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A New World Order is About to Start: Are you ready for it?
By Seoster Team
A New World Order is About to Start: Are you ready for it?
• USA and papacy want it
• Its emergence will capture the world
• Predicted 2000 years ago
• How to avoid becoming its victim
"People are becoming more and more aware of the need for a new international order..." John Paul II, World Day of Peace Homily, Jan. 1, 2004
"It is a big idea: a new world order... only the United States has both the moral standing and means to back it up."Former President George Bush, State of Union address, Jan. 29, 1991
Our world will soon (as in years rather than decades), be facing a global crisis which will herald its end. Because people worldwide need to be prepared, we are taking this message across many countries, at a great expense and sacrifice.
To those who dare continue reading, World's Last Chance may sound preposterous, if not reckless, because you are naturally hoping for global peace and prosperity, and definitely not a universal crisis engulfing the world and ending it.
We have tried to envision your reaction and questionings and will begin this journey into the future by answering some of your questions as we share with you why this world is staring at its last chance!
The Bible as a guide
1. Who are the people behind this article?
We are part of a small group of people spread around the world who take the Bible as our only rule. After having devoted considerable time to its study, especially chapters referring to our future, we have realized we must share with you what we have learned. This knowledge is of such importance that we are willing to endure hardship and sacrifice, even life itself, to make it available to you. Strong forces are working hard to silence this information.
2. Why do you take the Bible so seriously?
Initially we did not take the Bible so seriously until we were astonished to discover how accurate it is. So accurate, that even predictions made thousands of years earlier occurred in the very day foretold, to the very letter. This has compelled us to conclude that there is an all-knowing God behind the Bible, who is not bound by time and knows the end from the beginning.
We also learned that our Creator loves us so much that He has prepared a place for us in heaven. However, since we are infected by the sin disease and presently are unfit to live with God in heaven, God prepared a cure for the sin disease.
We would not have taken the Bible so seriously if God had not demonstrated such complete control and knowledge of the future. This mastery is revealed most clearly in two books: Daniel in the Old Testament and Revelation in the New Testament.
Fulfilled Bible Prophecies
3. Give an example of a fulfilled prediction in the Bible
In the book of Daniel, chapter 2, God outlined in a dream to the Babylonian king that from his time until the end of time, the world would witness only four world empires. History has proven what God preordained: The four world empires were, Babylon (605 BC-538 BC), Medo-Persia (538 BC-331 BC), Greece (331 BC-168 BC), and Rome (168 BC-476 AD). He further revealed that Rome would be split into ten territories and that in the time of these territories the end will come. History has proven the accuracy of God's word. For by 476 AD, Rome was divided into ten nations from which present day Europe has emerged.
Additionally, God revealed the unique features of each empire, such as the manner in which they would rise to power and fall, and the main characteristic of each government. See Daniel 7 and 8. Enough details were given that a candid student of history and the Bible cannot but concede there is a God in heaven who rules over our world.
4. What is the purpose of the Bible prophecies?
The purpose of prophecy is to warn us about future crises. For example, God warned Noah of the coming flood, Abraham and Lot of the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and He told Moses of the plagues of Egypt. They all had to obey the warning in faith. These events were recorded to teach us that whatever God foretold happened exactly as He said. Hence, we cannot afford to ignore any of His yet to be fulfilled prophecies as they serve as warnings that, if we obey, will protect us from crises.
Therefore, Bible prophecies serve a double purpose - to impress on our minds the existence of God who is in control of all events and, to warn us of a grave situation.
A Most Fearful and Solemn Warning
5. Is there in the Bible a prophetic warning yet to be fulfilled?In fact, the most solemn prophetic warning is yet to be fulfilled. Today, there is nothing more important for us to understand than this prophecy because events are taking place in rapid succession indicating its imminent fulfillment.
6. Share with me the most solemn prophetic warningthat is about to be fulfilled
"And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" Revelation 14: 9-12.
This fearful warning describes two groups of people. The first group is warned against worshipping the beast and his image, which leads them to receive the mark of the beast; while the second group is viewed positively as keeping the commandments of God. Furthermore, the description of the second coming of Christ directly follows this warning. Therefore, we know that this is the last warning given before the second coming of Christ.
7. How can I avoid worshipping the beast and his image and receiving his mark?
Good question. In order to answer it we need to identify the beast, the image of the beast, and the mark of the beast. It is only logical to assume that God would not warn us about such dangerous entities without helping us to identify them in a conclusive way. Our loving God would not subject us to guesswork, when our eternal destiny is at stake. Not surprisingly then, we find a description of the beast and his image in the previous chapter where many keys are given to unlock their identity.
Identifying the Beast
8. How does the Bible describe this beast?
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns tens crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world... 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six" Revelation 13: 1-8, 16-18.
9. The above passage is full of symbols. How can I understand it?
We need to allow the Bible to interpret its own symbols. We should expect that God, for our benefit, revealed within the Bible the meaning of these symbols. Therefore, what we need is some diligence in study to find their interpretation in the Bible. By such a method, we avoid all human conjecture and speculation.
The Bible actually condemns human conjecture and speculation because "no prophecy... is of any private interpretation" 2 Peter 1:20. The Bible defines its own symbols. For example, the book of Revelation contains 404 verses. Out of these 404 verses, 278 are found almost word for word in other books in the Bible, where their meaning is expounded.
Therefore, we encourage you to do as the Bible Bereans (see Acts 17:10, 11) and bring every teaching to the test of the Scripture. As, whoever will prayerfully study the Bible, desiring to know the truth, that he may obey it, will understand the Scriptures. "If any man will do His will, he shall know...whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. "John 7:17.
