MARK of the BEAST – 666

666-number-of-the-beast

Many people over the past 2000 years have wondered what the MARK of the BEAST is.  In order to understand this little understood subject, we must rely solely on the Scriptures.  The MARK of the BEAST is mentioned in Revelation 13:16-18.

Revelation 13

16And 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:
17And 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.
18Here 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 666.
Before we begin, let’s lay some ground work in order to understand prophecy according to the Scriptures.

2 Peter 1

19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

20 Knowing this first, that no PROPHECY of the SCRIPTURE is of any PRIVATE INTERPRETATION.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of Yahweh spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Prophecy is not of any private interpretation so therefore we do not need some religious guru to help us understand prophecy.  We simply need to go to the Sciptures and let the Scriptures interpret prophecy for us.

Daniel 12

8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Master, what shall be the end of these things?

9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the WISE shall UNDERSTAND.

This tells us that only the WISE will UNDERSTAND prophecy, so let’s find out who the Scriptures say the WISE are.

Proverbs 10

8 The WISE in heart will receive COMMANDMENTS: but a prating fool shall fall.

The Scriptures tell us that those who keep Yahweh’s COMMANDMENTS are the WISE.

Proverbs 13

13 Whoso despiseth the WORD shall be destroyed: but he that fears the COMMANDMENT shall be rewarded.

14 The LAW of the WISE is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

15 Good UNDERSTANDING giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.

16 Every prudent man deals with KNOWLEDGE: but a fool lays open his folly.

These Sciptures tell us that the WISE fear the COMMANDMENTS and the LAW of Yahweh and they also give both UNDERSTANDING and KNOWLEDGE.

Psalm 111

10 The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of WISDOM: a good UNDERSTANDING have all they that do His COMMANDMENTS: His praise endures for ever.

The Scriptures tell us here that those who fear Yahweh have WISDOM and those that do His COMMANDMENTS have UNDERSTANDING.

Revelation 22

10 And he said unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

The Prophet John tells us that prophecy was already being fulfilled in his day and the time was at hand.

Revelation 1

1 The Revelation of Yahshua Messiah, which Elohim gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

2 Who bare record of the word of Yahweh, and of the testimony of Yahshua Messiah, and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Again, John tells that the time was already at hand in his day.

Revelation 12

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the COMMANDMENTS of Yahweh, and have the testimony of Yahshua Messiah.

John tells us that the dragon a.k.a. the devil is at war with those who keep the COMMANDMENTS of Yahweh and have the testimony of Yahshua.

Revelation 19

10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See you do it not: I am your fellowservant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of Yahshua: worship Yahweh: for the Testimony of Yahshua is the Spirit of Prophecy.

The Testimony of Yahshua is the Spirit of Prophecy.

Revelation 13

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

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

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

10 He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the PATIENCE and the faith of the SAINTS.

We are told here that the BEAST in Revelation 13 makes war with the SAINTS of Yahweh.

Also, ALL  people on Earth worship this BEAST, except those written in the Book of Life.

The phrase PATIENCE of the SAINTS is mentioned here and will be explained next.

Revelation 14

9 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,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the WRATH of Yahweh, 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:

11 And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no REST day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the MARK of his name.

12 Here is the PATIENCE of the SAINTS: here are they that keep the COMMANDMENTS of Yahweh, and the faith of Yahshua.

We are told here that all those who receive the MARK of the BEAST will receive the WRATH of Yahweh.  We are also told what the PATIENCE of the SAINTS is.  It is the keeping of the COMMANDMENTS of Yahweh and the faith of Yahshua.

Revelation 15

And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of Yahweh.

2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the BEAST, and over his image, and over his MARK, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of Yahweh.

3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of Yahweh, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are your works, Yahweh Elohim Almighty; just and true are your ways, You King of SAINTS.

4 Who shall not fear you, O Yahweh, and glorify your NAME? for you only are holy: for all nations shall come and worship before you; for your judgments are made manifest.

This tells us that the SAINTS get victory over the MARK of the BEAST.

Revelation 16

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the WRATH of Yahweh upon the earth.

2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the MARK of the BEAST, and upon them which worshipped his image.

All those that accept the MARK of the BEAST receive the WRATH of Yahweh and receive noisome and grievous sores.

