The New World Order: Forging the Image of the Beast Part 1

The New World Order: Forging the Image of the Beast

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By: WLC Team

What You Will Learn from this Article:

The United States and the Papacy both want it
Its emergence will capture the world
It was predicted 2000 years ago
How you can avoid becoming its victim


new world order - john paul ii

new world order - george bush

Index

The Bible as a Guide
Fulfilled Bible Prophecies
A Most Fearful and Solemn Warning
Identifying the Beast
Nine Key Marks
Identifying the Image of the Beast
Prophecy Soon to Be Fulfilled
How to Avoid the Mark of the Beast
No Room for Neutrality
What Must I Do?
Reconciliation with Yahuwah
Victory Over Sin Through Christ
Faith in Christ Coupled with Personal Effort
Repairer of the Breach
Where Should I Worship?

Introduction

Our world will soon (as in years rather than decades), be facing a worldwide crisis which will herald its end. Because people worldwide need to be prepared, we are taking this message across many countries, at a great expense and sacrifice.
To those who dare continue reading, World's Last Chance may sound preposterous, if not reckless, because you are naturally hoping for world peace and prosperity, and definitely not a universal crisis engulfing the world and ending it.

We have tried to envision your reaction and questionings and will begin this journey into the future by answering some of your questions as we share with you why this world is staring at its last chance!
The Bible as a Guide

1. Who are the people behind this article?

We are part of a small group of people spread around the world who take the Bible as our only rule. After having devoted considerable time to its study, especially chapters referring to our future, we have realized we must share with you what we have learned. This knowledge is of such importance that we are willing to endure hardship and sacrifice, even life itself, to make it available to you. Strong forces are working hard to silence this information.
2. Why do you take the Bible so seriously?

Initially we did not take the Bible so seriously until we were astonished to discover how accurate it is. So accurate, that even predictions made thousands of years earlier occurred in the very day foretold, to the very letter. This has compelled us to conclude that there is an all-knowing Eloah behind the Bible, who is not bound by time and knows the end from the beginning.
We also learned that our Creator loves us so much that He has prepared a place for us in heaven. However, since we are infected by the sin disease and presently are unfit to live with Yahuwah in heaven, Yahuwah prepared a cure for the sin disease.

We would not have taken the Bible so seriously if Yahuwah had not demonstrated such complete control and knowledge of the future. This mastery is revealed most clearly in two books: Daniel in the Old Testament and Revelation in the New Testament. >index
Fulfilled Bible Prophecies

3. Give an example of a fulfilled prediction in the Bible.

daniel 2 statue nebuchadnezzarIn the book of Daniel, chapter 2, Yahuwah outlined in a dream to the Babylonian king that from his time until the end of time, the world would witness only four world empires. History has proved what Yahuwah foretold. (Note: Yahuwah, in the Bible, numbers and foretells only those empires which in a specific way impact Yahuwah’s people.) The four world empires were: Babylon (605 BC-538 BC), Medo-Persia (538 BC-331 BC), Greece (331 BC-168 BC), and Rome (168 BC-476 AD). He further revealed that Rome would be split into ten territories and that in the time of these territories the end will come. History has proven the accuracy of Yahuwah's word. For by 476 AD, Rome was divided into ten nations from which present day Europe has emerged.

Additionally, Yahuwah revealed the unique features of each empire, such as the manner in which they would rise to power and fall, and the main characteristic of each government. See Daniel 7 and 8. Enough details were given that a candid student of history and the Bible cannot but concede there is an Eloah in heaven who rules over our world. (For more on the prophecies of Daniel, refer to The Book of Daniel eCourse.)

4. What is the purpose of the Bible prophecies?

The purpose of prophecy is to warn us about future crises. For example, Yahuwah warned Noah of the coming flood, Abraham and Lot of the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and He told Moses of the plagues of Egypt. They all had to obey the warning in faith. These events were recorded to teach us that whatever Yahuwah foretold happened exactly as He said. Hence, we cannot afford to ignore any of His yet to be fulfilled prophecies as they serve as warnings that, if we obey, will protect us from crises.

