Today is significant day for many reasons. Biblically speaking today we have the first day of the new Biblical year – Nissan first! Shalom to you all who love the LORD our SAVIOUR and keep His Commandments (Rev 14:12 – Is 26:3)
Today new pope was announced and he took upon himself the name FRANCIS the FIRST! What is so special about that? Well, in seventies one brother got an idea that to “count the number of the beast” (Rev 13:18) might mean to literally count the numbers popes used in their names. Then he got another thought: in Rev 17:9 is written that:
And here [is] the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Let me quote from his web site: http://www.666beast.net/
Make sure you read the update from April 7, ’13: http://www.666beast.net/Update.htm
The Premise
The numbers that follows the popes’ names are the numbers counted that produce the sum of 666.
To determine this, one can simply examine the historic data for evidence. Any official list of the popes would yield a database of their numbers.
Since the time of the end of the beast is at the time of the end of the eighth head that arrives after the seven heads, then the count can begin at the first of the last seven heads. Then this list can be placed parallel to the prophecy and the alignment is checked and matched. When it is demonstrated to match in every facet between history and the prophecy, then you will know that you have found the correct fulfillment.
This research demonstrates this match directly, simply and accurately.
The last seven heads have been Pius, Leo, Gregory, Benedict, John, Paul and John Paul. The count being in the order from the first to the seventh. The current Pope Benedict XVI is numbered the fourth in the series.
The seven different names that have been used by the popes since 1798 (Rev 13:3) are the seven heads of the beast. A mountain is the line of popes that all bear the same name, differentiated by a number; Pope 1, Pope 2, Pope 3, etc. It is these numbers that are derived from the popes, which are used in the counting of the number of the beast.
The actual count of these seven heads and the eighth that follows, should then equal a sum of 666. The one who enters perdition, then, is the one that completes the count. The historic data demonstrates that the series of the last seven papal heads yields the sum total of 665.
It would then remain that the remaining unfulfilled part of this prophecy is the eighth that follows the seven. His name must be a new name that generates a count of only one. The Antichrist to come, Satan, wishes that the honor, and worship that belongs only to God, be directed to himself; “I will be like the Most High…” is his desire. The tradition that the popes follow in choosing their new name, is to give honor to another. This Satan cannot do and fulfill his desire that all worship be directed to himself. He will bear a name that the popes have never used.
Thus the conclusion that the one who takes the place of Benedict XVI, will bear his own, or a new name such as one that would assume the identity of Christ. It will be he who is the Antichrist and the “Man of Sin” revealed.
The Mountains Are Counted
The word “mountains” in the prophecy further define the heads; it indicates the multiple use of one name. This papal tradition has resulted in giving count numbers to their names. The current count would be found by counting the numbers given to the names of the whole mountain of each of the seven heads. The first of the seven heads is Pope Pius VI, following the transition that occurred in 1798 at the end of the 1,260 year period allotted to the beast’s rule; the beast “that was, and is not.” From 1798, the beast becomes; “is not,” and each name used for the popes constitutes one of the seven mountains of the beast.
From this list of names since 1798, the current count can be determined. As it is demonstrated in this research, the current count of these seven heads is 665.
While it has been understood by Protestants for a long time that the 666 Antichrist will arise from within the papacy and even feared by Catholics alike, the available knowledge of its fulfillment is limited to the perspective of the end time. Only since the time given in Revelation 17:10 with the observer after the time of the sixth head (Pope Paul VI, 1963-1978), do we perceive the papal line that identify the seven heads and the full count numbers that they generate.
The papal record has already given us pinpoint evidence that it forms a perfect alignment with every element of the prophecy of Revelation 17:9, 10, the “five are fallen, one is, and the other is not yet come,” even to the detail of the “short space,” and also forms a perfect alignment with Revelation 13:18. Revelation 17:10 which states that at the time of the sixth head, the seventh had not come yet. John Paul, as the seventh head, had come only after Paul, who was the sixth head.
The Three Angels’ Messages are being repeated in this prophecy. It bears all the same elements: The hour of judgment is come; come out of Babylon; do not worship the beast, his image, or receive “the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Rev. 13:17; Rev. 14:9)
The identifying number of the 666 man and beast initiates the Loud Cry as seen in Revelation 18 when the repeating of the Three Angels’ Messages are heard again. The hour of His judgment is come. We are now past the “short space.”