Revelation 19

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great Yahweh;

18 That you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

19 And I saw the BEAST, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army.

20 And the BEAST was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the MARK of the BEAST, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

The BEAST is going to be completely destroyed at the soon return of the Messiah Yahshua.

All who read this article will be blessed with the truth about this subject.
In order to truly understand what the MARK of the BEAST is we must first understand who the BEAST is.  Once we know who the BEAST is then we will know what his MARK is.  In order to understand Revelation 13, we must first go back to Daniel 7.

Daniel 7:1

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.

Belshazzar was a 6th century BC prince of Babylon, the son of Nabonidus and the last king of Babylon according to the Book of Daniel in the Hebrew Bible. In Daniel 5 and 8, Belshazzar is the King of Babylon before the advent of the Medes and Persians. Although there is evidence that Belshazzar existed, his famous narrative and its details are only recorded in the Book of Daniel, which tells the story of Belshazzar seeing the writing on the wall.

Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus, who after ruling only three years, went to the oasis of Tayma and devoted himself to the worship of the moon god Sin. He made Belshazzar co-regent in 553 BC, leaving him in charge of Babylon’s defense. In 540 BC, Nabonidus returned from Tayma, hoping to defend his kingdom from the Persians who were planning to advance on Babylon. Belshazzar was positioned in the city of Babylon to hold the capital, while Nabonidus marched his troops north to meet Cyrus. On October 10, 539 BC, Nabonidus surrendered and fled from Cyrus. Two days later the Persian armies overthrew the city of Babylon.

Daniel 7:2

Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the Great Sea.

The Great Sea or Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Europe, on the south by Africa, and on the east by Asia Minor.

The term Mediterranean derives from the Latin word mediterraneus, meaning “in the middle of earth” or “between lands”: as it is between the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe.

The Mediterranean Sea has historically had several names.

For example the Romans commonly called it Mare Nostrum (Latin, “Our Sea”).

In the Bible, it was primarily known as HaYam HaGadol or The Great Sea, (Num. 34:6,7; Josh. 1:4, 9:1, 15:47; Ezek. 47:10,15,20:Daniel 7:2.

Daniel 7:3-4

3 And FOUR great BEASTS came up from the SEA, diverse one from another.

4 The FIRST was like a LION, and had EAGLE’S wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.

Jeremiah 50

17 Israel is a scattered sheep; the LIONS have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of BABYLON hath broken his bones.

Deuteronomy 28

49 Yahweh shall bring a nation(Babylon) against you from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the EAGLE flies; a nation whose tongue you shall not understand.

So now from Scripture we know who was the first LION beast with EAGLE’S wings.

The Babylonian Empire ruled from the GREAT SEA and Palestine to Syria to Mesopotamia and to the Persian gulf from 604 B.C. – 539 B.C.

 

Daniel 7:5

And behold another SECOND BEAST, like to a BEAR, and it RAISED ITSELF UP ON ONE SIDE, and it had THREE RIBS in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.

The Medo-Persian Empire was made up of the Medes and the Persians, but the Persians were much stronger, so the bear “raised itself up on one side.”

The medo-Persian Empire is compared to a bear because the number one way of attack for the Persian brown bear is to attack the HEAD.  According to Daniel, the Babylonian kingdom was the HEAD of gold to be attacked.

Daniel 2:38

And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all. You(babylon) are this HEAD of gold.

The Medo-Persian Empire conquered the Babylonian Empire in 539 B.C.

The THREE RIBS represent the three kingdoms that the Medo-Persian Empire conquered:

1)  Lydia

2)  Babylonia

3)  Egypt

The Medo-Persian Empire ruled from 538 B.C. – 330 B.C.  It stretched from the GREAT SEA and Egypt to Palestine to Syria and Asia Minor to Mesopotamia to Persia.

Daniel 7:6

 After this I beheld, and another, like a LEOPARD, which had upon the back of it FOUR WINGS of a fowl; the BEAST had also FOUR HEADS; and dominion was given to it.

The Grecian Empire led by Alexander the Great conquered the Medo-Persian Empire in 330 B.C.

The Greek Empire stretched from the GREAT SEA from Egypt to Palestine to Syria to Asia Minor to Greece to Mesopotamia to Persia to India.

