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Emperor Domitian: The Beast (666) of Revelation

RevelationStudies: The Beast

It is my contention to demonstrate through the following study

that 666, the Beast of the Book of

Revelation, was the Roman Emperor Domitian. It is a

plausible explanation, and it follows the rules

of hermeneutics.

The Date of the Writing of the Book of Revelation

Most people tend to date the writing of the book of Revelation in the middle to late 90s of the first century.

I, however, do not believe Revelation to

have been written sometime in the 90s of

the first century...

... but more likely around sometime before AD 70.

It seems to me that internal evidence in the

Book of Revelation indicates that Jerusalem existed at the time the

book was written:

Herod’s Temple AD 66

"...and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.” (Revelation 11:2)

First Century JerusalemThe passage we just read from Revelation 11:2 tells us the nations SHALL tread under foot the

holy city, a FUTURE event in terms of the writing of the book.

Destruction of the Temple in AD 70

Rome besieged Jerusalem for 42 months, culminating in its destruction in August of AD 70.

Coincidence? I think not.

Where Was Jesus Crucified?

Revelation 11:8 also says, "...where also

their Lord was crucified.” Jesus was crucified in Jerusalem. From these two verses

we know that Jerusalem still stood as

of the time of its writing.

Dating the Book of Revelation

Jerusalem did NOT exist during the 90s of the first century due to the great destruction from three

decades previously.

The Beast (666)

Those living in the first century knew who 666 was: "Here is wisdom.

He that has understanding, let him count the number of the Beast; for it is the number of a man: and

his number is six hundred and sixty and

six.” (Rev. 13:18)

Using and Applying WisdomThose living in the first century could calculate who the number of the Beast is: They simply needed to use

and apply wisdom.

The Woman Rides the Beast

Pictured in chapter 17 is a harlot riding

upon the Beast (666). The Beast

(666) supports her.

Who is the woman?

The book tells us itself:

The Great City Is Rome"And the woman whom you saw is the great city,

which reigns over the kings of the Earth.” (Revelation 17:18)

"The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits....” (Revelation 17:9)

Rome, the City of Seven Hills

Rome sits upon seven hills.

The woman, we are told, is a city.

She is the great city, which reigns over the

kings of the Earth.

Roman Emperors ruled over the city.

Rome Reigned over the World

Notice the tense of the verb "reigns" - it is PRESENT tense.

This means that the great city was reigning over the kings of the Earth at the time of the writing of the Book of

Revelation.

The Great City Is Rome

The great city, in my opinion, is undoubtedly Rome, which was the capitol of the world in the first

century.

The woman, the harlot, is Rome.

The Book of Revelation is about the fall of this ruling city.

God Will Judge This city is targeted for the wrath of God.

When this city becomes no longer dominant over the world, the

wrath of God directed towards Rome is

finished.

There will be terrible consequences for the

nations that were closely affiliated with

her!

The Dragon's Partner - The BeastIn chapter 13 of Revelation, we are told a Beast

comes up out of the sea having seven heads and ten horns. His heads stand out (Revelation 13:1). John reports that they were "blasphemous" heads, railing

against God and His things.

The Dragon Gives the Beast His Power

The Dragon is the one who gives the Beast

"...his power, and his throne, and great

authority.” (Revelation 13:2)

Satan empowers the Beast. He is a tool, a minion, of the devil. He is a ruler upon the

Earth.

The Death-Stroke Healed!

"And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke

was healed: and the whole Earth wondered after the Beast....” (Revelation 13:3)

The Beast Once Existed

One of the identifying marks as to learning the identity of the Beast is the fact that he

once existed, was slain, and has now returned.

One Head Is the Pawn of Satan

The Beast as a whole is a composite of all

seven heads.

But one head, we are told, is the pawn ofSatan and is being

used to attack the first century Christians.

People Are Amazed at the Beast

The heart of the Book of Revelation is

dealing with this one head, which SEEMS to be a reincarnated

individual.

