Praise the Lord, am ready to disclose the report. We shall look at three major points.(Part 1 of 3)

1) What is SOP position on the THB and 666?
2) What does the Bible say about THB?
2) What does Bible say about 666?

On our first point, we will be looking at the different SOP references on the subject. We will be looking at whether SOP shows a clear position of the THB and 666.

First, as was shown, this is a "the wide diversity of belief" issue. This subject has many diverse views from the pioneers, but the bottom-line is that God through INSPIRATION (SOP in this case) is our guide on point one.

In other words, what James White, Uriah Smith,FD Nichol, JN Andrews, etc show, is in the final analysis, an informed opinion, yet a private opinion. we know God speaks ONLY through His prophets concerning prophecy (things to come) (See Zech. 4 prophetic lesson)

These are some of the references showing the importance of the Papacy in the final days.

The world is filled with storm and war and variance. Yet under one head--the papal power--the people will unite to oppose God in the person of His witnesses. This union is cemented by the great apostate.--7T 182 (1902).

Comment- This is definitely pointing to a "papal power". However, what is that power? Is it to be a government power, or a Sunday keeping power? In other words, does the Papacy have power due to it doctrinal change of the Sabbath? Let's look further at more references to weigh the evidence.

The beast with two horns “causeth [commands] 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, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” [Revelation 13:16, 17] The third angel's warning is, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.”

“The beast” mentioned in this message, whose worship is enforced by the two-horned beast, is the first, or leopard-like beast of Revelation 13,—the papacy. The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. GC88 445

Comment- This is almost universally accepted by us as true SDA doctrine- "The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas."

The third angel's warning is, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” “The beast” mentioned in this message, whose worship is enforced by the two-horned beast, is the first, or leopard-like beast of Revelation 13,—the papacy. The “image to the beast” represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas. GC88 445


Comment- Who is this "beast" mentioned here? Is it a man (pope), Papal government, or a system? In other words , could the beast be a system of worship (Sunday worship)? Do the people pay homage to the Pope or the Sunday worship? We shall disclose more on the LLB.

Those conclude our ref's showing some support for the Papacy in regards to the LLB. Now let's look at other references in this regard.
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"I saw that the two-horned beast had a dragon's mouth, and that his power was in his head, and that the decree would go out of his mouth. Then I saw the Mother of Harlots; that the mother (Papacy) was not the daughters, but separate and distinct from them. She (the Papacy) has had her day, and it is past, and her daughters, the Protestant sects, were the next to come on the stage and act out the same mind that the mother (Papacy) had when she persecuted the saints. I saw that as the mother has been declining in power the daughters had been growing and soon they will exercise the power once exercised by the mother." (E.G. White, Spalding-Meagan Collection, "Copy of Three Visitors.)


Comment- Here we see that Protestantism is the "growing" power in the last days, instead of "mother" (Rome).

“We may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy; but we should call attention to what the prophets and apostles have written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God.” (TM, p.112)

Comment- Obviously SOP directs us to know that the Roman power may not be what we think in these last days.

“All who will not bow to the decree of the national councils and obey the national laws to exalt the Sabbath instituted by the man of sin, to the disregard to god’s holy day, will feel, not the oppressive power of popery alone, but of the Protestant world, the Image of the Beast.” (Selected Messages, Book Two, p. 380)

Comment- The Papacy shall be only one of the powers. The Protestant nations shall wield their power as well.

And when the Papacy, robbed of its strength, was forced to desist from persecution, John beheld a new power coming up to echo the dragon’s voice, and carry forward the same cruel and blasphemous work. This power, the last that is to wage war against the church and the law of God, was symbolized by a beast with lamblike horns. (ST 11-1-1899)

Summary-- As we can see there is a divergence of statements. Yet is it really a divergence? If one looks at it completely, we can see that there appears to be a consensus here. The SOP position shows that while the Roman power will exist in these last days, it really is it's production--the Sunday worship that constitutes the "beast".

There is evidence that the Pope and his country will not lead out in the real government power BUT it will be the driving power, in that it has instituted Sunday and her daughters (Protestant nations) have taken the baton from Rome and exercises their power. The LLB will be addressed more fully in the other reports.

Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed. The diligent, prayerful seeker for truth will find precious rays of light yet to shine forth from the word of God. Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God.(CWE, p.35)

Continuing our report we will look at the Two-Horned Beast of Rev. 13.

