As God ordained from before all beginning

From :
The 1560 -1599 A.D.
Geneva Bible New Testament ;

The Revelation
Of Saint John The Apostle
& Evangelist With the Annotations
Of Francis Junius & Chapter 13 :

1 The beast
with many heads is described

12 which draweth
the most part of the world to idolatry.

13 The other beast rising out of the earth,
15 giveth power unto him.

1 And I (1) saw
a (*) beast rise (2) out
of the sea, having () seven heads,
and (3) (()) ten horns, and upon his
horns were ten crowns, and (4) upon
his heads (5) the name of blasphemy.

(1) The Apostle
having declared the springing
up of the Christian Church, and
the state of the Church from which
ours taketh her beginning, doeth now
pass unto the story of the progress
thereof, as I shewed in the entrance
of the former Chapter.

And this history
of the progress of the Church,
and the battles thereof, is set down
in this Chapter, but distinctly in two
parts, one is of the civil Roman
Empire, Revelation 13:1-10 .

Another of the body Ecclesiastical
or prophetical, thence unto the end
of the chapter.

In the former part
are shewed these things:

First the state of the Empire,
in Revelation 13:1-4, then the acts
thereof in Revelation 13:5-7, after
the effect; which is exceeding great
glory, Revelation 13:8 .

And last of all is commended
the use, and the instruction of
the godly against the evils that
shall come from the same in
Revelation 13:9-10 .

The history of the state containeth
a most ample description of the beast,
first entire, in Revelation 13:1-2, and
then restored after hurt,
Revelation 13:3-4 .

(*) Here is the description
of the Roman Empire which
standeth in cruelty and tyranny.

(2) On the sand
whereof the devil stood
practicing new tempests against
the Church, in the verse next before
going; what time the Empire of Rome
was endangered by domestical dissensions,
and was mightily tossed, having ever and
again new heads, and new Emperors.
See Revelation 17:8 .

() Meaning Rome,
because it was first governed
by seven Kings or Emperors after
Nero, and also is compassed about
with seven mountains.

(3) Having the same instruments
of power, providence, and most expert
government which the Dragon is said to
have had, in Revelation 12:3 .

(()) Which signify many provinces.

(4) We read in Revelation 12:3,
that the Dragon had seven crowns
set upon seven heads because the
thief avoucheth himself to be proper
lord and prince of the world, but this
beast is said to have ten crowns, set
upon several, not heads, but horns;
because the beast is beholden for all
unto the Dragon, Revelation 13:2, and
doth not otherwise reign them by law
of subjection given by him, namely that
he employ his horns against the
Church of God.

The speech is taken
from the ancient custom
and form of dealing in such case;
by which they that were absolute
kings did wear the diadem upon
their heads; but their vassals and
such as reigned by grace from them,
wore the same upon their hoods; for
so they might commodiously lay down
their diadems when they came into the
presence of their Sovereigns, as also
their Elders are said, when they adored
God which sat upon the throne, to have
cast down their crowns before him in
Revelation 4:10 .

(5) Contrary to that
which God of old commanded
should be written in the head piece
of the high Priest, that is, Sanctitas
Jehovah, Holiness unto the Lord.

The name of blasphemy
imposed by the Dragon, is
(as I think) that which Paul
saith in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 .

He sitteth as God,
and boasteth himself to be God.

For this name of blasphemy
both the Roman Emperors did
then challenge unto themselves,
as Suetonius and Dion do report
of Caligula and Domitian; and after
them the Popes of Rome did with full
mouth profess the same of themselves,
when they challenged unto themselves
sovereignty in holy things, of which kind
of sayings the sixth book of the Decrials,
the Clementines, and the Extravagants,
are very full.

For these men were not content
with that which Anglicus wrote in
his Poetria, (the beginning whereof
is, Papa stupor mundi.

The Pope is the wonder
of the world) Nec Deus es,
nec homo, sed neuter es
inter utrungue.

Thou art not God,
nor art thou man, but
neuter mixed of both; as
the gloss witnesseth upon
the sixth book; but they were
bold to take unto themselves
the very name of God, and to
accept it given of others; according
as almost a hundred and twenty years
since there was made for Sixtus the fourth,
when he should first enter into Rome in his
dignity Papal, a Pageant of triumph, and
cunningly fixed upon the gate of the city
he should enter at, having written upon
it this blasphemous verse:

Oraclo vocis mundi
moderaris habenas, Et merito
in terrs crederis esse Deus.