The people react in amazement. "...and the whole Earth wondered

after the Beast....” (Revelation 13:3c)

Nero “Reincarnated” as Domitian

There was a bizarre myth that arose after Nero’s

death.

Nero committed suicide in June of AD 68, and few eye-witnesses saw his body.

It was said that one day Nero

would return at the head of

Parthian armies to destroy Rome.

This became the so-called "Nero

redivivus" myth.


However, a rumor arose and persisted that he had not died but had fled

across the Euphrates river to Rome’s arch-enemy, Parthia.

In fact, during the decades following Nero’s death, several pretenders did

come forth claiming to be Nero (Tacitus, Histories 1.78; 2.8;

Suetonius, Nero 57). By the turn of the first century a further twist was

added to the Nero legend.


It was said he would actually rise from the dead, return to Rome and seize the Empire.

It was in this context that Revelation was

written.


This myth of Nero’s return so captured the popular fancy that it

found its way into Jewish and Christian apocalyptic writings.

Many of these writings had a triumphant Nero pictured as the

antichrist (Ascension of Isaiah 4:1-14; Sibylline Oracles 4:119-124;

5:137-154, 361-374).

The People Worship the Beast

The people worship the Beast because he is so powerful,

saying,

"Who is like unto the Beast? And

who is able to war with him?”

(Revelation 13:4b)

The People Worship the DragonNo man on Earth is as powerful as the Beast. The

people of the Earth can not defeat the Beast, so they surrender to him. These people also worship the Dragon because he gave authority to the Beast:

The Beast Blasphemes God

"...and they worshipped the

Dragon, because he gave his authority unto the Beast....” (Revelation 13:4a)

The Beast is arrogant and blasphemes God. (Revelation 13:5-6)

The Beast’s Time Is Limited

He only has authority to act for a forty-two month period: "...and

there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and

there was given to him authority to continue

forty and two months.” (Rev. 13:5)

Remember that the Dragon only has a short time. God is allowing the Dragon to take his

best shot.

However, the time frame is controlled by

God Almighty Himself. God allows this to

happen:

War with the Saints

"And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them....” (Rev. 13:7)

The Earth Worships the Beast

The Beast is so powerful that "...all

that dwell on the Earth shall

worship him....” (Revelation 13:8a)

Everybody, that is, but the saints:

The Saints Have the Lamb

"...everyone whose name has not been

written from the foundation of the

world in the Book of Life of the Lamb

that has been slain.” (Revelation 13:8b)

The Beast Rules over Other Nations

The Beast is a worldwide ruler.

He has "...authority over every tribe and

people and tongue and nation.”

(Revelation 13:7b)

RevelationStudies: The Beast

It is my contention to demonstrate through

the following study that 666, the Beast of the Book of Revelation,

was the Roman Emperor Domitian. It

is a plausible explanation, and it follows the rules of

hermeneutics.

The Major Symbols ExplainedChapter 17 begins

with this statement: "Come hither, I

will show you the judgment of the great harlot that sits upon many

waters....” (Revelation 17:1b)

The Major Symbols Explained

John is now being shown what certain things in his vision mean. John continues

by saying he saw a harlot riding on a seven headed, ten horned beast:

The Major Symbols Explained

"...and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-

colored Beast, full of names of

blasphemy, having seven heads and

ten horns.” (Revelation 17:3b)

The Woman Needs the Beast

She would be worthless without the Beast that supports her. We are told who the harlot is: "...and upon her forehead a name written,

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF

THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:5)

Woman Drunk on Blood of Saints

She is "…drunken with the blood of

the saints, and with the blood of the

martyrs of Jesus.” (Revelation 17:5b)

Who is this woman?

The Woman Explained

"And the woman whom you saw is the

great city, which reigns over the kings

of the Earth.” (Revelation 17:18) She is THE great city, not

A great city. The woman is THE ruling

city.

The Woman Is Rome

Notice the word "reigns" is in the

present tense. As of the time of the writing of John's vision, the woman was reigning over the kings of the

Earth. The woman was undoubtedly Rome.

