The World System Equals the Beast of Revelation

By Michael Hazelwood

The beast of Revelation was the Old Roman Empire system, which ruled all of Europe and the Middle East. When Rome fell from within due to the weight of its own government, it was said the beast was deadbut this beast is coming back to life and taking over the world once more.
In The World System Equals the Beast of Revelation, author Michael Hazelwood examines this occurrence by unlocking the mysteries of the book of Revelation chapter by chapter. He discerns the signs of the times we are living in with step-by-step biblical and historical references.
Bringing a better understanding through the truth of Gods Word, Hazelwood explains world events and their relevance to the Bible. He shows how America is described in a biblical prophecyeven if it isnt mentioned by nameand how it is affected by the Old Roman Empire and the Catholic Church. The World System Equals the Beast of Revelation seeks to help Christians gain a better understanding of Bible prophecy and end-time events and find the love, hope, and forgiveness God has for all in Jesus Christ the Lord.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Mar 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781480806511

Michael Hazelwood

Michael Hazelwood is a husband, father, and grandfather. He was born in Tennessee and, as an adult, moved to work in the furniture industry in North Carolina. He currently lives in Texas.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

GOD’S PERFECT CIRCLE OF TIME

Revelation 1:8

I am Alpha and Omega, The beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is and which was and which is to come, The Almighty.

Before we begin, let me say that we need to have some knowledge of history. We need to know our past history, and where we have come from so we can see where we are going and where the prophecies of the bible have been fulfilled. Let’s look at the book of the beginning of time Genesis and to the future, the book of Revelation, the fulfillment of time. The word of God is the perfect circle of divine Revelation and prophecies.

These prophecies will be fulfilled whether we heed them or not. Compare the book of Genesis and Revelation, the first and last books of the bible and you can see the fulfillment of God’s divine circle of time.

Genesis You have the beginning of time.

Revelation Time shall be no longer.

Genesis You have the creation of the first heaven and earth.

Revelation The old earth is done away, and a new heaven and a new earth are created.

Genesis You have paradise lost.

Revelation You have paradise regained.

Genesis Death is pronounced upon man, and he is separated from God.

Revelation There is no more death, and God dwells with man.

Genesis You have the first appearance of the serpent, Devil.

Revelation You have the final appearance and banishment of the serpent, or devil.

Genesis The origin and character of Babylon are revealed.

Revelation You have the destiny and doom of Babylon.

Genesis Men die.

Revelation Men are resurrected.

Genesis You have the sacrifice of the first lamb.

Revelation The lamb that was slain is standing upon Mt. Zion.

Genesis We are told that the heel of Christ will be bruised by Satan.

Revelation Christ is crushing the head of Satan.

The book of Revelation does not portray the end, but the beginning. It will be the ushering in of an eternal life where righteousness will dwell for those who have received Christ as Their Savior.

CHAPTER 2

THE HISTORY OF THE SEVEN CHURCHES

In Revelation chapter one, Jesus gave John a three part outline in writing the book of Revelation. First, John was told to write about the things he had seen, {referring to the past}. Second, John was told to write about the things that are {referring to the present}. Things of his day. Third, the last thing John was told to write was "The things which shall be hereafter, thus meaning the future, everything from Revelation chapter 4 through chapter 22.

Revelation 1:11

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last and what thou seest write in a book, And send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia. Unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

John was told to write seven letters addressed to seven actual churches. They are seven

Actual letters to seven individuals, or messengers that would present the contents to the congregation of the church. They are messages to all churches in all ages. The seven churches represent seven time periods, or stages of church history. In each period the Lord speaks to the seven churches in a judgment way, telling them about their failures, and then He calls them to repentance. The only two churches Jesus does not have to rebuke for sinful activities are Smyrna the suffering church, and Philadelphia, the great missionary church.