Therefore, Bible prophecies serve a double purpose - to impress on our minds the existence of Yahuwah who is in control of all events and, to warn us of a grave situation. >index
A Most Fearful and Solemn Warning

5. Is there in the Bible a prophetic warning yet to be fulfilled?

In fact, the most solemn prophetic warning is yet to be fulfilled. Today, there is nothing more important for us to understand than this prophecy because events are taking place in rapid succession indicating its imminent fulfillment.
6. Share with me the most solemn prophetic warning that is about to be fulfilled.

666 mark of the beast"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, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of Yahuwah, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of Yahuwah, and the faith of Yahushua." Revelation 14: 9-12.

This fearful warning describes two groups of people. The first group is warned against worshipping the beast and his image, which leads them to receive the mark of the beast; while the second group is viewed positively as keeping the commandments of Yahuwah. Furthermore, the description of the second coming of Christ directly follows this warning. Therefore, we know that this is the last warning given before the second coming of Christ.

7. How can I avoid worshiping the beast and his image and receiving his mark?

Good question. In order to answer it we need to identify the beast, the image of the beast , and the mark of the beast. It is only logical to assume that Yahuwah would not warn us about such dangerous entities without helping us to identify them in a conclusive way. Our loving Eloah would not subject us to guesswork, when our eternal destiny is at stake. Not surprisingly then, we find a description of the beast and his image in the previous chapter where many keys are given to unlock their identity. >index
Identifying the Beast

The only motivation that goads us to share this soul-saving message is Yahuwah’s love. We hereby state, in the hope of removing prejudices, that all entities spoken of in this article, are referred to as systems, and definitely not the genuine truth-seekers currently part of such systems. We pray that this message is accepted by all readers as heart-felt appeal to study the prophecies in the Bible, because Yahuwah’s Word is our only guide and safe-guard against deception.
8. How does the Bible describe this beast?

"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 tens crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 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. 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. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 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. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against Yahuwah, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 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. 8 And all that dwell upon earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world... 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: 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. 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" Revelation 13: 1-8, 16-18.
beasts of daniel 7
9. The above passage is full of symbols. How can I understand it?

We need to allow the Bible to interpret its own symbols. We should expect that Yahuwah, for our benefit, revealed within the Bible the meaning of these symbols. Therefore, what we need is some diligence in study to find their interpretation in the Bible. By such a method, we avoid all human conjecture and speculation.

The Bible actually condemns human conjecture and speculation because "no prophecy... is of any private interpretation" 2 Peter 1:20. The Bible defines its own symbols. For example, the book of Revelation contains 404 verses. Out of these 404 verses, 278 are found almost word for word in other books in the Bible, where their meaning is expounded.

Therefore, we encourage you to do as the Bible Bereans (see Acts 17:10, 11) and bring every teaching to the test of the Scripture. As, whoever will prayerfully study the Bible, desiring to know the truth, that he may obey it, will understand the Scriptures. "If any man will do His will, he shall know...whether it be of Yahuwah, or whether I speak of myself. "John 7:17.
10. Which prophetic symbols do we need to unlock to identify the beast and his mark?

There are many prophetic symbols associated with the beast: nevertheless, we will suffice ourselves with those which will help us to readily identify the beast. These prophetic symbols are: 'beast', 'dragon', 'sea', 'forty-two months', and 'blasphemy'.

lion with wingsBeast: In Bible prophecy, a beast is a symbol of a king or kingdom. "These great beasts , which are four, are four kings ... the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom ..." Daniel 7:17, 23. With this beast, we are studying a unique kingdom for it is not only a political power but a religious one as well, because people "worshiped the beast" Rev. 13:4.


dragonDragon: According to the Bible, the dragon is another name for Satan, the father of lies and deceptions, "the great dragon ...called the Devil , and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world."This would mean that when Satan gave"his power, and his seat, and great authority"to the beast, we can expect the beast to behave in the same deceptively evil ways of Satan. Thus, a great deal of deception will be found in the affairs of the beast. Rev. 12:9; 13:2


seaSea: In Bible prophecy, sea is symbol of a multitude of many different people."...The waters ...are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues"Rev. 17:15. Accordingly, this unique kingdom or power rose out of the sea, signifying that it came out of a location in the world that was densely populated with different nationalities of people.


calendarForty-two months: This period is equivalent to three and half years (42 divided by 12 months). And the Bible was written based on the Jewish calendar where every Jewish year is 360 days (30 days for each month). So, three and half years and forty-two months are both equal to 1260 days. The reason why we are changing the months to their equivalent in days is that when Yahuwah gave time prophecies, He often equated a day for a year "...even forty days , each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years..." "I have appointed thee each day for a year "Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6. (Click Here for more prophetic symbols and their meanings)

Therefore, the forty-two prophetic months imply a period of 1260 years during which the beast was given, a "mouth speaking great things and blasphemies"and would"make war with the saints and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations"Rev. 13:5, 7.. Meaning that during this period the beast would blaspheme, persecute Christians, and have great authority.

