It is easy to determine the first beast of Rev. 13 is not the Papacy but is but one of the seven heads of it that took the deadly wound. I will make it real simple and short as it is not hard to see.
Re 13:1 ¶ 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. (The whole beast we see has seven heads plus ten horns)
Re 13:3 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. (We just noted the world wondered after the beast and not just the ONE wounded head)
Re 13:2 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. (We want to keep in mind those bolded words as later it reveals who is the beast of verse 11:-18)
Re 13:4 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? (Again we note it is the Dragon, Satan gives power to this beast and verse Re 13:2 above even, "the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority)
Re 13:15 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. (This verse reveals then to us that that ole first beast is his, Satan's image beast, noting it too has seven heads and ten horns. It is given Satan's power, seat and great authority until Satan is allowed to come forth personating Christ then he will really turn up the heat, he will put "teeth in the decree" to kill those who won't take his name, mark or number.)
EGW does have a testimony that this second beast is Satan,
" In Revelation we read concerning Satan: "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 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. 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" (Revelation 13:13-17). . . . {3SM 393.1}
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 1Jo 4:7 ¶ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
It is easy to determine the first beast of Rev. 13 is not the Papacy but is but one of the seven heads of it that took the deadly wound. I will make it real simple and short as it is not hard to see.
Re 13:1 ¶ 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. (The whole beast we see has seven heads plus ten horns)
Re 13:3 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. (We just noted the world wondered after the beast and not just the ONE wounded head)
Re 13:2 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. (We want to keep in mind those bolded words as later it reveals who is the beast of verse 11:-18)
Re 13:4 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? (Again we note it is the Dragon, Satan gives power to this beast and verse Re 13:2 above even, "the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority)
Re 13:15 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. (This verse reveals then to us that that ole first beast is his, Satan's image beast, noting it too has seven heads and ten horns. It is given Satan's power, seat and great authority until Satan is allowed to come forth personating Christ then he will really turn up the heat, he will put "teeth in the decree" to kill those who won't take his name, mark or number.)
EGW does have a testimony that this second beast is Satan,
" In Revelation we read concerning Satan: "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 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. 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 he mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" (Revelation 13:13-17). . . . {3SM 393.1}
the problem with this thinking Gibs is that it trumps ;the revealing of Satan.
I'm sure that Satan will not reveal himself until after the close of probation.
He will work through other powers on this earth. That would be, the papacy and the US and false prophet. We don't know yet what this Image will look like but I think it will be like the statue in Daniel 2 or that emmy that hollywood puts out... and he will give life to this statue and make people pay homage to it.
we can agree that it is Satan himself that is working behind the scenes in all of this and yes, he will bring down fire from the sky at some point.
We just need to get away from making the Papacy everything as she is not. The Protestant church structures are the ones geared to come forth and do the Martyrdom and of course the Papacy will "egg" them on. There is more running "under" that most will not see and would not if presented and some have tried to post but get banned and I have been myself from at least three forums.
Just step back a bit and get the bigger picture of this NWO system that Satan has set up of which is his "image" beast of Rev. 13:1-10.
Satan has effectively "pulled the wool" over the eyes of over 99% of Christendom.
Yes dear ones I have posted the absolute truth of Rev chap. 13: in my post at the top and it cannot be refuted. I will contend strongly that it is as it is solidly upheld by scripture. The more it is investigated the brighter it will shine.
On probationary time I have serious doubts that men will know that it has until it is way too late,
"God has not revealed to us the time when this message will close, or when probation will have an end. . . . It is our duty to watch and work and wait, to labor every moment for the souls of men that are ready to perish. We are to keep walking continually in the footsteps of Jesus, working in His lines, dispensing His gifts as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. . . . {AG 205.3}
I find that the close of probation is very, very near. So therefore how do you see it "trumps", solidifies the revealing of Satan.
I think the problem lies in the fact that most as seeing a tremendous revival with the witness of the 144,000. Yes their messages are being given with great power but you are not seeing something and that is each one is but one in 52,000 of the population of this world and their messages are not received but by a very extreme few if any.
Now as in the days of Noah, he preached for 120 yrs. and how big a revival did it bring?
The days of the Son of Man are to be as in the days of Noe remember and in His Mercy and Grace He makes the last call even though the harvest be minimal if any.
