recognizes that the Roman Beast is not dead, but in fact will come to be worshipped by the entire world. “The West is the best” wrote the late singer Jim Morrison and so it seems to be today. The entire world dedicates their time and energy to achieving the “American Dream”. They work and devote themselves to acquiring money, property, all manner of material goods, and entertainment. The Western nations have sought to “Americanize” the world and they’ve done a pretty good job of it. People all over the world seek the goods and cultural offerings of America and Europe. We are the standard by which all other nations and people’s judge themselves. Truly, we are worshipped by them all.

13:9  If any man have an ear, let him hear.

13:10  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Here, St. John interjects with a warning to the people and their leaders: You will reap what you sow.

Most people believe that America and Europe are free countries. I only wish it were so. There is an easy way to illustrate why our people are not free.

First, a free man can own property that cannot be taken from him by any legalistic means. Do you think you own your own home? Is it paid off even? Try not paying the property taxes on it and you will see who really owns it.

Second, a free man can do whatever he wants with his own body without fear of reprisal or punishment. A free man can’t be imprisoned for smoking grass or be fined for drinking a 32 oz. soda in New York. We have been led into captivity and the prophet warns that those who have imposed their wills upon us will one day be captives themselves. He further notes that those who incite war and killing will likewise receive their just punishment.

13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

13:12  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

This confirms the rise of the present Roman Beast in the form of a coalition of mostly Christian nations. That is why this Beast has lamb’s horns, like the Lamb of God. Yet, though he seems to be Christian, his policies and practices are still born of the first Beast, the Roman Empire, thereby making the people de facto worshippers of him.

13:13  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Are you expecting some leader to raise his arms like Elijah and cause fire to rain down from heaven? I’m afraid the truth is not so dramatic. To understand what this verse really means, all you have to do is turn on the news. There you will see video footage from the wars being waged in other lands and the sight of bombs, napalm, and tracer bullets being fired from warplanes and helicopters in the sky. What does the pilot say when he gets his target in sight? “Fire!”

13:14  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

There can be no doubt that modern warfare, with its aircraft and advanced technology, is miraculous compared to what existed in John’s day. Notice that the Beast does these things “in the sight of the beast”. In other words, all the countries that comprise the Beast can see his power though they themselves may not be involved in the actual conflict. The people see his “miracles”; the advanced technology, electronics, spacecraft, and other marvels produced by the Beast nations and they are deceived and seduced by them. In fact, one of the Beast’s most amazing marvels of the modern age is mentioned in this and the following verse:

13:15  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.

Many have foolishly imagined some giant statue being erected at some point and watching it be brought to life by magic. Again, the truth is much more sensible and logical. The image mentioned in this and the previous verse is none other than your own television.

The television is the most powerful marvel ever invented. For the first time in history, images of people aren’t just painted on canvas or carved out of marble that can’t move or speak. The television projects images that can move (“have life”) and emit sound (“both (also) speak”). Often, in the upper corner of the TV screen is a little box with the word “LIVE” when live television is being broadcast. Many producers of HDTV’s boast of the “life-like” picture of their product.

The Beast controls the TV and everything you see on it. It projects its image to the world and seduces the masses with its programming. Most people worship the TV and the things they desire most are the things they see on it. They strive and slave to “Keep up with the Kardashians” and never miss an episode of “American Idol”, the latter of which is exactly what the television truly is: an idol that is worshipped by almost everyone.

And how does the West respond to those countries that reject its idol and the immorality and violence, as well as the political policies and actions of the Beast that are broadcast through its programming? Just ask any country in the Middle East.

13:16  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Many years ago, most believed this mark would be a tattoo of the number 666 on your forehead. Absurd! Later, they surmised that the tattoo might actually be a bar code. Closer to the truth, but still preposterous. Nowadays, most think it will be an implanted microchip. While that seems plausible, it still is unlikely.

Understand that the word translated as “mark” here is the Greek ‘charagma’, which means, according to Strong’s Concordance, “a scratch or etching, that is, stamp (as a badge of servitude), or sculptured figure (statue): – graven, mark”. Not a tattoo. Not a microchip. It’s simply paper money. Paper money is made from etched plates that are stamped on paper. Paper money is an invention of the modern age and was never before used throughout history until now.

For most people, they are slaves, in servitude to money. It’s all they ever think about. And where to you do your thinking? Right inside your forehead in your frontal lobes.

Now, go to the store and watch people check out at the register. Almost without exception, they use their right hand to pay the cashier. Yes, the mark is in their right hand nearly every time.