First let's look at the Leopard-like Beast in order to clear up some points.

"The papacy is represented by symbols on two different beasts. First, on the "non-descript" of Daniel 7, by the "little horn having eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things;"

second, on the "leopard-like" of Revelation 13, by the head that was "wounded to death."

These beasts are universal, representing the entire world in their time, both civil and religious. Therefore, it could not be said of either beast, "it is... a man." The papacy being only a part of both beasts (horn-head on one, and simply a wounded head on the other) cannot be called "the beast." (SRod, vol. 2, p.151)

Important Fact- The prior two places in Revelation that speaks of the LLB , it always mentions the wound with Beast (Verse 3 and 11).Yet after identifying the THB in Rev.13:11, the Word never more mentions the wound in connection with the "Beast". Logically therefore the verses from 11 to 18 do not describe the LLB.

Let us now look more at the THB.

As we all are aware, context is very important in understanding the true meaning of references. Our first position will look at context.

"The Bible puts the number on the two-horned beast. Note that all the characteristics which pertain to the ten-horned beast are described in verses 1-10, and that all which pertain to the two-horned beast are described in verses 11-18. As the number closes the description of the two-horned beast, it cannot logically be applied to the ten-horned beast." (Sym. Code, vol. 8, no.1-12, p.18)


There is no escaping the fact that when one reads verses 11 to 18, the "Beast" mentioned is not describing the LLB of verses 13:1-10.

"The two crown less horns show two non-royalist rulers, while their lamb-like appearance forecasts youthful innocency--Christian-established upon the principles of peace and liberty. And his having the power to dictate who should buy and who should not, shows that he represents a nation that leads in controlling the world's wealth and industry.

Having only two horns, not ten, the beast therefore depicts a local, not universal government. Nevertheless, he will influence all Christendom to "make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword, and did live." That is, he will engineer a worldwide government setup, rethroning the principles of the church-state rule of Ecclesiastical Rome; a system now characterized by Catholicism, apostate Protestantism, and Capitalism.

In other words, the world will copy the leopard-like beast (verse 12). Put still another way, it means America will urge the world to re-establish a apostate religious-political system after the Western society, with principles imaging those of the Dark Ages (verse 12).

Note it did not say that the Two-horned beast urged the world to worship the "head"-the Papacy, but the "beast"--the system-Catholicism, apostate Protestantism, and Capitalism, topped of with Spiritualism!" (Mt. Dale DSDA report)

The power that is represented by this two-horn beast will identify itself with "the false prophet," for together they are "cast alive into a lake of fire." Rev. 19:20. From this it is plain to see that the wonders which the beast does in the sight of men, and by which he deceives them "that dwell on the earth" (Rev. 13:13, 14), are wrought by the false prophet (Rev. 19:20) "in the sight of the beast." Rev. 13:14.

Clearly, then, the beast's civil authority, combined with the prophet's supernatural power, points to a union of beast and prophet -- an affiliation of state and of church representatives.

Having only two horns, not ten, the beast therefore depicts a local, not a universal, government. Nevertheless, he will influence all Christendom to "make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live"; that is, he will engineer a world-wide governmental setup, re-enthroning the principles of the
church-state rule of Ecclesiastical Rome.(Tract 12, p.26-27)

Summary-- The Two-horned beast is the USA and as the "666" man is connected with the THB, we must conclude that the 666 man will be from the USA. Next report we'll close with the 666 information.

A beast symbolically represents a kingdom or nation.

The image is not really a new nation or kingdom, so it's not really a "beast".

The image is a confederation of nations and religions that maintain outward separate identities and power but unite under the leadership of the papacy.

The two horned beast (America) is the major power that brings this unity together -- giving it's military and civic power to enforce it. There is also the ecumenical unity, protestants uniting under the leadership of the papacy, and using the civic power. Also other world nations give their power to this confederation (further detailed in Rev. 17) the whole thing being empowered by the dragon.



In the confederacy the second beast gives his power to the first beast to erect the image of the first beast.

We need to remember that the first beast is not only a religious power but also political power -- it has many faces.

To get America to make this image of the first beast, it's political side needed to be changed.
The political side of America for the last 50 or more years has been changing. Enough changes have taken place that it won't take much to impose a police state, the laws are all in place.

