The Antichrist Will Establish the Mosaic Law
The Antichristian empire prophesied to develop all over the world in the period just prior to the Second Advent of Christ is characterized by an identifying sign or mark. It is called in the Book of Revelation the “Mark of the Beast” (specifically in Revelation 16:2 and 19:20). This beast represents the final world kingdom of mankind that will exist through the agency of Satan the Devil. And it will exist with the full approbation of God the Father and Jesus Christ. All people need to know the telltale signs that will be the standard of identification for this end-time empire. Christians especially need to understand what the “Mark of the Beast” entails in order to recognize the signs identifying this world empire.This chapter shows what is the “Mark of the Beast.”
The Bible says the “Mark of the Beast” will be the establishment of Mosaic Law as the religious law of the land. ELM
A great counterfeit system to the prophesied Kingdom of God under the authority of Jesus Christ (the true Messiah) is soon to emerge on the political scene. It will so closely resemble that millennial kingdom and people will appraise it as the very kingdom of Jesus Christ and that the person heading it is no less than Christ Himself returned to earth. What a shock for all people in the world when they discover this end-time empire is ruled by Satan.
Let us understand some of the main characteristics of Satan the Devil that people in the world know nothing about. They imagine Satan as looking like the epitome of evil: a being with a forked tail, horns on his head, red all over, showing the evil eye, pitchfork in hand, a goatee beard, and uttering a continual stream of obscenities and blasphemies from his mouth. This is the normal depiction of Satan foisted on the world since Constantine the Great in the 4th century C.E. But such a description is far from the truth. Indeed, this is the very image that Satan himself wishes all people to imagine in order to deceive them. In no way is such a description correct.
The apostle Paul under divine inspiration from Christ Himself said that Satan appears to mankind as being the epitome of righteousness and goodness, and his ministers appear the same way.
“For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness.”The Bible reveals that Satan is really an “old serpent” (very wise and cagey) “called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9). He has deceived the totality of this world, at one time or another, into believing that he is an evil looking personality who represents utter repugnance and horror to all human beings. All human societies throughout the ages have illustrated some kind of supreme evil being who causes harm and destruction to humans, and almost always depict him as looking hideous. They show him to be a revolting and bad person.
It is this “evil looking” Satan that Satan has wanted people to imagine as the great murderer, slanderer, and adversary of mankind. The reason for this is to deceive mankind into accepting his teachings and manner of life.
In no way does Satan appear as an evil being with horrid characteristics. He actually appears, as the apostle Paul said, as an angel of light. He looks so good, so wonderful, so resplendent, and so righteous on the surface. Note that our first mother Eve was attracted to the teachings and appearance of the “serpent” who instructed her in the Garden of Eden. Eve equated Satan and his authority with God Himself. He appeared to Eve as a being that could compete with God and one who had the appearance of authority and wisdom. She was deceived into believing that Satan (that old serpent called the Devil) was a representative of heaven itself and one who possessed the wisdom of the Almighty.
The Bible describes Satan and his servants (angels or men) as appearing righteous. People would think them as “true men of God.” Note that the spirit entity called the “King of Tyre” was
“full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. You have been in Eden the Garden of God; every precious stone was your covering. ... You are the anointed cherub that covers [his symbolic wings covered the Ark of the Covenant].”The truth is, when people would see Satan in vision or through some other kind of manifestation (or his angelic cohorts), they would be witnessing resplendent beings who to ordinary humans would show righteousness, beauty, and Godly authority. Some might even mistake them for Christ Jesus or the Father because of their actions and their glory. Most people today, who imagine Satan as appearing repugnant, would not think such an appearance in vision or some spiritual manifestation was actually Satan. They would be prone to believe that he was a divine being equal in status to Christ or the Father. This is how Satan appears to many people.
