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Contents Revelation 11 Part 1 Next Study
No.16.
In our last study we were still in the sixth trumpet at the fall of the Ottoman Empire, 1840. We will continue this trumpet, but to do so, we must go back in history because this woe takes place prior to the fall of Islam. The first part of the chapter continues on from Chapter 10, and although it will be quoted now, we will speak of its meaning when we study that chapter.
“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” Revelation 11:2. (The word ‘measure’ relates to conduct)
In the earthly sanctuary, the court represented the earth. It is where the altar of sacrifice stood, representing the cross of Calvary.
Jews refers to other nations as Gentiles (or goyim), but after the cross, the Jews themselves are the Gentiles (except for those who accepted Christ), together with all other non-Christians in the world. We do not use this word, as it actually means ‘cattle’.
In the above verse, the Gentiles are those who trod under foot the holy city. This does not refer to literal Jerusalem; it is a symbol for the Christian church, in these verses meaning those who were murdered for their faith during the Dark Ages.
The treading under foot would last 42 months, the same period as the 1260 years in Daniel.
The next verse makes it clear. “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11:3.
(Mathematics reveal that 42 months and 1260 days are the same length of time. 42 x 30-day month = 1260 days. Using the day for a year rule for Bible prophecy gives us 1260 years)
So the Gentiles (the papal system) would tread under foot faithful Christians (holy city) for 1260 years. This is a clear relationship to Daniel’s prophecy. But a new aspect is brought in, for the verse speaks of “my two witnesses” who are to prophesy, dressed in “sackcloth”, as a sign of mourning.
Many who study the book of Revelation without a knowledge of Daniel, come to the conclusion that the two witnesses are men who witness in literal sackcloth. But this is not so.
Note further. “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” Revelation 11:4.
This is interesting. Instead of an interpretation, the prophet has been given two more symbols. The witnesses are two olive trees and two candlesticks.
To understand further, we must turn to Zechariah. I won’t quote it all, so please refer to your Bible for the full text. “And (the angel) said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof.” Zechariah 4:2.
Before we proceed, this is the seven-branched candlestick of the holy place. The “bowls” are “like almonds with knop and a flower”. (See Exodus 25:31-37) Olive oil was used for fuel and the priests replenished it twice a day.
The candlestick represented Jesus, the light of the world; the oil represented the Holy Spirit.
In Zechariah’s vision, “two olive trees” stood by the candlestick, “one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof”, and these trees provide its fuel. Zechariah 4:3.
The prophet asks the angel its meaning and the angel replies, “Knowest thou not what these be?” Zechariah replies, “No, my lord.” Zechariah 4:4.5.
He is then told, “This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6.
After further words from the angel, Zechariah asks, “What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?… What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves.” Zechariah 4:11.12.
Again the prophet is asked if he understands. When he responds again, “No, my lord”, the angel says, “These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:14.
Let us go through it again, as you may feel like Zechariah.
In the sanctuary on earth, the priests were instructed to fill the almond-shaped bowls of the menorah with olive oil at the morning and evening sacrifice every day. It was a tamid (daily or continual) part of the sanctuary service.
The candlestick in Zechariah’s vision did not need the services of man. It was continually filled with the golden oil from the olive trees.
The angel said the olive trees represent the word of the Lord, but as the oil fills the candlestick, the two are linked closely together.
In the original setting the word of God came to Zerubbabel, but today the two trees represent the Word of God as we have it in the Bible – the old and new Testaments. The oil that flows from the olive trees represents the Spirit flowing through the Word to you and me.
The second interpretation is that they represent “the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” Zechariah 4:14. These anointed ones maintain and protect God’s two witnesses.
The Bible is a powerful Book, but it needs heavenly protection. Its pages have been thrown in the fire and burned to ashes, but the Book lives on. Scoffers have condemned and denounced it, but the Word of God stands true.
Critics have hammered away, but it remains. This old poem illustrates it very well. (Author unknown)
Last night I passed beside a blacksmith’s door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
When looking in I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.
How many anvils have you had, said I,
To wear and batter the hammers so?
Just one, said he, then, with twinkling eye,
The anvil wears the hammers out you know!
And so, I thought, the anvil of God’s Word
For years sceptics’ blows have beaten;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed – the hammers gone!