The Waters Explained

Verse one of chapter 17 says, "Come hither, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot that sits upon many waters....” What are the

many waters? John tells us:

The Waters Explained

"And he said unto me, 'The waters

which you saw, where the harlot sits, are

peoples, and multitudes, and

nations, and tongues.’”

(Revelation 17:15)

The Many Waters Are the People and Nations Subject to Rome

If the harlot is a ruling city, she must rule over subjects. The many waters are her

subjects, John says.

The many waters are the people of the Earth who were subjects of Rome, who ruled the

multitudes, nations and tongues of the Earth.

The Ten Horns Explained

What do the ten horns of the Beast represent?

"And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but they receive authority as kings, with the Beast, for one hour.”

(Revelation 17:12)

The Ten Horns ExplainedThe ten horns are sub-

kings of the Beast:

"These have one mind, and they give their

power and authority unto the Beast.”

(Revelation 17:13)

"These shall war against the Lamb, and

the Lamb shall overcome them....” (Revelation 17:14a)


These ten kings have not come to power yet at the

time of the writing of the Book of

Revelation.

They will come to power shortly and

will give their support to the

Beast, giving him a greater

worldwide hold on the peoples.

The Seven Heads of the Beast Explained

"Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits: and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he

comes, he must continue a little while.” (Revelation 17:9-10)


The seven heads represent two things and only two things. FIRST, they are seven mountains on

which the woman sits. This is a second confirmation that the city is Rome.


We have seen previously that the woman is the great city, Rome. Rome sat upon seven hills.


The Seven Hills of early-Rome were the Cermalus, Cispius, Fagutal, Oppius, Palatium, Sucusa, and Velia.

SECOND, as the Scriptures say, the seven heads also represent seven kings.

Five of those kings have died. One rules at the time of the writing of the book.


Another we are told will come, but only remain for a little while.

The Beast (666) is one of the seven heads of the Beast of the sea.

The Beast Demands WorshipThe main characteristic of the Beast is that one of

his heads is "...as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed....”

(Revelation 13:4b) He demands worship.

The Beast Demands Worship

He has "...authority over every tribe and people and tongue

and nation.” (Revelation 13:7b)

His number is six hundred and sixty and

six. (Revelation 13:18)

The Seven Heads Are Seven Kings

As we have learned already, the seven heads are seven kings. (Revelation 17:9-10) The

total of the seven heads represents the Roman Emperor system up to a certain king, which has been designated 666. It starts off pretty

straight forward. Five kings we are told have fallen (died). One king is currently ruling. He

rules as of the writing of the book of Revelation.

Here Comes the Tricky Part...

This makes six kings. Revelation 17:10 says, "...the other is not yet come; and

when he comes, he must continue a little while.” This is the seventh king.

So far, it has been pretty simple.

However, it is about to get tricky….

Then Comes the Eighth King

Revelation 17:11 says, "And the

Beast that was, and is not, is himself

also an eighth, and is of the seven; and

he goes into perdition.”

Then Comes the Eighth King

The Beast (666), we are told, is also an eighth king, and is said to be one of the seven.

Remember, if you will, the words in verse nine: "Here is the mind that has wisdom.”

Then Comes the Eighth KingJohn was telling his audience that they COULD figure this out, but it would take WISDOM, and not SPECULATION.

Who, then, is the eighth king, the Beast (666)? That will be explained shortly.

Who is the Eighth King, the Beast (666)?

As a reminder, John has given us a few clues as to the identity of the Beast: "And I saw one of his heads as though it had

been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was

healed: and the whole Earth wondered after the

Beast....” (Revelation 13:3)


"And he exercises all the authority of the

first Beast in his sight. And he makes the Earth and them

dwell therein to worship the first

Beast, whose death-stroke was healed.” (Revelation 13:12)


This one particular head

is the head which appears

as if it had been slain, but

is now seemingly

alive again.


"And all that dwell on the Earth shall

worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life of the Lamb that

has been slain.” (Revelation 13:8)


"And the Beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes into

perdition.” (Revelation 17:11)


John says this one particular head is one of the seven, but is really an eighth.

