REVELATIONS ON REVELATION

The First and Second Beast

The purpose of this outline is to unpack the metaphors in Revelation 13 and utilize them as a lens through which we can observe the current secular science and technology scene.

In doing this we can perhaps gain an insightful understanding of this prophecy, as well as an understanding of the rise of the beasts as a passing moment, a snapshot in time.

I believe that in the upcoming years this outlook may prove to be of utmost importance, as Christians, if we wish to remain 'unleavened and yeast free.'

However, before embarking on this analysis, I feel compelled to be forthright about my assertion that the Bible did not warn us about a singular antichrist figure. (Read more about that HERE and HERE!) That said, let’s continue…

THE FIRST BEAST:

1. OUT OF THE SEA: Per Revelation 17:15, the sea represents peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages.

• Empire is international. Global in scale and operations.

• Revelation 13:1

2. SEVEN HEADS: Heads are a means of sustaining oneself, garnering information, and making decisions to navigate toward a goal.

• Person controls empire with 7 independent, multi-billion-dollar companies (read: sustenance).

• Collectively, these companies can gather data on nearly every aspect of human life and activity: Personal behavior and preferences, social interactions and communications, physical movement and location, energy usage and consumption, global and space-based observations, internet and technology usage, infrastructure data, underground mapping, transportation patterns, and potentially even neurological activity.

• Revelation 13:1

3. TEN HORNS: *UNFULFILLED* Per Revelation 17:12, the ten horns of the beast are ten kings who have yet to receive a kingdom. Kingship implies male lineage in this context because the kingdom is yet to be received, thereby given as an inheritance. Conversely, a kingdom obtained through conquering would be taken, thereby acquired, attained, secured, procured, captured, perhaps even won or stolen, but not received.

Additionally, consider depictions of the devil, Molech, Ba'al, Bacchus/Dionysus, Pan, Cernunnos, satyrs/nymphs, and Hathor. All linked to fertility, virility, and sexual prowess. All have horns. We even see this concept reflected in nature itself. The colloquialism "horny" derives its meaning from this idea. This further reinforces the notion that these horns represent lineage as well as kingship.

• As of this moment, head of empire has 12 children (8 male, 2 female, 1 deceased male, 1 publicly unknown). In modern times, this is incredibly rare.

• Revelation 13:1

4. BLASPHEMOUS NAME ON HEADS: A word or name containing blasphemous or Satanic symbology may be obvious. It would be important to remain undetected, to use symbols that can be overlooked.

• Each company name contains a Satanic symbol or blasphemous image. The primary runes used are Gebo, which resembles an 'X,' and Isa, which resembles an 'I' without the serifs. There is a possibility the runes Eihwaz (necromancy) and Dagaz (climax of efforts/knowledge and intuition) are also at play. (WARNING: Click at your own risk! X, I, whole site, wiki)

• These runes are used in Satanic worship for ritual and divination purposes. More specifically X and I are meant to be used together to enable stealth, and to bind and slow the incantor’s enemies; while Eihwaz and Dagaz are meant to be used together to increase knowledge, intuition, wisdom, and awareness.

• One company’s logo resembles a stylized head of the demon Baphomet. This stylized symbol aligns with an image of Baphomet on armor the empire leader proudly brandished quite publicly.

• Revelation 13:1

5. RESEMBLED A LEOPARD: A leopard, or panther, is a supreme hunter. Often black in color, they can hide anywhere there is darkness (note: where there is light, there is often shadow). Cunning, agile, and extremely adept, they are also strong enough to drag their pray up a tree. Only the keenest of eyes and ears can identify the lurking predator before it attacks from the shadows.

• Empire is good at getting money, adept in acquiring a targeted goal, or prey, as well as being stealthy or mysterious in its dealings.

• Empire/head of empire has been wildly successful, often pioneering where many others have failed, across multiple different disciplines. This is incredibly rare.

• Revelation 13:2

6. FEET LIKE A BEAR: Despite their large size, bears have excellent balance, and can navigate various terrains with expert precision and effectiveness. Bears feet and claws are associated with strength, power, force, aggression, and ferocity. They also use them as a means to dig into the earth for food or shelter.

• Empire has shown itself to be grounded, unbeatable, and aggressive.

• Empire is highly successful across multiple domains.

• Empire also controls a digging company.

