You will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

(John 8:32 -New Jerusalem Bible)

BEASTS IN THE BIBLE

by John ben Wilhelm

An Essay exploring truth from a scripturally logical standpoint, answering questions such as: What are the Beasts of the Bible? . . . What makes a Bible beast wild? . . . . Is there a deeper meaning behind the Wild Beasts of the Bible?. . . Are there Beasts in our times?. . . . and, are there Spiritual Wild Beasts?. . . . Who or what is the New World Order?

What is the truth about BEASTS in the Bible?

(Keys to understanding prophecy in the Bible books of Daniel and Revelations) Daniel 7:3, 5, 12, 19, 23. Revelations 11:7. 13:1, 3, 4, 11 When the Bible was written a Kingdom was the biblical term for a governmental system people lived under during those times. Its form was a monarchial one with a King or Caesar as its head. A kingdom is a system under which people are ruled with one man (a king) or one woman (a queen) as its titular head. Bible accounts focus their attention on those ruling systems (kingdoms) which had an effect or would later have an effect on Gods own people. In the Bible world powers and governments (ruling systems) are often figuratively likened to beasts, and when they oppose Gods will and affect his people in adverse ways, they are depicted as wild beasts While we typically hold the idea that a world power consists of a political ruling system, a religion or for that matter even an institution can be seen as a ruling system due to widespread or even worldwide influence and the fact that it promotes laws and

precepts which its adherents must follow. For example, Islam with influence over roughly 20% of the earths human population may be seen as much as a world power as Communism which influences approximately 22% of the worlds population can be seen as one. These are both examples of governing systems, one political and the other religious having extensive influence on a worldwide scale. In the Bible books of Daniel and Revelations Beasts are used to depict past present and future ruling systems. Why does the Bible liken some of these governing systems to Wild beasts? And, in what ways are some governors and governments like that? Also what stands behind a symbolic Wild Beast at its deepest level of scriptural meaning? For answers to these questions, we need to explore the meaning given in the Bible for the word/picture Beast. We may start out simply stating, a beast is an animal. It possesses animalistic traits and characteristics, and not those human characteristics that men possess. While this is a basic truth, the questions we pose have far greater implications than this. In exploring the difference between man and beast, we are told that God made man in his image; that is he gave him some of his own characteristics. Among those, we find a brain capable of thought, reasoning ability and wisdom. He gave men a relative ability to mimic and deploy his own qualities of Love, Justice, Wisdom and Power. He also endowed man with the trait of free moral agency to make decisions on his own. When we examine animals (beasts) they possess an entirely different range of traits or characteristics. They are largely motivated by two instincts, instinct for reproduction and instinct for survival. Their learning ability is largely a matter of training and not due either to reasoning power, thinking ability or wisdom such as that which is found in humans. It is important to note that in the Bible we find there are two kinds of beasts (animals) mentioned; domestic beasts and wild beasts. Domestic beasts which include cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, rabbits, dogs, cats and other harmless species are a blessing to humans. They provide food, clothing, and companionship for humans. They can generally be seen to serve the needs of humans in a number of different ways and usually can be trusted to be in human proximity with little danger. As an example sheep and lambs are animals seen in the Bible to depict human qualities of meekness and humbleness, qualities which are desirable from Gods own viewpoint. Matthew 9:36 But when he saw all the people he was moved with pity for them, because they were troubled and wandering like sheep without a keeper. BBE John 1:36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" NIV

John 10:16 And I have other sheep which are not of this field: I will be their guide in the same way, and they will give ear to my voice, so there will be one flock and one keeper. BBE John 10:26,27 but you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine. 27 The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. NJB On the other hand wild beasts are found to be entirely different. They often present real dangers to humans and are not easily trained. They are not observably given to any moral code and are mostly alien to the well being of humans. They are not creatures who exhibit wisdom and reasoning ability nor are they in possession of what the Bible refers to as the fruitages of the spirit, namely, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness and self-control. They are devoid of the kind of moral code which God supplies humans with. In contrast with domestic beasts, the traits of selfishness, greed, enmities, strife, fits of anger, contentions and ruthlessness are generally common to wild beasts. They will kill, steal and plunder with little or no consideration for their victims. It is in this sense that wild beasts are seen as fitting symbolism for human ruling systems which are opposed to God. The outcome of rule by such beastlike ones is highlighted at Ecclesiastes 8:9 All this I have seen, and there was an applying of my heart to every work that has been done under the sun, [during] the time that man has dominated man to his injury. NWT Some Bible examples of the figurative use of Beasts to depict humans; Ezekiel 34:8 '"As I am alive," is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, "surely for the reason that my sheep became something for plunder and my sheep continued to be food for every wild beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, and my shepherds did not search for my sheep, but the shepherds kept feeding themselves, and my own sheep they did not feed,"' NWT Titus 1:12 One of them, a prophet of their own, once said, "Cretans have always been liars, vicious beasts, and lazy gluttons." NAB Daniel 5:21 And from the sons of mankind he was driven away, and his very heart was made like that of a beast, and with the wild asses his dwelling was. Vegetation they would give him to eat just like bulls, and with the dew of the heavens his own body got to be wet, until he knew that the Most High God is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind, and that the one whom he wants NWT Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. NIV In the book of Daniel, we are left with no doubt that the beasts mentioned there represent ruling systems. That knowledge helps us to identify beasts in Revelations as well. While we rightfully equate ruling systems with wide scale governmental