The symbol of the LEOPARD with FOUR WINGS is used because of the great speed at which the Grecian Empire conquered the world.  It took Alexander the Great just 13 short years to conquer the entire known world.

The cheetah is a spotted feline like the LEOPARD and is the fastest land animal in the world.  It has a top speed of 70mph.

The FOUR HEADS represent the FOUR KINGDOMS that the Grecian Empire divided into after Alexander the Great’s death in 323 B.C.

1)  Cassander – Macedonia & Thrace

2)  Lysimachus – Asia Minor

3)  Seleucus – Syria & Mesopotamia & India

4)  Ptolemy – Egypt & Palestine

The Greek Empire ruled from 330 B.C. – 30 B.C.

 

Daniel 7:7

After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a FOURTH BEAST, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had TEN HORNS.

In 30 B.C., the Roman Empire finally conquered Egypt and the last Ptolemy, Cleopatra.  Egypt was the last of the FOUR HEADS of the Grecian Empire to be conquered by Rome.  The Roman Empire ruled the entire GREAT SEA area.

The Roman Empire ruled supreme from 30 B.C. until 476 A.D.  In 476 A.D. the Roman Empire was invaded and conquered by barbarian tribes.  The Roman Empire divided into TEN KINGDOMS which are the TEN HORNS.

TEN HORNS = TEN KINGDOMS

1)  ANGLO-SAXONS (Later became the British Empire)

2)  FRANKS (Later became the French Empire)

3)  SUEVI (Later became the Portuguese Empire))

4)  VISIGOTHS (Later became the Spanish Empire))

5)  BURGUNDIANS (Later became Switzerland)

6)  LOMBARDS (Later became the Italian Empire)

7)  EAST ROMAN EMPIRE (Later became the Byzantine Empire and later still the Russian Empire)

8)  OSTROGOTHS – PLUCKED UP

9)  HERULI – PLUCKED UP

10) VANDALS – PLUCKED UP

These empires went on to conquer the globe.  The British Empire conquered 25% of the Earth and it was said, “The Sun never sets on the British Empire.”  The French Empire at one time controlled half of North America, half of Africa, 25% of Europe, India, S.E. Asia, Madagascar, as well as other areas.  The Portuguese Empire took half of South America, parts of Africa, as well as other small colonies.  The Spanish Empire conquered half of North America, half of South America, parts of Africa, and some islands in the Pacific.  The Italian Empire took North Africa and other parts of Africa.  The Byzantine Empire controlled the former Eastern Roman Empire and later the throne transfered to Russia when the Muslims took Byzantium.  The Russian Empire controlled N.E. Europe and half of Asia.  Switzerland never became an imperialist nation and so it only remained in Switzerland.  The Ostrogoths, Heruli, and the Vandals were destroyed and uprooted.

Daniel 7:8

I considered the HORNS, and, behold, there came up among them another LITTLE HORN, before whom there were THREE of the first HORNS plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

The THREE HORNS or THREE KINGDOMS that were plucked up by the roots are the Ostrogoths, Heruli, & Vandals.

The remaining SEVEN HORNS went on to conquer the globe.

The LITTLE HORN that came up among the TEN HORNS is the Pope and the Papacy.

Daniel 7:9-10

9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

This happens at the second coming which is soon to occur in our lifetime.

Notice the first phrase about the thrones being cast down.  This was fulfilled during the time in history known as the Age of Revolution.  The Age of Revolution is the period from approximately 1775 to 1848 in which a number of significant revolutionary movements occurred on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in Europe and the Americas,

Daniel 7:11

 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

This is a prophecy of the future final destruction of the Pope and the Roman Church.

 

Daniel 7:12

As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

Again this is speaking of the Age of Revolution when the monarchies were put down, but the 7 remaining horns remain now as democracies and republics.

Daniel 7

13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

This speaks of the soon coming fulfillment of the return of the Messiah and the setting up of the Millenial Kingdom here on Earth.

Daniel 7:15-16

15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

16 I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.

This is Daniel talking with angel to gain more understanding.

Daniel 7:17-18

17 These great BEASTS, which are FOUR, are FOUR KINGS, which shall arise out of the earth.

18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

We already know who these 4 Kingdoms are:  Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome which divided into 10 and 7 of these divisions are still with us today.  But the saints of the most High will take the kingdom when Yahshua retuns in the next few years.

