Today we're going to be looking at 00:00:01.40\00:00:02.77 one of the most startling and thunderous 00:00:02.80\00:00:04.53 teachings of Jesus found in the entire Bible. 00:00:04.56\00:00:07.79 One that for more than 310 million people 00:00:07.82\00:00:10.92 will hit very close to home. 00:00:10.95\00:00:13.72 Stay with us as we consider the prophecies of Jesus, 00:00:13.75\00:00:16.91 regarding the United States of America. 00:00:16.94\00:00:20.51 "Red at night, sailors delight, 00:01:13.50\00:01:16.51 red in morning, sailors take warning." 00:01:16.54\00:01:20.46 Science has discovered that there may 00:01:20.49\00:01:22.45 just be something to this old English sailing proverb. 00:01:22.48\00:01:26.28 You see, when there is a red sky at night, 00:01:26.31\00:01:29.27 it tells us that the setting sun 00:01:29.30\00:01:31.04 is sending its light through an atmosphere 00:01:31.07\00:01:33.34 with a high concentration and dust particles. 00:01:33.37\00:01:36.16 This usually indicates high pressure 00:01:36.19\00:01:38.88 and stable air coming in from the west. 00:01:38.91\00:01:41.86 Simply said, "Good weather is on its way." 00:01:41.89\00:01:45.88 On the other hand, if the morning sky 00:01:45.91\00:01:48.78 is a deep fiery red, it may indicate 00:01:48.81\00:01:51.20 a high water content in the atmosphere. 00:01:51.23\00:01:54.21 So rain is on its way. 00:01:54.24\00:01:56.67 That's the modern scientific explanation. 00:01:56.70\00:01:59.84 But did you know the premise of this 00:01:59.87\00:02:01.40 old sailing proverb can actually be traced 00:02:01.43\00:02:03.98 all the way back to the teachings of Jesus Himself. 00:02:04.01\00:02:07.98 It's true. 00:02:08.01\00:02:09.38 In Mathew 16:1-3 Jesus said, 00:02:09.41\00:02:12.43 "When it is evening, ye say, 00:02:12.46\00:02:14.38 it will be fair weather, for the sky is red. 00:02:14.41\00:02:17.82 And in the morning, it will be foul weather to day, 00:02:17.85\00:02:21.07 for the sky is red and lowering. 00:02:21.10\00:02:23.97 O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky, 00:02:24.00\00:02:29.08 but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" 00:02:29.11\00:02:33.92 Jesus was using the same illustration 00:02:33.95\00:02:36.43 to point out that certain signs will definitely announce 00:02:36.46\00:02:39.94 that we are nearing the end of time. 00:02:39.97\00:02:42.70 In fact, Jesus said, 00:02:42.73\00:02:44.63 "We can know when His coming is near." 00:02:44.66\00:02:47.76 How? By the signs. 00:02:47.79\00:02:50.64 That's right, Charles. 00:02:52.07\00:02:53.44 So let's go ahead and read what some of those signs 00:02:53.47\00:02:55.94 are that Jesus talks about. 00:02:55.97\00:02:58.11 In Mathew 24:4-8, it says, 00:02:58.14\00:03:00.95 "And Jesus answered and said to them, 00:03:00.98\00:03:04.01 'Take heed that no one deceives you. 00:03:04.04\00:03:06.67 For many will come in my name, saying, 00:03:06.70\00:03:08.75 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 00:03:08.78\00:03:11.81 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.' 00:03:11.84\00:03:14.99 See that you are not troubled, for all these things 00:03:15.02\00:03:18.10 must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 00:03:18.13\00:03:22.06 For nation will rise against nation, 00:03:22.09\00:03:23.99 and kingdom against kingdom. 00:03:24.02\00:03:25.73 And there will be famines, pestilences, 00:03:25.76\00:03:27.76 and earthquakes in various places. 00:03:27.79\00:03:30.23 All these are the beginning of sorrows." 00:03:30.26\00:03:34.09 So are we seeing 00:03:34.12\00:03:35.49 the fulfillments of these signs today? 00:03:35.52\00:03:37.99 The answer is absolutely and indisputably yes. 00:03:38.02\00:03:42.27 We don't have time today to go 00:03:42.30\00:03:43.85 over all the different signs Jesus spoke about, 00:03:43.88\00:03:46.80 but I at least want to take a look 00:03:46.83\00:03:48.38 at a couple of them just so you can get 00:03:48.41\00:03:50.20 an idea of how clearly these things 00:03:50.23\00:03:52.23 are being fulfilled in our time. 00:03:52.26\00:03:54.81 On the official, United States Geological Service website, 00:03:54.84\00:03:58.76 you can find a list of the earthquakes 00:03:58.79\00:04:00.76 which the USGS has selected 00:04:00.79\00:04:02.79 as being of general historical interests 00:04:02.82\00:04:05.57 dating back to the 9th century AD. 00:04:05.60\00:04:08.54 If you take the time to go through 00:04:08.57\00:04:10.27 and count all the earthquakes listed under each century, 00:04:10.30\00:04:13.74 you'll be amazed at what you find. 00:04:13.77\00:04:16.45 Listen to this. 00:04:16.48\00:04:17.91 In the 800s, there are two earthquakes 00:04:17.94\00:04:20.57 listed for the whole century. 