entities, they can also include religions and institutions which hold sway over masses of followers. Daniel 7:12 The other beasts were deprived of their empire, but received a lease of life for a season and a time. NJB Daniel 7:12 But as for the rest of the beasts, their rulerships were taken away, and there was a lengthening in life given to them for a time and a season. NWT While biblical Beasts are used to represent overall ruling systems, (governments) with widespread powers, horns represent individual rulers within those governing systems. For example a monarchy is an overall system for ruler ship. Under that system of rule, there may be a number of different (horns) sub rulers, each with their respective dominions (nations, provinces, districts or territories). Likewise, communism may be seen as an overall system of rule, having sub systems (horns) also exercising power or influence, consisting of leaders of nations or other factions, each expressing its own sovereignty under the broad system of communism. Revelation 17:12 'The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet been given their royal power but will have royal authority only for a single hour and in association with the beast. NJB Thus when the Bible describes a wild beast with ten horns, we may picture an overall ruling system with ten divisions each having some degree of individual authority. When a new horn is shown to grow out of the beast, it pictures a new division, (a new ruler or new nation) with its own sovereignty, still subject to the overall system in the general way it operates. When a new beast forms out of an existing beast, we may assume that while it may have some new characteristics, it is descended from its predecessor and bears striking similarities to the parent beast. Daniel 8:9 Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. NIV

A deeper meaning behind the Wild Beast of the Bible

Human literary efforts normally are intentioned on conveying an idea or a meaning in its most direct and concise form. Gods word, the Holy Bible exists on a level of communication beyond the ability of human efforts. It deals with principals, concepts and ideas having more than one dimension. A single passage in scripture may contain thoughts and ideas which convey different meanings to different persons depending on the needs and circumstances of the hearer. That same passage may take on seemingly new meanings to the same reader on different occasions, depending upon where they are intellectually and emotionally at that given moment in their lives. When this occurs in everyday literature, we mark it up to happenstance, a coincidence or as a form of poetry, as it is the rare exception rather than the rule. However, in the Bible this communicational phenomenon exists as a pattern rather than an exception.

We find examples of this again and again in ever so many ways. For instance, the parables of Jesus have everyday living lessons and also deeper spiritual significance on a much higher level. The law code as it was understood had important immediate application for the lives of people in Moses day while having an even greater significance to understanding Jehovahs grand purpose. And while the manna in the wilderness served a very important practical function in its time, the deeper meaning behind it was further reaching and touched on extremely important issues between God and his human family. These are just a few quick random examples of how the same incident, circumstance or symbol in the Bible can reveal truths on a number of different levels. In dissecting these examples we come to view these as ways the truth manifests itself on different levels. (Cut and paste to your browser link and see What is Truth an essay by John ben Wilhelm) http://www.scribd.com/doc/117871853/WHAT-IS-TRUTH-by-John-ben-Wilhelm When we address the symbolism behind wild Beasts we find yet another example where truth is manifest on more than one level. On the surface or uppermost level we are given to understand that wild beasts represent governing systems functioning in opposition to God. This one facet if correctly understood reveals a great deal to us. Yet, when we explore the nature of a Wild Beast from the standpoint of why it might have been used to represent ruling systems in opposition to Jehovah, we find a whole set of characteristics which not only confirm its symbolism yet hold even deeper levels of meaning. For instance, we start out with Daniel telling us that the beasts in his visions represent ruling systems (world powers) which affect Gods people. In further examining wild beasts in scripture we discover characteristics in their makeup which support their use in describing governing systems by men who act on their own in opposition to Gods will. On a still deeper level, we see another aspect from Jehovahs viewpoint behind his seeing governing systems as wild beasts. On that level we see human rule under spirit influence. 1 John 5:19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. NIV We have now reached the core, or root level where we can see the original issue behind the meaning of wild beasts. It is an issue between Jehovah God and his adversary Satan the devil. It is the issue over sovereignty, rule by an authority and the right to exercise such ruler ship. It is the same issue all men became involved in through Adam and Eve. Jehovahs sovereignty in the Garden of Eden was kindly, loving and beneficial to humans, bringing benefits to them as well as to the earth on which they lived. In a small sense this may be seen somewhat similar to the way the kindly, peaceful and protective shepherd plays his role in benefitting sheep in his fold. Whereas Satans alternative, (men ruling other men under his clandestine direction) is so much more akin to a wild beast both in both methodology and in result.

Human rule under Satan uses deception, coercion, force, threat of punishment or death, and even death itself to speedily eliminate opposition to its will among those it rules. In the Garden of Eden when Jehovah, faced with opposition beings to his ruler ship by Satan and other spirit he did not employ any of those methods. Rather, he allowed the rebels sufficient time and freedom to justify their opposition. He allowed the natural consequences of their actions to either prove or disprove their case. When we see the significant difference between methodologies by examining the characteristics of the two types of ruler ship it opens a still deeper possibility to us. That is that a wild beast not only pictures human rule but also implies the effects of human rule. Not only does a beast like character imply results due to its nature, it also implies causes for such results. Thus we are exposed to what is behind the symbolism of a Wild Beast. On the deepest level we begin to understand that rule in opposition to Jehovah is what makes the beast wild. If the rule was in full harmony with Jehovahs way it would be entirely beneficial, in a lesser sense, much more akin to a domestic beast (animal), that is friendly and provides peaceful benefits to us as humans. So, it is not only the form or mechanism which it takes that makes the beast of the Bible wild; it is also the idea behind it. That idea behind it is that humans have the ability and the right to be able to rule them selves without Jehovah. This is also the fundamental core idea behind the endless forms of government employed throughout the history of humans on the earth, starting with Eve, when she allowed herself to be enticed by Satan into the idea that she and her husband Adam could decide what was good or bad, right and wrong, for themselves and by themselves. Genesis 3:5 "God knows that your eyes will be opened when you eat it. You will become just like God, knowing everything, both good and evil." NLT In Hebrew, the original language of the Bible, the word knowing carried more than a meaning of mere intellectual knowledge. It meant experiencing and practicing that which was known as well. It meant that they, Adam and Eve could determine for themselves what was right and wrong and conduct themselves accordingly. It was an enticement by Satan for self determination on their part to become like God and assume his right and power to decide what was right and wrong. That idea extended itself to include future humans as having the right and the ability to decide what was best for themselves and for others around them as well. This germinal idea is common to all the forms of government under which humans rule other humans. It was at the foundation of the original idea planted in Eves mind, when Satan suggested she could determine what was good and bad for herself without Jehovah. It was the idea behind the Bible account in Nimrods day when cities were established in opposition to Jehovah under Nimrods ruler ship. It was

