Posted on 12/22/2011 1:01:18 PM PST by Cronos
Then every Caesar who reigned during the Roman Empire was the Antichrist because there is no indication anywhere that the idea the the title "Caesar" was part of Nero's name applied only to Nero.
That wouldn't make Nero the beast of Revelation though. I would, however, support a historicist interpretation of Revelation.
As I said, Caesar was Nero's name. The title was Princep.
So, Nero Caesar's name was the same as say "Sarah Palin" -- Palin being the "family name" and Caesar in turn being the "family name"
As I said, Caesar was Nero's name. The title was Princep.
So, Nero Caesar's name was the same as say "Sarah Palin" -- Palin being the "family name" and Caesar in turn being the "family name"
however, none of them had a name that by gematria added up to 666.
And besides Nero, there were only a few who did the persecution of Christians.
“That wouldn’t make Nero the beast of Revelation though.” — hmmm... well I don’t think it would affect that — Nero, the beast would still be the beast.
Not according to what God tells us.
The European Union is rapidly fulfilling prophecy in becoming the prophesied revived Roman Empire, the final worldly kingdom of human history. According to prophecy, this kingdom will give rise to an ecumenical and apostate religion, a global government, and a global economy. Out of this kingdom will arise the most evil dictator ever known to man - the Antichrist.
"And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." Revelation 17:12-13
BACKGROUND
The Prophet Daniel, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, provides us with very detailed information on the rise and fall of four worldly kingdoms, from the time of his life, until that glorious day when Jesus Christ will return to reign His millennial kingdom on earth. From the Book of Daniel, the four prophesied kingdoms are as follows:
Daniel tells us that there will be a future revival of the Roman Empire in the area of Europe and parts of the Middle East. This revived Roman Empire, the fourth beast of Daniel"s prophetic vision, is portrayed as the ten toes of the great image in the dream of King Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylonia.
These scriptures from Daniel reveal the fourth beast, or kingdom, of his vision:
"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.""Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings." Daniel 7:23-24.
The fourth beast is the revived Roman Empire, and the 10 horns represent the Kings of its member nations. The little horn, speaking great words, rises up and conquers three of those nations and their Kings. The little horn is Antichrist, who will rise to power through the revived Roman Empire. Of the 10 horns, three are subdued, likely because these three will resist the rise to power of Antichrist, and will object to his far-reaching powers. From this kingdom, and the reign of Antichrist," a global system of apostate religion, politics, and economics will come to fruition. Antichrist will temporarily rule over the entire earth during the three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation.
A GLOBAL ECONOMY
THE EURO
On the first of January, 1999, the Euro, and the European Monetary Union (EMU) were born. The Euro became the legal currency in eleven EU nations, in addition to national currencies, but was not expected to go into cash circulation until some time later. These nations were Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal. Greece joined the currency program on January 2, 2001.
By October, 2001, these twelve member nations required prices to be displayed in both Euros and the national currency. By December of that same year, advanced distribution of Euro notes and coins to the general public began.
The Euro was used, along with the traditional national currency until the end of February 2002. However, consumers only received change back in Euros. The national currencies were no longer valid for bank accounts or cashless transactions. Travelers in the "Euro zone" were no longer required to exchange money as they moved from one country to another. Prices were then required to be displayed in Euros only.
By the fifth year as a cash currency, (January, 2007) the Euro was trading at a rate of about $1.30. The Euro is modeled after the currency system in America. The European Union has a central bank called the European Central Bank, whereas the United States has its Federal Reserve Bank. When the United States ceases to exist as an economic and military power, perhaps through the rapture, the Euro, and its trade paper, will surely take over as the great new economic power of the world.
A GLOBAL POLITICAL SYSTEM
The United States of America has been a role model of freedom and prosperity for the entire world. As America began with thirteen colonies, and grew to become a republic encompassing fifty individual states, the European Union has used her example to rapidly become a geopolitical super power, a "United States of Europe," now encompassing some twenty-seven member nations.
Of its member nations, ten nations, known as the Western European Union, have a separate and special status as full members, while others only have an associate membership, or observer status. This is significant, prophetically, because the Bible tells us that it will be a 10 nation confederacy that Antichrist and his False Prophet will rule from. However, their days in power are numbered. Jesus Christ, the Lamb, will overcome them.
