REVELATION 13

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names. 2 The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast. 4 They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” 5 A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him. 6 He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints. 11 I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon. 12 He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people. 14 He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived. 15 It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn’t worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads; 17 and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.

First we must know what the figures that appear in the prophecy mean.

Dragon=Satan (Gospel-Ephesians 6:12, Luke 4:6, John 12:31-16:11, Quran-A'raf 7:11-18, Sad 38:71-85, Isra 17:61-64, Hijr 15:28-41)

Beast=World-ruling powers, states, empires (Revelation 17:9-10).

Sea (Waters)=Societies, Nations, Peoples, Languages that God will judge (Revelation 17:15).

Horns=States, Kings, Presidents (Revelation 17:12)

The book of Revelation in the Gospel, especially the 13th chapter, has aroused the curiosity of a great many people. Many different explanations and interpretations have also been written. I too, relying on my own understanding, will try to shed a light on the truth. (Daniel 12:4)

Explanation of the Verses in Order

In verses 1 and 2 What does the beast with 10 horns and 7 heads that comes out from among the nations (out of the sea) signify? The 7 heads here represent the seven great global powers (kingdoms) that have appeared on the stage of history and ruled the world. There are different interpretations about the order of these empires. For example, while one widespread view accepts the order as 1. Egypt, 2. Assyria, 3. Babylon, 4. Medo-Persia, 5. Greece (Hellas), 6. Rome and 7. Anglo-America (England-USA), some commentators put forward different states. I do not want to open a subject of debate with this writing of mine, because on the point that this 7-headed beast represents the global kingdoms we are generally in agreement with many interpretations. In any case, when you have read the whole text, you will see that these details do not concern our subject. The 10 horns on the heads of the beast, in turn, symbolize the states and leaders who will hold power over the world in the last days (Revelation 17:12). And the one who gives his authority and his throne to these beast-like ruling powers is the Dragon, that is, Satan (Luke 4:6- A'raf 7:14-15).

In verse 3 it is stated that one of the beast's heads receives a fatal wound, and in verse 14 that this wound is a “blow of the sword.” This shows that that power will come to the brink of destruction as a result of a great war, a civil war, or an attack by outside powers. This event has not yet taken place, but we expect it to happen in the very near future. What is interesting is that after this fatal blow the beast will recover quickly; the whole world, in admiration and astonishment, will bow down and prostrate itself before Satan (the dragon) and that kingdom/state (the beast) (Revelation 13:3-4).

In verses 5 and 6 this global kingdom is given a period (a respite) of 42 months to speak arrogant words, to blaspheme sacred values, and to speak against God's dwelling in heaven. This period is not symbolic; it must be understood in its exact literal sense. For the same period is also confirmed in other verses as “3.5 times (years)” and “1260 days”; this too demonstrates the exactness of the number (Revelation 12:14; 11:3; 11:2, Daniel 12:7; 7:25).

In verses 7 and 8 it is written that the beast will wage war against God's faithful servants and that it will even be permitted to conquer them. The expression “the Lamb who has been killed” that appears in the verse refers to Jesus the Messiah, who was sacrificed by being crucified. All people on earth whose names are not written in the “book of life” belonging to God's Messiah will worship this beast.

Verses 9 and 10 In this relentless war that will be waged against the holy ones, some of the believers will be taken captive, while some will be killed with the sword. It is precisely this difficult period that will test the true patience and faith of God's servants.

In verses 11 and 12 another beast, coming up out of the earth after this, is depicted. This second beast, which has two innocent horns like a lamb but speaks just like a dragon (Satan), exercises all the authority of the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed, on its behalf and forces people to worship the first beast.

This picture is not at all foreign to today's political events/practices; the partnership of the USA and Israel fits this description more than enough. That Israel, as the real power behind the USA, uses all of its means in line with its own interests no longer surprises anyone. We have watched countless Hollywood-made films that present them to the world as victims and the Jews massacred in the gas chambers as a helpless people; we have read one-sided books full of lies. By arousing deep sympathy/empathy in global public opinion, they have truly succeeded very well in showing themselves to the world as an innocent lamb.

In verses 13 and 14 it is said that it will display miracles and signs so great that it will make fire rain down from heaven to earth, and this is entirely possible with today's military technology. Technologies such as space-based laser weapons, ballistic and hypersonic missiles, and kinetic bombardment systems that strike with pinpoint accuracy from satellites (Brilliant Pebbles / Smart Pebbles) are preparing the ground for this prophecy. The second beast will lead the masses astray with these technological shows of force and will command that a “statue” be made in honor of the first beast. The critical process that really concerns humanity also begins exactly here.