10. Which symbols do we need to unlock to identify the beast and his mark?
There are many symbols for the beast: nevertheless, we will suffice ourselves with those necessary to identify the beast. These symbols are 'beast', 'dragon', 'sea', 'forty-two months', and 'blasphemy'.
Beast: In Bible prophecy, a beast is a symbol of a king or kingdom. "These great beasts , which are four, are four kings ... the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom ..." Daniel 7:17, 23. With this beast, we are studying a unique kingdom for it is not only a political power but a religious one as well, because people "worshipped the beast" Rev. 13:4.
Dragon:According to the Bible, the dragon is another name for Satan, the father of lies and deceptions, "the great dragon ...called the Devil , and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world."This would mean that when Satan gave"his power, and his seat, and great authority"to the beast, we can expect the beast to behave in the same deceptively evil ways of Satan. Thus, a great deal of deception will be found in the affairs of the beast. Rev. 12:9; 13:2
Sea:In Bible prophecy, sea is symbol of a multitude of many different people."...The waters ...are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues"Rev. 17:15. Accordingly, this unique kingdom or power rose out of the sea, signifying that it came out of a location in the world that was densely populated with different nationalities of people.
Forty-two months:This period is equivalent to three and half years (42 divided by 12 months). And the Bible was written based on the Jewish calendar where every Jewish year is 360 days (30 days for each month). So, three and half years and forty-two months are both equal to 1260 days. The reason why we are changing the months to their equivalent in days is that when God gave time prophecies, He often equated a day for a year "...even forty days , each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years..." "I have appointed thee each day for a year "Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6.
Therefore, the forty-two prophetic months imply a period of 1260 years during which the beast was given, a "mouth speaking great things and blasphemies"and would"make war with the saints and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations"Rev. 13:5, 7.. Meaning that during this period the beast would blaspheme, persecute Christians, and have great authority.
Blasphemy:In the Bible, blasphemy is defined in two ways. The first is when a person claims to be God or His representative. "...for a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God "John 10:33So the beast, this religio-political power and kingdom, has blasphemed God by pretending to be in the place of God on earth. The second way of committing blasphemy is by granting absolutions (claiming the power to forgive the sins of others). "Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies ? Who can forgive sins but God only?"Mark 2:7.
The beast, this religio-political power and kingdom, has blasphemed God not only by taking His place on earth, but also by claiming the rite of absolution. No wonder the beast has the "name of blasphemy" and speaks "blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name"; this is because the beast claims powers that are the sole prerogative of God. Rev. 13:1, 6..
Nine Key Marks
Having allowed the Bible to unlock the meaning of its own symbols we can now highlight the nine major identifying marks of the beast to determine which power in history fulfills these features. These are not the only identifiers: there are many more in the Bible. We hope this compilation of identifying keys will lead you to search the Bible to find out more.
(1) The beast combines religious and political power simultaneously, "they worshipped the beast ..." Rev. 13:4.(2) The beast came to power in a densely populated area of the world,"I...saw a beast rise up out of the sea" Rev. 13:1.(3) The beast obtained its power and authority from Satan, thus we would expect its history to contain a great deal of deception,"the dragon gave him [the beast] his power, and his seat, and great authority" Rev. 13:2.(4) The beast ruled ruthlessly possessing absolute hegemony (domination) for 1260 years. This period must have a clear starting point and end with the 'deadly wound'."Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death." "And power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations" Rev. 13:5, 3, 7.(5) The beast persecuted Christians during the 1260 years."And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them" Rev. 13:7.(6) The beast will fully recover from its 'deadly wound' and the world will marvel after it,"and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast" Rev. 13:3.(7) The beast has a mysterious 666 that identifies his office and name,"count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six" Rev. 13:18.(8) The beast blasphemes by claiming to be God and granting absolutions (the power to forgive sins of others).(9) The beast made other blasphemous claims, undertaking actions that are God's exclusive prerogative."And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies" Rev. 13:5.Dear reader , which power in history fulfills all the identifying marks? To the honest in heart, there is but one answer: The Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church is the beast which God, out of love, is warning us of. It is not the purpose of this article to attack Roman Catholics, but to reveal the truth about the Catholic system. No one need be offended, but rather be encouraged to seek for facts and confirmation.
11. Please support this conclusion with historical evidence and facts.
Let us take each identifier to see how history points exclusively to the Roman Catholic Church.
(1) The Roman Catholic Church combines religious and political power simultaneously:
Saint John saw this union in a prophetic vision concerning the fourth and final kingdom of the world and described it as, "a woman sit [ting] upon a scarlet coloured beast" Rev. 17:3.
In the Bible, a woman is a symbol of a church, "as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the LORD." "For I...I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" Jeremiah 3:20; 2 Corinthians 11:2.
In addition, it is unanimously understood in prophecy that a beast is a nation. Even in today's world, nations are symbolized as beasts. The USA is seen as an eagle, Russia is likened unto a bear, and China carries the image of a dragon.
Many years ago, God unveiled to Daniel all the world empires until the End of time. In a vision, Daniel saw the last beast to be "diverse from all the others" Daniel 7:19. But how would it be diverse? According to Revelation 17:3, as seen above, this beast (nation) will have a woman (church) ruling it.
Today, is there a church and state working together as one globally recognized power? The only entity in the world that has accomplished this is the Roman Catholic Church.
The Roman Catholic pope is absolute religious leader of over one billion followers world-wide.
"The Roman Pontiff, as the successor of Peter, is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful." Vatican Council II (1962-65)
"Every cleric must obey the Pope, even if he commands what is evil; for no one may judge the Pope." Pope Innocent III (1198-1216)
Simultaneously, the pope is king over the independent nation Vatican City. The Vatican is a distinct sovereign miniature nation, although within Italy. Thus, the papacy is a unique power combining religious and civil power.