the idea in Sauls day when the Israelites demanded a human King for themselves instead of the judges Jehovah had provided them with. And it was the undermining reason behind the Scribes and Pharisees mind set when they rejected Jesus as Gods messiah in the first century CE. This idea, that humans possess the ability to determine what is best for themselves and for their fellow humans greatly flies in the face of Jehovahs viewpoint. He views this as a personal affront to himself and who he is. Isaiah 55:8 "My thoughts are completely different from yours," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. NLT Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that man's road is not his to choose, That man, as he walks, cannot direct his own steps. TNK Isaiah 65:2 I have stretched out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, who walk in a way not good, after their own thoughts; DBY Jeremiah 6:19 Listen, earth! Watch, I shall bring disaster on this people: it is the fruit of the way they think, since they have not listened to my words nor to my law, but have rejected it. NJB The only historical example we have of a governmental system that brought even a semblance of widespread blessing to its entire population was the nation of Israel as it existed under ancient King Solomon. Because Solomon subjected himself to Jehovahs ways and desired to rule accordingly, Jehovah approved his rule, granted him unprecedented wisdom for a human being and blessed the entire nation through it. James 1:17 all that is good, all that is perfect, is given us from above; it comes down from the Father of all light; with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow caused by change. NJB While Jehovah blessed Solomons rule, it still was not the ultimate manifestation of his own will since this example was not perfect in every way. It still had a human stamp on it. Perfection is only achievable through Gods Kingdom, which is to displace all other governments according to the prophet Daniel; Daniel 2:44 And in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will put up a kingdom which will never come to destruction, and its power will never be given into the hands of another people, and all these kingdoms will be broken and overcome by it, but it will keep its place for ever. BBE That Kingdom which Daniel referred to is the same one Jesus taught his followers to pray for at Luke 11:2. Though not yet ruling the earth, it already has the power to influence Gods own people in many positive ways when they adopt its tenets.

Yet the vast majority of men and women, even most of those who profess to follow Christ, continue to accept and loyally dedicate themselves under the yoke and idea of human ruler ship rather than Godly ruler ship. They see human rule which displaces Gods rule as normal, perfectly acceptable, and even beneficial. So, as was true in past times, beastlike ruling systems remain in place, and are as they were in the past, still under the power and direction of Gods Invisible adversary. 1 John 5:19 We are certain that we are of God, but all the world is in the power of the Evil One. BBE 2 Corinthians 4:4 Because the god of this world has made blind the minds of those who have not faith, so that the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not be shining on them. BBE The primary Wild Beast in the Bible is Satan the Devil (the dragon) who remains in control of all forms of governmental systems on the earth which have in common the idea that men themselves may determine what is best for them and their fellow men. When such governmental systems claim to be ruling under God, such as the United States which carries the motto One nation under God, even a casual examination shows its people are committed to human ruler ship and not inclined to either listen to or fully follow Jehovah God. This violates Jehovahs rights as the creator, and is in direct conflict with his will, for he views these types of governmental systems as wild beasts who cannot possibly bring lasting benefits to the earth and its inhabitants. Nevertheless, men have tried and will continue to try every imaginable ruling system except true Theocracy under Gods own designated King, Jesus Christ. While evidence exists that, men have paid lip service to Gods rule, a careful examination of who they actually obey and serve proves otherwise. Some examples of the overall political governmental Systems humans have tried and or accepted as valid even in this, our own day; Capitalism, Communism, Socialism and Monarchal

Capitalism - In a capitalist or free-market economy, people own their own

businesses or property and must buy services for private use, such as healthcare. Government is seen as a practical way of supplying general services for the common good of all so that individuals might enjoy personal freedoms themselves. It is based on individual humans having a right to determine their own future prospects and to work for their own personal advantage. For these services and privileges, they pay taxes to the rulers and their representatives.

Communism - In a communist country, the national government owns all

businesses and farms and provides its people's healthcare, education and welfare. It is based on human party officials having both the right and ability to determine what is best for the populace. All citizens subject themselves to other humans who form their government and determine what rights they may enjoy. All property, goods and services are said to belong to the people collectively, however those in positions of ruling power determine how and for whose benefit all resources are to be used.

Socialism under Socialism government owns many of the larger industries

and provides education, health and welfare services while allowing citizens some economic choices of their own. It too is based on the government consisting of men governing other men supposedly for their benefit. Also, the people under this system are expected to contribute to the welfare of their leaders by paying taxes.

Monarchial Under a monarchy, there is a single ruler (a king or queen),

usually put in place by heredity. While this was the preeminent system of ruler ship on the earth in Bible times, in modern days, while still existing, it has become a hybrid form of other systems with a token monarch having limited power. In each of these systems can be seen a dependency on human beings providing guidance and ruler ship through the exercise of power over other human beings. Behind this concept lies a proverbial truth from outside the Bible, that is; Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. Or as scripture puts it; (Eccl. 8:9) All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt. ESV

(Sub systems under the Wild Beast )

Forms of government seen as subsystems under the main guidelines. 1. Anarchy - A situation where there is no government. This can happen after a civil war in a country, when a government has been destroyed and rival groups are fighting to take its place. 2. Democracy - In a democracy, the government is elected by the people. Everyone who is eligible to vote - which is a majority of the population - has a chance to have their say over how the country is run. 3. Dictatorship - Rule by a single leader who has not been elected and may use force to keep control. In a military dictatorship, the army is in control. Usually, there is little or no attention to public opinion or individual rights. 4. Monarchy - A monarchy has a king or queen, who sometimes has absolute power. Power is passed along through family bloodlines.