• Revelation 13:2

7. MOUTH LIKE A LION: A lion represents a more diplomatic kind of power. This would be a power of persuasion, leadership, and influence. The lion speaks with authority, and everyone listens.

• Empire/head of empire have become cultural icons. Person is an industry leader, political commentator, philosophical arbiter, and the empire is providing network assistance to at least one military, possibly two.

• Revelation 13:2

8. ONE HEAD HAD MORTAL WOUND, YET LIVED: A mortal wound would kill the head, rendering it inoperable and incapable of receiving sustenance or navigating. It would also threaten to infect the other heads, or the whole beast.

• Head of empire claimed one company was a mere 'days or weeks away' from bankruptcy.

• Company subsequently became largest private aerospace and space transportation company in history, securing several government contracts.

• Revelation 13:3

9. THIS CALLS FOR WISDOM: The mark of the beast is said to be the name of the beast, or the number of its name, 666. It will be in people's heads or hands. We will use Greek gematria, a system that assigns a numerical value to each letter of the Greek alphabet, to link the number 666 to a name. Greek gematria predates Pythagoras, and he and his followers used it in their philosophies and numerological studies. This system was later adopted by early Christian and Jewish commentators for finding hidden meanings in scripture. (Read more about Greek gematria here!)

• Empire has a leading brain computer interface (BCI) company. The Greek gematria value of this company's name is 666. (Read about it here!)

• Head of empire has stated publicly that this BCI will enable the blind to see and the lame to walk, using that verbiage.

• Revelation 13:16-18

10. IMAGE OF THE BEAST: The New Living Translation of the Bible translates "εἰκών" (transliterated "eikón"), the Greek word for image as "statue." The Contemporary English Version of the Bible translates this word into "idol." Other translations are "likeness," "bust," or "figure." Thus forth, it is imperative to recognize that this idol is a 3-dimensional likeness, or statue. This statue is given life and the ability to speak by a second beast and is set up in honor of the first beast who was wounded. What could the writer of Revelation, a man from 2,000 years ago, completely removed from technology, have meant by a statue given life and the ability to speak?

• Empire created a highly advanced humanoid robot. Empire is also at work creating artificial general intelligence.

• Revelation 13:14-15

THE SECOND BEAST:

1. OUT OF THE EARTH: If the sea is peoples, multitudes, and nations, we can deduce that the earth is a belief system or value structure. Just as a cup holds water together, the earth holds water together. Just as the earth holds water together, a belief system or value structure holds a people together.

• This is why we can say, "We are Christians," "We are Jews," "We are Muslim," or perhaps most importantly, "They are Satanists." Our independent moral structures hold us together, as the earth holds water. Thus forth, the beast rising from the earth is an idea, as ideas arise from our belief systems, values, and moral structures.

• Revelation 13:11

2. HORNS LIKE LAMB/SPOKE LIKE DRAGON: Appearing somewhat like a lamb would mean that this idea seems docile, controllable, and non-predatory in nature. A lamb sustains and clothes us, providing food and wool. And of course, the lamb has a Biblical connotation of salvation. Speaking like a dragon insinuates that what this idea puts forth into the world is destructive, as a dragon's utterance is fire.

• The idea of sentient, artificial life is currently being exalted as a savior for civilization. This perspective moves in tandem with longevity research, a scientific movement dedicated to attaining human immortality, usually via the use of AI, BCI, and their related algorithms.

• The concept of the singularity purports an exponential growth of technology to the point that human beings become incapable of successfully mitigating the downsides of the technology's implementation.

• Despite profound and prevalent concern for the consequences of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and advanced robotics, the world feverishly careens toward their widespread use. This empire has remained at the forefront of every endeavor to do so.

• Revelation 13:11

3. FIRE FROM HEAVEN: On December 21, 2015, at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the world watched as the first rocket capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) was successfully demonstrated.

• Since then, the company has achieved VTOL hundreds of times, launching over 4,000 satellites into orbit, with a tentative goal of 40,000 by 2035.

• Researchers and scientists attempted to achieve VTOL with no significant breakthroughs for nearly 50 years.

• The beast did it in about 10 years.

• Head of empire has stated publicly that he intends to save humanity by enabling us to be a spacefaring species and aspires to aid humanity in colonizing other planets.