(2) The Roman Catholic Church came to power in a densely populated area of the world:
This perfectly illustrates the Roman Catholic Church as she rose amidst the various powers and nations of Europe.
(3) The history of the Roman Catholic Church is full of deception:
Informed Catholics readily confirm forgeries as a way of life for the popes. Hans Kung, a Catholic priest and theologian who was a consultant to the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), stated that as early as the fifth century, the popes "decisively extended their power with explicit forgeries." The Catholic Church: A Short History (translated by John Bowden), p. 61
One of the best examples is the document Donation of Constantine, dated March 30, 315 AD, which the Roman Catholic Church forged to extend her power and authority. Through this false document, Pope Stephen III in the eighth century convinced Pepin, king of the Franks, that the territories of the Lombards had been given by Constantine to the Roman Catholic Church. This led Pepin to fight the Lombards and usurp the cities for the pope. In 1440, this document was proven forged by a papal aide called Lorenzo Valla, yet pope after pope never admitted nor confessed this forgery. To this day, there is an inscription in the baptistery of St. John Lateran in Rome perpetuating this forged document.
Pope calls for a new world order:
"VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope John Paul II rang in the New Year on Thursday with a renewed call for... the creation of a new world order based on respect for the dignity of man and equality among nations." Thursday, January 1, 2004 Posted: 9:21 AM EST (1421 GMT)
""The great over-riding feature of the entire system of the Anti-Christ -- the New World Order -- is blatant deceit. In fact, New World Order writers boast of their planned deceptions, because they arrogantly believe the great majority of the world's population is too stupid and lazy to know what is best for them. Only the New World Order Planners know what is best for the world, and they have determined that they can achieve their goals only by deliberate deception of the poor masses." Bill Cooper, " Behold A Pale Horse" p.49
(4) The Roman Catholic Church ruled ruthlessly for 1260 years having absolute dominion over other nations. This period has a clear starting point, and a 'deadly wound' at its end:
The Roman Catholic Church received its deadly wound in 1798 when [Pope Pius VI] was taken prisoner in France at the behest of Napoleon.
"In 1798 General Berthier made his entrance into Rome, abolished the papal government, and established a secular one." Encyclopedia Britannica, 1941 edition
Having established the end of the prophecy to be 1798, going back 1260 years, we arrive at 538 AD. For the papacy to fulfill this identifying mark, an important event must have occurred in 538 AD to mark the start of the 1260-year period.
Historical evidence reveals that in 533 AD the Roman Emperor Justinian recognized the pope's ecclesiastical supremacy as 'head' of all the churches in both east and west of the Roman Empire. However, it was not until 538 AD when the papacy was effectively freed from its last Arian opponent, the Ostrogoths (who were at that time ruling Italy) did the pope emerge as the leading figure in the West. Thus, in 538 AD the stage was set for the gradual but steady ascendancy of the papacy.
"Vigilius...ascended the papal chair (538 A.D.) under the military protection of Belisarius." History of the Christian Church, Vol. 3, p. 327
As the papacy increased in power, she subjugated not only her followers but also the rulers and kings of Europe. To that end, the popes issued several papal bulls to bolster their authority over the kings of Europe:
"It is the office of the papacy to tread under foot kings and emperors." J.H. Ignaz Dollinger, The Pope and the Council, (London), p. 35
"Fear, then, our wrath and the thunders of our vengeance; for Jesus Christ has appointed us [the popes] with his own mouth absolute judges of all men; and kings themselves are submitted to our authority." Pope Nicholas I (858-867 AD)
In the papal bull of Pope Gregory XI, dated 1372 AD, and entitled In Coena Domini, the pope pronounced papal dominion over the entire Christian world, secular and religious, and excommunicated all who failed to obey the popes and to pay them taxes. This papal bull was confirmed by subsequent popes and, in 1568 AD, Pope Pius V vowed that it was to remain an eternal law.
A practical demonstration of the above assertion was the treatment of Pope Gregory VII in 1077 AD to King Henry IV, Emperor of Germany. When the king appeared to disregard the pope's authority, the pope ex-communicated and dethroned him. Henry decided to make peace with the pope and crossed the Alps in mid-winter to humble himself. When he reached the pope's castle, Henry was made to wait for permission to see the pope in the outer court, bare-footed with his head uncovered, and dressed in a miserable dress. It took the king three days of fasting and confession before the pope pardoned him.
Today, this claim of supremacy over leaders of the world continues to be upheld by the papacy:
"The First See [papacy of Rome] is judged by no one. It is the right of the Roman Pontiff himself alone to judge...those who hold the highest civil office in a state...There is neither appeal nor recourse against a decision or decree of the Roman Pontiff." The Code of Canon Law (Paulist Press, 1985), pp. 951, 271
(5) The Roman Catholic Church persecuted Christians during the 1260-year period:
During this period of history (also known as the Middle Ages), the Roman Catholic Church held a strong sway over Europe, and every citizen was required to be a Roman Catholic. Anything short of total submission to the pope was punishable by torture or death. This led the Roman Catholic system to become one of the most persecuting religions the world has ever known, according to Vicars of Christ: the Dark Side of the papacy, by Peter de Rosa, p. 180
"For professing faith contrary to the Church of Rome, history records the martyrdom of more than one hundred million people." Brief Bible Readings, p. 16
"We must rank the Inquisition ... as among the darkest blots on record of mankind."Will Durant, The Story of Civilization, vol. 4, p. 78
"That the Church of Rome has shed more innocent blood than any other institution that has ever existed among mankind will be questioned by no Protestant who has a complete knowledge of history. It is impossible to form a complete conception of the multitude of her victims, and it is quite certain that no powers of imagination can adequately realize their sufferings." W. E. H. Leeky, History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit of Rationalism in Europe, Vol. 2:32, 1910 edition
In the Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 12, page 266, the reader will find a lengthy article describing the authority of the Roman Catholic Church in punishing 'heretics', whose only crime was that they were faithful Bible-believing Christians.