5. Oligarchy/Plutocracy - A form of government which consists of rule by an elite group who rule in their own interests, especially toward the accumulation of wealth and privilege. Only certain members of society have a valid voice in the government. They can represent economic power, a particular religious tradition (theocracy), or familial rule (a monarchy) or other parties currently in power. 6. Parliamentary - A parliamentary system is led by party representatives of the people and or of the aristocracy. Representatives are chosen members of political parties and remain in power as long as their party does 7. Revolutionary - The existing structure is overthrown by a completely new group. The new group can be very small - such as the military - or very large - as in a popular revolution. After a period of time, this 'becomes' one of the other types of government (unless there is another coup or uprising). 8. Totalitarian - Rule by a single political party. Votes for alternative candidates and parties are simply not allowed. Citizens are allowed and encouraged' to vote, but only for the government's chosen candidates. People are forced to do what the government tells them and may also be prevented from freedoms such as leaving the country. 9. Republic - A republic is led by representatives of the voters. Each is individually chosen for a set period of time. Each representative supposedly votes in harmony with the will of the people who have elected him or her. However, that is not always the case. In a republic it is possible for an elected representative to exercise his own choice on an issue even though the majority of those who elected him are not in favor of it. 10. Theocracy - A form of government where the rulers claim to be ruling on behalf of a set of religious ideas, or as direct agents of a deity. In its pure form, it would be government by God Almighty. However, in reality, the wishes of God are made subject to the will of the humans in power. So while it may claim the title theocracy and mimic Gods rule in a counterfeit way, it is in reality another form of human rule. It should be noted nearly every country in the world is ruled by a system that combines 2 or more of these examples; for instance, the USA is not a true capitalist society, since the government actually provides some services for its citizens. Also, one person's opinion of the type of government may differ from another's (many argue that the USA is actually a plutocracy rather than a democracy or a republic). Great Britain is recognized as a Parliamentary Monarchy and Germany is recognized as a Social Democracy, being hybrid forms in their own right. However, an analysis of all these forms of government shows that the single consistent common factor belonging to all of them is the idea that humans have the ability and the right to rule other humans.

10

The fact that it was an invisible spirit being who originally planted and promoted this idea, knowing full well that humans did not have an innate ability to determine what was best for themselves, should alert us to his own ulterior motives in the scenario. That is that while thinking they were in charge, they would in actuality become subjects to his domination in opposition to the true God Jehovah. So, what we see is that the concept of the Biblical Wild Beast is rooted in an idea; the idea being that men are capable of and entitled to self determination. Whether it takes the form of a human king or a group of human beings in governmental power, it is still represents humans ruling over other humans, with those in power determining what they see as best for their fellow humans. In the Bible the creator caused the following words to be written under his direct inspiration. They show that this idea of self determination is contrary to the expressed will of God and therefore stands as an abomination in his eyes. Jeremiah 10:23 I know, Jehovah, that the way of man is not his own; it is not in a man that walketh to direct his steps. DBY . Psalm 146:3 Put not your faith in rulers, or in the son of man, in whom there is no salvation. BBE Jeremiah 17:5 Yahweh says this, 'Accursed be anyone who trusts in human beings, who relies on human strength and whose heart turns from Yahweh. NJB Proverbs 3:5 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. NWT [And, from three different versions] Isaiah 48:17 Thus says Yahweh, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am Yahweh your God and teach you for your own good, I lead you in the way you ought to go. NJB Isaiah 48:17 Thus said Jehovah, thy redeemer, The Holy One of Israel, 'I am Jehovah thy God, teaching thee to profit, Causing thee to tread in the way thou goest. YLT Isaiah 48:17 This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. NIV These scriptures indicate that the idea of man determining what is best for himself or for his fellow men is one which is contrary to the will of God.

11

Yet, an idea is a mighty force, sometimes having so great a reach that the idea itself often may become lost in its consequences. For example, in the United States, Government was founded on a constitution which was to establish a set of guidelines for all its operations toward the people it was governing. It was to be a Government for the people, by the people, under God. When we look at the reality today, we barely find remnants of as much as a skeleton of the original idea left in place. Reality is the American governmental organism bears little resemblance to the originally stated intention. Yet there does remain, one simple fundamental principal which controls and dictates what is seen in its place today. That is the glorification of self determination as a concept for government. We suggest Wild Beasts are fitting symbols for governments in opposition to God. They all have the common characteristic of men ruling the majority of subjects under them to their detriment. They may change in surface appearance, yet at the heart and soul lays a single concept; that is they rule in opposition to Gods purpose for humans. It was never his intent since the beginning of their creation that humans should assume the sovereignty that was exclusively his. Yet, this is the premise, the very foundation and a core meaning behind the symbolic Wild Beast in the bible. Knowing this plays an important part in identifying and understanding all beastlike entities in the scriptures. While one beast may represent one form of ruling system such as a Monarchy, another may represent an entirely different type of ruling system such as a Democracy. Still another type of ruling system may represent itself as a Theocracy or as a Godly version of a religion. What makes any or all of these systems wild Beasts are their overt or covert opposition to Jehovah God. While overt opposers are easy to recognize, covert opposers are not. They represent themselves as angels of light yet these clandestine agents are in all actuality working for the interests of Jehovahs arch enemy, sometimes even without anyones knowledge. While claiming to act as benefactors, they are actually under tutelage and control of Satan the Devil an invisible beastly ruler who opposes Jehovah God and ultimately reaps only death and destruction as his legacy.