Indeed, Satan could very well reveal himself to people as though he were Christ Jesus (or perhaps the Father). Is this possible? Without a doubt it is the case. Christ Jesus called Satan a spiritual being who did not abide
“in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”He is prone to lie to people and to tell them he is Christ or the Father.
The apostle John warned early Christians not to believe every manifestation of a spirit being (in vision or whatever) because many of them tell falsehoods in the name of God.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God [as most spirits say they are]: because many false prophets [lying prophets] are gone out into the world.”Notice that the apostle John did not say a few false prophets entered the world to deceive, but there were “Many false prophets.” Visionaries are often such “prophets.” These false prophets, inspired by lying spirits (among whom Satan is the father), can come in the name of Jesus Christ claiming to be His representatives. Christ Jesus warned his people about these individuals.
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many [Christ did not say FEW, but He said MANY] shall come in my name saying [even admitting and confessing] I am the Christ; and shall deceive many [not the few].”The majority of people [MANY, as Christ described them] who come in the name and authority of Christ Jesus will deceive the world that they are teachers of the truth and they will all look good and righteous on the surface. Since the apostle Paul recognized that Satan himself appears as an angel of light, he felt that Satan’s ministers would also arrive in the same deceptive way. Paul said that Satan’s ministers would “also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15).
These false ministers of Satan even come in the name of Christ Jesus stating that Christ is Lord and asking people to accept Christ as their personal savior. Many will even perform miraculous works in Christ’s name and proclaim they are His divine authorities. Some will even admit having visions from Christ to “authenticate” their ministerial works. But note:
“Not every one that says unto me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that does the will of my father which is in heaven. Many [note the word MANY, not the FEW] will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from me, you that commit iniquity’.”
A Counterfeit System Is Prophesied
The kingdom of the Antichrist will arrive on the scene just before the Second Advent of Christ and raise up a worldwide economic and political dominion to resemble in many ways the prophesied Kingdom of Christ that will occur during the Millennium. 1 The word “anti” in Antichrist actually signifies “in the place of Christ.” Its primary meaning does not signify “against” Christ. The apostle John meant that this man’s kingdom will be like Christ’s kingdom and that it will be raised up by Satan to replace the prophesied kingdom of Christ. It will resemble in many ways the kingdom of Solomon, and will emphasize peace, safety, and prosperity for mankind (not military war and destruction).When this Man of Sin (called the Antichrist or the Beast in the Book of Revelation) appears on the world scene, he will govern a glorious empire. It will be the epitome of man’s endeavor to bring in the kind of society of peace and safety that mankind has sought for since the Garden of Eden. It will be similar in almost all details to the very Kingdom of Christ, but it will actually be that of Satan the Devil. This is the grand deception.
So cleverly deceptive will the exterior factors of this kingdom appear to be, that most of mankind will conclude that this Satanic system is indeed the prophesied kingdom of Christ on earth. Christ told His apostles that even they (and also the very elect) would be within an ace of believing that this final kingdom of man is that of Christ and the ruler of that kingdom would be mistaken as Christ returned from heaven. Note what Christ said to His apostles two days before his crucifixion.
“Then if any man shall say unto you, ‘Lo, here is Christ, or there’; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, ‘Behold, he is in the desert’; go not forth [to rally to him]: ‘behold, he is in the secret chambers’ [inside the temple of God]; believe it not. For as the lightning [the Sun] comes out of the east, and shines unto the west; so shall the coming of the Son of man be.”Clearly, if this human ruler called the Antichrist (the False Christ) would come looking like a Babylonian Gentile priest with a miter of Dagon the fish god on his head, demanding Sunday worship, the observance of pagan holy days associated with Spring Equinox or Winter Solstice, and teaching that all should come under the authority of a Gentile city in Europe, no apostle of Christ of the 1st century C.E. would accept this man as the supposed Christ.