By oracle of thine own voice
the world thou governest all, And
worthily a god on earth, men think,
and do thee call.

These and six hundred
the like who can impute
unto that modesty whereby
good men of old would have
themselves called the servants of
the servants of God, verily either
this is a name of blasphemy,
or there is none at all.

2 And the beast
which I saw was
(6) like a (*) leopard,
and his feet like a bear,
and his mouth as the mouth
of a lion; (7) and the () dragon
gave him his power and his throne,
and great authority.

(6) Swift as the Leopard,
easily grasping all things, as
the bear doth with his foot,
and tearing and devouring all
things with the mouth as doth
the Lion.

(*) By these beasts
are signified the Macedonians,
Persians and Chaldeans whom
the Romans overcame.

(7) That is, he lent the same
unto the beast to use, when he
perceived that himself could not
escape, but must needs be taken
by the hand of the Angel, and cast
into the bottomless pit; Revelation
20:1-15, yet did not he abadon the
same verily from himself, but that he
might use it as long as he could.

() That is, the devil.

3 (8) And I saw one
of his (*) heads as it were
wounded to death, but his () deadly
wound was healed, and all the world
wondered and followed the beast.

(8) This is the other place
that pertaineth to the description
of the beast of Rome; that besides
that natural dignity and amplitude of
the Roman Empire, which was shadowed
in the two former verses, there was added
this also as miraculous, that one head was
wounded as it were unto death, and was
healed again, as from heaven, in the sight
of all men.

This head was Nero
the Emperor, in whom
the race of the Caesars fell
from imperial dignity, and the
government of the Commonwealth
was translated unto others; in whose
hands the Empire was so cured and
recovered unto health, as he seemed
unto all so much the more deeply
rooted and grounded fast,
than ever before.

And hence followed
those effects, which are
next spoken of: First an
admiration of certain power,
as it were, sacred and divine,
sustaining the Empire and
governing it; Secondly, the
obedience and submission of the
whole earth in this verse; Thirdly,
the adoration of the Dragon, and
most wicked worshipping of Devils,
confirmed by the Roman Emperors;
Lastly, the adoration of the beast
himself, which grew into so great
estimation, as that both the name
and worship of a God was given
unto him, Revelation 13:4 .

Now there were two causes
which brought in the minds of
men this religion; the shew of
excellency, which bringeth with
it reverence; and the shew of
power invincible, which
bringeth fear.

Who is like (say they)
unto the beast? Who shall
be able to fight with him?

(*) This may be understood of Nero,
who moved the first persecution against
the Church, and after slew himself, so the
family of the Caesar's ended in him.

() For the empire
was established again by Vespasian.

4 And they worshipped the dragon
which gave power unto the beast, and
they (*) worshipped the beast, saying,
Who is like unto the beast? Who is able
to war with him?

(*) By receiving the statutes,
ordinances, decrees, ceremonies,
and religion of the Roman Empire.

5 (9) And there was given
unto him a mouth, that spake
great things and blasphemies,
and power was given unto him,
(10) to do (*) two and forty
months.

(9) The second member containing
a history of the acts of the beast, as
I said, Revelation 13:1 .

The history of them is concluded
in two points: the beginning, and
the manner of them.

The beginning is the gift
of the Dragon, who put
and inspired into the beast
both his impiety against God
and his immanent and injustice
against all men, especially against
the godly and those that were of the
household of faith, in Revelation 13:5 .

The manner of the acts
or actions done, is of two
sorts, both impious in mind,
and blasphemous in speech
against God, his Church and
the godly, in Revelation 13:6;
and also most cruel and injurious
in deeds, even such as were done
of most raging enemies, and of most
insolent and proud conquerors, in
Revelation 13:7 .

(10) Namely his actions,
and manner of dealing.

As concerning those two
and forty months, I have
spoken of them before,
Revelation 12:6 .

(*) Antichrist's time
and power is limited.

6 And he opened his mouth
unto blasphemy against God,
to blaspheme his Name, (11) and
his tabernacle, (12) and them that
dwell in heaven.

