the Millennium

Who are the two witnesses, how long will they prophesy, and what is their mission?

Q.   I’ve come across a lot of teaching via other resources and teachings about the two witnesses in Revelation 11:3-13. There seems to be quite a few interpretations of who they are, when they are to arrive, how long they’ll be here, and even what their mission is. Can you please shed some light on this scripture from your perspective? Will the two witnesses be one of the signs we need to watch for and what is the chronology of their arrival, ministry, death, and departure?

A.   While some believe that the two witnesses will be two groups, we favor the view that they will be two men, similar to Moses and Aaron or Joshua and Zerubbabel. In fact, we find analogous language between Joshua and Zerubbabel and the two witnesses.

In reference to Joshua and Zerubbabel, Zechariah 4:12-14 says, “And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my sovereign. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Sovereign of the whole earth.”

In reference to the two witnesses, Revelation 11:4 states, “These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the Elohim of the earth.”

Revelation 12:14-17 verifies that the two witnesses will begin their ministry the same time the woman, representing spiritual Israel, is taken into the wilderness. Revelation 11:2 states that they will prophesy for 42 months. This corresponds to the final three-and-a-half years of the seven-year tribulation, known as the Great Tribulation.

Regarding their mission, they will testify against the evils of this world, similar to when Moses and Aaron testified against Pharaoh and the Egyptians. This is also akin to Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel who prophesied against the sins of Judah, but whose lot was already cast.

The Bible confirms they will die three days before the Messiah returns and will be resurrected at His coming: “And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Master was impaled. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from Elohim entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them,” Revelation 11:7-11.

There are a few signs that we can watch for as indication of the tribulation and Great Tribulation.

Daniel 9:27 speaks about a world leader, i.e., the Anti-messiah, who will make a covenant (perhaps a peace agreement) with many nations. It states that he will break the covenant in the middle of the week, i.e., the seven-year covenant, and cut off the sacrifices and set up the abomination of desolation. Yahshua also mentions the abomination of desolation in the Olivet prophecy: “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!,” Matthew 24:15-19.

Not only does Yahshua speak about Daniel’s prophecy of the abomination of desolation, but states that when we see this sign those in Judea are to flee. This will begin the Great Tribulation and time of persecution of the Jews and those who keep the commandments of Yahweh and hold to the faith of Yahshua the Messiah. Therefore, if there are two prophecies that indicate the tribulation and the Great Tribulation it is this covenant that the Anti-messiah will establish with many nations and the setting up of this abomination of desolation in the Holy Place. This also confirms that a third temple will likely be built prior to the tribulation, as is also verified in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 and Revelation 11:1-2.

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the Millennium

You state that sacrifices will be restored in the Millennium. Didn’t the Messiah’s sacrifice cover the sins of all of mankind, past, present, and future?

Q.   In my study of the scriptures, I do not believe that the animal sacrifices will be practiced during the Millennium. Hebrews 9:12 says that the Messiah entered into the Holy place not with the blood of goats and bulls, but with His own blood, and did so for all time. If the blood of goats and bulls could not take away sins during the time of the Israelites, what makes you think that it would during the 1,000 year reign of the Messiah?

I am sorry, but I have to respectfully say that this simply is not true. There will not be animal sacrifices during the Millennium. I personally believe that this belief seriously devalues the Messiah’s own blood poured out for all of mankind.

A.   Thank you for the correspondence. While we certainly understand your position and why you believe what you do, Ezekiel makes it clear that animal sacrifices will be restored in the millennial Kingdom. We see several examples of this in Ezekiel 44-46. Consider the below examples:

“And in the day that he goeth into the sanctuary, unto the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering, saith my Sovereign Yahweh. And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am their inheritance: and ye shall give them no possession in Israel: I am their possession. They shall eat the meat offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every dedicated thing in Israel shall be theirs,” Ezek. 44:27-29.

“Thus saith my Sovereign Yahweh; In the first month, in the first day of the month, thou shalt take a young bullock without blemish, and cleanse the sanctuary: And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put it upon the posts of the house, and upon the four corners of the settle of the altar, and upon the posts of the gate of the inner court.” Ezek 45:18-19.

