Part 29

 

The  Roman Empire

 

 

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.  --  Dan 7:23 (KJV)

 

 

The Beast of Rev. 13 - 666

John's Beast is a composite of Daniel's

 

 

 

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.  --  Rev 13:1 (KJV)

 

 

Satan is described as a Seven Headed Dragon

 

 

 

 

and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.  --  Rev 13:2 (KJV)

 

 

 

Satan's Seat is located at Pergamos

 

I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.  --  Rev 2:13 (KJV)

 

 

Note that when Attalus III, king of Pergamum died (133 B.C.), he officially bequeathed his kindom to the Romans.  Out of this kingdom they were able to organize the province of Asia.  Wars continued however in the East until Pompey completed his conquest of Syria (63 B.C.) and afterwards annexed Judea (58-57 B.C.)

 

Pergamos is located at Thrace or Turkey

 

 

John's composite Beast represents Rome

Rome swallowed

Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Syria

Babylon, Media,

 

 

 

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.  --  Rev 13:1 (KJV)

 

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.  --  Rev 13:2 (KJV)

 

Who is this Beast according to Catholicism ?

 

Jerome Biblical Commentary

This work is a compact commentary on the whole Bible written by Roman Catholic scholars according to the principles of modern biblical criticism.

 

1. a beast: This is the Roman Empire, the archetype of secular powers that persecute the Church (see Dn 7:17, 23). seven heads: They represent, according to 17:9f., the seven hills of Rome and seven kings. ten horns: In this respect it resembles the dragon (12:3; see 17:12ff.; cf. Dn 7:7, 24). blasphemous names: To assign divine titles to the emperor was, to the Jewish and Christian mind, a blasphemous arrogation (Dn 11:36; 2 Thes 2:4).2. the dragon gave his power: The investiture of the Beast is opposed to the enthronement of the Lamb (5:12). The dragon, the prince of this world, presumes to claim temporal powers (Lk 4:6f.) of which God is the one true custodian (Jn 19:11; Rom 13:1).3. one of its heads…: Like the Lamb, who was killed and then raised up (5:6), the Beast seems to disappear and then return to life (17:8). This passage may be a reference to some definite event, such as the murder of Caesar and the healing of the empire under Augustus, the legend of Nero redivivus, or any of several imperial misadventures (but see P. S. Minear, JBL 72 [1953] 93-101). all the earth: The marvelous cure of the Beast excites admiration and leads to the adoration of the dragon and the Beast (17:8). This is an allusion to the rapid progress of the emperor cult and to the ready acceptance of the immoral example of the emperors.4. who is like…: A parody of the honors paid to the Lamb (5:9) and to God himself (Ex 15:11).5. there was given: The “theological” passive; see GrBib § 236; cf. 9:1. a mouth speaking: Cf. Dn 7:8, 11, 20, 25; 1 Mc 1:24. The insults are directed against God and the people among whom he dwells (Jn 1:14). forty-two months: The same duration as the profanation of the holy city (11:2), the prophetic mission of the two witnesses (11:3), and the retreat of the woman into the desert (12:6, 14). It is a number symbolic of the Church militant.7. to wage war: Persecution, described in terms borrowed from Dn 7:6, 21, follows upon the abusive words. The power received by the Beast (Lk 4:6); is a simulation of that received by the Lamb (5:9; 7:9).8. whose names are not written: To adore the Beast is tantamount to being excluded from the number of the predestined (17:8). The formula “from the beginning of the world” (Jn 17:5) is a familiar one in apocalyptic writings; it arises from the desire to connect the eschatological event with the eternal designs of God (Eph 1:4).9. let him hear: See 2:7.10. captivity…sword: Each Christian must accept the fate that God has foreseen and desired for him, burdensome though it be. Such a surrender to God’s will is the secret of the patience and serenity of the saints (14:12-13).

When did Rome become the Beast ?

