Build on the True Foundation

Important Announcement

The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More

~~The Image of the Beast ~~ By: Jo Smith --- August 15, 2006

Mt 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Who was Jesus speaking to here? Why did he call them serpents and vipers? Who were their fathers which he is telling them to measure up to? Why did he let them know they will not escape the damnation of hell?

All of these questions need to be answered before you will ever understand the image of the beast. First you need to know who or what the ‘beast�?is, in order to know who or what the ‘image�?of this beast is. How can you know what the image of this beast is, if you do not know who the beast is?

What does ‘image�?mean? Does it mean you look exactly alike, as with identical twins? No, this is not what is meant. We know that at the resurrection, Jesus came forth in the likeness and IMAGE of God. Then we know that God said for us to be conformed to the IMAGE of his dear Son. So does this mean we will all end up looking exactly alike? No. It is not speaking of physical appearance. Jesus said I do always the things which please my Father. He said we are one. He meant they had the same thoughts and actions. Paul said for us all to think the same thoughts, have the same mind. On the Day of Pentecost, they were all in ONE mind and ONE accord. There was no divisions. They were united.

Jesus was born on this earth in the likeness of sinful man. He said in Psalms, I will be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness. This happened at his resurrection. So we are not now in the image of God. When we come out of the grave, if we belong to God, then we will take on the image of the heavenly. Now we bear the image of the earthly.

To be in the image of something, spiritually, is to have the same character, to do the same kinds of things, to speak the same words, to have the same actions and mind. So with that in mind, let’s explore the Scriptures on this important subject.

Since I have already written a long message, explaining as fully as I can, that first beast, the one with the seven heads, and you will need to understand that, in order to receive this message on the image of the beast, You need to study that message before this one. It takes too much space and words to explain that beast, for me to place that into this message. So this is really a continuation of that study.

But I will briefly review that beast, or this message will not be as understandable to anyone. The Word of God shows that the first HEAD over mankind was his Son, Adam. God had anointed Adam and given him the power to rule this entire world. That anointing and power has never been taken away from Adam, even though Adam rebelled against God and became wicked, thus becoming Satan, the dragon, the old serpent and devil. That is solidly proven in Scripture. I will not attempt to prove that in this message.

Now how did Adam fall away from God and his original glory? He left grace, which God had given him, and he set out to become god and be worshipped. So in order to be worshipped and to rule over others, Adam had to set up the law system of the OT. He partook of, or ‘ate�?of that tree of the knowledge of good and evil, with its animal sacrifices, thus trampling the blood of Jesus and doing despite to the spirit of Grace. (Anyone reading this message, should know enough Scripture to find these things, so to shorten this somewhat, I will not give Scripture for all of these things as I normally do. But anyone who studies the Word, knows these things are in the Word.)

The law system is that tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Paul said by the law is the KNOWLEDGE of sin. He also said sin was by the law, and where there is no law, there is no sin. Sin is transgression of the law. So without law, we are clean and sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ, the only sacrifice for sins which God has ever accepted. So Adam turned from grace unto law and choose law to live by.

Noah became the second kingdom or head over man. He fell back into the OT law system and backslid by offering the blood of animals to God. Later, his two sons brought him back into grace and he once again was righteous. But he was that second head of the beast. His three sons along with Abraham, became the four heads on that third kingdom. Then Moses, (law) was that fourth head which was so hard and destroyed people with the power of those Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments is not all of the law, but it is the ‘power�?of that law. The Word of God shows that the seven headed beast came from back of old, meaning before the flood and before the NT times.

It is not dealing with individual nations, such as England or Spain. It is dealing with the rulers over mankind, which were set up by God himself. God anointed Noah and his sons and told them to rule this earth. Abraham had a special anointing from God to start the Hebrews. Then Moses had that special anointing to rule over the nation and the world, by the power of the Law.

That law system, set up by Moses, is the Mother of harlots. This is solidly proven in the Book of Exodus. Read how everything they did as they made that tabernacle and set it up. It was the very description of the great whore in Revelation. She was clothed in purple, scarlet, gold, and precious stones. It was the most lavish thing ever seen. Everything of that old covenant, the animal sacrifices, the burning of incense, offering oblations, priesthood, prophets ruling over others, was all an abomination to God. The Word declares this in many Scriptures. So to go by this law system was total rebellion to God. Rebellion to God is the same as witchcraft and idolatry. So the entire OT system was witchcraft and idolatry. It was noted for its rich, lavish buildings called palaces. It ruled over man in harshness called the iron rod. Under this system, if one broke the law, they were to be stoned to death. There was no mercy or grace. It was obey or be killed. God hates this kind of system. You ask then, why did God place them under this law? No, God did not ever force anyone to be under law. They CHOSE this, same as Adam did, because they love idolatry, lusts, ruling over others, and rebellion to God. This system is darkness and death. So they chose death instead of life. They chose their OWN ways instead of God’s ways. So God finally set them under this bondage, to show what the horrors of being under law is. They did not have to be under law. The could have served God in obedience and had grace. They chose this disobedience just as their father, Adam had done.

