The French Revolution and The Beast from the Bottomless Pit
Beasts are used often in Bible prophecy to represent world powers. Let’s begin this study by having a quick review of prophetic history as it was shown to Daniel and recorded in Daniel 7.
Beasts of Daniel 7:
Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 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. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself 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. After this I beheld, and lo 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. 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. 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. Daniel 7:2-8
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. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. Daniel 7:16, 17
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. 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. 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. Daniel 7:23-25
Here are the symbols Daniel saw and the history they foretold:
- Lion = Babylon 605-539 BC
- Bear = Medo-Persia 539-331 BC
- Leopard = Greece 331-168 BC
- Terrible Beast = Rome 168 BC-476 AD
- 10 Horns = Germanic Tribes 476-538 AD
- Little Horn = Papacy 538-1798 AD (3 1/2 times, 1260 years)
The Great Red Dragon–
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. Revelation 12:3
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9
We are told very clearly in these verses that the Great Red Dragon represents Satan.
The Ten-horned 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 ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 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. 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. 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? 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. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 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. 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. If any man have an ear, let him hear. 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. Revelation 13:1-10
This beast is a composite of the major features of the beasts of Daniel 7. Several points lead to the conclusion that this beast symbolizes the Roman Catholic papacy:
- it received its power, seat, and authority from the dragon (verse 2): it is a continuation of the pagan Imperial Roman Empire;
- it has worldwide influence (verses 3, 7): (catholic means universal);
- it is a religious power (verse 4): it receives worship;
- it is guilty of blasphemy (verses 1, 6): according to the Bible, blasphemy is claiming to forgive sins [Luke 5:21] and claiming to be equal with God [John 10:33]; the Roman Catholic Church makes both of these claims;
- it had power for 42 prophetic months (1260 years) (verse 5): the papacy had almost total supremacy in European politics from A.D. 538 to 1798;
- it received a deadly wound (verse 3): the pope was taken prisoner in 1798 by Napoleon’s general, Alexander Berthier, and died in exile;
- its deadly wound was healed (verse 3): In 1929, Benito Mussolini granted the pope full authority over the state of Vatican City and the papacy has regained incredible worldwide power and influence since that time;
- it persecutes the saints (verse 7): the papacy persecuted and killed millions of conscientious Christians during the Middle Ages and will do this again;
- it has the mysterious number 666 (verse 18): One of the pope’s official titles is Vicar of the Son of God which is Vicarius Filii Dei in Latin (the official language of the church). When the letters in this name are given their Roman numeral value they equal 666 (I = 1, V [or U] = 5, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500).
The Lamb-like Beast–
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. 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. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth 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. 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. 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: 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 13:11-17
Several points lead to the conclusion that this beast symbolizes the American Apostate Protestantism:
- it rises out of the earth: since water symbolizes multitudes of people (see chapter 17:15) (the first beast in this chapter rose from an area of great population: Europe), earth would symbolize an area of low population (the U.S. developed out of the sparsely inhabited New World);
- it appears after the first beast–the U.S. was becoming a nation at about the same time the papacy received its deadly wound in 1798;
- it is portrayed as a lamb–the U.S. was not a great conquering empire like the other world powers portrayed in Bible prophecy as great beasts of prey;
- it speaks like a dragon–the lamb symbolizes Christ, the dragon symbolizes Satan; the U.S. appears Christian but begins acting out Satan’s principles with great authority;
- it exercises its power and does great wonders in the sight of or in the presence of, the first beast–the U.S. and the papacy exist concurrently as great world powers.
The Beast from the Bottomless Pit–
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. Revelation 11:7
The bottomless pit is a type of “medium-security prison” for demons. (see Jude 6) Consider the story of Jesus’ encounter with demons in Luke 8:26-39 where “the deep” (v. 31) is synonymous with “the bottomless pit.” Their freedom and access to humans is limited by an individual’s choice and God’s authority. (see James 4:7 & 1 Peter 3:22) This Beast from the Bottomless Pit represents Satanism or Atheism.
Babylon–
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. . . . And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. Revelation 17:1-6, 18
Throughout the Bible, God used a woman to represent His people. (see Jeremiah 3; Ezekiel 16; Hosea 1, etc.) When she was pure and faithful, she represented His faithful, covenant people. (see Revelation 12) Many times a prostitute was used to symbolize His people when they were in apostasy. Babylon’s characteristics:
- she is a prostitute, the mother of prostitutes, etc.–the source and continuation of all corrupt, ungodly, and mystical religion;
- she sits on many waters and on the beast–controls large numbers of people and world governments;
- she is drunk with the blood of saints, martyrs, prophets, etc.–is held responsible for all religious persecution (similar to Jesus’ statement against the Jewish nation in Matthew 23:34-36)
In Revelation 12, the virtuous woman flees to the wilderness to find refuge from persecution. Here, in chapter 17, the woman seen in the wilderness is very corrupted but is very influential in world governments. This harlot represents apostate religion, including apostate Protestantism, everything that is not pure Biblical Christianity, actually hostile toward God and His people–Satan’s “prostitute.” In the last days, the professed Christian church becomes very spiritually degraded and politically entangled.
