| Through the study of Revelation chapter 17, | | | | prophesied short monarchy of Benedict XVI? |
| the Lord has led us to a most startling | | | | |
| truth, confirming that we are nearer to the | | | | "And the beast that was, and is not, even he |
| end of all things than ever imagined. We are | | | | is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth |
| prompted by our loving God to share this | | | | into perdition." Revelation 17:11. Here, we |
| prophecy, that none need be ensnared by the | | | | learn the following: |
| global events soon to transpire which will | | | | |
| engulf the world in the grandest deception | | | | 1. The Roman Catholic Church was once a beast |
| yet contrived by Satan. | | | | (up to 1798), but now is not (as she has been |
| | | | in the wilderness experience since 1798); |
| World's Last Chance dares to declare this | | | | however, she will regain the beast status |
| interpretation to the world because we adhere | | | | (meaning she will come out of her wilderness |
| only to sound Biblical interpretation. This | | | | experience) after the fall of the seventh |
| means we unlock Bible prophecy by using the | | | | king, Benedict XVI. |
| Bible as its own interpreter. By doing so we | | | | |
| are certain of the correctness of the | | | | 2. The next one to come after Benedict XVI |
| revelation. | | | | will be one of the other seven kings. But he |
| | | | will no longer be considered a mere king, but |
| With the vivid realization that we are living | | | | will be a beast as well; for with him the |
| in the age just prior to the second coming of | | | | Roman Catholic Church will regain her former |
| Christ in the clouds of heaven, we pray the | | | | power to persecute her enemies. |
| Lord will impress you with the shortness of | | | | |
| time available before the fate of every | | | | 3. The eighth, when he comes, will be the |
| living person is decided, and may His Spirit | | | | last; for he "goeth into perdition." |
| give you the discernment and wisdom needed as | | | | |
| you undertake this solemn study. AMEN | | | | THE EIGHTH KING |
| | | | |
| REVELATION 17 | | | | 13. Who is the eighth who will restore the |
| | | | beast status to the Roman Catholic Church |
| 1. Which part of the Bible led you to reach | | | | anew? |
| this conclusion? | | | | |
| | | | To answer this question we need first to note |
| "And there came one of the seven angels... | | | | the origin of the eighth: "The beast that |
| saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto | | | | thou sawest was [the Catholic Church was once |
| thee the judgment of the great whore that | | | | a beast until 1798] and is not [during her |
| sitteth upon many waters: 2 With whom the | | | | wilderness experience], and shall ascend |
| kings of the earth have committed | | | | [after the fall of Benedict XVI, the eighth |
| fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth | | | | will restore her beast status] out of the |
| have been made drunk with the wine of her | | | | bottomless pit, and go into perdition." |
| fornication. 3 So he carried me away in the | | | | Revelation 17:8. |
| spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman | | | | |
| sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast, full of | | | | From this verse we can conclude the |
| names of blasphemy, having seven heads and | | | | following: |
| ten horns. 4 And the woman was arrayed in | | | | |
| purple and scarlet colour, and decked with | | | | 1. Only one more king will come after |
| gold and precious stones and pearls, having a | | | | Benedict XVI, and he will be the eighth. And |
| golden cup in her hand full of abominations | | | | this king will restore the beast status to |
| and filthiness of her fornication: 5 And upon | | | | the Roman Catholic Church - for during his |
| her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, | | | | reign persecution of God's people will resume |
| BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND | | | | again, just as it was in the Middle Ages. |
| ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 And I saw the | | | | |
| woman drunken with the blood of the saints, | | | | 2. That the eighth king will ascend from the |
| and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: | | | | "bottomless pit", and in due course will "go |
| and when I saw her, I wondered with great | | | | into perdition." |
| admiration. 7 And the angel said unto me, | | | | |
| Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee | | | | 14. What is the bottomless pit from which the |
| the mystery of the woman, and of the beast | | | | eighth will ascend? |
| that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads | | | | |
| and ten horns. 8 The beast that thou sawest | | | | Once again, we go only to the Bible to answer |
| was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the | | | | this valid question. The Greek word |
| bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and | | | | translated 'bottomless pit' is abussos which |
| they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, | | | | has the English counterpart, 'an abyss'. The |
| whose names were not written in the book of | | | | following verses will unfold what is the |