It was, meaning it existed in the past in this beastly form.

It had not yet taken on its new beastly form as of the time of John's writing, so it is to come once again in its beastly form in the

future.


It will go to destruction,

and it will be worshipped.

The Woman and the Beast Need Each Other

We have seen how the Beast is directly tied to the woman,

which rules the kings of the Earth at the writing of John's

vision.

They need each other.

The Seven Heads Are Seven Kings

The composite Beast of John's vision is made up of the seven heads and ten horns.

Revelation 17:10 says the seven heads "...are seven kings; the five are fallen....”

The Seven Heads Are Seven Mountains

The seven heads are also "...seven mountains, on which the woman sits....” (Revelation 17:9b)

The Beast's seat of power is Rome, and the city and the Beast are linked intrinsically together as one.

The Ten Horns Are Ten Kings

The ten horns are "...ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but they receive authority as

kings, with the Beast, for one hour.

The Ten Horns Are Ten KingsThese have one mind, and they give their power and

authority unto the Beast.” (Rev. 17:12b-13)

Note that the ten kings will give power and authority to the Beast in the future from John's perspective.

The Ten Horns Are Ten Kings

They will yield to the authority of the Beast.

They will unite their forces with him to

destroy the people of God.

This we are told will come to fruition when

this eighth king "…that was, and is not…"

(Rev. 17:11b) comes into power.

What about the Eighth King?

There is no doubt that John is talking about Rome and the Roman Emperors.

This Beast ends with the eighth king, but there is seemingly a problem, and that is that the eighth Emperor, Vitellius, does

not fit the profile John has given us regarding the Beast (666).


1. Caesar Augustus 27 BC - 14 AD2. Tiberius 14 AD - 37 AD3. Caligula (Gaius) 37 AD - 41 AD 5 HAVE FALLEN4. Claudius 41 AD - 54 AD5. Nero 54 AD - 68 AD6. Galbo 68 AD - 68 AD7. Otho 69 AD - 69 AD 3 PLUCKED OUT8. Vitellius 69 AD - 69 AD9. Vespasian 69 AD - 79 AD IS CURRENTLY RULING AT TIME OF

WRITING10. Titus 79 AD - 81 AD 1 TO COME, WILL REMAIN A LITTLE

WHILE11. Domitian 81 AD - 96 AD THEN THE BEAST, AS IF SLAIN, BUT WOUND

IS HEALED

The Problem

The difficulty we have is that if we count the Emperors one through

eight, we come to Vitellius.

We know five have fallen, and that is easy

to see.

The ProblemGalba would seem to be the one "…who

is…” and Otho would seem to be "...the other is not

yet come; and when he comes, he must

continue a little while.” (Revelation

17:10b)

The Problem

That brings us to Vitellius as number eight in line, but he

simply does not fit, as he did not hold office

long enough to do these things of which

John tells us in his vision.

A Clue to Help Our Understanding

The explanation of the seven heads begins with these words, "Here is the mind that has wisdom.” (Revelation 17:9a)

John tells his audience they can figure it out if

they apply wisdom.


One hint is found in Revelation 12:14b.

God protects and nourishes the

woman who gave birth to Christ.

(Not literal Mary, but spiritual Israel.)


The time period of protection is

described as "... for a time, and

times, and half a time, from the

face of the serpent."

Revelation and Daniel 7

This reference to a peculiar time frame is

done on purpose to mark a trail back to

Daniel 7.

The time phrase TIME, AND TIMES, AND

HALF A TIME equals three and one half

years.

The Book of Revelation constantly uses this time frame,

and sometimes is shown as 1260

days (Revelation 11:3) or 42 months

(Revelation 13:5).

All of these equal three and one half

years.


Why would two writers some 600 years apart choose to use these same phrases?

How would they be able to do this?

Revelation and Daniel 7The book of Daniel talks often about a

fourth kingdom in the future

from Daniel's perspective.