In this chapter, we again see the Beast from the Bottomless Pit. We will have more to learn about this Beast a little later. Now we will look at some of the people, powers, and events that have shaped the world since Daniel’s and John’s time.
Papal Supremacy
In the late fifth century AD, the Roman Empire was disintegrating under the attacks of the Germanic Tribes (the 10 horns of the Beast of Daniel 7). Three of these tribes were eliminated by the Roman Church, the new power that was rising out of the Roman Empire, because they opposed some of its teachings: the Heruls in 493, the Vandals in 534, the Ostrogoths in 538. This act of the Papacy was symbolized in Daniel 7 by the Little Horn that uprooted three other horns in order to establish itself. During this time “the only living, growing force within the western provinces (of the Roman Empire) seemed to be the Christian Church.” (“Roman Empire”, World Book Encyclopedia) and, since the Pope was the leader of the Roman Church, he was the most powerful leader in the empire. From the time the Ostrogoths were eliminated in AD 538, the Church ran most of the affairs of Europe. “Almost every part of life centered around religion, and the Catholic Church was the most powerful force in Europe.” (“Renaissance”, World Book Encyclopedia)
This power and control by the church was finally brought to an end after 1260 years in 1798. When Napoleon came to power in the French army, one of his moves was to send one of his generals, Alexander Berthier, to Rome where he proclaimed on February 15, 1798 that the Pope would no longer exercise any function and that no successor would be allowed in his place. The Pope, Pius VI, over 80 years old, was arrested and brought back to France. He died in prison on August 29, 1799. Many people thought the Papacy was dead and gone forever. A new Pope was finally elected but he never had the same degree of power as before. It is interesting to notice that Napoleon later made peace with the Catholic Church and when he wanted to be officially installed as the new Emperor of France in 1804, he requested the new pope, Pius VII, to come to Paris to make that declaration; but as the Pope prepared to crown him, Napoleon took the crown out of his hands and placed it on his own head himself, making it quite obvious who he thought really held ultimate authority. Later, in 1809, he had a quarrel with the Church and this same Pope excommunicated him, but that didn’t stop him from taking over most of Europe in the next few years.
The Reformation
The Reformation began on October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses, calling for reforms in the Roman Catholic Church, to the door of the All Saint’s Church in Wittenburg, Germany. The Emperor of Germany, Charles V, was supportive of the Roman Church and tried to stop the new Lutheranism. He called all his princes to a meeting in Spires in 1529 to try to get them to cooperate with him and enforce a law that would stop the spread of the new teachings. Many Papists were there also to try to influence the outcome of the meeting. About half of the princes protested the plans of the Emperor and the Papists. They became known as Protestants and established the principle that, in matters of faith, the power of conscience is above the magistrate, and the authority of the word of God is above the visible church–the Bible, and the Bible only, is the rule of faith and duty. From Germany, the Reformation spread to other countries in Europe. Quite often it was accepted by the common people but rejected by the rulers. The Papacy still had a lot of influence in political circles and stirred up persecution in many places. The Order of the Jesuits was created and the Inquisition was re-established to try to force the heretics to conform. Thousands of Protestants were killed; about 75,000 were killed in France alone during the massacre that started on Saint Bartholomew’s Day, August 24, 1572.
The Jesuits
The Jesuits, or Society of Jesus, were started by Ignatius Loyola in 1534, partly as a response to the Reformation. They were one of the main forces that spear-headed a movement within the Catholic Church known as the Counter-Reformation. They were the strongest force opposing Protestantism during the Reformation and have become sort of the Pope’s secret police. Those who join this order vow to work “for the glory of God”, to defend the Roman Catholic Church from heresy, etc., and do anything the Pope tells them. They will use any method necessary to infiltrate and get control of other organizations, or get rid of someone that seems to be threatening the Roman Church. Outwardly they appear to be very good, being involved in education and doing missionary work (they are still very active today) but behind the face of a lamb is the character of a dragon. They were involved in the Inquisition when so many Christians were hunted down, tortured, and killed for their faith.
There was no crime too great for them to commit, no deception too base for them to practice, no disguise too difficult for them to assume. … By this code, lying, theft, perjury, assassination, were not only pardonable but commendable, when they served the interests of the church. Under various disguises the Jesuits worked their way into offices of state, climbing up to be the counselors of kings, and shaping the policy of nations. They became servants to act as spies upon their masters. They established colleges for the sons of princes and nobles, and schools for the common people; and the children of Protestant parents were drawn into an observance of popish rites. . . . The Jesuits rapidly spread themselves over Europe, and wherever they went, there followed a revival of popery. (The Great Controversy, pp. 234, 235)
Satan’s Council Meeting
Roger Morneau was involved in Satanism back in the 1940’s. A high priest in the Church of Satan told him that Satan held a special council meeting with his cohorts in the early 1700’s. He had been studying prophecy, especially Daniel 12:4 which says, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased,” and he wanted to lay his plans as the world was approaching the Industrial Age. He and his demons came up with 3 strategies:
- Strategy #1: Deceive people into believing that he (Satan) doesn’t exist.