| life from the foundation of the world, when | | | | abussos. |
| they behold the beast that was, and is not, | | | | |
| and yet is. 9 And here is the mind which hath | | | | "...a certain man, which had devils long |
| wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, | | | | time…30 And Jesus asked him, saying, |
| on which the woman sitteth. 10 And there are | | | | What is thy name? And he said, Legion: |
| seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and | | | | because many devils were entered into him. 31 |
| the other is not yet come; and when he | | | | And they besought Him that He would not |
| cometh, he must continue a short space. 11 | | | | command them to go out into the deep |
| And the beast that was, and is not, even he | | | | (abussos)… 33 Then went the devils out |
| is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth | | | | of the man, and entered into the swine..." |
| into perdition. 12 And the ten horns which | | | | Luke 8:27, 30, 31, 33. |
| thou sawest are ten kings, which have | | | | |
| received no kingdom as yet; but receive power | | | | From the above Bible passage we learn that |
| as kings one hour with the beast. 13 These | | | | the Greek abussos (in the Bible translated |
| have one mind, and shall give their power and | | | | 'deep' or 'bottomless pit') is a certain |
| strength unto the beast. 14 These shall make | | | | location (not known to man) where some of the |
| war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall | | | | fallen evil angels are confined. Not all the |
| overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and | | | | evil angels are permitted to leave the |
| King of kings: and they that are with him are | | | | abussos, which is not a very pleasant place |
| called, and chosen, and faithful. 15 And he | | | | to be in, even for the evil angels. One can |
| saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, | | | | imagine the pandemonium and the constant |
| where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and | | | | jostling that goes on at the abussos among |
| multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And | | | | the rebellious evil angels. The legion of |
| the ten horns which thou sawest upon the | | | | devils, who were tormenting a certain man in |
| beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall | | | | the above story, dreaded that Christ would |
| make her desolate and naked, and shall eat | | | | command them to go to the abussos. And they |
| her flesh, and burn her with fire. 17 For God | | | | begged Him not to command them to go to the |
| hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, | | | | deep (abussos). They find much happiness in |
| and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the | | | | tormenting people and animals than to be in |
| beast, until the words of God shall be | | | | the company of others of their kind. |
| fulfilled. 18 And the woman which thou sawest | | | | |
| is that great city, which reigneth over the | | | | To summarize, the bottomless pit is a certain |
| kings of the earth." Revelation 17:1-18. | | | | location that serves as a confined habitation |
| | | | for some of the evil angels (devils). |
| 2. Give a short explanation of all this. | | | | |
| | | | 15. This does not make sense! How can the |
| Briefly, John is shown the final judgment of | | | | eighth come from the abussos? How can the |
| the great whore due to her own course of | | | | eighth be a devil? |
| action. This great whore, referred to as | | | | |
| Babylon the great, was shown to John in the | | | | What we have been learning thus far will make |
| wilderness (v. 3). This is an important | | | | more sense when we focus on the following |
| setting, as will be seen later. | | | | verse: "And the beast that was, and is not, |
| | | | even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, |
| The description of the whore is parallel to | | | | and goeth into perdition." Revelation 17:11. |
| the first beast of Revelation 13 that also | | | | God is clarifying that the eighth is really |
| has seven heads and ten horns (v. 7) | | | | one of the seven kings. Combining this |
| indicating that both symbols represent the | | | | important key with the fact that the eighth |
| same entity - that being the Roman Catholic | | | | will be an evil angel (devil) from the |
| papal system. Furthermore, the whore is | | | | bottomless pit, we can begin to comprehend |
| described as sitting on seven mountains (v. | | | | what will soon sway the whole world into |
| 9). Rome has frequently been identified as | | | | unprecedented capitulation. |
| the City of Seven Hills, from classical times | | | | |
| down to contemporary time. | | | | The eighth will be a devil from the abussos |
| | | | impersonating one of the 7 kings. When the |
| Whereas in Revelation 13 the union of church | | | | eighth will appear on the scene, he will |
| and state was blended in one symbol, in | | | | rapidly spearhead the coming of the Roman |
| Revelation 17 God has pictured them | | | | Catholic Church out of her wilderness |
| separately. A woman always symbolizes a | | | | experience into a full-fledged beast. |
| church in the Bible, in this case the whore - | | | | |