(11) That is, the holy Church,
the true house of the living God.

(12) That is, the godly is several
who hid themselves from his cruelty.

For this bloody beast surcharged
those holy souls most falsely with
innumerable accusations for the Name
of Christ, as we read in Justin Martyr,
Tertullian, Arnobius, Minutius, Eusebius,
Augustine and others; which example the
latter times followed most diligently, in
destroying the flock of Christ; and we
in our own memory have found by
experience, to our incredible grief.

Concerning heaven,
see in Revelation 11:12 .

7 And it was given unto him
to make war with the Saints,
and to (*) overcome them, and
power was given him over every
() kindred, and tongue, and nation.

(*) In their bodies, not in soul.

() He meaneth that universal
departing whereof Paul speaketh
to the Thessalonians.

8 Therefore all that dwell
upon the earth, shall worship
him, (13) whose (*) names are
not written in the book of life of
the Lamb, which was slain () from
the beginning of the world.

(13) That is, such as are not
from everlasting elect in Christ Jesus.

For this is that Lamb
slain; Revelation 5:6 .

These words I do with Aretas,
distinguish in this manner; Whose
names are not written from the laying
of the foundation of the world, in the
book of Life, of the Lamb slain.

And this distinction is confirmed
by a like place hereafter in
Revelation 17:8 .

(*) Antichrist hath
not power over the elect.

() As God ordained from before
all beginning, and all the sacrifices were
as signs and sacraments of Christ's death.

9 (14) If any man
have an ear, let him hear.

(14) The conclusion
of this speech of the first
beast, consisting of two parts,
an exhortation to attentive audience,
in this verse; and a foretelling, which
partly containeth threatenings against
the wicked and partly comfort for those
which in patience and faith shall wait for
that glorious coming of our Lord and
Saviour Christ; Revelation 13:10 .

10 If any lead into captivity,
he shall go (*) into captivity; () if any
kill with a sword, he must be killed by
a sword. Here is the patience
and the faith of the Saints.

(*) They which led souls captive,
go themselves into captivity.

() Genesis 9:6; Matthew 26:52 .

11 (15) And I beheld another
beast coming up out of the (*) earth,
(16) which had two () horns like the
Lamb, but he (()) spake like the dragon.

(15) The second member
of the vision, concerning the
ecclesiastical dominion, which
in Rome succeeded that which
was politic, and is in the power
of the corporation of false prophets,
and of the forgers of false doctrine.

Wherefore the same body
or corporation is called of
John by the name of false prophet;
Revelation 16:13; Revelation 19:20 .

The form of this beast is first
described in this verse, then his
acts in the verses following; and
the whole speech is concluded in
the last verse.

This beast is by his breed,
a son of the earth (as they say)
obscurely born, and by little and little
creeping up out of his abject estate.

(*) As the kingdom
of Christ is from heaven,
and bringeth men thither;
so the Pope's kingdom is
of the earth and leadeth
to perdition, and is begun,
and established by ambition,
covetousness, beastliness,
craft, treason and tyranny.

(16) That is, in shew
he resembled the Lamb
(for what is more mild or
more humble than to be the
servant of the servants of God?)
but indeed he played the part of
the Dragon, and of the Wolf;
Matthew 7:15 .

For even Satan
changeth himself into an Angel
of light; 2 Corinthians 11:14, and
what should his honest disciples
and servants do?

() Which signify the priesthood
and the kingdom, and therefore
he giveth in his arms two keys,
and hath the two swords carried
before him.

So Boniface the eighth
which first ordained the Jubilee,
shewed himself one day in apparel
as a Pope, and the next day in harness
as the Emperor, and the two hordes
in the bishop's mitre are signs hereof.

(()) He spake devilish doctrine,
accuses God's word of imperfection,
set up man's traditions, and spake things
contrary to God and his word.

12 (17) And he did all
that the first (*) beast could
do before him, and he caused
the earth, and them which dwell
therein, (18) to worship the first
() beast, whose deadly wound
was healed.

(17) The history of the acts
of this beast, containeth in sum
three things, hypocrisy, the witness
of miracles, and tyranny; of which the
first is noted in this verse, the second
in the three verses following, the third
in the sixteenth and seventeenth verses.