“Thus saith my Sovereign Yahweh; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened. And the prince shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate without, and shall stand by the post of the gate, and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate: then he shall go forth; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening.”

Some have claimed that Ezekiel’s prophecy is not pertaining to the Millennium, but was a conditional promise based on Judah’s repentance. However, several key passages in Ezekiel 44-48 suggest that this is future and could not be historic.

Between Ezekiel 44 and 46 a prince is motioned 16 times. While it doesn’t mention this prince by name, Ezekiel 37:25 identifies David as “…their prince.” It reads, “And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.” If David is the prince spoken of in Ezekiel 44-48, Ezekiel’s temple must be prophetic. David is also called “king” in Ezekiel 37:24.

Ezekiel 47:1-12 speaks of a river with trees for the healing of the nations. This language seems to be prophetic. We do not see promises of this magnitude until the Messiah returns.

Ezekiel 47:13 to 48:35 describe the boundaries of the 12 tribes. Based on prophecy, Israel being gathered and restored will not occur until Yahshua’s return, Jeremiah 23:5-8. See also Ezekiel 37:15-28.

Assuming that Ezekiel confirms sacrifices will be restored, do we know the reason why? Scripture indicates that the Messiah’s role will change in the Millennium. This is indicated by the fact that His name will change to “Yahweh our Righteousness,” as stated in Jeremiah 23:6. Based on this, we believe Yahshua’s role will change from “salvation” to “righteousness.” His role in the Millennium will be to restore righteousness to the earth in anticipation of His Father’s coming, 1Corinthians 15:28; Revelation 21:1-3.

Regarding this diminishing Yahshua’s sacrifice, while we understand and appreciate your concern, we do not agree. First, we do not believe that sacrifices will be required for the saints or those from the first resurrection. And second, only those who never accepted Yahshua prior to the Millennium will be required to participate in these sacrifices. Therefore, the inadequacy is not with Yahshua, but with the people.

Saying this, we do not believe this point is a salvational issue, but are convicted based on the evidence that sacrifices will be restored in the millennial Kingdom.

For more info on this topic and others like it, please visit our main articles page.

the Millennium

Does Matthew 27:52 verify that there will be three resurrections?

Q.   The order given in 1 Corinthians 15 is 1) Messiah, 2) firstfruits, and 3) those at the Messiah’s Coming. Most just read right over this and assume the next group to be taken is “the firstfruits.” They even assume the “firstfruits” are the 144,000. If the “firstfruits” have not been taken already, then we have to assume they will be taken before the Messiah returns. If you believe this is so, I must ask, who then was resurrected in Matthew 27:52? It becomes clear that the next resurrection is #3, those at His Coming. What are your thoughts and beliefs on these Scriptures?

A.   Before addressing Matthew 27:52, it’s important to realize that Paul in 1Corinthians 15:23 connects the “firstfruits” to Yahshua’s resurrection. It reads, “But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah’s at his coming.” We see here two resurrections, Yahshua’s resurrection, which was the firstfruits, and those at His coming.

Regarding Matthew 27:52, while the Bible records that many of the saints were resurrected after Yahshua’s resurrection, there is no evidence to confirm that this was a resurrection from flesh to spirit, as we find with Yahshua’s resurrection and promised to those at His Second Coming. Paul in 1Thessalonians 4:16-17 states, “For the Master himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of Elohim: and the dead in Messiah shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Master in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Master.”

The saints who were resurrected immediately after Yahshua’s own resurrection served as a sign of Yahshua’s messiahship. Similar to the darkness and the curtain of the temple being torn, these things were done as a witness to confirm that Yahshua was indeed the promised Messiah and the Son of Yahweh. Since the Scripture does not provide any additional information and does not speak about a resurrection at this time, we assume these saints later died and are waiting for Yahshua’s Second Coming to be resurrected from flesh to Spirit.

the Millennium

What is the meaning of “Wormwood” and Revelation 8:11?

Q.   I’ve been reading Revelation and I came across the name Wormwood. However, it seems to be both a name and a description. Rev 8:11: “And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.” I also found the term wormwood in Deuteronomy as well. Can you possibly shed some light on the meaning of the term as a description (my gut tells me it’s refers to bitterness) and as a name as in the name of the star?

