Russell & Colin Standish - The Antichrist Is Here
Russell & Colin Standish - The Antichrist Is Here
Russell & Colin Standish - The Antichrist Is Here
0-923309-82-6
$6.95
ANTICHRIST IS
HERE
Russell R. Standish
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Colin D. Standish
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A Division of I ldrtland Institute
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Copyright by Hartland Publications
ISBN 0-923309-22-5
Dedication
In the midst of this world of hypocrisy, there are still a
few souls who tread the dusty pathway of life with an eye
single to the glory of God. Integrity still keeps these
trustworthy individuals faithful to God's direction in their
lives. We want to honor such men and women.
This book is affectionately dedicated to Pastor Frank
Basham-pastor, evangelist, and, above all, a true friend of
both God and man. In spite of the considerable physical
problems of Poliomyelitis as a young child, this man fol-
lowed the calling of the Lord, and trained for the gospel
ministry. He gave a lifetime of faithful service, and was
gifted with the ever-present vision of the completion of the
gospel mission and the return of his blessed Lord. He
sought to encourage others with the blessed hope of the
Second Coming that he cherished.
Colin is honored to be married to the niece of this min-
ister. He officiated at their wedding in 1963.
4 Antichrist Is Here
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments ..................................................................... 3
Dedication .................................................................................. .5
Chapter 1.................................................................................. 11
Worldwide Unity Movements
Chapter 2.................................................................................. 23
Who Is the Antichrist?
Chapter 3.................................................................................. 35
Roman Catholicism and the Antichrist
Chapter 4.................................................................................. 45
Early Concepts of the Antichrist
Chapter 5..................................................................................53
The Medieval Reign of the Papacy
Chapter 6.................................................................................. 69
Original Sin
Chapter 7.................................................................................. 77
The Papal Record
Chapter 8..................................................................................85
The Deadly Wound Is Healed
Chapter 9..................................................................................95
All That Dwell Upon the Earth Shall Worship Him
Chapter 10.............................................................................. 105
Globalism and One World Government
Chapter 11 ........................................................................... 115
European Political Unity
Chapter 12 .............................................................................. 123
Blasphemous Claims
Chapter 13 .............................................................................. 133
False Principles of Salvation
Chapter 14 .............................................................................. 145
The Deadly Wound Re-examined
Chapter 15 .............................................................................. 159
Seven-Headed Monsters
Chapter 16 .............................................................................. 167
The Mystery of the Seven Heads
Chapter 17 .............................................................................. 177
TheTen Homs
Chapter 18 .............................................................................. 189
The Final Fate of the Antichrist
Chapter 19 .............................................................................. 197
Future Expectations
Chapter 20 .............................................................................. 207
The Mark of the Beast and the Seal of God
Chapter 21 ............................................................................. 219
A Moment to Decide
Chapter 22 .............................................................................. 231
Come Out of Her, My People
- - - --------------------
Antichrist Is Here
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
10 Antichrist Is Here
Worldwide Unity
Movements
and grant the right of free exit and entry of its citizens. The
mass public demonstrations of East Germany were fol-
lowed by similar demonstrations in Czechoslovakia. As in
East Germany, attempts were made to quell the demonstra-
tions, but the people would not be silenced. Eventually,
the nation's long-serving leader, Milos Jakes, was forced to
resign. Efforts to reform the system were hastily made, but
the populace considered these to be inadequate, as
evidenced by the massive demonstrations in their demand
for free elections. Alexander Dubcek, the deposed
reformer of 1968, became the popular hero of 1989 and the
presiding officer of the legislature. The new president was
Vaclav Havel, also a longtime hero of reform.
Even more surprising were the changes in hard-core
communist Bulgaria. With much less fanfare, the elderly
Todor Zhivkov stepped down after 35 years of leadership.
There was clear evidence that, behind these rapid changes,
Mikhail Gorbachev was encouraging, even insisting, that
the reforms of Eastern Europe occur.
But the most tragic events in Romania happened after
Nicolae Ceausescu had ruled for 24 years. Ceausescu was
a pitiless dictator. In June 1989, when the Chinese had
brutally suppressed a student uprising in Tiananmen
Square in Beijing, Ceausescu apparently believed that a
similar response against a popular uprising against his rule
would succeed. This led to thousands of Romanians losing
their lives. The revolution could not be stopped, and
Ceausescu and his wife were executed on Christmas day,
1989, after a hasty trial.