None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those who, notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of the Scriptures, deny the existence and agency of the devil and his angels. So long as we are ignorant of their wiles, they have almost inconceivable advantage; many give heed to their suggestions while they suppose themselves to be following the dictates of their own wisdom. This is why, as we approach the close of time, when Satan is to work with greatest power to deceive and destroy, he spreads everywhere the belief that he does not exist. It is his policy to conceal himself and his manner of working. (The Great Controversy, p. 516)
Many will be ensnared through the belief that spiritualism is a merely human imposture; when brought face to face with manifestations which they cannot but regard as supernatural, they will be deceived, and will be led to accept them as the great power of God. (The Great Controversy, p. 553)
In a survey conducted a few years ago, 75% of the Americans that were surveyed said they didn’t believe in a tangible Devil.
- Strategy #2: Find a way to control people through mind control.
Hypnotism had been around as a tool of Satan and the occult for a long time; but now he planned to change it from being just a “devilish thing” to being an accepted science. He did this through Franz Mesmer (1734-1815), an Austrian doctor, who came up with some theories about “animal magnetism” and how one person can influence another person by this method. He began his work in Paris in 1778. “Although Mesmer shrouded most of his work in mysticism, modern scientific studies of hypnosis can be said to date from his efforts.” (“Hypnotism”, World Book Encyclopedia)
This is the science that Satan teaches. We are to resist everything of the kind. We are not to tamper with mesmerism and hypnotism – the science of the one who lost his first estate and was cast out of the heavenly courts. (Medical Ministry, pp. 110, 111)
- Strategy #3: Destroy the Bible without burning it through the theory of evolution.
According to Roger Morneau, Satan decided to personally tutor Charles Darwin (1809-1882) to accomplish this part of his scheme. Darwin was a British naturalist who traveled around the world to study plants and animals and published his book On the Origin of the Species in 1859. His theory was that life evolved through time strictly by natural processes and chance, that there is no God, and there was no special creation. His ideas were promoted by Thomas Huxley and soon were thought of as “true science.”
Satan considers anyone teaching evolution as a valuable minister of his great religious system. Anyone who believes evolution is basically disqualified from being a Christian because they throw out Creation, the Fall of Man, the Plan of Redemption, God’s authority, His Law, and many other essential beliefs. We can easily see how much influence this theory has had in our world. It is taught in almost all education systems and is one of the basic principles behind Communism. Adolf Hitler was a strong believer in evolution and thought he would speed up the process a bit by actively eliminating the inferior to make room for the superior who would then rule the world.
The Illuminati (and other Secret Societies)
The Illuminati started way back in the days of the Tower of Babel and Babylon with mystical religions that believed and taught doctrines of inner light (Illuminism), probing into the mysteries of the supernatural world, learning about the gods and demons. It was all Satanism.
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:4,5
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. Genesis 11:4
Satan had told Eve that there were mysterious things to be learned that God didn’t want them to know. One of the reasons for building the Tower of Babel was to probe into heaven and learn some of those mysteries. Illuminism taught that a person could open their inner senses, become a Seer, and communicate with angels and demons and dead people. We see this stuff in the Bible (the Witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28), Simon Magus (Acts 8), Barjesus (Acts 13), etc.) and it continued down through history in various forms. These people thought of themselves as Enlightened Ones. They were in direct contact with Lucifer (they don’t call him Satan), the Morning Star, the Light Bearer (Isaiah 14:12).
Down through history, the snake has been a symbol of the One who reveals mysteries to humans, the man-instructing serpent. The Roman Church suppressed this to some extent, but it still survived, just like it did in Israel when God condemned it. There are still many Secret Societies such as Wicca, Rosicrucians, Church of America, the Order of Freemasonry, and the Order of the Eastern Star (Masonic Lodges) that are promoting Witchcraft today. All of these are offshoots of those old Babylonian Mystery religions. Freemasonry has had a significant influence around the world. There are Masonic Lodges everywhere and many of our national leaders have been (and still are) Masons; but Freemasonry is just a publicly accepted form of witchcraft, a modern version of the religion of Nimrod.