 

 In 63 B.C. Pompey had gained Syria as a province, and Judea had finally been annexed for Rome as well.   This newly formed Roman empire continually faced great threats of civil disturbance within, as various of her leaders fought against each other to gain exclusive control over the empire's military power.  Eventually, the supposed shared power of the Roman senate gave way to the enthroning of  the first Roman emperor, Augustus.^[1]

 

The Roman Imperial Cult

The Roman Imperial Cult declared that the Roman emperor was divine, that is to say, the emperor was a god.  Many of these emperors enforced their subjects to acknowledge them and worship them as gods.

 

 

The 7 Heads of the Roman Beast

1.   Augustus (27 B.C. - 14 A.D.)  instituded the Roman Imperial Cult

Throughout the empire the emperor himself was worshipped as

Dominus et Deus  which means "Lord and God"

2.   Tiberius (14 - 37 A.D.)

Although some say that Tiberius did not want to be worshipped as a god. there are other evidences which prove that he was indeed called or referred to by the title, "Son of God".

3.   Caligula (37 - 41 A.D.) 

Convinced that he was the very incarnation of Jupiter he demanded worship.

 

When the Jews were compeled to worship  the image of Gaius Caligula they appealed to the Roman emperor himself.  The emperor not only disregarded the appeal but ordered his Syrian legate to erect his statue in the temple at Jerusalem

 

(The legate delayed the action until the death of the emperor and this never occurred)

4.   Claudius (41 - 54 A.D.) 

  Although it is said that Claudius did not demand or desire that he be worshipped as divine there were many statues of himself and his family erected throughout the city for the people to pay homage to.  When Nero became the emperor he insured that Claudius would be worshipped by having him deified.

  

5.       Nero           54-68                    Peter and Paul

 

                   blamed the christians for starting a great fire in Rome

                   which he probably had started himself to make room

                   for the olden palace which he had erected there

 

                   Nero had himself depicted as the sun god Apollo

                   with the star shaped crown of apollo

                   100 ft. bronze statue of himself erected in the temple

                   of Mars that he may be properly worshipped

 

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.  --  Rev 13:3 (KJV)

 

 

Historically, the death of Nero dealt a severe death blow to the empire or Rome.  The entire empire was plunged into a two year state of anarchy and confusion.  Order was restored by Vespian but the mortal wound upon the beast seemed to be healed when the Roman persecution of Nero against christians was amplified by Domitian.  

 

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.  --  Rev 17:8 (KJV)

 

 

Many letters circulated throughout the empire claiming that Nero himself would return again into power.  Many believed these reports and after the death of Nero, many pretenders to the throne arose claiming to be Nero himself back from the dead. 

 

 

We are confident that John wrote the book of revelation during the reign of Domitian's persecution.  Very few would argue against this.  As John looked upon the Roman beast in his days, he described a great healing which took place as the beast seemed to gain a new lean on life.

 

 

And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.  --  Rev 17:9 (KJV)

 

And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.  --  Rev 17:10 (KJV)

 

There is no doubt who the sixth head was.  He was in existence at the time John was writing the book.  The Beast's mortal wound had already been described as being healed (past tense), in the which the whole world followed after the beast in admiration.

 

 

 

 

6.       Domitian    81-96                    exile of John to Patmos

 

                   demanded all to worship him as "father of the gods".

 He had a huge marble statue of himself erected in Ephesus that became the focal point of imperial cult worship throughout Asia Minor.

                   executed his own nephew for refusing to offer up sacrifice

                   to his image

 

                   why were christians always persecuted and blamed ?

                             whatever happened, famine, disease, earthquake,

                             wars, bad weather was blamed on the christians

                             for failure to worship the Roman gods.

 

                   how ?

                             whipped, disembowled, torn apart, and stoned.

                             burned with red hot iron plates, eaten by wild animals,

                             strangled, hung, tossed on the horns of bulls.

 

                   burial ?

                             thrown in piles and heaps and left to rot

         

7.       Trajan        100-115      Thousands of christians were slaughtered

                                                for not worshipping and honoring the

                                                roman gods

 

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.  --  Rev 13:5 (KJV)

 

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

 

 

What were these great blasphemies against God ?