That fourth kingdom is

Rome.


Daniel 7 discusses the

same situation in which we find ourselves in Revelation.Notice the parallels in

Daniel 7 with Revelation 12.


Daniel sees a slightly different description of a beast, but note the similarities with the Beast of the book of Revelation.

Daniel and John were having the

same vision!

The Book of Daniel Helps Explain the Eighth King of Revelation

In the book of Daniel chapter 7 we find Belshazzar in

his first year as King of Babylon.

Daniel saw a vision concerning the king:

four great beasts coming up from the sea. (Daniel 7:2-7)


This is exactly what John sees in Revelation!

The fourth beast was different from all the other beasts, having TEN HORNS. (Daniel 7:7)

A Boastful Little Horn

Daniel then saw another horn, a

little horn, come up among the ten.

This boastful little horn pulled three of the ten horns out by

their roots:


"I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by

the roots....” (Daniel 7:8a)


Ten horns plus one horn equals eleven.

Eleven horns minus three horns (three

plucked out) equals eight.

The Beast (666) in the book of Revelation is

an eighth king.

“Very Interesting!”

As Arte Johnson used to say on

Laugh In, "Very interesting!"

A Review of What We’ve Learned So Far

The following is a brief synopsis of what we have discussed so far in our study of

who the Beast (666) of Revelation is.

Please remember that the most important thing to take from the book of Revelation is that God is in control, and there is victory in Jesus Christ, regardless of what happens to

us in this life.


The Revelation of Jesus Christ was

given to John while he was exiled on

the isle of Patmos.

These things were to come to pass

shortly.


“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show unto His servants, even the

things which must shortly come to pass:

and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John;”

(Revelation 1:1)


The people to whom John wrote his letter could know what it meant.

"Here is wisdom. He that has understanding, let

him count the number of the Beast; for it is the

number of a man: and his number is six hundred

and sixty and six.” (Rev. 13:18)

Rome is represented by the woman, the harlot who rides the Beast: "And the woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the

Earth.” (Revelation 17:18)


The Dragon is the one who gives the

Beast "...his power, and his throne, and great authority.” (Revelation 13:2)

Satan empowers the Beast.

The Beast is a tool, a minion, of the

devil. He is a ruler upon

the Earth.

The Beast Appears To Be Reincarnated

"And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten

unto death; and his death-stroke was

healed: and the whole Earth wondered after

the Beast....” (Revelation 13:3)

Many believed Nero would be

reincarnated.It was said he would

actually rise from the dead, return to Rome and seize the

Empire.

It was in this context that Revelation was

written.

The people worship the Beast because he is so powerful, saying,

“Who is like unto the Beast? And who is able to war with him?” (Revelation 13:4b)


Daniel 7 discusses the

same situation in which we find ourselves in Revelation.Notice the parallels in

Daniel 7 with Revelation 12.

The Boastful Little Horn

In Daniel 7:9-10 God takes His seat

as judge.

The courts sat, and the books were

opened.

Daniel watched as this boastful little horn "...the Beast was slain, and its

body destroyed, and it was given to be

burned with fire.” (Daniel 7:11b)

The Lake of Fire

Notice where the Beast (666) in the Book of

Revelation ends up: He is thrown into the Lake

of Fire:

"And the Beast was taken, and with him

the false prophet that wrought the signs in

his sight…”

The Lake of Fire“...wherewith he

deceived them that had received the mark of the Beast and them that worshipped his

image: they two were cast alive into the Lake of Fire that

burns with brimstone....”

(Revelation 19:20)

The Ten Horns ExplainedDaniel inquires the exact meaning of the fourth

beast in Daniel 7:19, wanting to know the meaning of the ten horns and the other little horn, who utters great boasts (Daniel 7:20).

Daniel says "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of Days came, and

judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints

possessed the kingdom.” (Daniel 7:21-22)


Notice below how God explains the meaning of the symbols to Daniel and the

reader.

God does the same thing in the book of Revelation.

Remember Revelation 17? Prophecy was explained.