18 Antichrist Is Here
unity which are built upon a truth that sanctifies the soul of
man.
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth
Gohn 17:17).
And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also
might be sanctified through the truth Gohn 17:19).
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work
of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed
to and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning crafti-
ness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking
the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things,
which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:11-15).
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the
truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the
brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure
heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible
seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which
liveth and abideth for ever (1Peter1:22, 23).
The unity movements that are fueled by peace initiatives,
such as the globalfest that was held in Moscow on January
1990, provide a climate whereby all dissenters are un-
timately considered enemies of peace and unity. This
creates the conditions that are necessary for the great
tribulation through which God's faithful people will en-
dure. No doubt, these religious and political leaders who
are orchestrating, under the guidance of Satan, these final
22 Antichrist Is Here
4. Philipp Melanchthon:
It is most manifest, and true without any doubt,
that the Roman pontiff, with his whole order and
kingdom, is very antichrist. . . . Likewise, in 2 Thes-
salonians 2, Paul clearly says the man of sin will rule
in the church by exalting himself above the worship of
God (LeRoy Froom. The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers,
vol. 2, pp. 296-299).
5. Sir Isaac Nwton:
But it !the papacy] was a kingdom of a different
kind from the other ten kingdoms (referred to in
Daniel 7:7, 8). . . . And such a seer, prophet, and
king is the Church of Rome [referring to the little horn
of Daniel 7] (Sir Isaac Newton. Obseroations on the
Prophecies, p. 75).
6. John Wesley:
Romish papacy, he is, in an emphatical sense, the
man of sin Oohn Wesley, Antichrist and His Ten
Kingdoms, p. 110).
7. Samuel Lee (a seventeenth-century Rhode Island min-
ister):
It is agreed among all mainlines of the English
Church that the Roman pontiff is the antichrist
(Samuel Lee. The Cutting Off of Antichrist, p. 1.)
The statement from the Westminster Confession of Faith
of the Church of England, which was later used by the
Presbyterians, is significant:
There is no other head of the church but the Lord
Jesus Christ, nor can the pope of Rome in any sense be
head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin and
son of perdition that exalteth himself in the church
against Christ and all that is called God (The
Westminster Confession of Faith, Section 6, chapter 25).
26 Antichrist Is Here
power; thus they did not suspect that they were identify-
ing the very church of which they were a part. It was evi-
dent that they expected this power to be another entity.
And it is certain that they did not consider the developing
papacy to be the antichrist. This fact permitted them much
greater objectivity and honesty in detailing the identifying
characteristics of the antichrist than later Roman Catholic
scholars.
Perhaps the most striking statement of those cited is that
of a pope himself, Gregory the Great (Gregory I). Gregory's
statement was made in reprimand to John, bishop of Con-
stantinople, who was perceived to be seeking recognition
as head of the whole Christian church. John had taken the
title of ecumenical patriarch. Gregory knew Constantinople
well because he had served as papal nuncio to Constan-
tinople from 579 to 584. At this time, there was bitter rival-
ry between Rome and Constantinople. Rome was the
dominant See of the West. And Constantinople had
dramatically risen to prominence following the city's
founding by Emperor Constantine in the fourth century.
Constantinople was, by the time of Gregory the Great, the
leading See of the East. This rivalry continued until the
eventual separation of the Eastern Orthodox churches from
the Roman Catholic Church in 1054. It is ironic to speculate
on the fact that Gregory had similar ambitions to those of
John, although his response was to call himself the seroant
of God's servants. No doubt, Gregory used his strong ad-
monition as an attempt to weaken the resolve of the bishop
of Constantinople.
This statement significantly attests to the fact that, at the
time of Gregory's reign as bishop of Rome (590-604), he
Early Concepts of the Antichrist 49
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and per-
secute you, and shall say all manner of evil against
you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding
glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so per-
secuted they the prophets which were before you
(Matthew 5:11, 12).
Christians were torched, beheaded, thrown to wild
animals, and suffered all sorts of cruel and brutal punish-
ments for their refusal to pay homage to pagan gods.
