In any case, the reason John used a number and symbolic code words was because in those days it was extremely dangerous to criticize the Roman Emperor-Caesar, whichever one John was referring to. And whatever the case, we should understand that the "beast" at that time was a warlord-emperor (and is now a head of state) who plays god and lives by the sword to rule, and that is why the Christ Jesus said: "the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, is now already in the world." (1 John 4:1) He was talking about the Roman Caesar and Emperor-Warlord who regarded himself as the Lord of Divinity.
Now, however, the "Antichrist" is not a specific man, but the lowly and base spirit which Jesus said was "already in the world" two thousand years ago. It drove Domitian and Nero, but it has also driven and still drives countless power-hungry, self-centered leaders who rule by the sword (gun and bomb) and kill people in order to gain or maintain power, wealth and domain at the expense of others. It’s the mentality or spirit that drives egocentric, ethnocentric, bigoted men who fight for the material treasures they lust for, and ignore or deny the wisdom of the Christ who criticized and rebuked the rich and advocated for the poor and the least of our brethren.
Now, it could be said that the "second beast" has been represented by the monarchs of all the military empires that have their roots in the Roman Empire (which broke "in pieces"), who live by the sword (gun and bomb), and that includes the present Commander in Chief of the United States of America, as I explained above.
Of course, some people believe that the "second beast" is a particular false prophet. They believe the "mark of the beast" will be placed on the followers of an antichrist, a literal beast of Babylon. They believe that the false prophet will be a spokesperson for the antichrist, and that the false prophet will cause people to take this mark, which will literally be placed in their hand or forehead, and the mark of the beast will be an end times "mark" required by the antichrist to buy or sell and will be given only to those who worship the antichrist. And they also believe that a seal will be placed on the foreheads of the servants of our God.
Still others believe that any man who is accepted as the Jewish Mashiach or the Christian Messiah and King, would actually be the Antichrist. And many others have different beliefs and expectations. It’s a chaotic, confused situation, because so many egocentric people think they know the truth, and that all others are wrong. In fact, they are all wrong.
You see, many Christians just don’t understand the symbolism. Furthermore, they base their belief about an "Antichrist," and their belief that he will come to power and then be "revealed," on a section in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians (II Thessalonians 2:3-9). But, what many Christians do not understand is that Paul believed the so-called "return" of the Christ and the so-called "end" was soon to come, in his lifetime. Paul was trying to prepare them for it, even though he was wrong.
But, that’s not the only reason many Christians do not understand the truth. After all, Paul states that the Thessalonians should not allow themselves to be deceived, but that the Christ’s "second coming" shall not come unless there be a "falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped." Paul states that the "man of sin" will "sit in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."
That, along with what is written in John’s book of Revelation, is why many Christians believe there will be an "Antichrist" who will rule the world prior to the "second coming" of the Christ Jesus. However, they ignore that Paul also states in that section that "the mystery of iniquity already works: only he who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way. 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."
The truth is that Paul was referring to the Emperor or Caesar, just as John was, because the Emperor held himself up as a "divine" ruler. But Paul did not realize that the "end" was not coming, nor did he understand that the Christ Jesus himself would not return. And most of the disciples and apostles of Jesus did not understand that Judeo-Christian prophecy would not be fulfilled until the end of the age Jesus ushered in, more than two thousand years later.
There are many, even thousands of different interpretations of the Torah and the Bible, and especially of John’s Book of Revelation. But the truth is, as the Christ Jesus said, that there have been and are now MANY false prophets who are dividing people and leading their blind flocks astray.
The truth is that the son of man who now fulfills prophecy is not Jesus. In fact, I am a prodigal son of man who fully realizes how fallible I am, and how infallible God is, and I glorify God and the Ancient One (aka the Christ) who is in heaven with God.
And, as Jesus said, this son of man shall divide humanity into "sheep who are blessed" and "goats who are cursed" (see the page titled "Sheep" and "Goats"). But this son of man will not bless or curse them literally. The point is that this son of man issues judgment, exposing and rebuking those who are doing wrong, and praising those who are actual servants of God and humanity. That’s the gist of it.
You see, while all these symbols, like many others that are too numerous to mention, represent very important aspects of the spiritual and material reality and the fulfillment of prophecy, they are all nevertheless symbols, most of which were never meant to be taken as actual, literal things or places or events.
But, regardless of whether or not some of them symbolize specific persons or events, the fact is that they symbolize what took place during the first century following the death of Jesus, and they also symbolize the general state of affairs we find ourselves in now. After all, then as now, it’s a state created by the greed, self-importance, self-righteousness, hate, anger and violence of men who claim God is on their side. John’s book helps to explain that our strife and tribulation was foreseen and will end as soon as enough people get the message and learn the truth.
Unfortunately, I suspect many leaders of the Christian Right will not accept the truth even when it is staring them in the face. Many will still worship an idol and think they are doing many wonderful works in the name of the Lord. Some of them will even keep clinging to the notion that a Superman-Warlord God will come out of the clouds in the sky, riding a white charger to the sound of a trumpet, to conquer all their enemies. But they have another think coming.
The truth is indeed like a stone. As the prophet Daniel envisioned, the stone of truth will shatter the image of the most powerful "religious" warrior emperor-king, and it shall become as a great mountain that shall fill the whole earth. When that happens we will be able to start changing and improving things, and rebuilding from the foundations of our religions and governments.
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