A.   The term “wormwood” actually appears nine times in the Bible, seven times in the Old Testament and twice in Revelation 8:11. The Hebrew word for wormwood is la’anah. Strong’s states, “…from an unused root supposed to mean to curse; wormwood (regarded as poisonous, and therefore accursed).” The Greek, as found in Revelation 8:11, is apsinthos and means, “…wormwood (as a type of bitterness, i.e. [figuratively] calamity.” Interestingly, the Russian word  “Chernobyl” literally means “wormwood.”

Based on the Greek apsinthos, Revelation 8:11 is likely referring to the water being poisoned by a “star.” This word derives from the Greek aster and is defined as, “…probably from the base of NT:4766; a star (as strown over the sky), literally or figuratively,” Strong’s. Since the meaning of star is somewhat ambiguous, there are numerous interpretations. Two common interpretations are either an asteroid or nuclear missile. Considering the cryptic nature of the passage, either interpretation may be correct, along with other explanations. Whatever the star symbolizes, the impact is known, the third part of the waters are poisoned and many people die as a result.

How does the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ understanding of the antichrist compare to yours?

Antichrist     How does the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ understanding of the antichrist compare to yours?  https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/questions/antichrist/ (This is a link to the JW’s Q&A page. YRM is in no way affiliated with the JWs)

Antichrist     We agree with many of the concepts as taught by the Jehovah Witnesses, including that the term “antichrist” or “antimessiah” refers to a spirit of rejection and rebellion. As pointed out within the link you provided, the spirit of the antimessiah:

  • Will deceive the world into believe a lie (Mathew 24:5, 23-24)
  • Denies Yahshua as the Son of Yahweh and Savior of mankind (1John 2:22).
  • Masquerades as the Messiah, perhaps under a different name (John 4:43).
  • Will persecute and oppose the saints of almighty Yahweh and the Jewish people (Zechariah 12:1, Matthew 24:16).

One other point wherein we agree with the Jehovah’s Witnesses is on their understanding of the paganism of the Trinity. The Bible teaches that only the Father has immortality (1Timothy 6:16), i.e., has always existed, that the Son was the first of the Father’s creation (Colossians 1:15; Revelation 3:14), that the Father is greater than the Son (John 10:29; 14:28; 1Corinthians 11:3), and that the Holy Spirit represents the power of the Father and not the third person of the Trinity (Luke 4:14; Romans 15:19; and Galatians 4:29).

The Trinity concept is not scriptural, but comes from paganism. For example, the Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics states, “Although the notion of a divine triad or Trinity is characteristic of the Christian religion, it is by no means peculiar to it. In Indian religion we meet with the trinitarian group of Brahma, Siva, and Vishnu; and in Egyptian religion with the trinitarian group of Osiris, Isis, and Horus, constituting a divine family, like the Father, Mother and Son in mediaeval Christian pictures” (Trinity, p. 458).

For additional information on the Trinity, along with other ancient heresies, read our booklet: Identifying Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

It’s important to also realize that the antichrist or antimessiah is an actual figure or person that will come to power in the latter days. Revelation 13:1-10 verifies that he will receive his power and might from Satan the devil, will persecute the saints of the Most High, will blaspheme Yahweh, and will make war with those who oppose him. He will also establish a global dictatorship during the three-and-a-half years of the Great Tribulation and change laws and times (Daniel 8:23-25). He will also rebuild a third temple and sit within it as elohim (2Thess 2:3-13).

Based on prophecy, we believe that this man will likely be of the Islamic faith, which will reestablish an Islamic caliphate, similar to the Ottoman Empire that was defeated in WWI. This is likely the deadly wound that was healed, as described in Revelation 13:3. For additional information on the antimessiah and his kingdom, please see our booklet: The Prophecy of the Beast and the Ten Toes.

 

For more information on the antimessiah, watch our video: The Prophecy of the Final Empire and the End of the World:

 

Will there be people living after the Millennium and White Throne Judgment of Messiah?

     Will there be common people (flesh and blood) living after the Millennium and White Throne Judgment of Messiah?

