Read them daily, for they are your spiritual nourishment. Just as the body needs physical food to grow strong and stay healthy, your soul craves the wisdom, truth, and guidance that come from God’s Word. Scripture is not meant to be read occasionally or merely admired—it is to be taken in regularly, feeding your spirit with life, clarity, and strength.
Each verse offers insight, each promise revives hope, and each command draws you closer to the heart of the Divine. When you make reading God’s Word a daily habit, you’ll find your perspective shifting, your faith deepening, and your path made clearer—even in times of confusion.
Let the Word dwell richly in you, for in it is the nourishment that sustains eternal life.
“A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard,
‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any.Cut it down!Why should it use up the soil?’
‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.If it bears fruit next year, fine!If not, then cut it down!’”
Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.He said:
“In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought.And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea,
‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’
For some time he refused.But finally he said to himself,
‘Even thought I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’
And the Lord said,
‘Listen to what the unjust judge says.And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night?Will He keep putting them off?I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly.However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?’”
All the disciples and the crowd have heard it many times on how Jesus referred to our last days.Jesus taught that the last days, our days today, would resemble three earlier periods in Scripture: the days of Noah, the days of the prophet Jonah, and the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus said “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. “(Matthew 24:37-39)
In the days of Noah, people were consumed with pleasure, amusement, and constant indulgence. Violence filled the earth, and moral restraint was cast aside. Sexual immorality was practiced without limit, as though nothing were forbidden. The corruption of humanity grieved the heart of God.The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that He had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created, and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” (Genesis 6:5-8) But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Though God was prepared to bring judgment upon the entire earth, Noah stood as the one man who received grace—and if not for that grace, humanity would not exist today. He was not flawless, yet he was faithful, and God looked upon that faithfulness with divine favor.
In the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, wickedness had reached its peak—overflowing with immorality, lust, violence, and every form of corruption. Their evil was so great that God brought fire upon the cities and wiped them out. I will explore that account in greater detail in another topic. For now, let us turn our attention to the story of the prophet Jonah.
In the time of Jonah, God called the prophet to deliver a message of warning. But Jonah resisted his calling and fled, confessing that he did not want to proclaim judgment because he knew God to be merciful and forgiving. In essence, Jonah feared that if he warned the people, God would show compassion and spare them, leaving Jonah looking foolish in the eyes of those who heard him. This is what God told Jonah Amittai’s son: The word of the Lord came to Jonah, son of Amittai: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” (Jonah 1:1)
But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. In today’s language, he might have said, “Lord, I will look like a fool, a false prophet, if You show mercy after I proclaim destruction.” For Jonah, these wicked people don’t deserve salvation, as heaven is not for them. This was the reasoning Jonah offered before God.
He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship.
But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep. The captain went to him and said, “How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us so that we will not perish.”
Then the sailors said to each other, “Come, let us cast lots to find out who is responsible for this calamity.” They cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah. So they asked him, “Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us? What kind of work do you do? Where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?”
He answered, “I am a Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”
This terrified them and they asked, “What have you done?” (They knew he was running away from the Lord, because he had already told them so.)
The sea was getting rougher and rougher. So they asked him, “What should we do to you to make the sea calm down for us?”
“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
Instead, the men did their best to row back to land. But they could not, for the sea grew even wilder than before. 1 Then they cried out to the Lord, “Please, Lord, do not let us die for taking this man’s life. Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.” (Jonah 1:1-13) Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this, the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.
Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. So, while Jonah was inside the big fish, assumed a whale, he cried and prayed.Just think, who would ever still live after being swallowed by an animal?That’s a miracle.So, God commanded the whale to deliver Jonah to that same place and vomited him out.Then the Lord told prophet Jonah a second time: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.” (Jonah 3:1)
Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” The Ninevites believed in God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. However, when God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. But to Jonah, this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.
