Panorama of Prophecy
Part Two

The Roman Empire Was to Continue
In the last lesson, we saw described the four great empires that were to dominate the world - the Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman Empires. We saw how the Roman Empire incorporated all the most outstanding strengths of the previous empires. We saw that the Apostle John referred to it as a "beast" (Rev. 13-1). We also saw that a "second beast" - a religious or ecclesiastical government patterned after the first beast - arose, professing to be Christian but sustaining many pagan practices because it was, at heart, merely paganism cloaked in Christian garb. We learned that the Roman Empire received a "deadly wound" when the Empire in the West was overrun by barbarians - but the "deadly wound" was healed in 554 A.D. When the Roman Empire in the West was officially restored. Let us pick up the Biblical account at this point.

1. Which one of the heads of the beast John saw received a deadly wound? Re. 13-3

Comment - Remember, the first six of the seven heads of the beast John saw stood for the Babylonian Empire, Medo-Persian Empire and the Grecian Empire with its four divisions. The only "head" still existing at the time John saw this beast in vision was the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire is therefore the "one of his [seven] heads" that was wounded to death in the vision.

By the fifth century, Rome been weakened by internal decay - moral, social, economic and political. Meanwhile, beyond the Roman frontiers, the rest of Europe was in uproar. Vandals, Goths, Burgundians, Huns, Heruli and others were on the march. The empire could no longer defend itself against them, and Roman territory was seized on every front.

The "deadly wound" then, was the one administered to the original Roman Empire in its last decaying stages by the barbarians who overran it and plundered Rome.

2. When the beasts seventh head - the Roman Empire - received its deadly wound, was this the end, or was it to be revived? Rev.13-3

Comment- Notice the text does not say the whole beast died. Only one of its heads was wounded unto death. The one head died. But the beast system continued, and later the "deadly wound was healed." In other words, this very same "head," the Roman head, was later revived and continued to exist.

3. Is the Roman Empire, which is also symbolised by the legs and feet of Nebuchadnezzar’s great image (Dan. 2), prophesied to be in existence at the end of this age - at the second coming of Christ when the kingdom of God will be established? Dan. 2-33:35, 41:45. Does the great "stone" clearly picture Jesus Christ who will finally replace the empire with His government? Acts 4-10:11.

Comment - The stone does not, as many have assumed, represent the Christian Church which was established in the first century A.D. Why? Because the church did not in any way smash or destroy the Roman Empire.

4. Since we learned that the fourth beast of Daniel 7 and the beast of Revelation 13-1:2 both represent the Roman Empire, we know the ten horns of each beast are obviously the same. But what do these "horns" represent? Dan. 7-24.

Comment - The Bible plainly interprets these symbols for us. The horns are "ten kings" or kingdoms. We shall see that these ten kings or kingdoms bridge the whole time from the original Roman Empire to our day.

The First Three Horns
Where three of the fourth beast's (the Roman Empire's) ten horns to be completely destroyed? Dan. 7-8.  Notice now which three governments comprise these first three "horns".

Comment - Some historians arbitrarily date the "fall of Rome" in 476 A.D.  But there was no great "fall" at this time.  What actually happened that year is that the last official "emperor of the West" was deposed by Odovacar, a German commander of the Roman armies in Italy, which were mostly composed at that time of Germanic Heruli mercenaries.

Actually, however, Vandals and others had already carved out for themselves empires from former Roman territory before 476. The vaunted power of the irresistible Roman Empire had vanished prior to this date as a result of internal moral and economic sickness. Even that vestige of power which remained at Constantinople in the East was only a shadow of Rome’s former glory and power.

The Vandals (429 A. D.) had seized the very source of Roman power - the "granary" of the North Africa greatly weakening the empire. In 455 A.D. they sacked Rome itself and held it for a brief space of time.

Gaiseric, king of the Vandals, made an agreement with the Eastern Roman Emperor at Constantinople - including a compact to cement it by a royal marriage to the emperor’s daughter - thus "legitimising" his rule of Roman territory. Thus his kingdom became a part and a continuation of the Roman SYSTEM. The Vandalic kingdom constituted the first of the three "horns."

Though wars ensued, the Vandal king, shortly before his death in 477 A.D. Again made peace with Rome and restored Sicily to the Italian government, which was now under Odovacar. The Vandal kingdom continued in North Africa until 533 A.D.