(6) The Roman Catholic Church will fully recover from its 'deadly wound' and the whole world will wonder after it:
When Pope Pius VI died in captivity in France in 1799, the world expected an end to the Roman Catholic Church. However, God had told us about 2000 years ago that the beast would recover from its deadly wound. Here is how the New York Times reported the healing of the beast, the papacy:
"MORTAL WOUND HEALED: Rome, June 7.--From 11 o'clock this morning there was another sovereign independent State in the world. At that time Premier Mussolini ... exchanged with Cardinal Gasparri, Papal Secretary of State, representing Pope Pius XI, ratifications of the treaties signed at the Lateran Palace on Feb. 11. By that simple act the sovereign independent State of Vatican City came into existence." New York Times, July 7, 1929
The San Francisco Chronicle reported the 'recovery' of the papacy as follows:
"Mussolini and Gaspari (Cardinal) Sign Historic Pact... Heal Wound of Many Years." The San Francisco Chronicle, July 7, 1929
Does the world today 'wonder' after the papacy, as the Bible predicted?
"The best way to honor Pope John Paul II, truly one of the great men, is to take his teaching seriously; is to listen to his words and put his words and teachings into action here in America. This is a challenge we must accept." President George W. Bush, March 21, 2001
"Pope John Paul II is one of the greatest moral and spiritual leaders of this century." Billy Graham in the Saturday Evening Post, Jan-Feb. 1980
"I admire Pope John XXIII tremendously. I felt he brought a new era to the world". Billy Graham, Chicago Tribune, June 8, 1963
"Pope John Paul II celebrates outdoor mass in Spanish for over million people in Mexico City." The New York Times, Jan 25, 1999
"Wednesday night as the Holy Father walked with Vice President Gore along the tarmac ...to board "Shepherd I" and return to Rome, people wept, waved handkerchiefs and cheered "John Paul II, we love you!"...It was a brief but very moving and powerful visit by the Pope to St. Louis." Jan 28, 1999 (EWTNews)
"There is no doubt that Paul VI, together with John XXIII and John Paul II, will be remembered as the three great Popes of Peace, pioneer of a momentous transcendence of the Catholic Church into the New Age." Robert Muller, former U.N. Assistant Secretary General
(7) The Roman Catholic Church has the mysterious number 666:
The official title of the pope is "Vicarius Filii Dei", which translated is, "Representative of the Son of God". To confirm, the Catholic newspaper Our Sunday Visitor of April 18, 1915 wrote: "The engraved letter on the pope's Mitre is as follows: 'Vicarius Filii Dei '". Since in Latin certain letters have numerical values, we only need to add them up to come to 666.
(8) The Roman Catholic Church blasphemes by claiming to be God and granting absolutions:
"We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty." Pope Leo XIII, in an Encyclical letter, dated June 20, 1894
"The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ, hidden under a veil of flesh." The Catholic National, July 1895
"But the supreme teacher in the Church is the Roman Pontiff... [who] requires... complete submission and obedience of will... as to God Himself." Pope Leo XIII, the Great Encyclical Letters, p. 193
"It seems that Pope John Paul II now presides over the universal Church from his place upon Christ's cross." Taken from an article entitled, "Auckland Bishop Says Pope Presides From the Cross" AUCKLAND, New Zealand, SEPT. 20, 2004, Zenit.org
"Indeed, it is not too much to say that in view of the sublimity of their offices the priests are so many gods." Pope Innocent III
The Roman Catholic Church created a vast 'market' on earth for a unique kind of merchandise, for which she had no competitors and unquenchable demand. She claimed that she had the right to sell God's grace, His free act of forgiveness, to the sinners. To this day, this blasphemous power, maintains the power to forgive sin.
"This judicial authority will even include the power to forgive sin." The Catholic Encyclopaedia Vol. 12, -article "Pope", p. 265
"And God himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of his priest and either not to pardon or to pardon, according as they refuse to give absolution, provided the penitent is capable of it." Dignity and Duties of the Priest, p. 27, New York: Benziger Brothers, Printers to the Holy Apostolic See, 1888
(9) The Roman Catholic Church made other blasphemous claims by undertaking actions belonging only to God:
Here are samples of the blasphemous claims and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church:
"The priest has the power of the keys, or the power of delivering sinners from hell, of making them worthy of paradise, and of changing them from the slaves of Satan into the children of God. And God himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of his priests... The Sovereign Master of the universe only follows the servant by confirming in heaven all that the latter decides upon earth." Liguori, "Duties and Dignities of the Priest", pp. 27, 28
"Thus the priest may, in a certain manner, be called the creator of his Creator, since by saying the words of the consecration, he creates, as it were, Jesus in the sacrament, by giving him a sacramental existence, and produces him as a victim to be offered to the eternal Father...The power of the priest, is the power of the divine person; for the transubstantiation of the bread requires as much power as the creation of the world." Saint Bernadine of Sienna
"Priests are the saviors of the world." Saint Jerome
As for her blasphemous actions, the Roman Catholic Church has committed the most blasphemous act of all. She altered the very law of God- the Ten Commandments. She dared to cancel the second commandment altogether, for it condemned her practices and rituals. And worse, she changed the day of worship in the Fourth Commandment from Saturday to Sunday. This was done although God gave Adam this perpetual command at creation and has confirmed to us "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips" Psalms 89:34.
