Too Fast by J. H. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 22, 1871

Too Fast.

By J. H. W.

A CORRESPONDENT says he wishes to ask a few questions on a Scripture point, and proceeds to ask eleven questions on Rev. 13, prefacing them with the assertion that the two-horned beast “supplanted and superseded” the beast that had the wounded head. It is of no matter to the questioner that we do not reply formally to his queries, as they are put in a style to evince that he intended that we should assent to them—and not answer them. But his assertion stands very much in the way of our agreement with him on any of his conclusions.

To supersede is to render inefficient or to take the place of; to supplant is to remove or to undermine. This is a strong expression of opposition, rivalry, and defeat. Now what are the facts of the Scripture? The two-horned beast works miracles in the sight of the first beast; Rev. 13:14; showing that they exist together. And the two-horned beast causes the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, and to make an image to it, to be worshiped; verses 12, 15; showing that in the essential points of the prophecy they are in harmony. Any theory which places them in antagonism in the fulfillment of prophecy cannot be true.

J. H. W.