| an impure church. And a beast has always | | | | It is not difficult at all to visualize this |
| signified a kingdom or state that persecutes | | | | prophesied dramatic transformation of the |
| God's people. So we have an impure woman | | | | Roman Catholic Church (out of her wilderness |
| sitting on (i.e. controlling) a | | | | status and into a full beast status) once we |
| scarlet-colored (a bloody) beast (state). | | | | identify the king (out of the seven) who will |
| This again reinforces the reality of the | | | | be impersonated by a devil who ascends from |
| Catholic system being the only system that is | | | | the bottomless pit. |
| a church and an earthly kingdom at the same | | | | |
| time. This whore is described as being | | | | 16. Which of the seven popes will be |
| eminently rich, proud, and more importantly, | | | | impersonated by a devil from the abussos? |
| very corrupt (v. 4, 5). Indeed, it represents | | | | |
| Satan's final supreme instrument of | | | | From the study of Revelation 13 & 17, we can |
| deception. | | | | conclude only one who constitutes the best |
| | | | personality for achieving Satan's end-time |
| The following verses are key verses: "And | | | | agenda: it is John Paul II the Great. Below |
| there are seven kings: five are fallen, and | | | | are the reasons: |
| one is, and the other is not yet come; and | | | | |
| when he cometh, he must continue a short | | | | 1. Out of the seven kings, he is the only one |
| space. And the beast that was, and is not, | | | | that fulfills the prophesied statement: "And |
| even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, | | | | I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to |
| and goeth into perdition." Revelation 17:10, | | | | death; and his deadly wound was healed: and |
| 11. God elaborates on the seven heads of the | | | | all the world wondered after the beast." |
| beast, which are identified as seven kings. | | | | Revelation 13:3. John Paul II is the only |
| Significantly, the vision was viewed during | | | | king of the seven who experienced a deadly |
| the reign of the sixth king. He was to be | | | | wound in 1981, when he was nearly |
| followed by the seventh king, who will rule | | | | assassinated. Thereafter, the whole world, as |
| for a short time. However, the eighth king is | | | | prophesied, wondered after him. |
| going to be one of the previous seven kings, | | | | |
| but that when he appears from the bottomless | | | | 2. Remember the divine hint: "five are |
| pit (v. 8), he will not only merely be a king | | | | fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet |
| (ruling power) but a beast (a persecuting | | | | come." Revelation 17:10. When Apostle John |
| power); finally, he will then go into | | | | was taken in a vision to the future, he was |
| perdition. | | | | taken to the time of the reign of the sixth |
| | | | king (John Paul II). |
| When one of the seven kings reappears from | | | | |
| the bottomless pit as the eighth king but in | | | | 3. Now the most important reason: Which of |
| the form of a beast, the ten kings of the | | | | the 7 kings is most known, loved and |
| earth (v. 12) (ten is an all-inclusive, | | | | respected in today's generation? If Satan |
| universal number indicating that this | | | | would want to lead the world into imposing |
| includes all earthly rulers; cf. parable of | | | | universal laws for exalting his false Sabbath |
| ten virgins) will be greatly awed by the | | | | (Sunday), who would be the most effective |
| beast, and will willingly surrender their | | | | personality other than John Paul II? Who |
| power to the beast for a short time (v. 12, | | | | would be more effective than him who called |
| 13). Both the beast and the ten kings will | | | | on Christians to "ensure that civil |
| rule and war against Christ in the person of | | | | legislation respects their duty to keep |
| His followers for a short time, but will not | | | | Sunday holy…refraining from work and |
| overcome them (v. 14). | | | | activities which are incompatible with the |
| | | | sanctification of the Lord's Day." [Apostolic |
| Just before the end of all things, the ten | | | | Letter, Des Domini of John Paul II, dated May |
| kings will discover that they have been | | | | 31, 1998]? Again, no one is better suited for |
| ensnared and deceived by the beast (the | | | | carrying the agenda of Satan than John Paul |
| eighth king from the bottomless pit) and they | | | | II. Hence, impersonating him makes the most |
| will turn with vengeance against the beast | | | | sense for Satan, who is intent on deceiving |
| system, and destroy it (v. 16). For they will | | | | the whole world. |
| this time, though belatedly, be doing God's | | | | |
| will (v. 17). | | | | 17. How will a devil impersonate John Paul |
| | | | II? |
| THE WILDERNESS SETTING | | | | |
| | | | "And no marvel; for Satan himself is |
| 3. Great whore sitting on the beast was | | | | transformed into an angel of light." 2 |
| viewed in the wilderness (Rev. 17:3). | | | | Corinthians 11:14. God has not shed light |
| | | | through His written Word as to how the |
| This is important as it is not by | | | | impersonation will take place. Nonetheless, |