These refusals were often interpreted as treason against the
emperor. Some models of courage come down to us today.
Perhaps few examples are more moving than that of the
unwavering loyalty of Bishop Polycarp in the second cen-
tury. As a young man, Polycarp had known the aged
apostle John. At the age of 86, in 155, he was hunted down
like a wild animal and eventually captured. Before the as-
sembled multitudes, he was asked to renounce his loyalty
to Christ by paying respect to the pagan deities. His un-
wavering faith was passed down to generations through
his words, "Eighty and six years have I served Him
(Christ), and He hath done me no wrong. How then can I
speak evil of my King who saved me?" That day the aged
leader laid down his life, a testimony that he "was faithful
unto death" (Revelation 2:10). No doubt, for him, Christ
h~s reserved the "crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge" will give him at His second coming (2
Timothy 4:8).
Unquestionably, the persecution reached it fiercest
dimensions during the ten-year period that commenced
during the reign of Emperor Diocletian. This persecution
was foretold in prophecy concerning the church of Smyrna,
The Medieval Reign of the Papacy 55
tum men and women away from the day which alone sig-
nifies man's loyalty to the sovereignty of Christ.
The famous Ambrose, bishop of Milan, under whom
Augustine trained in the late fourth century, was a Sab-
bathkeeper; however, he records that, when he traveled to
Rome, he worshiped with the Romans on Sunday. Because
of this, it was he who originated the saying, "When in
Rome, do as the Romans do." It became popular, before
the fourth century, to honor Christ on both the seventh and
the first days of the week. One was usually treated as the
fast day, and the other as the feast day.
In an endeavor to make the biblical Sabbath unpopular,
Rome tried to enforce Sabbath as the fast day. But, well
into the fifth century, Augustine expressed his displeasure
that most of the churches around him kept the Sabbath as
the feast day and as their primary day of worship. Of
course, it was this ambivalence of worship days that led to
the two-day weekend, with a concept that they were both
holy days (holidays). Step by determined step, Sunday
was enforced on the people as the special day of worship.
And, as illiteracy and ignorance developed during the Mid-
dle Ages, it became increasingly easier for church leaders
to enforce their beliefs and destroy truth.
In spite of the increasingly ruthless attempts to enforce
Sunday observance, the majority of Christians, in the first
six centuries of the Christian Era, kept Sabbath in accord-
ance with the fourth commandment. In the churches of
Asia, including Syria, India, and the Nestorian churches as
far away as Siberia and China, the majority of members
kept Saturday as the Sabbath. Even Spain kept the Sabbath
58 Antichrist Is Here
Original Sin
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak
through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the
likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in
the flesh (Romans 8:3).
Christ could not have been tempted as we are if He pos-
sessed a human nature that was different from ours. He as-
sures us that He indeed understands our human feelings
and infirmities because, as a man, He was tempted as we
are; yet He did not sin.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin
(Hebrews 4:15).
The doctrine of original sin also led to the declaration
that those who had never heard the gospel would all perish
in eternal hell.
It is not as if pontiffs and Fathers said that they did
not know how babies were saved; they categorically
said it was impossible. They did not plead ignorance
of the fate of the mass of mankind who had never
heard of Christ; instead, they affirmed, without
qualification, that they all went to hell. There was no
salvation outside the church (by the church, they
meant the Catholic Church wherein entry was gained
only by baptism of water). These views were repeated
century after century without one dissenting voice. It
was Catholic teaching, taught always, everywhere by
everyone. We noticed that when Francis Xavier went
to the Indies he was certain that unbaptized pagans,
however virtuous, could not get to heaven (Peter de
Rosa, Vicars of Christ, p. 460).
Notice what the Scriptures quote Jesus as saying con-
cerning this issue:
74 Antichrist Is Here
ominously quoted the words of the late Sir Francis:" All the
centuries that the Spirit of God has been working in Chris-
tians, He must also have been working in Hindus, Bud-
dhists, Muslims, and others." Dr. Runcie then commented
that dialogue enabled people of various religions "to share
the sustaining insights and transforming treasures of their
faith, and to recognize an affinity of the human heart in the
fellowship of the Spirit." The archbishop's reflection on a
visit to India was even more disconcerting .