The twelve disciples struggled with these same feelings. When Jesus sent them out two by two to preach, they encountered others who were also preaching and casting out demons in Jesus’ name. They went back to Jesus and reported that they had tried to stop these believers because they weren’t part of the disciples’ group. John said, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not stop him. No one who performs a miracle in my name can soon afterward speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. And truly I tell you, anyone who gives you even a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.” (Mark 9:39)
God impressed on my heart to share this message. Before I ever began writing online, I used to think, “Well, they all deserve to perish in hell.” But the Holy Spirit gently whispered to me, “That is selfishness.”
This is what happened next to the prophet Jonah. He was furious. He sat under the scorching Middle Eastern sun, waiting, and hoping, for fire to fall from heaven and destroy Nineveh. The heat was unbearable, yet he stayed there, burning with anger and disappointment.
Then the Lord provided a leafy plant that grew up over Jonah, giving him shade and easing his discomfort. Jonah was delighted with the plant. But at dawn the next day, God sent a worm that chewed the plant, causing it to wither. When the sun rose, God sent a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah’s head until he grew faint. In his misery, he said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
God asked him, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“Yes,” Jonah replied. “I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
But the Lord answered, “You are concerned about this plant, though you did not plant it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not be concerned for the great city of Nineveh, with more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many animals as well?” (Jonah 4:10).
Do we ever catch ourselves feeling the same way? In moments of deep hurt or anger, we sometimes wish that those who wronged us would face judgment immediately. Before God revealed His mysteries to me through His prophecies and His words, I used to feel that way too.
But through the Holy Spirit, God revealed to me that those thoughts were rooted in selfishness. He called me to share the gospel, yet I hesitated, and God heard my doubts: “I’m not worthy, and I’m not old enough to preach like the preachers, ministers, or pastors. What could I possibly say online?”
Still, God placed His words in my mouth. And even now, He continues to reveal His abundant mercy. As long as the door of salvation remains open, His compassion is extended to all. We should thank Him daily for this mercy, because without His grace, that door could have closed long ago.
But a day is coming, once every prophecy has been fulfilled, when God’s wrath will be poured out, and probation will close. And let me warn you that moment is drawing near. Don’t wait until it’s too late or until death overtakes you. Jesus said that the world would end like this: “Immediately after the distress of those days:
“‘ The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’
Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. ‘”(Matthew 24:29)
Therefore, the choice is yours. You can follow Jesus, turn away from your old ways, and walk the path that leads to eternal life. Or you can embrace the voices that pull you away from God’s truth. The call is simple: choose the way that leads to life, not the path that leads you astray.
During the earthly ministry of Jesus, His disciples enjoyed the privilege of walking closely with Him. They witnessed His miracles, experienced His protection, and never lacked their daily needs. Many of them hoped that Jesus would soon establish His kingdom and grant them places of honor beside His throne. As mentioned previously, even the mother of James and John approached Jesus, requesting that her sons be granted seats at His right and left hand in glory.
Jesus responded with grace and gentleness, reminding her that such positions are determined by the Father in Heaven. His answer did not rebuke her motherly concern for her sons, young John and James, who followed Jesus faithfully each day. Her desire to care for them is something many nurturing mothers, including my own, can easily understand.
Yet the deeper issue is not about position, honor, or proximity to the throne. The true question is one of loyalty to Jesus, regardless of where one may sit. Today, many believers associate following Christ with prestige, protection, comfort, or immediate blessings. But discipleship does not operate on such terms. Genuine loyalty is tested, refined, and proven—often through trials.
History bears witness to countless Christians who remained faithful even unto death—whether by sword, fire, beheading, or being thrown to wild beasts. Their steadfastness revealed the depth of their devotion. Could we demonstrate the same faith if placed under such pressure?
Even the twelve disciples struggled. Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. After Jesus was arrested, the remaining disciples fled in fear. Peter, who boldly vowed to lay down his life for Christ, fulfilled the prophecy spoken to him: “You will deny Me three times before the rooster crows.” Within a short span, Peter denied knowing Jesus at all.
