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LOGOThe Great Controversy Between Good & Evil

Time is running out!By Karissa Sotala and Adislen P. Varela

As we study Bible prophecy, our purpose is to answer the following questions.

4. Where are we in this great controversy? 4. Where are we in this great controversy?

2. Did the Bible predict how we would get there?

2. Did the Bible predict how we would get there?

3. Historically speaking, what has happened to get us where we are today?

3. Historically speaking, what has happened to get us where we are today?

1. Is there anything happening right now that will affect my future?

1. Is there anything happening right now that will affect my future?

To start of, let’s take a look at how our world is developing in the new millennium.

Matthew 24:12Percentage wise,there are as many murders in Chicago everyday as there are in Iraq.

Matthew 24:5Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda claims to be Jesus.

Matthew 24:6 There are currently42 active wars.

Matthew 24:7One out of every six countries are facing food shortages.Matthew 24:7

Powerful earthquake struck Western China

The Bible is being fulfilled.

Current world events

What events led to the American Revolution?

The Sugar Act was one of the policies in 1764. It was designed to raise more income from the colonies. Ship owners were told that their ships would be seized if they “forgot” to pay their duties or taxes.

The Sugar Act was one of the policies in 1764. It was designed to raise more income from the colonies. Ship owners were told that their ships would be seized if they “forgot” to pay their duties or taxes.

Strike 1Strike 1 Strike 2Strike 2 Strike 3Strike 3

The Stamp Act in 1765. This act placed a tax on newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, and most other printed materials. This act touched almost all Americans in every colony and was widely protested.

The Stamp Act in 1765. This act placed a tax on newspapers, pamphlets, legal documents, and most other printed materials. This act touched almost all Americans in every colony and was widely protested.

The Townshend Acts in 1767. This act placed duties on certain imported goods, including glass and tea. As a consequence to this act the protests and violence began again. So did the boycotts.

The Townshend Acts in 1767. This act placed duties on certain imported goods, including glass and tea. As a consequence to this act the protests and violence began again. So did the boycotts.

You’re Out!

The United States of America

Understanding how and why the U.S. government began.

- As a result of the Acts a meeting was called to plan a united response to these developments. They renewed the boycott of British goods and appealed to the people to form militias. At the same time they made a direct appeal to the king asking for understanding. This gathering became known as the First Continental Congress. - The patriots formed militias and began to gather guns and ammunition. A major

stockpile of weapons was stored in Concord. On April 18, 1775, British troops marched toward Concord with orders to seize these supplies. The British were defeated in what was to become known as the Battles of Lexington and Concord, the beginning of the Revolutionary War.

- Opinions were divided when it came to deciding weather or not to seek some compromise with Britain or propose independence. When King George III refused the Olive Branch Petition the Congress decided it was time for the colonies to cut their ties with Britain. The Congress appointed a committee to prepare a statement of the reasons for the separation—a Declaration of Independence.

Declaration of Independence

Was divided into four sections

PreambleA list of complaints against theking.

A declarationof rights.

A resolution of independence.

“All men are created equal, they have unalienable Rights, among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…”

Understanding the developmentof the U.S. government .

The United States of America

• On July 4th, 1776, delegates joined in voting to approve the Declaration. The Declaration of Independence defined the basic principles on which American government and society would rest. The U.S. would be a nation in which ordinary citizens would have a strong voice in their own government, a country in which one could find religious freedom.

• The fight for independence was a battle of hardships. But Americans proved during the long war that they were both able and willing to make the sacrifices necessary for victory. The war lasted 6 years (1775-1781) and ended on Oct 19, 1781, with the Battle of Yorktown where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington.

The Impact of the Revolution

First Second Third Forth

Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States of America.

The northern border between the U.S. and Canada was set from New England to the Mississippi River, primarily along the Great Lakes.

The Mississippi River was established as the boundary between the new United States and Spanish territory to the west.

Florida, which Britain had gained from the Spanish after the French and Indian War, was returned to Spain.

TEXT TEXTTEXTFifth Sixth

Great Britain agreed to withdraw its remaining troops from United States territory.

Congress pledged to recommend to the states that the rights of American Loyalists be restored and that no future action be taken against them.

