THE TWO-HORNED BEAST by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 6, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 14.

THE TWO-HORNED BEAST.

By Editor

In another column will be found an article on the “Three Messages of Rev. 14:6-14,” which enters into a consideration of the beast symbols of Revelation 13. The first, the composite beast, is a symbol of Rome under the Papacy. The second is, we believe, a symbol of this government as argued and proved, we believe, in the article above mentioned. We wish to notice two specifications, but lightly touched upon by Elder Whitney, as positive proof of the identification of the country symbolized, and of the future character of the government. We ask the reader to give our remarks a careful consideration.

It is said of the second beast of Revelation 13 that “he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.” Verse 11. As this is a symbolic prophecy, the horns, the lamb, the dragon, the speaking, are all symbolical, and to be explained by the Scriptures elsewhere.

1. The horns. Horn in Scripture is a symbol of honored exaltation. On this point we refer to what is said on this in the article we referred to in the beginning. We believe that they here represent those principles embodied in this government which have raised this nation to its height of power, influence, and grandeur now seen.

2. The lamb. All through the Scriptures the lamb, as a type, is used to symbolize the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is its use in Rev. 5:6, where it is represented as having seven horns, indicating absolute perfection of all good principles. The principles symbolized by the horns of the beast must be such principles as are manifest in the teaching and work of Christ while in this world; for it was here that he was manifest as the Lamb of God. John 1:29.

3. The dragon. The dragon is primarily a symbol of Satan. See Rev. 12:9; 20:2. He is presented before us in Revelation 12 as existing under seven heads, showing him to be the instigator of all religious persecutions through the civil powers of earth. In verse 13 it is stated that the dragon “persecuted the woman,” the church. He did this through the persecuting decrees of Papal Rome.

4. To speak as a dragon would be to promulgate persecuting laws against the people of God. That this is the case is shown by the last part of Revelation 13. This beast “causes” people to worship an apostate power under heavy penalties.

The meaning of these symbols being made plain in a general way, let us now inquire what two principles peculiar to the Christian religion alone are peculiar to this government alone? and are these two principles such as would be likely to exalt and advance the government? Without taking time to canvass the great religions of the world, we will come to the reply at once. There are two principles in the religion of Christ which won to its support those who loved justice and equity, which we find in none of the other great religions of the world.

The first of these principles is the equality of man. It is thus stated in the Scriptures:—

“There is no respect of persons with God.” Rom. 2:11.

“God that made the world and all things therein, hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.” Acts 17:24-26.

This same principle was to hold good in the Christian church:—

“But be not ye called rabbi; for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” Matt. 23:8.

The second great principle vouchsafed to men by Christian ethics, so far as interference of man is concerned, is the right and privilege of every man to worship God, or not to worship, how or when he will, providing he does not interfere with the equal rights of his fellow-men. This principle may be termed religious liberty. The gospel of Christ compels no one. It is not “Thou shalt,” or “Thou shalt not.” Its language is, “Whosoever will” “let him come.” Rev. 22:17. Listen to a chosen servant of the King of heaven:—

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did BESEECH you by us; we PRAY [entreat] you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we PERSUADE men.” 2 Cor. 5:20, 11.

When James and John would call down fire from heaven, as did Elijah, upon the disrespectful Samaritans who would not receive Christ, Jesus rebuked them with, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of Man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:55, 56.

And that resolute apostle who was once so ready to use carnal weapons, writes, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts.” 1 Peter 2:11. “Neither as being lords over God’s heritage.” 1 Peter 5:3. How vastly different from the spirit and utterances of the great apostate church which claims Peter as its head! “Not that we have dominion [lordship] over your faith,” says Paul, “but are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand.” How vastly different from this is the language and practice of those “lords spiritual” who claim to be the direct successors of Peter and Paul.

Look on all the great religions of the past, pagan or Jewish, Mohammedan or so-called Christian (papal), and in not one do we find these two particulars. The curse of caste, the creation of offices, a haughty, imperious, and ambitious hierarchy, religious dogmas enforced by legislative enactment or royal edict, one or all are present in all false religions, in all perverted powers of the Christian religion.

Both of these principles of divine origin are embodied in the charters of our liberties in this nation so far as they can be embodied in an earthly government. The first principle, the equality of man, is found in that document which sounded the birth note of America’s freedom and which made Americans civilly free men:—

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.—Declaration of Independence.

The second principle, religious liberty, is embodied in the word “liberty” in the

Declaration of Independence, for true liberty comprises religious liberty. But our forefathers builded more surely than this. The first amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads:—

Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

Thus, in the fundamental law of this government, man’s freedom to worship or not to worship God, or his conceptions of God, were preserved and protected intact. We know of no other government of any note in all the world which holds these principles. There are republics, like Switzerland and France, but they have their state religion, supported by many to whom it is an intolerable burden. The United States Government is unique in this respect, and these principles have been the magnetic power which has drawn to our shores from the intolerant and autocratic governments of the Old World the persecuted and oppressed millions. They found here religion “without a pope, and a State without a king,” and the consequent privilege of worshiping God according to their own consciences and understanding of God’s word.

Thus the lamb-like horns furnish a positive means of locating the government symbolized beyond the shadow of a doubt, and also reveal the character of those principles which have given it greatness. The disavowal of these principles, and the dragon voice, will be further considered in the future. Will our readers give attention to these things?