Blasphemy: In the Bible, blasphemy is defined in two ways. The first is when a person claims to be Yahuwah or His representative. "...for a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself Eloah" John 10:33. So the beast, this religio-political power and kingdom, has blasphemed Yahuwah by pretending to be in the place of Yahuwah on earth. The second way of committing blasphemy is by granting absolutions (claiming the power to forgive the sins of others). "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies ? Who can forgive sins but Yahuwah only?" Mark 2:7.

The beast, this religio-political power and kingdom, has blasphemed Yahuwah not only by taking His place on earth, but also by claiming the rite of absolution. No wonder the beast has the "name of blasphemy" and speaks "blasphemy against Yahuwah, to blaspheme his name"; this is because the beast claims powers that are the sole prerogative of Yahuwah. Rev. 13:1, 6. >index
Nine Key Marks

Having allowed the Bible to unlock the meaning of its own symbols we can now highlight the nine major identifying marks of the beast to determine which power in history fulfills these features. These are not the only identifiers: there are many more in the Bible. We hope this compilation of identifying keys will lead you to search the Bible to find out more.

alt1. The beast combines religious and political power simultaneously, "they worshipped the beast ..." Rev. 13:4.

alt2. The beast came to power in a densely populated area of the world,"I...saw a beast rise up out of the sea" Rev. 13:1.

alt3. The beast obtained its power and authority from Satan, thus we would expect its history to contain a great deal of deception,"the dragon gave him [the beast] his power, and his seat, and great authority" Rev. 13:2.

alt4. The beast ruled ruthlessly possessing absolute hegemony (domination) for 1260 years. This period must have a clear starting point and end with the 'deadly wound'."Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death." "And power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" Rev. 13:5, 3, 7.

alt5. The beast persecuted Christians during the 1260 years."And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them" Rev. 13:7.

alt6. The beast will fully recover from its 'deadly wound' and the world will marvel after it,"and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast" Rev. 13:3.

alt7. The beast has a mysterious 666 that identifies his office and name,"count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six" Rev. 13:18.

alt8. The beast blasphemes by claiming to be Eloah and granting absolutions (the power to forgive sins of others).

alt9. The beast made other blasphemous claims, undertaking actions that are Yahuwah's exclusive prerogative."And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies" Rev. 13:5.Dear reader , which power in history fulfills all the identifying marks? To the honest in heart, there is but one answer: The Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church is the beast which Yahuwah, out of love, is warning us of. It is not the purpose of this article to attack Roman Catholics, but to reveal the truth about the Catholic system. No one need be offended, but rather be encouraged to seek for facts and confirmation.
11. Please support this conclusion with historical evidence and facts.

Let us take each identifier to see how history points exclusively to the Roman Catholic Church.
(1) The Roman Catholic Church combines religious and political power simultaneously:

Saint John saw this union in a prophetic vision concerning the fourth and final kingdom of the world and described it as, "a woman sit [ting] upon a scarlet coloured beast" Rev. 17:3.
In the Bible, a woman is a symbol of an ekklesia, "as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith Yahuwah." "For I...I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" Jeremiah 3:20; 2 Corinthians 11:2.

In addition, it is unanimously understood in prophecy that a beast is a nation. Even in today's world, nations are symbolized as beasts. The USA is seen as an eagle, Russia is likened unto a bear, and China carries the image of a dragon.

Many years ago, Yahuwah unveiled to Daniel all the world empires until the end of time. In a vision, Daniel saw the last beast to be "diverse from all the others" Daniel 7:19. But how would it be diverse? According to Revelation 17:3, as seen above, this beast (nation) will have a woman (ekklesia/church) ruling it.

st. peter's squareToday, is there a church and state working together as one worldwide recognized power? The only entity in the world that has accomplished this is the Roman Catholic Church.
The Roman Catholic pope is absolute religious leader of over one billion followers world-wide.

