The Beasts of Revelation 13

Sundbom Writings

Revelation 13 Verses 1-10: Catholic Church to 1799 (The Leopard-like Beast) Verses 11-13:Church of England from 1530’s (The Two-Horned Beast) Verses 14-18: Protestant Federation from 1846 (The Image of the Leopard-like Beast) Verses 1-10: Catholic Church to 1799 (The Leopard-like Beast) Verses 11-13:Church of England from 1530’s (The Two-Horned Beast) Verses 14-18: Protestant Federation from 1846 (The Image of the Leopard-like Beast)

Revelation 13 Verses 1-10: Catholic Church to 1799 (The Leopard-like Beast) Verses 11-13:Church of England from 1530’s (The Two-Horned Beast) Verses 14-18: Protestant Federation from 1846 (The Image of the Leopard-like Beast) Verses 1-10: Catholic Church to 1799 (The Leopard-like Beast) Verses 11-13:Church of England from 1530’s (The Two-Horned Beast) Verses 14-18: Protestant Federation from 1846 (The Image of the Leopard-like Beast)

Revelation 13 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. Revelation 13:1,2 and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:1,2

and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:1,2 and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:1,2

Civil Rome (Caesars) and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:1,2 and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:1,2

Civil Rome (Caesars) Ecclesiastical Rome (Popes) 539 AD and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:1,2 and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Revelation 13:1,2

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. Revelation 13:3

1517 AD

Luther, the leading spirit of the reformation, did not stop with one error, but attempted to throw out many others, and nailed upon the church door at Wittenberg, Oct. 31st, 1517, ninety-five theses, all of which were objections to the doctrines of Papacy... But, alas! the "cleansing" work so nobly and courageously commenced was too radical to be popular, and the friends and admirers of Luther and his associates conquered in a measure... Luther, the leading spirit of the reformation, did not stop with one error, but attempted to throw out many others, and nailed upon the church door at Wittenberg, Oct. 31st, 1517, ninety-five theses, all of which were objections to the doctrines of Papacy... But, alas! the "cleansing" work so nobly and courageously commenced was too radical to be popular, and the friends and admirers of Luther and his associates conquered in a measure...

overpowering them with policy, prudence, "flatteries," and promises of help and success, provided their course were shaped according to the dictates of the wisdom of this world. Several of the German princes became ardent admirers of the bold reformers. These princes aided the reformers... And in return for the aid they received from the reformers recognition of their kingly rights.

Thus, the same kind of union between church and state which had worked such injury to the truth before, in Papacy, was the snare by which the adversary impeded and obstructed the "cleansing of the sanctuary," so nobly begun. Reformation and cleansing for a time ceased, and, instead of progressing with the cleansing, the reformers gave attention to organizing themselves, and to revamping and repolishing many of the old papal dogmas, at first so loudly condemned.

Thus did Satan decoy the reformers into the very "harlotry" (union of church and state) which they had denounced in the Church of Rome. And thus the deadly wound which Papacy had received was for a time healed. Rev. 13:3

Volume 3, p Thus did Satan decoy the reformers into the very "harlotry" (union of church and state) which they had denounced in the Church of Rome. And thus the deadly wound which Papacy had received was for a time healed. Rev. 13:3 Volume 3, p

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. Revelation 13:4-8

“42 Months” 42 months x 30 days per month 1260 days 42 months x 30 days per month 1260 days

“42 Months” 42 months x 30 days per month 1260 days ( AD) 42 months x 30 days per month 1260 days ( AD)

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 13:9,10 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 13:9,10

Civil Rome (Caesars) Ecclesiastical Rome (Popes) 539 AD

Revelation 13 Verses 1-10: Catholic Church to 1799 (The Leopard-like Beast) Verses 11-13: Church of England from 1530’s (The Two-Horned Beast) Verses 1-10: Catholic Church to 1799 (The Leopard-like Beast) Verses 11-13: Church of England from 1530’s (The Two-Horned 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. Revelation 13:11-13

Henry VIII 1509 Henry VIII becomes King 1509 Henry VIII becomes King

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon 1509 Henry marries Catherine of Aragon 1509 Henry marries Catherine of Aragon

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon 1518 Henry writes “The Seven Sacrements” 1518 Henry writes “The Seven Sacrements”

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon 1516 Mary born 1516 Mary born Mary

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Anne Boleyn 1533 Henry marries Anne Boleyn 1533 Henry marries Anne Boleyn Mary

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Anne Boleyn 1533 Elizabeth born 1533 Elizabeth born Mary Elizabeth

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Anne Boleyn 1534 Act of Supremacy 1534 Act of Supremacy Mary Elizabeth

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Anne Boleyn 1534 Act of Supremacy Law of Treason and Heresy 1534 Act of Supremacy Law of Treason and Heresy Mary Elizabeth

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Anne Boleyn 1536 Anne beheaded 1536 Anne beheaded Mary Elizabeth

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Jane Seymour Anne Boleyn Mary Elizabeth 1536 Marries Jane Seymour 1536 Marries Jane Seymour

