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XXXV. The Seventh Head

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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 25, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 29.

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XXXV. The Seventh Head

ROME in her various phases is represented by various prophetic symbols. In the second chapter of Daniel the great civil world empires are represented by various parts of a great metallic image: the head of gold, Babylon; the breast and arms of silver, Medo-Persia; the belly and thighs of brass, Grecia; and the legs of iron, and the feet and toes of iron and clay, Rome. The unity of the Roman kingdom is shown by the iron. The DIVISION is shown not by the TOES, but by the MIXTURE of IRON and CLAY; for "whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, PART of potters' CLAY, and PART of IRON, the KINGDOM shall be divided." Dan. 2: 41.

In Daniel 7 Rome is represented by a "dreadful and terrible" beast, with "great iron teeth;" and the divisions in the kingdom are symbolized by ten horns. So also in Revelation 13. It is a noteworthy fact that there did exist just ten divisions of the Roman Empire between the years A.D. 476 and 493. Then the up-pushing of the diverse kingdom of the Papacy overthrew three of these kingdoms — Heruli, Vandals, and Ostrogoths. Following this, for 1,260 years the Papacy held, to a greater or less extent, Spiritual Domination over the kingdoms of Europe; but never was there a specific union among these kingdoms to receive and accept the Papacy as such. She was so regarded generally, but not always of choice. It was oftener through fear or intrigue that she ruled.

The latest phase of this great empire is presented in Revelation 17. It is that phase which exists while the judgment of God is impending, and just before the final destruction of earthly rule. At that time, even as at the beginning, there will be ten divisions; but at that time, as NOT at the beginning, these ten powers will be of "ONE MIND" to elevate the Spiritual Domination of the Papacy. However, there is this difference between the symbols of Daniel 7 and those of Revelation 13 and 17, which it is well to bear in mind: In Daniel each world power is represented by a separate symbol, while in Revelation all are represented by one symbol (a beast), existing under different consecutive heads, showing that the Church-and-State governments (the persecuting elements) were practically ONE SYSTEM throughout, yet manifest in various phases, represented by the heads.

The First Six Heads

The first six of these heads were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, Pagan Rome, Papal Rome, and the pagan-religious governments of Europe as now existing, embodying the same principles as preceding heads, and opposed to the principles of true religious liberty. We reprint again from the Revised Version of Revelation 17 the explanation of the vision, given by the angel to John:

"[8] The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come. [9] Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth: [10] and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while. [11] And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goeth into perdition. [12] And the ten horns that thou sawest are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour. [13] These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast. [14] These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings; and they also shall overcome that are with Him, called and chosen and faithful. [15] And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. [16] And the ten horns which thou sawest, and the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire. [17] For God did put in their hearts to do His mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished. [18] And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth."

The beast that "WAS, and IS NOT, and is ABOUT TO COME up," we learned last week, as the prophecy clearly shows, is the beast under the papal head. When it comes up again it is called "an eighth" (verse 11), and goes "into perdition," or utter destruction. It is therefore the last phase of the dragonic system, which has oppressed the world for ages. It is "of the seven." It was the fifth head; but as it appears again it is called an eighth. As it is both the fifth and eighth, there must be two intervening heads. One of these (the sixth) we have found to be the present phase of Church-and-State rule in Europe.

What Is the Seventh Head?

Upon this part of the prophecy, which pertains to the future, we have no disposition to dogmatize. As to the past and present of the prophecy, and as to the future, so far as it relates to the FACT of the restoration of the Papacy, it seems to the writer that the position taken is clear, logical, and consistent, tho its setting forth may not be in the happiest style. We believe it is buttressed by Scripture principles of prophetic exposition, and by historical facts. But as to the future, this article can only suggest what seems reasonable and probable.

Whatever the seventh head may be, it is evidently connected with the ten horns; for it is with the horns that the beast is again restored to power (verse 12), horns which, as contemplated by the prophecy, "have received no kingdom as yet."

Present Political Condition of Europe

For the last quarter of a century Europe has been a great seething political caldron, with the "iron" (imperialism) and the "clay" (democracy, Socialism) struggling for the mastery. Discontent reigns everywhere. Lawlessness is rampant. The burden of royal houses with great numbers of dependents, and the still heavier war budgets of the various countries, have galled beyond endurance, and well-nigh broken the backs of an overburdened people. As a result the nihilistic and socialistic propagandas, hidden at times by more prominent public affairs, have in secret grown apace. For a score of years thoughtful and observing men have been talking of a repetition of the French Revolution on a scale before which that of 1793 will pale into insignificance, in which not only a "tenth part of the city," but the whole European camp, shall be given over to the red hand of a great international mob, goaded to madness by long years of oppression and injustice — fancied and real.