If such devoted followers faltered, we must humbly acknowledge that we, too, are capable of failing. It is easy to listen to sermons about serving God, doing good works, giving tithes, and living righteously. But when trials arise, when fear, pressure, or temptation confront us, will we stand firm? Or will we be the first to run, hide, or deny the truth, even through careless words or actions?
True loyalty to Christ is not proven in comfort, but in testing. It is not measured by what we receive, but by how we remain faithful when everything is shaken.
As we prepare to enter another year, it is fitting to reflect on the many festivals and holidays that Christians observe. We must ask an important question: Are these celebrations truly appointed by God? As mentioned earlier, December 25th is not a date established in Scripture for celebrating the birth of Jesus. In fact, the only observance Jesus explicitly commanded His disciples to keep is the Last Supper. Yet even this sacred remembrance is often neglected or treated lightly, despite Jesus’ clear instruction to “do this in remembrance of Me.”
Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me,” referring to the breaking of bread and the drinking of wine. He explained, “This is My body” and “This is My blood.” The bread symbolizes His body given for us, and the wine represents His blood shed for the forgiveness of sins. This act of remembrance is the most significant observance for believers, for it directs our hearts to His sacrificial death on the cross, our only path to salvation.
Another sacred observance appointed by God in Scripture is the Year of Atonement. The Lord commanded His people to keep it each year—a holy time set apart for repentance, reflection, and spiritual renewal. In many ways, this divine rhythm mirrors the transition from one year to the next. Although New Year celebrations are widely practiced today, they are seldom approached with the spiritual depth God intended.
The turning of the year should be a moment to seek God’s forgiveness, to lay aside old patterns, and to dedicate ourselves anew to righteous living. True renewal of the heart is the essence of the New Year, and it echoes the very purpose of the Year of Atonement. As God instructed Moses: “This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.”(Leviticus 16:34).
Some preachers teach that we are saved by grace, and I agree that salvation begins with God’s grace alone. I have heard this message many times in church. However, this does not mean that salvation is automatically guaranteed from beginning to end, regardless of how we live. I do not believe this is what Jesus intended. If salvation were permanently secured without any responsibility on our part, why would Jesus command us to pray continually, to repent daily, and to remain watchful? If “once saved, always saved” meant we could persist in cheating, greed, hatred, foul speech, or any form of sin without consequence, then the call to holiness would be meaningless.
Such thinking would reduce the sacrifice of Christ to a mere formality rather than a call to transformation. It would make His death appear as something to be taken lightly. Even more concerning, some who preach humility do not model it in their own lives or homes. Their outward appearance or behavior may contradict the very virtues they proclaim. This inconsistency serves as a reminder that true discipleship is not about outward display but inward obedience.
The deeper truth remains: Christ’s death does not automatically save every person. Jesus taught that we must pray continually and repent sincerely for the sins we commit. If someone refuses to seek forgiveness and physical death overtakes them in that unrepentant state, they face eternal separation from God. Repentance is not a one-time event but a continual posture of the heart. Salvation is offered freely to all, but it must be embraced through faith, obedience, and a life marked by ongoing repentance.
As John recorded these visions, they were given for our awareness and our benefit. His revelations are not to be taken lightly. I must emphasize again that they serve as warnings. Although some of the events he described have already unfolded throughout history, parts of these visions are still awaiting fulfillment and will occur in God’s appointed time.
This leads to a crucial question: when these things come to pass, are you truly ready? Jesus is asking you this.
This question brings to mind the moment during the Last Supper when Jesus, troubled in His spirit, said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” Peter, unsettled and confused, asked, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus told him that he could not follow yet, though he would follow later. Still, Peter insisted, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus responded, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (John 13:21).
Peter’s reaction reflects how easily any of us might respond under pressure. We may think we are strong, but when fear confronts us, that is, whether the threat of a sword or the sight of flames, we may be tempted to run, to deny our faith, or to abandon our devotion to Christ. And just as some reject Judas Iscariot, a person can become like him: someone who betrays fellow believers when the pressure rises. Much depends on the motives, desires, and priorities of the heart. If, like Judas, a person values money or worldly gain more than Jesus, the temptation to betray becomes far greater.