The seven heads are also "...seven mountains, on which the woman sits....” (Revelation

17:9b)

Ancient Rome


"The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon Earth....” (Daniel 7:23a)

"And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another

shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put

down three kings.” (Daniel 7:24)

The saints "...shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.”

(Daniel 7:25c)


This is the same vision in Revelation 12:14 given some 600 years previously.

If you begin counting Empires starting with the Babylonians, you have next the Medes,

the Greeks, and then finally the Roman Empire as the fourth world kingdom.

It is strikingly obvious that Daniel 7 is a parallel to the heart of the Book of

Revelation.

Shortly Will Come to Pass

Remember, John said the things will shortly take place.

The things written in Daniel will

shortly be fulfilled in the days of the

Book of Revelation.

A Quick Review

To whom was the Book of Revelation written?

The seven churches of Asia. “John to the seven churches that are in Asia….” (Revelation 1:4)

Could they understand it?

Yes! “Blessed is he that reads, and they that

hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Revelation 1:3)

A Quick Review

What is represented by the image of the harlot?

She is Rome.

"And the woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the Earth.” (Revelation 17:18)


A Quick Review

Rome sits upon seven hills.

The woman, we are told, is a city.

She is the great city, which reigns over the

kings of the Earth.

Roman Emperors ruled over the city.

A Quick ReviewWhat is represented by the Beast that comes up out of the sea having seven heads and ten horns?

They are kings, or the Roman Emperors.

A Quick Review

The Beast is a worldwide ruler.

He has "...authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” (Revelation 13:7b)

Rome ruled the world.

A Quick Review:Daniel and John are having the same vision!

The saints "...shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.” (Daniel 7:25c)

“...and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.” (Revelation 13:5)

Daniel 8 - More Visions

The book of Daniel has numerous detailed visions concerning the kingdoms to come after the Babylonians who ruled during

Daniel's early years.

Two years later Daniel witnesses another vision, "...after that which appeared unto

me at the first.” (Daniel 8:1b)

The Two-Horned RamHe sees a two-horned

ram conquering northward and

southward, butting, and no other could stand

before him. (Daniel 8:3-4)

Daniel also observes a male goat coming from

the west over the surface of the whole Earth,

moving quickly, a horn between his eyes.

The Two-Horned RamThe goat rushed the ram, shattered its horns, and

trampled him under foot:

"And the he-goat magnified himself

exceedingly: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and

instead of it there came up four notable horns

toward the four winds of heaven.” (Daniel 8:8)

Prophecy Explained

What does this all mean?

Let the book explain itself:

"The ram which thou saw, that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia.

“And the rough he-goat is the king of Greece: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.” (Daniel 8:20-21)

The Rough He-Goat

Alexander the Great is the rough he-goat

of prophecy of Daniel 8.

Alexander the Great conquered the Medes and Persians, just as

Daniel had predicted.

The Rough He-Goat

The horns of the ram represent the Kings of Media and Persia.

Together these two kingdoms conquered the Babylonians who ruled during Daniel's days in

Jerusalem. Greece, which is the rough he-goat in Daniel's

vision, then proceeded to conquer the Medes and Persians.

Alexander the Great was the King of Greece.

The Rough He-Goat

He is seen in the vision as the great horn protruding from the rough he-goat's head. How was Daniel able to predict this more

than 200 years prior to it actually happening?

God revealed it to him.God revealed it to him because God is in

control.

Daniel 2

Daniel is replete with visions

concerning the worldwide ruling

kingdoms that followed theBabylonians.

Daniel 2

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, dreams a vision concerning a

statue of extraordinary splendor.

Each part of the statue represented a

kingdom, starting with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon in Daniel

2:37-45.