After the return from Babylon, Israel began to build the temple in Jerusalem. Soon the people grew weary, and Zerubbabel became disheartened. God sent His Word to encourage the prophet. ‘Zerubbabel, it is not man’s power, and the might of physical strength, that will complete the work, it is My Spirit’.
So it is with us.
God’s church is languishing. In some places it is spiritually dead. But God still has His people in the churches; they are living stones.
Peter says, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5.
You see, God is building a spiritual temple. He takes the rough stones and carefully moulds them to fill their place in the great heavenly building.
It is a refining process where Christ sits “as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:3.
Again, you must remember that the Old Testament prophecies now relate to the Christian Church. No longer are the Levites to serve in an earthly temple, for that covenant has been made void. Today Christians are under the Order of Melchisedec. We are “an holy priesthood”, offering spiritual sacrifices unto our great high priest Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5. Hebrews 7:14-17.
Unless we ourselves are being changed into the image of Jesus, our work is of no value with God. We have a duty to share truth, but we must be sanctified, “lest”, as Paul says, “by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27.
In sharing the Spirit-filled Word, we may experience its rejection, but we need not be discouraged. God promises that it “shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.
(I remember putting literature in letter boxes some years ago. A man immediately came to the box, took out the pamphlet and tore it in half. It was disappointing, but then I realised that God had spoken to him and he did not want to listen. At another time a friend had the same experience. ‘Its written in the book’, she said to the man. ‘What do you mean?’ he retorted. My friend just pointed up and said, “You’ll find out”, and walked on. One day these men will remember their actions and bewail the rejection)
Now back to the sixth trumpet.
Remember, God’s two witnesses -- the Old and the New Testaments – were clothed in sackcloth during the 1260 years of the Dark Ages. They did not cease to witness, but it was through suffering that their light shone out in the darkness.
During those days, the Scriptures were locked up in the Latin tongue, a language only understood by the priests. Bibles were chained to pulpits and only available to those who ministered in the church. It was a spiritually dark time for God’s people. At one time during medieval history, the Bible became a banned Book.
(The story is told of soldiers about to enter a home in search of Bibles. The mother of the family hastily put the Bible in the pastry she was preparing and then in the oven. The soldiers searched the house, and when returning to the kitchen asked what she was cooking. ‘A pie’, she said. After seeing it in the oven, they were satisfied. The family rejoiced in the protection of God’s holy Word, none the worse for its short bake)
Even today, it is the prerogative of the priest alone to interpret the Bible. Back in the Dark Ages, superstition reigned. Ignorance of the Scriptures was total in Catholic countries. Men and women had no idea of the precious promises of God’s Word.
When Martin Luther came across a copy of the Scriptures, it was to him a treasure chest of precious gems. As he read its pages, the Spirit of God spoke to his heart and he found salvation.
To Luther, the jewel that opened his mind to Christ and his personal standing with God was, “The just shall live by faith”. Romans 1:17.
It was not penance, not pilgrimages, not indulgences, not relics, not rites and ceremonies, not flagellation, not even the crucifix. It was:
SOLUS CHRISTUS -- Christ alone
SOLA FIDE -- Faith alone
SOLA GRATIE -- Grace alone
SOLA SCRIPTURA -- Scripture alone
(Solus Christus can also be Solo Christo ‘by Christ alone’)
During all these years of spiritual darkness, God’s Word could not be totally silenced. Although His two anointed witnesses stood in sackcloth, no one could touch them without being burned, for God had said, “If any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies, and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.” Revelation 11:5.
To those whose hearts were humble, God opened His Word.
We might wonder why those who locked the Scriptures away were not put to death.
God is merciful; some may repent.
The hearts of men that were wholly intent on evil were already spiritually dead. Although judgment is delayed, the day will come when God will speak vengeance, and fire will come from His mouth in wrathful punishment.
“These (witnesses) have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.” Revelation 11:6.
If you know your Bible, you will recognise in this verse two prophets – Elijah and Moses. Elijah told Ahab it would not rain for 3½ years and it did not rain for that time. (If you study the life of Elijah, you will see a miniature picture of the prophecies we have been studying, but in literal time rather than prophetic time. The crisis on Mount Carmel presents the challenge that will confront the world as to whether they will serve the God of the Bible or the gods of the world)
Moses told Pharoah the waters would turn to blood and the waters turned to blood. (If you study the life of Moses you will see a miniature picture of the prophecies we are studying, especially relating to the great time of trouble after probation closes. Instead of ten plagues, there will be seven, including the waters turning to blood, as you will see further on in Revelation)
Although Moses and Elijah are said to bring these things upon the earth, it was God who performed the miracles. These two prophets spoke the Word of God.