This is why Jesus warned, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41.
Now, you better know this, that in the vision of John, the fulfillment of the rest of the events in today’s last days, it will use technology.So, this is important to note, too.The rise of modern inventions, such as cars, airplanes, machinery, the internet, satellites, rockets, and the rapid acceleration of technology, is all woven into the prophetic timeline. Nothing that exists today lies outside what God foresaw. Even the internet and artificial intelligence, though impressive, will ultimately be used by the enemy in the fearful events that are coming.
God has seen the destiny of every individual, yet this does not mean predestination in the way some believe. No.God has given each of us absolute freedom of choice. However, He knows the tendencies of every heart. Consider Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples. Why did God choose him? Because God saw his potential for good, yet also his inclination toward evil. Judas was given a chance, just like everyone else.
This teaches us that even those anointed by God still possess the ability to turn away from Him and choose evil. That is the most dangerous reality. Judas participated in all the ministries alongside the other disciples, yet he allowed his sinful desires to dominate him. In the end, he chose to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, revealing the greed that had taken root in his heart.
God allowed this increase of knowledge in these last days because He had already foretold the future. As I have written before, only the Lord can see what lies ahead, for He Himself designs certain events that will unfold. Why, then, has knowledge increased so dramatically? Because God opened the well of understanding as He shortened the days. Jesus said, “If those days were not shortened, no one would be saved.”
Let’s think and understand deeper the vision again that John saw, he said: The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority.”
As I mentioned earlier in the first part and throughout the eight segments on Revelation 12, the religious transformation of the barbarian tribes is significant. Many of these tribes, such as the Goths, Vandals, Franks, and Lombards, eventually adopted Christianity, which played a major role in shaping medieval Europe. Their conversion did not create the Byzantine Empire, nor were they the rulers of it; rather, their Christianization influenced the development of Western Europe and contributed to the rise of new Christian kingdoms.
The Byzantine Empire—heir to the Eastern Roman Empire—did not arise from the barbarian nations, but stood as the direct continuation of Rome after the fall of the Western Empire in 476 AD. Established in the sacred city of Constantinople, it preserved the venerable institutions of Rome and the wisdom of earlier civilizations. Roman law, Hellenic culture, and the enduring light of Eastern Orthodox Christianity shaped its identity. Its governance was marked by a strong central authority and a profound intellectual and spiritual heritage rooted in the Greek tradition.
As the surrounding barbarian tribes gradually adopted the ways of civilization and embraced the Christian faith, their chieftains transformed into monarchs—kings, queens, princes, dukes, and other nobles who would go on to rule the emerging realms of Europe. Yet even as these Christian kingdoms were taking shape, the Byzantine Empire was slowly weakening from within. Internal rivalries, dynastic struggles, and the immense burden of defending an ancient and sprawling empire left it increasingly vulnerable.
Over the centuries, constant military pressure, economic strain, political instability, and the relentless advance of the Ottoman Turks steadily eroded Byzantium’s strength. All these forces ultimately converged in the decisive year 1453, when Constantinople fell to the Ottomans, bringing the long and storied Byzantine Empire to its final end.
I will discuss this in greater detail in my fourth segment.
During these centuries of transformation, the Christian world in the West also underwent profound change. As the political landscape shifted and the old imperial structures weakened, the bishops of Rome gradually emerged as central figures of spiritual authority. The pope—well educated, steeped in Scripture, and entrusted with pastoral leadership—came to be regarded as the head of the Western Church. In the earlier centuries, however, the pope lived within the world of the Byzantine (Eastern) Empire and, like other bishops, was confirmed in his office by the Byzantine emperor. This reflected the ancient unity of the Christian world before the growing separation between East and West.