| happenstance that the "great whore who | | | | Apostle Paul has warned us that the coming |
| sitteth upon the scarlet beast" was seen in | | | | back of the beast in the last days will be |
| the wilderness. In Revelation 17, God is | | | | "after the working of Satan with all power |
| indicating the time-period that the Roman | | | | and signs and lying wonders, and with all |
| Catholic Church is viewed in. To understand | | | | deceivableness" 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. The |
| what will happen to the world when she comes | | | | elements which Satan will use to deceive the |
| out of her wilderness experience, we need to | | | | whole world and hold it captive to his |
| understand how the Roman Catholic Church | | | | instrument, the Roman Catholic Church, are: |
| entered this wilderness experience. | | | | (1) all power, (2) signs, (3) lying wonders, |
| | | | and (4) all deceivableness. |
| 4. What does wilderness mean in Bible | | | | |
| prophecy? | | | | The impersonation of John Paul II by a devil |
| | | | will be followed by other impersonations of |
| In the Book of Revelation we have another | | | | known personalities climaxing with the |
| instance of a church that went into the | | | | impersonation of Jesus Christ by Satan. He |
| wilderness. It was God's true church during | | | | will make it appear to the whole world that |
| the Middle Ages, when the church was subject | | | | God is distinctly honoring and blessing the |
| to papal persecution: "And the woman (church) | | | | Roman Catholic Church with unprecedented |
| fled into the wilderness, where she hath a | | | | divine manifestations and miracles. Satan |
| place prepared of God, that they should feed | | | | will make it appear that heaven has favored |
| her there a thousand and two hundred and | | | | earth when it brought "back to life" the |
| threescore days." Revelation 12:6. We know | | | | world's most beloved personality, and that he |
| that this church was pure, for it is God who | | | | has come back with a divine agenda which |
| led her to the wilderness, away from the | | | | should become the primary occupation of world |
| papal persecution that raged for 1260 years | | | | leaders. And it certainly will become. |
| from 538 A.D. until 1798 A.D. The dragon | | | | |
| (Satan) was warring against the church during | | | | THE FINAL BEAST PERIOD |
| this period, using his earthly instrument, | | | | |
| the Roman Catholic Church: "And to the woman | | | | 18. How will the impersonation of John Paul |
| were given two wings of a great eagle, that | | | | II change the world as we know it today, and |
| she might fly into the wilderness, into her | | | | impact the eternal destiny of everyone alive? |
| place, where she is nourished for a time, | | | | |
| times, and half a time, from the face of the | | | | The Bible prophesies that there will be most |
| serpent." Revelation 12:14. The wilderness | | | | dramatic and eventful changes in the world |
| then, in Bible prophecy, is a figure of | | | | once the Catholic Church regains her beast |
| speech picturing the harsh conditions facing | | | | status, when she comes out of her wilderness |
| a church in a particular period in her | | | | experience with the next pope, the eighth |
| history. | | | | king. Below is given a list of the most |
| | | | prominent changes that will take place, as |
| 5. When did God's true church come out of her | | | | foretold by our loving heavenly Father in His |
| wilderness experience? | | | | Word: |
| | | | |
| The logical answer to this question would be, | | | | 1. Satan will use the papacy (the beast |
| when the papal persecution ceased. This | | | | power) and the USA (image to the beast) to |
| officially happened in 1798, when Napoleon | | | | impose universal religious laws to exalt |
| Bonaparte sent to Rome where he exiled Pope | | | | Sunday, the violation of which will deprive |
| Pius VI to Valence in France. At the same | | | | citizens of their basic rights of buying and |
| time Berthier declared an end to the temporal | | | | selling: "And he causeth all, both small and |
| power over much of Europe that the Catholic | | | | great, rich and poor, free and bond, to |
| Church had enjoyed up to that time. It was a | | | | receive a mark in their right hand, or in |
| most humiliating and abrupt end to a long | | | | their foreheads: And that no man might buy or |
| rule of power that lasted 1260 years. Shortly | | | | sell, save he that had the mark, or the name |
| after, Christian Bible Societies spread all | | | | of the beast, or the number of his name." |
| over the world, with their work unhampered or | | | | Revelation 13:16, 17. |
| threatened by papal constrictions. Thus, 1798 | | | | |
| marks the date when God's church ended her | | | | 2. God's people, who will persist in refusing |
| wilderness experience. Now God's church was | | | | to honor the beast and accept the false |
| totally free to focus her energies on | | | | Sabbath, will be persecuted and killed: "The |
| translating and printing the Bible in as many | | | | image of the beast should both speak, and |
| languages as possible and to conduct | | | | cause that as many as would not worship the |
| missionary activities all over the world. | | | | image of the beast should be killed." |
