THE UNITED STATES RECOGNIZED IN PROPHECY
By M. C. Wilcox
The Two Preeminent Characteristics of the Nation—No Other Nation Ever Possessed Them—Its Unique Character
This is the fifth of some seven articles by Elder M. C. Wilcox on the general subject of the United States in the field of Bible prophecy. In former articles, he has shown that the United States did receive the attention of one of the prophets nearly two thousand years ago. He specified the time and manner of its rise, also the territory in which it was to grow into empire. EDITOR. The beast had two horns like a lamb. He spoke as a dragon. Both lamb and dragon are explained symbols in the Revelation. The lamb is a symbol of Christ. “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof. And I saw in the midst of the throne . . . a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns.” Rev. 5: 5, 6. The lamb and the lion are both symbols of our Lord. He is a lion in His power and strength; He is a lamb in His sacrifice for the universe. The dragon is the symbol of Satan. “And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the devil and Satan.” Rev. 12: 9. The character of both lamb and dragon will be manifest in this nation. A horn is a symbol of power and individuality. Jesus possessed a fullness of power, represented by the complete number, seven, which makes Him worthy of the sevenfold ascription of praise: “Worthy is the Lamb that hath been slain to receive the power, and riches, and wisdom, and might, and honor, and glory, and blessing.” Rev. 5: 12. The power of Christ rests in the divine principles of His government and character. This beast, with the two horns of a lamb, represents a government which possesses, professedly at least, two Christian principles,—principles characteristic of Christianity alone of all religions, and of this government of all governments. This the prophecy demands. These particulars must be manifest. By such explicit and conclusive evidence does inspiration set forth this sign of the end. We have found, in former studies, that all the specifications of the prophecy thus far — the time, the territory, and the manner of its rise — have been met in the United States of America. Are these additional characteristics, more definite, more particular, more explicit, also met in this country? If so, they fix the application of the prophecy to the United States of America, beyond question. EQUALITY OF MAN, AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
There are but two characteristics of Christianity alone of all religions that could properly be applied to civil government; these are:- The equality of man.
- Religious liberty, or freedom of conscience.
The first is thus expressed in the Christian Book: “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, . . . hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.” Acts 17: 24-26. “For One is your master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” Matt. 23: 8. Other scriptures are equally conclusive, that “God is no respecter of persons,” but that all have equal right before Him. As to the second principle, liberty of conscience, the evidence is equally clear. Listen to the Master: “And if any man hear My sayings, and keep them not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12: 47. Listen to the great apostle to the Gentiles: “Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for in faith ye stand fast.” 2 Cor. 1: 24. The Christian religion therefore accorded to all men the right to believe or not to believe, to accept or to reject. Our divine Lord, who “needed not that any one should bear witness concerning man; for He Himself knew what was in man,” was willing to leave to the Judgment “in the last day” all questions of religion and worship and faith — of man’s relationship to God. IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
In this country, the first of these characteristics — equality of man — is set forth in the Declaration of Independence, the Magna Charta of American liberty: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” And the second of these principles — freedom of conscience — was thus embodied in the first amendment to the fundamental law, the constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press.” A mass of evidence could be presented in support of the above, from Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and others. Men were equal before the law. Freedom of religious choice was theirs. Search the world as we will, no religion save Christianity can be found possessing these two great principles. Study the history of nations, and but one nation — the United States of America — can be found that meets the prediction and the demand unequivocally. In Christianity alone, in the United States of America alone, are they found. What a mighty effect these two characteristics of Christianity must have had upon a world enswathed in the darkness of tradition, and oppressed and suffocated by imperial state religions! How they brought light and hope to hearts darkened and despairing! Such a heart would say, as he listened with eager ear to the preaching of Paul or Peter: “Here is a God who regards men, before whom Nero’s soul is of no more value than that of the lowest scullion in the emperor’s kitchen. Here is a Deity who invites me into His fullest confidences; who reveals Himself, His plans, His purposes; who has given all for me, offers all to me in an everlasting salvation, and yet He leaves me free to choose, without let or hindrance, His service or my own way. He has no legions of worldly censors or spies to follow me, condemn me, punish or torment me, according to their conceptions of infractions of duty. I will serve Him.” And thousands did. In the face of every earthly obstacle, they chose Christ instead of Diana, Jehovah instead of Jupiter; the eternal law of love and right and duty instead of the law of the flesh, translated in a thousand forms into religion. And they lived and they died for their faith, with the blessed assurance108that He who had given them the earnest of the inheritance, would complete it in eternity. KINGLESS STATE — POPELESS CHURCH
So America, with its “state without a king,” its “church without a pope,”—where all men might choose to worship as conscience dictated, or not to worship,—invited the oppressed and heavy-hearted lovers of liberty from all lands. It was a haven of rest. True, it had its vicissitudes and hardships and dangers; but what were ocean perils and savage Indians and inclement winters, compared with liberty, freedom to worship God? And so liberty-loving souls came—the best of Europe’s seed; and liberty was reborn in the hearts and hopes of men. Its mighty throbbings touched the heart of European rulers, and the fetters of medieval tyranny began to break, the mighty yokes of oppression were lifted or lightened, and tolerance, if not freedom, was granted to the dissenters from state religions. The United States of America meets thus far the specification of the prophecy in every particular. Thus far she alone, of all the nations of earth, has met each one. Our study has revealed her as a verification of God’s revealed prophecy, a demonstrated fourfold sign of the last days. The identification is complete, and the further specifications will all be met. M. C. W. “The Dragon Voice” is our next study.