The subject of a great many TV programs are about money. Just look at ALL the shows, commercials, and infomercials that are about money. I can name a dozen or more without even thinking hard. “Mad Money”, “Chase what matters.”, “How to build wealth from home!”, the list goes on and on.

Fun fact: Before Germany adopted the Euro, what was their currency called?

The mark.

13:17  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

This and the following verse are the most grossly misunderstood prophecies in the entire Bible. Most people are convinced that, in the future, everyone will be forced to be tattooed or micro-chipped with a special mark, name, and the number 666 or they will be denied the ability to do business. Again, the truth is much simpler.

Just as the government of the U.S. has three branches, so too with the Beast. The three branches of the Beast system are:

Financial – the global banking cartel, credit card companies, and other financial institutions that issue you an account number

Corporate – the multi-national corporations and conglomerates that must have an EID number in order to do business

Governmental – the governments of the nations that issue their citizens ID numbers. YOUR number, or as the verse would more correctly read, “… the number of his own name”.

And without these numbers, just as the prophecy in this verse states, you cannot buy or sell.

So, in order to do business, you must have money (the mark), a loan contract, such as your mortgage, with the name of the Beast institution on it, or a credit card that has the number that represents YOU to the credit card company. And what is that number?

13:18  Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

 First, if I should say, “A man’s home is his castle.”, to which man am I referring? Of course the answer is all men. The same sense is true in this verse. When it says, “… the number of a man”, it means ALL men.

Understand also that this is the first time in history that business transactions are all performed and recorded by computers, another of the Beast’s many miraculous marvels. Computers, as many of you know, use what is known as the hexadecimal number system: a sixteen-digit-based code that uses the numerals 0 – 9, as well as the letters A through F. The base number that all computers run on is the hexadecimal number #FFF, F being the sixth letter of the alphabet; it is therefore equivalent to the number 666.

And every number that represents you is a computer number. How any thinking person could write this fact off as a coincidence is beyond me.

Interestingly, the Greeks also used Greek letters to represent numbers, just as FFF represents 666. The Greek letters John used that calculate to 666 are chi (600), xi (60), and an obsolete letter, stigma (6). According to Strong’s Concordance, the letter ‘stigma’ was the base of a word that means “(to “stick”, that is, prick); a mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), that is, (figuratively) scar of service: – mark.” In other words, it represents a mark that was placed on slaves to show who owned them! Not only that, but the letter stigma is shaped like a cross! What are the odds?! How much more of a clear warning can Jesus give us?

When was the last time you went to the store and were not rung up on a computer? That’s right, these days you can’t buy or sell without it.

Additionally, many of you know that the U.S. dollar is the world’s reserve currency. This means that, in order for a country to do business on the global market, it must first convert its own currency into American dollars. Again, without the mark “no man (or even country)might buy or sell”, even globally.

Now, you may be thinking that this can’t be true since everyone uses money, most have credit cards, and a great many have loans of one kind or another, therefore we would all be damned. Remember though that Satan is no dummy. He knows he can’t just suddenly foist a completely new system on the world through some mandatory micro-chipping or tattooing. No, he’s gotten you used to what he wants to do already through the global monetary system that we’ve been using for decades.

Most economic experts agree that a global economic collapse is imminent; not a matter of if it will happen, but when. Even now, the news is full of rumblings of fear the U.S. will go off the “fiscal cliff”. Everyone understands that if that happens, the whole world’s economies will go off with it. That’s when Satan will spring his trap.

When the collapse happens, the plan for recovery will demand that everyone accept a global currency, a new mark, with the promise that it will be the solution to the problem. To further seduce you into accepting this deal, much debt, especially tax debt, will be forgiven. You’ll be offered a new start with a clean slate.

This is the mark that must not be accepted if you value your own soul. This is the mark that will damn you to Hell because you will have to deny and abandon your faith in God and His Savior and because, if you do accept it against the will of God, He will abandon you. You will have made your choice. You will have rejected him for promises of getting the cable TV turned back on and gas back in the gas tank; for promises of a brave new world full of new prosperity and opportunity. Oh yes, expect the hard-sell, it’s coming. I pray you will make the right choice.

In closing, I pray that my work here has enlightened you for the better. In the comments section, I would only ask that replies, agreeing or disagreeing, will be thoughtful and written without vulgarity or insult out of our respect for each other and our reverence for the Spirit who loves us so much, He told us what will happen in the future so that we might be prepared when it comes.

May our Lord God bless and keep you all.