THE ABOMINATION:

In Daniel 9:27 the Bible states, of the destruction of the temple, "He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And at the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

THE TEMPLE

It is a matter of scholarly debate whether the period of 'seven' is seven days, seven weeks, or seven years. That said, I'd rather focus on what was meant by 'an end to sacrifice,' 'an abomination that causes desolation,' and 'temple.'

Jesus' reference to this passage is recorded twice in the Gospels, once in Matthew 24:15 and again in Mark 13:14. But what could He have meant by desolation in the temple? Jesus gives us clarification of His viewpoint in John 2:19-21 which reads, "Jesus answered them, 'Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.' They replied, 'It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it again in three days?' But the temple He had spoken of was His body."

So that was Jesus' body, but what about ours? For this, the Apostle Paul gives us insight when he explains in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17: "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for God's temple is sacred, and you together are that temple." Likewise, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own: you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

THE DAILY SACRIFICE

If our bodies are to be considered the temples, what then would be the daily sacrifice? Put simply, I believe the sacrifice referred to is the sacrifice of time, energy, and effort that it takes just to sustain life; as well as the inherent moral distinctions one must make to navigate toward the good. These moral decisions often times lie in conflict with the desires of the flesh.

Already these artificially intelligent humanoid robots are being heralded as something that will labor in our stead. Not only will they take on dangerous occupations, which can be seen as an obvious good, but moral occupations as well. These would be things such as elder care, childcare, and the like (take a look at a few! and another! and another!! and another!!! Kind of gives new meaning to Rev 13:3: "The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast." Dang ol’ Satanic Simon says…). Furthermore, it should not be overlooked that the moral obligation/privilege of being creative has already been outsourced to AI in regard to music, writing, visual arts, and other forms of media.

There has been much discussion of these robots being implemented to do the daily chores necessary for survival, such as cooking and cleaning. These things, built into existence, can be rightly seen as a sacrifice. As my mother once aptly noted, "The first thing God did for Adam was give him work to do." My comeback was, “The second thing He did was give him some help!” Joking aside, she is absolutely right. Idle hands are the devil's playground, after all.

Additionally, with such earnest talk of implanting BCI that can aid us in our decision-making, and merge us with such technologies, one must ask the serious question of where to draw the line between a help, or a hinderance. We can see the problems associated with the internet and social media as glaring recent examples of our inability to mitigate the downsides of technologies before their inherent destruction becomes far-reaching.

THE ABOMINATION

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines an abomination as 'something that causes disgust or hatred.' However, the Biblical understanding of this word, which arose from the Jewish tradition, is something 'wicked or sinful,' something against God's laws. I can think of nothing more sinister and abominable than an implanted brain chip that covertly highjacks a person's God-given free will.

We are commanded to strengthen our spirits by relying on our Creator, as in Isaiah 41:10, which states, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will help you and strengthen you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand."

DESOLATION

So, if our body is the temple, and the sacrifice is our daily work, and the abomination is the merging of authentic and artificial life, how will this result in desolation? After all, it will be easier to do our work, in theory. And we will be smarter, in theory. I think it's possible the desolation being spoken of is not physical, but moral or spiritual desolation. (Read more about it here!)

We must be completely in control of our own will. Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 states, "What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil- this is the gift of God."

IN CLOSING...

There is talk amongst certain wealthy, elite individuals of a day when we struggle to discern the line between the human mind and the AI algorithm we receive from our brain chip (watch a couple talk about it here). They intend to outsource our free will to a computer, and even aspire to offer everlasting life.

For this, the metaphor of unleavened bread is without fault. Once worked in, the yeast is inseparable from the dough.

I believe the call to action the Bible suggests here is nothing other than to stand firm together in the truth, and to keep a keen eye for false prophets and false messiahs, so as to remain unleavened. God allows the first beast to turn against the woman, Babylon the Great, described as a sinful city (Revelation 17:18). If my assessment is accurate, we would not want to be caught riding the beast before Christ's return (Revelation 17:16-18). Apparently, if we let this go too far, the beast will eventually demand to be worshipped. As Christians, it's crucial to discern between the light and the devil masquerading as light (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Submit to God, not to the terms and conditions of some social media app or AI algorithm. We can't follow Jesus on Twitter.

Thanks for reading! Much love and God bless!

1 Corinthians 5:6-8:

"Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch--as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."

Matthew 24:37-39:

"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."

Genesis 3:22:

"And the Lord God said, 'The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.'"

Matthew 24:24-25:

"For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time."