Proverbs 30:6 and Revelation 13:11-15

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
all one needs to do is search for Britain and America special relationship and it becomes self evident that a special relationship exists.

The Last of the Great World Powers

When the Bible book of Revelation was written, almost 1,900 years ago, it said that five “kings,” or world powers, had already come and gone. These were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. The sixth, Rome, still ‘was,’ but the seventh had not yet arrived. (Revelation 17:10) What was that seventh world power? How did it come into existence? And what will follow it? The answers to these important questions are the subject of this article.
The major outline of world history over the past 2,500 years was given in advance in the most widely circulated book that the world has ever known. Yet, relatively few people who have a copy of that book, the Bible, have any idea of the amazing information it contains.
For example, more than 500 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, the prophet Daniel recorded a divinely inspired vision in which the great world powers since his time were represented by powerful beasts. Each beast had the characteristics of the world power it represented. The mighty Roman Empire was described as a huge beast “fearsome and terrible and unusually strong.” Daniel said that “it was something different from all the other beasts that were prior to it, and it had ten horns.”—Daniel 7:2-7.

The ‘Small Horn’

In time, the Roman Empire grew to cover an area that stretched from the British Isles down across much of Europe, all the way around the Mediterranean and beyond Babylon to the Persian Gulf. This mighty empire finally broke up into many nations—into the “ten horns” that Daniel saw. Then Daniel saw that “another horn, a small one, came up in among them, and there were three of the first horns that were plucked up from before it.” (Daniel 7:8) What did this mean?
Daniel was told: “As for the ten horns, out of that [Roman] kingdom there are ten kings that will rise up; and still another one [the ‘small horn’] will rise up after them, and he himself will be different from the first ones, and three kings he will humiliate.” (Daniel 7:24) Who was the ‘small horn,’ and who were the three kings he humiliated?
An island up in the northwestern corner of the Roman Empire had long remained on the fringe of world affairs. As one historian explained: “In the sixteenth century, England had been a second-rate power. Its wealth was slight compared with that of the Netherlands. Its population was much less than that of France. Its armed forces (including its navy) were inferior to Spain’s.” However, England developed a naval fleet of some importance, and its pirates and privateers began raiding Spain’s colonies and her heavily laden treasure ships.

The Three Horns

In 1588 Phillip II of Spain launched the Spanish Armada against his English tormentors. This fleet of 130 ships carrying more than 24,000 men sailed slowly up the English Channel, only to fall victim to contrary winds and fierce Atlantic storms. In Modern Europe to 1870, historian Carlton Hayes writes that this event “marked the decisive passing of naval superiority from Spain to England.”
In the 17th century, the Dutch developed by far the largest merchant marine in the world. Their ships dominated the seas, and they lent their profits to governments far and wide. But with her growing overseas colonies, England prevailed here too.
Then, in the 18th century, the British and the French fought in such widely separated places as North America and India, leading to the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Concerning it, William B. Willcox wrote in his book Star of Empire—A Study of Britain as a World Power that although the treaty appeared to be a compromise, “actually it recognized Britain’s new position as the predominant European power in the world beyond Europe.”
Other historians agree, saying: “From two centuries of warfare with Spaniards, Dutch, and French, Great Britain emerged in 1763 as the foremost commercial and colonial power in the world.” (Modern Europe to 1870) “In 1763 the British Empire bestrode the world like some revived and enlarged Rome.” “She emerged from the midcentury wars the greatest empire and the strongest—and the most thoroughly hated—power in the world.” (Navy and Empire, by James L. Stokesbury) Yes, this ‘small horn’ had grown to become the seventh world power of Bible history.
Britons pressed up the Nile and across the Zambezi River. They moved into Upper Burma, North Borneo, and islands of the Pacific. Moreover, they colonized Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the east coast of North America. “The Roman Empire was self-contained,” writes James Morris in Pax Britannica. “The British empire was broadcast across the earth.” It became the largest empire in the history of mankind, encompassing nearly a quarter of the earth’s land surface and more than a quarter of its population. It was said that the sun never set on its domain.