Daniel 7:19-20

19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;

20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

These verses speak of the Roman Empire and its later division into 10 and the Little Horn ie. the Pope and his kingdom.  He had a look more stout than his fellow kings in that he was not a secular king, but a religious king.  During the Holy Roman Empire, which we will discuss shortly, the Pope was more powerful than his other fellow kings.

Daniel 7:21-22

21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

Those verses speak about the Pope and the Roman Church persecution of Yahweh’s true believers or saints.  If someone didn’t obey the dictates of the Roman Church they could be persecuted, have their property confiscated, tortured, or even killed.  Fox’s Book of Martyrs by John Foxe gives some information about this.  Also, you can study about the Spanish Inquisitions and the Dark Ages as well.

Daniel 7:23-25

23 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.

24 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.

25 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.

1)  The Roman Catholic Church has removed the Second Commandment – Thou Shall Not Have Any Graven Idols

2)  The Roman Catholic Church has changed the Sabbath to Sunday.

3)  The Roman Church does not keep any Biblical Feast Days, but keeps Babylonian Holidays instead such as Christmas, Easter, & Sunday.

4)  The Pope claims to be the Antichrist, ie. The Vicar of the Son of God.

5)  The Pope and the Roman Priests claim to be able to forgive sins.  Only Yahweh can forgive sins.

6)  The Pope claims to be able to change Yahweh’s Laws.  Yahweh tells us in Deuteronomy not to add or take away from His laws.

All of these things are the Pope claiming he has the power to change Yahweh’s Appointed Feasts and Laws.  Which is exactly what Daniel says he would do, “think to CHANGE TIMES AND LAWS.”  The three and a half times are 3.5×360=1260 prophetic days which are 1260 years.  This is the time period from 538 A.D. until 1798 A.D. when Napoleon ended the Pope and the Papacy.

Ezekiel 4 is where we find out that each day represents a year.

4 Lie thou also upon thy left side, and lay the iniquity of the house of Israel upon it: according to the number of the DAYS that thou shalt lie upon it thou shalt bear their iniquity.

5 For I have laid upon thee the YEARS of their iniquity, according to the number of the DAYS, three hundred and ninety days: so shalt thou bear the iniquity of the house of Israel.

6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty DAYS: I have appointed thee each DAY for a YEAR.

Daniel 7:26-28

26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

28 Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Yahweh reminds us here that the kingdom will soon be taken away from Rome and its Roman Church and given to the saints of the most High.

Revelation 13:1-2

Revelation 13

1 And I stood upon the sand of the SEA, and saw a BEAST rise up out of the SEA, having SEVEN HEADS and TEN HORNS, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

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.

Here we have the Prophet John picking up and confirming what the Prophet Daniel was saying about the Roman beast rising up out of the Great Sea and having 10 horns.  he adds a new element by telling us that Rome also has 7 heads.  in Revelation 17 we find out that the 7 heads are 7 mountains on which Rome sits.  Rome is know as the City of Seven Hills.  There are also 7 kings that represent the 7 heads.  We are told that Babylon was 1 head and Greece was 4 heads for a total of 5 heads. Then later we are told that Rome is the 6th head and that there would be a seventh head.

SEVEN HEADS

1)  Babylon is the first HEAD.  Daniel2:38  “…Thou art this HEAD of gold.”

2)  Greece is the next 4 HEADS.  Daniel 7:6 “…the beast had also four HEADS…”

3)  Rome is the 6th HEAD.  Revelation 17:9-10 “The seven HEADSare seven MOUNTAINS…  AND there are seven KINGS: five are fallen(Babylon & Greece), and one is(Rome)…”

Daniel 7:20  “And of the ten horns that were in his HEAD…”  Remember Rome had the 10 horns and now we are told that they were in his HEAD.

Revelation 13:3-4

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 worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

The head that was wounded to death and then healed was the Roman Empire that divided into 10 separate kingdoms in 476 A.D.  By obeying the false religious system of Rome and its false religious worship system you are worshipping the Dragon a.k.a. Devil a.k.a. Satan.

Revelation 13:5-10

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 Yahweh, 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 the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

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

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

1)  The Pope speaks blasphemies when he puts himself in the place of Yahweh by changing the appointed times and laws of Yahweh and forgiving sins.

