By Michael H. Exton
"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard…the Antichrist is coming..." (1 John 2:18)
"…the man of sin…the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped…" (2 Thess. 2:3–4)
"He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God" (2 Thess. 2:4 NLT)
"Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having SEVEN HEADS and TEN HORNS, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name…. And the dragon [Satan the devil] gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, 'Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?' And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies…" (Rev. 13:1–5)
"Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. And it was granted to him to make war with the saints [true Christians] and to overcome [conquer] them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have NOT been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Rev. 13:6-8)
The beast that comes up out of the sea has SEVEN HEADS. But what are these seven heads? "The seven heads of the beast… represent seven kings [or kingdoms]. Five kings [or kingdoms] have already fallen, the sixth now reigns [the Roman Empire—remember this was written around 95 A.D.], and the seventh is yet to come, but his reign will be brief" (Rev. 17:9–10 NLT).
So the seven heads of this beast depict seven kings or kingdoms. The sixth head portrays the Roman Empire, while the first five heads represent empires that preceded the Roman Empire (please read my booklet "Revelation Comes Alive" for more details).
But what about the seventh head—the one that is "yet to come"—what does it depict? This seventh head represents the LEADER of a revived end-time Roman Empire—that is—it represents the ANTICHRIST! For "all who dwell on the earth will worship him…" (Rev. 13:8).
The beast of Revelation 13 also has TEN HORNS. But what are these ten horns? "The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour [just a very brief period of time] as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb [Jesus Christ], and the Lamb will overcome them [at His return], for He is Lord of lords and King of kings…" (Rev. 17:12–14).
So the ten horns represent ten political leaders who will eventually turn over their power and authority to the Antichrist. These ten leaders will rule over ten European nations (or groups of nations). This will in essence be a resurrection of the Roman Empire—a United States of Europe—composed of ten European nations (or regions) that are ruled over by ten leaders. Today's European Union will almost surely evolve into such a configuration in the very near future.
"Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a LAMB and spoke like a DRAGON. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he DECEIVES those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image [statue] to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed" (Rev. 13:11–15)
So what is this other beast that comes up out of the EARTH? This second beast represents a FALSE religious leader who appears like a LAMB—that is—he will appear as a true representative of Jesus Christ, but instead he will represent Satan the devil (as he will speak like a DRAGON)!
This false religious leader will do great signs (Satan empowered miracles) in order to deceive mankind. Not only will he make fire come down from heaven (like the prophet Elijah did in the Old Testament), but after having a statue made of the first beast (the Antichrist) he will actually cause the statue to speak! And anyone who does not worship the statue of the first beast will be put to death!
The Living Bible goes so far as to say that it is the statue itself that actually commands those who do not worship it to be put to death! "Then the STATUE ordered that anyone refusing to worship it must die!" (Rev. 13:15). WOW!
So who exactly is this second beast—this end-time false religious leader who will deceive the whole world and cause its inhabitants to worship the first beast? This false prophet (as he is often referred to in the book of Revelation—see Rev. 19:20) will be none other than the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church—that is—the POPE!
This end-time pontiff—together with the first beast—will bring about a renewed "Holy Roman Empire" (of course there will be nothing holy about it!). They will eventually even go to war against the returning Jesus Christ (see Rev. 19:19–20)! But before this occurs they will wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world!
Earlier, when I was discussing the first beast, did you notice that it was severely wounded and yet it miraculously recovered?
"I saw one of its heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast" (Rev. 13:3)
Not only will the first beast (the political leader of a ten-nation European combine) be wounded, but he will be wounded so badly that the inhabitants of the earth will be absolutely amazed at his recovery. There is even some indication that not only will he be severely wounded—but that he will actually be killed—and then brought back to life! (Rev. 13:3, 14, 17:8). And that is precisely how the Living Bible renders these particular verses: "He was fatally wounded and then came back to life!" (Rev. 13:14). And "he was alive but isn't now… and the people of the earth… will be dumbfounded at his reappearance after being dead!" (Rev. 17:8).
When the ruler of the revived Holy Roman Empire (the Antichrist) miraculously recovers, the world will marvel and worship him (Rev. 13:3). Of course he will get his power from Satan. "So they worshipped the DRAGON who gave authority to the beast; and they worshipped the BEAST, saying, 'Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?'" (Rev. 13:4).
So the whole world will not only worship the Antichrist, but they will worship the DEVIL as well! (For it is Satan that is behind this evil political leader and his corrupt government, just as it is Satan that is behind the pope and his false religious system!).