Albert Pike, a poet, a Confederate Brigadier General, and a high-ranking leader in the Masons in the 1800’s, gives us a little glimpse into what these secret societies stand for. He wrote: “The true and pure philosophical religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal of Adonai; but Lucifer, God of light, and the God of good is struggling for humanity against Adonai, the god of darkness and evil.” (“A History of the Jesuits,” video by James Arrabito)
We have this warning about secret societies:
A power from beneath is working to bring about the last great scenes in the drama–Satan coming as Christ, and working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in those who are binding themselves together in secret societies. Those who are yielding to the passion for confederation are working out the plans of the enemy. The cause will be followed by the effect. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 28)
On May 1, 1776, Adam Weishaupt, a professor of religion at the Jesuit university at Ingolstadt, Germany, started an Order of Illuminati. At first it posed as a political movement, known as Republicanism, to destroy tyranny and ignorance, and further the cause of reason, freedom and moral virtue. Its actual goals were to abolish:
- all ordered governments
- private property
- inheritance
- patriotism
- all religion
- the family
The Encyclopedia
Voltaire (1694-1778) was a French author, philosopher, and a promoter of Free Thought (Liberty). He professed belief in a Supreme Being (a god) but denied Jesus and the Bible. He once boasted, “I am weary of hearing people repeat that twelve men established the Christian religion. I will prove that one man may suffice to overthrow it.” He helped to promote the Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Reason, Sciences, the Arts, and Matter, known to us today as the Encyclopedia. The Encyclopedists and the Illuminists worked together to promote their Enlightenment ideas and were some of the main forces that stirred the people of France into the French Revolution.
Another prophecy from Revelation comes into focus at this point.
The 2 Witnesses–
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. Revelation 11:1-4
The two witnesses are the Scriptures (which can be thought of as consisting of the Old and New Testaments or the Law and the Prophets) that were so severely suppressed (clothed in sackcloth) during the 1260 years that the Papacy was in power. Near the time when the Papacy lost its power (in 1798), there were many events and forces that would continue to fulfill this prophecy.
The French Revolution (1789-1799)
The Papacy wanted absolute control and tried to accomplish this by keeping Scripture locked up in the Latin language so that no one but priests could understand it, and by killing off, driving out, or otherwise suppressing anyone who didn’t agree with her. She had done this to the Waldenses, the Albigenses, and other Protestants, the best quality of the common people. The Protestants in France, known as the Huguenots, were no exception. Because many of them were well-educated and skilled in business, they were a great asset to the country; but when they were killed or forced to flee elsewhere, France was weakened in many ways and her neighbors and rivals were strengthened. Biblical Christianity was driven out of France and the religion that was left, the Roman Catholic version, was viewed as tyranny by most of the people because of what they had seen the Church do.
This severe religious persecution along with the oppression of the poor peasants by the rich nobles and church leaders and the ideas promoted by the Illuminati and the Encyclopedists stirred up the common people until they rebelled against almost everything that was established: religion, law, social order, the family, the church, the state, anything that seemed to be restricting them. They gained some political power but had no wisdom or self-control to use it appropriately. They were so outraged by what they had suffered that they just went berserk in trying to get even. Different hate groups within the country fought against each other and anyone else who didn’t agree with them. Radical terrorist groups called Jacobin Clubs were organized and eventually sent the king, Louis XVI, to the guillotine. The Reign of Terror began and the guillotine was kept busy getting rid of anyone who was suspected of being against anyone who had some power. Church leaders were killed or tortured right along with all the others who were hated.
The French Revolution showed the world what happens when a nation rejects God completely. Radicals in Paris declared the the Revolution would not be complete until it had “dethroned the King of Heaven as well as the kings of the earth.” In this kind of environment, God’s Spirit is withdrawn and Satan’s cruel power has full control. Those who finally gained some political power didn’t have any religious principles to guide them in their decisions and they took off in high gear on the road of total atheism–godlessness. The Reign of Terror was the bloodiest when atheism was at its peak. Someone has said, “If your ladder is leaning against the wrong wall, every step you take is farther in the wrong direction.” In their Legislative Assembly, the French lawmakers officially declared that there was no God; and the people celebrated when they heard it. All religious worship was abolished, months were renamed, weeks were declared to be 10 days long instead of 7, and the weekly rest day was replaced by a holiday every tenth day that was devoted to reveling and blasphemy.
After getting rid of God, the National Convention brought in their new object of worship, a prostitute they called The Goddess of Reason. The orator who introduced her said, “Legislators! Fanaticism has given way to reason. Its bleared eyes could not endure the brilliancy of the light. This day an immense concourse has assembled beneath those gothic vaults, which, for the first time, re-echoed the truth. There the French have celebrated the only true worship, – that of Liberty, that of Reason. There we have formed wishes for the prosperity of the arms of the Republic. There we have abandoned inanimate idols for Reason, for the animated image, the masterpiece of nature.” (The Great Controversy, pp. 275, 276)
All this was as Satan would have it. This was what for ages he had been working to secure. His policy is deception from first to last, and his steadfast purpose is to bring woe and wretchedness upon men, to deface and defile the workmanship of God, to mar the divine purposes of benevolence and love, and thus cause grief in heaven. Then by his deceptive arts he blinds the minds of men, and leads them to throw back the blame of his work upon God, as if all this misery were the result of the Creator’s plan. In like manner, when those who have been degraded and brutalized through his cruel power achieve their freedom, he urges them on to excesses and atrocities Then this picture of unbridled license is pointed out by tyrants and oppressors as an illustration of the results of liberty. (The Great Controversy, pp. 284, 285)
And when they shall have finished (are finishing) their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. Revelation 11:7-11
This prophecy had a fulfillment during the French Revolution. The Scriptures had been giving their message “clothed in sackcloth” during the Dark Ages, the 1260 years of Papal supremacy, when they were so severely suppressed. Then, during the Reign of Terror, near the end of the 1260 years, they were completely done away with. The people had the same rebellious, anti-God attitude that the Pharaoh of Egypt had when Moses requested that he let the Israelites go.
