False Prophet Revealed?
By Phil Dobson
August 18, 2001
I just love Bible prophecy. It's been a hobby of mine for the
past fifteen plus years ever since I read Hal Lindsey's book,
"1980's, Countdown to Armageddon." And while most prophecy
buffs are searching for the Antichrist, I stumbled across something
the other day that made me sit up and take notice. An article
in the Sydney Morning Herald caught my attention like no other
in the past several years. It was titled, "The Next Jewish
Pope." Now before I continue I'd like to make it clear that
I don't know when Christ will return. I don't know who the Antichrist
or who the False Prophet will be. With that said I'd like to take
a look at the attributes of the False Prophet and compare them
to a man who may become the next Pope and let you contemplate
what hit me like a ton of bricks.
In scripture we find the False Prophet first mentioned in chapter
13 of Revelation beginning in verse 11. I'm going to use the NIV
translation as they allow short reprints without permission. "Then
I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns
like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. (12) He exercised all
the authority of the first beast (the Antichrist) on his behalf,
and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast,
whose fatal wound had been healed. (13) And he performed great
and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven
to earth in full view of men. (14) Because of the signs he was
given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the
inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in
honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
(15) He was given power to give breath to the image of the first
beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship
the image to be killed. (16) He also forced everyone, small and
great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his
right hand or on his forehead, (17) so that no one could buy or
sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or
the number of his name. (18) This calls for wisdom. If anyone
has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it
is man's number. His number is 666."
From this description we learn a few things about the Antichrist's
sidekick, the False Prophet. In verse 12 we learn that he'll yield
unlimited authority and force everyone to worship the Antichrist.
In verse 13 and 14 we see that he'll perform great miracles and
deceive the population. In verses 15 and 16 we see that he forces
everyone to worship the image of the Antichrist and all those
who refuse will be killed and he makes everyone take the "Mark
of the Beast."
We also learn that this False Prophet has two horns. This, of
course, is symbolism. Just as the first beast, the Antichrist,
has ten horns and ten crowns, which is symbolic for ten kingdoms,
the False Prophet has two horns like the Lamb of God. This makes
him a "religious beast" with possibly some political
authority.
In verse 11 the word "another" is translated from the
Greek, which means "another of the same kind," which
tells us that he'll have the same magnetic personality and attributes
as the Antichrist.
Now you may say that this is all well and good but still there's
no comparison to anyone living and indeed this is the case. Here's
where decrement and understanding come into play, along with the
work and study of many whom have come before us. Many Bible scholars
believe that the False Prophet will be Jewish, where as the first
beast came out of the "sea" this second beast comes
out of the earth. The sea refers to the masses or nations. In
verse 11 the word earth could well be translated land. When the
word land is used symbolically it usually refers to the Land of
Israel. His having two horns may refer to an imitation of Christ
or the long awaited Jewish Messiah.
So, with all that said, I'd like to take a look at one who may
be the next Pope, the Archbishop of Paris, Cardinal Jean-Marie
Lustiger. He fits many of the assumptions that Bible scholars
believe the False Prophet will have. He's Jewish and has a magnetic
personality. Many Jews, Catholics and unbelievers admire him.
He fills the Notre Dame Cathedral when he says Mass and as Professor
Colin Netteleck said, "when he walks through the crowd it
is a sight to behold." The article I read calls him; "One
of the world's most influential and charismatic intellectuals."
And what really got me was the quote about Jesus; "I'm sorry
Jesus Christ did not have a good public relations office because
maybe he wouldn't have had the bad problem of being crucified."
Bad problem of being crucified? And this guy could be the next
Pope?
I guess this shouldn't surprise anyone, as the history of the
Catholic Church and the succeeding Popes is a nightmare in and
of itself. Please find the time to research the history of the
church and make your own conclusions. And contrary to popular
Catholic belief, Peter was not the first Pope. The first Pope
was Gregory I (A.D. 590-604). One of the best resources on the
subject is "Halley's Bible Handbook."
So is Cardinal Lustiger the False Prophet? You got me. I for one
will be keeping an eye on him to see where all this will lead.
My prayer is that he is whom I think he is which means we'll be
out of here in short order. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."
(Side bar while writing and researching this commentary, I was
assaulted like never before. My typing skills became limited,
my arms and hands ached, I felt tired and I became hungry like
I hadn't eaten for days.)
Read the full text of the Sydney Morning Herald Article
You may send comments to Phil at dobson@madcrazy.com
http://www.888webtoday.com