 

a.   Augustus (27 B.C. - 14 A.D.)  instituded the Roman Imperial Cult

 

b.   Tiberius (14 - 37 A.D.) called or referred to as the "Son of God".

 

c.   Caligula (37 - 41 A.D.)  the incarnation of Jupiter, i.e. the god above all gods

 

d.         Nero                54-68   Nero, depicted as the sun god Apollo

 

 

 

 

The trumpets - historically

 

And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.  --  Rev 8:2 (KJV)

 

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  --  Rev 8:3 (KJV)

 

And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.  --  Rev 8:4 (KJV)

 

The Judgement of God

 

And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.  --  Rev 8:5 (KJV)

 

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.  --  Rev 8:6 (KJV)

 

 

The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.  --  Rev 8:7 (KJV)

 

 

The use of symbols in prophecy

 

What is meant by the tree ?

And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  --  Mat 3:10 (KJV)

 

Remember John the Baptist

As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.  --  Luke 3:4 (KJV)

Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;  --  Luke 3:5 (KJV)

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.  --  Luke 3:6 (KJV)

 

What is meant by the grass ?

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  --  Isa 40:3 (KJV)

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:  --  Isa 40:4 (KJV)

And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.  --  Isa 40:5 (KJV)

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:  --  Isa 40:6 (KJV)

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.  --  Isa 40:7 (KJV)

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.  --  Isa 40:8 (KJV)

 

Does everyone remember the judgment which Christ pronounced upon Israel in

The Olivet Discourse

 

 

 

And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.  --  Mat 24:2 (KJV)

 

Remember we said that The Jews in Jerusalem were accused of Treason

 

            The temple priests announced their sudden refusal to no longer offer up sacrifices and prayers on behalf of the Roman emperor. 

 

            Cestius Gallus, governor of the Roman province of Syria (which included Judea), marched south from Antioch with two legions (6000) of armies.  October A.D. 66

            Cestius' legions were suddenly attacked by guerrilla who killed 515 Romans at a loss of only 22 Jews.  

 

            A.D. 66 - Jerusalem was encompassed with soldiers to regain control over the temple.  He left over a legion of Roman guards to hold the temple and mysteriously and unexpectantly withdrew from Jerusalem to Antioch.

 

            Jewish resistance successfully attacked and overthrew the Romans, killing practically the entire legion wit arrows, spears, and rocks.

 

 

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.  --  Luke 21:20 (KJV)

 

 

Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.  --  Luke 21:21 (KJV)

 

            A.D. 66 - The sudden departure of Cestius Gallus left a perfect opportunity for the Jews that believed Christ's words to escape the desolation.

When Cestius Gallus left Jerusalem and the temple intact after regaining control.  Obviously there had been some peace agreement made with the priests at the temple which left Cestius with the assurrance that the legion which he left behind would be enough to keep things under control.

 

            Afterwards, the Emperor Nero summoned general Vespasian from Britan who, together with his son Titus, laid plans to recapture the city.  They planned the seige to take place during the Jewish Passover in the spring of 70 A.D.   At least 1/4 of a million Jews would be brutally put to death through starvation, burning, shot through with arrows, crucified, hacked up in pieces, and many others were enslaved leading to their eventual death. 

 

 

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.  --  Luke 21:24 (KJV)

 

            A.D. 70 - Just 3 1/2 years later, the Romans soldiers would return.  This time the temple would be demolished, stone by stone.

 

            With over four legions of soldiers, Titus began his seige of Jerusalem.  It was not Titus' desire to tear down the temple but merely to regain control of it, although the massacre of the people and bloodshed was planned to teach the rebels a lesson.

 

 

 

Roman Standards

 

            After destroying the temple the Romans carried their standards into the temple.   These were long poles having cross arms near the top from which each Roman legion hung their own characteristic symbol.  It is said by some that these soldiers actually worshipped their standards which most likely means the protecting god that each standard represented.