His hypocrisy is most full of leasing,
whereby he abuseth both the former
beast and the whole world; in that albeit
he hath by his cunning, as it were by line,
made of the former beast a most miserable
skeleton or anatomy, usurped all his authority
unto himself and most impudently exerciseth
the same in the sight and view of him; yet he
carrieth himself so, as if he honored him with
most high honor, and did in very truth cause
him to be honored of all men.

(*) For the Pope in ambition,
cruelty, idolatry, and blasphemy did
follow and imitate the ancient Romans.

(18) For unto this beast of Rome,
which of civil Empire is made an
Ecclesiastical hierarchy, are given
divine honors, and divine authority
so far, as he is believed to be above
the Scriptures, which the gloss upon the
Decrials declareth by this devilish verse.

Articulos solvit,
synodumque facit generalem.

That is, He changeth the Articles of faith,
and giveth authority to general Councils.

Which is spoken of the Papal power.

So the beast is by birth, foundation,
seat, and finally substance, one; only
the Pope hath altered the form and
manner thereof being himself the head
both of that tyrannical Empire, and also
of the false prophets; for the Empire hath
he taken unto himself, and thereunto hath
added this cunning device.

Now these words,
whose deadly wound was cured,
are put here for distinction's sake,
as also sometimes afterwards, that
even at that time the godly readers
of this prophecy might by this sign
be brought to see the things as present,
as if it were said, that they might adore
this very Empire that now is, whose head
we have seen in our own memory to have
been cut off, and to be cured again.

() Brought them to idolatry
and astonished them with the
name of that holy empire
(as he termeth it.)

13 (19) And (*) he did great wonders,
so that he made fire to come down from
heaven on the earth, in the sight of men,

(19) The second point of the
things done by the beast, is the
credit of great wonders or miracles,
appertaining to the strength of this impiety;
of which signs some were given from above,
as it is said, that fire was sent down from
heaven by false sorcery, in this verse.

Others were shewed here
below in the sight of the beast,
to establish idolatry, and deceive
souls, which part John setteth forth
beginning (as they say) at that which
is last, in this manner: First, the effect is
declared in these words, He deceiveth
the inhabitants of the earth.

Secondly, the common manner
of working in two sorts; one of miracles.

For the signs that were given him
to do in the presence of the beasts,
the other of the words added to the
signs, and teaching the idolatry
confirmed by those signs, Saying unto
the inhabitants of the earth, that they
should make an image unto the beasts,
which etc.

Thirdly, a special manner is declared,
That is given unto him to put life into
the image of the beast and that such
a kind of quickening, that the same
both speaketh by answer unto those
that ask counsel of it, and also
pronounceth death against all those that
do not obey nor worship it; all which things
oftentimes by false miracles through the
procurement and inspiration of the Devil,
have been effected and wrought in images.

The histories of the Papists
are full of examples of such miracles,
the most of them feigned, many also
done by the devil in images, as of old
in the serpent; Genesis 3:5 .

By which example is confirmed,
not the authority of the beast, but the
truth of God and these prophecies.

(*) The man of sin according
to the operation of Satan shall be
with all power, signs and miracles
of lies; 2 Thessalonians 2:10 .

14 And deceived them that dwell
on the earth by the signs, which were
permitted to him to do in the (*) sight
of the beast, saying to them that dwell
on the earth, that they should make the
(20) () image of the (21) beast, which
had the wound of a sword, and did live.

(*) Before the whole empire
which representeth the first beast,
and is the image thereof.

(20) That is, images, by enallage
or change of the number; for the
worship of them ever since the
second Council of Nicea, has been
ordained in the Church by public credit,
and authority contrary unto the Law of God.

() For the first empire Roman
was as the pattern, and this second
empire is but an image and shadow thereof.

(21) In the Greek
the word is of the Dative
case, as much to say, as unto
the worship, honor and obeying
of the beast; for by this maintenance
of images, this pseudo-prophetical
beast doth mightily profit the beast
of Rome, of whom long ago he
received them.

Wherefore the same is hereafter
very fitly called the image of the beast,
for that images have their beginning from
the beast, and have their form or manner
from the will of the beast, and have their
end and use fixed in the profit
and commodity of the beast.