END TIMES RULING SYSTEMS (WILD BEASTS) While the Wild Beasts in Daniels writings mainly exemplify political powers, the Wild beasts of Revelation, particularly those appearing during end times may be observed to have unseen spiritual dimensions as well as those which are physical / literal. That is; they have invisible components not seen with physical eyes but discerned with spiritual insight. Concerning these Wild Beasts in the time of the end, we can say that they can be found in political entities, spiritual entities and in combined forms of political/spiritual entities.

12

A world power is spoken of in the Bible book of Revelations. This entity has both physical and spiritual implications. The Bible attributes great power to it, even among Gods own people. Revelation 13:7 And the beast was allowed to wage war against God's holy people and to overcome them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. NLT After that, we are given a revelation concerning another beast, with two heads, a dual world power (manifesting itself in an earthly or physical, application) We are told this two headed beast will wage war with the Holy ones and have the power to rule every tribe, people, language and nation. We are also told that this two horned wild beast who resembles a lamb in some ways speaks as a dragon. We might recall the original dragon is Satan the Devil and he promoted (or spoke) self rule among humankind. Revelation 13:11 And I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb, but it began speaking as a dragon. NWT Revelation 13:15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. NKJ The Dual (two horned) world power is neither exclusively the political empire of Great Britain and the United States, not the Political powers of East and West and also not the European common market united with the Anglo American world power. Neither is it simply the Capitalist vs Communist Socialist ruling systems. All these are fundamentally, differing forms of the same wild beast, all are exclusively political in nature and reveal themselves in physical forms. In the Time of the End the (physical) dual world power consists of:

1. A Political Ruling System = (King of the North) In the twilight of the

time of the end, he rules primarily through Economic subjugation. While being represented as a single entity, he finds form in numerous components combining together to form that entity. And the (spiritual) world power consista of:

2. A Religious Ruling System = (King of the South) - Babylon the Great

In the time of the end he rules primarily through Spiritual subjugation. He too consists of differing components, each exercising its own sovereignty yet having in common defacto opposition to God as all false religions and false religious subsystems opposed to the true God Jehovah are.

13

Although these two systems compete with one another for ultimate supremacy, they both recognize a basic need in humans, which is to worship someone or something seen as higher, better or as more powerful than oneself. While there are a number of sub systems under each of these as outgrowths of the main beasts (ruling systems) these two remain at the core of the larger reality. They have contended with each other for power all through history. Both these Kings exhibit a human face but are in actuality manipulated by unseen Spirit entities under the ultimate Wild Beast, the dragon, Satan the Devil. Therefore they are both in opposition to Jehovah God. The historical pushing and shoving between these two kings who have vied for world domination since the earliest times culminates during the time of the end, when the King of the North (political) ceases to vie for power with the King of the South (religious) and instead, turns on him with the purpose of eliminating him. Such destruction of religion leaves a vacuum, for humans still have an innate need to worship. The prevailing power, the King of the north produces an outward entity (an image) with a physical manifestation demanding worship in its own right. This image of a wild beast is connected to the idea of men ruling themselves exclusive of Jehovah God, the almighty. While all others may be induced to worship such an image, the holy ones (saints) of the Supreme One will not, even in the face of death. All this means an end to Babylon the Great, the historical empire of false religion. Since it sees religion as opposing its sovereignty, the king of the North convinces his followers that the majority of their problems can be traced to religion and that it needs to be eliminated. The king of the south (Babylon the Great) represents all forms of false religion including counterfeit Christendom. As the light dawned on this end time era it saw Jehovahs holy ones being held in figurative captivity by Babylon the Great. They are found within its institutions and also to some extent under its doctrinal influences. They were and still are viewed by the King of the North as a part of Babylon the Great which must be destroyed with the rest of it. The Holy ones (saints) are also at the same time seen by the King of the South (Babylon the Great) as his enemy since their true allegiance is not to him, but to someone other than himself. The Holy Ones have as their true king neither the King of the North (the human political ruler ship system), nor the King of the South (Babylon the Great) which is defacto human rule disguised as Gods rule standing in a religious context . Rather, they are subjects of Gods Kingdom under direct influence and control of Christ Jesus. His kingdom rule takes its residency not within the churches, mosques or temples of organized worldwide religion but rather within the individual hearts of his people. (Jer. 31:31)

14

In the time of the end, a condition of full blown warfare prevails, the battlefield is worldwide and the realm is both physical and spiritual. Remember, ultimately the war is over sovereignty. Who shall rule the earth in the final and ultimate sense? Will it be Satan the devil and his followers or is it Jehovah God, his Son and their followers? Both the King of the North and the King of the South represent the same side in the conflict. Theirs is only a question of which one is to dominate. In this respect, they have their own struggle going on. The main End time battle is over the right to rule the earth and vindication of Gods Holy name. It is the culmination of the issue that first originated in the Garden of Eden. Does Jehovah God have this right or was Satan the Devil justified in the challenge he raised? That challenge alleged he could rule mankind just as well as Gof almighty himself could. There is also an entirely spiritual side to this warfare: Jehovah God represents a force for light and Satan represents a force for darkness in that Jehovahs way brings truth and blessing to the earth and its inhabitants, while Satans way is founded on a lie, continues to be nurtured by deception and brings darkness and malediction to the earth. So, figuratively, we have a battle raging between light and darkness in this time of the end. Interestingly, The Dead sea scrolls, hidden in the earth for over two thousand years were discovered relatively recently and have been released in partial form to the public. Mostly, they continue to be a subject of semi - clandestine study by scholars and so called experts who have been sponsored by various religious institutions. However what we do have provides us with some fascinating apocalyptic insights pertaining to the time of the end. These scrolls were written before the birth of Christ, also before any New Testament writings and remained hidden in caves until their discovery by a shepherd boy in the late 1940s. In 1 QM (Dead Sea Scrolls) a prophetic war is described. The final battle pits the forces of darkness against the Sons of light The war is first described as an attack by the Sons of Light, consisting of the sons of Levi, the sons of Judah, and the sons of Benjamin, and the exiled of the desert, against Edom, Moab, the sons of Ammon, the Amalekites, Philistia, and the Kittim of Asshur (referred to as the army of Belial), and those who assist them from among the wicked who "violate the covenant. Interestingly, the same war is then later described in the scrolls as a conflict between the congregation of God and the congregation of men. In the end, all of Darkness is to be destroyed and Light will live in peace for all eternity This war, takes form in our times on two battle fields. One is the physical one, where the forces of darkness are in a life and death struggle even among themselves for the physical accoutrements of ruler ship. The other is over the spiritual lives of human society at large, and particularly over the Spiritual lives of Jehovahs anointed since all future prospects for human life is connected to their faith and endurance.