     Based on the scriptural evidence, we believe that those found worthy of the second resurrection will likely be raised as flesh and blood beings. This is different from those in the first resurrection, who will receive heavenly bodies, 1Corinthians 15:42-49.

There are two passages that imply this conclusion. The first is Ezekiel 37, which describes a fleshly resurrection: “Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of Yahweh. Thus saith my Sovereign Yahweh unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am Yahweh,” verses 4-6.

In addition, Revelation 22:2 speaks about a tree that will be used for the healing of nations: “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

This passage describes the time after the second resurrection and during New Jerusalem. Knowing that angelic beings are not affected with human illnesses, the only reason for a tree for healing would be that flesh and blood beings remain. Since we know that this is not describing those from the first resurrection, it must be describing those from the second. It should be remembered that if not for Adam and Eve eating of the forbidden fruit they would have lived forever as flesh and blood human beings.

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For more info on the Great White Throne Judgment and the 2nd resurrection please check out this Article!

I was curious as to your view of the building of the Third Temple in Jerusalem?

     I was curious as to your view of the building of the Third Temple in Jerusalem? Is it prophecy? Should it be rebuilt and should we support it?

     We believe that a third temple will be rebuilt. Below are a few passages confirming this fact:

“And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate,” Daniel 9:27.

Daniel confirms here that the Man of Sin (aka, the Son of Perdition, Antimessiah) will establish a covenant for one week, i.e., seven years, with many nations. In the middle of that covenant, he will cut off the sacrifices and replace them with the abomination of desolation. The mention here to sacrifices is one indicator that a temple will be rebuilt before the Tribulation.

Yahshua also speaks about a temple in Matthew 24:15: “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:).”

Yahshua the Messiah refers here to the prophecy in Daniel and states that the abomination of desolation will be placed in the holy place. The phrase “holy place” is likely a reference to the Temple. The word “holy” comes from the Greek hagios and means, “…sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated).”

The Apostle Paul in 2Thessalonians 2:3-4 also refers to a temple: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called Elohim, or that is worshipped; so that he as Elohim sitteth in the temple of Elohim, shewing himself that he is Elohim.”

Paul states here that the Man of Sin will sit in the temple of Elohim. The Greek word for temple is naos and refers to a temple or religious shrine. Considering this, there’s no doubt that a third temple will be rebuilt and that the Man of Sin will sit within this temple.

In addition to Paul, John of Patmos in Revelation 11:1-2 also speaks of a temple: “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of Elohim, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.”

John of Patmos prophesies here that a temple will be rebuilt during the Tribulation and that it will be given over to the gentiles for 42 months or three-and-a-half-years (this time marks the latter half of the Tribulation).

We believe that this temple will be rebuilt to usher in the Tribulation period, which will commence with the Man of Sin making a peace treaty with many nations and a possible return to a Hebraic form of worship, as indicated by the sacrifices that will be offered during the first three-and-a-half-years of the Tribulation. After this, the sacrifices will be removed and the Man of Sin will desecrate the temple with the abomination of desolation.

Regarding whether we should support the rebuilding of the temple, we do not believe we should support this effort. The temple will likely mean a return to the sacrificial system and the beginning of the Tribulation. According to the Prophet Amos, this day will be one of darkness and one we should not desire, Amos 5:18.

Who will the saints be ruling over in the Millennium?

     Who will the saints be ruling over in the Millennium?

     The Bible shows that a certain percentage of mankind will survive the Great Tribulation. It will be these people who survived the Great Tribulation, but who were not found in the First Resurrection, who the saints will rule over in the Millennium.

Isaiah 30:21 provides a glimpse of this future role: “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.”

During the Millennium, the saints or elect will literally speak to those who may not know Yahweh’s Word. Again, this would be those who survived the Great Tribulation, but who were not found worthy as saints in the First Resurrection.

Because the saints will be educating others in Yahweh’s ways, it only stands to reason that they would be obeying His laws today, especially His Sabbaths and Feasts, which will be mandated at this time. An example of this is found in Zechariah 14:16-19. There Scripture confirms that all nations will observe the Feast of Tabernacles and those who resist will receive the plague of drought. We see similar examples in Isaiah 66:23; Ezekiel 45:21-25; and 46:1-4.

