Three Angels Messages Part 51

Welcome once more as we continue our examination of the Three Angels’ Messages found in Revelation 14. We are now looking at the message of the third angel, the first part of which reads, “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.’”

            In our previous discussions, we’ve been considering the critical question, Who or what is this beast? It is obvious that the term “beast” is used in a symbolic way. We have already seen that the beast that has the mark to be avoided is the first beast described in Revelation 13, the beast from the sea, with vital clues found in Revelation 13:1-10. We have seen that the system of the papacy, the hierarchy (not the congregants) of the Roman Catholic Church fit the prophetic specifications perfectly. Among the clues we’ve already discussed, we have seen that she came into power at the exact time, was given power and authority by the declining power of civil Rome, has engaged in “blasphemy.”

In verse 6 we find that this blasphemy is directed against God in three ways; to “blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.” Revelation 13:6. We’ve seen the quotations that demonstrate papal blasphemy against His name, by ascribing to themselves names and titles that belong to God alone. We’ve seen how the papacy has blasphemed His tabernacle by claiming to have the power to forgive sins. The “tabernacle” in ancient Israel was where sins were forgiven and were men were put right with God.

            In what way has she blasphemed “those who dwell in heaven”? The papacy presumes the power to elevate to sainthood those whom she wishes. She blasphemes those “who dwell in heaven” in the sense that she proclaims that certain individuals are now in heaven, when the Bible teaches that the dead rest unconsciously in the grave. The papal power claims the capability to have accorded the mantle of sainthood to these dead persons, having the capacity to render assistance to humans on this earth.

One person in particular, Mary the mother of Jesus, has been placed on a pedestal that rivals the position of the Lord Jesus Christ. “He falls and is lost who has not recourse to Mary. Mary is called the gate of heaven because no one can enter that blessed kingdom without passing through her. The way to salvation is open to none otherwise than through Mary.” Dave Hunt, A Woman Rides the Beast, p. 438. Is this not blasphemy? The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Door through which we gain access to the Father. John 10:9.

            Through the Scriptures we understand that Mary, a mortal being, is dead and asleep in the grave awaiting the resurrection at Jesus’ coming, and is not presently in heaven. “For the living know that they shall die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. For there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are growing.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10. That would include the “work” of rendering mediation and providing spiritual or material assistance, wouldn’t it?

            What purpose would be served to pray to one who is dead in the grave, where there is no “work, wisdom or knowledge.” There is no possibility of Mary conducting the “work” of intercession; there is no wisdom in Mary to give answers to prayers. You might as well be praying to an inanimate rock. Jesus is the One through Whom salvation is offered and by Whose name we are saved. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

            Note: these words in Acts were spoken by Peter, adjudged to have been the first “pope.” This same Peter affirmed that Jesus is the Rock (not Peter). “Coming to Him (Jesus) as to a living Stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, ‘Behold I lay in Zion a chief Cornerstone, elect precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.’ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief Cornerstone,’ and ‘A Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense.’” I Peter 2:4, 6-9. A quick review of a few Bible passages will reveal that many others in Scripture understood and taught that Jesus is the Rock of our salvation.

            The Patriarch Jacob knew it. “By the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel).” Genesis 49:24. Moses proclaimed it. “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the dew, as raindrops on the tender herb, and as showers on the grass. For I proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect.” Deuteronomy 32:1-3. David declared it. “The LORD is my Rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in Whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:2. “He only is my Rock and my salvation; He is my defense.” Psalm 62:2.

            Isaiah prophesied it. “The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, but a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense to both the houses of Israel.” Isaiah 8:13, 14. Daniel foresaw it. “You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. And the Stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” Daniel 2:34, 35. Paul preached it. They “all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” I Corinthians 10:4. How shocked these prophetic spokesmen would be to learn that human lips and pens have ascribed this lofty title to mere mortals!

But didn’t Christ give Simon the name “Peter”? According to Christ’s words he was “Petros,” or a “small, rolling stone.” The Savior used a different word when he spoke of Peter’s confession that “Jesus is the Christ, the true Messiah,” by saying, “Upon this rock (petra: a “large formidable stone; a monolith”) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18. It was not the person of Peter, but the confession of Peter, that Jesus is the Christ, that constitutes the Rock of Scripture. This Rock to which Jesus referred, against which the gates of Hades could not prevail, could not be the Apostle Peter, for just moments later Peter tried to dissuade Christ from his mission. At that point Christ “turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of man.’” Matthew 16:23. No, Peter was not the “Rock.” He never claimed to be. When he used that term, he reverently applied it to his Lord, Jesus Christ. And he would be mortified to learn that those in later ages thought of him as pope.

We trust that Jesus is your Rock of Salvation! He will never falter nor fail. He will never leave nor forsake you. In Him you can safely trust! Please join us next time as we continue our study of the Three Angels’ Messages.