Revelation 1:12, 16, 20

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me and being turned I saw seven golden candlesticks. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. And He had in his right hand seven stars. And out of his mouth went a sharp two edged sword and his countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. And the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Here the seven golden candlesticks are the seven churches, and the seven stars are the seven Angels or messengers to the churches. In verse 13, the Lord is clothed with the garments of the Old Testament high priest because He is in heaven performing His ministry of intercession. The seven candlesticks represent the seven churches because believers are suppose to be the light of the world.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

In verse 20 the two edged sword John spoke of is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing.even to the dividing asunder of the soul, and spirit and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts, and intents of the heart.

The expression His Countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength is referring to the transfiguration in the book of Matthew.

Matthew 17:1, 2

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart. And was transfigured before them and his face did shine as the sun and his raiment was white as the light.

This shows the glory of Christ who will be the judge during the great tribulation, and the great white throne judgment of Revelation 20:11. I have said the seven churches represent seven periods or stages of church history. The first church Jesus addressed was the church of Ephesus.

EPHESUS, DUTY WITHOUT LOVE

Revelation 2:1-7

Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write these things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil. And thou hast tried them which say they are apostles and are not and hast found them liars. And hast borne and hast patience, and for my name sake hast labored and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first works or else I will come unto thee quickly and will remove thy candlestick out of his place except thou repent. But this thou hast that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

The church of Ephesus covered the time period from 33A.D until 100A.D. Ephesus was the birth place of the church age at Pentecost. In his first letter Jesus begins by commending this church for what he can find that is good before scolding them for their sin. The Ephesus church begins in purity. The Christians at Ephesus were taught well, they had Paul, Timothy, and John as pastors but the church of Ephesus had let false prophets enter in .As the Lord walked among the churches he was aware of their thoughts and attitudes. Jesus saw what they had to endure, and where they succeeded, and where they failed. This knowledge is important when Jesus judges them.

There was much in the church of Ephesus to commend and praise. The believers were full of good works and service for the Lord. The letter speaks twice of how these early Christians labored in the name of Jesus. The Ephesus church knew how to trust the Lord under trial. This is the meaning of the word patience. The believers were faithful in their stand for God. They were also faithful in their stand against false teaching. The Ephesus church leaders judged the false prophets who had come to them, and cast them out. These false prophets were the Nicolatans who claimed the sins of your body didn’t affect your spirit. The church of Ephesus looked like a model church, but Jesus rebuked them.

THE REBUKE

Despite all the pluses in the church of Ephesus, Jesus saw danger creeping in. They had left their first love, Christ Himself. The church of Ephesus was outwardly warm, but inwardly cold. They had become lax as they lost their first love. The one reason the church of Ephesus failed was due to the fact they were too busy serving and not taking time to pray and fellowship with Jesus. They were too busy pleasing man instead of God. When one gets so busy that he has no time to pray and read the bible, he is too busy. Many Christians have fallen because of this one thing. When they were first saved they loved Jesus and they loved to pray and read the bible, but somehow they get away from the word, and grow cold, and lose that first love they once had. The church at Ephesus had slipped from its first love, and on the way down. Mohammedanism swept through the land and destroyed the church at Ephesus that was mighty under Paul! One the conquest of Mohammedanism the church of Ephesus became nonexistent.

THE SMYRNA CHURCH

Poor Persecuted but Rich

Revelation 2:8-11

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna, write these things saith the first and the last, which was dead and is alive. I know thy works and tribulations and poverty, but thou art rich, and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

The Smyrna church age began in 100 A.D. and lasted until 312 A.D. The people of the Smyrna church suffered the greatest persecution in all Christians’ history. Christians at the church of Smyrna performed their work faithfully in the name of Jesus, because of their faith in Jesus it brought great tribulation and poverty. Jesus said that great riches were laid up for them in heaven. The Smyrna church members dedicated efforts brought the word of God to the entire Roman Empire during the second and third centuries. The Smyrna church members were fed to the lions in Rome while the crowds cheered them on. Church history tells us that around five million Christians and Jews may have been killed during this time. The believers of Smyrna were going through great suffering and death. Jesus refers to himself as the one who had suffered and died but now is alive. Since Jesus conquered death, they will too. Jesus said he was the first, the last, and he had already tasted death for each believer and removed its sting. Jesus tells the Smyrna believers that he knows about their faithful service and great persecution and poverty although they lost everything in this life for his sake they are very rich in Jesus sight they are earning eternal rewards. The Smyrna believers were also victims of the ten percenters these people turned the Smyrna Christians and Jews into the Roman government and were rewarded with ten percent of the Christians and Jews property. They were wiped out financially, many ended up killed or imprisoned. The Christians were given one choice by the Roman government bow to Caesar as lord or be put to a horrible death. The Christians Jewish believers answered with a voice that is forever written in the lamb’s book of life. Jesus Christ is Lord and none other. Much of the Smyrna churches trouble came from false professors of religions those who said they were Jews but was not. The Catholic Church was appointed and brought into existence by the Roman government.