There is also a good chance that the Antichrist will not only be killed and then raised back to life, but that he will be killed on a Friday (perhaps even "Good Friday") and resurrected back to life on a Sunday (and perhaps even "Easter Sunday")! (For more details on this, please read my booklet: "When Was Jesus Crucified?").
The Bible does not state exactly how many years the coming Antichrist will reign, but it does mention in Daniel 9:27 that he will make an agreement with many for seven days (that is—seven years—using the day-for-a-year principle that is so common in Bible prophecy).
Daniel 9:27: "Then he [the Antichrist] shall confirm a covenant with many for one week [seven days = seven years]. But in the middle of the week [after about 3.5 years—or exactly 1290 days before Christ's return–see Dan. 12:11] he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering…."
This Scripture in Daniel is indicating that in the end-time (just seven years before Christ's return) the Antichrist will make a seven-year pact with Israel and others which will allow the Jews to once again perform animal sacrifices at their temple in Jerusalem. But then in the middle of this agreement (after about 3.5 years) he will double-cross the Jews and destroy them and put an end to the sacrifices with a "flood" (great army)—verse 26.
Luke 21:20–24 confirms this destruction: "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near…. For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled…. And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled."
After putting an end to the animal sacrifices the Antichrist will then set up "the abomination of desolation" at the temple in Jerusalem. "And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress [the temple]; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation" (Dan. 11:31). At this occurrence there will only be 1290 days left until the return of Jesus Christ (Dan. 12:11)!
But what exactly is this "abomination of desolation"? It is the statue of the Antichrist that I mentioned previously—the one that the end-time pope (the second beast of Rev. 13) will make! The one that will speak! The one that will kill all who will not worship it!
"He [the end-time pontiff] deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image [statue] in honor of the [first] beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived" (Rev. 13:14 NIV)
The abomination of desolation (the statue of the Antichrist) will then be placed at the temple in Jerusalem, thus defiling the temple.
Somewhere around the same time that the animal sacrifices are stopped and the abomination of desolation is set up in Jerusalem the Antichrist will be mortally wounded—but then he will be supernaturally healed. But when he recovers—look out! For he will go out to annihilate everyone in his path! (Dan. 9:27 and Rev. 13:5–10). This will be the start of the Great Tribulation! A time so terrible—that if Christ did not return to put an end to it—all humanity would be erased from the face of the earth! (Matt. 24:21–22).
The Antichrist will be extremely sly, treacherous, and cunning (Dan. 8:23–25). He will deceive many with his flattery (Dan. 11:32). And as a result of his "cunning deceits and sinister schemes" he shall prosper and thrive (Dan. 8:23–25). He will accomplish all this not only with craftiness but with awesome power. "His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power [but by the power of Satan the devil!]…" (Dan. 8:24).
In union with the end-time pontiff, the Antichrist will bring enormous wealth and prosperity to much of the world (Rev. 18:11–19). But in his utter arrogance he will speak incredible blasphemies against the great God of heaven! (Rev. 13:5–6). And not to be outdone, the pope will also speak great pompous words against the great Creator of the universe! (Dan. 7:25). And together, they shall persecute God's people! (Dan. 7:21, 25, 8:24; Rev. 13:7, 18:24).
Not only will the Antichrist destroy many people and nations (Dan. 11:36–44), but he will make slaves of his captives—probably even trading in human parts and organs! (Rev. 13:10, 18:13).
"The beast forced all men, small and great, rich and poor, slave and free, to have a mark placed on their right hands and on their foreheads. No one could buy or sell unless he had this mark, that is, the beast's name or the number that stands for the name" (Rev. 13:16–17 TEV)
As the above Scripture clearly shows, the mark of the beast is simply either the name of the beast or the number of his name placed on one's body. And as many translations also show, this mark will be a LITERAL, PHYSICAL MARK.
From the Living Bible: "He required everyone… to be tattooed with a certain mark…." And from Today's English Version: He "forced all men… to have a mark placed on their right hands and on their foreheads…." And from the Jerusalem Bible: "He compelled everyone… to be branded on the right hand or on the forehead…." And on and on it goes.
So this mark will definitely be a LITERAL, PHYSICAL MARK that one will have to have on either their right hand or on their forehead in order to buy and sell (and perhaps conduct all other types of business).
