Скачать или смотреть 2025 12 20 09 00 An Introduction to the Book of Revelation Part 12 - Theodore Turner

This 12th installment of the "Introduction to the Book of Revelation" series provides a summary and structural analysis of Revelation Chapter 13, focusing on the two beasts and their historical and prophetic significance.

Key Takeaways
Structure and Distinction: The speaker emphasizes that the first 11 chapters of Revelation address the churches, seals, and trumpets, while the latter half focuses on the various beasts. A key point is the distinction between the beasts:

The Dragon (Rev 12): Primarily represents Satan and secondarily pagan Rome. It has crowns on its heads.

The Sea Beast (Rev 13): Represents the Papacy. It has crowns on its horns, indicating it rules through the divided kingdoms of Western Rome. It receives its "power, seat, and great authority" from the dragon, signifying the transition from pagan to papal Rome.

The Two Desolating Powers: The study reiterates the pioneer Adventist view of the "Daily" and the two desolating powers: Paganism and Papalism.

The 1260 years of paganism began with the Assyrian captivity and included Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and pagan Rome.

The 1260 years of papalism (538 AD–1798 AD) is a distinct period of persecution where the Papacy reigned alone as the desolating power.

The First Beast (The Papacy):

Historical Markers: The "seat" was given when Constantine moved the capital to Constantinople (330 AD). Military "power" was given through the baptism of Clovis and the defeat of the three horns (Arian tribes) by 508 AD. "Great authority" to punish heretics was fully exercised by 538 AD.

The Deadly Wound: This refers to the Papacy being taken captive in 1798 at the end of its 1260-year reign. Its healing is connected to the rise of the second beast.

The Second Beast (The United States):

Rise in 1798: Arising "out of the earth" (a sparsely populated area) around the same time the first beast received its deadly wound.

The Two Horns: Represent Republicanism and Protestantism (separation of church and state). The speaker notes that the Protestant horn "fell" in 1844 (Millerite history), and the Republican horn falls in our current history, leading the nation to "speak as a dragon" through legislation.

The Image of the Beast: The U.S. will eventually exercise the power of the first beast, enforcing worship through a Sunday Law (the Mark of the Beast). This acts as a counterfeit to God's law (symbolized by the phylacteries on the hand and forehead).

The Number 666: The speaker explores several layers of the number 666:

Miller's View: A 666-year period for pagan Rome (158 BC to 508 AD).

Symbolic Connection: Linked to Babylonian astrology and mystery religions, representing man's rebellion against God's Sabbath.

The Number of a Man: Symbolizes man-made law (specifically the Sunday Law) in opposition to divine law.

Study Principle: The overarching principle for studying these chapters is comparing scripture with scripture. The beast of Revelation 13 is a composite of the beasts in Daniel 7 (leopard, bear, lion), showing that the Papacy inherits the characteristics and territories of the preceding pagan empires.