Dear brethren and sisters:
I realize that there is a certain spirit of scepticism, mockery and disbelief of the Holy Scriptures current on the list, but that may be well remedied by the "mockers" themselves through a renewed, wholehearted, study of the Word of God. Certainly you all know that my approach to Bible study does not include a lot of help from either pioneer or other extra-Biblical sources.
Nor do I extrapolate the Scriptures by the mis-use of symbolism. Types and shadows are not symbols, nor should they be mis-represented to be "symbols" or "signs."
I want to discuss "the dragon" and its relationship to Israel's restoration as a kingdom.
First, I will give you my studied definition of "the dragon."
"He," "she," or "it" -- (these pronouns are in
the third person, singular case) -- is probably best described (outside
of the Revelation text) by the apostle Paul, who said "We wrestle not
against flesh and blood - but against
principalities, against authorities, against the rulers
of the darkness of this age, [i.e.,] against the spiritual wickedness in
the high places" [of all government powers], (Eph.6:12).
...Briefly stated, Paul says that through the power of God we stand against
the evil influences of men who rule in the high places of their
principalities, and who provide the authority for all the evil works
done by men.
Likewise in the Revelation, the "dragon" is also clearly defined as that spiritual conglomerate "called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world," (Rev. 12:9, and "that old serpent which is the Devil and Satan," (Rev.20:2), being the power for evil-doing which lives in every double-mind of men who do their deeds -- "works" -- adverse to God's will.
Second, I will state that the system of Catholicism did not come into the political realm of existence as an evil governing spirit until after Constantine, circa 315 A.D., and thus can be only one of the many principalities and/or authorities which now rules in the 'high places' of the world's governments. Certainly the system did not exist at the time when either of the apostles, Paul and John, wrote. The fact is undeniable however that the system has adopted into itself many of the superstitions of the Greek, Roman and pagan worlds which preceded its legal proclamation as "the religion of Jesus Christ." As "Christian" as it claims to be, that claim definitely is not of the truth, for no lover of God burns the Holy Books nor persecutes his own kind unto their death as that Church historically has done. Ipso facto, the system of Catholicism is only one of the "devils" or "satans" among the governing powers of the world which opposes the restoration of the kingdom to Israel in the Holy Land.
And, indeed, the Vatican State's evil spirit of religion may be more greatly overshadowed -- at the end -- by Islam's evil spirit toward Israel than we now suppose. Because, the Islamic nations which surround Israel, and hate her, also hate the religion of Catholicism and the Vatican State. Which system shall become the "Satan" and the chief of the "devils" opposed to Israel -- the people chosen by God for His particular favors -- remains yet to be seen.
The power of "the old serpent, who is called a devil and the adversary" of God, of Jesus Christ, and of Michael (Rev. 12) is contained in the animus of hostility, of hatred, of aggression and wars, and of lying against the truth from the beginning of time until its end. The "dragon" is the embodiment of every evil spirit which is set against the purpose of God in the earth, but particularly the animus is associated with the Land and the "controversy of Zion," (Isa. 34:8, 1-10). This power is extremely active in the Land today.
Now I want to discuss the making of kings; actually, "the last days" king of Assyria.., Who might he be? And the king who comes to rule over Israel...
We are all aware of the peace negotiations which are going on, with Israel as the seeker of peace with all the Mideast nations. The throne of the restored kingdom has been promised to the One whose right it is, and this throne -- which was no more after the "profane, wicked prince" Zedekiah, was sent into captivity and death -- shall be given by God to His promised one "when he comes," and not until that day, per Ezekiel 21:27.
It is probable that "Peace and security" will rule throughout the Middle East for some "little while" after all the negotiations of peace are concluded. However, there is now a situation developing in which King Hussein of Jordan, who is already at peace with Israel, is rallying the opposition Iraqi leaders to unify themselves under one head - himself, of course. King Hussein has been described as "a linchpin of Israeli-Arab peace efforts." He hopes, with American help, to "pursue regional economic development." He has also said that the opposition Iraqi leaders must define his role in these things. And, according to a Worldview news reporter, "Speculation runs high that he wants to restore a Hashemite monarchy to Iraq, or to unite Jordan with Iraq."
Older heads may recall that King Hussein's slain grandfather King Abdullah (Rev. 13:3b?) ruled the lands of Saddam Hussein before WWII, and before the League of Nations mandates changed the partitions of the Middle East. Syria's Assad is angry against any meddling in the affairs of Iraq and is also opposed to Vatican meddling in Middle East affairs. Assad's anger deters neither the Vatican State, nor the Jordanian state concerning the ongoing negotiations about the final rulership of the Land.
Now I refer you to Revelation 13, and to the various "horns" of the two "beasts" which prowl the Land during those "last days." The one "beast" is a conglomerate which arises from the Sea, from outside the Land, (v. 1); the other "beast" is a native of the Land, (v.11). This is the "beast" which "has two horns like a lamb," except it "spake like a dragon." It has two separate ruling entities, described as "lamblike horns" but united in purpose: to govern the land. This "other" beast (v. 11) rises up out of the Land. The U. S. Defense Secretary has said, "We strongly support the initiative of King Hussein on Iraq." Hussein says he is willing to die for peace, as Rabin did, as his grandfather died. His determination is thought to "provide the missing catalyst for change in Iraq."
The pope won't like this, I suppose, since it is a direct assault against both the Vatican dream and even against the Russian dream of Middle East glories. Both may see the U.S. Defense Secretary's statement as counterproductive to their dreams.
After all, Bill Clinton was opposed to intervention in the Balkan conflicts - but only until the pope personally telephoned him to ask for American intervention there. Chalk up the Pope's initiative to one of the "froglike" unclean and evil spirits which goes forth to all the nations during the "last days" of Israel's tribulations.
The great and dreadful "day of the LORD" is not very far away for reality, as I see it. I can only repeat what the apostle Paul also said, "Today, if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart as in the provocation..," and "Take heed ye refuse not Him who speaks. For if they escaped not Him who spoke to them upon the earth/Land, much more we shall not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from the heavens - Whose voice then shook the Land/earth, but now He has promised saying, Once yet I shake not only the Land/earth but also the heavens. For the "yet once" signifies the removing of the shaken, as having been done so that unshaken things may remain. Wherefore, receiving a kingdom not to be shaken, let us have grace by which we may serve well-pleasing to God with reverence and with fear."
As, during the Flood, the earth and the heavens were removed from Noah's sight, so that only the unshakable-founded things remained following his disembarking from the ark, so shall it be with the new creation to come. As the righteous are caught away for attendance at the Marriage of the Lamb and for their appointment of rewards, the destruction of all the ungodly shall take place.
Brethren, please do not belittle the literal earth-quakings in the Holy Land; and in other places of the earth as the ravings of a mad woman. These "ravings" are not figments of preterit "continuous history" imagination, nor are the earthquakes merely the way in which nature has continuously worked while changing nothing. Nothing happens on this earth unless the LORD knows of its purpose and its event. These things happen because He has purposed it so.
Paul concludes his warning against disbelief of the Word of God, "For, our God is a consuming fire." His is a real and literal fire which will consume all sinners into ashes in the judgment to come, per Malachi 4:3.
Watch Israel. Be prepared and ready. Study to show yourselves approved. Have reverence and fear of God. Pray for the true peace of Jerusalem and be saved from the wrath to come. Love and peace in Jesus' Living Name.