00:04:20.60\00:04:22.60 In the 1100s, there is only one earthquake 00:04:22.63\00:04:24.87 listed for the whole century. 00:04:24.90\00:04:26.99 In the 1200s, there are two 00:04:27.02\00:04:28.71 and then also two in the 1500s. 00:04:28.74\00:04:31.41 But notice what happens when we get to the 1600s. 00:04:31.44\00:04:34.79 Instead of being one or two like the centuries previous, 00:04:34.82\00:04:38.45 the number of earthquakes 00:04:38.48\00:04:39.85 noted in the 1600s, skyrockets to 10. 00:04:39.88\00:04:43.78 That's a 500% jump in just one century. 00:04:43.81\00:04:48.77 Then the 1700s get even worse 00:04:48.80\00:04:52.00 with 14 notable earthquakes taking place. 00:04:52.03\00:04:55.38 But, my friends, we haven't seen anything yet. 00:04:55.41\00:04:58.78 In the 1800s, there is a mega lead to 61. 00:04:58.81\00:05:03.03 That's a nearly 3,000% jump from the 800s. 00:05:03.06\00:05:07.38 And if you are still not convince 00:05:07.41\00:05:08.93 that the signs Jesus foretold are coming to pass. 00:05:08.96\00:05:11.98 Well, how about the 1900s? 00:05:12.01\00:05:14.23 Amazingly in the 1900s, 00:05:14.26\00:05:16.37 the number of notable earthquakes jumps to 427. 00:05:16.40\00:05:22.11 That's more than a 21,000% increase. 00:05:22.14\00:05:26.97 I mean, what more do you need 00:05:27.00\00:05:28.92 in order to see that the signs Jesus foretold are here. 00:05:28.95\00:05:33.40 And listen, if that wasn't enough, 00:05:33.43\00:05:35.12 between the years 2000 and 2011, 00:05:35.15\00:05:38.02 there have already been 441 earthquakes listed. 00:05:38.05\00:05:42.73 That's more notable earthquakes 00:05:42.76\00:05:44.39 in the first 11 years of this century 00:05:44.42\00:05:46.65 than there were in the entire 20th century. 00:05:46.68\00:05:50.21 And since we're on the topic of natural disasters, 00:05:50.24\00:05:53.25 let's look at how the number of tornados 00:05:53.28\00:05:55.44 has increased in recent years. 00:05:55.47\00:05:57.78 In the early 1950s, there were somewhere between 00:05:57.81\00:06:00.58 200 and 300 tornados reported each year. 00:06:00.61\00:06:04.29 But by the time we come into the early 21st century 00:06:04.32\00:06:07.55 that number is up to between 1600 and 1800 per year. 00:06:07.58\00:06:12.32 Clearly, something is going on. 00:06:13.70\00:06:17.25 You better believe it, Andrea. 00:06:17.28\00:06:19.15 And we haven't even talked about of the wars, 00:06:19.18\00:06:21.72 rumors of wars, famine, pestilence, and false christs. 00:06:21.75\00:06:25.80 I mean, we could literally spend 00:06:25.83\00:06:27.56 a whole study just talking about 00:06:27.59\00:06:29.70 how the signs are being fulfilled. 00:06:29.73\00:06:31.75 Take wars, for example. 00:06:31.78\00:06:34.33 We've all heard that the 20th century 00:06:34.36\00:06:36.26 was one of the bloodiest centuries of all time, 00:06:36.29\00:06:38.91 but some people say, 00:06:38.94\00:06:40.69 "Of course, there were more conflict related, 00:06:40.72\00:06:42.91 that's because the world population 00:06:42.94\00:06:45.04 was more than double from the century before. 00:06:45.07\00:06:48.58 More people equals to more deaths." 00:06:48.61\00:06:51.36 But is that really the only reason 00:06:51.39\00:06:53.70 it was the bloodiest century? 00:06:53.73\00:06:56.14 Well, let's take a look at it based-- 00:06:56.17\00:06:58.78 not on the numbers, but based on the percentages. 00:06:58.81\00:07:02.70 Here are the percentages of the past five centuries 00:07:02.73\00:07:05.73 of conflict related deaths 00:07:05.76\00:07:07.32 as compared to the world population of the time. 00:07:07.35\00:07:11.31 In the 1500s, the percentage was 0.32. 00:07:11.34\00:07:15.64 In the 1600s, it was 1.05. 