Revelation 13:3 King or Kingdom?

    I was a little late to the Revelation 13:3 social media party and almost missed it completely. After the assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald J Trump, social media lit up with Revelation 13:3 quotes. This was mostly from those who don't study scripture but, are quick to use it to serve their purposes or, fit a specific narrative which has become common practice. Most comments were quite misguided, even delusional, misquoting scripture. 

   "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast" 

   The bullet grazed former President Trump's ear, whereas, the alleged shooter received a deadly head wound which ended his life and no, he will not rise again. But, the scriptural reference was directed at former President Trump and his wounded ear. Heads symbolize kingdoms, horns symbolize kings, Is Trump a kingdom? Is he a kingdom that belongs to the beast that rises from the sea, during the time of tribulation? Is he even a sitting President right now? Is he a leader (horn - king) of a middle eastern kingdom? No, of course not. 

   Why doesn't scripture say one of the horns was wounded as to death if this verse represents a deadly head wound upon a man; a king? Because it's not a man, it's a kingdom. 

   Let me explain: 

   Revelation 13:1-4 details the rise of the antichrist-tribulation kingdom from the sea aka: the fourth beast of ten horns, who correlates with the fourth kingdom: the feet and toes of iron and clay found in Daniel 2.  

Dreams of a King Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar's Prophetic Dream

   After the death of King Nabopolassar (605 B.C.) King Nebuchadnezzar II claimed the throne, inheriting a bunch of mystic advisors that previously served his father. These wise men were collaborators of the dark arts who worked in service to the King. The mystic advisors were the best the kingdom had to offer, Egyptian magicians, Canaanite fortunetellers, Aramaic astrologers, and Chaldean dream interpreters. There were also soothsayers, diviners,  sorcerers, enchanters, conjurers, and illusionist available to provide counsel unto the new king.  

   But none would come close to doing what the king requested.

   King Nebuchadnezzar II was plagued by a recurring dream. Night after night, he tossed and turned in his bed, the details of his dream evaporating as soon as he woke. It intrigued him so deeply that he called upon his court of dream translators, sorcerers, astrologers, and magicians to reveal his dream, so he could remember it.   

   He was desperate to know more of the mysterious dream that evaded his waking moments. 

Hislop and the Mother Child Religion

   The argument used by Alexander Hislop to explain the mystery religion or, the mother - child worship predominant in the Catholic church is that every false religion in the world is the worship of a woman named Semiramis and her child, Tammuz, the reincarnation of Nimrod. His argument is that a mother-child religion spread through the entire world after the fall of Babel. This religious system replicates the worship of Semiramis and Nimrod in the form of Tammuz. He claims that these are the same beings with different names since the languages had changed. 

    His argument is that Mary and Jesus are simply imitations of Semiramis and Tammuz reintroduced into religion, and the birth of Christ Jesus, was a replacement for this ancient Babylonian mystery religion. He ignores any reference to the rise of fertility cults consisting of a variety of deities that dominated the Mesopotamia. 

   History shows that the Mesopotamia was filled with a mixed combination of occult  rituals, idol worshipers and a saturation of fertility religions post-flood. History has no mention of a woman named Semiramis until the 8th century BC, long after the tower of Babel fell and, Nimrod no longer walked the earth. And, her name wasn't Semiramis, it was Queen Shammuramat. But, her memory was expounded upon, and included in the writings of many Greek historians, beginning with Greek physician and historian, Ctesias (5-4th C BC) who connected her to a mythological character, King Ninus. 

   According to Greek mythology, King Ninus ruled Assyria in 3000 BC. These myths and legends are what Alexander Hislop based his research on. These myths and legends are often taught in the church as actual Biblical or, historical occurrences. 

Debunking Alexander Hislop?

   Hislop did a fantastic job selling his bizarre hypothesis of Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz and the Babylon mystery religion; as it continues to be a primary teaching in many  churches today. Hislop's theory is used to explain the prophecy of Revelation 17 in the terms as a 'harlot woman who is a church'. This is the only chapter in the entirety of the Bible, where Bible teachers forfeit the prophetic intent of scripture, and use an outside source for interpretation.

   The majority of parishioners aren't even aware that these tales are based upon mythology, mythical figures and fictional characters. but, we were told this would happen: 2 Tim 4:3,4. Those who are aware, just don't care. It is taught in church and that is good enough for them. Afterall, no one wants to be a Berean and question their favorite Bible teacher? 

  Surely Bible teachers had done their research, investing in a full analysis of Hislop's claims, before teaching it as a historical and biblical narrative? One would think so,  but it is impossible to fully analyze the conjuncture of Hislop, and still teach it as a historical or biblical narrative, with a clear conscience. Many pastors are misled by these teachings. 

   The interpretation of Alexander Hislop is the most protected non-Biblical source in modern history. The truth in the Bible supports itself, both historically and scripturally.  When you have doubts or questions, the Bible explains itself as scripture is interconnected, and scripture defines scripture. Not so with Hislop. When you have doubts or questions as to the logic of reincarnation, time travel or mythical characters, there are no discussions or debates. It is something you cannot question or criticize in many churches today. The insanity of it all just boggles my mind. But, it is what it is. In the age of mass deception - truth, logic and reason become the first victims. 