Yes it is a grim realization that soon now and very soon that number will reach 144,ooo either by coming down or coming up but it is for a surety that will be the number of the Saints in the end. Remember also that these are titled "His Servants".
" As the people of God approach the perils of the last days, Satan holds earnest consultation with his angels as to the most successful plan of overthrowing their faith. He sees that the popular churches are already lulled to sleep by his deceptive power. By pleasing sophistry and lying wonders he can continue to hold them under his control. Therefore he directs his angels to lay their snares especially for those who are looking for the second advent of Christ and endeavoring to keep all the commandments of God. {Mar 208.1} We are warned that in the last days he will work with signs and lying wonders. And he will continue these wonders until the close of probation, that he may point to them as evidence that he is an angel of light and not of darkness. {Mar 208.2} Satan will come in to deceive if possible the very elect. He claims to be Christ, and he is coming in, pretending to be the great medical missionary. He will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men to prove that he is God. {Mar 208.3} It is the lying wonders of the devil that will take the world captive, and he will cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men. He is to work miracles; and this wonderful, miracle-working power is to sweep in the whole world. {Mar 208.4}
COP, Close Of Probation of course cannot come until the last one that will come up to His Way of Salvation has come.
This is when the angel tells Jesus to put in His sickle and reap as the harvest of the earth is ripe!
Re 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. Re 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Gibs is right. close of probation.. judgment will fall on the church first and then the world.... for those that know the truth, it will happen during the Loud Cry/Latter Rain..... for the world we don't know exactly but we will know it has closed when the first plague pours out with sores on the wicked...
sorry that post showed up so convoluted... I have no idea how that happened...
NB: You wrote: " I'm sure that Satan will not reveal himself until after the close of probation. "
Can you give inspired evidence for that?
I'm pretty sure he will come before the close of probation.
Yes, I can. It is documented in the writings. SOP vol. 4. I also get the impression of such in the 1858 GC with the two trains. You remember that illustration.
angel of light---Satan
When Satan is permitted to mold the will, he uses it to accomplish his ends. He often works under cover as an angel of light. He has synagogues for worship, and a multitude of followers. But with all his high professions, he is at enmity with God. He instigates theories of unbelief, and stirs up the human heart to war against the word of God. With persistent, persevering effort, he seeks to inspire men with his own energies of hate and antagonism to God, and to array them in opposition to the institutions and requirements of heaven and the operations of the Holy Spirit. He enlists under his standard all evil agencies, and brings them into the battle field under his generalship to oppose evil against good. {RH, February 10, 1903 par. 2}
Because the children of men reject the plainest teachings of his word, and trample upon his law, God leaves them to choose that which they desire. They spurn the truth, and he permits them to believe a lie. They refuse to yield to the convictions of the Holy Spirit, and Satan, transforming himself into an angel of light, leads them captive at his will. If men were but conversant with the word of God, and obedient to its teachings, they could not be thus deceived; but they neglect the great detector of fraud, and the mind becomes confused and corrupted by the deceptive arts of men, and the secret power of the father of lies. {ST, May 18, 1882 par. 13}
I have been shown that we must be guarded on every side, and perseveringly resist the insinuations and devices of Satan. He has transformed himself into an angel of light, and is deceiving and leading thousands captive. The advantages he takes of the science of the human mind, is tremendous. Here, serpent-like, he imperceptibly creeps in to corrupt the work of God. The miracles and works of Christ, he makes all human. If Satan should make an open, bold attack upon Christianity, it would bring the Christian in distress and agony at the feet of his Redeemer, and the strong and mighty Deliverer would affright the bold adversary away. But Satan, transformed into an angel of light, works upon the mind to allure from the only safe and right path. The sciences of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism, have been the channel through which Satan has come more directly to this generation, and wrought with that power which was to characterize his work near the close of probation. {4bSG 80.1}
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12. "And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness
of his coming; even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." {4bSG 80.2}
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Satan has come unperceived through these sciences, and poisoned the minds of thousands and led them to infidelity. He is well pleased to have them spread wide. It is his own plan, laid out by himself, that he may have access to minds, and influence them as he pleases. And while it is believed that one human mind so wonderfully affects another, Satan, ready at hand, insinuates himself, and works on the right hand and on the left. And while those devoted to these sciences laud them to the heavens, because of the great and good works they affirm are wrought by them, they are cherishing and glorifying Satan himself, who steps in and works with all power and signs and lying wonders-- with all deceivableness of unrighteousness. {4bSG 81.1}