00:07:15.67\00:07:20.31 The 1700s were at 0.92. 00:07:20.34\00:07:24.04 The 1800s jumped up to 1.65, 00:07:24.07\00:07:28.34 and the 1900s were at, you're ready? 00:07:28.37\00:07:32.89 4.35%. 00:07:32.92\00:07:35.40 That's well over 2 1/2 times 00:07:35.43\00:07:38.68 the bloodiest century prior to it. 00:07:38.71\00:07:42.26 Now we don't have time to cover 00:07:42.29\00:07:44.31 all of the signs that Jesus talked about here, 00:07:44.34\00:07:47.06 but I assure you, if we did, 00:07:47.09\00:07:49.76 we'd find the same upward trend 00:07:49.79\00:07:51.53 in every one of them as we have in the few 00:07:51.56\00:07:53.60 that we've already looked at. 00:07:53.63\00:07:55.81 So the question, are we at the end of world? 00:07:55.84\00:08:00.00 Well, obviously, yes. 00:08:00.03\00:08:02.62 But Jesus said, 00:08:02.65\00:08:04.02 "It would get even worse than all these things. 00:08:04.05\00:08:07.38 All these are the beginning of sorrows." 00:08:07.41\00:08:10.34 He said in Mathew 24:8. 00:08:10.37\00:08:12.86 But look at what He said would happen next. 00:08:12.89\00:08:16.30 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, 00:08:16.33\00:08:21.07 and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake." 00:08:21.10\00:08:26.25 Really? Hated by all nations? 00:08:26.28\00:08:30.51 A worldwide death decree for God's end time people? 00:08:30.54\00:08:33.82 That's what Jesus prophesied. 00:08:35.30\00:08:37.88 In fact, Jesus actually tells us 00:08:37.91\00:08:39.66 where this persecution, 00:08:39.69\00:08:41.06 this worldwide death decree is going to originate. 00:08:41.09\00:08:44.71 Levi. 00:08:44.74\00:08:46.12 That's why, Carl. 00:08:46.15\00:08:47.79 And I know right now we all want to know 00:08:47.82\00:08:49.91 what Jesus said this persecution will originate. 00:08:49.94\00:08:53.43 Of course, He never mentions 00:08:53.46\00:08:55.69 the actual name of this place or nation, 00:08:55.72\00:08:58.76 but He does give us a list of identifying features 00:08:58.79\00:09:02.00 that will allow us to recognize this persecuting power. 00:09:02.03\00:09:05.66 Now stay with me here because in my own study 00:09:05.69\00:09:08.25 I discovered that, what Jesus taught 00:09:08.28\00:09:10.23 in Matthew 24 about the signs of His return 00:09:10.26\00:09:14.00 parallels what He revealed to John in Revelation 13 and 14 00:09:14.03\00:09:18.71 with remarkable clarity. 00:09:18.74\00:09:21.47 And first of all, both Matthew 24 and Revelation 13 00:09:21.50\00:09:26.19 speak about worldwide death decree 00:09:26.22\00:09:28.49 for God's faithful end time people. 00:09:28.52\00:09:31.10 Then in Matthew 24:11 were told that, 00:09:31.13\00:09:34.29 "Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." 00:09:34.32\00:09:40.99 Revelation 13:14 tells us that, 00:09:41.02\00:09:43.45 this lamb like beast also described 00:09:43.48\00:09:46.00 as the false prophet in Revelation 16. 00:09:46.03\00:09:49.58 "Deceived all the people living on the earth 00:09:49.61\00:09:52.23 by means of the miracles 00:09:52.26\00:09:53.89 which it was allowed to perform." 00:09:53.92\00:09:56.64 The next verse in Matthew verse 12 00:09:56.67\00:09:59.58 says that lawlessness will abound. 00:09:59.61\00:10:02.97 And following the same order, 00:10:03.00\00:10:04.49 the next thing we come to in Revelation is this beast saying, 00:10:04.52\00:10:07.84 "To all of them that dwell on the earth, 00:10:07.87\00:10:10.13 that they should make an image to the beast." 00:10:10.16\00:10:13.27 Which is very much parallel to the lawlessness in Matthew. 00:10:13.30\00:10:17.93 And this image to the beast is set up 00:10:17.96\00:10:19.71 when laws were enforced that will 00:10:19.74\00:10:21.81 seek to compel people to worship 00:10:21.84\00:10:23.95 contrary to the Ten Commandments law of God. 00:10:23.98\00:10:27.56 And especially, the Fourth Commandment, the Sabbath. 00:10:27.59\00:10:31.71 For more information on this point, 00:10:31.74\00:10:33.94 see lesson 13 entitled "Who Moved the Mark." 00:10:33.97\00:10:37.05 Next, we read in Matthew 24:13, 00:10:38.42\00:10:41.55 "That he who endures to the end shall be saved." 