"The Roman Pontiff, as the successor of Peter, is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." Vatican Council II (1962-65)

"Every cleric must obey the Pope, even if he commands what is evil; for no one may judge the Pope." Pope Innocent III (1198-1216)

Simultaneously, the pope is king over the independent nation Vatican City. The Vatican is a distinct sovereign miniature nation, although within Italy. Thus, the papacy is a unique power combining religious and civil power.

(2) The Roman Catholic Church came to power in a densely populated area of the world:

This perfectly illustrates the Roman Catholic Church as she rose amidst the various powers and nations of Europe.

(3) The history of the Roman Catholic Church is full of deception:
Informed Catholics readily confirm forgeries as a way of life for the popes. Hans Kung, a Catholic priest and theologian who was a consultant to the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), stated that as early as the fifth century, the popes "decisively extended their power with explicit forgeries." The Catholic Church: A Short History (translated by John Bowden), p. 61

One of the best examples is the document Donation of Constantine, dated March 30, 315 AD, which the Roman Catholic Church forged to extend her power and authority. Through this false document, Pope Stephen III in the eighth century convinced Pepin, king of the Franks, that the territories of the Lombards had been given by Constantine to the Roman Catholic Church. This led Pepin to fight the Lombards and usurp the cities for the pope. In 1440, this document was proven forged by a papal aide called Lorenzo Valla, yet pope after pope never admitted nor confessed this forgery. To this day, there is an inscription in the baptistery of St. John Lateran in Rome perpetuating this forged document.
Pope calls for a new world order: "VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope John Paul II rang in the New Year on Thursday with a renewed call for... the creation of a new world order based on respect for the dignity of man and equality among nations." Thursday, January 1, 2004 Posted: 9:21 AM EST (1421 GMT)

""The great over-riding feature of the entire system of the Anti-Christ -- the New World Order -- is blatant deceit. In fact, New World Order writers boast of their planned deceptions, because they arrogantly believe the great majority of the world's population is too stupid and lazy to know what is best for them. Only the New World Order Planners know what is best for the world, and they have determined that they can achieve their goals only by deliberate deception of the poor masses." Bill Cooper, " Behold A Pale Horse" p.49

(4) The Roman Catholic Church ruled ruthlessly for 1260 years having absolute dominion over other nations. This period has a clear starting point, and a 'deadly wound' at its end:

general berthierThe Roman Catholic Church received its deadly wound in 1798 when [Pope Pius VI] was taken prisoner in France at the behest of Napoleon.

"In 1798 General Berthier made his entrance into Rome, abolished the papal government, and established a secular one." Encyclopedia Britannica, 1941 edition
Having established the end of the prophecy to be 1798, going back 1260 years, we arrive at 538 AD. For the papacy to fulfill this identifying mark, an important event must have occurred in 538 AD to mark the start of the 1260-year period.

Historical evidence reveals that in 533 AD the Roman Emperor Justinian recognized the pope's ecclesiastical supremacy as 'head' of all the churches in both east and west of the Roman Empire. However, it was not until 538 AD when the papacy was effectively freed from its last Arian opponent, the Ostrogoths (who were at that time ruling Italy) did the pope emerge as the leading figure in the West. Thus, in 538 AD the stage was set for the gradual but steady ascendancy of the papacy.

"Vigilius...ascended the papal chair (538 A.D.) under the military protection of Belisarius." History of the Christian Church, Vol. 3, p. 327
As the papacy increased in power, she subjugated not only her followers but also the rulers and kings of Europe. To that end, the popes issued several papal bulls to bolster their authority over the kings of Europe:

"It is the office of the papacy to tread under foot kings and emperors." J.H. Ignaz Dollinger, The Pope and the Council, (London), p. 35
"Fear, then, our wrath and the thunders of our vengeance; for Jesus Christ has appointed us [the popes] with his own mouth absolute judges of all men; and kings themselves are submitted to our authority." Pope Nicholas I (858-867 AD)

In the papal bull of Pope Gregory XI, dated 1372 AD, and entitled In Coena Domini, the pope pronounced papal dominion over the entire Christian world, secular and religious, and excommunicated all who failed to obey the popes and to pay them taxes. This papal bull was confirmed by subsequent popes and, in 1568 AD, Pope Pius V vowed that it was to remain an eternal law.