Today we can read the Scriptures for ourselves, and by the power of God’s Spirit, can understand them. Let us praise God the Bible is not locked up in an ancient tongue, chained to a church pulpit, or a banned Book.
(However, there is another danger. The many modern translations of the Scriptures have been corrupted by the Roman Catholic Church. The only English Bible that stands against this conspiracy is the King James Bible. It might have some archaic language, but it is the most accurate English Bible in the world. In 1611, it was printed in defence of truth and to counter the false teachings of the Catholic Church. It says in its dedicatory notes that it “hath given such a blow unto that man of sin, as will not be healed”.
There were faithful Bibles prior to 1611, but this one has become the Authorised Bible for Protestants – for those who are awake. There are actually two lines of Bible translations, one Protestant and one Catholic. Both are very ancient. When the Catholic Church burnt ‘heretics’, they burnt their Protestant Bible with them. Often tied to the neck of the martyr, it was not the Catholic translation, but the true translation called the Received Text. This is still the most numerous of extant manuscripts, the base text of the King James Bible.
Sadly, the Protestant Churches fell asleep at their post (Sardis) and the Catholic Church overcame them with subtlety. Many counterfeit Bibles are now in print and few Christians can tell the difference. Modern scholars vouch for these translations, and even reformation-type churches have begun to use them, especially favouring the New International Bible. What they do not realise is that the base text for every one of them is exactly the same. Whole verses have been omitted, and thousands of words. They are translated from the supposed most ancient and accurate manuscripts, one from the Vatican archives and one from a wastepaper basket in St Catherine monastery at the foot of the false Mount Sinai. Mt Sinai is in Arabia, not in the peninsular. See Galatians 4:25. The counterfeit Mount Sinai was a mountain chosen by Emperor Constantine’s mother as an icon of Catholic worship. It is not the real Sinai.
Just before the close of the long period of papal dominion, God’s “two witnesses” were to be maligned and attacked. In fact, according to the text, they were to be killed.
Please remember, we are speaking of the Old and New Testament of the Bible, not the prophets Moses and Elijah. Both prophets are now in heaven. Moses was resurrected from the dead, and Elijah was translated without seeing death. These men are symbolic of the power within the pages of the holy Book.
(You will also remember that Jesus spoke to Moses and Elijah on the ‘mount of transfiguration’. Matthew 17:1-5. At that time, Jesus’ face shone “as the sun”, a figure of His glorious return. Moses represented those who will rise from the dead, and Elijah represented those who will be translated without seeing death)
The event we will now study is a shameful period of history, a fearful time for all classes.
“And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.” Revelation 11:7.
The “bottomless pit” has been mentioned before in the fifth trumpet. Revelation 9:1.11.
Although it is the same Satanic abyss, this time a beast arises from it we have not seen before. Its appearance is not described, but its character is to destroy.
The rising of this power took place in France, and is called the French Revolution.
You will recall some time back that Clovis, king of the Franks, converted to Catholicism. This resulted in France becoming known as the ‘eldest son of the Papacy’. “It was for more than a thousand years a main pillar of popedom in Europe.” The Approaching End of the Age. H. Grattan Guinness p271.
Due to the donation of Pepin and Charlemagne, France took a leading role in opposition of the Reformation. The Edict of Nantes banished from France’s shores her surviving Huguenot subjects.
(The massacre on St Bartholemew’s Day remains a horror of deception and cruelty of the Catholic Church. When the news of the massacre reached Rome, the exultation knew no bounds and there was a great celebration among the clergy. Bells rang out in triumph from every steeple. “Cardinals and other ecclesiastical dignitaries went into long procession to the church of St Louis, where the cardinal of Lorraine chanted the Te Deum.” Massacre of St Bartholemew. Henry White. Ch 154 par 34.
“In their sinful barbarity, they blasphemously attempted to make the Eternal God of heaven not only a partner to their crime, but indeed its very promoter and inspiration.” The Massacre of St Bartholemew. Ian Paisley p120.
