COG-related ad claims Iraq is the Beast

Ruins of Babylon as seen from Saddam Hussein’s Summer Palace–this is NOT an area of seven hills

The Journal: News of the Churches of God has the following in an advertisement from Marie Casale:

The Beast Coming Out of Iraq

What is going on in Iraq with ISIS may be directly related to prophecy about the end-time Beast. …

Rev 13:5 says that the Fourth Beast is allowed to continue for 42 months. This can be interpreted as 42 literal months totaling the 3 1 / 2 years at the end time. Or it can be interpreted as 42 × 30 (days per month) or 1260 prophetic years from the beginning of the Fourth Beast. 764 AD was when Baghdad began to be built. If you add 1260 years that the Beast is allowed to continue to 764 AD, you get 2024 AD. … this date agrees perfectly with the Days of Daniel 12, the 2300 days of Daniel 8 and the Harlot who sits on the head of the Beast, who, according to Jer 51-52, is the literal city of Babylon in Iraq.

So if the capital of the final Beast is Baghdad, Iraq, and Babylon the Great is the literal city of Babylon in Iraq, these two agree perfectly.

It is significant that Saddam Hussein began to rebuild the city of Babylon before he died. And now we see the rise of ISIS in Iraq with goals of a world ruling Caliphate.

Notice how ISIS compares to what the Bible says the last Beast shall be like. Dan 7:19 says that it shall be exceeding dreadful, having teeth of iron, and nails of brass; which devours, breaks in pieces, and stamps the residue with his feet. Verse 23 says that it shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. ISIS already has the character of being this terrible and fierce, although not yet powerful enough to conquer the world.

Rev 20:4 says that many were beheaded for the witness of Jesus who would not worship this Beast. ISIS has already put many to death for not converting to their religion. And out of all the forms of execution available to mankind, beheading is the form used by ISIS. So it is a very good possibility that ISIS is laying the foundation for the rise of the end-time Beast.

In light of this, we should prepare as best we can physically just as Joseph did as he laid up food for the seven years of famine, and, most important, we should prepare spiritually for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ by diligently drawing close to God while there is still time.

Although I do not actually know Marie Casale, she seems to be associated with the Church of God based upon other things she has written.

Is she right about all of that I quote above? Is she right about any of that?

Well, no she is not totally right, nor is everything she wrote totally wrong.

She is correct that the Beast of Revelation 13:5 has power for 42 months, which is 3 1/2 years. As far as her 2024 date, it is at least possible–see When Can the Great Tribulation Begin? and Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? (there are some who claim COG association who have pointed to dates that are biblically too soon to be possible).

However, she, like some Protestants (see Dangerous Protestant Prophetic Errors), is claiming that the Beast’s final capital is ancient Babylon. This is in significant error. Notice some of what the Bible teaches about end time Babylon:

4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written:

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

6 I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

9 “Here is the mind which has wisdom: The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. (Revelation 17:4-9)

Notice that “Mystery Babylon” is on seven hills/mountains. This is not possibly a reference to ancient Babylon, the one that the late Saddam Hussein attempted to rebuild, as that area is a plain. I put a photo of that region at the beginning of this post so all can see this with their own eyes.

It is called “Mystery Babylon”in Revelation and “the daughter of Babylon” in Jeremiah (50:42; 51:33) and Zechariah (2:7), which helps show that it is not intended to be ancient Babylon. Marie Casale’s assertions that these verses mean the literal ancient Babylon should be considered to be in error.

She is correct that Daniel 7:19 says that the Beast shall be exceeding dreadful, but again, this is a reference to a European Beast power.

The fact that ISIS has beheaded a few people does not in any way prove that Iraq is the Beast of Revelation 13. There have been persecutions in the past from Europe and more will happen in the future (Daniel 7:25; see also Persecutions by Church and State).

Furthermore, notice something about that Beast:

1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. (Revelation 13:1)

The Beast of the sea is the Beast of the Mediterranean Sea (watch Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?). And while the King of the South will have territories that partially border that sea for a time, it will be the European King of the North that will end up controlling all or nearly all the territories that surround the Mediterranean Sea per Daniel 11:40-43. Furthermore, scriptures in Daniel 9:26-27 and elsewhere also demonstrate that the Beast of Revelation 13 is European.

The Bible, while suggesting prudence (see Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians), does not advocate storing seven years of food for the end times like Marie Casale is advocating. It does, of course, advocate preparing ourselves spiritually and turning to Jesus Christ.

But the Bible also tells that those who have properly gathered together (watch Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy), and are truly the remnant of the Philadelphia portion of the Church of God, will be protected (Revelation 3:10) and will receive food (Isaiah 33:16; see also There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra).

The group known as ISIS or the Islamic State is not, nor can it be, the Beast of Revelation 13. The Bible simply does not allow for that.

The Bible itself indicates that Iraq will support the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8; Psalm 83:4-8), and that it may also support terrorism (see Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy). Babylon in Iraq cannot possibly be the capital for the Beast of Revelation 13.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? Here is a link to a related video video: Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? Here is a version in the Spanish language Escrituras sobre Preparación física para los Cristianos.
Protestant and Church of God views of the United States in Bible Prophecy Is the USA mentioned in Bible prophecy? Some Protestants say yes, while others say no. What does the Bible really teach? Learn the truth about this. There is also a video available: Is The United States Mentioned In Bible Prophecy?
Dangerous Protestant Prophetic Errors What are some errors that various Protestants hold to that will tend to prevent them from knowing when the Great Tribulation will begin? A related video is titled Ten Dangerous Protestant Prophetic Errors.
The Dangerous Rise of Preterists Has the Great Tribulation finished? What was the view of early Christians? Why is the preterist view dangerous? A related sermon video is titled Preterism: You’ve Gotta Be Kidding…Right?
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There is also a YouTube video sermon you can watch: The Coming Persecution of the Church. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship). What church would support the Beast? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? When will Jesus return? 2021 or 20xx? There is also a video titled The 6000 Year Plan: Is the end of humanity’s reign almost up?
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse Jesus foretold a time before the end where there would be wars and rumors of wars. The Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) warns of the red horseman of war. Now, even secular writers, like Larry Edelson, are worried that wars and rumors of war are the most menacing problem that now haunts the earth? Are they right? What is the solution? This is a sermonette-length video.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
This is PETRA! This is a 1962 Good News article by the late Dr. Hoeh.
Zephaniah’s ‘Gather Together’ Prophecy Is it safe to be ‘independent’ or in a non-Philadelphian Church of God? What did God inspire Zephaniah to write?