Indeed, there will even be a fake “Second Advent” that the world will witness and mistake as that of the true Christ. Recall that Satan and his angels will be thrown out of heaven (Revelation 12:7–17). These angels of Satan will even appear disguised as recently departed loved ones or prominent individuals. People will mistake this for the resurrection of the dead prophesied to occur at Christ’s true advent. These false spirits will appear like the familiar spirit that came to Saul disguised as Samuel though the real Samuel was dead in his grave and no longer alive (1 Samuel 28:11, 14). The majority in the world will actually believe that Christ has returned and the resurrection from the dead has occurred for the “righteous.” The world will believe it because the apostle Paul said, “God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:11 Greek, emphasis mine).
Rules for the Counterfeit System
The Antichrist will look so much like the prophesied Christ that he will put into force Sabbath observance (from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset), along with biblical holy days, and he will make his capital at Jerusalem. He will use the holy days of God in order to control completely the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly activities of the people of the world. So strict will he make the observance of the weekly Sabbath that if anyone tries to flee from his authority on the Sabbath, he or she will be easily spotted and rounded up for punishment (Matthew 24:20). While the Sabbath and holy day laws of themselves are good and proper if people wish to adopt them to worship God in a personal way, at the same time they can be a means of absolute servitude if used to control and rule other men.The prophecies of the Scriptures show that this Antichrist will adopt the Mosaic days as well as religious principles and teachings advocated by Moses (with Christian interpretations) to control the affairs of mankind throughout the earth. His procedures will look so much like what people expect Christ to introduce at the Millennium, that the very elect people of God would be close to accepting him as Christ returned from heaven if they did not know better — and this includes the apostles of Christ.
And look at this important point. The apostles who lived with Christ throughout the span of His ministry on earth not only knew about the intimate teachings of Christ given to them in private but they were aware of the personal nuances of His physical and psychological characteristics. Personal attributes such as these can normally help to identify a person in a precise way. But even with the advantage of knowing personal and unique nuances associated with Christ’s character, Christ still told the apostles that even they would be close to accepting this man's claims. He would not deceive the apostles dressed like a Babylonian priest.
In order to deceive the world, the Antichrist will force into action — in a wrong way — the very laws of God in order to put yokes of subservience on the people just as the Jewish authorities demanded of the Jews in the time of the apostles (e.g., Acts 15:10). Just because one establishes such laws for world observance does not make the person or his kingdom righteous and holy. Jewish society in the early 1st century C.E. was most rigorous in demanding Sabbath observance, holy day keeping, and adhering to the principal laws of Moses, yet Christ called that society a “generation of vipers” (Matthew 23:33). That generation of Sabbath keepers wound up crucifying Christ and killing most of His apostles.
What Is the “Mark of the Beast”?
Once it is understood that the world empire of the Antichrist will counterfeit Christ’s millennial kingdom (and that inspired by Satan he will misuse the Mosaic legislation with Christian overtones to control the world), it will be easy to recognize what the mark of the beast really is. In fact, any Jewish person reading the Book of Revelation in the 1st century C.E. would have had no difficulty comprehending what the “mark” was. Notice the factors that identify the “mark.”“And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark.”One of the cardinal rules for properly interpreting the Scriptures is to let teachings in other sections of the Bible (which use the same terms or principles in other contexts) be the guide to understand more obscure sections. In the Bible the only usage of the phrases “in the hand” and “in the foreheads” are all in the Law of Moses and refer to keeping the commandments, statutes, judgments and holy seasons or days given to Israelites in the time of Moses. The first reference is Exodus 13:9 where it states the Days of Unleavened Bread associated with the Passover were given “for a sign unto you upon your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes [in the forehead].”
The word “sign” in the above verse is translated “mark” in its second occurrence in the Bible and it refers to the “mark” given to Cain (Genesis 4:15). The biblical definition of the “mark” (or “sign”) in the hand and forehead is associated with holy days on the Mosaic calendar. The next usage refers to the commandments, statutes and judgments that the Israelites were to perform when they entered the land of Canaan.