Pope Gregory XIV continued to rejoice and give thanks for “the great blessing… to the Roman See and to all Christendom…” Smedley Vol 2 p27. In commemoration of the Papal triumph, the pope struck a medal signifying victory for the faith. An original can be seen in the British museum.
The slaughter continued on for many long months, and neither age nor sex were respected. Noble, peasant, old and young, mother and child were cut down together.
But France changed her stance and became violently anti-papal, even fiercely infidel. (These were the days of the sceptic Voltaire and his anti-Christian writings)
The new “beast” arising in France not only turned on the Papacy, but Christendom at large, for both Catholics and Protestants were slain with that frightful instrument, the guillotine. (The man who invented the guillotine gave his name to the instrument. He also died under its blade)
There were a number of events that prepared the way for the Revolution -- financial crises, court corruption, heavy taxes on the poor, lack of work, mob riots, violence, reliance on the government. These were instigated to stir the masses to cry for ‘change’. (Sound familiar? It is an old trick)
But we need to ask -- who is this beast working in France?
It is a secret.
Yes, it is so secret that many do not believe it exists.
But it does, and in 1787, its documents were seized by Bavarian police, after raiding the living quarters of Baron Bassus in the castle Sandensdorf. These papers were printed by the Bavarian government.
Professor John Robinson was travelling in Europe some time after 1776, when he was approached by a man who claimed to be an ex-Jesuit. His name was Adam Weishaupt, the founder of a secret society called the Illuminati. He invited Robinson to become a member of his new Order.
After studying the ideals and agenda of the society, Robinson published the following, “Weishaupt has long been scheming the establishment of an Association or Order, which in time, should govern the world… he hinted to several ex-Jesuits the probability of their recovering, under a new name, the influence which they formerly possessed [prior to their suppression in 1773].” ‘Proofs of a Conspiracy – Against all the Religions and Government of Europe, Carried on in the Secret Meetings of Freemasons, Illuminati and Reading Societies’. John T Robinson p59.
Much has been written of the Illuminati and good research cannot deny its existence.
(I was at a meeting some years ago where a pastor announced that the Illuminati did not exist. I was amazed that an educated man could publicly state to an audience of 3000 people that anything did not exist, especially a secret society. How did he know? Had he researched and visited every secret society? It reminded me of the Russian cosmonaut who said upon his return from outerspace, “God doesn’t exist; I did not see Him’. Oh really! How far did you go?)
Adam Weishaupt was born a Jew, but after becoming a Catholic, he was educated by the Jesuits. He became a professor of Canon Law at Inglestad University in Bavaria.
While in Germany, he met a man by the name of Abbe Kolmer who initiated him into the secret mysteries of the occult.
In 1771, Weishaupt began working on the formation of a secret society. In May 1776, he completed his work and gave it the name, Order of the Perfectibilists. Later he changed it to the Order of the Illuminati, meaning ‘holders of the light’ - from Lucifer. (It was based on the Jesuit spiritual exercises, as was the Nazi regime. Ask for a copy of the Jesuit Oath)
Jedidiah Morse said of this secret Order, “For more than twenty years a society called the Illuminati has been in existence… it approves of such atrocious principles as the right to commit self-murder and the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes…it aims to enlist the discontented, to get control of all such cultural agencies as the schools, literary societies, newspapers, writers, booksellers, and postmasters; it is bent upon insinuating its members into all positions of distinction and influence, whether literary, civil or religious.” Sermon on the Natural Fast. May 9. 1798 p21. Quoted in Proofs of a Conspiracy. 4th edition 1798 p64.
The French Socialist Louis Blane once said that Adam Weishaupt, was “One of the profoundest conspirators who has ever existed.” D’Histoire de la Revolution 1848.
So, the new “beast” in France was the Illuminati. At the time it operated through the Masonic Lodge called Jacobins. Robespiere and Danton’s governing of the country was not simply a fight against poverty; the agenda was much bigger.
In order for France to succeed in its revolutionary plans for socialist equality, the country had to be systematically depopulated.
