OneYearBibleOnline Discussion

Yes, it is if one considers symbols of Re 12:9 literally. To find out what do the symbols of Re 12 mean we need to turn to the prophecies of Daniel.

In the book of Daniel chapter 2 God presents an image of a man representative of four kingdoms namely Babylonian, Mede-Persian, Greek and Roman.

The image is broken into pieces by a prophetic stone, which filled the whole earth.

The same four kingdoms are presented as four beasts in Daniel 7.

Daniel receives few visions concerning the fourth kingdom from differing perspective.

Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.

A little horn comes up on the seen. It has appearance of man, speaks “great things” and uproots the three of the ten kings.

Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

In another vision Daniel observes slaying (disintegrating) of the beast while the little horn already speaks great words. He is about 151 years old.

Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.

Then Daniel wants to know more about the fourth beast and the little horn.

Dan 7:19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;
Dan 7:20 And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.

Daniel finds out that the ten horns represent ten kings while the late-comer the “little horn” will speak great words, be diverse then the ten kings and will subdue “pluck up by the roots” three of them.

Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

This dreadful beast with ten horns represents Roman kingdom (Empire) taking control in the year 168 BC and disintegrating into ten parts (ten horns) in the year 476 AD.

Christianity becomes a state religion and a corrector of heretics (a king) in 481, gains power and subdues three of the existing kings namely Herulies 493, Vandals 534, and Ostrogoth 538.

This king speaks against most High, consumes the saints and changes God’s laws.

Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

We are leaving prophecy of Daniel with the following information: the fourth beast, Roman Empire, “gave birth” to a Christian king who is different and rules differently (in spiritual sphere). He speaks against God, changes God’s laws and consumes saints (spills blood, becomes red). He is in control of the entire area of ten kings (ten horns) yet has uprooted third part of it (three heads missing, only seven remain).

Empowered with this information we connect to another prophecy for more revelation. This prophecy we find in the book of Revelation chapter 12, which opens with a symbolic vision of John.

Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

No one would possibly think that this vision is literal.

Then John receives another symbolic vision.

Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

We can see how tightly it refers to Daniel 7 where we have just left. The red dragon of the Roman Empire, converted into the Christian king, is soaked in blood of saints (the true worshippers of the only true God the Father), rules the area of ten kings with three of them uprooted (third part of stars of heaven or authorities plucked up) and wears seven crowns (symbols of man’s authority on earth). The heads and horns symbolise, as in Da 7, kings and kingdoms in Re 13:1, 17:9-12.

The dragon was after the woman’s child , which is caught up unto God.

Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

The infant Church disperses because of persecutions

Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The dragon strived for control of the world (heaven) yet God brought him down (to the earth).

Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

The great red dragon called the devil (a traducer), and Satan (opponent, adversary) according to the work originated by that old serpent, the false spiritual authority,” who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” was removed from the control of the world in 1798.

Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Please bear in mind that the fallen angel Satan, was unknown to Jews of the OT. It was a thought, anyone or any organization slandering or opposing.

The organization, which falsely claims “We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty”, which “opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” is the only organization in existence since the time of the “little horn” and fits perfectly the description in all aspects.

Did you recognise this king?

Let me give a tip. This is his own statement

THE REUNION OF CHRISTENDOM
Encyclical Letter of Pope Leo XIII
June 20, 1894
To Our Venerable Brethren, all Patriarchs, Primates, Archbishops and Bishops of the Catholic World
In Grace and Communion with the Apostolic See

5. But since We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty…

And this is God's warning

2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.