“You shall bind them for a sign [or mark] upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes [in the forehead].”The third reference is similar to this and is given in Deuteronomy 11:18. The weekly Sabbath is described as such a “sign” (or MARK) in Exodus 31:12–17.
If we let the Bible interpret the Bible then the MARK (or sign) in the hand and in the forehead of Revelation 13:16–17 refers to the keeping of the Mosaic legislation — its holy day system and regulations for the people of Israel in the land of Canaan. And this is what the Antichrist will subject the world to when he commences his reign in Jerusalem just before the true Second Advent. He will display to the world his supposed divinity, the world will accept it, he will sit himself with great ceremony in the temple at Jerusalem, and then proclaim himself the true divinity come from heaven to reside among men (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
The Image of the Beast
The Book of Revelation mentions on eight occasions that the Antichrist will set up an image of himself for the people to recognize and admire when he is away from Jerusalem. And strange as it may seem, the image that the Antichrist will set up of himself in the temple of Yahweh is also found within the Mosaic legislation. In fact, the making of such an image is even commanded in the Law of Moses. Let us understand this point clearly because the Mosaic legislation will be used by the Antichrist to legitimatize the setting up of his image in the temple itself. The Book of Daniel and Christ Jesus called this the “abomination of desolation” (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11; Matthew 24:15). The erection of this image will be a wrong use of the Law of Moses. But, the Antichrist will endeavor to follow Moses closely.What many people do not realize is that the Mosaic Law commands that a single molded image (Exodus 37:7) of two spiritual beings be positioned in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 25:18–22). That single image shows a pair of cherubs whose symbolic wings overshadow the Mercy Seat (the throne of Yahweh). It depicts in symbolic form the actual throne of God in heaven. In the Scripture we are told that Yahweh sits “between the cherubim” (e.g., Psalms 80:1; 99:1) and the making of this single image of two cherubim with the Mercy Seat was commanded by God. It is this very image that the Antichrist will restore in the temple at Jerusalem. He will even resemble the two cherubs who are identical twins in appearance. One is on the right hand of the Father and the other on the left. Who do these two cherubs represent?
The Bible identifies one of the cherubs as “the king of Tyre,” the spiritual entity who ruled or still rules the realm of Tyre — the great merchandising power which exercises commercial authority in the world. He is called “the anointed cherub that covereth [the Mercy Seat]” (Ezekiel 28:14), but he is also shown to be a fallen cherub.
“You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the multitude of your merchandise they have filled the midst of you with violence, and you have sinned: therefore I will cast you as profane out of the mountain of God [he will be thrown out of the temple]: and I will destroy you O covering cherub.”Interestingly, as soon as Satan is thrown out of heaven with his angels, the “Beast” ascends from the sea or the “bottomless pit” (Revelation 13:1; 17:8) and with his false prophet he begins to rule the world. He will set up an empire based on merchandising and commerce, controlling economic factors on earth so that no one can buy or sell without his permission. Since all of Revelation 18 emphasizes the Beast’s commercial control, this is a fit description of the King of Tyre becoming Satan’s full agent. 2
This Beast (called the Antichrist) will then set up a single image of two cherubs in the temple at Jerusalem to be there when he is in other areas so people will not forget him or his authority. He will claim the authority of Moses to erect this image in the temple (Exodus 25:18–22); and the whole world will observe this command of Moses and accept it. He will also show the world that Ezekiel prophesied that cherubs would be depicted on walls in the millennial temple (Ezekiel 41:17–26). And Ezekiel even shows that a lion depicts a part of a cherubic image (verse 19), and this could well be the reason that the Book of Revelation refers to the Antichrist also as a “Beast” — a wild beast!