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Jane Seymour Anne Boleyn Mary Elizabeth 1537 Edward born, Jane dies 1537 Edward born, Jane dies Edward

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Jane Seymour Anne Boleyn Elizabeth Edward Mary 1547 Henry VIII dies 1547 Henry VIII dies

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Jane Seymour Anne Boleyn Elizabeth Edward Mary 1547 Henry VIII dies, Edward VI reigns 1547 Henry VIII dies, Edward VI reigns

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Jane Seymour Anne Boleyn Elizabeth Edward Mary 1553 Edward VI dies 1553 Edward VI dies

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Jane Seymour Anne Boleyn Elizabeth Edward Mary 1553 Mary I reigns 1553 Mary I reigns

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Jane Seymour Anne Boleyn Elizabeth Edward Mary 1558 Mary I dies, Elizabeth reigns 1558 Mary I dies, Elizabeth reigns

Henry VIII Catherine of Aragon Jane Seymour Anne Boleyn Elizabeth Edward Mary

Henry VIII

Catherine of Aragon Mary

Revelation 13 Verses 1-10:Catholic Church to 1799 (The Leopard-like Beast) Verses 11-13: Church of England from 1530’s (The Two-Horned Beast) Verses 14-18: Protestant Federation from 1846 (The Image of the Leopard-like Beast) Verses 1-10:Catholic Church to 1799 (The Leopard-like Beast) Verses 11-13: Church of England from 1530’s (The Two-Horned Beast) Verses 14-18: Protestant Federation from 1846 (The Image of the Leopard-like Beast)

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 R evelation 13:14

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 R evelation 13: AD

The question now arises, Why should the Scriptures picture Protestantism as an Image of the Beast? When and how did this come about? From the time of the Reformation, Protestants had been striving individually to get out of the darkness of the past and thus had formulated many creeds and had organized many denominations. But about the middle of the last century the leaders began to see that if every one continued to study the Bible individually the time would come when each one would have an individual creed. To prevent what seemed to them a loss of power, they planned a union of Protestants in a system called the Evangelical Alliance. Volume 4, Foreword Page viii - ix

The Evangelical Alliance, an organization of the different Protestant denominations, was formed in 1846 for the very purpose of doing in their own way the same thing that Catholicism would do in its own way. Seeing the great power that Roman Catholics would exercise because of a united system, Protestants said, "We are divided. We have no power. We will organize." Then and there, according to the Scriptures, they made an Image of the Beast. Volume 4, Foreword Page ix The Evangelical Alliance, an organization of the different Protestant denominations, was formed in 1846 for the very purpose of doing in their own way the same thing that Catholicism would do in its own way. Seeing the great power that Roman Catholics would exercise because of a united system, Protestants said, "We are divided. We have no power. We will organize." Then and there, according to the Scriptures, they made an Image of the Beast. Volume 4, Foreword Page ix

Making the Image of the Beast

1908 The Federal Council of Churches in America 1943 The National Association of Evangelicals 1944 The American Council of Christian Churches 1950 The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA 1908 The Federal Council of Churches in America 1943 The National Association of Evangelicals 1944 The American Council of Christian Churches 1950 The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA

Making the Image of the Beast 1908 The Federal Council of Churches in America 1943 The National Association of Evangelicals 1944 The American Council of Christian Churches 1950 The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA 1910 The International Missionary Conference d to 1925 The World Conference on Life and Work 1927 The World Conference on Faith and Order 1948 The World Council of Churches 1962 Second Vatican Council 1908 The Federal Council of Churches in America 1943 The National Association of Evangelicals 1944 The American Council of Christian Churches 1950 The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA 1910 The International Missionary Conference d to 1925 The World Conference on Life and Work 1927 The World Conference on Faith and Order 1948 The World Council of Churches 1962 Second Vatican Council

that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live R evelation 13: AD AD

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. 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 six hundred threescore and six. Revelation 13:15-18 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. 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 six hundred threescore and six. Revelation 13:15-18

The Bible says, however, that before the Image can do any particular harm it must receive life from the two-horned Beast. Although the Evangelical Alliance was organized in 1846, it has not been able to accomplish its purpose, because it did not know how to operate. The denominations in the Alliance were united only in name, and hence have worked against each other.... As a result the Image had no power to act; it was trodden upon; and to get vitality – life – it would need apostolic succession; it must have something as a basis for operation. The Bible says, however, that before the Image can do any particular harm it must receive life from the two-horned Beast. Although the Evangelical Alliance was organized in 1846, it has not been able to accomplish its purpose, because it did not know how to operate. The denominations in the Alliance were united only in name, and hence have worked against each other.... As a result the Image had no power to act; it was trodden upon; and to get vitality – life – it would need apostolic succession; it must have something as a basis for operation.