By the 8th century, the imperial presence in Italy, centered in the Exarchate of Ravenna, was collapsing. The empire, pressed hard by the rise of Islam and preoccupied with defending its eastern frontiers, could no longer protect its Italian territories from the Lombards, who had entered Italy in 568. As imperial influence waned, the bishop of Rome increasingly assumed both spiritual and temporal responsibilities, becoming a stabilizing figure for the Christian communities of the West.
By the 9th century, the title “pope” had become firmly associated with the bishop of Rome, who was acknowledged as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church—the largest of the three major branches of Christianity. In earlier centuries, particularly from the 3rd to the 5th, the title had been applied more broadly to bishops and even to priests, serving as a term of affection and honor among the unified Christian community. Within the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the title continues to be used for the patriarch of Alexandria and for certain Orthodox clergy.
The understanding of the pope as a priest also reflects patterns found in the Old Testament, where God Himself established the priesthood. In Exodus, the Lord commands Moses: “Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest” (Exodus 28:3). This ancient model of divinely appointed spiritual leadership shaped the early Christian view of sacred office and consecrated ministry.
Doctrinally, within the Roman Catholic tradition, the pope—serving as a priest and the spiritual head of the Church, much as pastors guide many Protestant congregations—is regarded as the successor of St. Peter. Peter, one of the twelve disciples, was appointed by Jesus to shepherd the early Church. Jesus first bestowed upon him a new name, saying, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter) (John 1:42). Throughout the New Testament, Peter is consistently depicted with images of leadership, authority, and pastoral responsibility among the Apostles.
This calling was further affirmed when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Peter alone responded, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus then declared, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:18–19).
As bishop of Rome, the pope is therefore understood to possess full and supreme jurisdiction over the universal Church in matters of faith, morals, discipline, and governance. The doctrine of papal primacy rests upon two enduring spiritual foundations: the scriptural role of St. Peter and the historical significance of the Roman Church, long honored as the center of the ancient empire and the sacred site of the martyrdom of both Peter and Paul.
Yet several historians remind us that within the Byzantine world, the pope, despite his spiritual stature, remained, in political terms, a subject of the emperor, and his confirmation, like that of all bishops, required imperial sanction. This dual reality reveals the intricate interplay between heavenly authority and earthly power during the medieval era, a time when Christianity profoundly shaped the course of rising nations and unfolding empires.
As mentioned earlier, the rise of the Ottoman Empire cannot be separated from the emergence of Islam in the 7th century. According to Islamic tradition, a man named Muhammad, born in the Arabian Peninsula and known in his youth as a shepherd and later a merchant, reported receiving revelations from a heavenly messenger. These experiences, which he and his earliest followers believed to be divine in origin, were eventually written down and formed the foundation of the Islamic faith. Many in the region embraced his message, and the new religion spread rapidly across the Middle East.
From a Christian perspective, questions naturally arise regarding the spiritual source of these revelations. When I read portions of Islamic writings shared by a friend, I encountered passages describing an angelic being who claimed great brightness and exalted status. This prompted me to reflect on Scripture, particularly the biblical descriptions of a once-radiant angel who fell from heaven. Revelation 12, along with other passages, invites believers to discern the nature of spiritual influences and to weigh all claims against the testimony of Scripture.
The faith that developed around Muhammad’s teachings eventually shaped the worldview of the Ottoman Turks. Guided by their Islamic beliefs, they expanded their dominion across the Middle East, North Africa, parts of Europe, and regions of Asia. Through their conquests, Islam spread widely across these lands. Yet the rise and fall of earthly empires, whether Byzantine or Ottoman, remains only one strand in the vast and mysterious tapestry of divine providence, in which God’s purposes unfold across the ages.
Thus, the vision granted to John in Revelation 13 does not center on the rise of any single earthly kingdom—such as the Ottoman Empire—but rather on the appearance of a symbolic authority empowered by the adversary. It serves as a solemn reminder that spiritual forces operate beyond the visible movements of nations. The passage calls believers to discernment, steadfastness, and unwavering trust in God’s sovereign rule over history.
As previously explained, John describes the heads and crowns of the beast—ten becoming seven after three had fallen—symbolic imagery that carries deep prophetic meaning. He writes: “The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, ‘Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?’”
This portion of John’s vision is crucial to understand, for certain elements of it have already unfolded in harmony with earlier prophecy. I discussed these developments in my previous writings on Revelation 12, where the visions are shown to be interconnected and mutually illuminating. I encourage you to read them so you may grasp how God reveals His mysteries. In the same way, John’s prophecy in Revelation 13 reaches forward into the future, pointing toward events that continue into the last days—the very age in which we now live. How much of this unfolding each person witnesses depend partly on the length of one’s life and partly on the providential circumstances through which God carries each individual.
Prior to the fall of the Byzantine Empire, another major power was rising in the West—a development many interpret as corresponding to part of the vision in Revelation 13. I will explain the connection between this rapidly emerging empire and the prophecy in a separate segment. The collapse of the Byzantine Empire, followed by the swift expansion of the Ottoman Empire across Byzantium, parts of Europe (such as Bosnia, Serbia, and Spain), the entire Middle East, and much of Asia, is understood—as God revealed it—as part of the symbolic emergence of the beast with multiple heads, ten horns, and ten crowns. The fall of three horns and the rise of the “little horn” from the sea represent the rise of various powers, the overthrow of three barbarian kingdoms, and the transformation of those kingdoms into royal authorities—symbolized by the crowns. I will explain this more fully in the fourth segment.
These elements—the multiple heads, the ten horns, the fallen horns, and the blasphemous little horn—are understood as interconnected symbols representing the rise of various empires. Within this interpretation, the Holy Roman Empire is viewed as a significant part of the composite symbolic beast that emerged from the sea, the very one to whom the dragon granted authority. The rapid rise of the Holy Roman Empire, occurring even as the Byzantine Empire was steadily declining, remains deeply relevant and carries important implications for global events unfolding in these last days.
The Holy Roman Empire began to take firm shape in Western Europe when Charlemagne was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III in 800 AD. Unlike the highly centralized Byzantine Empire, the Holy Roman Empire functioned as a loose and decentralized confederation of territories ruled by kings, princes, and bishops. Its identity was deeply rooted in Roman Catholic tradition and reflected a distinctive blend of Germanic and Latin cultural influences.
Although both the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire claimed continuity with ancient Rome and shared a Christian foundation, their paths diverged sharply. The Byzantine Empire represented the Greek-speaking, Orthodox Christian East, while the Holy Roman Empire embodied the Latin-speaking, Catholic Christian West. These differences in language, theology, governance, and culture produced two distinct legacies that profoundly shaped the course of European history.
This has now grown quite extensive. I will continue with the 4th segment next.
Let us continue with the second part. In the first part, I explained the meaning of the vision without going into full detail. I did this intentionally, so the foundation would be clear before we go deeper. This vision is not something to read lightly or interpret carelessly. Many false prophets and hired preachers have attempted to explain it, but their interpretations have been misleading. The understanding I share comes from God through the Holy Spirit, not from my own knowledge. What do I know on my own? Nothing. Everything I write is based on the insight God has given.
As I have said in my other writings, I did not appoint myself as a messenger, nor did I choose this task for personal gain. Why would I? It would not trouble me if, at this moment, only I, my family, and a few close friends were the ones who entered heaven. But does that make me selfish? In God’s sight, yes—if I were to keep the truth to myself. That is why He chose me to share it. Whether people listen, read, hear, or believe what I write is not my burden to carry. My responsibility is simply to speak what God has instructed me to speak.
I would never declare myself a messenger unless God had truly sent me. That is the work of false prophets, as the Lord warned through the prophet Jeremiah: “I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. … Am I only a God nearby,” declares the Lord, “and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord. God Himself would judge me if I were a false prophet.
He knows my heart, just as He knows the hearts of all people. He alone determines who is worthy to be His prophets and messengers. As the Lord Almighty declares: “Whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8).