A practical demonstration of the above assertion was the treatment of Pope Gregory VII in 1077 AD to King Henry IV, Emperor of Germany. When the king appeared to disregard the pope's authority, the pope ex-communicated and dethroned him. Henry decided to make peace with the pope and crossed the Alps in mid-winter to humble himself. When he reached the pope's castle, Henry was made to wait for permission to see the pope in the outer court, bare-footed with his head uncovered, and dressed in a miserable dress. It took the king three days of fasting and confession before the pope pardoned him.

Today, this claim of supremacy over leaders of the world continues to be upheld by the papacy:

"The First See [papacy of Rome] is judged by no one. It is the right of the Roman Pontiff himself alone to judge...those who hold the highest civil office in a state...There is neither appeal nor recourse against a decision or decree of the Roman Pontiff." The Code of Canon Law (Paulist Press, 1985), pp. 951, 271

(5) The Roman Catholic Church persecuted Christians during the 1260-year period:

dark ages tortureDuring this period of history (also known as the Middle Ages), the Roman Catholic Church held a strong sway over Europe, and every citizen was required to be a Roman Catholic. Anything short of total submission to the pope was punishable by torture or death. This led the Roman Catholic system to become one of the most persecuting religions the world has ever known, according to Vicars of Christ: the Dark Side of the papacy, by Peter de Rosa, p. 180

"For professing faith contrary to the Church of Rome, history records the martyrdom of more than one hundred million people." Brief Bible Studies, p. 16

"We must rank the Inquisition ... as among the darkest blots on record of mankind."Will Durant, The Story of Civilization, vol. 4, p. 78

"That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind will be questioned by no Protestant who has a complete knowledge of history. It is impossible to form a complete conception of the multitude of her victims, and it is quite certain that no powers of imagination can adequately realize their sufferings." W. E. H. Leeky, History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe, Vol. 2:32, 1910 edition

In the Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 12, page 266, the reader will find a lengthy article describing the authority of the Roman Catholic Church in punishing 'heretics', whose only crime was that they were faithful Bible-believing Christians.

(6) The Roman Catholic Church will fully recover from its 'deadly wound' and the whole world will wonder after it:

When Pope Pius VI died in captivity in France in 1799, the world expected an end to the Roman Catholic Church. However, Yahuwah had told us about 2000 years ago that the beast would recover from its deadly wound. Here is how the New York Times reported the healing of the beast, the papacy:

"MORTAL WOUND HEALED: Rome, June 7.--From 11 o'clock this morning there was another sovereign independent State in the world. At that time Premier Mussolini ... exchanged with Cardinal Gasparri, Papal Secretary of State, representing Pope Pius XI, ratifications of the treaties signed at the Lateran Palace on Feb. 11. By that simple act the sovereign independent State of Vatican City came into existence." New York Times, July 7, 1929

The San Francisco Chronicle reported the 'recovery' of the papacy as follows:

"Mussolini and Gaspari (Cardinal) Sign Historic Pact... Heal Wound of Many Years." The San Francisco Chronicle, July 7, 1929

Does the world today 'wonder' after the papacy, as the Bible predicted?

"The best way to honor Pope John Paul II, truly one of the great men, is to take his teaching seriously; is to listen to his words and put his words and teachings into action here in America. This is a challenge we must accept." President George W. Bush, March 21, 2001

"Pope John Paul II is one of the greatest moral and spiritual leaders of this century." Billy Graham in the Saturday Evening Post, Jan-Feb. 1980

"I admire Pope John XXIII tremendously. I felt he brought a new era to the world". Billy Graham, Chicago Tribune, June 8, 1963

"Pope John Paul II celebrates outdoor mass in Spanish for over million people in Mexico City." The New York Times, Jan 25, 1999

"Wednesday night as the Holy Father walked with Vice President Gore along the tarmac ...to board "Shepherd I" and return to Rome, people wept, waved handkerchiefs and cheered "John Paul II, we love you!"...It was a brief but very moving and powerful visit by the Pope to St. Louis." Jan 28, 1999 (EWTNews)

"There is no doubt that Paul VI, together with John XXIII and John Paul II, will be remembered as the three great Popes of Peace, pioneer of a momentous transcendence of the Catholic Church into the New Age." Robert Muller, former U.N. Assistant Secretary General