The fourth kingdom from Babylon, which would be the Roman Empire, is said to be made up of

clay and iron: "And whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of

potters' clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as you saw the

iron mixed with miry clay.” (Daniel 2:41) The clay and iron will combine, but not adhere to

each other: "And whereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men; but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron does not mingle with clay.” (Daniel

2:43)

A Coming Kingdom Prophesied"AND IN THE DAYS OF THOSE KINGS shall the God of Heaven set up A KINGDOM which shall never be destroyed, nor shall the sovereignty thereof be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and IT SHALL STAND FOREVER.” (Dan. 2:44)

A Prophesied Kingdom Fulfilled

“But you shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you…. And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:3)

A Coming Kingdom Prophesied

Daniel prophesied that during the days of this future fourth kingdom that God will set

up an eternal kingdom. It will put an end to all these worldwide

ruling kingdoms. When we read the Book of Revelation, we

are reading the fulfillment of God's predetermined plan.

It is unfolding before our eyes.


1. Caesar Augustus 27 BC - 14 AD2. Tiberius 14 AD - 37 AD3. Caligula (Gaius) 37 AD - 41 AD 5 HAVE FALLEN4. Claudius 41 AD - 54 AD5. Nero 54 AD - 68 AD6. Galbo 68 AD - 68 AD7. Otho 69 AD - 69 AD 3 PLUCKED OUT8. Vitellius 69 AD - 69 AD9. Vespasian 69 AD - 79 AD IS CURRENTLY RULING AT TIME OF

WRITING10. Titus 79 AD - 81 AD 1 TO COME, WILL REMAIN A LITTLE

WHILE11. Domitian 81 AD - 96 AD THEN THE BEAST, AS IF SLAIN, BUT WOUND

IS HEALED

The Plucked Out Horns “I considered the horns, and, behold,

there came up among them another

horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns

were plucked up by the roots….” (Daniel 7:8)

Domitian Is the Eighth King

When you take out the sixth, seventh and eighth kings (the ones plucked out), we

have Vespasian as the one "…who is…," and his son Titus is the one "…to come…"

and remain a little while.

That leaves Domitian as the eighth.

Domitian fits the characteristics of 666 listed in Revelation 13!

Domitian Is the Eighth King

He persecuted Christians to the same degree or

more as one other Emperor, number

five, Nero, so therefore it seemed as if Nero had been reincarnated in the form of Domitian.

A Look at the Emperors Nero and Domitian

Originally, there was a time when Christians

had little to fear from the Roman government.

The Apostle Paul was even saved by Roman

magistrates, officials and soldiers from the rampaging Jewish

synagogue.


Part of this was because it was said that in the early years the Roman government

could not distinguish Jews from Christians, thinking Christians were but a sect of

Judaism.

Judaism was a permitted religion within the Roman Empire.


Once Nero became Emperor, however, things

changed.

Nero was the last of the Julio-

Claudian line.


With all fingers pointing at Nero as the one who started the great fire of Rome, he found a

scapegoat within the Jewish sect now commonly known as the Chrestiani.


Their leader, Christus by name,

had been put to death by the Procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate, some 30

years previously.


As for the fire of Rome in AD 64, a number of the Christians

were convicted and killed

using extreme cruelty.


Tacitus (AD 55-117), the Roman historian, reported in his Annals the following account: "And, so, in the hope

of dissipating the rumor, {Nero} falsely diverted the charge on

to a set of people to whom the vulgar gave the name Chrestians....


“Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths.

“Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by

dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and

burned, to serve as illumination, when

daylight had expired.” (15:44)


The same graphic story was relayed by another later

Christian historian, Sulipicus Severus, and is found in his

Chronicles:


"In the meantime, the number of

Christians being now very large, it

happened that Rome was

destroyed by fire, while Nero was

stationed at Actium.


“But the opinion of all cast the odium of causing the fire upon the Emperor, and he was

believed in this way to have sought for the glory of building a new city....

“{Nero}, therefore, turned the accusation against the Christians and the most cruel

tortures were accordingly inflicted upon the innocent.


“Nay, even new kinds of death were invented. In this way, cruelty first began to be manifested against the Christians.

“Afterwards, too, their religion was prohibited by laws which were enacted; and by edicts set forth it was proclaimed unlawful to be a Christian.”

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