| | | | Revelation 13:15. |
| 6. Did the Catholic Church then enter her | | | | |
| wilderness experience just as God's true | | | | 3. The Roman Catholic Church will be able to |
| church came out of it? | | | | exercise this modern-age unprecedented power |
| | | | by the false miracles which will be performed |
| This was exactly the case. In 1798 the | | | | in her midst, starting with the |
| Catholic Church not only lost her temporal | | | | 'resurrection' of John Paul II, and climaxing |
| power over the kings, dukes, and princes of | | | | in the impersonation of Jesus Christ by Satan |
| much of Europe, but was in fact no longer | | | | himself. These unparalleled miracles will |
| free to carry her own ecclesiastical | | | | lead world leaders to surrender their power |
| privileges, such as selecting a pope to | | | | and authority to the papacy, thinking that by |
| succeed Pius VI. Her representatives needed | | | | so doing they are pleasing God and |
| the permission of Napoleon Bonaparte before | | | | accomplishing His agenda: "And the ten horns |
| they could appoint Pius VII in 1800 to | | | | which thou sawest are ten kings, which have |
| succeed the pope who died in exile, a year | | | | received no kingdom as yet; but receive power |
| earlier. | | | | as kings one hour with the beast. These have |
| | | | one mind, and shall give their power and |
| Furthermore, the wilderness experience for | | | | strength unto the beast." Revelation 17:12, |
| the Catholic Church came to bear on her in a | | | | 13. The role of miracles in uniting world |
| most profound way from an entirely unexpected | | | | leaders to carry Satan's agenda is foretold: |
| direction - from her own backyard, Italy. | | | | "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs |
| Here is the background for the harsh and arid | | | | come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out |
| realities of life that faced the Catholic | | | | of the mouth of the beast, and out of the |
| Church in Italy in the nineteenth century. | | | | mouth of the false prophet. For they are the |
| | | | spirits of devils, working miracles, which go |
| After the second and final defeat of Napoleon | | | | forth unto the kings of the earth and of the |
| in 1815, Italians found their peninsula | | | | whole world, to gather them to the battle of |
| divided into states, duchies, and Papal | | | | that great day of God Almighty." Revelation |
| States. Metternich, the strong Austrian | | | | 16:13, 14. |
| leader at the time, used to refer to Italy as | | | | |
| a mere 'geographical expression', reflecting | | | | 4. There will be a dramatic increase in |
| the absence of united country. This odd | | | | natural calamities and disasters coupled with |
| situation gave rise to nationalistic attempts | | | | unmatched political strife all over the |
| to unify Italy into one country. However, | | | | world, which Satan and his agents will |
| these attempts were met with great suspicion | | | | attribute as signs of God's displeasure with |
| and resistance from the Catholic Church. Over | | | | the true Saturday Sabbathkeepers - for it |
| time, the conviction grew in the minds of | | | | will be declared that men are offending God |
| these nationalistic leaders that the Catholic | | | | by the violation of the Sunday-sabbath; that |
| Church was indeed a serious obstacle to the | | | | this sin has brought calamities which will |
| fulfillment of their national aspirations. | | | | not cease until Sunday observance shall be |
| | | | strictly enforced; and that those who present |
| However, the move to unite Italy and form a | | | | the claims of the fourth commandment, thus |
| united nation passed an important milestone | | | | destroying reverence for Sunday, are |
| when the Papal States were usurped in 1860 by | | | | troublers of the people, preventing their |
| force. There remained one major obstacle, | | | | restoration to divine favor and temporal |
| however, for the creation of one Italian | | | | prosperity. |
| nation. The Italians wanted Rome, the seat of | | | | |
| the Roman Catholic Church and the last piece | | | | 5. The mark of the beast will be applied |
| of property left for the Church, to serve as | | | | during this critical period in earth's |
| the capital of their united country. This | | | | history. The Sabbath will be the great test |
| Italian dream came about when Italian troops | | | | of loyalty, for it is the point of truth |
| occupied Rome on September 20, 1870, during | | | | especially controverted. When the final test |
| the reign of Pope Pius IX. Shortly after, the | | | | shall be brought to bear upon men, then the |
| Kingdom of Italy was declared. | | | | line of distinction will be drawn between |
| | | | those who serve God and those who serve Him |
| Understandably, the pope refused to recognize | | | | not. While the observance of the false |
| the new kingdom and went into voluntary | | | | sabbath, in compliance with the law of the |
| captivity in protest. This unprecedented | | | | state, will be an avowal of allegiance to a |
| situation came to be known historically as | | | | power that is in opposition to God, the |
| the Roman Question. It remained unresolved | | | | keeping of the true Sabbath, in obedience to |