The Pope was appointed by the heads of Rome to oversee the church. The Catholic Church armed herself with the power of the sword, and persecuted more Christians and Jews under the disguise of Christianity than any other time in history. The Pope taught that the Catholic Church had replaced Israel and the Jewish people. These doctrines have spread into the protestant churches as well. These doctrines teach that when the Romans armies destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 70A.D. It ended the everlasting covenant with Israel, and the Jewish people. The Pope’s taught that all the blessings in the bible now belong to the church and the church now is the seed of Abraham. This replacement theology is a lie! The church has never replaced Israel or the Jewish people.

Beware of those who claim to be Christian, but deny the virgin birth and that Jesus is Lord because they are of the synagogue of Satan. In denying that Caesar was lord the Jews and Christians were persecuted and put to death. It was unthinkable for a Jew to worship anyone but Jehovah God or for a Christian to worship anyone but Jesus. In an attempt to take some of the heat off themselves some Jews turned the Christians in to the Romans officials and caused a great deal of persecution for Christians. Jesus said that these were not true Jews because they did not believe in Jehovah God and Jesus as their messiah if they had they would not let Satan inspire hatred for the Christians. Jesus told the church in Smyrna in (Revelation 2:10), that ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life. The believers at Smyrna were encouraged by Jesus to face the trials and sufferings for ten days. Many bible scholars believe the ten days consisted of ten time periods of suffering under ten different Caesars.

The Ten Different Caesar’s

• Nero 64 till 68 A.D. Burned the Christians on the stake to light his gardens at night.

• Domitian 90 till 95 A.D. Also exiled John to the isle of Patmos.

• Trajan 104 till 117 A.D.

• Aurelius 161 till 180 A.D.

• Severus 200 till 211 A.D.

• Maximus 235 till 237 A.D.

• Decius 250 till 253 A.D.

• Valerian 257 till 260 A.D.

• Aurelian 270 till 275 A.D.

• Diocletian 303 till 312 A.D.

The suffering at the church of Smyrna was a great time of persecution under the ten Roman Caesars just mentioned. The church was purified during this period. Millions met their death rather than deny Jesus. This was a time period of great witnessing and faith. Even the wicked Roman Empire was finally shaken by these Christians testimony. There’s not one word of rebuke to the Smyrna church. A church or person suffering persecution for his faith is usually more faithful then a comfortable untested believer.

THYATIRA

The Great Counterfeit Church

The History of the Church of Thyatira

Covers the years 606 A.D.to 1520 A.D.

Revelation 2:18 -29

And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write these things saith the Son of God who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire and his feet like fine brass. I know thy works and charity and service and faith and thy patience and thy works and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel which calleth herself a prophetess to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I give her space to repent of her fornication and she repented not. Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation except they repent of their deeds.

And I will kill her children with death and all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and hearts and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say and unto the rest in Thyatira as many as have not this doctrine and which have not known the depths of Satan as they speak I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star he that hath an ear let him hear what the spirit saith unto the churches.

Jesus starts off by praising the Thyatira church .Thyatira was known for her good works, faith, patience, and last works. The term last works means that the works of this church became greater toward the end of her lifetime than were at the beginning. Members of the church of Thyatira were very loyal; they had love, faith, which is the real goal that the commandments of God should