"And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Revelation 17:12-14.
AN ECUMENICAL AND APOSTATE RELIGION
The final form of the revived Roman Empire, in its spiritual birth, will take place after the time of the rapture, the disappearance of all believers in Jesus Christ. The rapture, will create an enormous spiritual vacuum on this planet. As those left behind suffer through the early months of the Tribulation, a great spiritual awakening will occur. This awakening will divide the remaining inhabitants on planet earth. It will bring many into the eternal Kingdom of God, known as the Tribulation Saints. But, it will also serve as the platform for a universal world church, the harlot, who will commit fornication with demonic religions for the sake of religious unity.
The Beast" Antichrist" and his False Prophet, will at that time claim that Jesus is a lesser deity. This will begin the time of persecution spoken of in Revelation and Daniel for all of the Tribulation Saints. In this time of their fiery trial, many will be martyred for their faith, yet in doing so, gain eternal life in Christ Jesus.
"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." Revelation 6:2.
,b>"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. 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?" Revelation 13:3-4.
If the European Union is the revived Roman Empire that will bring about the rise of Antichrist, then it is important to look at its religious symbolism. According to Revelation, Chapter 17, riding on the beast's back will be the harlot that represents a global pagan religious system that will unite the world and play a part in the persecution of the tribulation saints.
"So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Revelation 17:3-5.
THE WOMAN RIDING THE BEAST
Der Spiegel: A demonic biblical symbol from the above scriptures is being used in conjunction with the European Union today. This is where the great harlot is depicted riding a beast. When Britain issued a stamp to commemorate the first European Parliament elections in 1979, the picture on the stamp depicted this symbol.
According to the Rev. Dr. Ian Paisley, a Northern Ireland Protestant minister and member of the European Parliament, the woman on a beast is now the official picture of the European Union. He points out that the multi-million dollar new parliament building in Brussels, Belgium, contains a dome with a colossal painting, three times life size, of a woman riding a beast.
In Strasbourg, France, the rival parliamentary building (which contains a large replica of the unfinished Tower of Babel) features a mural of a naked woman riding a beast. Likewise, the new Brussels headquarters of the Council of Europe contains a bronze statue of a woman riding a beast, and the beast is depicted riding on waves, just as described in Revelation 17.
THE ANTHEM
The anthem of the European Union, "Ode to Joy," also contains religious symbolism. This song is the prelude to the last movement of Beethoven"s Ninth Symphony, which has religious implications. European Union publications claim that the anthem really is an "ode to freedom, to a sense of community and to peace between the countries which have decided to unite, and to others which will freely decide to join them.
However, "Ode To Joy" is not quite that innocent. The lyrics, written by Friedrich von Schiller, concern the entering of the shrine of a pagan goddess and the uniting of all men in brotherhood, by the power of magic.
THE FLAG
European Union's FlagThe flag of the European Union consists of twelve stars, inspired by the halo of twelve stars appearing around the Madonna, as depicted in Catholic pictures of her. Leon Marchal, former secretary general of the Council of Europe, confirmed that the stars are representative of "the woman of the Apocalypse." With great enthusiasm, he explained, "It's wonderful that we have gotten back to the Introit of the new Mass of the Assumption. It's the corona stellarum duodecim (the crown of the twelve stars) of the woman of the Apocalypse." He is referencing the woman in Revelation 12, who appears with a crown of twelve stars. The Bible uses this symbolism to represent Israel. In contrast, the Catholic Church has always claimed that she represents the Virgin Mary, "the mother of God."
THE TOWER OF BABEL
Further evidence of a religious side to the European Union is a poster they issued, showing the tower of Babel, carrying the slogan: "Many tongues, one voice." Above the Tower of Babel were shown the eurostars, inverted, as in witchcraft, with the central points downwards.
As if the celebration of the pagan tower that led God to confuse the languages of a defiant people wasn"t enough (Genesis 11:9), a crane in the background is shown rebuilding the tower. Once again, a rebellious people are rebuilding mystery Babylon. As previously mentioned, in a parliament building in Strasbourg, France, you will find an enormous replica of the unfinished tower of Babel, whose significance didn"t even escape the secular press. They have named it "Eurobabel."
