Bible study

Revelation 12-13

For whom was the book of Revelation written? (Rev 1:1)

Note: In Rev 1:20, a message of Revelation is called a "mystery." This word means "secret information given only to initiated people." So the secrets of Revelation are not designed to be told to everyone. They a secrets held within the church.
Who is the person born in Rev 12:5? Rev 12:5; cf 19:13-15.
So at what point in history does this prophecy begin?
What was the power which tried to kill Jesus at birth? Matt 2:13; cf Rev 12:4
What do the seven heads stand for? Rev 17:9.

Note: Rome was built on seven hills, which the Catholic "New American Bible" and the Catholic "Jerusalem Bible" point out.
Who did this dragon based in Rome persecute? Rev 12:17.
After the dragon did its persecuting, a beast with seven heads arose, which also persecuted God's people. From where did it get its "power, throne and great authority"? Rev 13:2

Note: About AD 533 the Roman Caesar proclaimed that the Bishop Rome was head of the Christian church. However, this did not come into effect until AD 538, when three Christian nations which opposed Rome were destroyed. Caesar also made the Bishop of Rome the ruler of Rome, effective from 538.
For how long was the Bishop of Rome to rule? Rev 13:5.

Note: 42 months is a code term for a period of time elsewhere called 1260 days.
What happened to the Beast power? Rev 13:3

Note: In 1798, one of Napoleon's generals took the pope capitive and took away his right to rule Rome. That period of rulership lasted 1260 years!
What is the code number given to help identify the beast? Rev 13:18

Note: The pope has a title on his tiara "VICARIUS FILII DEI." In Latin, most of these letters have values. They add up to 666.
```
V       5
I       1
C     100
A       0
R       0
I	1
U	5
S	0

F	0
I	1
L      50
I	1
I	1

D     500
E	0
I	1
      ____

      666
      ____
```