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Jesus； the third angel points to another class； against whose errors a
solemn and fearful warning is uttered： 〃If any man worship the beast and his
image； and receive his mark in his forehead； or in his hand； the same shall
drink of the wine of the wrath of God。〃 Revelation 14：9； 10。 A correct
interpretation of the symbols employed is necessary to an understanding of
this message。 What is represented by the beast； the image； the mark？
The line of prophecy in which these symbols are found begins with Revelation
12； with the dragon that sought to destroy Christ at His birth。 The dragon
is said to be Satan （Revelation 12：9）； he it was that moved upon Herod to
put the Saviour to death。 But the chief agent of Satan in making war upon
Christ and His people during the first centuries of the Christian Era was
the Roman Empire； in which paganism was the prevailing religion。 Thus while
the dragon； primarily； represents Satan； it is； in a secondary sense； a
symbol of pagan Rome。
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In chapter 13 （verses 1…10） is described another beast； 〃like unto a
leopard；〃 to which the dragon gave 〃his power； and his seat； and great
authority。〃 This symbol； as most Protestants have believed； represents the
papacy； which succeeded to the power and seat and authority once held by the
ancient Roman empire。 Of the leopardlike beast it is declared： 〃There was
given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies。 。 。 。 And he
opened his mouth in blasphemy against God； to blaspheme His name； and His
tabernacle； and them that dwell in heaven。 And it was given unto him to make
war with the saints； and to overcome them： and power was given him over all
kindreds； and tongues； and nations。〃 This prophecy； which is nearly
identical with the description of the little horn of Daniel 7；
unquestionably points to the papacy。
〃Power was given unto him to continue forty and two months。〃 And； says the
prophet； 〃I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death。〃 And again：
〃He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity： he that killeth
with the sword must be killed with the sword。〃 The forty and two months are
the same as the 〃time and times and the dividing of time；〃 three years and a
half； or 1260 days； of Daniel 7 the time during which the papal power was
to oppress God's people。 This period； as stated in preceding chapters； began
with the supremacy of the papacy； A。D。 538； and terminated in
1798。 At that time the pope was made captive by the French
army； the papal power received its deadly wound； and the prediction was
fulfilled； 〃He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity。〃
At this point another symbol is introduced。 Says the prophet： 〃I beheld
another beast coming up out of the earth； and he had two horns like a lamb。〃
Verse II。 Both the appearance of this beast and the manner of its rise
indicate that the nation which it represents is unlike those presented under
the preceding symbols。 The great kingdoms that have ruled the world were
presented to the prophet Daniel as
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beasts of prey； rising when 〃the four winds of the heaven strove upon the
great sea。〃 Daniel 7：2。 In Revelation 17 an angel explained that waters
represent 〃peoples； and multitudes； and nations； and tongues。〃 Revelation
17：15。 Winds are a symbol of strife。 The four winds of heaven striving upon
the great sea represent the terrible scenes of conquest and revolution by
which kingdoms have attained to power。
But the beast with lamblike horns was seen 〃coming up out of the earth。〃
Instead of overthrowing other powers to establish itself； the nation thus
represented must arise in territory preciously unoccupied and grow up
gradually and peacefully。 It could not； then； arise among the crowded and
struggling nationalities of the Old Worldthat turbulent sea of 〃peoples；
and multitudes； and nations； and tongues。〃 It must be sought in the Western
Continent。
What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power； giving promise
of strength and greatness； and attracting the attention of the world？ The
application of the symbol admits of no question。 One nation； and only one；
meets the specifications of this prophecy； it points unmistakably to the
United States of America。 Again and again the thought； almost the exact
words； of the sacred writer has been unconsciously employed by the orator
and the historian in describing the rise and growth of this nation。 The
beast was seen 〃coming up out of the earth；〃 and； according to the
translators； the word here rendered 〃coming up〃 literally signifies 〃to grow
or spring up as a plant。〃 And； as we have seen； the nation must arise in
territory previously unoccupied。 A prominent writer； describing the rise of
the United States； speaks of 〃the mystery of her coming forth from vacancy；〃
and says： 〃Like a silent seed we grew into empire。〃G。 A。 Townsend； The New
World Compared With the Old； page
462。 A European journal in 1850 spoke of the United States
as a wonderful empire； which was 〃emerging；〃 and 〃amid the silence of the
earth daily adding to its power and pride。〃 The Dublin Nation。 Edward
Everett； in an oration on
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the Pilgrim founders of this nation； said： 〃Did they look for a retired
spot； inoffensive for its obscurity； and safe in its remoteness； where the
little church of Leyden might enjoy the freedom of conscience？ Behold the
mighty regions over which； in peaceful conquest； 。 。 。 they have borne the
banners of the cross！〃Speech delivered at Plymouth； Massachusetts； Dec。
22； 1824； page 11。
〃And he had two horns like a lamb。〃 The lamblike horns indicate youth；
innocence； and gentleness； fitly representing the character of the United
States when presented to the prophet as 〃coming up〃 in 1798。 Among the
Christian exiles who first fled to America and sought an asylum from royal
oppression and priestly intolerance were many who determined to establish a
government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty。 Their
views found place in the Declaration of Independence； which sets forth the
great truth that 〃all men are created equal〃 and endowed with the
inalienable right to 〃life； liberty； and the pursuit of happiness。〃 And the
Constitution guarantees to the people the right of self…government；
providing that representatives elected by the popular vote shall enact and
administer the laws。 Freedom of religious faith was also granted； every man
being permitted to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience。
Republicanism and Protestantism became the fundamental principles of the
nation。 These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity。 The
oppressed and downtrodden throughout Christendom have turned to this land
with interest and hope。 Millions have sought its shores； and the United
States has risen to a place among the most powerful nations of the earth。
But the beast with lamblike horns 〃spake as a dragon。 And he exerciseth all
the power of the first beast before him； and causeth the earth and them
which dwell therein to worship the