00:10:41.58\00:10:46.06 In Revelation 13:10, 00:10:46.09\00:10:47.58 it speaks of the persecuted saints is having patience 00:10:47.61\00:10:51.51 because of what they need to endure. 00:10:51.54\00:10:54.24 Our final parallel is found in Matthew 24:14. 00:10:54.27\00:10:58.67 "And this gospel of the kingdom 00:10:58.70\00:11:01.38 will be preached in all the world 00:11:01.41\00:11:03.80 as a witness to all nations and then the end will come." 00:11:03.83\00:11:09.08 Did you get that? 00:11:10.15\00:11:11.52 After Jesus describes the persecution, 00:11:11.55\00:11:14.03 the deception, the lawlessness, 00:11:14.06\00:11:16.66 He says that, notice "That gospel will be 00:11:16.69\00:11:20.04 preached to all nations and then the end will come." 00:11:20.07\00:11:25.58 That is to say, Jesus will return. 00:11:25.61\00:11:29.04 And once again, Revelation follows a perfect parallel. 00:11:29.07\00:11:33.38 Just six verses into the very next chapter in Revelation. 00:11:33.41\00:11:37.46 We read this. 00:11:37.49\00:11:38.88 "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, 00:11:38.91\00:11:42.19 having the everlasting" What? 00:11:42.22\00:11:46.22 "The everlasting gospel to preach 00:11:46.25\00:11:49.63 unto them that dwell on the earth." 00:11:49.66\00:11:52.24 And just like Matthew 24, 00:11:52.27\00:11:54.81 "To every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." 00:11:54.84\00:12:01.03 My friends, this is the gospel that Jesus said 00:12:01.06\00:12:04.76 will go out to the whole world just before His return. 00:12:04.79\00:12:08.53 If you want to know what He expects 00:12:08.56\00:12:10.29 the faithful last day church to be preaching, 00:12:10.32\00:12:13.63 then read this whole message found in Revelation 14:6-12. 00:12:13.66\00:12:19.18 It's known as the Three Angels' Message. 00:12:19.21\00:12:22.54 And by the way, just as in Matthew 14, 00:12:22.57\00:12:26.04 immediately after the preaching of this Three Angels' Message, 00:12:26.07\00:12:30.04 Jesus is to seen coming back to harvest the earth. 00:12:30.07\00:12:34.93 So are the things that Jesus taught in Matthew 24 00:12:34.96\00:12:38.49 and what we read in Revelation 13 and 14 00:12:38.52\00:12:41.68 descriptions of the same events? 00:12:41.71\00:12:44.62 Well, I would have to give a resounding yes. 00:12:44.65\00:12:48.81 Well, Levi, those are some amazing discoveries. 00:12:48.84\00:12:53.00 And with that context now, 00:12:53.03\00:12:54.88 we can actually begin to unpack 00:12:54.91\00:12:56.95 the beast powers of Revelation 13. 00:12:56.98\00:13:00.52 The first beast is found in Revelation 13:1-10, 00:13:00.55\00:13:04.14 and the second in Revelation 13:11-18. 00:13:04.17\00:13:08.33 Let's begin with the first one. 00:13:08.36\00:13:10.90 In Revelation 13:1-3 John writes 00:13:10.93\00:13:14.79 "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, 00:13:14.82\00:13:17.22 and saw a beast rise up out of the sea. 00:13:17.25\00:13:20.21 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, 00:13:20.24\00:13:23.27 and his feet were as the feet of a bear, 00:13:23.30\00:13:25.76 and his mouth as the mouth of a lion, 00:13:25.79\00:13:28.26 and the dragon gave him his power, 00:13:28.29\00:13:30.99 and his seat, and great authority." 00:13:31.02\00:13:34.51 This is a representation of the same persecuting power 00:13:34.54\00:13:37.62 described in the Book of Daniel as the little horn 00:13:37.65\00:13:40.78 which in two previous lessons 00:13:40.81\00:13:42.31 we identified as the Roman Catholic Church. 00:13:42.34\00:13:45.85 Now we don't have enough time 00:13:45.88\00:13:47.59 to fully cover this point today, 00:13:47.62\00:13:50.02 but let's just make a few comparisons 00:13:50.05\00:13:52.12 between the little horn power of Daniel 7 and 8, 00:13:52.15\00:13:54.91 and the first beast here in Revelation 13. 00:13:54.94\00:13:59.53 Daniel 7:25 says, 00:13:59.56\00:14:01.93 "He shall speak great words against the Most High." 00:14:01.96\00:14:05.83 In Revelation 13:6, "He opened his mouth 00:14:05.86\00:14:08.63 in blasphemy against God." 00:14:08.66\00:14:11.87 Daniel 7:21 says, "He made war with the saints, 00:14:11.90\00:14:15.55 and prevailed against them." 00:14:15.58\00:14:17.64 In Revelation 13:7, "It was given unto him 00:14:17.67\00:14:20.40 to make war with the saints." 