   Beginning sometime around  2010 to 2013, someone taught the Hislop narrative of the mystery religion of Semiramis, and before too long nearly every bible teacher was teaching it. As a result, you couldn't find a sermon on Revelation 17 without it. Almost all regurgitate the same Hislop narrative that includes Nimrod, a fabled mother / wife, named Semiramis and a son named Tammuz. 

Daniels Fourth Beast from the Sea

   The interpretation of Daniel 7 can be a bit perplexing. I thought I would attempt a quick and hopefully simple breakdown of Daniels four beasts that rise from the sea. It will aid in the interpretation of the beast kingdom in Revelation 13, and 17, and perhaps offer some clarity concerning the fourth kingdom which rises in the last days, prior to the second coming of Christ Jesus - Yeshua Hamashiach.

    The writing below is a simple recapitulation of scripture, not the regurgitation of the Roman empire generally taught today. Daniels night vision of four great beasts, intertwines  with the various metals found in Daniel 2: Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Nebuchadnezzar was perplexed by a dream that gave him many sleepless nights, and he tossed and turned in his bed. His dream, interpreted by Daniel, began with his role as King of Babylon, the head of gold who ruled the middle east. 

   His kingdom was  followed by two additional kingdoms, one of silver, and another kingdom of brass. His  dream ended with a fourth and final kingdom that will rise to seize world power in the latter days. The Bible doesn't require outside sources to interpret scripture but, we often find that historical events and additional prophecies, fill in the gaps. 

   Daniel 7 adds additional information which parallels the dream of Nebuchadnezzar. The kings dream outlined a prophetic timeline of Babylon, which revolved around four metals whose gods the Babylonians worshiped. The degrading metals, from gold to iron mixed with clay, indicate  kingdoms which were inferior to Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom - seen as the golden lion in Daniel 7:4. The silver and brass signified two additional kingdoms that rose to rule the middle east - the kingdom of Babylon. There is one kingdom left, the fourth kingdom of iron and clay, which rises in the latter days, fulfilling the prophecies found in Revelation 13, 17 and 18. 

   The four beasts in Daniel 7, parallel four metals from the dream image: 

   Four Beast: 1) Lion - Babylon 2) Bear- Mede-Persian 3) Leopard - Greek, Grecian 4) Beast of ten horns - Tribulation-Antichrist kingdom. 

   Four Metals: 1) Gold - Babylon, 2) Silver - Mede-Persian, 3) Brass - Grecian, 4a) Iron - God's judgement, the fulfillment of the fall of Babylon, 4b) Iron mixed with shard clay - Tribulation - Antichrist kingdom. 

Inanna and Ishtar and the Tale of Tammuz

As we move closer to Resurrection Sunday we will see memes about Ishtar, Nimrod, Semiramis and Tammuz, that tie the Resurrection of Christ Jesus to pagan myths. 

These are absolute garbage. Let me explain: 

   The oldest goddess documented in history was Inanna. Inanna was the primary, and first fertility goddess of the southern Mesopotamia. Her origins are found in Sumer, dating to 3000 B.C.. Inanna was the original Queen of heaven. She was NEVER called Semiramis. She was the prototype for nomadic people, who wanted a Queen of heaven of their own. 

   Inanna had a boyfriend, his name was Dumuzid or Dumuzi.  His beginnings are also found in Sumer, dating to 3000 B.C.. as Inanna and Dumuzid were intimately linked in a romantic relationship. As their popularity grew, their deity status made its way into the Akkadian and Babylonian territories. Here, they were known as Ishtar and Tammuz. 

   Tammuz was the youthful god of pastures and plants. He was not connected to sun worship nor, was he ever a sun-god. His father was the primary god Ea or El. In the Sumerian culture, his mother was Dutter, the goddess of ewes. In the Babylonian and Akkadian cultures she was known as Davkina, mistress of the vine. The tale of Inanna and Dumuzi / Tammuz is documented in the form of hymns, found on Cuneiform Sumerian tablet later named the Babylonian Tammuz Lamentations. The tablet is number 15 and is housed in the British museum. 

   The hymns were translated by Frederick A. Vanderburgh in 1906 and placed into a book published in 1908: Sumerian Hymns from Cuneiform Texts in the British Museum. Frederick Augustus Vanderburgh, Columbia University Press, 1908

His Church Upon This Rock - Caesarea Philippi

   I found this deeply profound, and I just love the historical significance of places like these:  

   There is a rock outcrop that juts out below Mount Hermon (sacred mountain). It is called Caesarea Philippi. It was a place dedicated to the worship of many pagan gods such as Ba’al, the roman goddess Diane and the Greek throwback of the ancient Nephilim, Pan, the goat/man god. 

   Dug into the rock were various arched ledges for the idols of pagan gods and goddesses to sit. Temples were built so patrons could visit and worship various pagan deities, one after the other. 

   The temples had long since vanished but the etchings and ledges are still visible. Pictures: creative commons:  https://vici.org/vici/17872/

   There was a special court area built for the hypnotic flute playing Pan, the dancing goat-man god that chased woodland nymphs for sexual frolic. 😏

   There was also an area set aside for Pan and the sacred goats, and another for Pan and the nymphs. There was a temple for Echo, (the goddess Pan couldn’t catch), a Temple for Zeus and one for the Greek goddess Nemesis.