. . . IHe arrived with} the certainties of an encapsulated
Western Christianity but came away realizing that
there are new ways of thinking about God, Christ, and
the world. He spoke of his experience of God among
the Hindus of Madras, "where gods and goddesses
take hundreds of different forms and images. The
shc("r diversity of the Divine was disconcerting. God
somehow seemed greater than Western monism . . .
We have lost something that other faiths may help to
restore to us" (The Sentinel, vol. 42, No. 4, spring 1989,
emphasis added).
Those who do not accept God's commission to urge
Christians to forsake apostate religions will themselves be
found among that huge ecumenical group who receive the
seven last plagues that are cited in Revelation 16. Myriads
of formal Christians will be lost in spiritual Babylon. But
God will have a remnant who will give God's final invita-
tion to the world.
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and
went to make war with the remnant of her seed,
which keep the commandments of God, and have the
testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17).
104 Antichrist Is Here
J
ust as unity movements are gathering strength within
Christendom, so the tide of unity in the political world
1s swelling. The concepts of a one world government and
globalism have much support. Contrary to the views of
many, this is a most serious movement. Many political
philosophers believe that a single would government is the
only hope for the survival of the human race. Large num-
bers of politicians in developing countries are also attracted
to to this concept, believing that such unity is economically
benificial to humanity. Many of the most avid advocates of
political unity have made extravagant claims about the ad-
vantages of a one world government. The claim that such a
government will eliminate poverty and starvation and es-
tablish a new order where all would share in the resources
of the affluent nations of the world is particularly attractive
to those in developing countries. This is a pipedream; but
it is held by those who are blind to the reality of the abject
106 Antichrist Is Here
with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to
another, even as iron is not mixed with clay (Daniel
2:42, 43).
Human efforts to unite Europe have consistently failed,
as the prophecy declared; however, a new effort is being
made to unite Europe through economic ties. There is no
doubt that the architects of the European Economic Com-
munity (EEC, often known as the Common Market) had
goals far beyond economic unity leading to political unity.
The EEC had its beginnings in 1957. The initial gathering,
in the City Hall of Rome, was sealed by what is significant-
ly known as the Treaty of Rome. Initially, six nations were
signatories to the treaty-West Germany, France, Italy,
Holland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Subsequently, six
more nations have joined-Great Britain, the Irish
Republic, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, and Greece.
Together, these nations represent an economic output
that exceeds that of the United States. They now have a
European parliament that is situated in Strasbourg. While
much of the role of the parliament is advisory, it has at-
tracted some notable deputies, such as Willy Brandt who
was former chancellor of West Germany. Many see its fu-
ture role as one of increasing political influence. Its power-
ful influence was demonstrated in June 1989, when
Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party, in Great Britain,
took a sound beating at the hands of the Opposition
Labour Party in the election of deputies to the European
parliament. This greatly weakened the prime minister's ef-
forts to modify the agreements on the European monetary
system that is scheduled for 1992. When, in the week fol-
lowing the elections, she was in Spain with the leaders of
Globalism and One World Government 109
john the revelator spoke of the day when the ten horns
(or the ten toes as they are depicted in Daniel) would rep-
resent the nations of Europe that would "have one mind"
(Revelation 17:13). This is certainly not referring to politi-
cal unity. It refers to unity in purpose. The prophecy of
Daniel 2 reveals that the nations of Europe would never
again unite as a single political entity-"They shall not
cleave one to another." While we can look for unanimity of
purpose among the nations of Europe, particularly in their
support for papal dominance, we can be just as certain that
these nations will not politically unite again.
It is very likely that Francois Mitterrand, in supporting
the German proposal, was motivated by the fear of a
united Germany.
France has suffered three German occupations in the last
120 years. The French people no doubt believe that, in a
united Europe, they would have much more security
against a revitalized Germany than they have experienced
in the past; however, in this, they are doomed to disap-
pointment. While it is true that Mrs. Thatcher is a par-
ticularly strong opponent of the European political unity,
she, nevertheless, correctly predicted that "the process of
European union would founder as soon as member states
faced the prospect of having to cede national sovereignty
and accept collective decision making" (Singapore Straits
Times, April 1990).