Mankind, apart from the Holy Ghost of God, is a beast. (Does not mean an animal.) God calls them beasts in many Scriptures. Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. Jude 1:10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

Lamentations and many other prophet books shows that God did away with that entire OT system. He hated it. He hated their Sabbaths, their new moons, their appointed feasts, the animal sacrifices, the priest, the prophets and their kings. I wrote a long message on the Fall of the OT. It would do you well to study this in order to get a clearer understanding of this message. These kingdoms, under those seven heads, had all followed this law system. So when the OT fell, it was that wound by the sword, the Word of God. He destroyed that old head of law and bondage. This happened at Calvary. Yes, Jesus nailed that law to his cross and took it out of the way, for it was the enmity. This made peace between Israel and the rest of the world. They were then brought into ONE NEW MAN, the Church of God.

Daniel describes these four kingdoms in chapter seven. He saw them as four different but distinct kingdoms, but each was in rebellion to God by using this law system, instead of faith, which is grace. They sought righteousness by the works of the LAW instead of by faith, so they never attained to righteousness. God never gave any of them rest, except those few who found grace.

So now, back to our first Scripture in Matthew 23. Mt 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

So what does that mean? It means they were using the LAW to bring people into bondage and rule over them. Read this chapter. He describes their nature and it explains the nature of that seven-headed beast, beginning with Adam. All that is spoken right here to the Pharisees and scribes, is true of Adam and all that followed him as rulers over the people.

They wanted the preeminence. They wanted worship: they laid heavy burdens on others, but did not move one themselves, they wanted the most important seats and to seen of men, (this is the nature of the preachers today, for they are in this image), they wanted greetings and to be called Rabbi and Master. They would not go into the kingdom of heaven and prevented others who wanted to do so. They devoured widow’s houses and then brought others into their beliefs and made them twofold more the child of HELL than themselves were. They loved money. Jesus called them fools and blind. He called them blind guides. Then he called them serpents and vipers. Why? Because they are just like their father, Adam, the devil. Adam was that serpent in the garden. He deceived Eve and has been deceiving the world ever since.

No one today recognizes Adam as this serpent and dragon, devil, Satan, because he is so subtle and has deceived the whole world. He started this seven-headed beast. He started this rebellion to God. He is the father of lies. He was perfect in the day he was created until iniquity was found in him. He never repented, so he is the devil today, set for the lake of fire. (I have already proven this is other messages, so will not do so here.)

Jesus finishes this discourse with these serpents with this: Mt 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

Mt 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Mt 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Mt 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: Mt 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Mt 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

Mt 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Mt 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Mt 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Now, if these Pharisees are called serpents, they have to be the descendants of that old serpent in the Garden of Eden. What other serpent is in the Word of God? And if they were his children, the devil, this HAS to be Adam. These people were the fleshly children of Abraham, so they had to come from Adam. This solidly proves that Adam was that old serpent, which deceived Eve. He has been deceiving the world ever since then. This then was still that head of the fourth kingdom of law. It was in existence at the time Jesus was on earth. That old head had not been destroyed at the time Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees. It was still in power. Jesus was made under that law head. These men sat in the SEAT of Moses, meaning they ruled by that law. They were part of this fourth kingdom HEAD. Jesus has denounced them to hell here. He destroyed that old head. It had the wound by the sword�?.but it lived. It had a deadly wound, by the sword, but it lived. It was revived. Then the whole world wondered after this beast when it was revived. Her ‘house�?was that law system. This is what was left desolate. It is the thing which had made them desolate. It is that abomination which maketh desolate. LAW!

Moses, in Scripture also means LAW, not just the man. Adam also means law, not just the man. OT means law. Law is that dragon. Law is the serpent. Law is the enemy of God and God’s people. Law is darkness and death. By the law shall no flesh be justified. By the law is sin. By sin is death. This kingdom of law was the dragon which stood before the Woman in travail, to devour her child as soon as it was born. It all began in the Garden of Eden. Everything began in the Garden of Eden. Revelation shows things which are, (now), things which were (past) and things which shall be (future). It all must be found back in the start or the Garden. Then it can be traced on down in time until the very end, when the Kingdom Of Jesus will take over all kingdoms and rule this earth.