• During the Revolution and immediately afterward, state governments had more power then the national government of the United States. Each state had its own constitution. In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted a set of laws to govern the United States called the Articles of Confederation. The national government created by the Articles had only one branch, the legislature.

• By the early 1780s, the Nationalists sought to strengthen the national government. The Constitution created a federal system of government, a system in which power is shared among state and national authorities.

The New Government

Protecting all Americans

• In addition, the Constitution set up a system of checks and balances. This system gives each branch the power to check, or stop, the other branches in certain ways. The Constitution also provided that the House of Representatives was the final decision maker in the presidential election.

• Most people believed that a constitution should include a clear declaration of the rights of the people. In September 1789, Congress proposed twelve Constitutional amendments designed to protect citizens’ rights. The states ratified ten of the amendments, and they took effect on December 15, 1791. These first ten amendments to the Constitution are known today as the Bill of Rights.

Sea Beast Characteristics

First

The 1st characteristic of the Sea Beast in Rev. 13 is its political origins. It receives its seat of government, power and authority, from Pagan Rome.

The 2nd characteristic of the Sea beast is in Rev. 13: 3,4,7 in which the beast is depicted as a world wide religious system.

The 3rd characteristic of the Sea beast is recorded in Rev.13:5-6. Here the Bible teaches that the beast would reign for 1260 years.

The 4th characteristic of the Sea beast is blasphemy.Rev 13:5-6• A man

claiming to be equal with God. John 10:33• A man claiming to forgive sin. Mk 2: 5-7

Second Third Fourth

The 5th characteristic of the Sea beast is oppression. In Rev. 13:7the Bible teaches that the beast is a persecuting power.

Fifth Sixth

The 6th characteristic of the first beast is the number of hisimage. In Rev. 13:18 the Bible says it is 666.

The Sea Beast in Rev. 13

Revelation 13: 1-6

Rev. 13:1 is "And he [the dragon who is Satan] stood on the sand of the sea ....".So Satan stood upon the sand of the sea -- and John saw “...a beast rise up out of the sea”.• The word “beast” means a kingdom (Daniel 7:17,18,23). In Rev. 13 this beast not only represents a

kingdom, but a combination of a political and religious power.• Water represents peoples, multitudes, and nations (Rev. 17:15).

Rev. 13:2 - Notice that the beast got its power from the dragon. Not only did it get the dragon's spiritual power, but also its geographical seat and political authority.

Rev 13: 3,4. “And I saw one of his heads as if 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?” *

Rev 13: 5,6- How long are 42 prophetic months? Rev 12 tells us that 42 months equal 1260 days. In Ezekiel 4:6 and Numbers 14:34, a day in prophecy stands for a year. This power would be built on the foundation of the Roman Empire and continue for 1260 years. In 538 A.D., the Roman emperor Justinian declared by imperial edict that the bishop of Rome was head over all churches, thedefiner of doctrine, and the corrector of heretics.*

Answering questions

But the question arises - Does the Papacy claim the privilege and prerogatives of God? The facts are that it does.

The Roman Catholic Ecclesiastical Dictionary says, “ The Pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man, but as it were God, and the vicar of God…. He is likewise the divine monarch and supreme emperor and king of kings so that if it were possible that the angels err the faith, they could be judged and excommunicated by the pope.”

In the National Catholic Counsel, Pope Leo XIII says: “We hold upon the earth the place of God almighty.”

From the book, Duties and Dignities of the Priest by Antonio Leguori, a book used in Catholic seminaries to train priests, page 39, the following is quoted: “Were the redeemer to descend into a church and sit in the confessional to administer the sacrament of penance, and a priest to sit in a confessional, Jesus would say over the penitent: “Ego te absolvo.” The priest would likewise say over each penitent: “Ego te absolvo.” And the penitents of each would be equally absolved.”

Rev 13:7-10

Rev 13:7,8 says, “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. 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.”

It is a simple fact of history that between 50 and 200 million men, women, and children were martyred during the Dark Ages because they did not conform to Papal claims. *

Revelation 13:10 says, “ 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.”