| for 59 years, during which time all | | | | God's law, is an evidence of loyalty to the |
| succeeding popes confined themselves to | | | | Creator. While one class, by accepting the |
| movement within the few buildings in the | | | | sign of submission to earthly powers, will |
| Vatican in Rome, refusing to leave Rome. | | | | receive the mark of the beast, the other |
| Indeed, the Catholic Church in the nineteenth | | | | choosing the token of allegiance to divine |
| century was engulfed in a very hostile | | | | authority, will receive the seal of God. As |
| wilderness setting. | | | | in all ages, the Sabbath will be the test of |
| | | | loyalty to God - a sign between Him and His |
| In summary: we have seen thus far that from | | | | children. Those who, after the light |
| 1798 (when Pope Pius VI was banished to | | | | regarding God's law comes to them, continue |
| Valence by the French general) up to 1870 | | | | to disobey and exalt human laws above the law |
| (when Rome was usurped by the Italian army), | | | | of God in the great crisis before us, will |
| the Roman Catholic Church was entrenched in | | | | receive the mark of the beast. |
| her wilderness experience - a far cry from | | | | |
| the dominating beast status she had enjoyed | | | | 6. In the midst of all that will be |
| during her 1260 years of supremacy when she | | | | happening, from natural calamities to wars |
| was a global persecuting power which | | | | and rumours of wars, there will be visible |
| directly, or through her over-powering | | | | manifestations of spiritual hunger amongst |
| influence over European rulers, caused the | | | | people - a kind of hunger which will not be |
| martyrdom of close to one hundred million of | | | | fed, for it is not based on a genuine desire |
| God's faithful followers. | | | | for obedience. Rather it will be based on |
| | | | human initiatives to quiet the conscience |
| 7. How was the Roman Question between Italy | | | | without full surrender of the heart to God's |
| and the Roman Catholic Church resolved in | | | | sanctifying influence. In other words, when |
| 1929? | | | | the beast will come back armed with false |
| | | | miracles and signs there will be seen in the |
| It was incomprehensible for the Roman Pontiff | | | | religious world noticeable manifestations of |
| to be the head of Catholics the world over, | | | | a false religious revival. This condition has |
| yet in his own country be subject to another | | | | been aptly prophesied by Amos, the prophet: |
| head of state. The Catholic Church believed | | | | "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, |
| that by virtue of his calling, the pope had | | | | that I will send a famine in the land, not a |
| an inalienable right to a temporal | | | | famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but |
| sovereignty. Only then could he conduct fully | | | | of hearing the words of the LORD: And they |
| and freely his duties as head of the | | | | shall wander from sea to sea, and from the |
| universal Catholic Church. But this demand | | | | north even to the east, they shall run to and |
| conflicted with the natural desire of the | | | | fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall |
| Italians for a united nation with Rome as its | | | | not find it." Amos 8:11, 12. |
| capital. Italians after 1870 found themselves | | | | |
| torn between their allegiance to the Catholic | | | | WHAT CAN I DO? |
| Church as Catholics themselves, and their | | | | |
| allegiance to their newly-established | | | | 19. The end of all things is at hand. I want |
| country. This unresolved tension between the | | | | to be found ready to receive my Lord Jesus |
| two sides undermined the new country | | | | Christ when He comes. What should I do? |
| internationally as well as domestically. A | | | | |
| solution for the Roman Question had to be | | | | The purpose of this study is to awaken |
| found! | | | | beloved readers to the shortness of time |
| | | | between now and the end of all things. We |
| Both sides of the conflict were eager for an | | | | have seen that we are living in the time of |
| end to this lingering problem. In 1922, | | | | the seventh king, the last human pope. God |
| Benito Mussolini, the Duke, and Pope Pius XI | | | | has informed us, in His written Word, that |
| came to power. And by 1929 they had at last | | | | the eighth king will transform the Roman |
| found a solution to the thorny Roman Question | | | | Catholic Church by bringing her out of her |
| that had lasted 59 years. On February 11, | | | | wilderness experience and back to her former |
| 1929, three sets of documents, known | | | | persecuting-beast status. The eighth king, a |
| collectively as the Lateran Accords, were | | | | devil impersonating John Paul II, will usher |
| signed in Rome at the Lateran Palace by | | | | persecution for God's people who obey His |
| Cardinal Gasparri, representing Pope Pius XI, | | | | Sabbath day. The time of the eighth king |
| and Mussolini, representing King Victor | | | | beast will witness hitherto unseen false |
| Emanuel III. | | | | miracles and signs, which will exalt the |
| | | | papacy in the eyes of all who are not written |
