1. Describe briefly the work of the first beast of Revelation 13. What is his number? Rev. 13:18. Note 1.
2. When did he go into captivity?
3. What attracted the prophet’s attention at this time? Rev. 13:11.
4. Out of what did this power arise? How did this differ from the manner in which the other beast arose? What does this suggest?
5. What beast is used as a symbol?
6. What do the two horns denote? Note 2.
7. With what voice did the beast speak? What does this indicate as to its real character? How does a nation speak?—Through its government. The laws enacted are its voice.
8. What power was coming up in A. D. 1798, when the other beast went into captivity? How accurately does this nation meet the specifications of the prophecy? Note 3.
9. What marvelous things will this power do? Verse 13.
10. For what purpose will these miracles be wrought? Verse 14.
11. What power will this beast exercise? Verse 12.
12. What will he do? Verses 16, 17.
13. What is the mark of the beast? Note 4.
14. What are the people commanded to make? Verse 14.
15. Will the image be a living thing? Verse 15. What would constitute an image to the beast? Note 5.
16. What will finally be the penalty for refusing to bow to this image? Verses 15–17. What decree will go forth? Note 6.
17. Will any gain the victory over the beast, the image, and the mark? Rev. 15:1, 2; 20:4.
NOTES.
The pope wears in jeweled letters on his triple crown the blasphemous title, “Vicarius Filii Dei”—“Vicar of the Son of God.” Taking the letters which the Latins use as numerals out of this title, and giving them their numerical value, we have just 666. Thus we have: V—5; I—1; C—100 (“a” and “r” not used as numerals); I—1; U—5 (formerly the same as V); (“s” and “f” not used as numerals); I—1; L—50; I—1; I—1; D—500 (“e” not used as a numeral); I—1.
2. “Here is a striking figure of the rise and growth of our nation. And the lamb-like horns, emblems of innocence and gentleness, well represent the character of our government, as expressed in its two fundamental principles—Republicanism and Protestantism.”—Great Controversy.
3. The only power which was coming up at the time when the beast went into captivity in A. D. 1798, was the United States. The Declaration of Independence was signed in A. D. 1776, setting forth truths that men are created equal, and endowed with the right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Constitution was adopted and ratified April 30, 1789. Every specification touching the rise of this power is met in the rise of this nation, and the movements to fulfil the specifications indicated by the dragon voice are already far advanced.
4. “The light we have received upon the Third Angel’s Message is the true light. The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be.”—Testimonies for the Church. Vol. 6, page 17.
God’s law is the definition of His character. The fourth precept, enjoining the seventh day as the Sabbath, defines who the true God is. The beast sits in the temple of God, exalting himself above God, claiming even to be God, and having power to change His precepts. His purpose is to shut away from mankind the true God, and substitute himself. To do this, he must necessarily change that commandment which defines who is the true God, and substitute one which will exalt himself. This the man of sin has done. When this change is enforced and accepted intelligently, the mark of the beast will be received. That Catholicism recognizes the substitution of Sunday for the Sabbath of Jehovah as the special mark of her power is acknowledged in her standard works. The following is clear:—
“Ques.—How prove you that the church has power to command feasts and holy days?
“Ans.—By the very act of changing Sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of; and therefore, they foolishly contradict themselves by keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking the other feasts commanded by the same church.”—Abridgment of Christian Doctrine.
5. The characteristic feature of the beast as a persecuting power is a union of the church and state, the church being the controlling power, and enforcing religious dogmas through civil laws. An image to the beast would be another ecclesiastical power doing a similar work.
6. “In the conflict, the Sabbath will be the special point of controversy throughout all Christendom. Secular rulers and religious leaders will unite to enforce the observance of Sunday; and, as milder measures fail, the most oppressive will be enacted. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and the law of the land ought not to be tolerated, and a decree will finally be issued denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment, and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death. Romanism in the old world, and apostate Protestantism in the new, will pursue a similar course toward those who keep the divine precepts.”
“In one night they determine to strike the decisive blow that shall forever silence the voice of the reprover.”—Great Controversy.
“The decree which is to go forth against the people of God will be very similar to that issued by Ahasuerus against the Jews in the time of Esther. . . . The Protestant world today see in the little company keeping the Sabbath a Mordecai in the gate.”—Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, page 450.