The Papacy’s political authority ended around the year 1798 when Pope Pius VI died a lonely exile in France. The leader of the power who had taken the church into captivity died, himself, in captivity.

Lamb-like Beast Characteristics

First

The 1st characteristic of the lamb-like beast is its location on the earth. The earth represents an area of scarcepopulation with few peoples where as the sea represents many people.

The 2nd characteristic of this lamb-like beast is the time of its rise to power around the year 1798.

The 3rd characteristic of the Lamb-like beast is the global sphere of its power (Rev. 13:12).

The 4th characteristic is the lamb-like manner of its rise. The lamb represents a young beast. It is not an old beast. Thus it is not an old nation. It is a new power that arises todominance.

Second Third Forth

The Lamb-like Beast from the Earth

Revelation 13:10-11 says, “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. And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”

The earth represents an area of scarce population with few people. Which is a fitting symbol of the New World in America. The Bible also says that the lamb-like beast arises at the same time that the first beast is going into captivity.*

Identifying the Lamb-like Beast

Rev. 13: 11- “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”

The first beast had ten horns with crowns on it. But these horns are uncrowned. This indicates that there is no king with the lamblike beast. The lamb is a symbol of freedom and innocence. It is the opposite of the tyranny of the old world. It speaks, not of bondage, but of liberty. It speaks not of chains, but of freedom. It speaks not of oppression, but of tolerance. Thus it is a democratic power. In Revelation 5:6 the lamb is also a symbol of Christ. Therefore this power has its beginning as a Christian movement. Also remember, Christ alone is the one who offers true freedom. Likewise, this power pretends to offer freedom to the nations of the world. This nation is founded on principles of religious freedom.* But there will be a union between the lamb-like beast and the first beast, representing Rome, who was wounded in 1798 and whose wound was later healed. Thus the two horns represent two phases of power, the first lamb-like, the second dragon like.

Other unique characteristics

Revelation 13: 12-14

Revelation 13:12 says, "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”

The Bible says that the lamb-like beast will exercise global power and authority like Rome did in the Middle Ages.*

Since the Gulf War and the collapse of Communism, geopolitical thinkers recognize the fact that there is now only one super power, and that power is the United States. And oddly enough, this super power is very good friends with the Church of Rome or Papal Rome.*

Revelation 13:13-14 says, “He performs signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.”*

Revelation 13:15-17

Revelation 13:15 says, “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.”

This is saying that a time is coming when false worship will be required. We saw a prophetic example of this in Daniel Chapter 3 in the story of the Golden Image.

Revelation 13:16-17 says, “He causes all, both small and great , rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

Those that receive the mark “in their foreheads” are those that “accept” it in their minds and follow it willingly. Those that have the mark “in their right hands” are those who, though they do not mentally ascribe to it, choose to follow or obey it for convenience sake.

Revelation 13:18

Revelation 13:18 says, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”

We know that the first beast or the beast out of the Sea (Rev 13: 1-10) is papal Rome, and that the lamb-like beast or the beast out of the Earth (Rev 13: 11- 18) is the United States. But in verse 14- it says that there will be an image of the first beast or the best who was wounded yet lived. This beast will kill those who refused to worship it (Rev.13:15), he also forces everyone to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead and his number is the number of man- 666 (verse 16-18).

Let's summarize the six identifying marks.1. The papacy received its seat of government, its

power, and authority from pagan Rome.2. The papacy is a world wide system of worship.

3. It reigned supreme for 1260 years.4. It has claimed the privileges and prerogatives of

God5. By its own admission, it has persecuted and

destroyed those who did not accept its teachings.6. It’s image will have the number of man- 666.

8 Characteristics of the Remnant

1. They keep the Commandments of God. Rev. 12:17

2. They have the Testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev. 12:17

3. They are a religious minority in Christianity. Rev. 12:17

4. They arise after the 1260 years of Papal persecution. Rev. 12:6,14

5. They find their beginnings in the new world of America. Rev. 12:6,14

6. They are a gospel centered remnant. Rev. 14:2

7. They teach the Three Angel’s Messages. Rev. 14:6-12

8. They are a world wide movement. Rev. 14:6

The Remnant in the End

In Revelation 12:17, John describes two key identifying characteristics of this end time remnant.