The Ten Commandments are the only portion of the Bible that was uttered by God's voice in the presence of a congregation. And to ensure that Moses did not miss a letter, God wrote them with His own finger and handed them to Moses. "These words [The Ten Commandments] the Lord spake unto all your assembly...and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone..." Deuteronomy 5:22.
Christ further stressed the immutability of the Ten Commandments when He said, "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail" Luke 16:17. The sun shining in the heavens, the solid earth upon which you dwell, are God's witnesses that His law is changeless and eternal. Though they may pass away, the divine precepts shall endure. Christ further confirmed "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" Matthew 5:17, 18.
The Catholic Church is not ashamed that she changed the day of worship. In fact, she takes pride in this action, and regards it as her 'mark' of authority and superiority over other churches and religions.
"The Sabbath, the best known day of the law, was changed into the Lord's day. These and others have not ceased because of instructions received from Christ, (because he himself says, I have not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it), but because due to the authority of the church they have been changed." Archbishop of Rheggio, Sermon on 1-18-1562, Mansi XXIII, p. 526
"The Sunday is a Catholic institution, and its claim for sacredness can be defended only on Catholic authority...In Holy Scripture from the beginning to the end we find not one single text which justifies the transfer of the weekly public worship service from the last to the first day of the week." Catholic Press, Sidney, 8-25-1900
"Nowhere in the Bible is it stated that worship should be changed from Saturday to Sunday. The fact is that the Church was in existence for several centuries before the Bible was given to the world. The Church made the Bible; the Bible did not make the Church." Things Catholics Are Asked About, by Martin J. Scott, 1927 ed, p. 136
"We celebrate Sunday instead of Saturday, because the Catholic Church has transferred the sacredness from Saturday to Sunday at the council of Laodicea in the year of 364 AD." The Converts Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, from P. Geiermann, the work of Pope Pius X, on 1-25-1910
According to the Roman Catholic Church 'Sunday' is their distinct and distinguished mark of authority.
"Sunday is our mark of authority. The church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact." The Catholic Record, London, Ontario, September 1, 1923
"The observance of Sunday by Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the (Catholic) Church." Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today, by Monsignor Segur, p. 213
"But the Protestant mind does not seem to realize that in...observing the Sunday... they are accepting the authority of the spokesman for the church, the pope." Our Sunday Visitor, Catholic weekly, Feb. 5, 1950
"Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act... a mark of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters." Office of Cardinal Gibbons, through Chancellor C. F. Thomas, Nov. 11, 1895
From the overwhelming weight of evidence, we can decisively conclude that the beast of Revelation 13 and 14 is the Roman Catholic Church, and that its mark (the mark of the beast) is Sunday observance.
Why is this mark so important? Have you ever signed a document to validate or confirm its authenticity? Have you ever given your 'seal of approval' to something? It is compulsory in any government. Only by signing, is a document authenticated. Government declarations must always bear an official mark or seal. What are the features of these governmental marks or seals? An official seal or signature must include three features:
1. The name of the official
2. The title of the official
3. The territory or domain of his authority
For example, when the President of the United States signs a bill into law, he must sign it, George Washington (name), President (title) of the United States of America (territory). Every document must be signed in this manner to be official and legal.
Looking to the Almighty Creator, we realize that He has a Heavenly Kingdom. And the document containing the law of His Kingdom is The Ten Commandments. Looking directly in the midst of them you will find the seal of the living God! "For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea..." Exodus 20:11.
Notice the three distinct features:
1. Name: THE LORD ("I am the Lord: that is my name" Isaiah 42:8)
2. Title: CREATOR ("the LORD made")
3. Territory: HEAVEN AND EARTH (Heaven and earth)
Clearly, the seal of the Creator is found in the Sabbath commandment of His law. It is an acknowledgement of His authority as our Creator. When we keep His Sabbath, we are expressing that we acknowledge Him as our Creator.
On the Sabbath, we have the opportunity to worship God as our Creator. When we keep holy the day the Lord chose, we are proclaiming to the entire world that the Creator of the universe is our God! The devil, "Lucifer" is attacking the Sabbath, because he wants to be worshiped "like the Most High" Isaiah 14:14. The Creator seeks your worship on His holy Sabbath day, and Satan, seeking to be like the Creator, wants your worship on his Sunday. Which will you choose?
"And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God" Ezekiel 20:20.
Identifying the Image of the Beast
12. What then is the image of the beast, which God is warning us not to worship?
To be able to identify the image of the beast, we need first to identify the two-horned beast that helps in the formation of the image of the beast:
"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he has two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed... 14 ...saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he has power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not Worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name " Revelation 13:11-12, 14-17.
This two-horned beast has the following identification marks:
1. This beast came to existence around the time the papacy received its deadly wound in 1798, "another beast coming up" Rev. 13:11.
2. This beast came up out of the earth, as opposed to the first beast that came up out of the sea. If 'sea' represents many people and nations, then 'earth' represents a sparsely settled region. Thus, this nation would rise to prominence in a region of few inhabitants.
3. This beast has two lamb-like horns. According to the Bible, a horn represents power. "He had horns...and there was the hiding of his power" Habakkuk 3:4. Therefore, this nation has two separate powers, distinct from each other. Also, a lamb is a symbol of Christ; hence, we can deduce that this nation was founded on pure and noble Christian principles.
4. However, this beast speaks like a dragon; a nation 'speaks' through legislative and judicial authorities. The 'lamb-like horns' and 'dragon's voice' point a striking contrast between the peaceful professions and the practices of this nation. Dear reader again, we ask, which nation fulfils these identifying marks? There is but one answer: The United States of America.