There has been a change in people running the government --
As of 2009, the Supreme Court has a Catholic two-third majority. Catholics represent 30% of Congress.
The Jesuit University of Georgetown has had several alumni in USA government positions: Bill Clinton (former president) Six alumni serve in the United States Senate, and thirteen in the House of Representatives. And several others in other positions.

As to America's religious side -- we hear quite often now that the "protest" of Protestantism is dead. And evangelical and charismatic leaders are responding to the pope's call for unity. And this isn't happening only in America -- this is happening in many countries.

The evidence is there, that America is being groomed by papal powers for it's future role in establishing an image for the papacy.

The image of course would also bear the name and number of the first beast, since it is it's "image" or likeness.

"“We may have less to say in some lines, in regard to the Roman power and the papacy; but we should call attention to what the prophets and apostles have written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God.” (TM, p.112)

This quote is not interpreting prophecy but rather dealing with attitude and how the study of prophecies are to influence our own attitudes. It's quite a powerful message.
(you can find the full context in 16MR page 333)

" the human agent is to be kept out of sight, hid in Christ, and that the Lord God of heaven and his law exalted.

The carnal nature tries to rule others and exalts self. The prophecies outline the rise of kingdoms to a short span of fame and glory yet it is important to note that these prophecies (Daniel 7)show how these tyrannical governments were "laid in the dust", for all that kind of glory and power is worthless in the eternal balances.

We should have far more to say about Christ and victory in Him over our own carnal and selfish natures.

The prophecies are to have a sanctifying effect on our lives.

We can know all about the beasts, and the Roman power, but if our study in prophecy doesn't have Christ and His transforming power central, then that knowledge will have no saving power.

Ded- The prophecies are to have a sanctifying effect on our lives.

We can know all about the beasts, and the Roman power, but if our study in prophecy doesn't have Christ and His transforming power central, then that knowledge will have no saving power.


That is a given. But we are to "study to show ourselves approved.."And in this case we should know what prophecy says, the real truth, so that we can know the Lord's future moves.

If we can know the truth of God's word, even in prophecies, we can avoid error. How important is it to not be weighted down in error?

"The good seed represents those who are born of the word of God, the truth.The tares represent a class who are the fruit or embodiment of error, of false principles."(COL, p.70-71)

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” 2 Pet. 1:19.

If, moreover, the prophecies are less essential than other portion s of the Scriptures, why then, did the Lord cause His servants to write so many of them? obviously, they are as important. The book of The Revelation, which is addressed directly to the people who are to be living just before the Lord’s coming, is made up of symbolical prophecies, concerning which the Lord says:

“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Rev. 1:3. “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book....

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Rev. 22:7, 18, 19.

True, the love of Jesus is the supreme need, but preaching about it to the exclusion of the doctrines and the prophecies, will profit one nothing, for through the prophecies and through the doctrines one learns not only of the love of Jesus but also how to serve Him.

“All scripture” says Paul, “is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.
(Answerer, vol.2, Q-19)

Excellent post Dedication,

We all need to realize that these precious truths of ours were developed and understood over time. There wasn't anything wrong with the vision received by Sister White, but her and their understanding of all the information available to them took time to gain clearer insight as to the meaning.

It is also important to remember that most of this document was written by James White. You can read the full document if you look it up under "Words of the Adventist Pioneers", then under James White, on the EGW CD.

GLL wrote; "It's amazing how she claims that Dr. Butterbaugh was acting ONLY to support Victor Houteff. Loving not the Truth but rather VTH. Isn't that great that she has the power to explain men's motives---" (bold emphasis mine)

She who? I thought Dedication made that statement.

Of course many names add up to 666, but only one meets the Biblical criteria; the Papacy!

This was a vain post.

GLL wrote; "Now to address Dedications comments.

Ded- What both he and Houteff do is use this very early publication (Word to Little Flock) that contained articles by James White, Joseph Bates and Ellen White, who were just beginning to understand the truths that were to shape Adventism -- and then they take a statement pitting that against what those very pioneers accepted and believed in the years following the publication.

We've underlined an important mis-step by her. When God gives a vision and that person (prophet as in EGW case) gets it--they write it out. This is what EGW did in paragraph 19. God's does not say "Opps, I gave you a wrong vision, let's try again."

So while we know it was deleted, we must keep in mind her first vision and writing of it was God given. Not a mistake as some want to explain it away."

I am not surprised when people have trouble testing a prophet, but they should pray for wisdom and insight to learn.