Eve was a righteous woman. It is her seed which bruised the head of this serpent, or law. Her seed is Jesus Christ. So how could she be evil? It was not the man’s seed, or the serpent’s seed which brought salvation. It was the woman’s seed. That is Christ. So how could she be evil? This dragon stood before her, as she travailed to bring forth Christ, to devour this Holy Child as soon as it was born. First she had the righteous Abel. Cain, (part of the dragon kingdom) slew Abel. Then she had Seth, and praised God for another righteous SEED. It is spiritual, not fleshly. Abel was a righteous man. He was spiritual. So was Seth. This righteous SEED came on down into Noah. Then it came on down into Abraham, then Isaac, Jacob, Judas, and on down into Jesus Christ. All of these were the WOMAN’S SEED. Gal 3:16 Now to ABRAHAM and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to ABRAHAM by promise. Ga 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye ABRAHAM's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Now this proves that it is speaking of only one seed and this has to be spiritual. So this spiritual seed is that woman’s seed. So how could she be evil? It was told to Eve, Your seed shall bruise the head of the serpent. This was Christ. So Christ is the spiritual seed of Eve. It has to be she was a Holy Person. See also that it said our inheritance did not come of law. There is just too much proof here for anyone to fail to see this truth. Jesus Christ, the righteous seed, came down from Eve. It is spiritual, that is how the man did not have anything to do with it. It is not speaking of the fleshly seed. The children of the flesh, these are not counted for the seed. So it proves that Eve was righteous and passed that righteous seed down into her children, who followed her, and not Adam. It had to come from one of them, and the Word declares that it came from her. So this dragon stood before this righteous seed all the way, to devour it. How? To bring it back under that bondage of LAW.

So where did it show up next? In Jesus Christ. He is that woman in travail. He was in travail to bring forth his own manchild, the Christ in Him. He also travailed to bring us forth as children of God. That dragon, (law) stood before this spiritual ‘woman�? Jesus, to devour her child as soon as it was born. “We have a LAW and by our LAW he ought to die.�?/FONT>

So those Pharisees, priests, scribes, and other rulers of law, stood and cried, Crucify him. He ought to die. Away with him. So He died under that LAW. Remember now, this is still that fourth kingdom head of law. It is that seventh head, for the third kingdom had four heads. So this is down at the end of the OT, for it is their seventh head.

Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

See, their enemy, Jesus, took that law out of the way and, for the first time, forgave all trespasses. Then he proved he took them out of law by saying do not be judged in meat, drink, or respect of an holyday, new moon, or Sabbath days, which was the mainstay of the OT Law covenant. He said not to respect these things. So he did away with that law head and wounded it to death.

He then brought up a freeborn group of children to God. He had delivered them from that bondage of law. He set them free and gave them life. Who? Those who received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, and after that. It was those who obeyed the command of the NT, to be water baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Now for the first time, people were clean from their sins. A new manchild had been born. So then? That old dragon reared up his ugly head again and began the Great Tribulation against these newborn Christians. He had brought the Great Tribulation against the Head of this new Group of children of God, Jesus Christ, when he nailed him to that cross and killed him. He was the first to die under this great tribulation of the NT. John the Baptist had died under great tribulation, but it fell under that OT. (Jesus Christ is the HEAD of the Christians, the Church or his body.)

Mt 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings of the temple. Mt 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Right here, Jesus swept away the concept that manmade buildings had any place in God. He said every one of these natural stones will be thrown down, for God despises these palaces. Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, not some wood and stone building. He is preparing these disciples for spiritual understanding and the hard road ahead of them, as that dragon seeks to kill them all, under the great tribulation.

Mt 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Now we see here that Jesus is about to tell how things will end up. He is not going back to the OT Beast. He is going into the image of this beast.

Now you watch this Scripture real carefully and discover how that old deceiving serpent has led the entire world into lies, by distorting what Jesus said here.

Mt 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. Mt 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. Mt 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. Mt 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Jesus is leading up to answering their question, of what signs will show the end of the world and his coming. First he said, many will come in my name, saying I am Christ and shall deceive many. This already took place. He spake of wars and said the end is not yet. So he is showing here that he has not gotten down to the end in his discourse. Nation shall rise again nation and kingdom against kingdom.

What kingdoms is he speaking of? In Scripture there are two. In Scripture there were two ‘trees�?or kingdoms in that Garden of Eden. In Scripture there are two covenants. It is law and grace. It is Adam and Jesus, or Satan and Christ. These are those two trees and two covenants. It is LAW AND GRACE.

That OT Kingdom of law, (Satan; Adam) came against the kingdom of Grace, or Jesus there when they crucified the Son of God, Jesus. (We have a law and by our law he ought to die). By their law, Jesus died. By their law, Paul died. By their law, Peter died. See? It was the great tribulation. Oh Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets. I will send you prophets and wise men (the apostles,) and you will kill them that on you may be all the blood shed on this earth. Jerusalem persecuted and killed those new Christians. Paul was a Pharisee and was killing Christians until his conversion. Then they persecuted Paul. Great Tribulation. All who will live Godly shall suffer persecution.