1. USA came to existence around 1798: Only one nation was rising into existence at the time of the papacy's loss of power in 1798. This prophecy points directly to the United States. The USA was organized under the Constitution as a federal republic in 1787.
2. USA arose in a sparsely populated land: The USA grew not in the Old World which was crowded with its teeming multitudes, but in the New World, with its relatively few inhabitants.
3. USA has two separate powers founded on Christian principles: The USA has a unique form of government, where church and state enjoy liberties guaranteed by the Constitution. Because of this system of government, the USA is indeed a Republic (a kingdom without king) and Protestant (church without pope), with both powers completely separated. Also, her lamb-like qualities made the USA a refuge for the persecuted and oppressed of many nations.
4. USA speaks like a dragon: The fundamental law of the USA written in its constitution guarantees individual liberty of conscience. Nothing is dearer or more fundamental. However, the USA has already begun and will soon fully repudiate every principle of its Constitution. And that which gives greater significance to this movement is the fact that the principal object is the enforcement of Sunday observance.
Such action will be directly contrary to the principles of this government, to the genius of its free institutions, to the Declaration of Independence, and to the Constitution. The Constitution provides that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," and that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States."
The inconsistency of such action is no greater than is represented in the symbol. It is the beast with lamblike horns - in profession pure and harmless - that speaks as a dragon. Just observing what is occurring in the news and in the recent past will confirm this biblical description.
"And I strongly support the faith-based initiative that we're proposing, because I don't believe it violates the line between the separation of church and state, and I believe it's going to make America a better place." George W. Bush, making a muddled reference to the Establishment Clause, quoted from Conrad Goeringer, AANEWS #889 (February 28, 2001) from American Atheists. This statement attacks the Constitution's Bill of Rights that forbids our government "respecting an establishment of religion."
"Our priorities is our faith."
George W. Bush, Greensboro, North Carolina, October. 10, 2000, quoted from Jacob Weinberg, "The Complete Bushisms"
"The plain message conveyed by the new administration is that George W. Bush's America is a Christian nation and that non-Christians are welcome into the tent so long as they agree to accept their status as a tolerated minority rather than as fully equal citizens." Alan M. Dershowitz, in "Bush Starts Off by Defying the Constitution," Los Angeles Times, January 24, 2001
Prophecy soon to be Fulfilled
13. It is clear the two-horned beast is the USA. But what is the relationship between the USA and the image of the beast?
Although the USA was founded on principles opposed to the papacy, today we observe how the USA and the Vatican are working more closely together to make their influence more prominent. The Bible tells us that one day, in the not too distant future, the USA will legislate a law requiring its citizens, and then the world, to worship the first beast, the papacy. "And he [USA] exerciseth all the power of the first beast [papacy] before him, and causeth the earth [first USA, then globally] and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast [honoring papacy's Sunday], whose deadly wound [1798] was healed [1929] .saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast [duplicating the papacy when she used civil power to enforce religious dogma], which had the wound by a sword, and did live" Rev. 13:12, 14.
Soon the USA will renounce its religious freedom to enforce Sunday observance (the mark of the beast).This means Protestant Churches will control the government to accomplish their agenda. When this happens, the USA will have made an image to the Roman Catholic Church, uniting church with state. Then USA will speak "as a dragon" and exercise "all the power of the first beast" Rev. 13:11, 12 ; she will have the same spirit of intolerance and persecution that was manifested by the first beast, the papacy.
Therefore, as religious freedom is lost, persecution of the dissenting minorities will be inevitable, and there will be a repetition of the Middle Ages religious intolerance: "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast [Sunday laws enacted] ...and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast [by honoring Saturday, not Sunday] should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark [those who honor the true Sabbath will be forbidden to buy and sell], or the name of the beast." Rev. 13:15-17
Some will receive the mark "in their forehead" because they chose to "believe a lie" 2 Thessalonians 2:11. Others, though convinced that Sunday is not the true Sabbath, will submit to preserve their livelihood thus receiving the mark "in their right hand that is a symbol of work.
14. For this to be true, there should be evidence that the papacy is currently pursuing Sunday exaltation in the USA, and that the Protestants of the USA (historic enemies of Rome), have changed their attitude, and are expressing readiness to collaborate in enacting Sunday laws. Is there such evidence?
Today most Protestants are favorable towards the papacy, and this has emboldened the papacy to seek aggressively the legislation of Sunday observance:
"All Americans would do well to petition the President and the Congress to make a Federal law - an amendment to the Constitution if need be - to re-establish the (false) Sabbath as a national Day of Rest." CATHOLIC TWIN CIRCLE, August 25, 1985, Article "Sacking Sunday"
"In this matter, my predecessor Pope Leo XIII ... spoke of Sunday rest as a worker's right whichthe State must guarantee." Pope John Paul II-DIES DOMINI, May 31, 1998
"Therefore...Christians will naturally strive to ensure that civil legislation respects their duty to keep Sunday holy. In any case, they are obliged in conscience to arrange their Sunday rest in a way which allows them to take part in the Eucharist, refraining from work and activities which are incompatible with the sanctification of the Lord's Day..." Pope John Paul II, DIES DOMINI, May 31, 1998
"... Christians [everywhere] should seek recognition of Sundays and the Church's holy days as legal holidays." Catechism of the Catholic Church, popular and definitive edition, 2000, par 2188
Most of the Protestants leaders in the USA are ready to bury the hatchet with the Catholics:
"Heads of American Protestant and Eastern Orthodox churches who were meeting with Pope John Paul II on Friday hailed their first broadly representative discussion as a landmark on the road to greater unity...The Rev. Donald Jones, a United Methodist and chairman of the University of South Carolina religious studies department, termed it, 'the most important ecumenical meeting of the century.' The Rev. Paul A. Crow Jr., of Indianapolis, ecumenical officer of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), called it a 'new day in ecumenism' opening a future in which God 'is drawing us together.'" The Montgomery Advertiser, Sept. 12, 1987
Billy Graham: "I've found that my beliefs are essentially the same as those of orthodox Roman Catholics." McCall's, January 1978. He, also, called Pope John Paul II: "The greatest religious leader of the modern world." The Saturday Evening Post, January-February 1980
Paul Crouch: "I'm eradicating the word Protestant even out of my vocabulary...I'm not protesting anything... [it's] time for Catholics and non-Catholics to come together as one in the Spirit and one in the Lord." "Praise the Lord" program, Trinity Broadcasting Network, Oct 17, 1989
Robert Schuller: "It's time for Protestants to go to the shepherd [the pope] and say, "What do we have to do to come home?" Los Angeles Herald Examiner, September 19, 1987, Religion page
David Wells: "If Catholicism is to become more Catholic in the future, which is what I expect under the present pope, then theological differences will become sharper, but our alliances with Catholics against the secular culture can become deeper. I, for one, am ready for the trade-off." Eternity Magazine, Sept. 1987
J. L. Packer: "Protestant and Catholic charismatic teaching on the Christian life is to all intents and purposes identical. Is this not significant for the Christian future?" J. I. Packer, Christianity Today, June 22, 1992
Neal C. Wilson: "Although it is true that there was a period in the life of the Seventh-day Adventist Church when the denomination took a distinctly anti-Roman Catholic viewpoint...that attitude...has now been consigned to the historical trash heap so far as the Seventh-day Adventist Church is concerned. Neal C. Wilson, former president of the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference, 1974
How to avoid the Mark of the Beast
15. How then can I avoid receiving the mark of the beast?
This is the most important question. God, in His infinite love, has warned us not to worship the beast and thereby receive his mark. Those receiving the mark of the beast "shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture [without mercy] into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone...who worship the beast [honor papacy through Sunday observance] and his image [USA enforcing Sunday observance], and whosever receiveth the mark of his name" Rev. 14:10, 11.
These are very solemn words from God. His wrath is in proportion to the offense. By honoring, Sunday, originated by Satan through the papacy, you are preparing to receive the mark of the beast. Satan wants to deceive as many as he can into honoring this counterfeit day. To perfect his deception, he chose Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection knowing that most people would believe that Sunday observance is more appropriate than Saturday, since it honors the resurrection of Christ. But the only way not to receive the mark of the beast is to refuse honoring a day that was not chosen of God. The only day which God has ordained as holy is Saturday Sabbath and by honoring it you will receive the "the seal of the living God" Rev. 7:2.
If you want to honor the death and resurrection of Christ, the Bible distinctly says you do so by baptism (total immersion). See Romans 6:3-5. By entering into the water (being buried) you acknowledge His death. By coming out of the water (arising) you acknowledge His resurrection.
16. What about the billions of Christians in the past who honored Sunday instead of Saturday - did they unknowingly receive the mark of the beast? And what about the Christians today who sincerely think Sunday is the Bible Sabbath?
Most Christians of past generations observed Sunday, thinking they were keeping the Bible Sabbath; and today there are true Christians in every church, including the Roman Catholic Church, who believe that Sunday is the Lord's Day. None are accountable for their errors since the light has not been brought to them. For the Lord "winks" at our times of ignorance. See Acts 17:30. We are only judged by the light we had the opportunity to receive. But, when the universal Sunday law is enforced, the issue will be clear before all, and then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome will receive the mark of the beast.
Soon, each person will face this test with eternal stakes, to keep the commandments of God or the papacy. Where will you stand?
No Room for Neutrality
17. Why should I care, why can't I leave it to the religious people to solve?
God's solemn warning in Revelation 14 leaves no room for indifference. Jesus said, "He that is not with me is against me" Luke 11:23. God counts all men as decidedly for the truth or against it. This warning is no respecter of person, class, condition, or religion. It is addressed to all humanity.
It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. Nothing that concerns the eternal welfare of souls should be regarded with indifference. God abhors indifference in religious matters.
With neutrality being unacceptable to God, and knowing that to avoid receiving the mark of the beast I must honor Saturday even when Sunday is imposed by the law with a death penalty.
What must I do?
18. In practical steps, what should my first step be after I have accepted all the above?
God is most eager to enter into a serious relationship with you. In fact, He wants you to be His son or daughter. Just think what a privilege it would be to be the son or daughter of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. This genuine opportunity is granted to you, He is eagerly waiting to bestow this highest of honors. Yet, His word to you is, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them , and be ye separate , saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1.
The important Bible passage contains the following principles:
1. 1.God does not permit any mixture of truth with error (even if its 99% truth). Only Satan mixes truth with error to maximize his deception. Thus, any system of religion that incorporates errors (such as Sunday being the Lord's Day) along with truth is not from God. For "what communion hath light with darkness?" "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" 2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 John 1:5. The truth is 100% truth or it is not truth. There is no place for man-made teachings or traditions.
2. The duty of a person aspiring to be in harmony with God is to not be a member of any church or system of religion that is built on Satan's foundation: the mixture of truth with error. This separation represents the first practical step you can take to be God's child, and rejoice in Him as your loving Father.
As we separate, we can become sons and daughters of God. For we have demonstrated an understanding that there are only two systems of religions in the world: God's and Satan's, and thus we have willingly chosen to sever any link that ties us to a system of religion founded by Satan.
3.Knowing that when you leave Satan's systems of religion, you lose friends, family, influence, work, etc...God's reassures you: " I AM the Almighty." It means that He will more than compensate you for all that you have lost. Jesus promises you: "There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life"Mark 10:29, 30.