In Italy, Odovacar, backed by the power of his Heruli soldiers, was recognised by the emperor of the East and given titles of "patrician" and "king". His kingdom also perpetuated the Roman system but did not heal the wound - for "barbarians" continued to exercise the actual power. This constituted the second horn (476-493 A.D.)

Finally, there was the kingdom of the Ostrogoths, 493-554 A.D. - the third horn. The emperor in the East had informally commissioned the Ostrogoths under Theodoric to destroy the power of Odovacar in Italy. In 497 A.D. he officially recognised the establishment of their rule. Nevertheless, they too were shortly to be driven out of Italy and disappear.

These three kingdoms ("horns") or governments, though essentially independent and barbarian (the Ostrogoths, Vandals and Odovacar were all "Christians" of the Arian persuasion), they professed to carry on the Roman Empire, and filled a transition period between the "deadly wound" and its "healing".

2. Who caused these first three horns to be plucked up? Dan. 7-8. What was the description of this "little horn"? Same verse, and verses 20,24. Why were they uprooted?

Comment - This little horn was responsible for uprooting the first three horns because they did not submit to the dogma and authority of the Roman Church. At least in name, most of the barbarians acknowledged the Arian brand of Christianity, but the Roman Church led the Italian population to hate them, and the emperor in Constantinople was influenced to act against them as a heretical sect. Most of Odovacar’s Heruli were slaughtered, chiefly at the hands of the Italian population, on a prearranged day in accordance with a well-kept secret plot. An ecclesiastical writer called this slaughter a "sacrificial massacre."

Now we’ll see how the Vandal and Ostrogothic "horns" were also uprooted and destroyed at the instigation of this same "little horn" as another (the fourth) horn arose.

The "Deadly Wound" Healed
It was the fourth horn (or government) which really "healed" the deadly wound and restored, or resurrected, the Roman Empire. Justinian at that time was emperor of the surviving Eastern division. Largely to augment the power of the Bishop of Rome, he sent his armies to wage war and to uproot the Vandals and the Ostrogoths.

His general, Belisarius, rapidly defeated the Vandals and re-conquered all of North Africa. He then transported his soldiers to Italy. The Italian population welcomed them as liberators. In 554 A.D. Justinian’s army (then commanded by Narses) entered Rome in triumph, bringing about what is known as the "Imperial Restoration." Justinian restored to their original owners the Italian estates which the Heruli and Ostrogoths had seized and restored as much as possible the form of the Roman government. In order to clarify the law, he caused all the laws accumulated over five centuries to be collected and codified. This was the famous "Law of Justinian," the "Roman" law which ruled most of Western Europe throughout the ensuing centuries. Thus the "head" of the beast which had been fatally wounded was "healed," and the renewed empire fulfilled the prophecy of the fourth horn.

1. How long was the healed beast to continue? Rev. 13-5

Comment - As we learned in Lesson One, the healed beast was to continue to exist for 1260 years. At the end of that time its existence was again to be interrupted - but even so it was not yet to be permanently destroyed.

Beast Continues Into Our Time

Now let us understand which governments were represented by the "horns" that reigned in the territory of the Roman Empire after the "Imperial Restoration".

The fifth horn was the Frankish kingdom (French) of Charlemagne and his successors. The land of Italy and most of Western Europe had fallen into the hands of the Franks while the power of Justinian's successors had greatly declined.  On Christmas day, 800 A.D., the Pope crowned Charlemagne and transferred to him the title of Roman Emperor. This empire was later partitioned, according to Frankish custom, among several heirs to the throne and consequently lost its strength.  As a result, the kingdom of the Saxons - which comprised approximately the territory of modern Germany - began to exercise real control in Europe.  In 962 A.D. the Pope legitimised this control by the coronation of Otto the Great, who assumed control of Italy also, the entire realm becoming known as the "Holy Roman Empire"  This was the sixth horn.

During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries a great internal power struggle took place between the Popes and the Holy Roman Emperors., finally resulting in the Great Interregnum - a period without emperor, lasting from 1254 to 1273 A.D.

The empire, however , still existed. In 1273 its headship was assigned to Rudolf of the Hapsburg dynasty (Austrian).  This was the seventh horn, which continued to rule until the time of Napoleon Bonaparte.  Napoleon conquered all of Europe and overthrew the Holy Roman Empire by force of arms.  His kingdom (French) then became the short lived eighth horn.  Napoleon crowned himself in 1804. Seizing the crown from the very hands of the Pope who had travelled all the way to Paris to crown him, he placed it on his own head, thus becoming the king of the French.  The following year he also took the title King of Italy.