Consider Moses. He fled Egypt in fear after killing an Egyptian who had mistreated an Israelite. Yet God still chose him. Scripture says that God “found him in a desert land, in the howling waste of the wilderness; He encircled him, cared for him, and kept him as the apple of His eye. (Deuteronomy 32:10).After forty years of hardship in the desert, years in which Moses felt forgotten and expected to die in obscurity, God raised him as a leader.
Apostle Paul wrote that God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11), and that is true. Yet Scripture also shows that God grants special favor to certain individuals, those He calls the “apple of His eye,” as King David prayed in Psalm 17:8: “Keep me as the apple of Your eye.” God chooses the right people for His purposes, just as Jesus chose twelve disciples to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Those whom God selects are entrusted with His messages.
But being chosen does not mean living in luxury, free from hardship, or treated like royalty. Far from it. Those chosen often endure severe and bitter trials. John, who wrote the book of Revelation, was exiled to the rocky island of Patmos. The Romans left him there, expecting him to die slowly, from hunger, thirst, exposure, or even from wild animals. This is the cost many of God’s messengers have faced.
So, I repeat: it is God who freely chooses His prophets and messengers. To be chosen is a privilege and an honor, to be considered the apple of God’s eye.
Now, let us move into the mysteries of John’s visions, as God reveals them. I do not know these things by myself; only God reveals them to me. Many hired preachers and priests create their own interpretations to please crowds or maintain their positions. I do not condemn them; they are hired workers, and I understand their situation. But giving people false interpretations is dangerous, and God will hold them accountable. He wants the truth, without sugarcoating, without deception. Deception is Satan’s work; it originates from him.
Understand this well: salvation is personal. I pray for my family and friends, but I cannot save them, nor can they save me. Only God can.
Now, let us examine John’s vision of the beast rising from the sea. The dragon stood on the shore because Satan cannot create and does not know the future. Only God creates and ordains what is to come. The shore represents the multitudes of nations and peoples. The rising of the beast represents the unfolding of a major event. The beast symbolizes an earthly authority. Its strange combination of animal features represents a blend of strength, bloodshed, speed, fierceness, and even moments of mercy.
Here is the description: a beast with ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns upon its horns. I have written extensively about this in eight separate segments, interpretations of the seven heads and the ten crowns, which share the same symbolic meaning. You may become confused if you skip those sections, so I encourage you to read them carefully. And before you do, pray. These messages are not ordinary writings like the works of popular authors seeking profit. They are sacred, for they concern what God has revealed. These visions are not to be read casually, like a comic book or a history text that can be set aside afterward. Your salvation is connected to understanding these truths. Approach them with sincere prayer before you begin.
Who is this beast that represents an earthly authority, you may ask? This is essential to understand, because the event John described has already unfolded in part and will continue to develop in these last days. John wrote, “The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority.” You must grasp this section carefully, for it is here that the future of Christianity hangs in the balance and where the great divide begins. This vision points to a major and critical period in history—the era surrounding the Great Reformation and the Dark Ages—when the persecution of true Christian believers intensified. Many consider this the most severe persecution ever carried out against genuine followers of Christ. The vision shows the dragon granting authority to the beast, meaning Satan empowered this earthly power to commit such terrible acts against God’s faithful people.
This historical development took shape after the conversion of Constantine I, the Roman emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire, during a time when the Western Roman Empire collapsed under the advance of various barbarian tribes. As these tribes embraced Christianity, they were gradually transformed. The ten crowns symbolize the monarchies and royal powers that emerged among them, while the seven heads represent the major barbarian groups that became Christianized and eventually formed the foundations of Europe as a civilized continent.
These seven groups—the Heruli, Suevi, Burgundians, Visigoths, Lombards, Franks, and Anglo-Saxons—eventually developed into the major nations we recognize today: France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Italy, England, and Portugal. From these foundational peoples, many smaller kingdoms and territories later emerged, forming the wider collection of European nations that exist today. Their languages share similarities because the smaller nations grew out of these larger established tribes, even though they later separated, especially after their conversion to Christianity and the later pressures brought by the rise of the Ottoman Empire. I will discuss the Ottoman Empire in a separate topic, as that is a different matter altogether.
