Dear John,
Here is an answer for Arlene and any other Doves that are interested.
Pastor F. M. Riley
In Revelation 13:3 the Scripture plainly states,
“And I saw one of his heads as it
were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world wondered after the beast.”
This is plain enough in the KJV, but it is even plainer in the Greek text:
“And I saw one of
its heads as slain to death; and the wound
of its death was healed.” Textus Receptus Greek text.
In Revelation 13:14 it is stated,
“And it misleads
those who dwell on the earth, by reason of the signs which it was given to it
to work before the beast, saying to those who dwell on the earth, to make an
image to the beast, which has the wound of the sword, and lived.” Textus Receptus Greek text.
“Fake”
assassination? “Fake”
resurrection? Not if the
inspired Word of God means anything. The
“as it were” in Revelation 13:3 is emphasizing that John was actually
seeing the assassination taking place.
The words used in the KJV in this verse do not mean
“like” or “similar.”
Rather, they mean “as it
were” happening.
Study the Greek tenses for yourself.
Folks, the Scripture says, “For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar…” Romans 3:3-4. God’s people do not have a right to read into the Scriptures something that the text plainly does not say nor teach.
But some say that they just
don’t understand how such a thing could be possible. So what!
If God’s Word says or teaches a thing, then that is the way it is whether you
understand it or not. “…with God all things are possible,” Matthew 19:26;
Mark 10:27.
From time to time I see a “bumper sticker” on the back of cars that appears to very popular. The bumper sticker says, “God said it! I believe it! That settles it!” Folks, that bumper sticker is a bald faced lie! I have never placed such a bumper sticker on my car and I never will. I have no intention of displaying such a lie! The plain truth is that if God said it, that settles it even if you never believe it. One of the tragedies of our day is that too many “Christians” are prone to explain away or deny the plain statements of God’s Word because they just don’t understand how it could happen that way. Folks, get real! We are dealing with the Divinely Inspired Word of Almighty God. Treat God’s Word with the same honor and respect that you would show towards the Lord Himself. After all, He gave us the Word. Are we then to make Him out a liar?
Now if the “deadly
wound” is just a “fake,” and the
“healing” is a “fake” resurrection, then is the “withered arm” and the “blind
eye” of the “idol
shepherd” also “fake?” Zechariah 11:17.
Folks, read again my original article, “The Antichrist Is Ready.....Right On Schedule.”. I plainly stated that the Antichrist will not be “resurrected.” How much plainer could I have made it? I plainly stated that the Antichrist, after he is killed [and he will be killed for God’s Word says so], will be restored to life by the energizing power of Satan coming into and possessing his body. It is plainly stated in Revelation 12:9 that Satan is “cast out into the earth.” Then in Revelation 13:4 it is plainly stated that “the dragon” [Satan] is the “power” that energizes the Antichrist. Anyone who has ever seriously studied Demonism and demon possession ought to know that this entire scenario is not only within the realm of possibility, but that it will happen because God’s Word says so.
Folks, I stand on what I wrote without apology to anyone. I stand on what God’s Word actually and literally states and teaches. For 51 years I have insisted on believing God’s Word for what it actually and literally says and teaches. I have no intention of changing my mind now. May God grant His grace to every one of His children to settle for nothing less than the literal statements and truth of God’s Word. God bless you all!
Pastor F. M. Riley
Last Call Gospel Ministry