The subject being considered herein is very solemn. When God sends messages so serious that they are represented by angels flying in the midst of the air ( Revelation 14:6-12 ), it behooves everyone endowed with reasoning powers to investigate these matters and be certain of what the scriptures say. It is for this purpose, that we began our study regarding the mark of the beast. Our key verse reads,
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worships 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, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who **worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Revelation 14:9-11.
In the previous discourse, we identified the beast in Revelation 13:1-10 as the papacy. The next step in understanding about the mark of the beast is to identify "the image of the beast". But in order to define the "image of the beast" it is first necessary to determine the significance of the "two-horned beast" ( Rev 13:11-18 ).
The Two Horned Beast
After his view of the first beast rising up out of the sea, John "beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb but spake like a dragon" ( Rev 13:11, ). This is another distinct power, for both its appearance and manner of rise testify so. The former world kingdoms arose _"when the winds of heaven strove upon the great sea" ( Dan 7:2, ). Winds are a symbol of strife; thus they arose in the midst of strife. The sea according to _Revelation 17:15, signifies "people and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.". The earth would therefore means the opposite; a new and previously unoccupied territory. This nation was prophesied to come up out of the earth this means it gradually grew in a peaceful manner within a new territory. The time of its coming up is concurrent with the wounding of the beast, that is around 1798. Which nation of the world was appearing in the scene around 1798? In a land that was free and previously unoccupied? One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the United States of America.
When the reformers faced persecution in Europe, they sought for refuge in America; a remote and obscure land where they could worship God freely without fear and persecution. And like a silent seed they grew into a nation. They were declared independent in 1776, voted the constitution on 1787, and adapted the Bill of rights in 1791. By the year 1798, U.S.A was clearly recognized as a world power.
And he had two horns like a lamb
In prophecy, horns are used as an emblem of power ( Dan 7:24 ). It does not exclusively refer to civil authority, since we were able to identify the little horn in Daniel 7 as a religious power. That which gives a nation power are the principles upon which it is founded. When the founding fathers of America were establishing the government, they were determined to have both civil and religious liberty. They set forth what the world had not seen for ages; a Church without a pope ( Protestantism, ) and a State without a king ( Republicanism, ). That is the interpretation of the two horns; republicanism and Protestantism. Why does the prophet say that the beast has "two horns like a lamb"? Why not simply "two horns"? A Lamb represents Christ ( John 1:29 ). As the united states of America was arising, the country professed Christianity. The lamb-like horns also denote purity, innocence, and gentleness fitly representing the character of the united states when 'coming up' in 1798.
But then "he spake as a dragon"
What a contrast is presented here. Did not the dragon persecute the church? ( Rev 12:13 ) Alas! The nation that appeared harmless as a lamb is also a persecuting power. The spirit of persecution manifested by paganism and the papacy is again to be revealed in America. How does a nation speak? Through its legislative actions, when the congress passes a law, then the nation has spoken. Prophecy foretells that "It exercises all the power of the first beast before him ( the papacy ), and causes ( forces ) the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed ( the papacy )" Rev 13:12. We are foretold in the prophecy, that the united states of America will exercise its authority in enforcing an observance which will be an act of worship to the papacy. To prepare the way for such an enforcement, there will be witnessed false revivals ( makes fire to come down; a counterfeit of the Pentecost experience, when the holy spirit came upon the disciples and 3000 people were baptized ) and deceitful miracles ( vs 13 ). These counterfeit revivals and miracles will so closely resemble the truth that it will be impossible to distinguish between them except by the Holy Scriptures. By their testimony every statement and every miracle must be tested.
What does the beast say?
“Saying to them that dwell upon the earth that they should make an image to the beast, which had a wound by the sword and did live.” Notice, it is the people who make the image. Here is clearly demonstrated, that it is a democratic nation, an evidence that the United States of America matches the characteristics of the second beast. But what is the image of the beast and how is it to be formed?
The Image of The Beast
An image is a reflection of an object. It bears the exact resemblance of the object being viewed. If you stand in front of a mirror, you shall behold your image. In order to identify the image of the beast, we must consider the beast itself; the papacy. Because the image of the beast is a representation of the papacy.
That which enabled the papacy to rise into prominence is that it controlled both the civil and religious powers. It ruled for 1260 years, employing the civil authority to punish heretics. Here is the secret of the man of sin, clothing the church using state powers. Whenever the church has obtained secular power, persecution and intolerance have been the inevitable results. The image of the beast must also come in like manner, the church must be able to control the civil government and use it in enforcing her teachings. But how did the church get access to the government, such that they could use its power?
The papacy was developed due to apostasy, the early church departed from the faith once delivered to the saints and worldliness crept into the church. Thus the way was opened for the church and the state to unite, they had a common ground; worldliness. The image of the beast will be developed in a similar manner. The protestant churches shall apostatize ( fall away ) from the truth, then as they depart from their distinctive features they unite upon common points of doctrine then the church as a united front seeks the aid of the state.
Is this prophetic? Yes. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter days some shall depart from the faith ( apostasy, )" 1 Tim 4:1. Is not that the prevailing Spirit in the churches of this age? Truth has been cast aside, and now the church is no longer the pillar and ground of truth, worldliness has crept in and it is easier for the churches to unite, on premises of falsehood, for they have left off their first works. The pen of inspiration declares,
When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the State to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result. *
Is this not happening right before our eyes? The ecumenical councils? Do we not see a unity that is founded on error? Chief among the errors being observance of Sunday, the first day of the week as the day of worship. Prophecy is being fulfilled right before our eyes, soon will the state give life to that image of the beast, then the mark of the beast will be enforced. Get ready! Get ready! Get ready! that is the message for this time. Events of a strange nature are soon to transpire before our eyes.
In conclusion; The two-horned beast represents the united states of America. Then the "image of the beast" represents that form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas.
The mark of the beast still remains to be defined. That will be the burden of part three of our discourse. Till that time, may the good Lord bless you and keep you.
* Great Controversy pp 445 par 1
Rest