You speak a lot about the Millennial Kingdom and what takes place there, but what happens after the Millennium?

     You speak a lot about the Millennial Kingdom and what takes place there, but what happens after the Millennium?

 

    In the Book of Revelation Yahweh details events that follow the Millennium. The White Throne judgment will immediately follow the Millennium. At that time Satan, the man of sin, and death are all destroyed in the lake of fire, Revelation 20:7-15. Then Yahweh will come to earth in the New Jerusalem, characteristics of that holy city are:

  • There will be no more sorrow (21:4).
  • All things will be made new (21:5).
  • Overcomers will inherit all things (21:7).
  • The wicked will be destroyed in the lake of fire (21:8).

The 21st chapter should begin in verse 9, with the forementioned verses a continuation of chapter 20. The Greek text did not have chapter divisions, which were developed by Stephen Langton, an Archbishop of Canterbury around C.E. 1227. The Wycliffe English Bible of 1382 was the first Bible to use this chapter pattern.

Revelation 21:9-22:7 describes the New Jerusalem, with Yahweh dwelling on earth.

The Tree of Life shown in Genesis reappears at that time, bearing fruit each month and producing leaves that will heal (22:2). We find it significant that a majority of pharmaceuticals today are plant-based.

Yahweh’s Name will be in the foreheads of the people (22:4), just as it was on the miter of the high priest, Exodus 28:36-38.

Only those who keep Yahweh’s laws will have right to the Tree of Life and can enter the holy city (22:14).

The latter parts of Ezekiel chapters 37 and 48 also discuss post-Millennial Jerusalem.

Who represents the Beast and Ten kings of Revelation 17??

q   Who represents the Beast and Ten kings of Revelation 17??

a
While many believe that the Beast represents a revived Roman Empire and the Ten Kings the European Union, the Bible provides a very different answer.

The first clue is found in Psalm 83:3-8: “They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.”

According to biblical scholars, this confederacy has not occurred, meaning it’s prophetic. Notice the reason for this alliance – to cut off the nation of Israel. What nations are most concerned with removing Israel as a nation today? The answer is today’s Islamic Middle-Eastern nations. Ironically, all ten nations in Psalm 83 correspond to modern Islamic nations. “The following are the modern locations for these ten nations: (1) Edom – Southern Jordan, (2) Ishmaelites – Arabs, (3) Hagarenes – Egypt, (4) Gebal – Lebanon, (5) Ammon – Northern Jordan, (6) Amalek – Sinai Peninsula, (7) Philistines – Gaza Strip, (8) Tyre – Lebanon, (9) Assur – Syria and Iraq, and (10) Children of Lot – Jordan,” Restoration Study Bible, Ps. 83:4.

In addition to the Ten Kings representing Islamic nations, there is also evidence that the Beast system is Islamic. According to Revelation, the Man of Sin’s empire will be established upon seven mountains, representing seven kings or kingdoms. “And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition” (Rev. 17:9-11).

Notice that these kingdoms are chronological. Five existed before John’s prophecy, one during, one that would come soon after, followed by an eighth, which would be based on the seventh. Since prophecy is always Israel centric, the first five nations likely refer to Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. Except for Egypt, each of these nations succeeded the other. Since Rome was the superpower and governed Judea during John’s prophecy, Rome would be the sixth.

Who then would be the seventh kingdom? While many point to the barbarians and the fall of Western Rome, many ignore the fact that Rome was not defeated by the barbarians, but continued through its eastern half, which was later known as the Byzantine Empire. Interestingly, the Byzantine Empire was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century. Based on these historical facts, the Byzantine Empire likely represents the seventh kingdom, making the eighth kingdom a revived Islamic empire or caliphate. The threat of a revived Islamic empire is certainly more probable today than it was decades ago. This is especially true with the recent upsurge of radical Islam.

Also, Revelation 20:4 speaks about the saints being beheaded as a testimony to their faith: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Yahshua, and for the word of Yahweh, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Messiah a thousand years.” The only religion that employs dismemberment today is radical Islam, further establishing them as not only the Ten Kings, but the entire Beast system.