The actions of the Antichrist could cause even the apostles themselves to accept his credentials as the true Christ if they did not know better. Even the very elect of God will be close to accepting them. This is because the Antichrist will not set up an idol of Zeus (or some other pagan deity) in the Holy Place at Jerusalem. No apostle or elect person of God (or even the Jewish or Muslim people) would accept such sacrilege. But an image of two cherubs, molded as one piece, with a human and lion motif (the beast part) would be readily allowed because such a thing is called for in the Law of Moses. Even Ezekiel's millennial temple displays cherubs.
These two cherubs covering the Mercy Seat and associated with the Ark of the Covenant were located in the most holy place in the tabernacle of Moses and in the temple of Solomon. With the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar in the 6th century C.E. before Christ, we no longer read about the Ark of the Covenant in the later temples of Zerubbabel or of King Herod in the time of Christ. Once the cherub called the “King of Tyre” was demoted in the time of Ezekiel, he was disqualified from being in the temple.
Where is the Ark of the Covenant today, with its image of two cherubs? We are told in Revelation 11:19 that an Ark is in heaven (the word “testament” means “covenant”), but John may intend the heavenly Ark of which the earthly was a type. As far as the earthly Ark is concerned, we are told in 2 Maccabees 3 2:1–13 that early Jewish records stated that Jeremiah buried it along with other temple furniture near the tomb of Moses when the temple was destroyed in the time of Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah is reported to state that the Ark would one day be found and be placed in a new temple at Jerusalem and that fire would come down from heaven as a sign of dedicating the temple. The Antichrist could be the one to discover this Ark. He could then place it in the new temple even though one cherub was disqualified and it would be an “abomination” for it to be there. But to show God’s supposed “approval,” fire will come down from heaven as “Jeremiah” said (Revelation 13:13). God could permit this as a part of the “great delusion.”
The Other Cherub Covering the Mercy Seat
It is important to note that both cherubs with their symbolic wings stretched out over the Mercy Seat are identical in appearance. No one would be able to distinguish them if they were separated from the Ark of the Covenant. One of them is a cherub fallen from favor. But who does the other cherub represent?Yahweh has an angel that in every way resembles Him. His special name is the “Angel of the Lord.” He has great authority. This angel can act with power of attorney in any situation that Yahweh or Christ Jesus direct. Called “the Angel of the Lord [Yahweh],” he is allowed to be called by the name “Yahweh.” He so acts like Yahweh that in the Bible they are indistinguishable in certain texts. Though Christ is not an angel (Hebrews 1 & 2), he does use a special angel to represent Him (Revelation 1:1). 4
Now note this. Ezekiel calls the other cherub the “King of Tyre” and he now represents Satan and his ways. The two cherubs are understood as identical in appearance and are analogous to the two goats selected on the Day of Atonement to carry away the sins of Israel (Leviticus 16). One goat was to be Yahweh’s and be killed for the sins of Israel, and the other was the scapegoat (the evil one) who was led away into the wilderness alive. The first goat in symbol refers to Christ dying for the sins of Israel, while the other is Satan bearing those sins alive in prison for 1000 years (Revelation 20:1–5). The two goats and two cherubs looked like identical twins.
Note that angelic beings (whether righteous or evil) often appear like the persons they represent or over whom they are guardians. Christians thought “Peter’s angel” looked like Peter (Acts 12:15) and the lying spirit that appeared to Saul (the “familiar spirit”) also looked like Samuel to Saul (1 Samuel 28:7–21). Some powerful evil spirits even try to assume the role of Christ Jesus. The spirit entity called the “King of Babylon” was reckoned as the “Son of the Morning” (Isaiah 14:12), though this is the proper title of Christ who is the “Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).