We now know from papers seized from the leader of the Jacobins (Maximillan Robespierre) and the men reporting on those papers that, “These men, in order to bring us to the happiness of Sparta, wished to annihilate 12-15 million of the French people….” The French Revolution Nesta Webster p424. (Sparta or Sparticus was a codename for Weishaupt)
It was in 1793, “by the decree of her Legislative Assembly” that France put God’s “two witnesses” to death. It was pronounced that “there was no God”. (Of course other countries have denounced God, but in this prophecy, it is speaking of France)
The National Assembly declared that no other worship would be tolerated except the worship of ‘Liberty and Holy Equality’. At first the general populous thought this was a good law as it sounded fair to all – liberty and equality.
Christians knew better.
The doors of the Convention were thrown open to a band of musicians, preceded by the members of the municipal body who entered in solemn procession, singing a hymn to the praise of liberty.
They escorted, “as the object of their future worship, a veiled female, whom they termed the Goddess of Reason. Being brought within the bar, she was unveiled with great form, and placed on the right of the president, where she was generally recognized as a dancing girl of the opera.” Life of Napoleon Bonepart. Sir Walter Scott. Vol 1. Ch 17.
To this woman, “as the finest representative of that reason whom they worshipped”, the National Convention of France rendered public homage, and in introducing this goddess of Reason to the National Assembly, the orator stated: “Legislators! Fanaticism has given way to reason. Its bleared eyes could not endure the brilliancy of the light. This day an immense concourse has assembled beneath these gothic vaults, which, for the first time, re-echo the truth. There the French celebrate the only true worship – that of Liberty, that of Reason.” History of the French Revolution M.A. Thies. Vol 2. p370 371.
“Bibles were collected and publicly burned with every possible manifestation of scorn. The law of God was trampled underfoot. The institutions of the Bible were abolished. Prayers could not be spoken publicly without one becoming guilty of a capital crime. The weekly rest day was set aside, and in its stead every tenth day was devoted to revelling and blasphemy. Baptism and Communion were prohibited. And announcements posted conspicuously over burial places declared death to be an eternal sleep…. All religious worship was prohibited, except that of liberty and the country.” Life of Napoleon.
The prophecy said of God’s two witnesses, “And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Revelation 11:8. The cities are symbolic with obvious meanings – immorality, atheism and hatred.
God’s holy Book was publicly burned – and yes, “their dead bodies lay in the street”.
When the legislature was passed, “the entire population of the capital, and a vast majority elsewhere, women as well as men, danced and sang with joy in accepting the announcement.” The French Revolution by Nesta Webster. Quoted in Blackwood’s magazine 1870.
The Bible says of this time. “And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.” Revelation 11:10.
All who were against the revolution and the ‘New Era of Liberty’, especially Christians, were targeted for imprisonment and murder. (Even the king (Louis XVI) was not exempt. He too died at the hand of the guillotine)
The cry everywhere was, ‘Blood, blood”, and the heads continued to roll.
Other revolutionary leaders and participants stated of depopulation that the “political system required it”, and “We must have 200-250 heads a decade (every ten days); the government wishes it.” Ibid p465.
Blasphemous boldness was seen everywhere. One of the priests of the new order said, “God, if You exist, avenge Your injured name. I bid you defiance! You remain silent: You dare not launch Your thunders. Who after this will believe in your existence?” History of the French Revolution. Lacretelle. Vol 2 p309.
It was demanded “that in all the churches the cult of the new divinities – Reason and Virtue – should be substituted for the worship of ‘the Jewish slave’…” Ibid p424. These final words were a blasphemous reference to Jesus Christ.
Churches that refused to adopt the new religion, and to change their religious beliefs and teachings, were destroyed.
Hence those churches still standing, and where public worship took place, the concession had been made. The name on the outside remained the same, but the teachings and worship inside were ‘Government Approved’.
“And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.” Revelation 11:9.
Here again is a prophetic time – three and a half days. Again the days are changed to years, giving three and a half years.
In order for the New Era of Liberty to be set up in France, three major insurrections were planned and instigated.
- The siege and destruction of the Bastille.
- The march and invasion against Versailles.
- The siege and invasion of the Tuileries.
Although massacres took place, it was not until November 1793, when the legislature denounced God and closed all churches, that the Reign of Terror began. Everyone was crying out for law and order. Once the state of fear had been achieved, the leaders were able to pass the laws they had planned.
It is estimated that from 500,000 to over 1,000,000 people perished, mostly made up of those against the revolution. The French Revolution. Nesta Webster p419.