But when Napoleon was crushed in 1815 by the allied armies at The Battle of Waterloo the healed beast's existence was suspended.  The duration of the church-ruled healed beast had been exactly 1260 years.

The Beast of Revelation 17 
Now let’s consider the “beast” of Revelation 17.  It represents the same “beast” system and provides us additional prophetic details concerning the time after Napoleon and down to our own day.

1. Does the beast of Revelation 17, like the beast of Revelation 13, have seven heads and ten horns? Verse 3.  But now notice a significant difference. Who or what sits upon or dominates all seven heads of this beast? Same Verse. 

Comment - In Biblical terminology a “woman” represents a church (2 Cor. 11-2; Eph. 5-23:25; Rev. 12-17).  Therefore, the “whore” (Rev 17-1,4) represents a great fallen church - a FALSE church system! Since it rides the “beast” it is obviously a church that deals in politics.
It is important to note that the “seven heads” of this beast which the whore rides represent the same political powers as the last seven “horns” of the beast of Revelation 13-1:2.  That is, the heads of one beast are the equivalent of the last seven horns of the other. This is evident from the fact that the great false church was to dominate politically the last seven revivals of the Roman Empire, symbolised as “horns” in Revelation 13, and as “heads” in Revelation 17. 

2. Does Revelation 17-8,10 show that the beast, as a government, was to cease - though only temporarily -after five of its revivals? 

Comment - After Napoleon’s fall, the “Holy” Roman Empire split up. Each Italian, German or Netherlands principality became independent. Italy was broken up into twelve separate little states.  At this time eight of the original ten “horns” of Revelation 13 - five of the seven “heads” of Revelation 17 - had arisen and fallen. The beast then went temporarily into a non-existent condition symbolised as the “bottomless pit”. 

3. What does the Bible say of the sixth head of the beast of Revelation 17, which is equivalent to the ninth horn of the beast of Revelation 13?  See Rev. 17-8,10.  Notice the words “yet is” in verse 8 and “one is” in verse 10. 

Comment - The sixth head, pictured as existing in the end time, at which time this prophecy would be understood, was the head which began with Garibaldi in Italy and Bismark in Germany and culminated in the Mussolini - Hitler dynasty (1870-1945 A.D.)  In 1870-71 Garibaldi seized Rome and succeeded in uniting all the Italian states into one nation of Italy. Italy then entered the race for colonies acquiring Libya, Eritrea and Italian Somali land in Africa.

In 1870, also, Otto von Bismark united all Germany and defeated the French in the Franco-Prussian War.  At that time the German Empire was re-established. 

In 1929, Mussolini entered into a concordat with the papacy (just as Napoleon had) defining the official relationship between Italy and the Vatican state.  In 1935 Mussolini attacked and conquered Ethiopia. Adding this to Italian Somali land, Eritrea, Libya and later Albania, he proclaimed his empire a resurrection of the Roman Empire!  He then allied himself with Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler.  This was the insignificant, feeble, short lived ninth horn of the beast of Revelation 13 - the sixth head of the beast of Revelation 17 - the sixth resurrection of the empire since the “deadly wound was healed” in 554 A.D.  It is described in verse 8 of Revelation 17 as “the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.”  Italy was so unimportant internationally that, as a mighty Roman Empire it really “was not” - and yet it was - at least in name!     In World War 2, this weak, almost insignificant ninth horn or sixth head was defeated and destroyed.  The beast dropped for the second time into the “bottomless pit.” 

One More Revival To Come! 
The church-dominated Roman Empire existed for 1260 years as God had prophesied.  Then it ceased to exist with the downfall of Napoleon in 1814. In 1870 it began to revive again, but was completely crushed a second time in 1945.

  But “there are seven kings” says the prophecy, and one “is not yet come” (Rev.17-10).  So one is YET TO COME!  Yet once more this religious-political system is to revive, arising out of the symbolic “bottomless pit” to form the seventh head of Revelation 17 or tenth and FINAL “horn” of Revelation 13-1:2 and Daniel 7! 

1. What are the “seven heads” of the beast called in Revelation 17-9? 

Comment - There are seven literal hills on which Rome is built, symbolic of the seven kingdoms or revivals of the Roman Empire over which the Roman church was to rule.  It was May 9th 1936, that Mussolini hailed “after fifteen centuries the resurrection of the empire on the fated hills of Rome.”  But the “mind that has wisdom” is to see beyond the symbolism.  Let’s continue. 

