The creation of this blog goes back to March 2021, to continue our Sunday morning Foundation studies during the covid-19 lockdown. It covers a myriad of topics, such as, Angels and Demons; Book of Acts; what happens after death; and much more. Our current Sunday study, at class request, is Revelation, which involves a lot of research, serving as the basis for these current posts. 

Anyone reading Revelation, or following it with a single commentary, will struggle to understand John’s images and prophecies, since there is a broad range of interpretations. These posting are the result of my research on the meaning of John’s images and prophecies. The slide notes some prophetic signs from the Bible, some of which are historic, and even reflected in current events. 

The Book of Revelation is a topic on Christian radio, TV and books—even a book for dummies—only noted as an illustration. The difficulty is that John uses 1st century language and knowledge to describe 21st century prophecies. I read numerous commentaries, viewed numerous videos, and read contrary opinions. So, which one is closest to what the Book is telling us? My best answer is to point to “signs”, both current and historical events, as they may appear relevant to John’s prophecies. 

Why “signs”?  If the End Times became closer, how would we know if we weren’t aware of what the signs of its coming were? How else could we recognize those signs, except for what the images in Revelation seem to be telling us? As such, signs are “clues” that could potentially indicate the image described by John. 

Since Revelation is in the Bible, obviously God wants us to read it and understand it, as best we can. This blog isn’t intended as a substitute for studying the Book itself. Join us on Sunday morning in Heritage Lounge. It’s never too late to get insight into the meanings of John’s images and prophecies. 

There are different views—the Preterist view proclaims that most of Revelation was written for the 1st century Christians persecuted under Nero, who they believe is the Antichrist. Some see it as far into the future, and thus not relevant to today’s Christians—so why bother? If Revelation is ancient history, there wouldn’t be any signs, and no point in looking for them. Why even study John’s prophesies if they already happened? We should be able to verify them by historical accounts, which I don’t see, nor validated as such.  

The Preterist view is described on this slide and shown on the next slide. I think history tells us otherwise for a number of reasons as stated throughout these postings. 

Slide lays out the Preterist view of Revelation, claiming that all its prophecies were fulfilled by 476 AD with the fall of the Roman Empire, with one exception, the second coming of Jesus Christ. I think it’s a tough sell, one I don’t agree with for many reasons. The two key events noted are shown on the next two slides. 

The Preterist view sees the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, by the Romans, as encompassing many if not most of the major prophecies in Revelation. The final event, as such, is shown on the next slide, which encompasses God’s wrath pouring out on a fallen and unrepentant world. 

The Fall of Rome in 476 AD! When we imagine a world that follows a social collapse, we think of it as science fiction, often following a sudden, shocking event such as a nuclear Armageddon. We assume that our society is secure, that it will always be. We can imagine the same was true for the mighty Roman Empire, and that they did not believe their society could collapse, but it did. And that is exactly what Revelation tells us about the Tribulation. And yet, even the destruction of Rome could not encompass all of John's End Time prophecies. 

Revelation tells us that 666 is the “Number of the Beast”. Rev 13:18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666. 

As shown on the slide, there will be many signs, some will increase in intensity as we draw closer. If the End Times was a couple of centuries into the future, no matter how much research we did, we would still be at a total loss to understand it.  

  

Revelation 13:11, introduces the False Prophet, believed to be an influential religious leader who points people to the Antichrist. The False Prophet will be like other false prophets throughout history. But his lies and satanic powers will point the world to follow and even worship the Antichrist, as we see on the next slide.

As we are told in Revelation 13:13-15, the pathway for the Antichrist is paved by the False Prophet, through satanic powers, with miraculous signs. It’s believed by many that the False Prophet will be a well-known and influential religious leader. 

 Again, it’s believed by many that the False Prophet will be a well-known and influential religious leader, most likely of a large worldwide religion. 

June 23, 2017: Pope Francis called for “a one world government” and “political authority”, arguing that the creation of the one world government is needed to combat major issues such as “climate change.”

I am not accusing this pope of being the False Prophet. And I’m sure his intentions are predicated on what he views as an essential need. Again, this is only an illustration of “what will come” ushering in the End Times. 

The Antichrist will not come on the scene as an instant world dictator. He will do it "one step at a time” until all the world is under his power and control. I believe each of those steps will be a sign of his coming and rise to power—“one sign at a time”. 

How can one man take complete control over the entire world system? The Antichrist will rise to power with the influence of the False prophet, paving the way with miracles (Rev. 13:11-17), and then rising to full power over a global governance system, including all financial transactions as we see in the following slides.

Is it possible to have a single worldwide economic system? With today’s technology it is entirely possible. I believe the best way to understand Revelation is to look at current events as potential signs of its coming. Keep in mind that signs are but an indication of what is to come, not that it’s already here. Rev. 13 speaks of the coordinated establishment of a worldwide economic system—via globalism, which we will look at on the following slide…

Organizations and activities are already in place to put all transactions under a single umbrella. A sign? Perhaps. Again, the path for the rise of the Antichrist will be laid out beginning with baby-steps. We may not be there yet. We don’t know how long, but one brick at a time, just like the Roman Empire laid out roads across their entire Empire giving the ability to control every aspect of their Empire. This road will not be brick and mortar, it will be economics. 

The Antichrist will have control over all financial transactions, including for food and prescription medicine purchases, which would require every individual to have the mark of the Beast. If you believe in the inerrancy of Scripture, you know it will happen as stated by John in Rev. 13:17. Some believe much of Revelation is symbolic, yet many more see it as literal. These is no compelling reason to believe it’s symbolic and not literal. We cannot impose out beliefs upon Scripture. But Scripture, as written, must shape our beliefs. 

Other than the number 666, John had no way of describing the mark in regard to today’s technology. One explanation of the meaning of 666 is associated with Old Testament Hebrew as stated on the slide. Most likely, there are other definitions or interpretation. The principle one is that it is the “Mark of the Beast”, giving to him by Satan. John also tells us in v.18 that “this calls for both “wisdom” and “insight”. In other words, stay aware of signs pointing to his coming. 

Do you shop Amazon or any other online retail? Do you use a debit card to purchase retail items or gasoline? All of which go through a bank account. Is it possible to interconnect all bank accounts? Yes. Under such a system, cash transactions would no longer be a means of exchange. We’re not there yet, but the technology is there. Revelation 13 tells how it will be used by the Antichrist. So, what exactly will the mark look like? The next slide answers…

The technology shown on the slide is available. Just as we now use a bank debit card, all financial transaction would go directedly to one’s individual checking account for a withdrawal or deposit; which would then go to a global computer system for each buying and selling transaction. Without the mark, no transaction is possible. Cash would no longer be used. Pay checks and social security checks would go directly into each individual’s bank account. 

We will close with this. Revelation 13:16-17 tells us that everyone will be required to take the mark of the beast. So, how do people get this mark and who provides oversight? Think for a moment of the control the government had during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how you needed proof of vaccine to do almost anything. Pause now and think of the 87,000 new IRS agents. The IRS currently receives notification of any bank transaction over a prescribed amount. Is that a sign? I see it as another baby step toward a one world economic system. Maybe it’s a little bit more than a baby step.

We will continue to explore “signs” of the End Times on our next posting. No matter what’s going on in the world, take comfort in knowing that God is sovereign in all things. We’re His children, where His Church—the Body of Christ.  

End of this Posting