At this point I need to make one other thing perfectly clear concerning this mark. The mark of the beast will also—UNQUESTIONABLY—be an outward sign of one's allegiance to and worship of Satan and his earthly representatives. It's showing a total rejection of the true God and His laws and commandments. Anyone who accepts this mark will be pledging their loyalty to the devil!
Therefore, unlike what some conspiracy theorists may be teaching, it won't be some secretive thing, which one might unwittingly receive because they were caught off guard. It will be nothing of the kind! On the contrary, in order to even receive the mark, one will apparently have to KNOWINGLY VOW THEIR ALLEGIANCE TO THE BEAST (and everything that he stands for)—and reject God! (Rev. 14:6–11).
But the Bible strongly warns us not to receive the mark of the beast!
"If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name"! (Rev. 14:9–11)
"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is 666"! (Rev. 13:18 KJV)
Now, what in the world can this Scripture possibly mean? And what is meant by, "count the number of a man"? And how does it all add up to 666?
The Living Bible renders the last part of the above Scripture as "…the numerical values of the letters in his name add to 666." Many people in the world are familiar with Roman numerals—where the letter "I" stands for 1, "V" stands for 5, "X" for 10, etc. Well, many other languages have similar systems, where they designate a certain number for a particular letter.
Each language has its own unique way for how this is done. For instance, in the Greek language, "A" represents the number 1, "E" represents 5, "I" represents 10, etc. So what we need to do is find a man's name whereby the letters in his name add up to 666.
Here is an example: Suppose there was a Latin man with the name of Vix (strange name, huh?). What would his number be? Well, if you add 5 (for the "V") and 1 (for the "I") and 10 (for the "X") you get 16. So Vix couldn't possibly be the beast because his name only adds up to 16 (instead of 666). So if Vix is not the beast, who is?
Irenaeus (a late second century writer) credits Polycarp (the disciple and successor of the apostle John) for coming up with the name "Lateinos." Lateinos is a Greek word—and most of the New Testament was originally written in Greek (including the book of Revelation).
In the Greek language "L" is 30, "A" is 1, "T" is 300, "E" is 5, "I" is 10, "N" is 50, "O" is 70, and "S" is 200. Add them up and what do you get? 666!
"Lateinos" signifies "a Latin" or "Latin-man," but it can also be translated as "Roman." Why? Because "lat" and "rom" are synonymous with one another. For proof of this, look up the words Roman and Latin in any good dictionary and you will see what I mean.
For instance in my dictionary (The American Heritage Dictionary–Second College Edition) you will find the following: "Latin": (1) Of or relating to Latium, its people, or its culture. (2) Of or relating to ancient Rome, its people, or its culture. Notice that Latium and Rome are essentially synonymous with each other.
Then if you look up the word "Roman alphabet"—the definition given is—Latin alphabet. Latin Church—Roman Catholic Church. Latinize—Romanize. And on and on it goes. As a result, the English word "ROMAN," CAN THEREFORE BE TRANSLATED INTO THE GREEK LANGUAGE AS EITHER RHOMAIOS OR LATEINOS, since the two Greek words: Rhomaios and Lateinos mean (for all intents and purposes) the exact same thing.
A Latin, in its strictest sense, refers to an inhabitant of Latium. And a Roman, in its strictest sense, refers to an inhabitant of Rome. So how can these two words be synonymous with one another? Because both of these territories are essentially the same.
When Rome was first founded by a man named Romulus in 753 B.C. it was a desolate area of seven hills. It was located in the very small country of Latium, in what is now Western Central Italy. Italy was not a country back then but was instead the name of a region. So Rome was a city, located in the very small country of Latium, which was located in the region of Italy.
Not long after Rome was founded it became a thriving city. Within a relatively short period of time it was stretching out its wings—looking for people to conquer. Those who lived closest to it became its first victims—which happened to be the inhabitants of the surrounding area—Latium. Eventually Latium and its people (Latins in English; Lateinos in Greek) became absorbed by the inhabitants of Rome (Romans in English; Rhomaios in Greek) until the two names became essentially one and the same.
Not only that, but the people who settled in Rome intermarried with the inhabitants of Latium practically at the outset of the founding of Rome by Romulus. As the Concise Columbia Encyclopedia states: "Romulus populated Rome with fugitives from other countries and gave them wives abducted from the Sabine tribe [who lived in Latium]…. The Sabines warred with Rome, but by the third century B.C. they were completely amalgamated [the two became one]" (article: Romulus; Sabines; 1991 edition). So there you have it. That's why, even to this day, the two words mean essentially the same exact thing.