The Speaking Statue and the System of Digital Slavery

It is certain that the statue mentioned in verse 15 will not be a lifeless statue of wood or stone such as we know. Throughout history rulers have used statues as a symbol of power, authority and worship. But this statue has a radical difference: it can speak, it demands to be worshiped, and it can kill those who do not worship it.

Conceiving of this technology that will govern billions of people from a single center is no longer difficult at all for us who live in the age of artificial intelligence. Today even children use the artificial intelligence software on mobile phones and tablets. This intelligence can give logical answers to billions of people at the same time and updates itself at every moment.

The 5G infrastructure and internet networks laid all over the world are for enslaving humanity to the global system, for tearing man away from God/his Creator and establishing an absolute mechanism of control over him. That symbolic “statue” that will be erected (the central artificial intelligence system) will have the capacity to manage this entire global network and the military/technological power on earth all by itself.

Today, through the smart televisions in our homes, telephones, security cameras and satellites, humanity is being watched and listened to without interruption. Thanks to the GPS systems installed in everything from vehicles to tires, to biometric identity cards and to the chips in passports, everyone's instantaneous location can be determined with pinpoint accuracy. In short, we are living in an age of terrifying digital control.

The statue in question (the central system) can listen to everyone on earth at the same time and can communicate one-on-one with people through artificial-intelligence-based digital avatars (a profile picture or icon). It can hand out rewards to those who obey the system and punishments to those who do not; it can issue arrest or death orders against people. Think of the targeted advertisements we come across on the internet today; it will not be difficult at all to estimate the scale of the global imposition this system will carry out with the authority it will possess. No human being could supervise 8 billion people at the same time (watching, listening, tracking, etc.); but this digital system will take the whole world into the palm of its hand from a single center. This central artificial intelligence will give the order directly to the robot armies and law-enforcement forces that will be established, and executions will be carried out within minutes.

When his disciples asked Jesus the Messiah about the signs of the last days, the Messiah answered as follows (Matthew 24:14-19):

When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house. Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days! (Daniel 11:31, 12:11, Mark 13:14)

With God's help, we can now see very clearly in our day what these words may mean. This prophecy describes 2 periods of time. While it was fulfilled in the years 66-70 A.D., when the Romans besieged Jerusalem (al-Quds) and suddenly withdrew and then devastated it with the second siege in the year 70, the prophecy also draws attention to the events that will take place in the last days. For 40 years I had not understood this saying of Jesus. What did it mean, ‘that the one on the roof should not even go down to take his belongings? That the one in the field should not even turn back to take his jacket’? Why did there have to be such haste? First, thanks be to God, who gives us understanding. It is certain that that statue knows everyone and whom it has marked down. And the criterion is perfectly clear. Everyone who believes in God and, with firm determination, refuses to worship the statue is within the statue's field of vision. Whether a person is among the Eskimos, in the Himalayas, or in a tribe in the desert of Africa, the statue's order to arrest and kill people, according to that blacklist they have been preparing for years, will be faster than the speed at which we send an instant message to any point in the world we wish.

The Mark of the Beast and the Economic Siege

In verses 16 and 17 The beast will put a mark (sign) on people's right hand or forehead. For those who do not bear this sign, buying or selling anything will be completely forbidden. Imagine the scale of the pressure. In a digitalizing world, all store checkouts, state institutions, banks and land registry offices will be connected to this central system. A person without the mark (digital approval) will be able to sell neither his house nor his car nor the ring on his finger; he will not even be able to buy bread.

We all saw how quickly, during the pandemic, the worldwide restrictions and digital code applications were put into effect from a single center. In a world that is becoming completely digital and moving to a cashless society, it is not difficult to estimate how absolute this power of enforcement will be. This global power, which declares itself God, will establish complete dominion over humanity. (Daniel 11:36-37, 2 Thessalonians 2:4, Ezekiel 28:9, Daniel 7:8, 20, 25, Daniel 8:11-12, 25, Revelation 19:20)

In verse 18 it speaks of the number 666, which symbolizes man. Although there are many interpretations about this, I do not know what it means. If God wills, we will surely one day possess that understanding as well.

“For when they are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.” 1 Thessalonians 5:3

The Golden Statue of the King of Babylon

The Repetition of History

For those who do not find what has been written about the 13th chapter of the book of Revelation, and its interpretations, convincing, we need to go back about 2600 years in history. One of those terrifying 7 beasts mentioned was Babylon. See what Nebuchadnezzar, the king of that time, did.

