It must be Papal Rome. All of us need salvation so it is not an attack at the people but at the system that fits the identifying marks above.
A. The sea (or water) in prophecy refers to people or a populated area (Revelation 17:15). The Papacy did arise amid the established nations of the then known world. The papacy arose in Western Europe, so it fits this point.
B. It is the composite of the four beasts in Daniel chapter 7 (verse 2). = Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The four beasts of Daniel 7 are depicted as part of Antichrist, or the beast, because the papacy incorporated pagan beliefs and practices from all four empires. She clothed them in spiritual garb and spread them to the world as Christian teachings. Here is one of many supporting statements from history: "In a certain respect, she [the papacy] has copied her organization from that of the Roman Empire, has preserved and made fruitful the philosophical intuitions of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, borrowed from both Barbarians and the Byzantine Roman Empire, but always remains herself, thoroughly digesting all elements drawn from external sources." This point definitely fits the papacy.
C. The dragon gives it power and authority (verse 2). = If the dragon represents pagan Rome, and Satan, i'll quote just two supportive references from history, though there are many: (1) "The Roman Church ... pushed itself into the place of the Roman World-Empire, of which it is the actual continuation. ...The Pope ... is Caesar's successor." (2) "The mighty Catholic Church was little more than the Roman Empire baptised. Rome was transformed as well as converted. The very capital of the old Empire became the capital of the Christian Empire. The office of Pontifex Maximus was continued in that of Pope." So this point also fits the papacy. She received her capital city and power from pagan Rome.
D. It receives a deadly wound (verse 3). = A wound or deadly blow will come to the beast..... ? The deadly wound was inflicted when Napoleon's general, Alexander Berthier, entered Rome and took Pope Pius VI captive in February of 1798. Napoleon decreed that at the death of the pope, the papacy would be discontinued. The pope died in France in August of 1799. "Half Europe thought ... that without the Pope the Papacy was dead." 4 So this point also fits the papacy.
E. Its deadly wound is healed (verse 3). = The beast will recover.... ? Since its healing, the strength of the papacy has grown. Today she is one of the most powerful religious-political organizations and influence centers in the world.
F. It is a strong political power (verses 3, 7). = "and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." = An American ambassador has said the Vatican is unmatched as a “listening post.” Papal structure is already prepared for worldwide control.
G. It is a strong religious power (verses 3, 8). = "all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life" Is the catholic church a strong religious church in the world? more people claim to be catholic then any other religion.
H. It is guilty of blasphemy (verses 1, 5, 6). = The papacy is guilty of blasphemy because her priests claim to forgive sins and her popes claim to be Christ.
I. It wars with and overcomes the saints (verse 7). = It was called the dark ages for a reason. The papacy did persecute and destroy millions of saints during the Dark Ages.
J. It rules for 42 months (verse 5). = 1260 years, The papacy reigned for 42 prophetic months, from A.D. 538-1798. It isn't a made up number, history clearly tells that they gained power in 538ad and lost power in 1798ad. = 1260 years
K. It has a mysterious number—666 (verse 18). = six hundred and sixty, six. "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."
What man do you think of when you think of the papacy? Naturally, we think of the pope. What is his official name? Here is a Catholic quote: “The title of the pope of Rome is Vicarius Filii Dei” (English: “Vicar of the Son of God”). Malachi Martin, in The Keys of This Blood, uses the same title for the pope on page 114. A footnote for Revelation 13:18 in some Douay versions of the Bible says, “The numeral letters of his name shall make up this number.”
V = 5 F = 0 D = 500
i = 1 i = 1 e = 0
c = 100 l = 50 i = 1
a = 0 i = 1
r = 0 i = 1
i = 1
u = 5
s = 0
=666
The papacy fits all 11 identifying points.... what is her mark of authority...... ?