The Second Angel’s Message is directly linked to Revelation 18, as it repeats; “Babylon is fallen, is fallen.” And the imminent mark of the beast will be soon to follow. The Third Angel’s Message, comes at the identification of the man whose number is 666 and directly relates to the warning of the third angel in his statement; “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand…” It is directly linked to the message in Revelation 13:17; “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.” It remains then that the count of the number 666 must at that time be completed. As long as Benedict XVI is allowed to remain, the count stands at 665. This generation will not pass before all these prophecies are fulfilled.
The world stage is already being set up to usher in the final events. All that remains is that the rest of the world stage be set to receive the Antichrist, and the final days of this world will then begin. The Obama Administration has already set unprecedented changes in motion towards the things that we have been forewarned about over a century ago. Our freedoms are being removed a little at a time.
John’s description of the vision reveals; who the players are, and what they will be doing, and outlines their arrival in detail.
John the Revelator was taken in vision by the angel to the wilderness where the beast was after 1798, and it is from there that he sees this beast. The outline of the prophecy tells us John saw that the first five heads are fallen, and the sixth head being the “one is” making Pope Paul VI as the point of perspective from which John the Revelator is perceiving this seven head line-up, and John Paul as the seventh head that “is not yet come.” Only a new name such as John Paul had introduced, could fit the seventh head between these four requirements;
1. The name must be new, not having existed before Paul VI, who was the last representative of the sixth mountain. John Paul I, by his number, signifies him as the fulfillment of having “not yet come” from the perspective of the prophecy that places it in the setting of the sixth head.
2. He must be followed by another pope of the same name; John Paul. He must also be a mountain requiring at least two pontificates of this new name.
3. The count from his mountain name must not exceeded 666, nor equal it. It must be within the count of “1” from 666, and in fact, must equal 665.
4. The seventh mountain must “continue a short space” A small mountain of two consecutive pontificates generates a “short space” and in noting that history has given us the first pontificate of the seventh mountain having a duration of only 33 days, effectively limiting the duration of the seventh mountain’s short space as being the span of one pontificate. History also serves here to show that the average span of the pope’s reign before 1798 was about 7 years, and the average span of the pope’s reign after 1798 was over 14 years. And even considering that John Paul II kept passing all but the three popes who have held the papacy the longest; at 26½ years, in all relevant senses, it is considered to be a “short space.”
The alignment is self-evident to anyone who reads the prophecy and examines the papal record.
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Please go to that web site and study the reasoning for yourself. When I saw this site for the first time I decided to check this calculations and create my own excel chart. If you wish you can download it for yourself and double check it. If Benedict XVI will be declared the antipope than this brother’s study is fulfilled very exactly. But even the fact that this new pope got the number ONE to his name thus making the count of those “seven heads,” which make up “seven mountains” in itself is more than amazing!!! What is the probability that the numbers behind so many popes’ names plus the new pope adding the missing number “one” would make up the predicted 666???
If these things are so, what does it mean for us? Think about it.
One inspired quote comes to my mind:
“Deny self; ye must step fast.” Some of us have had time to get the truth and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they [we] will have to learn in a few months. They will also have MUCH TO UNLEARN and MUCH TO LEARN again. Those who would not receive the mark of the beast and his image when the decree goes forth, must have decision now to say, Nay, we will not regard the institution of the beast. {EW 67.2}
Please study our character building seminar “From Glory to Glory” – the beast is not so much in Vatican but rather in our own hearts!
The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature. This is evidence that Satan’s delusions have lost their power; that the vivifying influence of the Spirit of God is arousing you. {SC 64.2}
“It takes time to develop Christ-like self-denying character” – use it, don’t lose it! We can’t be motivated by fear of nearby disasters – only the goodness of the LORD can bring lasting and positive changes in our hearts and lives:
“This is the mystery of godliness. That Christ should take human nature, and by a life of humiliation elevate man in the scale of moral worth with God: that He should carry His adopted nature to the throne of God, and there present His children to the Father, to have conferred upon them an honor exceeding that conferred upon the angels,–this is the marvel of the heavenly universe, the mystery into which angels desire to look. {1 Peter 1:12} This is love that melts the sinner’s heart.” {SD 22.4}
Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love Him, because He first loved us.
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In this context I strongly recommend you to study the book: Studies in Christian Education by E. A. Sutherland.
Let me give you few thoughts from it that you can see how serious is the situation we are entering into from this day:
Page 6: LUTHER AND MELANCHTHON, the great sixteenth century reformers, understood clearly that it was impossible to have a permanent religious reform without Christian education. So they not only gave attention to the doctrines of the Papacy, but also developed a strong system of Christian schools. Melanchthon said, “To neglect the young in our schools is just like taking the spring out of the year. They indeed take away the spring from the year who permit the schools to decline, because religion cannot be maintained without them.” “Melanchthon steadily directed his efforts to the advancement of education and the building up of good Christian schools… In the spring of 1525, with Luther’s help, he reorganized the schools of Eisleben and Madgeburg.” He declared, “The cause of true education is the cause of God.” (Melanchthon, p. 81).
