1998-11-30 05:01:00
Several of you have given some great responses about the "deadly wound." Rick and Dave come to mind. All your comments were good.
Let us quote the scripture again:
Rev 13:3-4 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
For many thousand of years the beast through Kings, religious leaders and other authorities exercised an unjust authority over the human race. But finally a group of people rebelled against the kingdoms and established a government by the people of the people and for the people.
It is interesting to note that the Constitution and Bill of Rights gave power to the people by limiting the power of government. Over and over they say what "Congress shall NOT" do. Thus the Beast was wounded because it was finally told by the people who created it that there were a lot of things it could no longer do. It could no longer do unreasonable search and seizures. It could no longer use cruel and unusual punishments. Laws shall be made by elected officials and not the king. The beast cannot make a person testify against himself. Eventually even slavery was outlawed.
Now because of this Constitution even the beast was wounded in Britain. Eventually even the power of Royalty there was taken away and one by one the nations of the world copied the principles of the Constitution and attempted to emulate a free government.
So now everything is great - Right?
Not quite. The beast went right to work seeking desperately to survive. The tendency of people to follow an unearned authority was still present and he worked with that weakness in man.
First he sought to control the elected officials by making sure those whom run for office are people who love power and authority. Then, when they are elected they seek to control them through thoughtforms, through special interests, self interest, ego, corruption and money.
Since complete control of elected officials is not possible the beast sought to add to our system as many appointed officials who would run the real government business. An appointed official then becomes like a little king over his dominion who does not have to answer to the people. Thus we have little unelected Kings controlling all departments of government such as tax collecting, the department of Energy, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Transportation and so on. Over 90% of government in our lives is carried out under strong authority of unelected mini Kings. Day after day, week after week, year after year the power of these kingdoms within what seems to be a free society is increased.
In the old days of the beast the populace was aware that they were ruled by the king, but what makes this age different is that we think we are in this great Democracy when the Beast has as much control over our lives as did the emperor in ancient Rome.
The deadly wound has been healed and the people wonder after the power of authority as it reaches its tentacles all over the world and into every life so we are all effected.
A book could be written on the devices the beast uses to keep his control. As we continue we shall see how the power of the beast reaches down to each one of us every day of our lives and how we must see through the illusion.
Brainwise@aol.com made a great statement here:
"You may never actually meet a Pope. Maybe your only contact will be through something like, oh, I dunno.... Pope TV? But you will be able to recognize whether or not the Pope exercises authority in a positive or negative manner. You will be able to question whether the Pope resonates with your Higher Self. And, if need be, you will be able to help others see the Truth as well.
Remember, it just takes one person to stand up and say, "Now what the Hell did *that* mean?!" And, before you know it, you have an epidemic of people questioning authority."
We should move a little faster from now on. The next verses to consider are:
13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Study these verses over and post your thoughts. You do not have to comment on the whole thing, but if you see something that brings an insight let us know what you think.
Copyright 1998 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved