PROTESTS ACROSS EUROPE and A Beast Rising Up Out of the Sea

by Leonard V Johnson

Sadly, there continue to be massive protests and riots. Let’s look at some reports. Euronews recently reported ──

24 October 2026

Clashes between French police and protesters after largely peaceful demonstrations that drew thousands

Organizers said more than 800,000 took part in demonstrations across the country, with 250,000 in Paris alone. Authorities said 410,000 demonstrated nationwide. The protests were over the high cost of living and lack of funding for education. …

Those protests then went nationwide before expanding to include wider society.

(https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/24/new-round-of-protests-underway-in-france-as-police-fire-tear-gas-at-demonstrators).

Well… now──yeah, for me, watching these riots thousands of miles away in the U.S. ── yes, they certainly looked “peaceful” to me──I say sarcastically. Apparently, some in Europe want to just lie to themselves. A type of self-deception!

24 October 2026

Italy: Thousands take to the streets as protests turn violent in several cities

Clashes erupted between protesters and police across several Italian cities on Saturday, with officers deploying water cannons and tear gas as demonstrations turned violent. Thousands took to the streets of Rome, Milan, Turin, Bologna and Florence, with protesters throwing bottles, stones and firecrackers.

Rome: Clashes broke out on Saturday evening as protesters marched through the Italian capital. Near Largo di Santa Susanna, demonstrators confronted a police cordon, throwing bottles and setting off firecrackers. Several street signs were also knocked down. Police responded with water cannons.

Milan: Two separate demonstrations involving students, activist groups and pro-Palestinian protesters merged into a single large procession heading towards Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, home to the Polytechnic University of Milan.

Turin: Tensions escalated as protesters clashed with police, prompting officers to deploy tear gas. After marching through the Aurora neighbourhood, demonstrators reached the Mosca Bridge, where police blocked their route towards the city centre. …

Bologna: Emergency services were called to Via Marconi following clashes between demonstrators and police. Paramedics treated an injured young protester at the scene.

Florence: Protesters threw firecrackers and glass bottles at police as tensions rose during a march through the city. Near the Santa Trinità Bridge, at the junction with Via Tornabuoni, some demonstrators attempted to break through a riot police cordon.

(https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/24/italy-deploys-hundreds-of-soldiers-as-nationwide-protests-raise-fears-of-fresh-violence).

24 October 2026

Madrid joins weekend of protests across Europe as thousands rally for better pensions …

Thousands of demonstrators are taking to the streets of Madrid, demanding better public pensions, as a wave of protests sweeps across several European countries amid heightened security and fears of fresh violence.

(https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/24/madrid-joins-weekend-of-protests-across-europe-as-thousands-rally-for-better-pensions).

Ah, yes! Sadly, most U.S. mainstream media news outlets are trying their best to spin a yarn ── it reminds me of the story of Rumpelstiltskin, who spun a “yarn” about himself ── they are spinning a certain narrative that these protests are “peaceful” and that they are protesting over the high cost of living and lack of funding for education. They may have started because of those reasons ── but that is no longer the reason! In those videos, I noticed they tended to show only “peaceful” marches, where people walking along look like they are saying to themselves, “How did I get here in this crowd?”

What about in Germany?

Notice this from News Cord ──

23 Oct 2026

Germany’s Gen Z Stands Up Protests Spread Across Europe Ahead of 21 Cities

Over 10,000 people have registered for protests in 21 German cities on Oct. 31. Europe protests cite high living costs, housing shortages, and education funding, from France to Germany.

(https://newscord.org/article/germanys-gen-z-stands-up-protests-spread-across-europe-ahead-of-21-cities--Story_20261023_Youthprotestsspreada68e9f056).

We are indeed witnessing a greater number of protests all across Europe. And it appears not to be stopping anytime soon.

Notice part of a dual prophecy spoken of by the Prophet Daniel concerning a time when there will be established a temporary ‘peace deal’ in the Middle East that looks to last some 3½ years. The seventy‑week prophecy ──

“ … the people of the prince who is to come [the prince here was Titus, who led the Roman siege, breached the walls, and the Second Temple was burned, ending the Jewish revolt in 70 AD] Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.

27) Then he [a future Catholic-led European ‘beast’ leader] shall confirm a covenant [a ‘peace deal’] with many for ONE WEEK [each day for a year; therefore 7 years]; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. …” – Daniel 9:26-27.

So, this end-time final ‘prince’ who is to rise will be a Catholic-led European civic and military leader, also called a final ‘king of the North’ in Daniel 11:40. The ‘one week’ is generally understood to mean a SEVEN-YEAR PEACE DEAL that will be broken after only 3½ years.

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, warned us that there will come, in the latter days, a time of trouble ── a time of ‘great tribulation’ ── ‘such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be’! And this grave trouble will befall Judah ── modern-day Israel. (cf. Matthew 24:15-22).

Let us also notice something else that God’s living word teaches us concerning the soon-coming final ‘king of the North’ ──

“ … in their place he shall honor a god of fortresses; and a god which his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and pleasant things.” – Daniel 11:38.

Daniel 11:38 describes a ruler who honors a “god of fortresses” ── likely symbolizing military power and strength. This represents trusting in human might rather than spiritual authority. Historically, this referred to Antiochus IV’s focus on fortifying military strongholds, but it also foreshadows a future figure who glorifies human power above all else. He likely will feign and claim Roman Catholicism but will turn to a religion his fathers nor his forefathers had known ── massive military technological weapons the likes of which this world has never seen; much of which will likely be weapons created using the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), or nuclear electromagnetic pulse weapons (EMP’s), and even tactical nuclear weapons (TNW’s).

Truly, the LORD God’s immutable word teaches His servants──things which must shortly take place. And what His word shows us is that this final Catholic-led European ‘beast’ leader will be highly militaristic and is also called ‘a beast rising up out of the Mediterranean Sea’ – Revelation 13:1-4.

Sadly, there is coming greater violence and civil unrest throughout Europe.

This is certainly setting the stage for this final beast to rise ── along with the rising of ‘another beast coming up out of the earth, having two horns like a lamb, yet speaking like a dragon’!

Never, brethren, are we to be ignorant of the Devil and Satan’s devices ── including using an innocent-looking “Vicar of Christ” having two horns like an innocent lamb yet speaking with Satan’s own authority! ── 2 Corinthians 2:11.

Truly, when our Lord Jesus’ Witnesses soon come on the scene (cf. Matthew 24:9-14), traveling the world, standing before kings, leaders of nations, and even ‘standing before the god of the earth ── Satan the Devil himself! ── warning and proclaiming of the soon-coming Kingdom of God and of God’s ultimate judgment upon the people of Earth, most people will be deceived, and they will ‘be offended, will betray one another, will hate one another.’ Most will not recognize this Catholic-led European ‘beast’ power for what it truly is, nor will they recognize the Antichrist!

Many false prophets will rise up and will deceive many. And it saddens me to know that most everyone will fall for this deceit according to God’s living word ──

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4) who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. … 9) The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders. 10) and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11) And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12) that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 9-12.

Today, in these perilous times, events in Europe and the Middle East are occurring that are setting the stage for the final fulfillment of these and other biblical prophecies. □

October 7th Massacre Condemned as Hamas Signals More Violence

by Leonard V Johnson

EuroNews recently posted ──

07/10/2026

Celebrating the October 7 massacre is inhumanity, not solidarity

On the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on 7th October 2023, in which 1,200 people were murdered and 250 were abducted, Sacha Roytman Dratwa, of the ‘Combat Antisemitism Movement’, recalls in an opinion piece for Euronews what had already begun in many countries on 8 October 2023.

My grandfather had survived the Holocaust. On October 7, 2023, I was with him in Belgium when the images from Israel began to arrive.

For our family, genocide was not an abstract word. It was part of the history that had shaped his life and made my own possible. Now, alongside him, I was watching the first images of another massacre of Jews.

I felt horror, fear, and helplessness. Nevertheless, there was something particularly painful about experiencing that moment with my grandfather. After everything he had survived, he had lived long enough to witness this.

The attack by Hamas and other armed terrorist groups would leave approximately 1,200 people dead and 251 abducted. …

Then came October 8.

I began seeing images of demonstrations, hearing “Glory to the Martyrs”, “Free Palestine” and “From the River to the Sea,” and seeing accusations of genocide. What struck me was the speed and repetition. I had scarcely begun to process the images from Israel, and already I was trying to understand the public response to them.

Moreover, the timeline of accusations matters.

On October 8, Israeli forces were still fighting Hamas gunmen inside southern Israel. The Israeli ground offensive in Gaza would not begin until October 27. These anti-Israel demonstrations were taking place while the fighting against the infiltrating terrorist attackers was still underway, not after months of ground warfare.

In New York’s Times Square on October 8, demonstrators carried signs declaring “Zionism is genocide.” Reporting from the rally described some participants mocking Israeli counterdemonstrators and chanting the then reported Israeli death toll. In Sydney outside the Opera House, they chanted “Where’s the Jews?”

These were not expressions of concern for Palestinian civilians. …

I remember the horror of October 7. I remember the isolation I felt on October 8, and I remember why the people in those images must remain people, with names, families and lives, rather than becoming abstractions in someone else’s argument.

(https://www.euronews.com/2026/10/07/celebrating-the-october-7-massacre-is-inhumanity-not-solidarity).

So, even though former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump had proclaimed to the world some version of ‘peace for our time,’ in our posts we have been warning the LORD God’s living words, “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

Let us also notice a post by Israel365News ──

October 7, 2026

“We will do October 7 again”: Freed hostage Avinatan Or reveals Hamas captor’s threat

Freed hostage Avinatan Or revealed Monday that the Hamas terrorist who held him in Gaza told him, shortly before his release, to leave Israel because the terrorist organization intends to carry out another October 7 massacre. “As long as there is one Jew in the Land of Israel, we will slaughter you again and again and again,” the terrorist, identified as Abu Hassan, told Or, according to his account in an interview broadcast on Keshet 12’s investigative program Uvda (“Fact”). …

According to Or, Abu Hassan came to inform him that an agreement had been reached under which he would be released. “Go home, say goodbye to your father, goodbye to your mother, meet up with your friends. Two, three, four days, a week, and then take a bag, pack, and go to Europe,” the terrorist told him. “You know why? Because we will do October 7 again.”

Or said he refused. “I looked at him and said, ‘I’m not leaving,’” he recounted.

(https://israel365news.com/421723/we-will-do-october-7-again-freed-hostage-avinatan-or-reveals-hamas-captors-threat/).

Sadly──but, understandably-- there is still no real and lasting peace in the Gaza Strip that continues to be ruled by the evil and vile terrorist group known as Hamas.

Notice part of a dual prophecy spoken of by the Prophet Daniel concerning a time when there will be established a temporary ‘peace deal’ in the Middle East that looks to last some 3½ years. The seventy‑week prophecy ──

“’ And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come [the prince here was Titus, who led the Roman siege, breached the walls, and the Second Temple was burned, ending the Jewish revolt in 70 AD] Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.

27) Then he [a future Catholic-led European ‘beast’ leader] shall confirm a covenant [a ‘peace deal’] with many for ONE WEEK [each day for a year; therefore 7 years]; but in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. …” – Daniel 9:26-27.

So, this end-time final ‘prince’ who is to rise will be a Catholic-led European civic and military leader, also called a final ‘king of the North’ in Daniel 11:40. The ‘one week’ is generally understood to mean a SEVEN-YEAR PEACE DEAL that will be broken after only 3½ years. This breaking of the covenant is also confirmed in the following Scripture, which originally is talking about Antiochus IV Epiphanes of the Seleucid Empire ──

“’ So he [again, a future Catholic-led European ‘beast’ leader] shall return and show regard for those who forsake the holy covenant. 31) And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.’” – Daniel 11:30, 31.

Daniel 7-8: ‘the little horn’

Regarding this false ‘peace deal,’ a final Roman Catholic papacy will be involved in that in several ways. Notice our LORD God’s living words in prophecy regarding ‘a little horn’ ──

“’ Then I wished to know the truth about THE FOURTH BEAST, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; 20) and the ten horns that were on its head, and THE OTHER HORN which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. …

23) ’ And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness [let’s note our Lord Jesus’ words, “’ But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.’” – Matthew 24:36], A king shall arise, Having fierce [countenance], Who understands sinister schemes. 24) His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; he shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.

25) Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity, He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means.’” – Daniel 8:19-20, 23-25.

These verses describe for us the ‘little horn’ that rises in the latter part of their kingdom, who speaks pompous words against the Most High, and shall persecute true Christians, along with a fierce ruler who will cause great devastation, and who will stop the daily sacrifices and set himself against the Prince of princes (our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ). This originally pointed towards Antiochus IV Epiphanes and his persecution against Judah. This is a dual prophecy ──there’s a solid historical line that this ‘little horn’ is the papacy, the Roman Catholic Church rising and taking on that same historic ‘blasphemous’ role.

And again, in Daniel 11 ── it’s pointing to a future despised usurper in the Near East, not a legitimate heir. A future figure like Antiochus IV Epiphanes ── who seized power by intrigue and halted the temple worship and sacrifices ──

“’ And after the league is made with him he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24) He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.’” – Daniel 11:23-24.

So, this soon-rising Catholic-led European ‘beast’ leader will give the people the impression that he will ‘enter peaceably.’ This is the same end-time final ‘beast’ leader that will confirm a covenant with many, as spoken about in Daniel 9:27. However, this final leader will destroy many who are under the impression that they are secure under his leadership.

He will also make a lying deal with an end-time final Islamic-led ‘king of the South’ ─ cf. Daniel 11:27.

It is clear ── or rather, it should be clear ── that the current Gaza Strip “peace” deal will never bring about real and lasting peace. Yet, in time we will see a ‘temporary peace deal.’ Perhaps after a major attack against Israel by an evil and radicalized Islamic Regime of Iran and its proxies, damaging the city of David greatly ─ cf. Isaiah 22:6-9.

Now, having said all that ── let us praise the LORD God Most High ── the Prophet Zechariah, in a dual prophecy, speaks of glorious change coming to the Gaza Strip ──

“ Ashkelon shall see it and fear; Gaza also shall be very sorrowful; And Ekron, for He dried up her expectation. The king shall perish from Gaza, And Ashkelon shall not be inhabited.” – Zechariah 9:5.

Zechariah 9:1-5 comes from the post-exilic period, around 520-500 BC under King Darius I, when Judah was a Persian province. These early verses name the Philistines (modern-day Palestinians) among the southern foes, and Gaza was one of their five cities. So, this dual prophecy’s reference to ‘the Philistines’ (modern-day Palestinians) includes the area today known as the Gaza Strip. ‘The king shall perish from Gaza,’ refers to the Palestinian ruler, who today is (at least at this moment in time) Khalil Al-Hayya.

Yes, this had an original fulfillment, but it also has a future and final fulfillment!

The LORD God forever be praised! □

The NUMBER of the Beast: 666!

The COJCOM portrayal of the ‘Beast’ in Revelation 13:1-10.

by Leonard V Johnson

A couple of years ago now, WorldNetDaily wrote ──

August 13, 2024

Finally emerging: The beast, mark and number of the beast revealed

For thousands of years, millions of Christians have been intrigued by mysterious Scriptures discussing the beast, the number of the beast, and mark of the beast.

But what do these cryptic terms really mean? …

[Joe] Kovacs said at the outset, “A lot of people tense up in anxiety when they hear the term ‘beast. There's no reason to fear. … The beasts are [in metaphoric fashion] mankind. It says it outright, a man is like the beasts … Because human beings, even though we’re in the image of God and look like God and have eyes and hands and all that, we’re in the form of a beast, in the body of a beast. We have flesh and blood, just like the beast. It’s especially referring to mankind in rebellion against God. If we’re in in [sic] rebellion against God, we’re gonna stay in the flesh, in this burning place, in this Sodom and Egypt that we’re in.

“So WE are the beast. It’s that simple. It’s just not in the Bible, it’s in regular conversation. People are called beasts all the time,” he noted, such as when parents call their children ‘kids,’ which are young beasts. “Our sports teams are called Lions and Tigers and Bears.” …

“If anyone [is] in rebellion against God, whether it’s a government, which is made up of mankind, or an individual person, that is the beast. We can see more proof when we talk abut [sic] the NUMBER of the beast, which is found in Revelation 13:18.

Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the BEAST, for it is the number of a MAN. His number is 666” (Revelation 13:18 NLT). …

“Why is the number 666? That’s a fascinating question,” he said. “Well, what day of the week was mankind made on?”

“He was on the sixth day,” Laird responded.

“And we were told to do our work in how many days?” Kovacs asked.

“Six days,” Laird correctly answered.

“Six days,” Kovacs confirmed. “This is not hard for people to understand. Everybody knows that mankind was made on the sixth day. Our work was to be done in six days. It’s repeated, though, three times: six and six and six. Why is it repeated? Because it’s what I mentioned early on about Hebrews 13:8. ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.’ There’s three days involved here. Three times. If you’re in rebellion against God in the past, the present or in the future, you have the number of the beast, because six is the number of man in rebellion against God. It’s as simple as that. …

“Some people think there’s gonna be a mark on on [sic] our bodies, and there might be in the physical sense. But we’re talking here on the higher, spiritual, parable level of God speed.”

“Let’s look at Revelation 14, verses 9 and 10. It says: ‘If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his FOREHEAD or on his HAND, he will also drink the wine of God’s wrath’ (Revelation 14:9–10 CSB).

(https://www.wnd.com/2024/08/finally-emerging-beast-mark-number-beast-revealed/).

What a bunch of gobbledygook! It’s no wonder why there is such grave confusion regarding this subject ── worldwide! Mr. Kovacs, you are Unequivocally Wrong!

Let’s begin with the number: 666.

Right off the top of my head, it makes me think of the movie The Omen of 1976. In which his father finds a birthmark on his child Damien’s scalp: 666. Of course, there are several other movies, I’m sure, that have this same theme──but, to tell you the truth, I’ve never watched them. I saw The Omen when I was 7 and have never watched it since.

In a book I have in my home library, The Ultimate Victory by Stanley M. Horton, he speaks of a partial truth, but whether he knows that he is speaking a partial truth doesn’t appear to be apparent ──

“Others take the number 666 (Revelation 13:18) to refer to Nero. In the days of the Roman Empire, letters were used as numbers, for Arabic numbers had not yet come into use. For example, the first letter of the alphabet was used for the number one, the second letter for two, and so on. By putting “Neron Kesar” (Emperor Nero) into Hebrew letters, the letters do add up to 666. The Book of Revelation was, however, written in Greek. The use of the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet (alpha and omega) show that it has the Greek alphabet in mind, not Hebrew. Furthermore, the general situation of the book fits the time of Domitian, not Nero.” 1

Yes, in Greek it is not three sixes together like nearly everyone writes; rather, it is 600, 60, and 6.

Regarding this 666, let’s notice what God’s living word says ──

“He [a final end-time great and powerful religious leader; a false prophet] causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on the right hand or on their forehead, 17) and that no one may buy or sell [speaking of international trade] except one who has the mark or THE NAME OF THE BEAST, or THE NUMBER OF HIS NAME.

18) Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” – Revelation 13:16-18.

One of the first known writings that has been found suggesting that a ROMAN is 666 was by Irenaeus of Lyon, who wrote that he had listened to our beloved Polycarp when he was a young man. Irenaeus of Lyon wrote ──

“3. It is therefore more certain, and less hazardous to await the fulfillment of the prophecy, than to be making surmises, and casting about for any names that may present themselves, inasmuch as many names can be found possessing the number mentioned; and the same question will, after all, remain unsolved. For if there are many names found possessing this number, it will be asked which among them shall the coming man bear. It is not through a want of names containing the number of that name that I say this, but on account of the fear of God, and zeal for the truth: for the name Evanthas (Εὐανθής) contains the required number, but I make no allegation regarding it. Then also Lateinos (ΛΑΤΕΙΝΟΣ) has the number six hundred and sixty-six; and it is very probable (solution), this being the name of the last kingdom [of the four seen by Daniel], For the Latins are they who at present bear rule. I will not, however, make any boast over this [coincidence]. …” 2

Indeed, it is true, the New Testament was originally written in the Koine Greek, and our beloved Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation on the Greek-speaking island of Patmos. On the island today, Modern Greek is spoken, and English is spoken in the tourist areas.

Let us notice what the Greek name Lateinos adds up to using the Greek alphabet ──

L = 30 – Lambda.

A = 1 – Alpha.

T = 300 – Tau.

E = 5 – Epsilon.

I = 10 – Iota.

N = 50 – Nu.

O = 70 – Omicron.

S = 200 – Sigma.

______

666

“ … I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” – Revelation 13:11.

So, this NUMBER of the beast, 666, the first beast of Revelation 13, is not the second beast ── the beast of verse 11 ──

“Then I [the Apostle John] saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. … 13) He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from [the atmosphere] on the earth in the sight of men. 14) And he deceives those who dwell on the earth …” – Revelation 13:11-17.

So, this innocent-looking beast with two horns like a lamb, which actually speaks with the authority of the dragon, speaks for the seven-headed (and ten-horned) first beast of this chapter.

So, it is important to understand that the soon-rising final Catholic-led European ‘beast’ civic and military leader of the ten-horned ‘beast’ of Revelation 13:1-10, and the second ‘beast’ with two horns like an innocent lamb, yet speaking like a dragon, are two separate beasts. This mighty, powerful, and vicious beast, which rises out of the Mediterranean Sea having seven heads and ten horns, represents the final end-time ‘king of the North.’ This second beast, who exercises all the authority of the first beast, is a final end-time Roman Catholic Vicar of Christ. Let’s notice 2nd Thessalonians 2 ──

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away [the apostasy] comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 4) who opposes and exalts HIMSELF above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.

Also, what about Mr. Kovacs’ assertion that the ‘beast’ simply represents all of mankind?

Well … rubbish.

Let us look closely at exactly what the Apostle John, under divine inspiration, wrote concerning this ‘beast’ ──

“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having SEVEN HEADS AND TEN HORNS, and on his horns TEN CROWNS, and on his heads a BLASPHEMOUS NAME.

2) Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3) And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4) So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’

5) And he was given A MOUTH speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6) Then he opened HIS MOUTH in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7) It was granted to him to make war with the saints [God’s end-time prophets] and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.

8) All who dwell on the earth will worship him, WHOSE NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE OF THE LAMB SLAIN from the foundation of the world.

9) If ANYONE has an ear, let him hear. 10) He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience of the faith of the saints.” – Revelation 13:1-10.

Who the Symbols of Animals Represent

The FIRST like a lion (Daniel 7) ── that was equivalent to the HEAD of King Nebuchadnezzar II’s image in his dream. The Neo-Babylonian Empire was called “Babylon” after the name of its capital city (606-538 BC).

The SECOND, like the feet of a bear ── that was equivalent to its “chest and arms of silver.” The great Medo/Persian Empire (538 – 331 BC). It was composed of Medes and Persians.

The THIRD was like a leopard, which is known for speed and agility. The Greco/Macedonian Empire under King Alexander the Great (331 – 63 BC) conquered the Persian Empire (334 BC). However, King Alexander only lived a few short years after his blitzkrieg conquest, and his FOUR GENERALS divided the empire into four separate regions──Macedonia and Greece, Thrace and Western Asia, Syria and the territory east of the Indus River, and Egypt. So, symbolically, this represents the FOUR HEADS of the third beast of the prophet Daniel’s dream in Daniel 7.

The FOURTH is dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. The fourth empire, which developed into what is known as the Roman Empire (27 BC – 1453 AD), spread out and eventually absorbed one after another these four separate regions ── “dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong.” The “HOLY” ROMAN EMPIRE! Ruling the West and ruling all of the East, on both sides of the Mediterranean Sea.

God’s living word tells us that there is to be a SEVENTH REVIVAL of the so-called “Holy” Roman Empire! The ten toes “of its feet, partly of iron and partly of clay” will come to be TEN KINGDOMS that are in the process of becoming one in mind in Europe at this time. The Prophet Daniel saw in a vision “a stone was cut without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces” – Daniel 2:34. The glorious and powerful second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ! □

1 Horton, M.S., The Ultimate Victory An Exposition of the Book of Revelation, Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO., 1991, pg. 18.

2 Schaff, P., Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. I, Irenaeus, Book V, Chap. XXX, V. III, Grand Rapids, MI., Christian Classics Ethereal Library, originally printed 1885, pg. 1374.

World News in Relation to Biblical Prophecy ── June 14, 2026

This week in World News Regarding Biblical Prophecy ── the Vatican. Robert Francis Prevost (aka Pope Leo XIV) has “consecrated” what is believed to be the tallest church building in the world (See: AP - Pope honors Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia as masterpiece of stone, color and light on Gaudí centenary).

Back in February, the cross at the top of the tower was installed. Raf Sanchez with NBC News has dubbed it “a gigantic five-story ceramic cross.” 1

Interestingly, it wasn’t until around 200 – 210 AD that we see writings, such as the Roman Catholic supporting Tertullian, suggesting that a cross is “a sign of Jesus.”

Alexander Hislop (1807 – 13 March 1865), a Free Church of Scotland minister, wrote in his book The Two Babylons concerning the cross ──

“It is certain that the X was the symbol of the god Ham in Egypt, and as such was exhibited on the breast of his image. Whichever view be taken, however, of Constantine’s sincerity, the supposed divine warrant for reverencing the sign of the cross entirely falls to the ground. In regard to the X there is no doubt that, by the Christians who knew nothing of secret plots or devices, it was generally taken, as Lactantius declares, as equivalent to the name of Christ. In this view, therefore, it had no very great attractions for the Pagans, who, even in worshipping Horus, had always been accustomed to make use of the mystic tau or cross as the ‘sign of life’ or the magical charm that secured all that was good and warded off everything that was evil. …

… one more symbol of the Romish worship to be noticed and that is the sign of the cross. In the Papal system, as is well known, the sign of the cross and the image of the cross are ‘all in all.’ No prayer can be said, no worship engaged in, no step can almost be taken without the frequent use of the sign of the cross. The cross is looked upon as the grand charm, as the great refuge in every season of danger, in every hour of temptation as the infallible preservative from all the powers of darkness. The cross is adored with all the homage due only to the Most High, and for anyone to call it, in the hearing of a genuine Romanist, by the Scriptural term, ‘the accursed tree,’ is a mortal offence. …

The same sign of the cross that Rome now worships was used in the Babylonian Mysteries, was applied by Paganism to the same magic purposes, was honoured with the same honours. That which is now called the Christian cross was originally no Christian emblem at all, but was the mystic Tau of the Chaldeans and Egyptians—the true original form of the letter T—the initial of the name of Tammuz— …

There is hardly a Pagan tribe where the cross has not been found. The cross was worshipped by the Pagan Celts long before the incarnation and death of Christ. …” 2

This outstanding research by Mr. Hislop should show everyone that the use of the “cross” is clearly an idol for billions upon billions of people worldwide! Question: Does anyone feel that God our Father would want true Christians to venerate a symbol that was used to torture and murder His Son? Note: It only takes a little research to learn about how and by what means the ancient Romans would crucify their prisoners, e.g., it involved suspension on a wooden cross or stake until death.

Reference Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13. “( … ’ Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’).” An old oak tree stripped of branches with a cross beam tied to it. (Ai-generated)

“Ancient Romans did indeed use permanent trees—specifically upright wooden posts or stakes. These were often oak or olive trees that had been set firmly in the ground before the condemned arrived at the execution site. The tree was not a temporary cross; it was a fixed structure, sometimes several feet tall, to which the victim was tied or nailed.” 3

Early Church of God groups have historically avoided using the “cross” symbol. The Paterines also considered the “cross” as the sign of the “mark of the beast” ──

“About the year 1040, the Paterines had become very numerous at Milan, which was their principle residence, and here they flourished at least two hundred years. They had no connection with the [Catholic] church; for they rejected not only Jerome of Syria, Augustine of Africa, and Gregory of Rome, but Ambrose of Milan; considering them, and all other pretended fathers, as corrupters of Christianity. They particularly condemned pope Sylvester as Antichrist. They called [the adoration of] the cross the mark of the beast.” 4

It is of interest to note the following admission in an article on the Paulicians by the Catholics ──

“A distinctive feature of Paulician practice was their rejection of the Cross as a symbol of worship. Instead, they honored only the book of the Gospel. … Since Gibbon the Paulicians have often been described as a survival of early and pure Christianity, godly folk who clung to the Gospel, …” 5

Also of interest, Puritans (a group of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who sought to reform the Church of England by eliminating practices they viewed as remnants of Roman Catholicism) were also opposed to the cross symbol. Still, of course, in time, they again adopted Catholic doctrines and beliefs.

Yet, to this very day, true Christians are opposed to the cross symbol.

A publication of The Messenger of Truth ── an organic, precursor of the Church of God (Seventh Day), in its November 1854 periodical had the following ──

“Now this mark in the forehead, we say is the “cross;” for it is a mark or sign of Catholicism, or of the first beast. …

Although it may seem out of place here, yet I wish to say a few words to illustrate this message. The cross that we see on yonder meeting house, was not placed there as a sign, or symbol of “Our Salvation,” (as the Catholics say), but in reality a sign, or demonstration of Satan’s victory over the Son of God: Acts 2, 23) ── …

Therefore, those who make the cross their household God, pocket companion wear it in their foreheads & shew their true character, and that of their master; that he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth.” 6

Now, regarding this false self-proclaimed prophetess, Ellen G. White of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, she once wrote ──

“Papists place crosses upon their churches, upon their altars, and upon their garments. Everywhere is seen the insignia of the cross. Everywhere it is outwardly honored and exalted. But the teachings of Christ are buried beneath a mass of senseless traditions, false interpretations, and rigorous exactions. …

The worship of images and relics, the invocation of saints, and the exaltation of the pope are devices of Satan to attract the minds of the people from God and from His Son.” 7

The definition of “Papist” is a Roman Catholic.

But, of course, their doctrine has since changed; no later than 1997, a cross-containing logo has been in use by the official SDA Church. Also, they were not the only ones to adopt the Catholic cross symbol, or rather mark. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) did as well. However, notice this from July 2011 ──

“The Meaning of the Cross for Latter-day Saints

All of us have passed by churches that have a cross on their steeples or cupolas, and we’ve all seen people wearing a necklace with a cross, indicating they are Christian or a member of a certain Christian denomination. Some of our new members may even continue to wear a cross, feeling that it connects them with their past or other religious traditions. …

We may wonder why we Latter-day Saints don’t place a cross on our churches or wear a cross to show that we are Christians, thereby making it easier for others to identify in whom we believe. …

The blessing of what happened on the cross is witnessed in our behavior, our families, and our standards. We are Christians in the true inward sense, and we display Christ to the world through our lives, our message, and our love rather than through a symbol whereby we are identified.”

(https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2011/07/the-meaning-of-the-cross-for-latter-day-saints?lang=eng).

Of course, their doctrine changed… “Sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise!” ──

“On March 25, 2026, the church announced the installation of a cross-centric statue on Temple Square. To be clear, the image—which depicts Jesus carrying the cross—isn’t terribly dissimilar from images with which LDS folks may be accustomed in other contexts. But when coupled with an increasingly public embrace of mainstream Christian Easter traditions, … it seems to mark a notable change of tone for the church generally and Temple Square specifically, particularly when it comes to cross-related imagery …

Previously, most imagery on Temple Square tended to focus on non-cross-related imagery, opting instead for images of Jesus performing miracles, teaching, or as a resurrected being. …

Now, visitors to Temple Square will be initially greeted with cross-imagery that feels and looks like it could be placed as comfortably in a Catholic Cathedral as it could be in a Protestant mega-church.”

(https://bycommonconsent.com/2026/03/27/lds-church-and-the-cross-new-statues-on-temple-square/).

Now, after writing that, the author apologizes ── “I don’t mean that in any way that is disparaging …”

So, indeed, Mormons are moving closer in line to Catholicism and all other “Christian” organizations around the world. Also, let it be duly noted that the SDAs have adopted the doctrine of the Trinity (be sure to read our article “Is God a Trinity?”), which they were initially teaching against, which, now combined with their cross acceptance, has made them more “acceptable” to the Greco-Roman Catholic and Protestant organizations.

The LORD God has warned us, brethren ──

“’ Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 5) For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.’” – Revelation 18:4, 5.

The LORD God also, through the inspired writings of the Apostle John, has warned us ──

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16) For ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD ── the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life ── is not of the Father but is of the world.” – 1 John 2:15-16.

Yet… and the television show Blue Bloods, every episode, flaunted the sign of the cross (they were, after all, portraying an Irish American Catholic family) ── the Roman catholic Church and “her daughter churches” do not seem to care or realize that the cross is the mark of the beast.

God’s living word is clear that He is against anyone who “worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand” ── they “shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, …” – Revelation 14:9. □

Sources:

1 Sanchez R., Pope Leo to hold iconic Mass at Spain’s Sagrada Família, NBC News, 9 June 2026.

2 Hislop, A., The Two Babylons, Compiled, Formatted and Edited by Avram Yehoshua. https://seedofabraham.net/The%20Full%20Hislop-2012-04-14.pdf. pgs. 162, 197-201. Retrieved 14 June 2026.

3 Kohler, K. & Hirsch, G. E., CRUCIFIXION, Jewish Encyclopedia.com, Retrieved 14 June 2026.

4 Jones, W., The history of the Christian church: from the birth of Christ to the XVIII century, including the very interesting account of the Waldenses and Albigenses, Gallatin, Tenn.: Church History Research & Archives, 1983, pg. 500.

5 Knight, K., Catholic Encyclopedia Online, “Paulicians” Retrieved 14 June 2026.

6 Clark, E., The Beast and his Image, The Messenger of Truth, 2 Nov. 1854, Vol. I, No. IV, pg. 2.

7 White, E.G., The Great Controversy Between Christ And Satan, Pacific Press Publishing Ass., Mountain View, Ca, 1911, pg. 568.