Present Religious Condition of Europe

A century ago France gave the deadly wound to the Spiritual Domination of the Papacy, which had been gradually weakening since the Reformation. Whatever may be said of the means by which it was accomplished, the result was a long step in the way of progress, while the means, the atheistic revolution of France, was but the logical result of a law-bound, yet lawLESS, religion,—a religion bound about by human tradition, and civil and priestly laws, in its smallest detail, but through which the law and Word and worship of God were made of none effect. It was called Christianity. It was simply a part of the old dragonic system, which began with Babylon. But the people, believing it to be Christianity, and not knowing what Christianity was, logically were swept into infidelity — the logic always of a disregard of God's law.

Just here Protestantism would have helped France, but France had cast Protestantism out; and it is a sad fact to record that in those nations where two centuries before it was such a power, it had been false to the principles which gave it life, and followed in the way of the Roman Church by uniting with the State, and itself inciting to lawlessness and contempt of God's authority by making void His Word through legalized traditions. Religion has been kept alive in Europe by the non-conformist religious bodies — called by the State churches, as by Rome, "sects" — and by devoted members in the State churches, despite the system with which they are connected. It is now a still sadder fact that these non-conformist bodies are uniting with the State churches, and demanding more stringent legal regulations to support church dogmas, notably the Sunday, — an ages-long mark of apostasy, "the wild solar holiday of all pagan times." Thus are all the great religious bodies making void the law of God through the tradition of men, and thus breeding contempt of all law among the masses. Whether or not it is true, millions among the masses feel that the religious people, who to them represent Christianity, look down upon them, or utterly ignore them in the just demands they are making of rulers. And by this means is disregard of God and religion fostered. Sometime the tension will reach its utmost strain, and will break. The trodden worm will turn. The century-oppressed and patient people will rise, throw off all restraint, and the thrones of Europe will totter and fall, and anarchy and red-republicanism will be enthroned.

Roman Catholic Policy

When triumphant, the Papacy has ruled arbitrarily, merciful only to those who submit without reserve. She believes this course to be her duty. Admit her premises, and her conclusion is inevitable: "The end justifies the means." Since her domination was destroyed, she has played the double game of stirring up the nations, arousing strife and discord secretly, if we may believe such men as Lord Robert Montague, while in public she is pointing back to what she calls the golden days of

her rule, but which history calls the Dark Ages, during which time, she tells the nations, there were no paupers, labor difficulties, Socialists, Nihilists, and internal troubles; and that if the Papacy is again restored, all these things will cease, and the blessing of God will rest upon the nations. It was only a few years ago that the late Cardinal Manning, of England, declared, "If governments will not obey him [the supreme pontiff], the people will;" that is, the people will obey the pope, and rebel against the constituted authorities.

But such rebellion would overstep, in all probability, Rome's desire, and anarchy would be upon the nations. Is not this what is meant by the "abyss," the chaos, of Rev. 17:8, above? Such the earth was previous to God's calling it into order. (Gen. 1:2.) The same word is applied evidently to the place from which came the unorganized hordes of Arabia, and to the infidelity and red-republicanism of France. (See Rev. 9:1, 2; 11:7.) It seems to us that some such condition will succeed the restoration of the Papal domination; and that out of it will arise the ten horns, symbolizing ten "United States of Europe," of which we already hear. These United States of Europe (Rev. 17:12) will form the seventh head in embryo of the dragonic system.

Sevenfold Prediction of the Sevenfold Babylonian System of Government

But as France found infidelity a poor basis for a submissive government, so will these united powers speedily find it. The Vatican, the Roman curia, the ecclesiastical body of the Roman Church, still exist. While the turbulence and the rebellion are the direct result of the system she has fostered, she emphatically disowns them all, and in dulcet tones pleads with the rulers of men. She says in effect: "Make me the supreme arbiter; restore me to my rightful place as head over all religion and corrector of heretics; honor the bride of Christ by exalting her as His representative. I can control the masses. These dissensions among the people, these judgments in the earth, are manifestations of God's wrath against the nations because they have cast off God's rule by rejecting me, His vicar. You have tried Protestantism, and that has failed; you have tried infidelity, and that has failed, and the judgments of God are increasing. Reinstate me, the true 'mistress of the kingdoms' of earth, and your laws will be respected, heresy will be extirpated, the Sunday will be honored by law, and the judgments of God will cease."

This ten-divisioned empire, arising out of the abyss, continues as such but "a short space." (Rev. 17:10.) The powers composing it see their authority shaking as they shook the powers that preceded. Unable to discern the causes of the difficulties and dangers that menace their rule, they are persuaded to listen to the Babylonian harlot. They pause; they are pleased; they are persuaded; they take her to their hearts; they reinstate her in power; and the now restored Babylon sings in her short-lived triumph, "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." Rev. 18:7.