Satan's Disguise as an Angel of Light. It is those who have had the most light that Satan most assiduously seeks to ensnare. He knows that if he can deceive them, they will, under his control, clothe sin with garments of righteousness, and lead many astray. I say to all, Be on your guard; for as an angel of light, Satan is walking in every assembly of Christian workers, and in every church, trying to win the members to his side. I am bidden to give to the people of God the warning, "Be not deceived: God is not mocked." --RH May 14, 1908. {TSB 103.4}
"It is our privilege to be preparing for translation. Why do we not so prepare our hearts that we will receive the promise? My brethren and sisters, yield your whole body and soul to the Lord. Rest in the arms of your compassionate Saviour. Let no one hear from your lips words of complaining or of judging. The Lord has not placed you on the judgment-seat. You have a battle to fight, and you can make it much more severe by turning away from Christ. Seducers, with a scientific problem, are to be guarded against more carefully than any other peril that we may meet. The effort of seducers has been to undermine confidence in the truth of God. Unless we are on our guard, the enemy, disguised as an angel of light, will lead us astray. It is when Satan appears as an angel of light that he takes souls in his snare. Many Scriptures will be misapplied by these teachers so that they will be used as a robe of righteousness to cover dangerous theories. As the people of Ephesus lost their first love, they increased in a knowledge of scientific theories originated by the father of lies. The Saviour warns us all to repentance so that we may stand right with God." {AUCR, October 1, 1906 par. 1}
NB: You wrote: " I'm sure that Satan will not reveal himself until after the close of probation. "
Can you give inspired evidence for that?
I'm pretty sure he will come before the close of probation.
would not let me post the whole thing so here is the rest of the research...
Spiritualism.
Spiritualists make the path to hell most attractive. Spirits of darkness are clothed by these deceptive teachers in pure robes of Heaven, and they have power to deceive those not fortified with Bible truth. Vain philosophy is employed in representing the path to hell as a path of safety. With the imagination highly wrought, and voices musically tuned, they picture the broad road as one of happiness and glory. Ambition holds before deluded souls, as Satan presented to Eve, a freedom and bliss for them to enjoy which they never conceived was possible. Men are praised who have traveled the broad path to hell, and after they die are exalted to the highest positions in the eternal world. Satan, clothed in robes of brightness, appearing like an exalted angel, tempted the world's Redeemer without success. But as he comes to man robed as an angel of light he has better success. He covers his hideous purposes, and succeeds too well in deluding the unwary who are not firmly anchored upon eternal truth. {RH, April 1, 1875 par. 6}
Satan came as an angel of light in the wilderness of temptation to deceive Christ; and he does not come to man in a hideous form, as he is sometimes represented, but as an angel of light. He will come personating Jesus Christ, working mighty miracles; and men will fall down and worship him as Jesus Christ. We shall be commanded to worship this being, whom the world will glorify as Christ. What shall we do?--Tell them that Christ has warned us against just such a foe, who is man's worst enemy, yet who claims to be God; and that when Christ shall make his appearance, it will be with power and great glory, accompanied by ten thousand times ten thousand angels and thousands of thousands; and that when he shall come, we shall know his voice. {RH, December 18, 1888 par. 25}
When Satan is permitted to mold the will, he uses it to accomplish his ends. He often works under cover as an angel of light. He has synagogues for worship, and a multitude of followers. But with all his high professions, he is at enmity with God. He instigates theories of unbelief, and stirs up the human heart to war against the word of God. With persistent, persevering effort, he seeks to inspire men with his own energies of hate and antagonism to God, and to array them in opposition to the institutions and requirements of heaven and the operations of the Holy Spirit. He enlists under his standard all evil agencies, and brings them into the battle field under his generalship to oppose evil against good. {RH, February 10, 1903 par. 2}
*Satan's Personation After the Close of Probation
The wrath of Satan increases as his time grows short, and his work of deceit and destruction reaches its culmination in the time of trouble. God's long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation, and the Lord withdraws His protection, and leaves them to the mercy of the leader they have chosen. . . . {TA 273.1}
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will attempt to personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air, Christ has come! Christ has come! {TA 273.2}
The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands, and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was personally upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious,
274
heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion.4SP 441, 442. {TA 273.3}
notes:
* this quote is from 1884 GC (4SP) and not the 1858 GC (which is the original). So, it is hard for me to put 100% confidence in this but I think the other quotes may show something similar.
it is my understanding that even now Satan works behind the scenes as an angel of light giving light to those that he can deceive during the NSL we will be forced to bow down to the Image of the Beast and the Beast powers of the world. It will be Satan working behind the scenes here too.
