Philippines in Bible Prophecy Part 3

(Continuation) 

“And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.” (17:11).

Ferdinand Marcos was the sixth, the seventh and the eighth president, respectively, in terms of “tenure of office” as President of the Philippines; that is, from the Third Republic (sixth) through Martial Law (seventh) up to the Fourth Republic (eight). On his last term, he was ousted by a peaceful revolution (and goeth into perdition). 

“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.” (17:12).

There were ten presidents from Manuel Roxas (First President of the Third Republic) up to Gloria Arroyo (Sixth President of the Fifth Republic). The Malacañang Complex, which is the official residence of the President of the Philippines, was officially reverted to the head of the state upon the establishment of the Commonwealth of the Philippines in 1935. Manuel Quezon was the first president to occupy the said complex. However, it was not until Manuel Roxas’ term when the Philippine governance was finally turned-over to the Filipino people through the Third Republic.  Hence, these ten presidents, who also occupied the Malacañang Palace, are the ten horns mentioned who have ruled the country as kings (presidents), but without their kingdom as yet. 

“These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.” (17:13).

As presidents, these ten horns (heads) shall give their power (authority and leadership) to the beast (the country). 

“These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” (17:14).

In principle, the ratifiers of the Philippine Constitutions, guided by their individual spiritual outlooks and values sought the need to invoke the aid of the Divine Providence in ordaining and promulgating the Constitution. However, they also sought the need for the inclusion of a provision on the separation of the Church and the State. In reality, what prevailing are the exact opposites of these two principles. What the government is always invoking in almost all its undertakings is the aid of the Church (Roman Catholic to be specific) and established a demarcation line between the State and Divine Providence. Remember that majority of the Filipinos; including those who are incumbents, belong to the Roman Catholic fold. Remember also that the Roman Catholic Church holds the name and number of the Beast (Anti-Christ) which is a blasphemy unto the Holy Name of God Almighty. In this regards, the real essence of invoking the aid of the Divine Providence is substituted by the entity of the Roman Catholic Church. 

“And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.” (17:16).

In reality, this is how the lives of the Filipinos being managed during the reigns of these ten horns (presidents), as seen in the country’s economic status in every administration, where majority of them (perhaps, 80%) belong to the poverty level (desolated and naked). This is the lasting effect of graft and corruption perpetuated by those incumbents, where the taxes (flesh) paid by no other the people themselves, which are supposed to be given to them in return in the forms of government services are gone into the pockets of greedy politicians (eaters of flesh). 

“For God hath put in their hearts to fulfill his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.” (17:17).

Perhaps, this is really the plan of God for the Filipino people; to let them experience (not to suffer) all these, like the Israelites whom He had promised the “Land” yet never in their entire lives have enjoyed the benefit of this promise, so that God, with all the prayers of His people, will have all the reasons to pronounce His verdict to those corrupt politicians (and the corrupt system) and pour upon His people the blessings of His glory and grace.

The former President Ferdinand Marcos once wrote, “Peace is so crucial to everyone; the alternative is total destruction. But the alternative to destruction is not only peace but a ‘golden age’ for mankind.” Hence, in war, there is this so-called “collateral damage” before peace will be finally achieved. 

“And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.” (17:18).

This will be the fulfillment of the prophecy, when Philippines will be known as the "great city" and will prevail over all other countries upon the earth. And this has something to do with the land promised by God to His chosen people.