4. After we come out from Satan's systems of religion the Lord may lead us by the influence of the Holy Spirit to cleanse and keep us from sin, that communication may be open between God and man. However, God desires us to obey and serve Him, not by compulsion, but willingly. Love to God because of gratitude for what He has done to make this reconciliation possible is the very foundation of religion. To engage in His service merely from hope of reward or fear of punishment will avail nothing.
Reconciliation with God
19. What is 'reconciliation with God', and why is there a need for it?
When God created Adam and Eve, they were perfect in character and inclination, and lived in obedience to God's law. To make it natural for them to obey Him, God imprinted on their hearts the Ten Commandments. He also revealed to them that transgression of His law is punishable by death. "The wages of sin is death" Romans 6:23. All governments require clear laws and well-defined punishments for violation of these laws. Just imagine the state of the world if punishments were absolved. Would we be safe to live in a place where violators of the law were not subject to a penalty?
While God revealed His law to Adam and Eve, and made it natural for them to obey by imprinting it in their heart. He did not remove their freedom of choice. God might have created man without the power to transgress His law; but in that case man would have been not a free moral agent, but a mere automation. Without freedom of choice, his obedience would not have been voluntary, but forced.
Regrettably, Adam and Eve willfully chose to disobey God, thus sin created a barrier between man and God. They became subject to the punishment of death for transgressing God's law. They had to die. Furthermore, the pure inclination they had for obeying God was corrupted after choosing to disobey His law. Their hearts had now acquired an opposing and stronger tendency to disobey.
Faced with the transgression of Adam and Eve, what was our loving God to do? Leave them both to die for their transgression of His law? Do loving earthly parents abandon their children after they choose to disobey them? Or worse, would He remove the punishment for the transgression to accommodate them? Can a government, earthly or heavenly, endure and prosper without well-defined punishments? Certainly not.
In short, if Adam and Eve were to pay for their transgression themselves, that would have resulted in the end of the human race. Or if God were to create anew another Adam and Eve, there was no guarantee that they would not, like their predecessors, choose to disobey, and the whole process would happen again. It is apparent that an external solution (out of the realm of the sinners) had to be devised. This heavenly plan was prepared by God long before the need for it actually came.
The Bible says it is "the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints" Colossians 1:26. God's plan incorporated the solution to bring the human race back in harmony again with Him, without undermining His law, or government because as much as God hates sin He loves the sinner.
This solution meant that someone else innocent must pay the death penalty; hence, his death would be on behalf of the sinners. By his death, the sinner who believed would be reconciled to God, as if he never sinned, and thus God's justice and love for the human race would not be in conflict with each other. Without paying the penalty, there would never be reconciliation between man and God. And reconciliation is necessary to be in harmony with God and live with Him in heaven eternally.
Additionally, this external person who was to die on behalf of sinners needed to show man how to live on earth without sinning, so there would be permanent reconciliation with God. What is the point of being reconciled only to slip back into sin, and need another reconciliation? Obviously, God's plan included a way to empower man to live victoriously over sin! So that, although by transgression of God's law, Adam lost paradise, in obedience to the Father's law and through faith in the atoning blood of this external person, paradise may be regained.
20. I want to be reconciled with God; I want to overcome sin in my life. What must I do first?
You must remember two important points. Firstly, the proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both your title to heaven and your fitness for reconciliation are found in the righteousness of this external person. Secondly, God can do nothing towards your reconciliation until, convinced of your own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, you submit yourself to the control of God.
However, your question means that you are already convicted of your personal sin. You are not happy with yourself. The first step that must be taken of all who return to God is repentance. "Repent...and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" Acts 3:19. We often sorrow because our evil deeds bring unpleasant consequences to ourselves; but this is not repentance. True repentance is more than sorrow for sin. It is a resolute turning away from evil. No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. Nevertheless, can man repent of himself? No more than he can pardon or expiate h imself. Repentance is no less the gift of God than is forgiveness and it cannot be experienced except as it is given to the soul.
When the heart becomes fully repentant by yielding to the influence of the Spirit of God, the sinner will begin to discern the sacredness of God's holy law. There will be a yearning desire to live a pure and holy life and to be in constant peace with God. And as we strive daily to walk closer with God, "He will draw nigh", and our characters will reflect His more and more as we "die daily" of our old sinful ways. James 4:8; 1 Corinthians 15:31
Victory over Sin through Christ
21. Please elaborate further on the identity of that external person; is it truly possible through him to achieve victory over sin while living on this earth?
There was only one person who could successfully fulfill this mission. That person was none other than the Son of God. Why was the Son of God the only person qualified for this mission? Because the Son is the Creator of all things, "Who is the image of the invisible God...for by him were all things created." And the Son possesses all of God's qualities and capabilities because He is the "the express image of his person." Christ has life in Himself, which is more than equal to all the humans who will ever be born and be in need of His vicarious death. Thus, His sacrifice would fulfill the justice of God for all sinners who will accept His vicarious death, while showing His mercy and love. In the Son, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other." And being equal with God, the Son is truly the only person who could reveal to man the beautiful attribute s of God and reconcile man to God. Colossians 1:15, 16; Hebrews 1:3; Psalms 85:10.
However, for this to happen, and for God's justice to be fulfilled, the Son had to take upon Himself our fallen human nature, with its bias toward evil. "For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham." Only by such a step would it be fair for the Son to be our perfect example. "Leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin." From one side through His divinity He touches God and, from the other side, through His humanity He touches man. Thus, no other than the Son could have bestowed this precious gift of reconciliation. "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he [the Son] also himself likewise took part of the same" "...
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