| 8. Give a summary of the highlights of the | | | | in the Book of Life: "The beast that thou |
| 1929 Lateran Treaty between Italy and the | | | | sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out |
| Catholic Church of Rome. | | | | of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: |
| | | | and they that dwell on the earth shall |
| 1. The Italian State recognized the | | | | wonder, whose names were not written in the |
| sovereignty of the Catholic Church, and | | | | book of life from the foundation of the |
| regarded the Church as an independent member | | | | world, when they behold the beast that was, |
| of the international community. By this | | | | and is not, and yet is." Revelation 17:8. |
| agreement the Church obtained an independent | | | | |
| state in Rome with an area of about 44 | | | | In the near future you shall find that your |
| hectares. | | | | only safety will be in the Bible: "To the law |
| | | | and to the testimony: if they speak not |
| 2. The Italian State recognized the Roman | | | | according to this word, it is because there |
| Catholic Church as the official state | | | | is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20. That is |
| religion, and the Catholic church recognised | | | | why today the Bible must be our only |
| the independent Kingdom of Italy. | | | | infallible guide and rule. God's word is our |
| | | | sole safeguard against the influence of false |
| 3. All anti-clerical laws passed by the | | | | teachers and the delusive power of spirits of |
| Italian parliament since 1870 were annulled | | | | darkness that enshroud the world today. Satan |
| and made void. | | | | can most readily control the minds of those |
| | | | who are unconscious of his influence. That is |
| 4. Cash settlement was made to the Roman | | | | why the word of God gives us so many examples |
| Catholic Church to compensate her for | | | | of his malignant work, unveiling before us |
| renouncing all legal claims to the City of | | | | his secret forces, and thus placing us on our |
| Rome and the old Papal States. | | | | guard against his assaults. And that is why |
| | | | Satan employs every possible device to |
| 5. The pope pledged to perpetual neutrality | | | | prevent men from obtaining true knowledge of |
| in international relations, and abstention | | | | the Bible, for its plain utterances reveal |
| from mediation in any controversy except when | | | | his deceptions. At every revival of God's |
| specifically requested by all concerned | | | | work the prince of evil is aroused to more |
| parties. | | | | intense activity; he is now putting forth his |
| | | | utmost efforts for a final struggle against |
| 9. What is the significance of the Lateran | | | | Christ and His followers. The last great |
| Treaty of 1929 to the wilderness experience | | | | delusion is soon to open before us. |
| which the Roman Catholic Church was in since | | | | Antichrist is to perform his marvelous works |
| 1798? | | | | in our sight. So closely will the counterfeit |
| | | | resemble the true that it will be impossible |
| What the Roman Catholic Church got in 1929 | | | | to distinguish between them except by the |
| was its independence and sovereignty. The | | | | Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every |
| political independence means that now they | | | | statement and every miracle must be tested. |
| had a monarchy, although on much reduced area | | | | |
| of land, where the pope was the absolute | | | | Those who endeavor to obey all the |
| ruler. The pope now was not only the supreme | | | | commandments of God will be opposed and |
| head of the Catholic Church universally, but | | | | derided. In order to endure the trial before |
| also the indisputable temporal king over the | | | | them, they must understand the will of God as |
| State of Vatican City. He was no longer a | | | | revealed in His word; they can honor Him only |
| prisoner of captivity. | | | | as they have a right conception of His |
| | | | character, government, and purposes, and act |
| Notwithstanding, the Roman Catholic Church | | | | in accordance with them. None but those who |
| did not, in 1929, even remotely regain the | | | | have fortified the mind with the truths of |
| stature she had prior to 1798, when she was a | | | | the Bible will stand through the last great |
| beast power. As such, she did not, in 1929, | | | | conflict. To every soul will come the |
| yet come out of her wilderness experience. | | | | searching test: Shall I obey God rather than |
| Although in 1929, and by virtue of the | | | | men? The decisive hour is even now at hand. |
| Lateran Treaty, the popes were now | | | | Are our feet planted on the rock of God's |
| universally recognized as sovereign kings, | | | | immutable word? Are we prepared to stand firm |
| the Lateran Treaty however stipulated that | | | | in defense of the commandments of God and the |
| the popes must pledge to perpetual neutrality | | | | faith of Jesus? |
| in international affairs. This restricting | | | | |
| condition could not have been imagined to be | | | | God's love for you is seen clearly in |
| agreed upon by any pope prior to 1798. The | | | | revealing the future to you so that you need |