Mt 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Mt 23:33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Mt 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: Mt 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee,

Lu 13:33 Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.

Now that is solid proof that it was old Jerusalem which persecuted and killed the children of God. They were the dragon standing before this woman to devour her child as soon as it was born at Pentecost. The kingdom of Adam, or Satan, was against the Kingdom of Jesus there at Calvary. Law was against Grace. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. This is what that dragon was fighting to destroy, truth and grace. He cast the TRUTH down to the ground and stamped upon it. It started with the death of Jesus and continued on down through the great tribulation, as they killed the Saints, whom Jesus had sent them. Thus they fulfilled Jesus�?words to them, that they would kill the ones he sent to THEM. Thus they filled the measure of their fathers, that old dragon of the OT.

Mt 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

See, this was only the beginning of sorrows. It was not down here at our time, in 2006, as the dragon teaches. It was in Jesus�?day. That began the end. That began the sorrows. It was just the beginning. There was much, much more to come.

Mt 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

Jesus told his disciples right there, that after the beginning of sorrows, after they have killed me, then they will begin to afflict and kill you. And the whole world will hate you for my name’s sake. They hate us for the name of JESUS, which we hold true to today.

Mt 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

After this persecution of those first Saints began, and it was so horrible, then many weakened and fell away. They betrayed one another and began to hate one another. Then many false prophets rose up and deceived many. This was the great falling away. Jesus said all who endure unto the end will be saved. Those who fell away, and went back to law and betrayed their fellow Christians, were lost.

Mt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

The gospel message began to be preached into all the world right there with the first Apostles. It will continue to be preached into all the world until Jesus returns. Then the end of this image of the beast will come.

Mt 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Lu 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.

You need to read this chapter in Luke also, for it makes it very clear that Jesus was speaking to and about his disciples, then, who would be persecuted and betrayed and killed for his name sake.

Now I wanted to list what Luke said here also, about this desolation, because he is the only one who worded it this way. It is important to see this together. One must go by Scripture for these interpretations, not something out in the world.

Now let’s see what the Scripture says about this Jerusalem being compassed with armies.

I know the false teachers say this happened after Jesus left this earth and it was later that armies came to Jerusalem. But here is what the Scripture says it was:

Ps 35:15 But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and GATHERED themselves TOGETHER: yea, the abjects GATHERED themselves TOGETHER AGAINST me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:

Ac 4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST the Lord, and AGAINST his Christ.

Ac 4:27 For of a truth AGAINST thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were GATHERED TOGETHER.

Now see that it said this is a truth, that they were gathered together against Jesus. This is when Jerusalem was compassed with armies. It was all these kings of the earth gathered there to kill Jesus. Until you learn that all the Word of God centers on this crucifixion of Jesus, you will go wild with interpretations and never come to the knowledge of the truth. So this is when that abomination of desolation was set up. What was it? It was that law bringing all those kings together to kill Jesus and His Saints. It was law that made them desolate. It was law that killed Jesus and his children. That abomination to God was set right back up in�?what? The Church, of course. Yes, people, that church is the Image of the Beast.

(cont.)

1ki 10:18 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold. 1ki 10:19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.

1ki 10:20 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom. 1ki 10:21 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. (Notice how this description of Solomon’s kingdom is the same as that of the Whore, in Revelation, and it is the same as that tabernacle Moses set up in the wilderness! So this is proof that all of this law system is this Mystery Babylon, or the beast and the image of the beast. It is all one and the same thing, just manifest at different times on earth and in different names. Church is only one of those names. Jerusalem is another of those names. Israel is another name for this beast. False prophet is another, so is pastor or Reverend so-and-so).

This beast and this image is nothing in the world but false religion and the flesh of man. It is all in rebellion to God and going in their own ways. It headed up under those seven heads in the OT. It headed up under those seven churches in the NT. Look at the popes. There they sit on their throne chair, being worshipped as God. You say, well that is the beast or the anti-Christ. Well, yes it is. But no more than the pastors of other churches. They ALL sit up their special (throne) chairs upon that stage, with the steps going up to it. They all receive the worship which comes from this. They all receive pay for doing this ‘job�? It is all the beast, the image and the mark of this beast man. It is all anti-Christ. It is man saying I am God. It is man sitting in the temple of God showing himself to be God. IT started with Adam, when he said I am God. I sit in the seat of God. But God said to him, you are just a man. This man is that beast. (God never said to him, you are just an angel, now did he?)

God had forbidden to go up to his altar with steps. Why? Because God said we are all ONE, or equal. He said not to set one up above another. That is why the pastoral system of this image church cannot be right. It sets one up above the others, to rule and to receive pay for doing this work of God. Thus it becomes the beast and all his workings.