There is, however, one sign that can identify the two cherubs on the Ark of the Covenant. We are given a symbolic key of identification when it comes to false and evil spirits. They are presently shown as having long hair — like the hair of women flowing down over the shoulders (Revelation 9:8). This denotes a sign of shame (1 Corinthians 11:14) which God and Christ do not have associated with them (verse 7). Indeed, the cherub who is righteous has short hair. He is the “Angel of the Lord” on and above the right side of God. The Scripture (1 Corinthians 11:14) prohibits any male angel who represents God from having long hair. Earlier (before the King of Tyre rebelled), both cherubs were like twins and had short hair. 5
But who are those depicted with long hair? Fallen spirits or angels who ascend from the “bottomless pit” are shown as having long hair — “the hair of women” (Revelation 9:8). Christ went to these fallen angels after his resurrection and preached to them (1 Peter 3:18–19). Paul referred to this visit to angels in 1 Timothy 3:16 and Ephesians 4:8–10 quoting Psalm 68:18 that Christ led captive the wicked angels who once held humans spiritually captive.
Psalm 68 spoke of the rebellious angels in their watery prison.
“God himself shall smite the head of his enemies, those proud sinners with their flowing locks. The Lord says, I will return from the Dragon, I will return from the depths of the sea.”Remember that Paul said Christ had actually gone “into the depths of the earth” — into the prison of the wicked angels (Ephesians 4:9) — and that he returned (or ascended) from the underworld in order to take away the captivity that wicked spirits imposed on humanity (verse 8). Dr. Moffatt and the Jerusalem Bible (Catholic) state that the Hebrew of Psalm 68:21 shows those rebellious spirits in their watery prison are described as being “long-haired” (the King James has “hairy scalp”). This agrees with what the apostle John recorded about those evil spirits in their subterranean prison called the “bottomless pit.” As an identifying mark, they have long hair — “the hair of women.”
Josephus tells us that Jewish men who were in prisons expressed shame for their crimes by letting their hair grow long (Antiquities XV,172). Ordinary Jewish males shunned wearing long hair like women because of its association with criminals and with those wicked spirits consigned to the “bottomless pit” (Psalm 68:21; Revelation 9:8). And remember, the Beast (the Antichrist) ascends from the “bottomless pit” (Revelation 17:8). It is interesting that most of the cherubs of the Gentiles reckoned as their spiritual rulers were depicted in ancient times with long hair. 6 If a spirit, either in vision or in person, appears with long hair flowing down to the shoulders (like the hair of women), it is clearly a lying spirit from the underworld.
And what about the cherub called the “King of Tyre”? From the time of Ezekiel, that cherub became an evil angel who was thrown out of his position next to Yahweh in the temple. That cherub is now abominable and under the sway of Satan. It then became improper to place him in the same position with the righteous cherub (the Angel of the Lord). It is attested in Second Maccabees that Jeremiah buried the Ark with its cherubs.
In Scripture Jeremiah stated the time was coming when no Ark of the Covenant would be needed in worshipping Yahweh (Jeremiah 3:16). This is one reason why no Ark with its two cherubs was in the temples of Zerubbabel or Herod, nor will there be in Ezekiel’s millennial temple. Ezekiel’s future temple (located at Shilo, not Jerusalem, to accord with the prophecy of Genesis 49:10) has cherubs pictured only on the walls and doors of the Holy Place. But if Second Maccabees is recording reliable information from Jeremiah, he said that the Ark (with its two cherubs) would be discovered and dedicated in a new temple. This could only be the “Antichrist’s temple” when the Beast will install his cherubic image in the temple at Jerusalem. Both cherubs of this one image (though one is a rebel) will appear with “short hair” as Moses depicted. This allows both cherubs to look righteous (or like Christ appears as a Son of God). Though the King of Tyre (now demoted) has long hair like most Gentile cherubs, he will soon (deceptively) cut his hair.
In a past Prophetic Report I gave historical proof that Tyre was colonized by Edomites and that the literal “King of Tyre” was actually an Edomite. The other cherub was “the Angel of the Lord” who was the Angel of the King of Salem (Melchizedek, who was a Son of God, not an angel). Actually, the early Canaanite city of Jebus was finally named “Salem” which subsequently became “Jerusalem.” These two cherubs are top angels. The right hand cherub was the Angel of the King of Salem (Jerusalem) and the other cherub was the Angel for the human King of Tyre.