| Catholic Church long believed that Christ is | | | | not be taken unprepared by surprise. Christ's |
| the Lord of the whole world, and that at His | | | | grace is all-sufficient to cleanse you from |
| departure He left His dominion to His | | | | all sin and to fit you to withstand the |
| representative, Peter, and to Peter's | | | | impending conflict that you be found |
| successors, the popes. Therefore, it is the | | | | righteous when He appears the second time. |
| stated position of the Catholic Church that | | | | The time for this glorious desired end is |
| true and genuine temporal power and dominion | | | | measured today in years rather than decades: |
| lie exclusively in the hands of the pope. | | | | "And that, knowing the time, that now it is |
| Consequently, every earthly ruler or monarch | | | | high time to awake out of sleep: for now is |
| possesses only so much power and area as the | | | | our salvation nearer than when we believed. |
| pope would deem appropriate and good. | | | | The night is far spent, the day is at hand: |
| | | | let us therefore cast off the works of |
| In sum, while tangible gains were secured for | | | | darkness, and let us put on the armour of |
| the Catholic Church by the Lateran Treaty, it | | | | light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; |
| did not restore the primacy and power the | | | | not in rioting and drunkenness, not in |
| Church had enjoyed globally up to 1798, which | | | | chambering and wantonness, not in strife and |
| had enabled her to persecute her enemies, and | | | | envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, |
| hence was tagged in Bible prophecy as a beast | | | | and make not provision for the flesh, to |
| power. Hence there is not much significance | | | | fulfill the lusts thereof." Romans 13:11-14. |
| of the Lateran treaty of 1929 to the | | | | |
| wilderness experience of the Roman Catholic | | | | If you become alarmed for your own soul, if |
| Church, as she still remained in the | | | | you seek God diligently, He will be found of |
| wilderness, even after 1929. | | | | you; but He will accept no half-hearted |
| | | | repentance. If you will forsake your sins, He |
| SEVEN KINGS | | | | is ever ready to forgive. Won't you just now |
| | | | surrender to Him? Won't you look to Calvary |
| 10. What about the seven kings of the Roman | | | | and inquire: "Did Jesus make this sacrifice |
| Catholic Church during her wilderness period? | | | | for me? Did He endure humiliation, shame, and |
| | | | reproach, and suffer the cruel death of the |
| Now we come to the most important part of the | | | | cross because He desired to save me from the |
| whole chapter. God has prophesied that there | | | | sufferings of guilt and the horror of |
| will be only seven kings: "And there are | | | | despair, and make me unspeakably happy in His |
| seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and | | | | kingdom?" Look upon Him whom your sins have |
| the other is not yet come; and when he | | | | pierced, and resolve: "The Lord shall have |
| cometh, he must continue a short space." | | | | the service of my life. I will no longer |
| Revelation 17:10. From this verse the | | | | unite with His enemies; I will no longer lend |
| following facts can be gleaned: | | | | my influence to the rebels against His |
| | | | government. All I have and am is too little |
| 1. Seven kings in total. | | | | to devote to Him who so loved me that He gave |
| | | | His life for me - His whole divine self for |
| 2. John was taken in vision to the time of | | | | one so sinful and erring." Separate from the |
| the sixth king: "five are fallen, and one | | | | world, be wholly on the Lord's side, press |
| is." He comes after the first five have | | | | the battle to the gates, and you will win |
| fallen. Again, it is not coincidental that | | | | glorious victories. Will you resolve to obey |
| when taken in vision, John was taken to the | | | | Him, as of this very minute, no matter what |
| time of the sixth king. It is a divine hint | | | | the price for such obedience? Will you |
| by which God is guiding us to focus our | | | | resolve to share this light with others, so |
| attention on this particular king, as he will | | | | that we can truly hasten our Lord's second |
| play a very important role in the end-time | | | | coming? |
| events. | | | | |
| | | | Blessed is he who heeds the words of eternal |
| 3. The seventh king "must continue a short | | | | life. Guided by "the Spirit of truth", he |
| space." | | | | will be led into all truth. Though he will |
| | | | not be loved, honored, and praised by the |
| 11. So who are the seven kings/popes? | | | | world, yet he will be precious in the sight |
| | | | of heaven: "Behold, what manner of love the |
| Pius XI was the first Roman Catholic pope | | | | Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should |
| (from February 6, 1922) who became king as | | | | be called the sons of God: therefore the |
| well on February 11, 1929. He along with | | | | world knoweth us not, because it knew Him |
| Mussolini, engineered the Lateran Treaty. | | | | not." I John 3:1. |
| | | | |
| 12. What is destined to take place after the | | | | All verses are from King James Version Bible. |