We must not overlook the fact that France is a Catholic
nation and that Chancellor Kohl leads the Catholic political
party of Germany. Make no mistake, the Vatican is careful-
ly monitoring, if not actively instigating, the move for a
European Political Unity 119
Blasphemous Claims
False Principles of
Salvation
the One who alone gives power to keep the law. God
presents the law and faith together, and both are to be
given equal weight because we cannot keep the command-
ments of God unless we have the faith of Jesus.
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that
keep the commandments of God, and the faith of
Jesus (Revelation 14:12).
The gospel of Jesus does not allow the barrenness of
legalism or the powerlessness of antinomianism (the false
doctrine that the observance of the law of God is irrelevant
to salvation). The law and the gospel are inseparable
"Sidmese twins." To ignore one is to destroy them both.
The emphasis upon works, in the Roman Catholic
Church, arises from the influence of paganism. The pagans,
with their good gods and bad gods, focused upon in-
gratiating themselves to the good gods in a self-centered at-
tempt to obtain all their benefits. They further attempted
to appease the bad gods in order to avoid receiving their
curses; thus pagans build their worship upon a ceaseless
round of activities, ceremonies, and sacraments in a futile
effort to achieve their goal. In many Buddhist temples,
both good gods and devil gods are worshiped. In the
famous Burmah Road Buddhist Temple, in Penang,
Malaysia, there are, in addition to good gods, two gods
with opium streaming from their mouths. These idols,
which are designated as devil gods, are earnestly entreated
by their worshipers.
As the early Christian church more and more imbibed
the pagan philosophy of the former Roman Empire and
embraced its principles, it began to institute rounds of
works-oriented practices which were taught to be essential
138 Antichrist Is Here
human will are, they are no basis whatsoever for our salva-
tion. Our salvation is assured, as we have said earlier, on
the basis of Christ's grace alone; thus the Bible teaches that
we are both justified and sanctified by God through the
life, death, and high priestly ministry of the Son of God.
When this is properly understood, we need not fear the
works-oriented sanctification that is espoused by the
Roman Catholic Church. It is a crude counterfeit of true
sanctification.
In the loving power of the Saviour, God will have a
people who truly reflect His character.
And to her [God's church] was granted that she
should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for
the fine linen is the righteousness of saints (Revelation
19:8).
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount
Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four
thousand, having his Father's name written in their
foreheads. These are they which were not defiled with
women; for they are virgins. These are they which fol-
low the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were
redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto
God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found
no guile: for they are without fault before the throne
of God (Revelation 14:1, 4, 5).
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also
loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word, that he might present it to himself
a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any
such thing; but that it should be holy and without
blemish (Ephesians 5:25-27).
False Principles of Salvation 143
Seven-Headed Monsters
Endnote
For a more complete discussion of this matter, see Adventism Proclaimed
by the same authors. Write to Hartland Publications, P. 0. Box l, Rapidan, Vir-
ginia 22733, U.S.A.
166 A11/iclzri:;I !':- l !crt'
desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and bum
her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil
his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the
beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And
the woman which thou sawest is that great city
[Rome], which reigneth over the kings of the earth
(Revelation 17:16-18).
Before the end of April 1990, led by President Francois
Mitterrand, of France, and Chancellor Helmut Kohl, of
West Germany, the 12 nations of the European Economic
Community were launched on a pathway toward political
union. Their objective is to unify a common foreign and
security policy by 1993. Such an achievement would lead
the European Community of nations toward political
unity. This was always in the minds of the early architects
of the EEC, but few believed that this was possible. Though
Great Britain, Denmark, and Portugal expressed reserva-
tions and concerns about this direction, these concerns
were not sufficient to dampen the enthusiasm of the
majority of nations (Washington Post, April 29, 1990).