Remember that the two cherubs with the Ark were twins in appearance, like Jacob (Israel) and Esau (Edom). Esau was the “hairy one” who was defrauded of his birthright and blessing by Jacob, his deceptive brother and twin. The Bible shows that Jacob was not “hairy” like Esau. He is described as being a “smooth” man. The Pulpit Commentary states: “The primary idea of smooth is to cut off the hair.” 7 In a word, Esau was uncultivated in grooming — “a cunning hunter, a man of the field.” So, Esau was more hairy.
In order to deceive Isaac, Jacob had to wear the skins of goats on his head and the sides of his body. Note what Keil and Delitzsch say about this covering of hair.
“We must not think of our European goats, whose skins would be quite unsuitable for any such description. It is the camel-goat of the East, whose black, silk-like hair was used even by the Romans as a substitute for human hair.”Such long straight hair of these goats with their jet-black color is referred to in the Song of Solomon as equal to the natural hair of beautiful women (4:1; 6:5).
This account in Genesis of Esau (Edom) and Jacob (Israel) shows that Esau was not only more hairy in body than Jacob but he also wore his hair long, while Jacob was different in his grooming and exposed the “smooth of the neck,” i.e., he wore his hair short. But Esau (Edom) had his birthright and blessing taken away from him by the deceptive tactics of Jacob. Isaac gave Esau (Edom) a different blessing and told him a time was coming when his descendants “shall have the dominion” and they break the yoke of Jacob from his neck (Genesis 27:40). That time will come at the end-time when the Antichrist will appear.
And Isaiah said that the final end-time worldly kingdom that God will destroy is that of Edom, controlling the whole world (Isaiah chapter 34). Indeed, the cardinal prophetic teaching of the Book of Revelation comes directly from that chapter in Isaiah about Edom. The world empire of the Beast will actually be the kingdom of the “hairy one” — Edom. The word “Edom” in Isaiah chapter 34, when vowel pointed correctly, means “man” or “mankind,” and even James interpreted it that way in Acts 15:17 when he quoted Amos 9:12. The number of the Beast is 666 — the number of man (Edom).
Esau (Edom) will activate the final world empire to recover from Jacob (Israel) the birthright and blessing stolen from him by his twin brother. Since Jacob deceived his father Isaac by putting on the hairy mantle, the “King of Tyre” (representing “Edom”) will think it proper to deceive the world by taking off his covering of long-hair to be like the “Angel of the Lord” (the other cherub in the Holy of Holies who represents “Israel”). We are told that God will send the world “strong delusion” to believe the lie (2 Thessalonians 2:11) and the fallen cherub will once again appear “righteous.” Indeed, he will claim to be Christ returned from heaven. He will finally proclaim that the daily animal sacrifices are no longer needed as a substitute for Him (Daniel 9:27; 12:4) and he will even (finally) dispose of the Ark of the Covenant and the image to satisfy the statement in Jeremiah 3:16.
But how can the Antichrist pull off this strategy since the Book of Revelation makes it clear in chapters 13, 17 and 18 what he and his false prophet will do? The solution is simple if one has the wisdom to see it. Before the career of the Antichrist begins in a full way, there will appear on earth two witnesses from God who prophesy from the temple at Jerusalem (Revelation 11). The roles of these two witnesses resemble those of Moses and Elijah. In fact, it may well be that one of these two witnesses (who will certainly be priests because they are able to enter the Holy Place) will be the prophesied Elijah to come (Malachi 4:5–6; Matthew 17:11). These two witnesses will be put to death by the Antichrist (verse 7). The Antichrist will then establish his world empire of “peace.”