A Dual Power

In the book of Revelation, this seventh world power had also been described as having “two horns like a lamb.” (Revelation 13:11) Why two horns? Because the British Empire and the new American nation, joined by common language, principles, and policies, were soon working together. They became, in many respects, a dual English-speaking world power.
William B. Willcox points out in Star of Empire that in the 19th century the United States was “insulated from Europe by the British fleet.” He adds: “For a century the United States was free to grow into a great power without ever possessing, except in her civil war, the army or navy by which every other great power was known.” America “had been able to afford isolation because the Royal Navy had been her buffer against European powers.” Later, the United States also became a great military power.
An outstanding example of the combined activity of Britain and America occurred on June 6, 1944, when the tide of World War II changed in northern Europe. On that day, 156,000 British, American, and other Allied troops invaded the continent of Europe. This combined force was under the supreme command of a U.S. general and the operational command of a British field marshal—Eisenhower and Montgomery respectively. Furthermore, the atom bombs that ended the war with Japan resulted from a joint effort by British and American scientists.
As the Los Angeles Times of May 5, 1986, pointed out, even in peacetime, Britain and America have collaborated “in such sensitive areas as intelligence and nuclear technology.” Later joined by Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, they have “divided the globe into areas of responsibility for intelligence-gathering and agreed to share even the most secret information.” This newspaper said that while the relationship “has not always been a smooth one,” it has been “more notable for its closeness than its irritations.”
Most of Britain’s colonies have gained independence and joined the Commonwealth of Nations. While the empire may be gone, the Anglo-American World Power remains. But it will exist for only “a short while,” when compared with the many centuries that the preceding Roman power held sway.—Revelation 17:10.

Watchtower 1988 24-26

Originally posted by galveston75
The Last of the Great World Powers

When the Bible book of Revelation was written, almost 1,900 years ago, it said that five “kings,” or world powers, had already come and gone. These were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. The sixth, Rome, still ‘was,’ but the seventh had not yet arrived. (Revelation 17:10) What was that seventh world ...[text shortened]... y centuries that the preceding Roman power held sway.—Revelation 17:10.

Watchtower 1988 24-26

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
What have you to sat about the so called 'special relationship', that exists between
the USA and the UK as is evidenced by leaders such as Reagan and Thatcher, Bush
and Blair?

Los Angeles Times of May 5, 1986, pointed out, even in peacetime, Britain and
America have collaborated “in such sensitive areas as intelligence and nuclear
technol ca special relationship and it
becomes self evident that a special relationship exists.

On the one hand we were taught that Jesus would return like a thief in the night, and that there was no way to know when he would return.

Yet, we are also taught the end is upon us and that Jesus is about to return because the formation of Israel in 1948 is the fig tree blooming, and the Bible says Jesus will return that generation (40 years? 1948 + 40 = by 1988?). I also remember there was an issue of all of the nations in the world would turn against Israel, and Israel would be alone, and this would be a sign of the end of the world, of Jesus' return to collect those who are saved, and to leave us heathens, especially if we had the mark of the beast.

With regard to the fig tree . . .

Beautiful for Situation, the Joy of the Whole Earth, is Mount Zion

There is only one place in the world that God has declared as holy, and that's Mount Zion and the land of Israel. The prophet Isaiah wrote this - "Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously." Isaiah 24:23. There is only one people that are God's "chosen people", and they are the Jews. "And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people." Isaiah 51:16.

And there is one main event in bible prophecy that had to happen to usher in the time that the bible calls the "Last Days", or the "time of Jacob's trouble", and that event happened on May 14, 1948.

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, andputteth forth leaves, ye know that summer [is] nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, [even] at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." Matthew 24:32-34

This is what's known as the Fig Tree Prophecy.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

The Apostles came to Jesus and asked Him about the end of the world, and how would people living then know it was happening. It went like this:

"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? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 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." Matthew 24: 2-6

So Jesus begins to tell them about how things will gradually heat up and increase until we reach the time that we call the Last Days. The Book of Matthew continues, giving more and more details and time clues until we reach the "big clue", the biggest one of them all. Stating in Matthew 24:32, Jesus says this:

"Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled."

So He tells them that the generation of people that will be alive on the earth when the Last Days come about, would witness what He called the "fig tree" blooming, and putting forth it's leaves. And He equated that with the fulfillment of His End Time prophecy. So what or who is the "fig tree"? It would seem that if we could figure that out, then we would know who the last generation might be.