And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. Exodus 5:2
A comedian named Monvel (a priest of Illuminism) said, “God! if you exist, . . . avenge your injured name. I bid you defiance. You remain silent; you dare not launch your thunders; who, after this, will believe in your existence?”–(Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, p. 285) They also ended up living the same evil lifestyle that the people of Sodom did before God destroyed it. God’s institutions of marriage and the family suffered when a new law made divorce almost as easy as changing clothes: any two people could marry or divorce whenever they wanted to, an immediate divorce could be pronounced for mere “incompatibility of temper”, women were passed from hand to hand by a legal process, and the unwanted children that came from all this were just abandoned.
Intimately connected with these laws affecting religion, was that which reduced the union of marriage . . . to the state of a mere civil contract of a transitory character, which any two persons might engage in and cast loose at pleasure. (The Great Controversy, p. 270)
On November 26, 1793, the French Assembly legally got rid of God and the people of France celebrated because they thought they were free now to do as they pleased. But 3 1/2 years later, after seeing the terrible results of what they had done, on June 17, 1797, they reversed their decision and granted toleration to the Scriptures.
Now we will turn our attention to the Beast from the Bottomless Pit that is introduced in Revelation 11 and described in more detail in Revelation 17.
The Beast from the Bottomless Pit
And when they shall have finished (are finishing) their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Revelation 11:7, 8
The period when the two witnesses were to prophesy clothed in sackcloth (1260 years), ended in 1798. As they were approaching the termination of their work in obscurity, war was to be made upon them by the power represented as “the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit.” In many of the nations of Europe the powers that ruled in church and state had for centuries been controlled by Satan through the medium of the papacy. But here is brought to view a new manifestation of satanic power. It had been Rome’s policy, under a profession of reverence for the Bible, to keep it locked up in an unknown tongue and hidden away from the people. Under her rule the witnesses prophesied “clothed in sackcloth.” But another power, the beast from the bottomless pit, was to arise to make open, avowed war upon the word of God. According to the words of the prophet, then, a little before the year 1798 some power of satanic origin and character would rise to make war upon the Bible. And in the land where the testimony of God’s two witnesses should thus be silenced, there would be manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh (Egypt) and the licentiousness of Sodom. (The Great Controversy, pp. 268, 269)
This Beast from the Bottomless Pit is a new, different power: Atheism. It could be referred to by other names such as Satanism, Spiritualism, Luciferism, etc. I have chosen the name Atheism because it seems to include more than just the worship of Satan; it includes multiple aspects of the evil powers that are against God and His ways. It is closely associated symbolically with the man of sin, the Wicked (lawless) one, that is described in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-9. It showed up and started its activities around the time of the French Revolution and it continues in combination with the Woman, Babylon – apostate religion – at the very end of time. It is described further in Revelation 17.
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. . . . And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 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. Revelation 17:3, 7, 8
Babylon, the Prostitute, represents Apostate Religion.
The Beast from the Bottomless Pit represents Atheism.
The confederacy of these powers is described with slightly different symbols in Revelation 16.
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Revelation 16:13, 14
- The Dragon, Satan, represents Satanism / Atheism / Spiritualism. (see Rev. 12:9)
- The Beast represents the Roman Catholic Papacy (the Leopard-like Beast, Rev. 13:1-10)
- The False Prophet represents American apostate Protestantism (the Lamb-like Beast, compare Rev. 13:14 and 19:20)
Communism
Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a radical thinker and writer who believed that only material things were real and nothing supernatural existed (including God, of course). Religion was just “an opiate of the people” that kept man from reaching his highest potential and forming a perfect social condition called “Communism,” where everything was fair and equal. “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his need.” He joined a group called The League of the Just, an offshoot of the Illuminati, and began writing propaganda for them, including an update of Adam Weishaupt’s writings and, with the help of his friend, Friedrich Engels, produced the famous pamphlet, “The Communist Manifesto”, that laid out a plan for a worldwide revolution of the working classes against all established authority, against the “evil capitalists”, those who controlled the wealth of the world. Some of the basic goals of Communism are: 1) eliminate all private property and inheritance rights; 2) dissolve the family unit; 3) destroy religion. Those who advocate Communism claim that if its principles were followed properly, everyone could live in peace, prosperity, and freedom. There would be no more need for governments, police, or armies. Force and violence are inevitable now because there are many who resist and must be put down; but man is evolving toward perfection and soon all of humanity’s problems will be solved and everyone can enjoy utopia.