2. Is “mountain” another biblical symbol which pictures a nation or kingdom?  Isa. 2-2:3; Dan. 2-35.  What does Revelation 17-10 clearly state these seven mountains represent? (Remember the word “king” stands for the kingdom he rules). 

3. Note the words “one is, and the other is not yet come” in Revelation 17-10.  Does this verse prove that these revivals were to be successive kingdoms that ruled the Roman Empire after its restoration in 554 A.D.? 

Comment – The kingdoms are clearly successive revivals of the one empire.  As prophesied, a great religious authority sat astride each of these revivals from Justinian to Mussolini.  Obviously, therefore, the same religious power will dominate the seventh and last resurrection of the Roman Empire yet to come. 

4. What else are we told about the beast of Revelation 17?  Rev. 17-11. 

Comment – Here this church dominated empire is actually called an “eighth” beast, but yet it is one of the “seven.”  How can this be?  What are the “seven” this verse is talking about?

Let’s see – The Chaldean Empire, Persian, the four divisions of Greece and the original Roman Empire add up to seven, as symbolised by the heads of the beast of Revelation 13.  These seven heads were not dominated by religion.  Pagan Rome was the seventh head and was wounded to death.  Yet later Rome continued as a revived – “healed” – beast (described in Revelation 17).  Its system is called the “eighth” in Revelation 17-11 because it is DIFFERENT from the previous seven – that is, it has always been ridden by a fallen “woman” the symbol for a great apostate church – representing a union of church and state – and yet it IS a part of the original seventh, and hence “of the seven.”

A Powerful Union of Nations
1. What do the ten horns of the beast of Revelation 17 represent?  Rev. 17-12.  What will they do?  Verse 13.

Comment - These horns represent "ten kings" or nations (or blocs of nations) which will comprise the seventh, or last, resurrection of the Roman Empire.  Each of these nations' rulers will receive power to rule "one hour" - a short time - WITH the beast in its last revival and will together support and strengthen the beast.  Therefore these ten "horns" are necessarily contemporaneous - all existing at the same time.

2. Is this seventh revival of the empire plainly just ahead of us - just before the second coming of Christ?  Rev.17-14.

Comment - This verse, in agreement with all the other prophecies showing the beast's last revival, sets the time for this prophesied "one hour" (verse 12).

3. In what other way does the Bible picture these same ten contemporaneous kingdoms?
Dan. 2-41:42.  Does verse 28 set the time?  What will Christ do to this union of nations at His coming?  Verses 34 and 44.

Comment - It is precisely during the brief "hour" when these nations are united that Jesus Christ will return to this earth to break up these kingdoms and absorb their lands and peoples into His Kingdom!

4. How will the ten attempt to make their union permanent - is it by mixing of the nationalities?  Dan. 2-43.  Note the words "mingle themselves with the seed of men."  Will the attempt succeed?  Same verse and verse 41.

Comment - The then "toes" (nations or blocks of nations) can only stick together for a short time, just as iron and clay will not permanently stick together.  As iron and clay have different natures, so do the peoples of Europe.  Some have the strength and cohesiveness of iron, while others are like clay which is soft when wet and brittle when dry.

5. Does Revelation 17-10 verify that these nations will remain together only a short time?

Great Prosperity of Coming Colossus
The final revival of the Roman Empire will be a great trading and commercial power.  For a short time it will enjoy truly fantastic prosperity.

1. Is "prosperity" a means by which a "little horn" will "destroy many"?  Dan. 8-25 (The word "peace" in this verse can also be translated "prosperity".

Comment - This "little horn" described in Daniel 8-9:11, 23:25 (not the same as the "little horn" of Daniel 7) represents the last king or leader of the system which began at Babylon - the coming political ruler of the "beast."  He will actually make WAR against  the "holy ones" of God - the saints - and Christ Himself!

2. Does Revelation 18-2:3 speak about trade with a modern "Babylon"?  Are the merchants of the earth made rich through "the abundance of her delicacies"?  Verse 3 and verses 12:13.

Comment - Remember that the ancient Babylon had long passed into history before the Apostle John saw these visions of a modern "Babylon" and wrote the book of Revelation.  And notice that this modern Babylon is represented as a "she" - since it will be a church-state system, unlike the original Babylon.  This prosperous modern "Babylon" is called "Babylon the Great" in Revelation 17-5.

