Thanks for the detailed rationale. To be fair, the religious controversy is an interesting side issue as such things so often are, but is only a side issue, though it was news at the time. I share many of the concerns that you have expressed eloquently. I was thinking that, because of the analysis you have done, you are in a good position to create a far shorter, simpler and more precise section and insert that into the article. The C&P; refernce "will serve" unless and until a better one is found to place alongside it, I woudl think. The book of revelations sets the scene but is not itself a reference. Whether one includes the extra verbiage about hands is debatable.
Are you up for it?