There is something significant in the various symbols of Revelation that relates to this that we should take notice of. Most of the symbols that have to do with God are associated with light – candlesticks, the sun, fire, stars, etc.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. John 3:19
- Light = truth
Nicholai Lenin, who founded the first Communist party in Russia and led the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 when Communism took over in Russia, described his dictatorship as “power, based directly upon force, and unrestricted by any laws.” (“Lenin”, World Book Encyclopedia) One of the important tools he used for his takeover was the newspaper “Pravda” (meaning “truth”). That sounds just like Satan, doesn’t it – tyranny and lies. In 1924, shortly before he died, he said: “After Russia we will take Eastern Europe, then the masses of Asia, then we will encircle the United States which will be the last bastion of Capitalism. We will not have to attack it. It will fall like an overripe fruit into our hands.” Nikita Khrushchev summarized what their plans are: “You Americans are so gullible. No, you won’t accept Communism outright, but we’ll keep feeding you small doses of Socialism until you’ll finally wake up and find you already have Communism. We won’t have to fight you. We’ll so weaken your economy until you’ll fall like overripe fruit into our hands.”
The Russian writer, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, warned America: “The Communist ideology is to destroy your society. This has been their aim for 125 years and has never changed; only the methods have changed a little.”
The United Nations
The United Nations was established in the mid 1940’s for the purpose of being a world peace organization. It had high ideals: as Harry Truman expressed, “We must build a new world, a far better world, one in which the dignity of man is respected.” But the way the UN is organized and how it functions have made it obvious that it is headed in a different direction. Here are a few examples:
- Many of the world leaders who helped found the UN were Socialists, Communists, or even Soviet agents.
- The UN Security Council is composed of 5 permanent members: the U.S., Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and China.
- Each of the 185 members has one vote in the General Assembly. Any combination of small and/or Communist-influenced countries can easily outvote the U.S.
- Every Secretary General since the UN was founded has been either a Communist or a Socialist. There isn’t much peace and security when Communist powers have that much influence.
- reduce population by encouraging abortion, sterilization, and other means of controlling human breeding;
- guarantee children freedom of expression . . . freedom to seek, receive, and impart information . . . freedom of thought, conscience, and religion regardless of the wishes of their parents;
- redefine marriage to include almost any kind of perverted relationship and redefine family to include non-related individuals.
In less than 100 years, 15 brutal dictators (most of them Communists) have used their uncontrolled authority to destroy over 150 million people, including many who were killed specifically because they were Christians. That is almost 4 times the number killed in all the wars during that same time. This is an example of what a world government with the same kind of power and philosophy could accomplish. After the Communist regime in Cambodia murdered almost a third of the country’s people, its foreign minister boasted, “We have cleansed our cities.” The UN General Assembly welcomed him with applause.
Where are we headed?
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. Revelation 12:12
Satan is working very hard scrambling around to establish himself as the ruler of this world, hoping that Christ will just give up on it and go away forever so he can have full power here. All of these movements and teachings and political powers (Illuminism, Communism, evolutionary theories, the New Age Movement, the New World Order, etc., all closely related to Atheism) are just parts of his (Satan’s) system, being used as tools to accomplish his goals. They are all totally against God; and if they sometimes appear to fight against each other, it isn’t because they are on opposite sides in the battle between good and evil; it is because Satan’s plan is for “only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5) and he wants to deceive and destroy as many people as possible using deception, prejudice, hate, and war. Satan claims to be the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) and he doesn’t want to leave room for anyone else to receive the worship and honor he wants. He leads people in small steps to turn away from God by neglecting and disobeying and rejecting Him.
The aim of the great rebel has ever been to justify himself and to prove the divine government responsible for the rebellion. To this end he has bent all the power of his giant intellect. He has worked deliberately and systematically, and with marvelous success, leading vast multitudes to accept his version of the great controversy which has been so long in progress. (The Great Controversy, p. 670)
Satan wants to blame God for all the evil that he, himself has done. He “will continue to act a double part. Appearing to be the dispenser of great blessing and divine truths, he will, by his lying wonders, hold the world under his control; and at the same time he will indulge his malignity by causing distress and destruction, and will accuse God’s people as the cause of the fearful convulsions of nature and the strife and bloodshed among men which are desolating the earth.” (The Shape of the Coming Crisis, pp. 62, 63)
As quoted earlier, Albert Pike, a leader of the Masons in the 1800’s, wrote: “The true and pure philosophical religion is the belief in Lucifer, the equal of Adonai; but Lucifer, God of light, and the God of good is struggling for humanity against Adonai, the god of darkness and evil.”