00:14:20.43\00:14:23.17 Daniel 8:24 says, "And his power shall be mighty, 00:14:23.20\00:14:27.34 but not by his own power." 00:14:27.37\00:14:30.06 In Revelation 13:2, "The dragon gave him his power, 00:14:30.09\00:14:34.22 and his seat, and great authority." 00:14:34.25\00:14:37.53 Daniel 7:25 says, "The saints shall be 00:14:37.56\00:14:40.48 given into his hand for a time and times and half a time." 00:14:40.51\00:14:46.15 This is the 1260 year period that lasted from 538 to 1798. 00:14:46.18\00:14:53.77 And in Revelation 13:5, 00:14:53.80\00:14:55.89 the same time period is described 00:14:55.92\00:14:57.97 as forty and two months 00:14:58.00\00:15:00.29 that the beast was given power to continue. 00:15:00.32\00:15:03.21 In Daniel 7:1-8, "This Roman power 00:15:03.24\00:15:06.24 is preceded by Babylon, Medo-Persia, 00:15:06.27\00:15:08.86 and Greece symbolized by a lion, a bear, and a leopard. 00:15:08.89\00:15:14.72 In Revelation 13:2, the same kingdoms 00:15:14.75\00:15:17.45 are mentioned only in reverse orders. 00:15:17.48\00:15:20.11 A leopard, a bear, and lion 00:15:20.14\00:15:22.33 because unlike Daniel who was writing 00:15:22.36\00:15:24.38 from the time of Babylon looking forward to the time of Rome. 00:15:24.41\00:15:28.12 John was writing from the time of Rome 00:15:28.15\00:15:30.59 looking backward in history to the time of Babylon. 00:15:30.62\00:15:34.55 So the first beast in Revelation 13 00:15:34.58\00:15:37.35 must be the Roman Catholic Church. 00:15:37.38\00:15:40.19 The same power as the little horn of Daniel 7 and 8. 00:15:40.22\00:15:44.81 But what about that second beast? 00:15:44.84\00:15:46.92 Well, now that we know 00:15:48.28\00:15:49.65 who the first beast of Revelation 13 is. 00:15:49.68\00:15:52.40 It really shouldn't be all that 00:15:52.43\00:15:53.80 difficult to identify the second. 00:15:53.83\00:15:56.08 So let's go about this task kind of like a news reporter 00:15:56.11\00:15:58.93 asking the questions who, what, where, when, and how. 00:15:58.96\00:16:04.00 Let's begin with the what. 00:16:04.03\00:16:06.31 What is this beast? 00:16:06.34\00:16:08.94 Daniel 7:17 says, "These great beasts, 00:16:08.97\00:16:12.59 which are four, are four kings." 00:16:12.62\00:16:15.79 Verse 23 says, "The fourth beast 00:16:15.82\00:16:18.04 shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth." 00:16:18.07\00:16:21.44 So what does a beast represent in Bible prophecy? 00:16:21.47\00:16:24.69 A kingdom or a nation. 00:16:24.72\00:16:27.37 And among other things we're also told 00:16:27.40\00:16:29.65 in Revelation 13:11 that this beast 00:16:29.68\00:16:32.21 or nation has two horns like a lamb. 00:16:32.24\00:16:35.96 What does this represent? 00:16:35.99\00:16:38.22 Well, the other 28 times the word lamb is used 00:16:38.25\00:16:41.34 in the Book of Revelation, it refers to Christ. 00:16:41.37\00:16:44.51 So we would be safe to say that at the very least 00:16:44.54\00:16:47.07 this nation is represented as having 00:16:47.10\00:16:49.28 some Christ-like characteristics. 00:16:49.31\00:16:51.90 Thus, point number one is that this beast 00:16:51.93\00:16:54.39 represents a kingdom or nation 00:16:54.42\00:16:56.61 that possesses Christian characteristics or principles. 00:16:56.64\00:17:00.51 Pretty simple so far. 00:17:00.54\00:17:02.40 And now for the when. 00:17:02.43\00:17:04.05 When does this nation arise? 00:17:04.08\00:17:06.41 According to Revelation 13:10-11, 00:17:06.44\00:17:09.10 this beast arises right around the time 00:17:09.13\00:17:11.94 the first beast receives its deadly wound. 00:17:11.97\00:17:15.23 When was the deadly wound inflicted upon the papacy? 00:17:15.26\00:17:18.65 In 1798, when Pope Pius VI 00:17:18.68\00:17:21.58 was taken captive by the French General, 00:17:21.61\00:17:23.59 Alexander Berthier causing the Roman Catholic Church 00:17:23.62\00:17:26.63 to lose her authority. 00:17:26.66\00:17:29.09 So point number two, is that it would arise 00:17:29.12\00:17:31.38 sometime around the year 1798. 00:17:31.41\00:17:34.90 And how about the where? 