Now, the central event in this vision is the division that arose within Christianity. After Constantine I converted to the faith, certain church leaders—who later formed what became known as the papacy—entered into a compromise with him in hopes of ending the persecution of believers. As I have explained in other writings, this compromise involved accepting certain pagan practices that Constantine wished to retain. These included adopting the Gregorian calendar, altering appointed times and seasons, using December 25th, originally dedicated to a Roman pagan deity, as the celebration of Christ’s birth, and introducing graven images to represent Jesus, God, and the saints.
This may be difficult for many Christians to accept, but the celebration of Christmas on December 25th is not something God established, for Jesus was not born on that date. I have traveled throughout Israel—Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, and other regions—and the biblical setting of Jesus’ birth does not match a winter season. When Jesus took on human form and chose Mary to bear Him, she gave birth in a manger, in a humble stable, after traveling to Bethlehem for the census ordered by King Herod. Mary was already in her ninth month of pregnancy and did not expect to go into labor that night. The climate during that time was not winter, nor cold, nor snowy.
Because there was no room available, the innkeeper offered them the only place he could—the distant stable where the animals were kept. Joseph and Mary, with no other option, went there, and Mary gave birth in those humble conditions. Though there were no doctors or modern medical professionals, people of that time knew how to assist in childbirth, including cutting the umbilical cord. God had given this wisdom from the very beginning, as He taught Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. All true wisdom comes from the Lord
Before Constantine’s conversion, the Roman Empire was deeply rooted in the worship of idols and carved images. After his conversion, he proposed incorporating similar images into Christian worship. The church that emerged from this union became known as the Roman Catholic Church, intended to be the universal church for all Christians.
So, you may disagree with me for saying this, but the truth remains: this celebration was never appointed by Jesus Christ. He never observed December 25th as His birthday, nor did He instruct the use of any graven images. The adoption of these pagan‑influenced customs introduced significant division within the Christian faith. Many believers could not accept practices such as celebrating Jesus’ birth on a date not supported by Scripture, or incorporating graven images—something God clearly forbids in the very first of the Ten Commandments. Rather, concerning graven images, God said::
“You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above, or on the earth beneath, or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
Back to December 25th, Is it wrong to celebrate Christmas? There is nothing wrong with remembering the birth of Jesus and His coming into the world. However, choosing a specific date that originated from the pagan traditions associated with Constantine I’s era raises concerns. We are called to remember Christ’s coming daily, not only on a single occasion.
Another issue is that many people focus more on Christmas trees, shopping, and parties than on Jesus Himself. What should be a solemn commemoration filled with spiritual joy often becomes a celebration centered on worldly distractions. Because December 25th has roots in pagan customs rather than God’s instruction, it is important to examine its foundation carefully.
Regarding man‑made festivals, God declared:
“Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all My being. They have become a burden to Me; I am weary of bearing them.” (Isaiah 1:14)
God’s message here speaks for itself.
Another truth is that birthday celebrations are not established or blessed by God. In Scripture, birthdays are never portrayed as holy or God-ordained events. Instead, they are linked with sorrow and tragedy. A birthday marks the passing of time, the shortening of life, and the reminder of human mortality under the curse of aging.
This is illustrated in the book of Job. His children held a birthday feast, and during that celebration, disaster struck—they were all killed through the enemy’s actions. Scripture records that Job’s sons “used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them” (Job 1:4). The devil took advantage of this occasion and destroyed them. This is the only explicit birthday celebration mentioned in the Bible, and it ended in tragedy. Nowhere does Scripture indicate that God approves of such celebrations.
These disagreements marked the beginning of a deep and lasting divide among Christians. I will expand on this in the next segment, as the explanation is becoming lengthy. Please continue reading.
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Gallery
God provided us a bridge to heaven
This bridge symbolizes our connection with Jesus
On the road again
This slideshow uses a JQuery script adapted from Pixedelic
