The word “beast” in Revelation has two implications:
Being the Rome (Italy) – Roman Empire which carries the Apostate Church
Being the Anti-Christ – Nero Caesar
Being the Rome
“I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement. But the angel said to me, ‘Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.” Revelation 17:6-7
“Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” Revelation 17:9
“Then he said to me, ‘The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw on the beast, these will hate the harlot, make her desolate and naked, eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For God has put it into their hearts to fulfill His purpose, to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. And the woman whom you saw is that great city which reigns over the kings of the earth.” Revelation 17:15-18
BEING THE ANTI-CHRIST
“There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and is going to perdition. The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. ” Revelation 17:10-14
BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL PROOFS WHY ROMAN EMPIRE or ROME, ITALY IS THE BEAST:
Proof #1. The Old Roman Empire caused ‘great persecution of the Early Christians’, including the two famous Apostles (Apostles Peter and Paul) who were persecuted during the reign of Nero Caesar.
The Colosseum in Rome (70-82) is best known for its multilevel system of vaults made of concrete. It is called the Colosseum for a colossal statue of Nero that once stood nearby, but its real name is the Flavian Amphitheater. It was used for staged battles between lions and Christians, among other spectacles, and is one of the most famous pieces of architecture in the world.
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The 15-year-old Nero (ad 54-68) began his reign amid predictions of a new Golden Age for Rome, but fawning courtiers encouraged his despotic tendencies. He murdered both his mother and his wife at the urging of his mistress. In ad 64 a fire devastated much of Rome. The historian Tacitus suggests in his writings that Nero blamed the fledgling Christian community for the blaze. According to some sources, his persecution of Christians resulted in the deaths of two of Christianity’s most influential apostles, Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2002. © 1993-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
The Roman Empire drunk the blood of the saints and of the martyrs of Jesus.
Proof #2. The Old Roman Empire (Beast that carries the Woman) conquered seven nations, and its people, namely:
1. Gaul 2. Spain 3. Britain 4. Africa 5. Greece 6. Asia Minor (Turkey) 7. Judea
Proof #3. The Ancient City of Rome (Woman) was built in a Group of Seven Hills
“Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits.” Revelation 17:9
SEVEN HILLS OF ROME
Group of hills on or about which the ancient city of Rome was built. The original city of Romulus was built upon Palatine Hill (Latin: Mons Palatinus). The other hills are the Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian, and Aventine (known respectively in Latin as the Mons Capitolinus, Mons Quirinalis, Mons Viminalis, Mons Esquilinus, Mons Caelius, and Mons Aventinus).
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May 5-6, 2003
[Monday-Tuesday]
BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL PROOFS WHY NERO CAESAR IS/WILL BE THE ANTI-CHRIST:
Proof #1.
Nero Caesar was the 6th king of the Julio-Claudian line of Emperors.
JULIO-CLAUDIAN EMPERORS
49 - 44 BC
Julius Caesar
27 BC-14 AD Augustus
14 –37 Tiberius I
37-41 Caligula (Gaius Caesar)
41-54 Claudius I
54-68 Nero
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Proof #2.
Nero Caesar (ad37-68), was the emperor of ancient Rome, when:
Paul, Saint (circa ad3-62),
Apostle Paul wrote this letter in II Thessalonians 2:3
“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day
will not come unless the falling away comes first,
and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.”
John the Evangelist (?-ad 101),
Take note what Apostle John wrote in Revelation
“There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and
the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must
continue a short time. The beast that was, and is not,
is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and
is going to perdition.
Revelation 17:10-11
…during a period of persecution of Christians by the Romans, John was banished to Pátmos, where he is believed to have written the Apocalypse, or Book of Revelation.
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Proof # 3.
Revelation 13:10 relates to Nero’s death. Nero killed with the sword would die by a sword that he put in his own throat June 9, 68 (Suetonius Nero 49; Gentry, 1989b, 63). The death of Nero Caesar meant the end of the Julio-Claudian line of Emperors. (http://bibleandscience.com/revelation.htm)
“He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”
Revelation 13:10
Proof # 4.
In ancient times letters were used as numbers. For example A=1, B=2, C=3 and so forth. So names had a certain numerical value. The Hebrew spelling of Nero Caesar (Neron Kaiser) adds up to exactly 666. There is a textual variant in Revelation 13:18 with the number 616 which is probably the Latin equivalent of Nero Caesar. (http://bibleandscience.com/revelation.htm)
Revelation 13:18
“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.”
“Nero Caesar” transliterated into the Hebrew from the Greek (Neron Kaiser) adds up to exactly 666 in Hebrew.
NERON KAISER is the Greek equivalent for Nero Caesar and its Hebrew equivalent is NRWNQSR which has a numerical value which totals to 666, the number of the “beast” that has been described in Revelation 13:18.
N = 50
R = 200
W= 6
N = 50
Q = 100
S = 60
R = 200
666
Proof # 5. After Nero Caesar killed himself, Galba was proclaimed as the next emperor of Rome by the senate. Galba reigned as an emperor for only seven (7) months.
“There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and
the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must
continue a short time. The beast that was, and is not,
is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven, and
is going to perdition.
Revelation 17:10-11
GALBA
b. Dec. 24, 3 BC
d. Jan. 15, AD 69, Rome [Italy]
Latin in full SERVIUS GALBA CAESAR AUGUSTUS, original name SERVIUS SULPICIUS GALBA Roman emperor for seven months (ad 68-69).
Nero, deserted by his imperial troops (Praetorian Guard), killed himself on June 9, 68, and Galba was formally accepted as emperor by the Senate.
Copyright © 1994-2001 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
3And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 8All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:3,8
“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” Revelation 17:8
“To God who gives wisdom and understanding,
be the glory, honor, and praise!”