Throughout recorded history, nations have always be typified by "types and figures" to describe them. Russia is the "bear", America is the "eagle", England the "lion", and Israel the "fig tree". Wait...did I just say "fig tree"? Wow, what a coincidence!

So Jesus was saying that when you see ISRAEL re-blooming, whenever that would take place, that that generation would be the one that would be on the earth and living when the Last Days would occur. So if Israel was destroyed in 70 AD, and it was, when did it "bloom" again? May 14, 1948 is the date that history records that fact occuring. The generation that witnessed that, the WWII generation, still have not, for all intents and purposes, passed off the scene. They are still alive and with us today, and we are the people that Jesus said would be alive on the earth when the Last Days would happen.

That time is right now. Let it sink in for a moment, I will say it again.

The time of the "last days" that Jesus refered to, is not "in the future" and it's not "coming soon". It is here right now. For the past 6 decades, all the major players have been taking the stage and playing the parts that God said they would.

Consider the following events which have already taken place:

• Russia and China, two major End Times players, have already signed a pact.
• Russia, the biggest End Times player, has already helped Iran build a nuclear reactor.
• Iran has repeated over and over their desire to wipe Israel off the map.
• Iran now has nuclear weapons capable of reaching Israel.

Originally posted by moon1969
I agree there is a special relationship. Indeed, there has been and is definitely a special relationship between US and Britian. Yet, while Wilson was a big driver of the League of Nations, the US rejected it.

Originally posted by moon1969
My question is while keeping in mind not unduly adding to the word of God and in view of Proverbs 30:6, what are the thoughts on the meaning of Revelation 13:11-15. In another thread, I saw a literal interpretation proposed, that this scripture means literally what it says, e.g,, that the two horns are two actual horns. Other proposed interpretations are ...[text shortened]... and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.[/quote]

Originally posted by moon1969
[quote][b]The Parable of the Fig Tree

The Apostles came to Jesus and asked Him about the end of the world, and how would people living then know it was happening. It went like this:

"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, ...[text shortened]...
http://www.nowtheendbegins.com/pages/the_fig_tree_prophecy.htm[/b]

Originally posted by RJHinds
This prophecy from Isaiah is worth considering too.

http://www.therefinersfire.org/israel_born_in_one_day.htm

7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

Isaiah foretold the re-birth of Israel....

Isaiah 66:7-8

Isaiah prophecied that Israel would become a nation again and that it would happen in one day!
Bible passage: Isaiah 66:7-8
Prophet: Isaiah
Written: perhaps between 701-681 BC
Fulfilled: 1948

In Isaiah 66:7-8, the prophet foreshadowed the re-birth of Israel, which happened "in one day." The woman giving birth before going into labor represent Israel. This accurately describes what happened on May 14, 1948 - when the Jews declared independence for Israel as a united and sovereign nation for the first time in 2,900 years.

During that same day, the United States issued a statement recognizing Israel's sovereignty. And, only hours beforehand, a United Nations mandate expired, ending British control of the land. During a 24-hour span of time, foreign control of the land of Israel had formally ceased, and Israel had declared its independence, and its independence was acknowledged by other nations. Modern Israel was literally was born in a single day.

Isaiah said the birth would take place before there would be labor pains. And that too is precisely what happened. A movement called Zionism began in the 1800s to encourage Jews worldwide to move to Israel, which at that time was called Palestine. Within hours of the declaration of independence in 1948, Israel was attacked by the surrounding countries of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

When reading Isaiah 66:7-8, keep in mind that Israel's status as a sovereign nation was established and reaffirmed during the course of a single day, and that it was born of a movement called Zionism, and that its declaration of independence was not the result of a war but rather the cause of one.

Originally posted by moon1969
Interesting.

Isaiah 66:7-8

7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

8 Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

...[text shortened]... the foregoing interpretation ok with regard to Proverbs 30:6?

Any other interpretations?

Originally posted by AThousandYoung
The beast was Nero. Revelation is a coded message and prediction of the fall of paganism in the form of Caesar worship in the Roman Empire.

Originally posted by Suzianne
I guess whatever helps you to sleep at night, right?