So what did Solomon do? The exact opposite of what God had said. He set his throne up on high, above the people, with six (number of man) steps going up to this altar. Notice, those two lions on each side. They represent Adam, that lion kingdom. Then they had twelve lions on the sides of these six steps. There represent those twelve tribes of Israel, which is also the image of this first beast before him.

See God had set this nation up with judges ruling them. But they rebelled and said, We want to be like the NATIONS AROUND US. We want to have a king rule over us. We want to make an image to the beast around us. We want to be like the rest of the world. God told Samuel, they have not reject you in this, they have REJECTED me. So Israel REJECTED God when they set up these kings. God did not do this. Again He just allowed them to chose their OWN WAY instead of God’s way.

Re 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. Re 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. Re 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. Re 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.

Re 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. Re 13:12 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.

Re 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. Re 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. Re 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: Re 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Compare verse 5 with verse 11. This mouth is the same as this beast coming up out of the earth. This mouth is the false church, speaking as the beast before it. This beast in the church caused the church to make or to become an image of the first beast before it. That means they set up exactly as that old beast out of the OT law system. They brought all those laws and rituals, and holidays, idol worship, into the church. This is how that beast of law was making war with the saints and overcoming them. He deceived them into going right back under that bondage of law, which Jesus had delivered them from.

Jesus said, Make not my Father’s house a house of merchandize. This is not speaking of worldly stores and such. It is spiritual. It is the buying and selling of the things of God. It is most certainly not wrong for a Christian to sell earthly merchandize. It is wrong to sell, or take pay for the things of God. It is wrong to sell messages, books of teaching of the Word or such things. It is wrong to make merchandize off the things of God. So the people who belong to the Church or house of Jesus, do not engage in the merchandizing. Thus they are free of this mark of the beast. His mark is this buying and selling, or the love of money, in the spiritual realm.

But those who are in this beast church rebel against this command and are very busy in the buying and selling of religious things. This is one of the main ways to know if one is in the beast church or the True Church. This one thing sets them apart. This image of the beast church is forever engaging into some kind of buying and selling, making money for their ‘building fund�?or some other project they have going on. They lay that money up in the bank to draw interest. It is the very thing Jesus said for his Church NOT to do. This beast church is always out among the world, begging in some form or fashion for the world’s people to GIVE them money. It is a disgrace to the Living God! It is open rebellion to what Jesus said, therefore, it is the image of the beast and not the image of Christ. The True Church obeys what our King, Jesus, told us to do!

This thing of the ‘buying and selling�?in the place of worship, is one of the places where Jesus showed the most anger and dissatisfaction, when he weaved a cord and made a whip and drove the changers of MONEY out of that temple. He showed how much he hates this thing of making merchandize in the house of God, right here. WE are the house of God. We who name the name of Christ are NOT to bring buying and selling, merchandizing into the work of God. Now you show me a church which is not engaged in this money making mess! Show me a pastor who does his work freely! Show me a church which is not set up THEATER STYLE. They all have their stage, with the steps, and the throne chair up there for the KING of this establishment. All the members are just spectators, as they sit and watch the show. They are not engaged in active worship, prayer, or study of the Word. So it is all image of the beast churches. Their MARK is the buying and selling or merchandizing! That is your mark! That is your signal that you are a beast church.

The kingdom of Jesus, or his image, the tree of life, is to have the nature of Jesus and obey His word. Jesus taught grace, forgiveness and love. Law says none of these things apply. You must punish any who disobey the law. Moses (law) said kill any who commit adultery. Jesus said, forgive and restore them to righteousness.

Moses said keep the seventh day apart from the others. Jesus led us to see every day alike. The Apostles worked at this Kingdom work every day. Paul said not to be judged in respect of an holy day or Sabbaths. So, which kingdom, or image are you in?

Jesus told us to listen to his apostles and live according to their teachings. He gave Peter the keys to his kingdom or image. When people asked Peter how to be saved, he gave them this: Ac 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ac 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

He taught them to receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost according to the coming of the Holy Ghost in Acts 2. They knew when someone received this Baptism by their speaking in other tongues as the spirit gives utterance. They knew this was prophesied by Isaiah 28, that this is the rest Jesus would give us. This is the rest for the soul. So those who are in the image of Christ, will have this same experience as those Apostles had and taught. But now you can watch that beast image church. They mock this and refuse it and get in the way of others receiving this. They speak evil of these things which they do not understand, nor do they wish to see it. They bring up another way of salvation, but again, it is their choosing their own ways, in place of God’s way.

The teachings of the Apostles in Acts, is God’s chosen way of salvation. There is no other. So, which ‘church�?are you in? The beast church, or the True Church? It all depends upon how were you baptized? Did you obey Acts as shown by the Apostles? Or do you resist this plan of God? If so, you belong to this beast church and will receive or her plagues.