2)  42 months = 42×30=1260 prophetic days = 1260 years from 538 A.D.-1798 A.D.

3)  During the Dark Ages the Roman Church and the Pope persecuted and killed millions of Bible believing saints.

4)  Both Roman Catholics and her Protestant daughters worship the Pope and the Roman Church by keeping its times and laws instead of worshipping Yahweh by keeping His appointed times and laws.

5)  The Pope was removed from power by the sword and taken into captivity in 1798 A.D. by the French Emperor Napoleon.

Revelation 13:11-12

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

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

1)  After the Roman Empire received the deadly wound in 476 A.D., it slowly began to revive into 2 horns or kingdoms.  One of these kingdoms was known as the Holy Roman Empire, which reigned in Rome from 800 A.D. until 1806 A.D.  The other kingdom was known as the Byzantine Empire, which reigned in Byzantium from 476 A.D. until 1453 A.D.  After 1453 A.D., the kingdom transferred to Russia from 1453 A.D. until 1917 A.D.

2)  These 2 horn kingdoms were like a lamb in that they claimed to be Christian and represent the Lamb on earth, but they spoke as a Dragon because they deceived the world into keeping the Babylonian Holidays of Christmas, Easter, Sunday, etc.

The territory that once belonged to the Roman Empire was now being controlled by the 2 horns or kingdoms of the Holy Roman Empire and the Eastern Orthodox Byzantine Empire.

Revelation 13:13-14

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

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

1)  The WORD of Yahweh is the FIRE that came down from HEAVEN and the 2 horned beast uses it to deceive people.

Deuteronomy 4:36  Out of HEAVEN he made you to hear his voice, that he might instruct you: and upon earth he showed you his great FIRE; and you heard his WORD out of the midst of the FIRE.

Jeremiah 23:29  Is not my WORD like as a FIRE? says Yahweh…

2)  The image of the beast is the new religious Roman Empire that replaced the old Roman Empire which had the wound by a sword.  The new religious Roman Empire was made up of the Holy Roman Empire in the west and the Eastern Orthodox Byzantine Empire in the east.

Images also called idols were used by the Pagans to worship their gods.  This new religious 2 Horned Beast demanded worship from its subjects and was an image of the former Roman Empire that was brought to an end in 476 A.D. by the barbarian tribes.

Revelation 13:15

15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Both the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire forced their doctrines of worship upon the whole world.  Those that did not conform were both persecuted and killed.

Revelation 13:16-18

16 And he causes 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 666.

1)  This 2 horn lamb-like beast has caused the whole world to receive this MARK in the HAND and FOREHEAD.

2)  Only those with the MARK, name of the beast(Rome), or the number of his name(666) can “buy or sell.”

3)  Only those with wisdom and understanding can count the number of the beast.  The number of the beast is a number of a man and his number is 666.

Revelation 13:16

16 And he cause all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a MARK in their right HAND, or in their FOREHEADS:

The first use of the word “MARK” in the Scriptures is:

Genesis 4:15

And Yahweh said unto him, Therefore whosoever slays Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And Yahweh set a MARK upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.

The Hebrew word for “MARK” is #226 in the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and is pronounced “owth.“  It is translated this one time as “MARK” and the rest of the time it is translated something else which has caused confusion.  It is translated as the Engish word “SIGN” 60 times.

When we do a search for both the word “SIGN” and “HAND” we come up with a few scriptures for reference.

Exodus 13:9

And it shall be for a SIGN unto you upon your HAND, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Yahweh’s LAW may be in your mouth: for with a strong hand hath Yahweh brought you out of Egypt.

Now, lets correct the translation with the correct word “MARK” for clarification.  Also, the Hebrew phrase, “between your eyes” means FOREHEAD so we will put this word in as well.

Exodus 13:9

And it shall be for a MARK upon your HAND, and for a memorial on your FOREHEAD, that Yahweh’s LAW may be in your mouth: for with a strong hand hath Yahweh brought you out of Egypt.

MARK of Yahweh vs. MARK of the BEAST

Here is another instance where we find both “SIGN” and “HAND.”

Deuteronomy 6

6 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which Yahweh commanded to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you go to possess it:

2 That you might fear Yahweh, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, and your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged.