(7) The Roman Catholic Church has the mysterious number 666:

The official title of the pope is "Vicarius Filii Dei", which translated is, "Representative of the Son of God". To confirm, the Catholic newspaper Our Sunday Visitor of April 18, 1915 wrote: "The engraved letter on the pope's Mitre is as follows: 'Vicarius Filii Dei '". Since in Latin certain letters have numerical values, we only need to add them up to come to 666.
666 mark of the beast - vicarius filii dei

( The Roman Catholic Church blasphemes by claiming to be "God" and granting absolutions:

"We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty." Pope Leo XIII, in an Encyclical letter, dated June 20, 1894
"The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, hidden under a veil of flesh." The Catholic National, July 1895

"But the supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman Pontiff... [who] requires... complete submission and obedience of will... as to God Himself." Pope Leo XIII, the Great Encyclical Letters, p. 193

"It seems that Pope John Paul II now presides over the universal Church from his place upon Christ's cross." Taken from an article entitled, "Auckland Bishop Says Pope Presides From the Cross" AUCKLAND, New Zealand, SEPT. 20, 2004, Zenit.org

"Indeed, it is not too much to say that in view of the sublimity of their offices the priests are so many gods." Pope Innocent III

The Roman Catholic Church created a vast 'market' on earth for a unique kind of merchandise, for which she had no competitors and unquenchable demand. She claimed that she had the right to sell Yahuwah's grace, His free act of forgiveness, to the sinners. To this day, this blasphemous power, maintains the power to forgive sin.

"This judicial authority will even include the power to forgive sin." The Catholic Encyclopaedia Vol. 12, -article "Pope", p. 265

"And God himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of his priest and either not to pardon or to pardon, according as they refuse to give absolution, provided the penitent is capable of it." Dignity and Duties of the Priest, p. 27, New York: Benziger Brothers, Printers to the Holy Apostolic See, 1888

(9) The Roman Catholic Church made other blasphemous claims by undertaking actions belonging only to Yahuwah:
Here are samples of the blasphemous claims and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church:
"The priest has the power of the keys, or the power of delivering sinners from hell, of making them worthy of paradise, and of changing them from the slaves of Satan into the children of God. And God himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of his priests... The Sovereign Master of the universe only follows the servant by confirming in heaven all that the latter decides upon earth." Liguori, "Duties and Dignities of the Priest", pp. 27, 28

blasphemy"Thus the priest may, in a certain manner, be called the creator of his Creator, since by saying the words of the consecration, he creates, as it were, Jesus in the sacrament, by giving him a sacramental existence, and produces him as a victim to be offered to the eternal Father...The power of the priest, is the power of the divine person; for the transubstantiation of the bread requires as much power as the creation of the world." Saint Bernadine of Sienna

"Priests are the saviors of the world." Saint Jerome

As for her blasphemous actions, the Roman Catholic Church has committed the most blasphemous act of all. She altered the very law of Yahuwah- the Ten Commandments. She dared to cancel the second commandment altogether, for it condemned her practices and rituals. And worse, she changed the calendar by which the day of worship in the Fourth Commandment is determined, and instituted its own calendar, in which it exalted Sunday. This was done although Yahuwah gave Adam this perpetual command at creation and has confirmed to us "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips" Psalms 89:34.

The Ten Commandments are the only portion of the Bible that was uttered by Yahuwah's voice in the presence of a congregation. And to ensure that Moses did not miss a letter, Yahuwah wrote them with His own finger and handed them to Moses. "These words [The Ten Commandments] Yahuwah spake unto all your assembly...and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone..." Deuteronomy 5:22.

Christ further stressed the immutability of the Ten Commandments when He said, "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail" Luke 16:17. The sun shining in the heavens, the solid earth upon which you dwell, are Yahuwah's witnesses that His law is changeless and eternal. Though they may pass away, the divine precepts shall endure. Christ further confirmed "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" Matthew 5:17, 18.

The Catholic Church is not ashamed that she changed the day of worship. In fact, she takes pride in this action, and regards it as her 'mark' of authority and superiority over other "churches" and religions.