After the close of probation in the final attempt to fool even the 144K Satan will then personate Christ. The 144K will be forced to bow to this false Christ under fear of a death decree. This is their cup of baptism they must take to purge them for deliverance. Then they will be protected by the plague of darkness and soon deliverance. Oh, there is much more but this is the short of it
There is one object before the praying onesthe final and eternal salvation of their souls. This object was before them constantlythat immortal life was promised to those who endure unto the end. Oh, how earnest and fervent had been their desires. The judgment and eternity were in view. Their eyes by faith were fixed on the blazing throne, before which the white-robed ones were to stand. This restrained them from the indulgence of sin. . . . {TA 275.1}
One effort more, and then Satan's last device is employed. He hears the unceasing cry for Christ to come, for Christ to deliver them. This last strategy is to personate Christ, and make them think their prayers are answered.LDE 164, 165. {TA 275.2}
The book is TA, Truth about Angels and came out in 1996 by the White Estates. So whether it is right or wrong they put in the heading "Satan's personification after the close of probation."
I have not as yet tried to determine when he comes forth but I would suggest it will be as soon as he is "let." Of course it is Yah that will make that call. We may well have some scripture or SOP that will clear it up for sure.
Thank you NB. The quote: "God's long-suffering has ended. The world has rejected His mercy, despised His love, and trampled upon His law. The wicked have passed the boundary of their probation, and the Lord withdraws His protection, and leaves them to the mercy of the leader they have chosen" seems like it is talking about the Close of Probation, but I'm not sure yet.
Your quotes seem to be mostly from the 1884 GC, and in reading three paragraphs later: "As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will attempt to personate Christ." It begs belief to think that his "crowning act" is going to be when he can't change anybody's mind anyway. "This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion." If it is after the Close of Probation, it means the Plagues have started, and Satan's appearing won't be strong or almost overmastering - certainly it wouldn't delude a single soul.
"His blessing is pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image,--the very class upon whom the Bible declares that God's unmingled wrath shall be poured out." If this is after the Close of Probation, the Plagues are already being poured out (or very soon), making the "shall" statement seem odd.
I believe the next paragraph clearly supports the idea that it will be before the close of probation: "To all, the testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation, the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly established upon his word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible, and the Bible only? Satan will, if possible, prevent them from obtaining a preparation to stand in that day."
In no way could it be called a "testing time" or "temptation" if it is after the close of probation.
I believe the 144,000 will go thru basically the same thing, in the same amount of time, that Jesus did while on this earth. If that is true, then it means that Satan will appear near the beginning of the final 3 1/2 years.
Here of EGW's testimony Satan is not allowed to fully make his appearance as Christ in all the Glory that the true coming of Christ will be,
"But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image,--the very class upon whom the Bible declares that God's unmingled wrath shall be poured out. And, furthermore, Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of Christ's advent. The Scriptures teach that "as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be;" [Matthew 24:27.] that he "cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him;" [Revelation 1:7.] that he will "descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God;" [1 Thessalonians 4:16.] that he will "come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him," [Matthew 25:31.] and will "send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect." [Matthew 24:31.] Those who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the testimony of the Scriptures they will detect the deceiver in his disguise. {4SP 443.1} To all, the testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation, the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly established upon his word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible, and the Bible only? Satan will, if possible, prevent them from obtaining a preparation to stand in that day.He will so arrange affairs as to hedge up their way, entangle them with earthly treasures, cause them to carry a heavy, wearisome burden, that their hearts may be overcharged with the cares of this life, and the day of trial may come upon them as a thief. {4SP 443.2} Satan will continue to act a double part. Appearing to be the dispenser of great blessings and divine truths, he will, by his lying wonders, hold the world under his control; and at the same time he will indulge his malignity by causing distress and destruction, and will accuse God's people as the cause of the fearful convulsions of nature and the strife and bloodshed among men which are desolating the earth. Thus he will excite to greater intensity the spirit of hatred and persecution against them. God never forces the will or the conscience; but Satan will employ the most cruel measures to control the consciences of men, and to secure worship to himself. And this work of compulsion is always in favor of human creeds and laws, and in defiance of God's holy law. {4SP 444.1}
From that above it sounds like probation has not closed, that phrase, "Satan will, if possible, prevent them from obtaining a preparation to stand in that day". It don't sound like this,
Re 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
You are right in saying that Satan will not be allowed to personate Christ exactly.... He will take from the bible and do the best he can... he will have to appear all over the earth in many places so that every eye will see him BUT Jesus won't have to do that.... In the last plague all the land masses will move together like pangaea and when Christ comes, every eye will see Him all at one time. It's in Job and it's in the Psalms too. I won't bore you with a long post.