3 Hear, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as Yahweh of your fathers has promised you, in the land that flows with milk and honey.

4 Hear, O Israel: Yahweh is one Yahweh:

5 And you shall love Yahweh with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.

6 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart:

7 And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.

8 And you shall bind them for a SIGN(MARK) upon your HAND, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes(FOREHEAD).

Here is another instance where we find both “SIGN” and “HAND.”

Deuteronomy 11

13 And it shall come to pass, if you shall hear diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love Yahweh, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your corn, and your wine, and your oil.

15 And I will send grass in your fields for your cattle, that you may eat and be full.

16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

17 And then Yahweh’s wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest you perish quickly from off the good land which Yahweh gives you.

18 Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a SIGN(MARK) upon your HAND, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes(FOREHEAD).

Revelation 13:17

And that no man might BUY or SELL, save he that had the MARK, or the name of the beast(Rome), or the number of his name(666).

Proverbs 23:23

BUY the truth, and SELL it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.  Who do you know that is in the business of buying and selling Yahweh’s truth?

Matthew 25

25 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that SELL, and BUY for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Notice the 5 wise virgins told the 5 foolish virgins to go to those who SELL oil and BUY it.  We are not talking about real oil here, but rather this is spiritual oil that can only be found at a spiritual store ie. a church, synagogue, etc.  Those who “BUY and SELL” are the priests, preachers, and rabbis.

Revelation 13:18

Here is WISDOM. Let him that hath UNDERSTANDING count the number of the beast(Rome): for it is the number of a man; and his number is 666.

Psalm 111:10

The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of WISDOM: a good UNDERSTANDING have all they that do his commandments: his praise endures forever.

According to Scripture, the WISE are those who fear Yahweh and those with UNDERSTANDING are those that keep His Commandments.

The Saints are the ones who keep the Commandments of Yahweh.

 

We know the beast is Rome and the Holy Roman Empire.

We know the number of the beast is 666.

But what is the number of a man that is also 666?

ROMULUS was the first king of Rome and it was after him that the city of Rome and later the Roman Empire was named. The Greek name for Romulus was LATEINOS.

In Greek the name Lateinos works out as follows:

L
A
T
E
I
N
O
S
30
1
300
5
10
50
70
200
Total 666

On pages 269 – 270 in the book, THE TWO BABYLONS, Alexander Hislop writes:

“The name Lateinos has been generally accepted by Protestant writers as having many elements of probability to recommend it. But yet there has been always found a certain deficiency, and it has been felt that something was wanting to put it beyond all possibility of doubt. Now, looking at the subject from the Babylonian point of view, we shall find both the name and the number of the beast brought home to us in such a way as leaves nothing to be desired on the point of evidence. Osiris, or Nimrod, whom the Pope represents, was called by many different titles, and therefore, as Wilkinson remarks, he was much in the same position as his wife, who was called Myrionymus, the goddess with ‘ten thousand names.’ Among these innumerable names, how shall we ascertain the name at which the Spirit of God points in the enigmatical language that speaks of the name of the beast, and the number of his name? If we know the Apocalyptic name of the system, that will lead us to the head of the system. The name of the system is ‘Mystery’ (Rev.17.5). Here, then, we have the key that at once unlocks the enigma. We have now only to inquire what was the name by which Nimrod was known as the god of the Chaldean Mysteries. That name was SATURN. Saturn and Mystery are both Chaldean words, and they are correlative terms. As ‘mystery’ signifies the Hidden system, so Saturn signifies the Hidden god. To those who were initiated the god was revealed; to all else he was hidden. Now the name Saturn in Chaldea  is pronounced Satur; but, as every Chaldee scholar knows, consists only of four letters, thus – STUR.

This name Stur contains exactly the Apocalyptic number 666:

S
T
U
R
= 60
= 400
= 6
= 200666

Also, the Hebrew spelling for Saturn also equals exactly 666.