The Antichrist will claim to be the returned Christ even though the Beast will actually be inspired by Satan expelled from heaven — 12:7–17. He will point to chapter 13 of Revelation and state to the world that the two witnesses were in fact the Beast and False Prophet mentioned in the Revelation, that they have now been destroyed and the rule of the “true” Christ with his “true” Elijah can begin. After all, this False Prophet will bring down fire out of heaven in the sight of men (Revelation 13:13) like Elijah did when he countered the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:38). What deception!
Malachi said that an “Elijah” would be sent to the Jews just before the Day of the Lord to turn the children to the fathers (4:5–6). This is one reason why the Beast and the False Prophet will reintroduce the Law of Moses. However, instead of applying this to the Jews in the holy-land, they will extend its strictures for all in the world — including Gentiles. The true Elijah will restore this for Jews only and all Jews will be expected to adhere to the Law’s precepts at this period of time.
To sum up, the Law of Moses is the Law of God for the Jewish people and is proper legislation for those to whom it was (or will be) intended. It was never designed to be used for Gentiles or to make God’s people slaves of the religious hierarchies of men. Some Christians may wish to observe the various Sabbaths for nostalgic reasons, and God will allow it, but Paul said such people are “weak in the faith” since “days” are not required (Romans 14:1).
The Mosaic legislation of itself (with its Sabbaths, holy days, judgments and statutes) is not bad. The law is actually “holy, just and good” (Romans 7:12), if used properly. Paul stated this fact with dogmatism. “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully” (1 Timothy 1:8). But herein lies the problem. What man ever used the law lawfully? Jewish authorities did not use it properly in the days of Christ or the apostles, and the apostle Peter absolutely stated this to be the case (Acts 15:10).
I know of a number of denominations today who use a part or all of the Mosaic laws to make their members slaves to the church hierarchies. They are using the “Mark of the Beast” already and Paul knew it: The Man of Edom (666 — the Antichrist) will use “the Law of Moses” in an unlawful way to bring the world under his religious slavery and rebellion to God. The irony of the matter is that Satan will use God’s Mosaic Law to turn the world against Christ.
1
See my article: “Coming: A New World Order” at
http://www.askelm.com/prophecy/p900601.htm for more detailed
information on this matter. ELM
2
This cherub is subordinate to Satan as shown in my research study on
“Discovering the Mark of the Beast” at
http://www.askelm.com/prophecy/p900501.htm. ELM
3
The first and second non-canonical books of Maccabees were written about
a hundred years before Christ. They contain generally reliable
historical material. ELM
4
Christ is shown in superior rank on the Father’s right hand; and in
Psalm 110 Christ is intimately united with the “King of Salem,” or
Melchizedek. The “King of Salem” is
NOT an angel. He has Christ’s title. ELM
5
Recall that we are told Christ and the Father are now groomed with short
hair as Paul dogmatically stated (1 Corinthians 11:3–16). Modern
pictures of a longhaired “Jesus” are groomed after the pagan god Sarapis
(the Egyptian form of Zeus). Jews shunned long hair. Ezekiel said
Yahweh’s priests should have short hair — “they shall only poll [or
trim] their
hair” (Ezekiel 44:20). This is important because the
priests were stand-ins for God. When people looked at the priests, they
were observing representatives of God. Jesus did not have long hair;
otherwise He would not have been permitted into the Temple precincts.
But Christ went into the Temple at will. Jewish males commonly had short
hair as attested by Josephus the Jewish historian and priest (Contra
Apion 1.172–175). Judas had to kiss Christ to identify Him among
others. Long hair among Jewish men was not socially acceptable. Though
Jesus was from Nazareth, He was not a Nazarite (temporarily with longer
hair) since He drank wine (Luke 7:33–34). ELM
6
See my work on “How to Identify False Prophets” at
http://www.askelm.com/prophecy/p970401.htm. ELM
7
H.D.M. Spence, et al., The Pulpit Commentary, vol. I (Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans, 1909, 1950), p. 335. ELM
8
Kiel & Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament,vol. I (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1874), p. 275. ELM
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