So where does that leave us? And what has all of this to do with the Antichrist and the prophesied events that are destined to occur in the very near future? EVERYTHING!
As already stated in this booklet, the Antichrist (or "beast" as he is called in the book of Revelation), working in conjunction with the end-time pope (often called the "false prophet" in the book of Revelation) will lead a revived "Holy Roman Empire" (as the result of ten national or regional leaders turning their power and authority over to him). And his name (whatever it is) will add up to 666.
But can anyone think of a better name than ROMAN? Not only can ROMAN be translated into Greek as "Lateinos"—which just happens to add up to 666—but this name is also the name of the Empire that he will lead (a revitalized Holy ROMAN Empire)!
The name "ROMAN" is also the name of the great false church that will back up the Antichrist—the ROMAN Catholic Church! Of course many people consider the Roman Catholic Church a Christian church, but it's as far removed from true Biblical Christianity as the east is from the west! (And the Protestant churches aren't much better—as they continue to teach many of the false pagan doctrines that they received from their apostate mother).
At its core the Roman Catholic Church is nothing more than a continuation of the ancient pagan "Babylon Mystery Religion"—and is part of what the Bible calls "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH" (Rev. 17:5).
"And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints [true Christians] and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus [true followers of Christ who give their life for Him]. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement" (Rev. 17:6)
Yes, the apostle John was absolutely astonished at what he saw in a vision: A false renegade church, calling itself Christian, and a world supposing it to be Christian, yet massacring true Christians by the thousands! And unfortunately she hasn't gotten her fill of blood yet—as she will go out in one more vicious rampage to annihilate the true followers of Christ! (Rev. 6:9–11).
Let's now get back to the Antichrist himself. Will his name be "ROMAN"? And if so, who exactly will it be?
Today, there are a few very prominent politicians in Europe with the name "Roman" (most notably Roman Herzog—the onetime president of Germany, and Roman Prodi—the past prime minister of Italy). So perhaps one of these men will indeed become the future leader of a "United States of Europe," and take on the role of "Antichrist." Of course, neither man may be the end-time beast at all. Perhaps both are kind, wonderful human beings (and of course both of these men may be long dead and buried when these things finally come to fruition). But wow—do their names ever fit!
If "Roman" is indeed the name of the future beast, then the name "Roman" will represent three things in one: the political system (the Roman Empire), the false religious system (the Roman Church), and the name of the end-time political leader.
But, it seems the LEADER OF THE FALSE CHURCH will be left out. But perhaps he won't. It's conceivable that his name will also add up to 666. Maybe even he will have the name Roman. Or, perhaps his name will in some other way signify 666.
Have you ever noticed that each time a new pope is elected to the office of "bishop of Rome" he is given a new name. The current pope is Benedict XVI. This name of course is not his real name, but was the name he selected when he was first elected pope several years ago.
Possibly the final pope (the "false prophet"), the one who will team up with the coming political beast (the "Antichrist"), will take on the name "Sixtus." There have been several popes who have had this name in the past (the last one being in 1585–1590).
So how many popes have there been with the name of "Sixtus"? Would you believe—FIVE! So, if there is ever another one, he would be known as Sixtus VI! This would be especially significant if the suffix "tus," in the name "Sixtus," actually meant "six" in the ancient Babylonian language (or some other language). For then, "Sixtus VI," could be literally translated as Sixsix VI, or 666!
So, as explained throughout this booklet, the name "ROMAN" is stamped all over the rotten political system (Roman Empire) and false religious system (Roman Church) that will soon combine together to bring this world to the brink of total annihilation. And "Roman," as previously explained, can be translated into the Greek language as "Lateinos," which just happens to add up to 666 (which is the number of the beast). So who knows, perhaps "Roman" will also be the name of the terrible political leader who will lead this evil system in the very near future.
But one thing is certain, that whoever the Antichrist is, his name will indeed add up to 666!
"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard… the Antichrist is coming..." (1 John 2:18)
"The man of sin… the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped…" (2 Thess. 2:3–4)
"He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God" (2 Thess. 2:4 NLT)
"Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. And it was granted to him to make war with the saints [true Christians] and to overcome [conquer] them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have NOT been written in the Book of Life…" (Rev. 13:6-8)
"If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name" (Rev. 14:9–11)
Mike Exton
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