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits (27 m), and its breadth six cubits (2.7 m): he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon (Iraq – ancient Babylon). Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. Then the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, peoples, nations, and languages, that whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up; and whoever doesn’t fall down and worship shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Therefore at that time, when all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, all the peoples, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshiped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. (Daniel 3:1-7)

As can be seen, madness of this kind was not a first in the history of humanity. In every age Satan has torn people away from God and forced them to worship idols. Or he has drawn the religions that say they believe in God's books away from the truths and steered them toward a satanic understanding, toward fabricated knowledge far from God, toward idolatrous customs. And humanity loved not the truths, but the lies.

Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be judged who didn’t believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12)

Globalization and the Hour of the Great Test

Revelation chapter 17 makes the meaning of the 10 horns in chapter 13 even clearer:

The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour. These have one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast. (Revelation 17:12-13)

These verses clearly show us that today's ideology of “Globalism” (the New World Order) will be realized in the full sense. Those 10 Horns, that is, the world's leaders, will hand over all their sovereign powers to a single center and to the leader who runs that system. A statue, and people forced to worship it, and a king who puts himself in the place of God—this is it!

The beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes to destruction. The ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour. (Revelation 17:11-12)

“Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming; 2 Thessalonians 2:8

even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thessalonians 2:9

Although what has been described here may at first seem impossible to people, the propaganda that the global power will carry out will seem extremely logical and saving to the masses. First, uniting the whole world in a single way of thinking, under a single government, in a single faith, with the same laws and rules everywhere, will look pleasing in the eyes of many. By showing that those who have a share in government think only of their own interests, and that the wars of nationalism, faith, racism and self-interest have never come to an end either, they will say that all the political leaders who have ever come and gone were wrong, that every head produced a different voice, and that they made the earth unlivable. They will lay before the eyes of the world, with proofs, that tens of thousands of religions, denominations and sects have never served humanity but, on the contrary, have led it astray. With many true but ill-intentioned statements—such as that bribery and biased judgments far from justice have ruined humanity—they will make humanity believe in them. Although these evils that they will prove from history, from the past, are real, Satan and those kings to whom he gave authority have for centuries, knowingly or unknowingly, deliberately prepared the ground for these evils; yet they will try to show that the blame belongs not to Satan and those who follow him but, of course, to humanity and the system. Humanity, worn down and weary of global diseases—even if fabricated—organized wars, crises, high prices and scarcity, is in need of a trustworthy system. Those nations, now brought to the point of hating religions, prophets and God, will gladly worship the statue that is set up. We have already written above what they will do to those who do not accept. Upon humanity, a great hour of testing will begin for God's servants.

“Then they will deliver you up to oppression, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s sake. Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. Matthew 24:9-10

Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end, the same will be saved. “But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not… Mark 13:12-14

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me (Jesus the Messiah) before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18)

We believe that all of this will take place in the years 2030-2034 at the latest. I had explained the reason in the chapter titled “A Second Proof” of the book titled “The Religion Mafia & Us.” I am adding a short paragraph from there here.

If there is one thing that is certain, it is the words of Jesus the Messiah saying that the generation that began with the First World War in the prophecy about the end will not pass away. (Matthew 24:34 Mark 13:30 Luke 21:32) Until now many religions and sects, drawing out an average number probably according to the statistics of the world bank or relying on inter-country statistical death figures, called the length of a generation about 80 years. This was human logic, but it could not be called the generation length determined by God. God, however, determines how long the length of human life will be, and after Noah's flood says it will be 120 years. (Genesis, or by its new translation name Genesis 6:3.) The length of the generation years Jesus the Messiah meant is also 120 years. This is a definite measure for the length of a generation. According to this understanding, nation rising against nation and country against country first came to pass in the year 1914, with the First World War. If the year 1914 in the prophecy is the beginning of that generation, and 120 years is the length of a generation, this makes 2034. I can comfortably say that I believe this understanding a hundred percent too. Let it by no means be misunderstood; this does not mean the end will come in the year 2034, but that it will have come by the year 2034 at the latest. (The Religion Mafia & Us-A Second Proof)

Yet in spite of everything, there is good news at the end of the holy texts: Those who do not bow to this cruel system, who reject the mark of the beast and keep their faith to the end, will be resurrected and will share in the eternal reign together with the Messiah, to whom God has given authority over all things. (Matthew 28:18, John 17:2, 1 Peter 3:22, 1 Corinthians 15:27)

Recall that God had said: “O Jesus! Surely it is I who will bring your life to an end. I will raise you up to Myself. I will cleanse you by delivering you from those who deny, and I will keep those who follow you above those who have strayed into unbelief until the Resurrection. Then your return is to Me alone. I will judge between you concerning the things about which you fell into disagreement.” Quran- Al Imran, 55

“I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as didn’t worship the beast nor his image, and didn’t receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand. They lived, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4