Jesus gave us gifts of the Spirit. One of them is speaking in the unknown tongue. Paul said he spoke in tongues more than them all. He said forbid not to speak with tongues. How many ‘churches�?do you know which obey this and have these gifts at work in it? Is it in your own life? Are you in the true Church? If so, then why would you fight against these things the Word of God pronounces to be in the image of Christ?

Jesus said to heal by the prayer of faith. He said without faith it is impossible to please God. So how many churches practice praying for and healing the sick? Do they anoint with oil and pray as the NT teaches us to do? If not, they are this beast, rebellious church, the whore, mystery Babylon. If you belong to this church, you will receive of her plagues.

Jesus told us to search the Scriptures. Paul told us to study the Word. Do you? Or do you just accept some made-up doctrine and not prove it with the Word of God?

Do you reject the only name given among men whereby we MUST be saved, Jesus? If so, you are in the beast kingdom or image. If you say we must be under the law, you are in the beast church. Paul said we are free from the law. He said it was bondage wherein we were held. He said after we come to Christ, we are no longer under this schoolmaster, or bondage. He said the law was a curse, from which Jesus delivered us. Paul said when you come together the first thing we should do is make prayer and intersession for all saints. Does your church obey this? Do you have a time where you all just get alone with God and pray until you get in touch with God, or do you just hasten through a minutes mumbled prayer by one person? Do you really WORSHIP God in your ‘church�? Do the members get together in joy and praises of God? Do you raise your hands in worship? We are told to do this in many Scriptures. Are you ashamed of this kind of worship? If so, you are in a dead, rebellious, blind, naked beast church. It is the image of the first beast.

Re 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. Re 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

This beast which John the Baptist describes here, came up out of that first beast. See that is has in it all the traits of each of those four kingdoms in the OT. It has the ten horns (or Ten Commandments), it has the feet of the bear (second kingdom), and it was like unto a leopard, (the third kingdom with four heads), and his mouth or speaking is that of a lion, or that first Kingdom. The dragon is giving his power, and his seat and great authority to this beast image church. That is why the church has had so much influence in this world, since Roman days.

(cont.)

(Part 3)

Now the true Apostolic Church, which started on the Day of Pentecost, was the true Church of Jesus, his image. Jesus told them the works that I do shall you do and greater. So anyone who is in the image of Christ, will be doing the very same kinds of works which Jesus did. If you doubt this, and deny this power, then you are not in the image of Christ, but in the image of that beast. But that true church was killed out. It was replaced by the seven churches which came up. Now don’t get me wrong, there have always been a few true Christians all down through time. But as a whole, that church went off the main scene. Look here at what was told to the first of the seven churches: Re 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, [fallen?] repent? See they had fallen, which is of Babylon.

This was told to the second church: 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,

See then that they were being persecuted and in tribulation.

Now this is what I want you to see in the third church: Re 2:13 I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Now I wanted to show you that this SEAT which the dragon gave to this beast is right there in that CHURCH! See? Where Satan’s SEAT is. There in that CHURCH! That is solid proof that the seven churches were where Satan was headed up in the NT. There is absolutely no question about this. It is solidly proven right here. Satan dwelt in that church. His SEAT, or place of ruling authority was right there in the church. So this is a Beast church or kingdom. Satan’s SEAT is in that church. And this is why the church denies all the teachings of the Apostles, the NT covenant, and is rebellious to all the NT commandments. This beast church goes by the OT Covenant and laws. Thus they are rejecting the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ. They are a beast image or kingdom. Where do you fit? You need to be completely honest with yourself, and search this question out. Your eternal soul depends on being in the true Church, or the image of Christ.

Re 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Now see that this was a dead church? Then it had to be of Satan. It had to be of the darkness. This was a beast church. The last one is the most notable. It is totally away from God, naked, blind, miserable, wretched and lukewarm. God said to this church, I will spew you out of my mouth.

So now that proves the seven churches were the image of the first beast. It was in rebellion to God all the way, except for the few true Christians in each church. God said for the women to have long hair. The beast church says no, that will not do. We will rebel against this. God said for women to dress in modest apparel as is becoming to women professing Godliness. But the beast church says no. The women can wear that which pertained to the man. We will rebel against what God wants. So the entire image of the beast church, is walking in total rebellion to God, as did Adam, their father.

So now, which church or kingdom or image are you in? Do you even care? God said the fear of the Lord is taught after the precepts of man. So they can tell you just anything, and you will believe their lies. But let the truth be presented, and you cannot and will not HEAR. Your eyes you have closed and your ears are deaf to the voice of God, the Scriptures.

Re 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

Who was being persecuted? The true Church, the Christians. Who was persecuting them? Jerusalem, that old covenant of law. They killed Jesus and the apostles. They continued to kill saints till today. So the one doing the persecuting is the dragon, or his kingdom, his image. Where is it today? In the false churches. Will they not go to war with any Saint who teaches some truth contrary to their mama Jezebel? They will slander you and persecute you with their tongue if not with a gun. They keep Sabbath, but think nothing about bearing false witness against a neighbor.