"The Sabbath, the best known day of the law, was changed into the Lord's day. These and others have not ceased because of instructions received from Christ, (because he himself says, I have not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it), but because due to the authority of the church they have been changed." Archbishop of Rheggio, Sermon on 1-18-1562, Mansi XXIII, p. 526

"The Sunday is a Catholic institution, and its claim for sacredness can be defended only on Catholic authority...In Holy Scripture from the beginning to the end we find not one single text which justifies the transfer of the weekly public worship service from the last to the first day of the week." Catholic Press, Sidney, 8-25-1900

"Nowhere in the Bible is it stated that worship should be changed from Saturday to Sunday. The fact is that the Church was in existence for several centuries before the Bible was given to the world. The Church made the Bible; the Bible did not make the Church." Things Catholics Are Asked About, by Martin J. Scott, 1927 ed, p. 136

"We celebrate Sunday instead of Saturday, because the Catholic Church has transferred the sacredness from Saturday to Sunday at the council of Laodicea in the year of 364 AD." The Converts Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, from P. Geiermann, the work of Pope Pius X, on 1-25-1910
According to the Roman Catholic Church 'Sunday' is their distinct and distinguished mark of authority.

"Sunday is our mark of authority. The church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact." The Catholic Record, London, Ontario, September 1, 1923

"The observance of Sunday by Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the (Catholic) Church." Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today, by Monsignor Segur, p. 213

"But the Protestant mind does not seem to realize that in...observing the Sunday... they are accepting the authority of the spokesman for the church, the pope." Our Sunday Visitor, Catholic weekly, Feb. 5, 1950

"Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act... a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters." Office of Cardinal Gibbons, through Chancellor C. F. Thomas, Nov. 11, 1895

From the overwhelming weight of evidence, we can decisively conclude that the beast of Revelation 13 and 14 is the Roman Catholic Church, and that its mark (the mark of the beast) is Sunday observance.

Why is this mark so important? Have you ever signed a document to validate or confirm its authenticity? Have you ever given your 'seal of approval' to something? It is compulsory in any government. Only by signing, is a document authenticated. Government declarations must always bear an official mark or seal. What are the features of these governmental marks or seals? An official seal or signature must include three features:
The Daring Change
The Law of Yahuwah
The Law of Yahuwah as Changed by Man
I
Thou shalt have no other elohim before me.
II
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I Yahuwah thy Eloah am a jealous El, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
III
Thou shalt not take the name of Yahuwah thy Eloah in vain; for Yahuwah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
IV
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of Yahuwah thy Eloah: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days Yahuwah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Yahuwah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
V
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which Yahuwah thy Eloah giveth thee.
VI
Thou shalt not kill.
VII
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
VIII
Thou shalt not steal.
IX
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
X
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Exodus 20:3-17
Creator's Seal Removed
I
I am Yahuwah thy Eloah. Thou shalt have no strange elohim before me. (The second commandment has been omitted)
II (actually III)
Thou shalt not take the name of Yahuwah thy Eloah in vain.
III (actually IV)
Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. (The sabbath commandment has been radically altered)
IV (actually V)
Honor thy father and thy mother.
V (actually VI)
Thou shalt not kill.
VI (actually VII)
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
VII (actually VIII)
Thou shalt not steal.
VIII (actually IX)
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
IX (actually X, first part)
Thou shalt not covet they neighbor's wife.
X (actually X, second part)
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods.

The General Catholic Catechism
1. The name of the official
2. The title of the official
3. The territory or domain of his authority

seal of the united states presidentFor example, when the President of the United States signs a bill into law, he must sign it, George Washington (name), President (title) of the United States of America (territory). Every document must be signed in this manner to be official and legal.

Looking to the Almighty Creator, we realize that He has a Heavenly Kingdom. And the document containing the law of His Kingdom is The Ten Commandments. Looking directly in the midst of them you will find the seal of the living Eloah! "For in six days Yahuwah made heaven and earth, the sea..." Exodus 20:11.

Notice the three distinct features:
1. Name: Yahuwah ("I am Yahuwah: that is my name" Isaiah 42:
2. Title: CREATOR ("Yahuwah made")
3. Territory: HEAVEN AND EARTH (Heaven and earth)

Clearly, the seal of the Creator is found in the Sabbath commandment of His law. It is an acknowledgement of His authority as our Creator. When we keep His Sabbath, we are expressing that we acknowledge Him as our Creator.