Everything that has been going on since Satan had his council meeting in the early 1700’s will come to a head in our time: … anarchy is seeking to sweep away all law, not only divine, but human. The centralizing of wealth and power; the vast combinations for the enriching of the few at the expense of the many; the combinations of the poorer classes for the defense of their interests and claims; the spirit of unrest, of riot and bloodshed; the world-wide dissemination of the same teachings that led to the French Revolution – all are tending to involve the whole world in a struggle similar to that which convulsed France. (Education, p. 228)
Here is a quote from a world history book commenting on the decline of Great Britain in the late 1800’s after it had been attacked by evolutionary theories, Socialism, and religious liberalism (which all have a very strong influence in America right now):
“The same false philosophies that led Britain into decline had also become prominent in continental Europe, where they were joined by the revolutionary ideas of the French Revolution. Acceptance of these ungodly philosophies would later have terrible consequences for both Europe and the entire world.” (World History and Cultures in Christian Perspective, p. 379)
Ellen G. White says many times that history will be repeated. What happened in France during the Revolution will happen again. The same forces and ideas that erupted then are gaining power and momentum now, and there will be similar results. Here are a few examples:
Then: For centuries, truth and error struggled for the mastery. At last the evil triumphed, and the truth of Heaven was thrust out. . . . The restraint of God’s Spirit was removed from a people that had despised the gift of His grace. Evil was permitted to come to maturity. (The Great Controversy, p. 265)
Now: God’s long-suffering has ended. The World has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. … Unsheltered by divine grace, they have no protection from the wicked one. Satan will then plunge the inhabitants of the earth into one great, final trouble. As the angels of God cease to hold in check the fierce winds of human passion, all the elements of strife will be let loose. (The Great Controversy, p. 614)
Then: The selfishness of the wealthy and powerful grew more and more apparent and oppressive. … The estates were held by the nobles, and the laboring classes were only tenants; they were at the mercy of their landlords … The middle and lower classes were heavily taxed by the civil authorities and by the clergy … the farmers and the peasants might starve, for aught their oppressors cared. … The courts of justice would always listen to a noble as against a peasant … The throne was occupied by Louis XV, who, even in those evil times, was distinguished as an indolent, frivolus, and sensual monarch. (he was homosexual) (The Great Controversy, pp. 279, 280)
Now: Courts of justice are corrupt. Rulers are actuated by desire for gain and love of sensual pleasure. Intemperance has beclouded the faculties of many so that Satan has almost complete control of them. Jurists are perverted, bribed, deluded. Drunkenness and revelry, passion, envy, dishonesty of every sort, are represented among those who administer the laws. ‘Justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.’ Isaiah 59:14 (The Great Controversy, p. 586)
Then: When the restraints of God’s law were cast aside, it was found that the laws of man were inadequate to hold in check the powerful tides of human passion; and the nation swept on to revolt and anarchy. (The Great Controversy, p. 282)
Now: Let the restraint imposed by the divine law be wholly cast aside, and human laws would soon be disregarded. … Already the doctrine that men are released from obedience to God’s requirements has weakened the force of moral obligation and opened the floodgates of iniquity upon the world. Lawlessness, dissipation, and corruption are sweeping in upon us like an overwhelming tide. (The Great Controversy, p. 585)
Then: In the darkest times there were faithful men who loved God’s word and were jealous for His honor. To these loyal servants were given wisdom, power, and authority to declare His truth during the whole of this time. (The Great Controversy, pp. 267, 268)
Now: In this time of persecution the faith of the Lord’s servants will be tried. They have faithfully given the warning, looking to God and to His word alone. … They are hedged in with difficulties. Satan assails them with fierce temptations. The work which they have undertaken seems far beyond their ability to accomplish. … They remember that the words which they have spoken were not theirs, but His who bade them give the warning. God put the truth into their hearts, and they could not forbear to proclaim it. (The Great Controversy, pp. 608, 609)
Then: In the land where the testimony of God’s two witnesses should thus be silenced (France) there would be manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh and the licentiousness of Sodom. (The Great Controversy, p. 269)
Now: It is pretty obvious from some of the recent actions of the courts, the American Civil Liberties Union, the President, the public media, etc. where they are trying to lead this nation and thus fulfill this prophecy.
America has been preserved from totally falling to these powers and influences but there are some scary things in place in our system already:
- The Statue of Liberty, that we value as a symbol of the freedoms we enjoy in America, was given to the United States by France in 1884. Its proper name is Liberty Enlightening the World. Liberty means free thought. It is actually a statue of the Goddess of Reason that was introduced in France in 1793 as a symbol of their rebellion against the authority of God. They wanted to be free and enlightened.