Re 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.

Re 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Re 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

Re 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ

Re 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Dan8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

Dan 8:24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. Dan 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

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. 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (Now this ‘other�?horn which came up on the beast is this false church.)

Dan 11:31 And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. D 11:33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 11:34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 11:35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

(see the false church persecuted and killed saints all down through the church age.)

Now all of the above, tied together, gives you a full view of this image of the beast in his dirty work of warring against the Saints of God and killing them. See that was for a LONG time. This is not some short seven years of tribulation, as the false teachers of that image of the beast teach. See that this sets in at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus and continues until the very end, when the saints take over this world and judge it.

This beast kingdom made war with the saints all down through the ages and prevailed against them. Just as soon as any group of true witnesses of Jesus finished their testimony, that beast which ascended out of that bottomless pit, the great whore, then they went to war with them and killed them.

This goes on and on from the first martyr until the last before the Ancient of Days comes and gives the judgment of this earth to the saints to rule over forever.

Now you can look around you at the worldly nations, the workings of the governments of man, and all such things, and you can try to interpret these Scripture from that standpoint, but I am telling you, this is NOT THE ANSWER. These things are spiritual. These things in the Word of God, are ALL about things in the religious world. They are all about the dealings of God and Satan with this world. You cannot find these true answers by watching what the world calls ‘Israel�? That is not the answer either. That is not God is speaking of. God plainly told us that the children of the flesh are NOT the children of God. So all of the Word of God is about the things of God, not these natural people. God did not set his workings and his timing, or his prophecies around those natural people. They are absolutely no different from any other people. Paul made this plain in many Scriptures. Man just ignores what the Word of God teaches and makes up their own doctrine. It will lead you into total destruction.

Isa 5:30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof. (If you look to the land, or what is going on around you in the world, or the ‘sea�? then you will see only sorrow and darkness. Look not to this world.)

Isa 8:22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness. (see, if you look to this earth, you will be drient to darkness. The answers of God are not out there in that world.)

Isa 17:7 At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel. 17:8 And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images. (This is showing the ones who look to our God will not look to altars, which man’s hands made or any other work of man’s fingers.)

Isa 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished. (This was prophecy that the OT Covenant or nation, would wax old and all who dwell therein will die as it is abolished, but God’s true salvation will never be abolished.)(So the beast was that OT which waxed old and was abolished. It is in the beast church until Jesus comes and does away with it forever.)

Isa 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. (This is those blind Laodician ministers.)

Isa 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. (This clearly describes the shepherds of this beast image church. They are greedy dogs which can never have enough. They are the enemy of your soul. They are only interested in their own way and things.)(These are the dogs God said to beware of.)

Isa 56:12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant. (See they are only concerned with their ‘abundance�?of material, money things. Their wine is the wine of the whore.)

Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. (That is the final destination of all these greedy dogs and their followers.)

Isa 42:18 Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.

Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Now there is the final admonition of God to you who are now deaf and blind. Look to God and be saved, have your deaf ears opened and your blind eyes healed. Then you may come out of that beast image, and into the Image of Christ Jesus.)

The Name is the POWER. The NAME is the authority by which one acts. The Name is the tower, of safety and being untouchable. The name is also the glory. Jesus said I came in my Father’s NAME. If another shall come in his own name, him you will receive. Jesus was saying I came under the authority of my Father and I obey my Father. The Father was his HEAD. He is the HEAD of his kingdom. We act under the authority of our HEAD, Jesus. We us the NAME OF JESUS in his kingdom. His NAME is our strong tower and our salvation. There is no other NAME given among men whereby we must be saved.

So now with that said, let’s take one last look at the difference between the image of the beast, the beast kingdom and the image of Christ, the kingdom of Jesus.

Adam had lifted himself up as God, thus rejecting and rebelling against the name or authority of his Father. This is the root of the beast kingdom. Then the third kingdom had said Let’s make a tower which may reach unto heaven, and a NAME for ourselves. See then that they were rejecting the name of God and setting up their own authority above the authority of God. They set themselves up as the HEAD over this kingdom, and not God. Their NAME they wanted to set up for themselves shows that they were acting under their own thoughts and power, and not of God.

See then that the fourth kingdom went under the name of Moses. They always said that they were the disciples of Moses. Now Moses himself was not of this rebellion. He gave glory always to the true God. But the people set Moses up as their HEAD. They went by the name of Moses.

Then the image of this beast, the church, sets themselves up under the name of many different men and organizations. They are either Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, following Branham, or Scofield, or Dakes, or brother so-and-so. Most just use their pastor for their authority or HEAD. Many use their own name. Just anything they think up is what they set up as the power or truth, or authority.