God gave a promise to Abram, later Abraham, about his seed being as the sands of the seashore etc....

Abraham misunderstood the promise and visions and thought it wise to have a son through Hagar. Abraham actually believed Ishmael was the child of promise until Genesis 17.

Was Abraham a prophet? Absolutely. And just as God straightened out everything with Abraham, God straightened out the understanding of Sister White and the other pioneers as well. This is one of the ways we know Sister White is a true prophetess of God.

Alchemy-- Why don't you try addressing the main thrust of the post instead of isolating just one area-- here it is again for review

Continuing our report we will look at the Two-Horned Beast of Rev. 13.

First let's look at the Leopard-like Beast in order to clear up some points.

"The papacy is represented by symbols on two different beasts. First, on the "non-descript" of Daniel 7, by the "little horn having eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things;"

second, on the "leopard-like" of Revelation 13, by the head that was "wounded to death."

These beasts are universal, representing the entire world in their time, both civil and religious. Therefore, it could not be said of either beast, "it is... a man." The papacy being only a part of both beasts (horn-head on one, and simply a wounded head on the other) cannot be called "the beast." (SRod, vol. 2, p.151)

Important Fact- The prior two places in Revelation that speaks of the LLB , it always mentions the wound with Beast (Verse 3 and 11).Yet after identifying the THB in Rev.13:11, the Word never more mentions the wound in connection with the "Beast". Logically therefore the verses from 11 to 18 do not describe the LLB.

Let us now look more at the THB.

As we all are aware, context is very important in understanding the true meaning of references. Our first position will look at context.

"The Bible puts the number on the two-horned beast. Note that all the characteristics which pertain to the ten-horned beast are described in verses 1-10, and that all which pertain to the two-horned beast are described in verses 11-18. As the number closes the description of the two-horned beast, it cannot logically be applied to the ten-horned beast." (Sym. Code, vol. 8, no.1-12, p.18)


There is no escaping the fact that when one reads verses 11 to 18, the "Beast" mentioned is not describing the LLB of verses 13:1-10.

"The two crown less horns show two non-royalist rulers, while their lamb-like appearance forecasts youthful innocency--Christian-established upon the principles of peace and liberty. And his having the power to dictate who should buy and who should not, shows that he represents a nation that leads in controlling the world's wealth and industry.

Having only two horns, not ten, the beast therefore depicts a local, not universal government. Nevertheless, he will influence all Christendom to "make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword, and did live." That is, he will engineer a worldwide government setup, rethroning the principles of the church-state rule of Ecclesiastical Rome; a system now characterized by Catholicism, apostate Protestantism, and Capitalism.

In other words, the world will copy the leopard-like beast (verse 12). Put still another way, it means America will urge the world to re-establish a apostate religious-political system after the Western society, with principles imaging those of the Dark Ages (verse 12).

Note it did not say that the Two-horned beast urged the world to worship the "head"-the Papacy, but the "beast"--the system-Catholicism, apostate Protestantism, and Capitalism, topped of with Spiritualism!" (Mt. Dale DSDA report)

"The power that is represented by this two-horn beast will identify itself with "the false prophet," for together they are "cast alive into a lake of fire." Rev. 19:20. From this it is plain to see that the wonders which the beast does in the sight of men, and by which he deceives them "that dwell on the earth" (Rev. 13:13, 14), are wrought by the false prophet (Rev. 19:20) "in the sight of the beast." Rev. 13:14.

Clearly, then, the beast's civil authority, combined with the prophet's supernatural power, points to a union of beast and prophet -- an affiliation of state and of church representatives.

Having only two horns, not ten, the beast therefore depicts a local, not a universal, government. Nevertheless, he will influence all Christendom to "make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live"; that is, he will engineer a world-wide governmental setup, re-enthroning the principles of the
church-state rule of Ecclesiastical Rome."(Tract 12, p.26-27)

Summary-- The Two-horned beast is the USA and as the "666" man is connected with the THB, we must conclude that the 666 man will be from the USA. Next report we'll close with the 666 information.

"The unbelief that demands perfect knowledge will never yield to the evidence that God is pleased to give. He requires of His people faith that rests upon the weight of evidence, not perfect knowledge. Those followers of Christ who accept the light that God sends them must obey the voice of God speaking to them when there are many other voices crying out against it.It requires discernment to distinguish the voice of God."(Testimonies, vol. 3, p.255)