15

While the physical battle over the greater part of human society, according to the Bible is almost a foregone conclusion, the battle over the spiritual lives of the anointed and those who would take hold of their skirts rages on. We as people living on the earth today are not given privileged information as to exactly when all these things will come to their conclusion. What we can be certain of is that the final conclusion of things will usher in the kingdom of God under his Christ and bring an end to all wild beast like rulerships currently under the dominion of the great dragon, and arch deceiver Satan the Devil. There upon the new heavens and the new earth will become a reality fulfilling Jehovahs original purpose for the earth and its inhabitants. Only then will the influence of Satans and his desires become a never to be repeated page in human history. Daniel 2:44 And in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will put up a kingdom which will never come to destruction, and its power will never be given into the hands of another people, and all these kingdoms will be broken and overcome by it, but it will keep its place for ever. BBE 2 Peter 3:13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. ESV THE NEW WORLD ORDER (N.W.O.) as an END TIMES WILD BEAST The Bible is far ahead of any political or economic analyst today. It accurately predicted the rise and demise of past world powers and warns us of a world government that would rise to power in the last days at Revelation 13:14-18 Revelation 13:14 Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666. NIV During the times we live in, quite a bit has been said about A New World Order. Some have even equated this phrase with Gods Kingdom. While it is true Gods Kingdom is associated with a New Heavens and a New Earth (Matt. 6:10 2, Pe. 3:13), this should not be mistaken for the New World Order men are clamoring for. The N.W.O. is in reality a beastly kingdom sponsored by Satan the Devil as an alternative to Gods Kingdom under Christ. It is nothing more than a euphemistic title given to an entity Jehovah God sees as an End Times Wild Beast. The New World Order is

16

Satans ultimate solution for a small elite group of men to rule the entire earth by means of a single central government which in turn is guided and directed by him. One of the first and most well known Western usages of the term New World Order surrounded Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points calling for a League of Nations following the devastation of World War I. The idea was echoed some years later during the time of Hitler in Nazi Germany. The New Order (German: Neuordnung) or the New Order of Europe (German: Neuordnung Europas) was the political order which Nazi Germany wanted to impose on Europe, and eventually the rest of the world. That this concept was not limited to Europe alone was borne out in a speech attributed to one of Hitlers top lieutenants in 1943. The Fhrer gave expression to his unshakable conviction that the Reich will be the master of all Europe. We shall yet have to engage in many fights, but these will undoubtedly lead to most wonderful victories. From there on the way to world domination is practically certain. Whoever dominates Europe will thereby assume the leadership of the world. Joseph Goebbels, 8 May 1943 The phrase New World Order was used sparingly at the end of World War II when describing the plans for the United Nations and the Bretton Woods system. While this was a revolutionary concept for combining both political and economic systems worldwide for the first time in history, only limited numbers of commentators have applied the term retroactively to the order put in place by the WWII victors as a "new world order." The most widely discussed application of the phrase in recent times came at the end of the Cold War. Presidents Mikhail Gorbachev and George H. W. Bush used the term to try to define the nature of the post Cold War era, and the spirit of great power cooperation that they hoped might materialize. Gorbachev signed on with a speech that included the following words; For a new type of progress throughout the world to become a reality, everyone must change. Tolerance is the alpha and omega of a new world order. Gorbachev, June 1990. His initial formulation was wide ranging and idealistic, but his ability to press for it was severely limited by the internal crisis of the Soviet system. Bush's vision was, in comparison, much more circumscribed and realistic, perhaps even instrumental at times and closely linked to the Gulf War. Despite the criticisms of the new world order concept, ranging from its practical unworkability to its theoretical incoherence, Bill Clinton not only signed on to the idea of the "new world order," but dramatically expanded the concept beyond

17

Bush's formulation. The essence of Clinton's election year critique was that Bush had done too little, not too much. He is quoted as saying We need a new world order. Since those administrations, world leaders continue shape events designed to bring about that goal. Barack Obama was quoted as saying the pressure of global citizenship continues to bind us together. Even as this essay was being finalized political elements are uttering supportive statements for the need for a new world political order. Statements of support for such a government are being echoed by national leaders worldwide, in a variety of forms, even from such far flung places as China and Iran. As the New World Order comes online, its main agenda, (at least outwardly), will appear to be 'world peace'. Perhaps it will be after another future war in the Middle East that the global mega dealer and peacemaker will finally succeed in hammering out an agreement between the warring parties. (Dan.9:27) This would follow a historical pattern. World War I gave us the League of Nations. After World War II we saw the United Nations spring up. The New World Order is about absolute control by a small privileged ruling minority with political control. That small number sees itself as constituting an elite circle, with divine backing, controlling the masses of humanity. The control device for this in our day has become largely economically based. Today, economic slavery is outstripping and replacing earlier forms of control over humans such as false religion and patriotism. The N.W. O. is not just in one country or over a limited group of nations but an order which will govern over an entire world much as a kind of 4th Reich. It is about worldwide government and control over all the sea of humanity by an elite. In political science terms this ruler ship concept is a form of government called a plutocracy. However, in its End times form the New World Order combines political domination with religious undertones. In Satans original form of wild beast, established in Adamic times, there was, from the beginning, a religious dimension to his rule. For Satan, merely ruling was not enough. He required the worship due Jehovah God for himself and quickly established entire religious systems toward that end. It should not surprise us that the New World Order wild beast will not only rise to take control over all the governments of the word, but it will demand to be worshipped as God. With the New World Order Wild Beast one cannot separate politics and religion. While it will claim to eliminate religion as a negative force in peoples lives, it will create its own religious form through which it will exact devotion and worship. One may not understand the true nature of the N.W.O. by ignoring the religious aspect since worship has always been a key element of desire for the one who originally opposed the true god Jehovah and usurped his sovereignty. Therefore, it should not surprise us that a physical worldwide government like the N.W.O. will