But watch how this image church always REJECTS the NAME of Jesus Christ, in Baptism, in receiving the Holy Ghost and in all that Jesus taught. Stephen testified against law Jerusalem and said you do always resist the Holy Ghost. As your ‘fathers�?did, so do you. They said we be Moses�?disciples. They rejected the name of Jesus Christ as their HEAD.

All today who reject this NAME which is above every name, is of this image of the beast. Those who resist the Holy Ghost, the gifts of the Spirit and all the other things of the New Covenant, are of this mark of the beast. They are ‘marked�?that they have this spirit of anti-Christ in them. It is primarily under the headship of GOLD. Money is their power and their love. That is why the image Nebuchadnezzar set up of this image was gold. It showed this love of money is their mark. The image churches today dote more on money than any other thing. They refuse the name of Jesus in Baptism and reject the Holy Ghost, thus claim that they are sufficient of themselves. They all claim no one can be clean, or free from sin. Thus they are blaspheming the worthy name and power of Jesus to cleanse us from all our sin. They are equating the blood of Jesus with the blood of animals, which sanctifies the covenant they are of.

So when anyone refuses the name of Jesus for Baptism, thus writing his name upon themselves, then they have the name of the beast and they are have the number of his name and this is his MARK. All who refuse NT salvation, as taught by the Apostles of Jesus in the Book of Acts, have this name and the mark of this beast.

That rock cut out of this mountain of humanity, without hands, is Jesus Christ. His kingdom shall become a great mountain, or kingdom, and fill this entire earth. Then there will be everlasting peace and the saints will rule with our King Jesus forever. That beast will then be destroyed in the lake of fire and will be no more. Praise my God, and I long for this day to finally arrive. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

This message is my Gift to you. It is God’s Gift to me and to you. It is the truth of God’s Word and it will blow away all the lies men have brought up concerning these Spiritual matters. My God has given me this understanding. Now I know that many, my enemies, speak against me as they did all of God’s true ministers. But they just do not understand, for Satan has blinded their eyes. You need to look to God to open your blinded eyes, before you land out there in that unquenchable fire. I say things to help people know that God is still speaking to his ministers and people today. It is not boasting or lifting myself up as they claim. I must, at times, let you all know that God has led me into these messages and things in my life.

I am not boasting or lifting myself up as I tell you this. It is just expressing what God has done in my life, just as Peter, Paul and the other Apostles told what God had done in their lives. It is for the honor and glory of God. I have studied many long weeks, months, and yes, even years, to receive the truth in this message. I studied the Word of God, not some man’s writings. I have prayed and sought God for many years to open these things up to me. God has spoken to me and led me into all of this. Much of this I had no idea of until God actually spoke to me and told me.

It matters not how many of Satan’s workers slander me for saying these things, but I am speaking it for the glory of God. These things came from the Eternal God. It is his truth. He gave it to me. I am giving it to any who desires the truth.

May God richly bless you and bless this message. I have worked on this message so much in the past few days, that I am too tired to sit up. My arms and fingers are worn out. I do not say this, ‘whining�?as I have been accused of. I do not say it to get attention of any kind. I am merely making a statement of fact, so honest people will know that someone in this world today is still concerned with receiving the truth and feeding God’s sheep.

Peter, lovest me more than these? Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. FEED MY SHEEP.

By: Jo smith

OK, Now I have finished it. Of course there is much more could be said. But this is sufficient to anyone who can and will read this with an open heart, to see this is the truth which God's Word proclaims.

I know it is very long, but how else could I explain something this controversial and already taught is such error? Anyway, I do not appologize for the length. I did what God said for me to do. If I can sit and write all of this, why can you not read it? How much do you really love the Lord?

I have studied these things many, many years. Now if you want truth, it is laid out with Scriptural proof. If you desire truth, you will take this message and study it, at least a bit at a time, until you have explored it all and compare it with the Word of God.

Take what you have already been taught and compare it truly with the written Scriptures. You will see they had no truth to stand on. It was all just made up stuff from men's minds surmising and not studying and comparing Scripture with Scripture.

As I always say of these long messages, the best way to study them is to print them out and study them 'in hand'. This is the way I like to read them.

It is here for any who wish to study and learn. It is the food for the sheep of God.

It is the food for the sheep of God.

Glad you enjoyed it Axs. I too have sat and read it on the computer, for Rhonda still has my printer cable. Hope to get it back Tuesday, as that is our day to go back to Augusta.

Sure hope I do not get any work by then. Need the money, but am enjoying being at home again. Especially since I had prayed and asked God to give me time to finish these precious messages on this beast and his image.

And there is so much more we could write proving this truth.

Important Announcement The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
Build on the True Foundation	[email protected]