 

Swine Sacrifice in the Temple

 

 

... and there shall be famines, ...  and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  --  Mat 24:7 (KJV)

 

            To make things worse, three different gang like bands of rebel Jews began to attack and terrorize their fellow Jews.  The desolation and destruction of Jerusalem, with 1/4 million dead bodies throughout the land created an environment of great pestilence and the rapid spread of great plagues of sickness and disease.  Dwindling supplies throughout the city created great panic and famine was so bad that woman actually ate their own babies.

 

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  --  Mat 24:10 (KJV)

 

            Near the end of August, some of the Romans, infuriated with Jewish fanaticism and resistance, finally set fire to the gold plated wood of the temple's wall and ceilings.

 

Still, the surviving Jews refused to surrender and Titus literally turned his troops loose upon them to do whatever they chose to do with them.

 

            Just about everyone throughout Jerusalem died.   At least 97,000 men, woman, and children were taken into captivity as prisoners.  Many of these would face the animals in amphitheaters.

 

 

 

            Many Jews were compelled to dig the corinthian canal in Greece.  Many others were sent to Egypt to toil there to their death as slaves.  Some were sold to the Gentiles living in Judea as slaves.  They were sold for mere pennies to to the great dearth and poor economy throughout the land.

 

 

                                    100 ft. bronze statue of himself erected in the temple

                                  of Mars that he may be properly worshipped

 

e.         Domitian        81-96   demanded all to worship him as "father of the gods".

         

 

The common teaching is that the church will not suffer under the hands of the beast because the church is not appointed to wrath.  According to this teaching the entire church MUST be removed from the earth before the persecution of the beast of Rev 13 can begin.  The removal is commonly referred to as the RAPTURE.

 

I ask you now, is this really what the Bible says ?

 

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.  --  Rev 13:7 (KJV)

 

If what happened in history is supposed to be a type of and partial fulfilment of what is coming, why didn't these christians escape the persecution? 

 

 

What instead was prophesised by John was that there would be another ten more periods of great persecution represented by the ten horns. 

 

 

 

Ten Horns - 10 more periods of  Roman Persecution to follow

 

 

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.  --  Rev 2:10 (KJV)

 

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.  --  Rev 17:12 (KJV)

 

 

Ten Horns on the Roman Beast

 

1.       Hadrian     117-138

                   often identified with the Olympian Zeus

 

                   erected temples of Jupiter and Venus over the old

                   Jewish temple site and the suppossed spot of

                   Christ's crucifixion

 

                   some christians had been undoubtedly beaten badly and

                   killed.  The extent of the persecution is not completely

                   known

 

         

2.       Antoninus Pius  138-161

                   demanded christians worship the images of the emperor

                   many christians were put to death

 

 

 

3.       Aurelius     168-177

                   Polycarp - burned at the stake

 

                   Marcus Aurelius famous for execution of christians

                   by the gladiators in sports arenas

 

4.       Commodus          180-192

                   demanded that he be worshiped

                   many christians were beheaded

 

5.       Severus       203-210

 

                   torn apart by leopards, bears, and bulls, wild beasts

                   bodies burned, many children slaughtered,

                   christian woman were shamed

                   perhaps the most severe persecution of christianity

 

                   Septimus Severus proclaimed his own divinity

                   and married the daughter of the Sun priest at Emesa

 

 

6.       Maximin    235-237

                   beheaded, their heads set upon the city gates

                   beaten with clubs, pricked with sharp reeds, stoned

                   burned at the stake

 

 

 

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.  --  Rev 13:10 (KJV)

 

Why wasn't there any rapture ?   Why were these christians tortured ?

Why are we so convinced that we're all going to escape ?  Are we ????

 

 

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:  --  Rev 13:16 (KJV)

 

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.  --  Rev 13:17 (KJV)

 

So, what actually happened in those days.  Was there any such mark imposed ?