18

fulfill the desire of its wildly beastlike sponsor and have a worshipful religious aspect to it. John 8:44 You belong to your father the devil and you willingly carry out your father's desires. . . . NAB Remember however, that the Bible communicates with us on more than one level. Therefore, it is also appropriate that we anticipate a spiritual (religious) fulfillment of Rev. 13:14-18, aside from or in addition to the physical (political) fulfillment. This would consist of a fulfillment of features uniquely affecting Gods own people in this time of the end. Who may these be, the ones who Jehovah God sees as his very own people during this period of these end times? While some may argue all humans are his progeny due to original creatorship, this is not quite how God sees things according to the bible. The writings of Jeremiah and other prophets show that Jehovah has a people who exist among all the rest of earths population as people he refers to as his people. Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, And the priests rule by their own power; And My people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end? NKJ Ezekiel 37:23 They will stop polluting themselves with their detestable idols and other sins, for I will save them from their sinful backsliding. I will cleanse them. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God. NLT Isaiah 52:6 But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that it is I who speaks to them." NLT In our time, which the Bible refers to as the time of the end, who are those who may actually be seen as Gods own people? As has always been the case, today religions everywhere claim they are Gods people. Yet, many who hold this belief, according to Mtt. 7:22,23 will be in for devastating surprises. Mtt. 7:22,23 When the day comes many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, work many miracles in your name?" Then I shall tell them to their faces: I have never known you; away from me, all evil doers! NJB Those looked on with favor by God on judgment day will certainly not be the vast throngs of mankind who place their trust and hope in the wild beastlike governments and ruling systems controlled by and under the authority and power of Satan the Devil. Also, it will certainly not be those who claim to follow his son Jesus, all the while continuing to put their faith and hope in their own human beastlike organizations instead of in Jehovah God and his Christ.

19

People God accepts as his own can be identified by certain characteristics which Jehovah God himself determines. So we can gain clues as to their identity by descriptive word pictures painted in Gods own word. While the nation of Israel was represented in the Bible as a people God called his own in ancient times, this is not the case today. The political nation of Israel, in our day, by virtue of its claim and its constitution, is in actuality a Parliamentary Democracy. Its political makeup and government is no different from Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Denmark, Japan, Norway, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe or any of dozens of other countries. It is today just another form of beast like government. On the other hand, a people ruled by God would be under a form of government known as a Theocracy (God Rule). And at that, it would have to be a true Theocracy, not a man made counterfeit. The Israel of God in our time is not a political nation, rather a spiritual nation. Its people would be submissive to Jehovah Gods sovereignty and under his designated ruler Jesus Christ. How can we identify this Israel of God today? Gods nation is spiritual in nature, and therefore not at all visible with physical human eyes. We are not able to identify human citizens of that nation with absolute certainty since their citizenship papers are written within their hearts and we humans cant read hearts. We can only go by what we see or observe with our human eyesight and what Gods Holy Spirit reveals to us in his word of truth. There are numerous Bible verses we can look to, describing characteristics and qualities found in citizens of a spiritual nation functioning under the ruler ship of Gods son Christ Jesus. By and large, these citizens are found doing the will of God. Some verses describing what we could look for in identifying them are as follows: 1. KNOWLEDGE: They would be found basing their beliefs on accurate and true knowledge found in Gods own word, the Bible. 1 Timothy 2:3, 4. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, :4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. NKJ John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. NKJ 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness NAS Colossians 1:9 That is also why we, from the day we heard [of it], have not ceased praying for YOU and asking that YOU may be filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, NWT 2. OBEDIENCE: They would be obedient to Gods will as expressed through the teachings of the Bible and they would be found actually doing his will in harmony with the following principals:

20

2a. Exclusive devotion to the father, Jehovah God and his son Christ Jesus. Exodus 20:5 . . . I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, NWT Matthew 28:18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. NLT John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. NIV 2b. Separated from the world of mankind in general John 15:19 .YOU are no part of the world, but I have chosen YOU out of the world, NJB John 18:36 Jesus replied, 'Mine is not a kingdom of this world; NWT John 17:14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. NRS 2c. Love a distinguishing feature, among themselves and toward others; Matthew 22:37 He said to him: "'You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.'
NWT

Matthew 22:39 The second, like it, is this, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' NWT Matthew 5:44. . . I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; NWT 2c. Holiness - Gods people would be clean and set apart for his service Leviticus 11:44 For I am Jehovah your God: sanctify (set apart) yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am holy (pure, clean): ASV 1 Peter 1:16 For he himself has said, "You must be holy because I am holy."
NLT

Isaiah 1:16 Wash yourselves and be clean! Let me no longer see your evil deeds. Give up your wicked ways. NLT

21

3. Truth Essential, and a basic guide for Gods people: John 4:24 God is spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and truth. NJB John 16:13 However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth, . . .and he will reveal to you the things to come. NJB John 8:32 you will come to know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
NJB

Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. NIV Isaiah 65:16 So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; ESV 2 Thessalonians 2:12 So that they all may be judged, who had no faith in what is true, but took pleasure in evil. BBE 4. A people for his name: Ezekiel 39:7 I shall see that my holy name is acknowledged by my people Israel, and no longer allow my holy name to be profaned; and the nations will know that I am Yahweh, holy in Israel. NJB Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved." NWT Daniel 9:19 O Jehovah, do hear. O Jehovah, do forgive. O Jehovah, do pay attention and act. Do not delay, for your own sake, O my God, for your own name has been called upon your city and upon your people." NWT Or as another version states; Daniel 9:19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name." NIV His authentic people will be found to fit all the above requirements fully, not just a few of them or in a token way. While the Bible itself affords all these clues as well as others in helping us to identify these latter day Israelites, only one is not only conspicuous but is unique as being exclusive to a people he considers his own unique possession.

22

Acts 15:17 in order that those who remain of the men may earnestly seek Jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah, who is doing these things,, NWT Gods People must have a relationship with his name. Ask yourself; does my religious organization fit this requirement? Does it even recognize he has a name? If not, how can you be sure you are not inadvertently aligned with a modern day Wild beast like organization? This is not merely a matter of wishful thinking. If you are aligned with a wild beastlike religious organization this affiliation could cost your eternal life. We cant assume, we need to be honest with ourselves and we need to be sure. We discussed earlier that the Bible, unlike any other book, contains revelation and prophecy on a number of different levels. The books of the Bible hold meaning to the world in general, to those who claim to be followers of Christ, as well as to those who actually are followers of Christ. They also hold a special focus of meaning to a small group among those followers who have been selected by the father and profess to be in an anointed position before their God and his reigning son King, Jesus Christ. There may be many claimants for this relationship however; we know from the scriptures that just making such a claim does not necessarily make it true. Jesus addressed such claimants in the time of the end when he said; Matthew 7:22,23. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?':23 Then I will declare to them solemnly, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.' NAB However, many is not the same as all. There will be those he approves at the same time he rejects the others. The spiritual side of this prophecy which applies to them is extremely important. For these, described elsewhere in scripture as Holy ones (Saints) are a small number of individuals to be taken from the earth and established as those who God almighty intends to use as a key part of his promised new heavens and a new earth These saints also constitute the primary combatants in the last battle. When all else is lost, a remnant of these remain on the earthly scene where Satan sees them as the last obstacle to be overcome in proving his side of the issue. So we have a prophetic application which may be uniquely applied to them. The them being the ones described in Revelations 12:7 where it says; And the dragon was angry with the woman and went away to make war on

23

the rest of her seed, who keep the orders of God, and the witness of Jesus BBE These remaining ones of the womans seed are crucially involved in the spiritual fulfillment of prophecies in both the books of Daniel and of Revelations. Who these ones who anger the beastly dragon are, and how the prophecy applies to them and what this means to all of Gods people living in the time of the end will be discussed in depth in another essay. Thus, in summation, we learned that Wild Beasts in the Bible represent ruling systems which function in opposition to Jehovah God in the sense that they offer themselves as substitutes for his own sovereignty. The Bible reveals that these ruling systems, administered by humans, represent themselves as benefactors to those who they exercise authority over, but are actually instruments used by Gods arch enemy Satan the Devil for his own selfish purposes. We also know that in the final outcome all these ruling systems will be terminated by Jehovah God and replaced by the only legitimate and truly beneficial ruler ship, the Kingdom of God under his son Christ Jesus. Having this knowledge, each one of us will have to choose whether we will listen to and obey Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ, or whether we will takes sides with one or more of the Wild Beasts Satan the Devil has sponsored. Will we place our trust and loyalty with ruling systems administered by men under Satans hidden guidance or will we dedicate ourselves exclusively to Jehovah? Jehovahs insistence on exclusive devotion leaves no room for loyalty to other entities, as scripture so explicitly states: Deuteronomy 5:9 You must not bow down to them or be led to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons and upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me; NWT Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.<G3126> NAB Zodhiates Complete Greek Word Study dictionary defines Mammon<G3126>, as a comprehensive word for all kinds of possessions, earnings, and gains, a designation of material value, the god of materialism. Acts 5:29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! NIV Or as other versions state; Acts 5:29 But Peter answering, and the apostles, said, God must be obeyed rather than men. DBY

24

Acts 5:29 But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than human authority NLT The scripture at Acts 5:29 is a crucial test for all of Gods people in the time of the end. None are exempt from the decision made by Peter and the apostles when they uttered those words in support of Jehovah Gods ruler ship. It was at the time a test of whose sovereignty they would support and it remains a test for us today based on that very same age old issue. The author makes no claims of having special knowledge or insight based on anything other than what the creator so graciously furnishes through his word and his spirit. To all who love truth and wish to worship their God and creator with spirit and truth, he imparts understanding toward this end. The author invites comments via E mail at; JohnbenWilhelm@yahoo.com The author wishes to express gratitude to the publishers of the following Bibles which were used to quote from in the pages of this essay. The order of listing should not be construed to imply an endorsement of any one version over another. The listing, in alphabetical order is for convenience in identifying which version the codes used in verse citations come from.

AMP ASV BBE ESV JPS KJV LXE NAU NWT NIB NIV NJB NKJ NRS TNK YLT

Amplified Bible American Standard Version The Bible in Basic English English Standard Version Jewish Publication Society Tanakh King James (Authorized Version of 1611) Septuagint- Translation by Brenton New American Standard Version New World Translation New International bible New International Version (US) New Jerusalem Bible New King James Bible New Revised Standard Tanakh - Jewish Publication Society Youngs Literal Translation

25

26