On the Sabbath, we have the opportunity to worship Yahuwah as our Creator. When we keep holy the day Yahuwah chose, we are proclaiming to the entire world that the Creator of the universe is our Eloah! The devil, "Lucifer" is attacking the Sabbath, because he wants to be worshiped "like the Most High" Isaiah 14:14. The Creator seeks your worship on His holy Sabbath day, and Satan, seeking to be like the Creator, wants your worship on his Sunday. Which will you choose?

"And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am Yahuwah your Elohim" Ezekiel 20:20. >index

(For more on identifying the beast, refer to The Beast of Revelation 13 & 17 eCourse.)
Identifying the Image of the Beast

12. What then is the image of the beast, which Yahuwah is warning us not to worship?

To be able to identify the beast's image, we need first to identify the two-horned beast that helps in the formation of the image of the beast:
"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he has two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 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... 14 ...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. 15 And he has 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. 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: 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 " Revelation 13:11-12, 14-17.

image of the beastThis two-horned beast has the following identification marks:
1. This beast came to existence around the time the papacy received its deadly wound in 1798, "another beast coming up" Rev. 13:11.
2. This beast came up out of the earth, as opposed to the first beast that came up out of the sea. If 'sea' represents many people and nations, then 'earth' represents a sparsely settled region. Thus, this nation would rise to prominence in a region of few inhabitants.
3. This beast has two lamb-like horns. According to the Bible, a horn represents power. "He had horns...and there was the hiding of his power" Habakkuk 3:4. Therefore, this nation has two separate powers, distinct from each other. Also, a lamb is a symbol of Christ; hence, we can deduce that this nation was founded on pure and noble Christian principles.
4. However, this beast speaks like a dragon; a nation 'speaks' through legislative and judicial authorities. The 'lamb-like horns' and 'dragon's voice' point a striking contrast between the peaceful professions and the practices of this nation. Dear reader again, we ask, which nation fulfils these identifying marks? There is but one answer: The United States of America.

1. USA came to existence around 1798: Only one nation was rising into existence at the time of the papacy's loss of power in 1798. This prophecy points directly to the United States. The USA was organized under the Constitution as a federal republic in 1787.
2. USA arose in a sparsely populated land: The USA grew not in the Old World which was crowded with its teeming multitudes, but in the New World, with its relatively few inhabitants.
3. USA has two separate powers founded on Christian principles: The USA has a unique form of government, where ekklesia and state enjoy liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. Because of this system of government, the USA is indeed a Republic (a kingdom without king) and Protestant (ekklesia without pope), with both powers completely separated. Also, her lamb-like qualities made the USA a refuge for the persecuted and oppressed of many nations.

"The Creator seeks your worship on His holy Sabbath day, and Satan, seeking to be like the Creator, wants your worship on his Sunday. Which will you choose?"

4. USA speaks like a dragon: The fundamental law of the USA written in its constitution guarantees individual liberty of conscience. Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. However, the USA has already begun and will soon fully repudiate every principle of its Constitution. And that which gives greater significance to this movement is the fact that the principal object is the enforcement of Sunday observance.
Such action will be directly contrary to the principles of this government, to the genius of its free institutions, to the Declaration of Independence, and to the Constitution. The Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," and that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States."
The inconsistency of such action is no greater than is represented in the symbol. It is the beast with lamblike horns - in profession pure and harmless - that speaks as a dragon. Just observing what is occurring in the news and in the recent past will confirm this biblical description.

"And I strongly support the faith-based initiative that we're proposing, because I don't believe it violates the line between the separation of church and state, and I believe it's going to make America a better place." George W. Bush, making a muddled reference to the Establishment Clause, quoted from Conrad Goeringer, AANEWS #889 (February 28, 2001) from American Atheists. This statement attacks the Constitution's Bill of Rights that forbids our government "respecting an establishment of religion."

"Our priorities is our faith."
George W. Bush, Greensboro, North Carolina, October. 10, 2000, quoted from Jacob Weinberg, "The Complete Bushisms"

"The plain message conveyed by the new administration is that George W. Bush's America is a Christian nation and that non-Christians are welcome into the tent so long as they agree to accept their status as a tolerated minority rather than as fully equal citizens." Alan M. Dershowitz, in

"Bush Starts Off by Defying the Constitution," Los Angeles Times, January 24, 2001 >index

Read Part 2