Another thought comes to my mind about Satan when he comes forth personating Jesus. I have come to believe he probably will come up here in the USA but soon sets up in Jerusalem. I see this country will be broken up into 4 divisions and Satan will rise up out of one of them. A Russian analyst says 6. You see the countries we owe so much of our debt to will come and take up their collateral, our infrastructure. We have tried to spend ourselves out of debt and that won't work, the "fiddler" demands his pay!
Another note, the whole protestant world and now the Papacy is nudging in too that we must bless Israel!
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
I saw the rapidity with which this delusion was spreading. A train of cars was shown me, going with the speed of lightning. The angel bade me look carefully. I fixed my eyes upon the train. It seemed that the whole world was on board; that there could not be one left. Said the angel: "They are binding in bundles ready to burn." Then he showed me the conductor, who looked like a stately fair person, which all the passengers looked up to and reverenced. I was perplexed, and asked my attending angel who it was. Said he, "It is Satan. He is the conductor in the form of an angel of light. He has taken the world captive. They are given over to strong delusions, to believe a lie that they may be damned." This agent, the next highest in order to him, is the engineer, and others of his agents are employed in different offices as he may need them, and they are all going with lightning speed to perdition. They are binding in bundles ready to burn. I asked the angel if there were none left. He bade me look in an opposite direction, and I saw a little company traveling a narrow pathway. All seemed to be firmly united, and bound together by the truth, in bundles, or companies. Said the angel, "The third angel is binding them (sealing them) in bundles for the heavenly garner.
This little company looked care-worn, as though they had passed through severe trials and conflicts. And it appeared as if the sun had just appeared from behind the cloud, and shone upon their countenances and caused them to look triumphant, as though their victories were nearly won.
I saw that the Lord had given the world opportunity to discover the snare. This one thing was evidence enough for the Christian if there was no other. There is no difference made between the precious and the vile.
This passage makes it clear that probation is fast to close... there is no more train hopping as they are going in opposite directions. The angel is ready to garner and burn them.
source? you know it... supplement to life experiences about the second page
Another thought comes to my mind about Satan when he comes forth personating Jesus. I have come to believe he probably will come up here in the USA but soon sets up in Jerusalem. I see this country will be broken up into 4 divisions and Satan will rise up out of one of them. A Russian analyst says 6. You see the countries we owe so much of our debt to will come and take up their collateral, our infrastructure. We have tried to spend ourselves out of debt and that won't work, the "fiddler" demands his pay!
Another note, the whole protestant world and now the Papacy is nudging in too that we must bless Israel!
1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
From all that I have read, Satan will work through agencies [evil men, churches, governments, businesses] during the little time of trouble. He will not reveal himself because he can so easily get others to work for him and he can remain deceptive and behind the scenes. In the garden, he did not come as an angel of light but came in another form of a serpent to do his deceptions. If this works so well, then why reveal who he really is?
His crowning act when all else has failed with the 144K he will work his coming as 'christ' and deceive the whole world and they will all think their messiah has finally come and he will set up his government and put another death decree upon the 144k.
Rev_16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Notice that there are 3 entities here... if the dragon was the beast then it would read: out of the dragon and out of the dragon... but this is not so...
Rev_19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Okay now the beast and false prophet are both thrown into the lake of fire. They will not resurrect from the lake of fire.
Rev_20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Notice that the beast and false prophet are already in the lake of fire.... Satan is not so he cannot be the beast. Do you see logically how this cannot be that the beast is the same as Satan in this case?