The Scriptures indicate that the Church of England will become intimate with the Evangelical Alliance and will give it apostolic authority to preach. Because of this union the Alliance will be able to say, "We have apostolic authority to preach. Volume Four, Foreword P. ix The Scriptures indicate that the Church of England will become intimate with the Evangelical Alliance and will give it apostolic authority to preach. Because of this union the Alliance will be able to say, "We have apostolic authority to preach. Volume Four, Foreword P. ix

The vitality of the Image is to come from the two-horned Beast; that is, the Church of England. We have been waiting for this consummation more than thirty years, and have seen it draw nearer and nearer. A few years ago the Episcopal Church took an important step toward vitalizing the Church Federation movement, which it is favoring and backing. That important step was the recognition of the ministers of the denominations represented in the Evangelical Alliance. Previously no minister not ordained by the laying on of hands of a Catholic or an Episcopalian bishop was allowed to preach from an Episcopalian pulpit.

Perhaps this recognition of the Image is all the vitalization the Image needs, but we are inclined to expect more. For years the Episcopalians have proffered reordination to the ministers of the different denominations represented in the Evangelical Alliance. And they still proffer it. We have been inclined to expect that the ministers would finally concede the point and accept a reordination at the hands of an Episcopal bishop. Reprint 5349 Perhaps this recognition of the Image is all the vitalization the Image needs, but we are inclined to expect more. For years the Episcopalians have proffered reordination to the ministers of the different denominations represented in the Evangelical Alliance. And they still proffer it. We have been inclined to expect that the ministers would finally concede the point and accept a reordination at the hands of an Episcopal bishop. Reprint 5349

An Agreement of Full Communion An Agreement of Full Communion In order to receive the historic episcopate, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pledges that, following the adoption of this Concordat and in keeping with the collegiality and continuity of ordained ministry attested as early as Canon 4 of the First Ecumenical Council (Nicaea I, A.D. 325), at least three bishops already sharing in the sign of the episcopal succession will be invited to participate in the installation of its next Presiding Bishop through prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit and with the laying-on-of-hands. These participating bishops will be invited from churches of the Lutheran communion which share in the historic episcopate. In addition, a bishop or bishops will be invited from The Episcopal Church to participate in the same way as a symbol of the full communion now shared. Synodical bishops elected and awaiting installation may be similarly installed at the same service, if they wish. Further, all other installations of bishops in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be through prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit and with the laying-on-of-hands by other bishops, at least three of whom are to be in the historic succession. An Agreement of Full Communion An Agreement of Full Communion In order to receive the historic episcopate, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pledges that, following the adoption of this Concordat and in keeping with the collegiality and continuity of ordained ministry attested as early as Canon 4 of the First Ecumenical Council (Nicaea I, A.D. 325), at least three bishops already sharing in the sign of the episcopal succession will be invited to participate in the installation of its next Presiding Bishop through prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit and with the laying-on-of-hands. These participating bishops will be invited from churches of the Lutheran communion which share in the historic episcopate. In addition, a bishop or bishops will be invited from The Episcopal Church to participate in the same way as a symbol of the full communion now shared. Synodical bishops elected and awaiting installation may be similarly installed at the same service, if they wish. Further, all other installations of bishops in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be through prayer for the gift of the Holy Spirit and with the laying-on-of-hands by other bishops, at least three of whom are to be in the historic succession.

As we understand this Chapter of Revelation, the Image, as soon as vitalized, will very promptly use its influence, prestige, power, in every way to... punish in the name of the Lord those who in any sense of the word it shall consider to be its opponents. Speedily none will be allowed to buy or sell, in the spiritual marts, except those who have either the mark or the number of the Beast, or of the Image, either in the right hand of co-operation or in the forehead of public confession. Reprint 5349

The Controversy Revelation 13:15-18 Past or Future?

The Trap Living only in the Future Living only in the Past Live in the Present! Living only in the Future Living only in the Past Live in the Present!

Conclusion

Those who have his Mark (Characteristics) Conclusion

Those who have his Mark (Characteristics) In the Forehead: Lack of interest in study Uncritical acceptance of creeds Those who have his Mark (Characteristics) In the Forehead: Lack of interest in study Uncritical acceptance of creeds Conclusion

Those who have his Mark (Characteristics) In the Forehead: Lack of interest in study Uncritical acceptance of creeds In the Right Hand: Lack of Commitment to attend meetings Desire for social interaction only No spirit of sacrifice - convenience only Those who have his Mark (Characteristics) In the Forehead: Lack of interest in study Uncritical acceptance of creeds In the Right Hand: Lack of Commitment to attend meetings Desire for social interaction only No spirit of sacrifice - convenience only Conclusion

The Mark of Christ The Seal of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) Father’s Name on Forehead (Revelation 14:1) Blood of Sacrifice on Right Ear, Right Thumb, Right Foot (Leviticus 8:24) The Seal of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) Father’s Name on Forehead (Revelation 14:1) Blood of Sacrifice on Right Ear, Right Thumb, Right Foot (Leviticus 8:24)

Three Questions Can we become Nominal Bible Students? What is that Mark on your Forehead and in your Right Hand? Is it faint, or is it clear and bold? Can we become Nominal Bible Students? What is that Mark on your Forehead and in your Right Hand? Is it faint, or is it clear and bold?