15 (22) And it was permitted
to him to give a (a) (*) spirit unto
the image of the beast, so that the
image of the beast should () speak,
and should cause that as many as
would not (()) worship the image
of the beast should be killed.

(22) And of this miracles
of the images of the beast,
(that is, which the beast hath
ordained to establish idolatry)
which miraculously speak, and
give judgment, or rather marvelously,
by the fraud of the false prophets, the
Papists' books are full fraughted.

(a) To give life, as Jannes
and Jambres imitated the
wonders that Moses wrought.

(*) For except the Pope confirm
the authority of the King of Romans,
he is not esteemed worthy to be made
Emperor.

() The same things which the Pope,
or false prophets instruct him in.

(()) Receive the ordinances
and decrees of the seat of Rome,
and to kiss the vilen's sort, if he
were put thereunto.

16 (23) And he made all,
both small and great, rich
and poor, free and bond,
to receive (24) a (b) (*) mark in
their right hand or in their foreheads,

(23) The third place,
is a most wicked and most
insolent tyranny, as was said before,
usurped over the persons of men, in
this verse; and over their goods and
actions, in the next verse.

For he is said, both to bring upon all
persons a tyrannous servitude, that as
bondslaves they might serve the beast;
and also to exercise over all their goods
and actions, a peddler like abuse of
indulgences and dispensations (as they
term them) amongst their friends, and
against others, to use most violent
interdictions, and to shoot out cursings,
even in natural and civil, private and public
contracts, wherein all good faith
ought to have place.

(24) That is, their Chrism,
by which in the Sacrament
(as they call it) of Confirmation,
they make servile unto themselves,
the persons and doings of men, signing
them in their forehead and hands; and as
for the sign left by Christ, see Revelation 7:3,
and the holy Sacraments of Baptism they
make as void.

For whom Christ hath joined
unto himself by Baptism this beast
maketh challenge unto them by her
greasy Chrism, which he doubteth
not to prefer before Baptism, both
in authority and in efficacy.

(b) The mark of the name of the beast.

(*) Whereby
he renounceth Christ;
for as faith, the word of
the Sacraments are the Christian's
marks; so this Antichrist will accept
none but such as will approve his
doctrine; so that it is not enough to
confess Christ, and to believe the
Scriptures, but a man must subscribe
to the Pope's doctrine; moreover their
chrismatories, grazings, vows, oaths and
shavings are signs of this mark in so much
as no nation was excepted that had not
many of these marked beasts.

17 And (*) that no man might
(25) buy or sell, save he that had
the (26) mark, or the name of the
beast, or the number of his name.

(*) He that is not sealed
with Antichrist's mark, cannot
be suffered to live among men.

(25) That is, have any traffic
or dealings with men, but they
only which have this anointing
and consecration of Clearkely
tonsure, as they call it.

Read Gratian de Consecratione,
distincione tertia.c.omnes.cap spiritus,
etc. of the matters.

(26) Here the false prophets
do require three things, which are set
down in the order of their greatness,
a character, a name, and the number
of the name.

The meaning is,
that man that hath not
first their anointing and clerical
tonsure or shaving; secondly holy
orders, by reserving whereof is
communicated the name of the beast; or
finally hath not attained that high degree
of Pontifical knowledge, and of the Law
(as they call it) Canonical, and hath not,
as it were, made up in account and cast
the number of the mysteries thereof; for
in these things consisteth the number
of that name of the beast.

And this is excellently set forth
in the next verse.

18 (27) Here is wisdom.
Let him that hath wit, count
the number of the beast, for it
is the (28) number (*) of a man,
and his number is six hundred
threescore and six.

(27) That is, in this number
of the beast consisteth that Popish
wisdom, which unto them seemeth
the greatest of all others.

In these words John expoundeth
that saying which went before the
number of the beast, what it hath
above his mark or cognizance
and his name.

These things, saith John,
the mark and the name of
the beast, do easily happen
unto any man; but to have the
number of the beast, is wisdom;
that is, only the wise and such as
have understanding, can come by
that number; for they must be most
illuminate doctors that attain thereunto,
as the words following do declare.