Rev. 12:17- “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the Commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

This verse is placed right before the chapter on the Mark of the Beast. It is intended to draw attention to the people who will be persecuted by the Roman Papacy and its allies at the end of time. It is also an echo of Rev. 14:12 which describes those who gain the victory over the beast and his image. We will later learn more about the 144,000 (the victorious ones).

First Characteristic: They keep the Commandments of God. The remnant church must keep all ten commandments, including the fourth one. (Revelation 12:17) (Hag 1:12)

Second Characteristic: They have the testimony of Jesus Christ. In Revelation 19:10, John defines the “testimony of Jesus” as the “Spirit of Prophecy.” *

Third Characteristic: They are a religious minority in Christianity. In Rev. 12:17 the Bible says that they are the “remnant.” A remnant is not a majority. It is a minority. It literally means “the remaining ones.” (OT Deut. 7: 6,7)

The Remnant in the End

Fourth Characteristic: They arise after the 1260 years of Papal persecution. In Rev. 12:6,14 the Bible teaches that the church would go underground for 1260 years. After the persecution of the Middle Ages, the remnant is pictured coming into existence before the mark of the beast issue at the end of time.*

Fifth Characteristic: They find their beginnings in the new world of America. Rev. 12: 6, 14*

Sixth Characteristic: They are a gospel centered remnant. (Rev. 14:2) The Bible says the remnant keep God’s commandments. But it also says it has the “faith of Jesus.” It will be a movement that points to the cross of Christ as the only cure for the sin sick soul.

Seventh Characteristic: They teach the Three Angel’s Messages. Revelation 14:6-12. These messages are the last warning to our world. Which we will study next!

Eighth Characteristic: They are a world wide movement. In Revelation 14:6 the Bible says the remnant message must go with a “loud voice’ to ‘every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”

The 3 Angels’ Messages

1st Angel:The first angel proclaims the hour of God's judgment is come. This angel gives a call for mankind to return to the worship of the Creator God, in the setting of the judgment which began in the year 1844.• Rev. 14:6-7-The seventh-day Sabbath is the sign of such worship - of the Creator God: Exodus 13:9 and Exodus 31:13 ,14 - Keep the commandments of the Lord: Deut 10: 12,13

2nd Angel:The Second Angel announces the call to forsake the End Time religious system identified as Babylon, andGod’s people are called to “Come Out of Her”.

Rev. 14:8 and Rev 18: 4 “ And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

The 3rd Angels’ Message

3nd Angel:

Rev. 14:9-12 “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”

The Third Angel presents the most solemn warning in scripture. It calls men to reject the Mark of the Beast and to remain faithful to God even in the face of death.

8 Characteristics of the 144,000

1. The 144,000 is a symbolic number representing God’s people at the end of time who receive the Seal of God instead of the Mark of the Beast (Rev. 7: 2-4,9)

2. The 144,000 are identified symbolically as God’s Israel at the end of time (Rev 7:4).

3. The 144,000 have found refuge in God’s sanctuary (Rev. 14: 1,3).*

4. The 144,000 have separated themselves from the corrupting influence of false churches (Rev.14:4).

5. The 144,000 are first fruits to God (Rev. 14:4). The 1st fruits represents that part of the harvest which was brought into the Sanctuary.

6. The 144,000 represent God’s faithful and obedient people from the entire human race at the end of time (Rev. 14:4,6).

7. The 144,000 are a Christ centered people (Rev. 14: 4,5).

8. The 144,000 are committed to Biblical truth (Rev. 14: 5).

Revelation 14:1-3

Revelation 14:1 says, “Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.”

• Mount Zion represents God’s sanctuary and people. Psalms 132:13 says, “For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.” (Isaiah 2:1-3, Psalms 87:5,6) *

• Mount Zion is the object of Satan’s envy. (Isaiah 14:12-14) *

The Significance of Mount Zion in BibleProphecy.

Let’s read Revelation 14: 2,3

• We have learned that waters represent peoples, multitudes, nations and tongues. Therefore, the voice of many waters represents large multitudes.