“In 1528 Melanchthon drew up the ‘Saxony School Plan,’ which served as the basis of organization for many schools throughout Germany.” This plan dealt with the question of a “multiplicity of studies that were not only unfruitful but even hurtful… The teacher should not burden the children with too many books.” (Painter, p. 152). These reformers realized that the strength of the Papal church lay in its educational system, and they struck a crushing blow at this system and, wounding it, brought the Papal church to her knees. The reformers established a system of Christian schools that made Protestants of the children. This wonderful revolution in education and religion was accomplished in one generation, in the brief space of one man’s life.
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Do you believe JESUS is coming soon? People around the world are sensing very tangibly that “something” is hanging in the air. How long can a country function with 17 trillion debt?? Once this “money printing bubble” will explode all the world will sink too – we are so interrelated – the crisis in the fall of 2008 was just a tiny thing compared to what’s coming – yet all the world was shaken already at that time. We as a people are unable to solve the piling issues! Many people are warning – the serious crisis is ahead. From the Scriptures, namely the book of Revelation we know that this crisis will climax with JESUS GLORIOUS RETURN. It makes me want to weep realizing how unready we are – busy with our daily life – loosing the sight of the bigger picture as described in this book Studies in Christian Education by E. A. Sutherland.
But did you know you can not only anticipate but even HASTEN JESUS GLORIOUS RETURN?
“It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (2 Peter 3:12, margin). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain.” {COL 69.2}
“‘When the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.’ Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.” {COL 69.1}
Do you want to participate and help hastening JESUS GLORIOUS RETURN? Join us in our effort of helping people to understand what is at stake, what is involved and HOW we can overcome that beast of selfishness in us. Then you too will experience that it takes only short time to enlighten the whole world. This is exactly what Luther and Melanchthon could taste in their lifetime:
“This wonderful revolution in education and religion was accomplished in one generation, in the brief space of one man’s life.”
Let me give you powerful illustration that it works no matter how many people are involved. First is the story of Daniel – it took only 10 days and his simple lifestyle made a significant difference compared to his colleague students. You can read about it in Daniel chapter 1. (Dan 1:15)
Second case are Lifestyle Centers. I could visit many of them – in US, Romania, Ukraine – everywhere the results were the same: after 10-20 days sessions the cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure – all lifestyle risk factors were improved! If you suffer any lifestyle disease, please contact these places.
The third example is bombastic!!! It’s not one person, neither group of people, but the whole nation! If you never heard about “project Karelia” you missed something big. I had a chance to talk personally with the doctor from Finland who worked under Dr. Pekka Puska the originator of this project. First he was allowed to test the promotion of positive lifestyle changes in the worst county of Finland, called Karelia and since the results were far above expectation and in a very short time!!! this doctor got full approval of government authorities to apply the same principles for the whole country. You need to know that prior to this “whole nation experiment” Finland was on the top in the world with the highest rate of heart diseases and lifestyle diseases. Thanks to this project Karelia Finland became the leader of promoting healthy lifestyle. Simply amazing!
What’s the point? What works so RAPIDLY in positive lifestye changes is true in spiritual area as well. Once people will turn off the worldly entertainment programs in different media and start to get acquaint themselves with their CREATOR and SAVIOUR through His Word their life will be radially different.
But guess what? After very positive changes in Europe thanks to Luther and Melanchthon’s many schools teaching the Bible and the GOD of the Bible – disaster, catastrophe, most fearful turn of events came around!!! Let’s read little more from this precious book from E.A. Sutherland:
Page 7: After the death of Luther and Melanchthon, the theologians, into whose hands the work of the Reformation fell, instead of multiplying Christian schools, became absorbed in the mere technicalities of theology, and passed by the greatest work of the age. They sold their birthright for a mess of pottage. When the successors of Luther and Melanchthon failed to continue that constructive work, which centered largely in the education of the youth, who were to be the future missionaries and pillars of the church, internal dissension arose. Their time was spent very largely in criticizing the views of some of their co laborers who differed with them on some unimportant points of theology. Thus they became destructive instead of constructive. They paid much attention to doctrines, and spent the most of their energy in preserving orthodoxy. They crystallized their doctrines into a creed; they ceased to develop, and lost the spirit of Christian education, which was the oil for their lamps. Protestantism degenerated into dead orthodoxy, and they broke up into opposing factions. The Protestant church, thus weakened, could not resist the great power of rejuvenated Papal education.
THE SUCCESS OF THE REFORMERS had been due to their control of the young people through their educational system. The Papal schools were almost forsaken during the activity of Luther and Melanchthon. But when these reformers died and their successors became more interested in abstract theology than in Christian education, and spent their time, energy and the money of the church in preaching and writing on abstract theology, the Papal school system, recovering itself, rose to a life and death struggle with the Protestant church. The Papacy realized that the existence of the Papal church itself depended upon a victory over Protestant schools. We are surprised at the skill and tact the Papal educators used in their attack, and the rapidity with which they gained the victory. This experience should be an object lesson forever to Seventh-day Adventists.
Here is our key word again “rapidity”! Just as fast could Protestants win the whole countries on their side through correct principles of education so fast the opposition could revert the current of events. And so it will be in our own days – let me repeat that important principle:
“Deny self; ye must step fast.” Some of us have had time to get the truth and to advance step by step, and every step we have taken has given us strength to take the next. But now time is almost finished, and what we have been years learning, they [we] will have to learn in a few months. They will also have MUCH TO UNLEARN and MUCH TO LEARN again. Those who would not receive the mark of the beast and his image when the decree goes forth, must have decision now to say, Nay, we will not regard the institution of the beast. {EW 67.2}
And you might already guessed – who was so strong and fast to take Protestant children back to “Mother Church”. Yes, these were Jesuits! As you can read from the news – this man is not only Francis the FIRST but also FIRST JESUIT Pope.
Page 9: JESUIT SCHOOLS.–This study should make it clear that the Protestant teachers weakened and unfitted the Protestant denomination for the attack made by the Papacy through the counter system of education introduced by Loyola, founder of the order of Jesuits. Before this the Catholic church realized its helplessness to withstand the great movement of Protestantism, inaugurated by thousands of missionaries trained in the Christian schools of Luther and Melanchthon. Noting the return of the Protestant church to dead orthodoxy under the inefficient leadership of Luther’s successors, the Papacy recognized the vulnerable point in Protestantism. THE ORDER OF JESUITS found its special mission in combating the Reformation. As the most effective means of arresting the progress of Protestantism, it aimed at controlling education. It developed an immense educational activity” in Protestant countries, “and earned for its schools a great reputation… More than any other agency it stayed the progress of the Reformation, and it even succeeded in winning back territory already conquered by Protestantism. … It worked chiefly through its schools, of which it established and controlled large numbers. Every member of the order became a competent and practical teacher.” (Painter, p. 166).
Revelation 14:7 sets the stages: WORSHIP GOD the CREATOR, the LORD of the SABBATH (Mk 2:28). Two Beasts from Revelation 13 are causing people to worship their god and the sign of allegiance to their lordship is man-made SUNDAY as a day of worship. So each one of us will have to make our mind: WHOM DO YOU WORSHIP?
How does it relate to true versus false education?
When Adam came from the Creator’s hand, he bore, in his physical, mental, and spiritual nature, a likeness to his Maker. “God created man in His own image” (Genesis 1:27), and it was His purpose that the longer man lived the more fully he should reveal this image–the more fully reflect the glory of the Creator. All his faculties were capable of development; their capacity and vigor were continually to increase. Vast was the scope offered for their exercise, glorious the field opened to their research. The mysteries of the visible universe–the “wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge” (Job 37:16)–invited man’s study. Face-to-face, heart-to-heart communion with his Maker was his high privilege. Had he remained loyal to God, all this would have been his forever. Throughout eternal ages he would have continued to gain new treasures of knowledge, to discover fresh springs of happiness, and to obtain clearer and yet clearer conceptions of the wisdom, the power, and the love of God. More and more fully would he have fulfilled the object of his creation, more and more fully have reflected the Creator’s glory. {Ed 15.1}
But by disobedience this was forfeited. Through sin the divine likeness was marred, and well-nigh obliterated. Man’s physical powers were weakened, his mental capacity was lessened, his spiritual vision dimmed. He had become subject to death. Yet the race was not left without hope. By infinite love and mercy the plan of salvation had been devised, and a life of probation was granted. To restore in man the image of his Maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in his creation might be realized–this was to be the work of redemption. This is the object of education, the great object of life. {Ed 15.2}
How to conclude? We are entering into final stages of the great controversy between Christ and Satan. We might want to live our simple daily lives, but the coming crisis will force each one of us to DECIDE on whose side we want to stand:
Joel 3:11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. 12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. 13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness [is] great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD [is] near in the valley of decision.