(28) How great and of what
denomination this number of the
beast is, by which the beast accounted his
wisdom, John declareth in these words,
Doest thou demand how great it is?"

It is so great,
that it occupieth the whole
man; he is alway learning, and
never cometh to the knowledge
thereof; he must be a man indeed
that doeth attain unto it.

Asketh thou of what
denomination it is?

Verily is standeth of six throughout,
and perfectly ariseth of all the parts
thereof in their several denominations
(as they term them) it standeth of six
by units, tens, hundreds, etc.

So as there is no one part
in the learning and order Pontifical,
which is not either referred unto the
head, and as it were the top thereof,
or contained in the same; so fitly do
all things in this hierarchy agree one
with another, and with their head.

Therefore that cruel beast Boniface
the eighth, doeth commend by the number
of six those Decrials which he perfected,
in the proem of the sixth book.

Which book (saith he)
being to be added unto five
other books of the same volume
of Decrials, we thought good to
name Sextum the sixth; that the
same volume by addition thereof
containing a senary, or the number
of six books (which is a 53 number
perfect) may yield a perfect form of
managing all things, and perfect
discipline of behavior.

Here therefore is the number
of the beast, who empowereth
from himself all his parts, and bringeth
them all back again unto himself by his
discipline in most wise and cunning
manner.

If any man desires more of this,
let him read the gloss upon that place.

I am not ignorant
that other interpretations
are brought upon this place;
but I thought it my duty, with
the good favor of all, and without
the offence of any, to propound
mine opinion in this point.

For this cause especially,
for that it seemed unto me
neither profitable, nor likely
to be true, that the number
of the beast, or the name of
the beast should be taken as the
common sort of interpreters do
take it.

For this number of the beast teacheth,
giveth out, imprinteth, as a public mark
of such as be his, and esteemeth that
mark above all others, as the mark of
those whom he loveth best.

Now those other expositions
seem rather to be far removed
from his property and condition of
that number; whether you respect the
name Latinus, or Titan, or another.

For these the beast doeth not teach,
nor give forth, nor imprint, but most
diligently forbiddeth to be taught, and
audaciously denieth; he approveth not
these, but reproveth them; and hateth
them that think so of this number, with
a hatred, greater than that of Vatinius.

(*) Such as may be understood
by man's reason; for about 666 years
after this revelation the Pope or Antichrist
began to manifest in the world; for these
characters (cxj) signify 666, and this number
is gathered of the finale number, (Lateinos)
which in the whole make 666 and signifieth
Lateinus, or Latin, which noteth the Pope
or Antichrist who useth in all things the Latin
tongue, and in respect thereof he containeth
the Hebrew and Greek wherein the word of
God was first and best written; and because
Italy in old time was called Latinum, the
Italians are called Latini, so that hereby he
noteth of what country chiefly he should come.

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http://www.tollelegepress.com/

The Geneva Bible Forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Geneva_Bible/messages?o=1

Battle Cry
http://www.chick.com/bc/

Blueprint For America
http://www.chick.com/reading/books/153/153_11.asp

The Prophet
http://www.chick.com/reading/comics/0117/theprophetindex.asp

The Godfathers
http://www.chick.com/reading/comics/0114/godfathersindex.asp

The Story of a Jesuit Priest
http://www.chick.com/reading/comics/0112/albertoindex.asp

Smokescreens
http://www.chick.com/reading/books/153/153cont.asp

Online Reading for Protestant Minds
http://www.chick.com/reading/?wpc=reading/default.asp

Online Graphic Reading for Protestant Minds
http://www.chick.com/catalog/comiclist.asp#crusaders

Eric Jon Phelps
http://www.vaticanassassins.org/?cat=1

Eric Jon Phelps Page 2
http://www.vaticanassassinsarchive.com/

Shattering Denial
Here's A Pdf Free Download Library
http://www.shatteringdenial.com/library.html

Unhived Minds
http://z10.invisionfree.com/The_Unhived_Mind_II/index.php?act=Search&CODE=getactive

A Sacred
and Profane History of the World
http://www.tollelegepress.com/

Protestant Patriots Forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProtestantPatriots/messages?o=1

sovereignty's realms
http://sovereigntysrealms.blogspot.com/

The Free Enterpriser
http://thefreeenterpriser.blogspot.com/