I do not believe that the pope is the beast. I believe that the papacy and all the religions and governments that follow her and make up her system represent the beast.
The second beast of Rev. 13 I believe represents a system as well. It is the US as well as the churches that follow a false system and they will unite as government and religion and forces to become that beast.
The beasts of rev. 13 represent systems of world, church, and governments united under the same banner. All deceptively run by Satan behind the scenes.
Satan himself is described as a dragon/beast which means it is Satan and all his evil angels a part of the beast system of Satan himself.
For sure EGW does clear up who is the second beast of Revelation is,
"In Revelation we read concerning Satan: "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 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. 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" (Revelation 13:13-17). . . . {3SM 393.1}
For the life of me I cannot see how anyone could have seen different. It sure reveals how Satan can cloud minds to see!
The time of trouble is the crucible that is to bring out Christlike characters. It is designed to lead the people of God to renounce Satan and his temptations. The last conflict will reveal Satan to them in his true character, that of a cruel tyrant, and it will do for them what nothing else could do, uproot him entirely from their affections. For to love and cherish sin, is to love and cherish its author, that deadly foe of Christ. When they excuse sin and cling to perversity of character, they give Satan a place in their affections, and pay him homage. [RH Aug. 12, 1884]
As the crowning act in the great drama of deception, Satan himself will personate Christ. The church has long professed to look to the Saviour's advent as the consummation of her hopes. Now the great deceiver will make it appear that Christ has come. In different parts of the earth, Satan will manifest himself among men as a majestic being of dazzling brightness, resembling the description of the Son of God given by John in the Revelation. Revelation 1:13-15. The glory that surrounds him is unsurpassed by anything that mortal eyes have yet beheld. The shout of triumph rings out upon the air: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" The people prostrate themselves in adoration before him, while he lifts up his hands and pronounces a blessing upon them, as Christ blessed His disciples when He was upon the earth. His voice is soft and subdued, yet full of melody. In gentle, compassionate tones he presents some of the same gracious, heavenly truths which the Saviour uttered; he heals the diseases of the people, and then, in his assumed character of Christ, he claims to have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, and commands all to hallow the day which he has blessed. He declares that those who persist in keeping holy the seventh day are blaspheming his name by refusing to listen to his angels sent to them with light and truth. This is the strong, almost overmastering delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, the multitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries, saying: This is "the great power of God." Acts 8:10. {DD 41.4}
But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false christ are not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is pronounced upon the worshipers of the beast and his image, the very class upon whom the Bible declares that God's unmingled wrath shall be poured out. {DD 42.1}
And, furthermore, Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner of Christ's advent. The Saviour has warned His people against deception upon this point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His second coming. "There shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. . . . Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in the desert; go not forth; behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:24-27, 31; 25:31; Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. This coming there is no possibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally knownwitnessed by the whole world. {DD 42.2} {GC88 624.1- 626.3} {GC 624.2 - 627.3} {Mar 276.1 - 278.6} {4SP 442.1 - 469.2 } {TA 273.1 - 299.3}
Gibs for a long time has stated that Satan is the beast of Rev. 13.... I've gone back and done some serious study on this with my bible, SOP, and much prayer.
Interesting is that Gibs was on to something...
In Rev. 13 however we have reference to 2 beasts. The first beast is directed by the dragon so it cannot be the dragon. The first beast is the papacy and it's whole church system. The second beast is the false prophet of the US that makes an image to the beast, RCC.
However, after the the plagues are poured out we have something different in Rev. 17. The bible describes a beast that is different now and it is a single beast. The harlot rides on top of the beast and I believe the harlot now is the RCC as a woman in prophecy is a church. One of the heads is still the papacy alive and well... but here is the thing, during this time after the COP this is a single beast combined with all the other systems under it's control. This is now revealed the beast that Gibs was talking about...this is the dragon revealed, Satan himself personating Christ and now takes over during the time of the plagues. In Rev. 18 it speaks of the beast and false prophet being destroyed.... notice only one beast now...this is indeed Satan and the beast as Gibs talked about.
His only error was that Satan was not yet revealed in Rev. 13 and worked behind the scenes.
wish he were alive today to tell him that I believe now what he was saying, at least part of it and thanking him for having me go back and restudy again.