Going even further in the direction that the numerical values contained in the titles of Rome’s civil and religious leaders add up to 666, we find that the Pope bears in his triple crown the words VICARIUS FILII DEI. This title also adds up to 666:

V
I
C
A
R
I
U
S
= 5
= 1
= 100
= 0
= 0
= 1
= 5
= 0
F
I
L
I
I
= 0
= 1
= 50
= 1
= 1
D
E
I
= 500
= 0
= 1
Totals

112

+

53

+

501

= 666

Writing on this subject in his book, NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, the author E. W. Bullinger has this to say on pages 284 – 286:

“It is remarkable that the Romans did not use all the letters of their alphabet as did the Hebrews and Greeks. They used only six letters, D, C, L, X, V and I. And it is still more remarkable, and perhaps significant, that the sum of these amounts to 666:-

D
C
L
X
V
I
= 500
= 100
= 50
= 10
= 5
= 1
Total                                                                     666

The numeric equivalents of Hebrew letters can be found in the Encyclopedia Britannica under “Languages of the World”, Table 50.  Both the Greeks and Hebrews used letters for their numbering system.

ROMIITH

means the Roman Kingdom

ROMITI

means the Roman Man

R= 200 resh R= 200 resh
O= 6 waw (vav) O= 6 waw (vav)
M= 40 mem M= 40 mem
I= 10 yod I= 10 yod
I= 10 yod T= 400 taw
TH= 400 taw I= 10 yod
————– ———-
666 666

In conclusion, by the faithful interpretation of the Scriptures one can discover who the BEAST(Rome) is and also what his MARK(Times & Laws) is.  The world today have both the Roman Empire and the Roman Church to thank for our modern day calendar.  Julius Caesar of the Roman Empire gave us the Julian calendar which was in use from the 1st century B.C. until the 16th century A.D.  In the 1500’s, Pope Gregory of the Roman Church gave us the current Gregorian calendar which the world uses today.  Instead of using the Creator Yahweh’s calendar found in the Scriptures, we use the Roman calendar which includes the names of Pagan gods for the names of the days of the week and for the names of the months of the year.  This calendar also contains the Babylonian Holidays such as Sunday, Easter, Christmas, etc.  Instead of following Yahweh and His Appointed Holy Days, the world follows the Roman Beast and its pagan holidays.

May Yahweh bless you in your faith and understanding!  John VonDrashek

Hanukkah is connected to Mithra/Shamash and the Winter Solstice

shamash

To everyone concerned, please let me apologize upfront if I hurt anyone’s feelings with the following information. My intent is not to hurt, but to simply inform. Please take the time to read all the information before jumping to any conclusions. I am simply a messenger trying to convey the Truth.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes ‘God Manifest’ c. 215 BC – 164 BC) ruled the Seleucid Empire from 175 BC until his death in 164 BC. His original name was Mithridates(Named after Mithra); he assumed the name Antiochus after he ascended the throne.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiochus_IV_Epiphanes

Royal names incorporating Mithra’s (e.g., “Mithradates”) appear in the dynasties of Syria, Parthia, Armenia, Anatolia, Pontus and Cappadocia. Pagan royalty named themselves after the gods they worshipped.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithra

Mithra’s holiday was celebrated on December 25th or December 26th depending on the day of the winter solstice.
Vermaseren, M. J.. The Excavations in the Mithraeum of the Church of Santa Pricsa in Rome. Brill. pp. 238–. Retrieved 3 April 2011. “One should bear in mind that the Mithraic New Year began on Natalis Invicti, the birthday of their invincible god, i.e. December 25th, when the new light …… appears from the vault of heaven.”

In modern times the winter solstice can fall on either December 21st or December 22nd.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice

1 Maccabees 1
54 On the 15th day of the month of Kislev in the year 145(Seleucid Era),King Antiochus set up the Awful Horror on the altar of the Temple, and pagan altars were built in the towns throughout Judea.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 Maccabees+1&version=GNT

The year 145 of the Seleucid Era corresponds to October 168 B.C.E.-September 167 B.C.E.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seleucid_era

1 Maccabees 1
59 On the 25th day of Kislev, these same evil people offered sacrifices on the pagan altar erected on top of the altar in the Temple.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 Maccabees+1&version=GNT

In 168 B.C.E. the new moon of Kislev fell on December 1st and the 25th day of Kislev fell on December 25th ie. Mithra’s holiday when Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed a swine in the Temple of Yahweh.
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/phase/phases-0199.html