It is hard to project the impact of such a momentous
decision. The Word of God clearly states that complete
political union of these nations cannot be achieved, as we
have seen (see chapter, entitled "European Political
Unity"). The prophet, Daniel, in his interpretation of the
dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, foretold the collapse of
the Babylonian kingdom and the subsequent rise and fall of
Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (Daniel 2:36-40). The
Roman Empire was not to be succeeded by another world
political power; instead, it was to collapse into the ten
divisions which represented most of Europe. These ten
The Ten Horns 185
Endnote
1
One puzzling aspect of this prophecy is its comment concern-
ing the kings that have received no kingdom as yet (Revelation
17:12). This may refer to the fact that the union of these
European states would not lead to a political unity. Note that the
word "kingdom" is in the singular. Another less likely inter-
pretation is that other monarchies will be restored as the Spanish
monarchy was at the time of the death of General Franco. A
surprising number of monarchies are still functioning in Europe,
including half of the members of the European Economic Com-
munity-Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Spain, and the United Kingdom. Other monarchies in Europe
are to be found in Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, and Sweden.
The collapse of communism has raised the hopes of many
claimants to the former thrones of Europe. Life magazine, March
1990, quoted King Michael of Romania as saying, "If they want
me back, of course I will go. As constitutional monarch, I can
guarantee the constitution, freedom, democracy." Several other
deposed kings and descendants of such kings were cited to have
similar desires. These included Grand Duke Vladimir, of Russia;
Germany's Louis Ferdinand, of Prussia; Crown Prince
Alexander, of Yugoslavia; Otto, archduke of the Austro-Hun-
The Ten Horns 187
Endnote
1
Pastor Jan Knapper presented an excellent exposition of this
passage in Sydney, Australia, in December 1990.
19
Future Expectations
A lthough the Bible states that the saints will receive the
seal of God that secures their eternal salvation, it also
introduces the mark of the beast, which will be received by
those who reject the invitation of Christ to separate from
Babylon. This mark will be received either in the forehead
or in the hand.
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 (Revelation 13:16).
And the third angel followed them, saying with a
loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his
image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his
hand ... (Revelation 14:9).
Some students of Scripture have postulated that lost men
and women will receive a visible mark; however, in view
of the symbolic language of Revelation, it is evident that
the mark, or seal, that is received in the forehead is indica-
tive of allegiance to Satan or Christ. These marks will be
208 Antichrist Is Here
residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from a11
the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns
(Daniel 7:3-7).
These four beasts represented the four successive
dominant political powers of Babylon, Medo-Persia,
Greece, and Rome.
2. This new power, revealed in Revelation 13:11, arose
from the earth. It will be noted that the powers of Daniel 7
arose from the sea.
And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse
one from another (Daniel 7:3, emphasis added).
The sea, in biblical prophecy, represents multitudes and
people.
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou
sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and mul-
titudes, and nations, and tongues (Revelation 17:15).
These powers that are depicted in Daniel, chapter 7,
arose out of the densely populated areas of the Old World.
This new power, by contrast, must be a New World nation
because it arises from the earth (indicating a sparsely popu-
lated area) instead of the sea.
3. This second beast power had to arise around 1798 (the
end of the 1260 years of European papal domination).
PrGphecy spoke about the first beast of Revelation 13 which
represented the papacy.
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 [or 1260
days] (Revelation 13:5).
The Mark of the Beast and the Seal of God 211
the evil excesses that she has done in the past, she 1s
capable of persecuting God's people again.
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and
by the word of their testimony; and they loved not
their lives unto the death (Revelation 12:11).
We must expect to see large numbers of professed
Protestants capitulating to Roman Catholicism. This tragic
trend is already accelerating; on the other hand, we must
expect significant numbers of God's faithful people to leave
the apostate churches, and join one fold under the
bloodstained banner of Jes us Christ.
Before the return of Jesus, there comes a time when every
human being's destiny is sealed. All have made an ir-
revocable decision for Jesus Christ or for Satan. A million
years would not change that decision.
At that time, Christ will make His awesome pronounce-
ment:
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he
which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is
righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is
holy, let him be holy still (Revelation 22:11).
At this time, the Spirit of the Lord will no longer call
people to repentance because there is no purpose in the
Holy Spirit's appeal to the heart once each person's destiny
is sealed. The Bible speaks about this time.
There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was
since there was a nation (Daniel 12:1).
The prophet, Jeremiah, also refers to this time.
It is even the time of Jacob's trouble aeremiah 30:7).
The Mark of the Beast and the Seal of God 217
A Moment to Decide
said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God
doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your
eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, know-
ing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the
tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the
eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she
took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also
unto her husband with her; and he did eat (Genesis
3:1-6).