00:17:34.93\00:17:37.15 Well, unlike the other beasts 00:17:37.18\00:17:38.85 in Daniel and Revelation which arise from the sea, 00:17:38.88\00:17:41.92 verse 11 tells us that this beast rises out of the earth. 00:17:41.95\00:17:46.42 According to Revelation 17:15, 00:17:46.45\00:17:49.21 the sea represents peoples, multitudes, nations, 00:17:49.24\00:17:52.38 and tongues, or a populated area. 00:17:52.41\00:17:55.66 Thus, the earth would represent the opposite, 00:17:55.69\00:17:58.79 a sparsely populated area. 00:17:58.82\00:18:01.88 So our third point is that these beasts 00:18:01.91\00:18:03.98 or nation rises in a sparsely populated area of earth. 00:18:04.01\00:18:08.05 And now for our last question. 00:18:09.45\00:18:11.63 How does this beast come to power? 00:18:11.66\00:18:14.09 Unlike other beast mentioned 00:18:14.12\00:18:15.85 it's not seeing conquering another nation 00:18:15.88\00:18:17.86 in order to gain its territory or supremacy, 00:18:17.89\00:18:20.84 but rather it's simply comes up out of the earth. 00:18:20.87\00:18:23.21 Thus, our fourth and final point 00:18:24.81\00:18:27.00 is that this nation does not conquer another world kingdom 00:18:27.03\00:18:30.48 in order to gain its position and power. 00:18:30.51\00:18:33.42 So my friends, which nation does this beast represent? 00:18:33.45\00:18:37.79 There can be no question that this beast 00:18:37.82\00:18:40.07 represents the United States of America. 00:18:40.10\00:18:43.86 No other nation fits as Carl will explain. 00:18:43.89\00:18:48.03 Well, Andrea, let's go through 00:18:49.56\00:18:51.71 and look at each of the points that you mentioned. 00:18:51.74\00:18:54.62 First of all, is America a nation 00:18:54.65\00:18:57.54 that was founded upon Christian principles? 00:18:57.57\00:19:00.25 Well, what did its founders have to say? 00:19:01.52\00:19:04.83 In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, 00:19:04.86\00:19:06.78 yes, the same Thomas Jefferson 00:19:06.81\00:19:08.79 who wrote the "Declaration of Independence." 00:19:08.82\00:19:11.64 John Adams, our second President said, 00:19:11.67\00:19:14.98 "The general principles upon 00:19:15.01\00:19:16.68 which the Fathers achieved independence 00:19:16.71\00:19:19.30 were the general principles of Christianity." 00:19:19.33\00:19:22.78 In 1775, John Hancock wrote. 00:19:24.24\00:19:27.90 "We recognize no sovereign but God, 00:19:27.93\00:19:31.54 and no King but Jesus." 00:19:31.57\00:19:34.22 Both these men were actual signers 00:19:35.84\00:19:38.17 of the declaration of independence. 00:19:38.20\00:19:40.73 And they believe that America 00:19:40.76\00:19:42.33 was indeed founded upon Christian principles. 00:19:42.36\00:19:46.51 How about point number two? 00:19:46.54\00:19:49.04 Did America rise as a nation around the year 1798? 00:19:49.07\00:19:53.89 Absolutely. 00:19:53.92\00:19:55.51 The declaration of independence was signed on July 4,, 1776. 00:19:55.54\00:20:00.70 The constitution was voted in 1787. 00:20:00.73\00:20:04.64 In 1791, they adopted the bill of rights. 00:20:04.67\00:20:08.68 And by 1798, the United States of America 00:20:08.71\00:20:12.46 was clearly recognized as the sovereign nation. 00:20:12.49\00:20:16.07 And point number three. 00:20:17.18\00:20:18.98 Did America arise from 00:20:19.01\00:20:20.49 a sparsely populated area of the earth? 00:20:20.52\00:20:24.16 Yes, unlike the other kingdoms of Daniel 00:20:24.19\00:20:27.63 and Revelation which are arose 00:20:27.66\00:20:29.64 from the populated continent of Europe, 00:20:29.67\00:20:32.62 America arose from a sparsely populated 00:20:32.65\00:20:35.45 and little known area of earth. 00:20:35.48\00:20:38.10 It clearly fits the description. 00:20:38.13\00:20:41.20 Finally, did America have to conquer 00:20:41.23\00:20:43.79 another world kingdom in order to gain its supremacy? 00:20:43.82\00:20:47.79 The answer is no. 00:20:47.82\00:20:50.75 Although the continent had native tribes, 00:20:50.78\00:20:53.73 it did not have an established world kingdom 00:20:53.76\00:20:56.20 which would need to be taken out of the way 00:20:56.23\00:20:58.40 in order for the new nation to grow. 00:20:58.43\00:21:01.68 So, who is this second beast? 