The book of Maccabees ADMITS that the first day of Hanukkah is on the EXACT SAME DAY as Antiochus Epiphanes kept Mithra’s holiday and sacrificed swine in the Temple of Yahweh. The only difference is that the lunar calendar does not always fall on the same day of the solar year.
1 Maccabees 4 :52-54

1 Maccabees 4
52-54 The 25th day of the ninth month, the month of Kislev, in the year 148(Seleucid Era) was THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAY THE GENTILES DESECRATED THE ALTAR. On that day a sacrifice was offered on the new altar in accordance with the Law of Moses. The new altar was dedicated and hymns were sung to the accompaniment of harps, lutes, and cymbals. 55 All the people bowed down with their faces to the ground and worshiped and praised the Lord for giving them victory.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 Maccabees+4&version=GNT

In Zoroastrian/Iranian tradition, Mithra became the divinity of the Sun. How, when or why this occurred is uncertain, but is attributed to a conflation with the Babylonian SHAMASH, who – in addition to being a Sun god – was a judicial figure like Mithra.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithra

Shamash was a native Mesopotamian deity and the sun god in the Akkadian, Assyrian, Canaanite, Hebrew, and Babylonian pantheons. Shamash was the god of justice in Babylonia and Assyria.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamash

The Hanukkah festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to 8 on the final night. The typical Hanukiah consists of eight branches with an additional RAISED branch in the middle. The extra light is called the SHAMASH and is GIVEN A DISTINCT LOCATION, usually ABOVE the rest. The SHAMASH sun god candle is elevated above all the others.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah

In conclusion, the 25th of Kislev fell on December 25th in the year 168 B.C.E. when Antiochus Epiphanes aka. Mithradates worshipped Mithra aka. SHAMASH.

Sadly, today most Jews and Messianics celebrate this exact same day, Kislev 25, and also use the SHAMASH to celebrate it. Although Kislev 25 on the lunar calendar does not fall on the winter solstice every year, it did so in the year 168 B.C.E. when Antiochus Epiphanes sacrificed unto Mithra. True believers should not mix anything that is associated with a pagan holiday with the worship of Yahweh.

Please again forgive me, if I seem to come across wrong, but I just want you to be informed with the Truth. The Truth will make us free. Peace and Blessings to you and yours!

*The primary root word for SUN in the Hebrew is #8121 of the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. It is pronounced exactly the same in both the Hebrew and Chaldean/Babylonian, “SHEMESH.” The primary root word for SERVANT/ATTENDANT in the Hebrew is #5647 in the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. It is pronounced exactly the same in both the Hebrew and Chaldean/Babylonian, “AWBAWD.” “Shamash” is the most popular transliteration used and that is why I chose it.

*Some things to take into consideration when calculating moon phases thousands of years ago is that it is not an exact science as NASA plainly admits on their website. “The last column of the phase table lists ΔT, the value used to convert Dynamical Time to Universal Time. The uncertainty in the value of ΔT grows large for dates in the distant past or future.” ” The uncertainty in the value of ΔT is of particular interest in the calculation of eclipse paths in the distant past and future. Unfortunately, estimating the standard error in ΔT prior to 1600 CE is a difficult problem. It depends on a number of factors which include the accuracy of determining ΔT from historical eclipse records and modeling the physical processes producing changes in Earth’s rotation.” The ΔT for the 168 B.C.E. is 3 hours and 27 minutes. Also, all the dates before 1582 C.E. are according to the Julian Calendar system. “The old style Julian calendar is used for dates prior to 1582, while the modern Gregorian calendar is used after that date.” A third thing to realize is that a visible crescent moon may be observed as early as 13.5 hours with lenses and 15.5 hours with the naked eye. http://moonsighting.com/faq_ms.html In 168 B.C.E. the new moon happened at 02:49 or 2:49a.m. on December 1st, 168 B.C.E. Being that it is possible to observe the new moon crescent in as little as 13.5-15.5 hours after the conjunction, then the new moon crescent could have been observed at sundown on December 1st, especially taking into consideration 3 hours and 27 minutes for ΔT. However, the new moon crescent would have definitely been observable on the following sundown on December 2nd being that it had at least 40 hours to mature after conjunction. This would place Kislev 25 on December 26 which is a viable candidate for the winter solstice and the Mithra holiday. Shalom!