THE EUROPEAN UNION CONSTITUTION
The European Union constitution bans the mention of Christianity as part of Europe"s cultural heritage, while at the same time, including references to the civilizations of Greece and Rome, and the philosophical heritage of the Enlightenment. European Union government representatives defend this view of history by claiming any mention of Christian values would upset the Muslim population.
SUMMARY
Scripture is being fulfilled before our eyes, for those with eyes to see. The stage is being set for the emergence of a global political system through the European Union, a global economic system with the Euro, and a global religious system. The European Union would seem to fulfill many of the prophesies of the fourth kingdom that is to come, from which will arise the Antichrist of the end-times. Only time will tell, but we are encouraged by Jesus Himself, to watch, and be aware of the signs. We should all be looking up. We may soon be with our Lord.
"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28.
SOURCES:
Daniel, 2: 31-45
Daniel 7: 7, 11, 19-20, 23-24
Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 16:13; 17:3-5, 7, 12, 16; 19:20; 20:10
Ezekiel 38:18-23
Genesis 11:9
Luke 21:28
So, according to the Lord, the old Roman Empire will be revived, something that has never happened in history, and from that will arise a man known as the Antichrist who will rule over the earth.
As usual, whenever there is a conflict between what man believes and what God says, we always have to go with what God says.
Beasts who have been dead for 50 years don't really pose much of a threat. Also Paul, who was never afraid to name names, never put forth Nero (or any Roman) as the Man of Lawlessness. Finally several texts of Revelation, including the earliest one we have, put the mark of the Beast as 616 rather than 666. But, putting a name on the Beast has been favorite Christian parlour game for eons and that's not gonig to stop.
true. But note that Nero had died in 69 AD — 26 years prior if one takes the latter scenario. And there were 3 Nero imposters after Nero’s death — one in 69AD, one in 81 AD and on in 90~ AD, so yes he was still considered a threat
Sez who? Name one contemporary source that found Nero any kind of threat in 95 AD.
Nowhere does Rev 17:12-13 talk os any of these. That's a man-made statement you repeated
And, more reasons to say that isn't the EU -- the EU if anything is anti-religion, hardly ecumenical by any means. It also is a shrinking, closed-off economy, not a global one, and not a global government -- the Russians etc. would laugh to be joined to those weak states -- even Turkey is now calling the EU the weak men of Europe!
"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.""Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings." Daniel 7:23-24.
1. neo-babylonian
2. Medo-Persian
3. Alexander's Macedonian-Greek
4. the Seleucid Empire
that's referring to Antiochus IV Epiphanes -- that already happened before the time of Christ.
Don't mix up Daniel and the Apocalypse
The Euro is modeled after the currency system in America.-- does that mean that the US is this global economy that your post refers to? The US has had much more power, political, military and economic than the EU could ever aspire to have.
When the United States ceases to exist as an economic and military power, perhaps through the rapture, the Euro, and its trade paper, will surely take over as the great new economic power of the world.-- news flash -- the eurozone is collapsing. Evidently the site you took this from was written before the financial crisis.
did you also know that the EU zone's share of the world economy has actually fallen since 1990? and from 1990 when it was 25 to 30% of the world economy, in 2020 it will be 15 of the World economy? hardly a global economical powerhouse.....
so, while the UK, Poland, Czechia are part of the EU, they are not part of the Eurozone and don't have this "global currency" (which is really good for them, as the euro is collapsing!) and none of them want to join this sinking ship
If you believe that Nero was the anti-Christ, and among other things, that most of the end-time scriptures have been fulfilled, you must then believe we are living in the 1000 year reign.
It is just that i can not fathom the idea that since John said these things will shortly come to pass that after 2 thousand tears nothing has come to pass yet.
John was told in rev 1:19
Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter,
The ten kings who had received no kingdom as yet is a sure sign that there is still more to come but that does not mean that much has not already happened.
John wrote it all down, but i do not think there is any way for us to determine if even John understood it all.
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