00:21:01.71\00:21:05.01 My friends, clearly the second beast of Revelation 13 00:21:05.04\00:21:09.99 can be none other than the United States of America. 00:21:10.02\00:21:15.40 That's right, Carl. 00:21:15.43\00:21:17.04 And now that we understand 00:21:17.07\00:21:18.44 who the two beasts of Revelation 13 are, 00:21:18.47\00:21:20.85 the Roman Catholic Church and the United States of America. 00:21:20.88\00:21:25.14 Yeah, I want to take the study a step further. 00:21:25.17\00:21:28.18 In Revelation 13 says that "He" that is the United States 00:21:28.21\00:21:33.10 "Exercises all the power of the first beast before him, 00:21:33.13\00:21:37.10 and causes the earth and them which dwell therein 00:21:37.13\00:21:41.46 to worship the first beast. 00:21:41.49\00:21:43.96 That as many as would not worship 00:21:43.99\00:21:46.22 the image of the beast should be killed." 00:21:46.25\00:21:49.27 But exactly who is involved 00:21:49.30\00:21:51.16 in persecuting God's people here 00:21:51.19\00:21:52.82 and what's the reason for the persecution? 00:21:52.85\00:21:56.51 The shocking answer is found in Revelation 17. 00:21:56.54\00:22:00.40 Here, the same two persecuting powers 00:22:00.43\00:22:02.97 are represented not as beast, 00:22:03.00\00:22:05.42 but as the harlot woman and her daughters. 00:22:05.45\00:22:09.39 Revelation 17:3-6 says, 00:22:09.42\00:22:12.05 "So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness. 00:22:12.08\00:22:16.24 And I saw a woman. 00:22:16.27\00:22:17.64 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, 00:22:17.67\00:22:21.39 and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls. 00:22:21.42\00:22:25.64 And upon her forehead was a name written, mystery, 00:22:25.67\00:22:29.64 Babylon the great, the mother of harlots 00:22:29.67\00:22:32.57 and abominations of the earth. 00:22:32.60\00:22:35.18 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, 00:22:35.21\00:22:38.52 and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." 00:22:38.55\00:22:42.54 Now a woman in prophecy is a symbol of a church, 00:22:42.57\00:22:45.80 so it makes sense that the papacy 00:22:45.83\00:22:48.22 or Roman Catholic Church will be symbolized this way. 00:22:48.25\00:22:51.67 And she is called the great harlot in verse 1, 00:22:51.70\00:22:54.33 and she has the name Babylon the great, 00:22:54.36\00:22:57.19 written on her forehead here in verse 5. 00:22:57.22\00:22:59.66 But she also has daughters or other churches 00:22:59.69\00:23:03.56 that follow in her example of harlotry. 00:23:03.59\00:23:06.69 What is this harlotry? 00:23:06.72\00:23:08.48 And how is that the other churches are following her in it 00:23:08.51\00:23:11.61 and becoming a part of spiritual Babylon? 00:23:11.64\00:23:15.75 The answer, believe it or not 00:23:15.78\00:23:17.94 is clearly seen in the color she is wearing. 00:23:17.97\00:23:21.68 Sound strange, but Levi is actually right about this. 00:23:22.82\00:23:26.86 Let's take a look at it. 00:23:26.89\00:23:28.69 Revelation 17:4 says, "She was arrayed in purple 00:23:28.72\00:23:32.39 and scarlet and decked with gold." 00:23:32.42\00:23:36.08 Now compare the colors of these false priests 00:23:36.11\00:23:38.65 with the colors God's true priest were to wear. 00:23:38.68\00:23:42.04 "And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, 00:23:42.07\00:23:46.36 of purple, and of scarlet." 00:23:46.39\00:23:49.74 So what was this harlot missing? 00:23:49.77\00:23:52.94 The blue. 00:23:52.97\00:23:54.74 And this missing blue color 00:23:54.77\00:23:56.24 is critical when you understand what it means. 00:23:56.27\00:24:00.22 Numbers 15:38-39 says, 00:24:00.25\00:24:03.44 "Put a blue thread in the tassels 00:24:03.47\00:24:06.23 that you may look upon it and remember 00:24:06.26\00:24:08.61 all the commandments of the Lord and do them." 00:24:08.64\00:24:12.68 The blue was there to remind them 00:24:12.71\00:24:14.54 of God's commandments to keep them and do them. 00:24:14.57\00:24:18.54 Disobedience to God's law constitutes spiritual adultery. 00:24:18.57\00:24:23.70 Just listen to how verse 39 continues. 00:24:23.73\00:24:27.13 "That you may not follow the harlotry 00:24:27.16\00:24:29.10 to which your own heart and your own eyes are inclined." 00:24:29.13\00:24:33.06 It's clear. 