The Great False Prophet
Bible prophecy reveals that ultimately European union is going to be abused - misguided!  The military power block of a combination of ten nations or blocs of nations is going to be used in an attempt to fight Christ at His second coming to this earth (Rev. 17-14).  How could people be deceived into actually fighting against Jesus Christ?  The answer is simple.  They will do it in the name of religion!  Soon, according to the prophecies of your Bible, a great "false prophet" is going to appear who will perform miracles and wonders which will sweep MILLIONS into one vast age-old religious system!

1. Did Jesus prophecy that in the "last days" false Christ's and false prophets would arise who would show great signs and wonders, and deceive many? Matt. 24-4:5, 24.

2. Just before the second coming of Christ, is one particular "man of sin" going to perform great miracles and lying wonders?  2 Thes. 2-3:4, 8:9.  By whose power will he perform them?
 Verse 9.  Why will he perform them - as a deliberate attempt to deceive people?  Verse 10.

Comment - Satan, who has always desired to be God, ruling over all, will for a brief period of time attempt to palm himself off as God by placing his human instrument in a supreme religious office on earth. This man will be a performer of miracles - supposed "proofs" that he is God. Millions will be deluded by his mighty signs - "lying wonders". He will be worshipped "as very God" and will apply God’s own titles to himself. The term "lying wonder" does not necessarily imply that the lying wonder itself is a lie. The miracle may be real enough, but the miracle causes those who see it TO BELIEVE A LIE - that is causes them to believe that the agent of Satan the devil is God!

3. Who will this "false prophet" deceive by his miracles - those people who have the "mark of the beast" and who worship the "image of the beast"? Rev. 19-20.

4. Will the false prophet be working in co-operation with the beast and a dragon when Christ comes? Rev. 16-13:14. Who or what is the "dragon"? Rev. 1-9.

5. Do the works of the end- time "false prophet" or "man of sin" compare closely with those of the religious system pictured in Revelation 13-11:17.

Comment - Notice that both perform miracles. Both deceive the people. Both have a close working relationship with the beast and its "mark." Clearly the great "false prophet" to come will be of the same religious system!

The Great Fall of "Babylon the Great"
1. Why will God judge and condemn the religious-political system of the coming Roman Empire? Rev. 14-8; 17-5:6; 18-1:5.

2. What did Daniel say about the time when the final beast and its ecclesiastical "little horn" will be destroyed? Dan. 7-11:12. Do those scriptures show us that the whole system will end completely?

Comment - Both the political and religious aspects of the modern Roman Empire will suddenly be destroyed unlike the earlier empires which temporarily survived their fall in a subordinate status. So complete is this coming destruction of modern Babylon that the wicked will never again "rise nor possess the land, nor fill the face of the world with cities" (Isa. 14-21:22).

"Daughter of Babylon" Utterly Destroyed!
1. Read the 47th chapter of Isaiah. Does God speak very plainly about a woman - a "daughter of [the ancient] Babylon"? Isa. 47-1. Is she the "lady of [who rules over] kingdoms? Verse 5. Has she persecuted God’s people? Verse 6. Is she accustomed to living luxuriously? Verses 1,7; Rev. 18-7. Does she pose like a "virgin" while actually being a harlot spiritually? Rev. 17-22; 18-9. Does she have spiritual "children" like herself?

Isa. 47-8:9; Rev. 17-5.

Comment - Gods people are warned to flee modern "Babylon" which is symbolised by "a golden cup" representing the attractive but false doctrines by which she has made all nations spiritually drunk See Isa. 51- 6:8 Rev. 17-4 Jer. 51- 7 Rev 17-2.

2. How quickly will the end of the "daughter of Babylon" come? Jer. 51-8; Isa. 47-11; Rev. 18-8,10. Will she be made "naked" - her lack of righteousness exposed? Isa. 47-3. What will happen to her spiritual advisors? Verses 13:14.

Comment - Because of her greed, corruption and false promises, the leaders and the people will come to "hate the whore." They will turn against her. They will give the bearer of the "cup" (of spiritual drunkenness which causes great suffering and sorrow) a double portion of her own medicine which she has meted out to so many. She will stand "desolate" and "naked" - stripped bare of her pretensions so that all may see her filthiness and shame in its true light.

3. Will Christ Himself also take a hand in destroying both the dominion of the beast and the daughter of Babylon? Rev. 14-9:11; 16-2,8:10,19.

The future events you have studied in this lesson are certain to occur. God has prophesied in His Word of a rising super religious-political colossus in Europe which will astound the world. You have had a glimpse into the soon-coming future.

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