The issue, in the Garden of Eden, was a simple one-Eve
had the choice to accept the Word of God or the word of
the deceiver. Since then, that has been the issue. Today,
humanity faces the same decision-whether to accept the
Word of God, the One who is the truth {John 14:6} and
cannot lie {Titus 1:2), or the word of Lucifer, Satan, the
father of lies {John 8:44). The destiny of every human being
rests on this simple decision.
In one sense, Satan has always had an advantage over
God. God can only present truth, unadulterated and un-
modified. Satan can present an almost infinite combination
of truth and error. The battle is between the truth of God,
on the one hand, and the mixture of truth and error of
Satan, on the other. One willful step away from the truth of
God places us upon Satan's territory, and is sure to lead us
further into error of thought and action. There is only one
way to be totally committed to God.
Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word
that proceedeth out of the mouth of God
(Deuteronomy 8:3).
So many, today, have not understood that rejecting the
Word of God, even a small part of it, is dangerous to their
eternal salvation. While concentrating upon the mercy of
A Momeni lo Decide 221
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him
that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst
come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of
life freely (Revelation 22:17, emphasis added).
It is self-evident that it will be this church which will
give the invitation of Revelation 18:4 to the world. It will
present the everlasting gospel of Revelation 14:6, 7 to
earth's inhabitants. Those honest souls who reach the con-
viction that they are members of a church from which God
is calling them now have the opportunity to join that group
of people who will take this everlasting gospel to the
world.
It is essential that we discover the message of the ever-
lasting gospel, and discern which church espouses it in its
fullness. The everlasting gospel is to be known, believed,
lived, and proclaimed. A review of Revelation 14:7 reveals
that there are four interwoven elements of this message:
1. Fear God.
2. Give glory to Him.
3. The hour of His judgment is come.
4. Worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the
sea, and the fountains of waters.
An understanding of these principles will reveal the
church that has accepted these truths. It is possible that
some readers will not possess a thorough understanding of
the meaning of each of these components. We will use the
good Protestant principle of biblical interpretation as we
explore the Scriptures because the Bible surely is its own
best expositor, the only flawless guide to its own meaning.
234 Antichrist Is Here
Vegetarian Cookbooks
Hartland Heartsavers .............................. $4.95
Eat for Strength, Regular by A. Thrash ................. $7.95
Eat for Strength, Oil Free by A. Thrash ................ $7.95
The Joy of Cooking Naturally by P. Dameron ............ $9.95
Cooking With Natural Foods by M. Beltz .............. $14.95
Weimar Cookbook ................................. $7.95
Of TheseYeMayFreelyEatbyJ. Rachor .............. $2.95
Strict Vegetarian Cookbook by L. Tadej ................ $7.95
Something Better by E. Earl & N. Brackett .............. $8.95
Like to Tell You More About . . .
College
An opportunity to learn in a country setting with
Christ-centered classes, work education, and outreach
ministries. Majors: Pastoral Evangelism, Christian
Elementary and Secondary Education, Christian Busi-
ness Administration, Bible Worker Training, Res-
taurant Management, and Health Ministries. Contact
dean of school. Phone 703-672-3100.
Lifestyle Reconditioning Center
A friendly and relaxing atmosphere, with qualified
health-care professionals who are skilled in promotimg
lifestyle intervention for those who suffer from heart
disease, arthritus, cancer, diabeties, overweight, and
other conditions.
Bible Conferences
Meetings scheduled, in various locations, concerning
the topics of evangelism, doctrines, and health semi-
nars. Contact Hartland Bible Conference coordinator.
Phone 703-672-3100.
Hartland Journal
Information about what God is doing for us, as well
as articles on physical and spiritual health.
Institute Publications
Books, inspirational cassetes, and videos for serious
Christians. Catalog with price list available. Visa and
MasterCard accepted. Phone 703-672-3566.
Volunteer Opportunities
Short and long term opportunities available for those
who would like to volunteer their time and talents in
exchange for food, lodging, and blessings from fellow-
ship with volunteers, health guests, students, and staff.
Contact business manager. Phone 703-672-3100.
Weekend Retreats and Campmeetings at Hartland
Schedule available upon request. Contact retreat and
campmeeting coordinator. Phone 703-672-3100.
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The Silent Messenger!
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