- On the back of our $1 bill is the Great Seal of the United States with the pyramid and the Latin words around it. The phrase at the top means God has smiled on our undertakings and at the bottom A new world order. It also has the all-seeing eye above the pyramid. This is a symbol of the Illuminati. The Federal Reserve System is not owned by the United States government; it is privately owned and run by people like the Rothschilds, the Rockefellers, and other international bankers who are all part of the Illuminati. They are the ones our U.S. government is in such deep debt to. They control our money system. When will they decide to foreclose?
- We are coming more and more under the power of the United Nations which is basically Communist. Many of the things our government does that seem to be good in themselves are following right along with the principles of Socialism and moving us slowly but surely toward absolute government control of everything. The U.S. Constitution and other documents that we see as guaranteeing our freedoms carry very little authority in the actual administration of our government.
Here is a hint (more than a hint, a prophecy) about where we are headed.
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. 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: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number his name. Revelation 13:15-17
This is describing absolute government control. It sounds very much like Communism that exists in many places around the world right now and is headed our way.
A Christian woman in Vietnam describes how things have been there: “Now the Tin Lanh (Good News) Church in Vietnam has a license from the government, but this has done nothing for them. They asked the government for permission to open an official Bible school for 100 students (the first in about 30 years under the communists). The government checked the biographies of the students and only allowed 50 students to study. The government forced the Bible school to accept four teachers (atheists) to teach political doctrines and evolution. So four of the 13 teachers mix their poison in with the gospel medicine. This is not progress. This is walking backward. This is not obedience to God. If we wait until the government gives us a license to have our own Bible school, Jesus will come back first. We cannot wait for this.” “For 15 years we have had meetings in our house. My husband went to prison for two years. The police have come into my house 12 times without permission or documents. If we had an official church building, we would go, but we would still use houses.” (“The Voice of the Martyrs” magazine)
In Iraq: One hundred believers had secretly crammed into a small, dim room. They had just finished singing a song when 15 plain-clothed agents, armed with pistols and walkie-talkies, burst through the door. One of the officers took out a paper and started calling out the names of the people in the room. They knew everyone in the room by name. The young evangelists later learned that Saddam Hussein had planted an infiltrator – a spy – into their church group. The church attendees knew their gathering was illegal, as Saddam’s regime only allowed Christians to worship inside church buildings registered with the government. While government officials had granted the believers a permit to gather for a party, permission was not given for praise and preaching. Eight of the church members were taken to prison. (They were released in April, 2003 when U.S. troops liberated Baghdad) (“The Voice of the Martyrs” magazine)
Much more could be said about the New Age Movement, the Harry Potter craze, the Gay Rights Movement, Hollywood productions, music and other types of media that are moving our culture toward Satan’s control. And Satan is not satisfied with partial control; he wants all traces of God and His ways and His people to be blotted out of existence. He is totally anti-God, the ultimate Atheist and the instigator of everything related to it.
There is something interesting to notice in Revelation 17, where we have a description of the team of the prostitute Babylon and the Beast from the Bottomless Pit, apostate religion and Atheism working together. One of the last events that John describes in this chapter is the 10 horns on the Beast hating Babylon and destroying her. Satan even gets rid of one of his most faithful allies: religion. He doesn’t want any competition for power.
What I have shared with you has been only a very brief look at what is going on in this world behind the scenes that is fulfilling prophecy. I’m sure there is a lot we don’t know about. Someone told me about a friend of his who was in the military. Part of his training involved night maneuvers. This friend was given the special advantage of having night vision equipment – he could infiltrate the “enemy” camp and see everything they were doing but they couldn’t see him in the dark. As long as he was quiet, he could work around them and they didn’t know a thing about it. That is just like Satan. We can’t see him and he can work around us without us realizing most of what he is up to; but we have been warned and given some very pertinent council:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13
Bibliography
Arrabito, James. “A History of the Jesuits.” video.
“Hypnotism.” The World Book Encyclopedia, (1969).
“Lenin.” The World Book Encyclopedia, (1969).
Mansell, Donald E. The Shape of the Coming Crisis. Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1998.
“Renaissance.” The World Book Encyclopedia, (1969).
“Roman Empire.” The World Book Encyclopedia, (1969).
Smith, Uriah. Daniel and the Revelation. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1944.
Thompson, George, and Combee, Jerry. World History and Cultures in Christian Perspective. Pensacola, Florida: A Beka Book, 1997.
The Voice of the Martyrs, published by The Voice of the Martyrs, Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
White, E.G. Education. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1952.
White, E.G. The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1950.
White, E.G. Medical Ministry. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1963.
White, E.G. Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1948.
That little question “Why?” may be a small word but it has huge potential. It is a very important tool, one of the most basic components of science and learning. It shows curiosity and can lead to all sorts of discovery and growth in understanding. As we apply it to the spiritual science of Salvation, it can open many windows to Truth. In this study, I would like to apply the question to the issue of why Jesus did what He did. Why was the Plan of Salvation formulated by Heaven the way it was? Why were its various aspects carried out in the way they were?
The Story: The children of Israel were traveling through the wilderness and they rebelled against God, again.