 

 

7.       Decius         250-253

                   starved to death, beheaded, burned, cast into prison,

                   feet and legs in stocks,

 

                   caused everyone to obtain a certificate to prove that

                   they had worshipped the Roman gods

 

         

8.       Valerian     257-260

                   beheaded, fastened by feet to the tail of a bull.  the bull

                   would be driven down the steps of the temple until the

                   brains of the victim would pour out upon the ground

 

                   whipped, beaten, tied to burning plates,

                   roasted over an open fire alive

         

                   revival  of the certificate law of Decius

                   caused everyone to obtain a certificate to prove that

                   they had worshipped the Roman gods

 

         

9.       Aurelian     270

                   tortured and beheaded

 

10.     Diocletian   303-310

                   imperial cult revived again. 

                   christians sentenced to death or hard labor in the mines

 

 

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.  --  Rev 13:18 (KJV)

 

 

Everyone of us has at one time learned about Roman numerals.   These Roman numerals were the common method for counting or assigning numbers to things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.  --  Dan 7:24 (KJV)

 

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.  --  Dan 7:25 (KJV)

 

 

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.  --  Rev 13:11 (KJV)

 

           Roman Empire Divided

The second Rome at Byzantium

 

 

 

Pergamos means Married

 

          Constantine's marriage of imperial Rome with the Church

 

 

  Movement of throne from Rome to Constantinople

 

 

 

 

 

Some say Christianity conquered Rome by defeating the Roman gods,

and pagan worship throughout the empire,

others say that by Christianity swallowing the pagan rites, festivities, and polytheistic ceremonies of the old Roman empire, Christianity itself had been conquered by Rome.

 

The truth:  Both had given way to a new creature having the attributes and characteristics of pagan Rome and Christianity.  The creature is described as a hybrid beast.  How fitting.

 

 

  Conversion of Constantine

 

Constantine's Vision

 

            1.  Did Constantine actually become a Christian as a result of the vision?

            2.  As Emperor of Rome, he continued to honor the Unconquered Sun god

                 as well as the other pagan deities of Rome. 

            3.  Constantine never established Christianity as the State religion, although it

                  would appear that he favored the religion for political reasons alone. 

            4.  Constantine handed the imperial scepter over to the Bishop of Rome.

                  The Bishop became his pawn to assist him in ruling over the empire,

                  giving him complete authority to handle any disputes throughout the Christian

                  world during his reign.^[2] 

 

            5.  Pontifex Maximus of religions.

                        e.  Churches enjoyed relief from taxation. 

                        f.   The Bishops were handsomely rewarded with great wealth. 

                        g.   The people of the empire were heavilly taxed instead.

`                       h. Bishop of Rome was given authority by the emperor, not by the church.

                        i.  Constantine began to rule over the church. 

                                    1.  1st ecumenical council  (325 A.D.)

                                    2.  indepenent voice was now dead

                                    3.  churches must agree with the council or be forced underground

                        j.  Council of Gangra presided over by the emperor Constantine

                                    1. matter of canon law that if

"anyone should hold private assemblies outside of the Church, and, despising the canons, shall presume to perform ecclesiastical acts, the presbyter with the consent of the bishop refusing his permission, let him be anathema."^[3]  No longer was the layman allowed to hold private assemblies or gatherings in his home.  Everything would come under the eye of scrutiny so that they might readilly detect any amount of unconformance.

           

                        k.  Synod of Antioch in Encaeniss (A.D. 341)

                                    1. forever written in Canon I

 

 "Whosoever  shall presume to set aside the decree of the holy and great Synod which was assembled at Nice in the presence of the pious Emperor Constantine, beloved of God, concerning the holy and salutary feast of Easter; if they shall obstinately persist in opposing what was then rightly ordained, let them be excommunicated and cast out of the Church; this is said concerning the laity."^[4]

 

Truly it might be said that  "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" (Rev. 13:12  KJV), that first beast being of course the Roman Empire. 

 

 Although Constantine forbade idolatrous worship in the Christian church throughout the empire, he promoted the recognition of the commemorative days of the martyrs.  Constantine also passed a statute which demanded the observance of the "Lord's day" (Sunday) throughout the empire.^[5]