How long did it last?
It began in November 1793 and ended in June 1797, three and a half years later.
The following year, 1798, the pope was taken captive by the French General Berthier, and the dominion of the papal little horn ended.
1260 prophetic days -- 3 ½ prophetic years
1260 literal years
538 _________________________________________1798
1793-1797
1260 literal days
3 1/2 prophetic days
3 1/2 literal years
The prophecy then says that “After three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, ‘Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.” Revelation 11:11.12.
As these words are symbolic, we must look for the elevation of God’s “two witnesses” before the eyes of the world.
One Christian wrote, “The death of Christianity was local and limited; no nation of Europe joined in the desperate guilt of the French Republic: and within three years and a half, the predicted time, it was called up from death to a liberty which it had never before enjoyed; the church in France was proclaimed free.” The Apocalypse of St John. Rev G. Croly p427.
The fulfilment of the prophetic words is seen in the dramatic spread of the Word of God throughout the world, by foreign missions, Bible Societies, improvements in printing and increased facilities for communication.
In 1804 the British and Foreign Bible Society was formed. This was followed by many others – Pennsylvania Bible Society (1808), the International Bible Society (1809), the American Bible Society (1816), the Trinitarian Bible Society (1831) and so they continued to rise.
Of course the Catholic Church responded, as you would expect.
Pope Pius VII wrote in 1816 to the Archbishop of Poland, “We (the Holy See of Rome) have been truly shocked at the most crafty device by which the very foundations of religion are undermined… We have, with the utmost care and attention, deliberated upon the measures proper to be adopted by our Pontifical authority, in order to remedy and abolish this pestilence as far as possible.” Letter against Bible Societies. Written in Rome, June 29, 1816.
It is quite amazing to us that the distribution of the Bible is seen as ‘undermining religion’.
Pope Gregory XVI, in his 1844 encyclical ‘Inter Praecipuas’, condemned both Bible Societies, and “the publication, dissemination, reading, and possession of vernacular translations of sacred Scriptures”. (This encyclical was reversed by Vatican II in the 1960s. but interpreting is still taboo, forbidden)
No matter what Catholicism did, God’s “two witnesses” “ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them.” Revelation 11:12.
The next verse seems out of place at this point.
“And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.” Revelation 11:13.
One Bible expositor wrote the following some time prior to the Revolution, “I cannot hinder myself from believing that this (tenth part of the city) hath a particular regard to France, which at this day is certainly the most eminent country which belongs to the popish kingdom. Her king is called the eldest son of the church, the most Christian king, i.e. the most popish, according to the dialect of Rome.
The kings of France have by their liberalities made the popes great at this day. It is the most flourishing state of Europe. It is in the middle of the popish empire, betwixt Italy, Spain, Germany, England, exactly as a street or place of concourse is in the middle of a city.” The Accomplishment of the Scripture Prophecies. Frenchman Peter Jurieu. Part 2. Ch 12 p247.248.
This Christian man was obviously a Protestant who loved the Word of God. He could see that many in France would be slain as a result of the nation’s flirtation with Rome. It certainly proved true when the Revolution erupted like a volcano or as the prophecy says, split in two like “a great earthquake”.
A Protestant minister in Dundee stated prophetically, “Before Antichrist’s fall, one of the ten kingdoms which supported the beast shall undergo a marvellous Revolution.” A Prophecy of the French Revolution. Rev John W Willison. p23. First published in 1742. Source Book p613. (The word ‘marvellous’ meant amazement during those early days)
You might wonder why these words are stated after the description of the resurrection of the “two witnesses” and not earlier. In any writing it is not always easy to place events in the exact order they occur, in fact, at this present time we are studying Chapter 11 before studying Chapter 10.
The French Revolution was a frightening experience for men and women living in France and we would like to forget all about it. However, the Illuminati is not dead as you will see further in our study of Revelation. At present it is working under cover, covertly doing its evil work.
With the ecumenical thrust in Christendom, and history all but forgotten, the average man and women has no fear of the Catholic Church, let alone the Illuminati. Today it is a fear of Islam and terrorism, but God wants us to remember the fulfilment of prophecies in history, because they give light to the future.
“The second woe is past; and behold, the third woe cometh quickly.” Revelation 11:14.
Do You Want to Know the Future?