Why were the 144,000 singing the song? Why were they the only ones who could sing the song?Let’s read Rev. 15: 2-4

Why don’t they all sing?

From reading Rev. 15: 2-4 we know that the redeemed sing the new song. They sang the song of Moses (Rev. 15: 3) and this song was a song of triumph over Israel’s enemies (See Ex. 15:1-19). The song of the Lamb is a song of victory over the enemies of Spiritual Israel.

Why were they the only ones who could sing the song?“No man could learn” this song (of spiritual victory) except those who are redeemed from the earth by their faith and obedient walk with Christ, who follow His Commandments, who know Him as their personal savior.

8 Characteristics of the 144,000

Characteristic #1: The 144,000 is a Symbolic number representing God's People at the End of Time who receive the Seal of God Instead of the Mark of the beast.• Rev. 7: 2-4- The Servants of God are sealed on their

foreheads. • Rev. 7:9- A great multitude, which no man could

number.

Characteristics of the 144,000

Characteristic #2: The 144,000 are Identified symbolically as God's Israel at the End of Time. • Revelation 7:4, 9

Characteristic #3: The 144,000 Have Found Refuge in God's Sanctuary.• Rev. 14:1,3• Psalms 27: 3-5• Psalms 91:1,2 • Exodus 3:12, Exodus 19: 18-20, Exodus 20:18,19- God’s Sanctuary is a fortress of

flames• Hebrews 12:18-24, 28, 29- We shouldn’t be afraid if we are in Christ Jesus.

Characteristic #4: The 144,000 Have Separated themselves from the corrupting influence of false churches.• In Revelation 12, a pure woman represents the true church. (Revelation 12:1,2)• In Revelation 17, a harlot represents the false church named Babylon. (Revelation

17:3-5) According to Revelation 17:5, the Mother Church identified as Babylon has daughters who are also harlots. Those that have the victory have not committed “spiritual adultery” from Christ by commitment to the “spiritual harlots” - the false churches.

Characteristic #5: The 144,000 are the First Fruits to God.• Revelation 14:4 - The First Fruits Represented that Part of the Harvest which was brought into the Sanctuary.• Exodus 23:19 - “The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into thehouse of the LORD thy God. ...”• James 1:18

Characteristic #6: The 144,000 Represents God's faithful and obedient people from the entire human race at the End of Time.

Revelation 14:4, 6 - “... These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men... the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” *Galatians 3:26, 29 – “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. ... And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Characteristic #7: The 144,000 are a Christ Centered people.

• Revelation 14:4,5 - They “follow the Lamb...And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

• Jude 1:20, 21, 24

Characteristics of the 144,000

Reaping the Earth’s Harvest

Characteristic #8: The 144,000 are Committed to Biblical Truth and Truth Within their Inner Being.

• Revelation 14:5: No lie is in their mouth. • John 7:17 - “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of

God, or [whether] I speak of myself.”• John 17:17 - “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Reaping the Earth’s HarvestRevelation 14:14-16 says, “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of Man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. And another angel* came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap*: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe*. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped*.”

Here we have a prophetic picture of the return of Jesus Christ to “bring in the harvest” of His people – a picture of Christ gathering His people unto him out of the world.

Reaping the Grapes of Wrath

Revelation 14:14-20 presents a symbolic picture of the return of Christ to claim His own people out of a world condemned to a fiery judgment.

Revelation 14:17-20 says, “And another angel* came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. And another angel* came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth*, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God*. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.”

These verses refer back to Rev. 14:10 – to the symbolism of “drinking the wine of the wrath of God” – giving us a further symbolic picture of the destruction of the wicked.

So, why do we study prophecy? It provides proof of the gospel and those who study the scriptures will recognize Jesus when he comes. Last but not least, personal study of prophecy leads to a personal relationship with Jesus. We hope that the information we have presented has helped you to better understand Bible prophecy and the soon coming of Jesus, ‘for all of these things must come to pass. But he that endures unto the end, shall be saved’ Matthew 24:5-7,13.

Maybe you’ve lived your life thinking there is no war, or maybe you’ve been living on the wrong side of the war but just remember that Jesus is qualified to be the source of your strength forever and ever.

By Karissa & Adislen

The End