00:24:33.09\00:24:35.00 This woman of Revelation 17 is missing the blue. 00:24:35.03\00:24:38.77 And what does she called? She is called a harlot. 00:24:38.80\00:24:42.01 Why? 00:24:42.04\00:24:43.54 Because she is not keeping God's commandments 00:24:43.57\00:24:46.70 and that is the issue upon what she becomes spiritual Babylon. 00:24:46.73\00:24:51.10 And upon which her daughters 00:24:51.13\00:24:52.52 become part of spiritual Babylon 00:24:52.55\00:24:55.07 and follow in her example of harlotry. 00:24:55.10\00:24:58.61 "Red in the morning, sailors take warning." 00:24:58.64\00:25:02.30 You know, Jesus taught that we are fools 00:25:02.33\00:25:04.50 when we are slow to believe what the prophets have told us. 00:25:04.53\00:25:08.14 Jesus said, "We are hypocrites." 00:25:08.17\00:25:09.99 When we claim to be Christians 00:25:10.02\00:25:11.41 and yet fail to discern the fulfilled signs of prophecy. 00:25:11.44\00:25:16.13 So pay attention to what we've learned today. 00:25:16.16\00:25:20.00 We've learned of a lamb like beast 00:25:20.03\00:25:22.37 that would begin in a Christ-like manner. 00:25:22.40\00:25:25.95 We learned that this nation 00:25:25.98\00:25:27.37 would eventually speak like a dragon or Satan, 00:25:27.40\00:25:30.78 trying to force everyone 00:25:30.81\00:25:32.18 to worship at the seat of the papacy. 00:25:32.21\00:25:34.42 And we learned that this beast power, 00:25:34.45\00:25:37.40 the United States will issue a worldwide death decree 00:25:37.43\00:25:41.02 for those who refused to worship in the Catholic manner. 00:25:41.05\00:25:44.52 In particular, on Sunday. 00:25:44.55\00:25:47.86 Right now it may seem impossible 00:25:47.89\00:25:49.84 for these predictions to come true, 00:25:49.87\00:25:52.04 but considering the Daniel and Revelation 00:25:52.07\00:25:54.28 have perfect track records I'm compelled to believe. 00:25:54.31\00:25:58.55 So listen carefully. 00:25:58.58\00:26:00.96 We learned today that God predicted 00:26:00.99\00:26:02.95 that a lamblike nation would come to power, 00:26:02.98\00:26:06.08 that was fulfilled in the United States of America. 00:26:06.11\00:26:09.66 We also learned that God foretold this nation 00:26:09.69\00:26:12.63 encouraged by the harlot daughters of the papacy 00:26:12.66\00:26:15.88 or apostate Protestantism would abandoned the law of God. 00:26:15.91\00:26:21.09 That prophecy has certainly have been fulfilled, 00:26:21.12\00:26:23.90 especially in regards to the Fourth Commandment, 00:26:23.93\00:26:26.65 the seventh day Sabbath. 00:26:26.68\00:26:29.54 Almost all the Protestant Churches today 00:26:29.57\00:26:32.17 are following the Roman Church 00:26:32.20\00:26:33.99 in breaking the Fourth of the Ten Commandments. 00:26:34.02\00:26:37.01 Apostate Protestantism is keeping 00:26:37.04\00:26:39.81 the first day of the week which the Catholic Church 00:26:39.84\00:26:42.88 claimed to solemnify in place of the true 00:26:42.91\00:26:46.00 seventh-day Sabbath of the Ten Commandments. 00:26:46.03\00:26:49.65 So my friend, is the sky red today? 00:26:49.68\00:26:53.16 We've already seen that the signs Jesus 00:26:53.19\00:26:55.48 talked about are all around, 00:26:55.51\00:26:57.71 so we can be certain that everything He spoke of us 00:26:57.74\00:27:00.70 taking place just before His return 00:27:00.73\00:27:03.06 will indeed come to pass. 00:27:03.09\00:27:05.36 And in fact, is coming to pass. 00:27:05.39\00:27:08.58 So the question we must now ask ourselves is. 00:27:08.61\00:27:11.78 Will we be faithful to God? 00:27:11.81\00:27:14.95 Will we answer the call of Jesus 00:27:14.98\00:27:17.00 to come out of this false system of worship? 00:27:17.03\00:27:20.49 Will we choose to love and obey Jesus? 00:27:20.52\00:27:24.13 Did you know the "Thunder in the Holy Land" 00:28:08.50\00:28:10.36 is a Bible study series that gives you the ability 00:28:10.39\00:28:13.73 to share the hope you have in Christ at a moments notice. 00:28:13.76\00:28:17.52 These interacted and clear Bible studies 00:28:17.55\00:28:20.07 on the teachings of Jesus 00:28:20.10\00:28:22.00 thrive on group discussion and individual thought. 00:28:22.03\00:28:25.35 Learn more at qlp.tv. 00:28:25.38\00:28:28.32