The Eighth Head

And now the deadly wound is healed. The apostate church receives again what she lost. The two essentials to a persecuting power exist once more, seen by the children of God in its true light as a bane, but seen by the blindness of the world as a blessing. The papal church, uniting with the ten kings, forms the eighth head, which is of the seven, and that goes into perdition. The National Reformers of the earth are jubilant. The heathen nations of the earth, like heathen nations of old, having accepted of Christ by law, the following scriptures will be fulfilled: "And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder [admire], whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and shall come." Rev. 17:8. "And his deadly wound was healed: and ALL THE WORLD WONDERED after the beast. . . . And they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the Book of Life." Rev. 13:3, 4, 8.

The One Hour

These ten divisions receive power as kings one hour with the beast. (Rev. 17:12.) "These have ONE MIND, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast." "For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil His will, and to AGREE, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the WORDS of God shall be fulfilled." Verses 13, 17. For ONE HOUR,

A numerical adjective modifying a noun, denoting definite quantity as one of its meanings, would have a definite meaning. We use "day" and "hour" in an indefinite way, as "day of salvation," "hour of action;" yet in such cases we never preface the term with a definite adjective. ONE day, or ONE hour is definite. Dean Alford says: "One hour (during the space of one hour, just as the corresponding term in chapter 8:1 means during the space of an hour). Some, e. g., Vitringa and Elliott, have upheld the meaning of 'at one and the same time with.' But I venture to say that but for a preconceived opinion, no one would ever have thought of any other meaning for these words than the ordinary one, 'for the space of one hour.' And thus, accordingly, we will take them as signifying some definite space . . . thus designated."—Notes on Revelation.

The "one hour," therefore, is definite prophetic time. A day in prophecy is a year; an hour is one twenty-fourth part of a year, or fifteen days. It begins when the law reinstating the Papacy goes into effect. These fifteen pregnant days are the period of papal triumph. The apostate church again rules supreme; it is her crowning, dying glory. The daughter of Babylon once more says: "I am, and there is none else besides me." (Isa. 47:10, R.V.) "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall in no wise see mourning." But God says, "Therefore in one day shall her plagues come, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judged her." (Rev. 18:7, 8, R.V.)

Thus the promises of the apostate church to the ten kingdoms are proved false; and the kingdoms, enraged at the deception and avarice of the church, turn upon the siren, and rend her to pieces, fulfilling the following: "These shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire." Rev. 17:16. The very system which is the outgrowth of her fornication, unites in her destruction. She falls in the nets which she herself spread. Her scheme of self-exaltation has proved her destruction. This destruction, at the close of this HOUR of her triumph, is pointed out in Rev. 18:10, 17, 19.

Her destruction is eternity's condemnation of all man-made religion. It sets the seal of

eternal infamy upon the mystery of iniquity, which has exalted itself in the place of the mystery of godliness — Jesus Christ and His Word supreme in the heart and in the church. Simple faith in God eternally triumphs.

The Time Is Short

It may be said that this view of the prophecy calls for so much to be performed that it puts the Lord's coming far away. But who knows how long it will take to accomplish all this and more in this paramount age of rapid development? and who knows if the greater part of it, the molding of character, is not already performed? When Jesus died upon the cross, there was but one penitent thief to do Him homage. Less than threescore days later, three thousand had acknowledged His claims as the Christ.

When Moses went up into Mount Sinai to talk with God, all the people were professedly loyal to the great Jehovah; but in less than forty days they had turned from Him to the Egyptian sun-worship.

The French Revolution was comparatively a short work of itself; the seeds of infidelity had, however, been sown by Rome through her inconsistent example, her self-laudatory creed, and her terrible oppression.

July 3, 1870, not a breath of war stirred the political atmosphere of Europe. Less than one month later, France was fighting for her place among the nations; and another month witnessed the victorious German army at the gates of Paris. The revolution in Brazil, November 15, 1889, took place in a day, and the world was startled by the news that an empire had become a republic; and two days later the Emperor and his family had sailed for the Old World. Witness also the recent revolution in Portugal.

And so with the last revolution among the governments of earth. The seeds of discord, lawlessness, socialism, and anarchy have been sown by governments and churches for centuries, have been breaking down all respect for government, law, and order, by breaking God's law; and dire revolution will be the result. It can all occur in a very brief space of time. The nations are becoming angry, and God's power alone restrains the devilish passions raging in the hearts of multitudes today. Let Him but withdraw His restraining power, let the angels of God but remove their restraining hand from the winds of strife (Rev. 7: 1-3), let the work of God's Gospel be finished among men, and no one can foretell how soon will all the prophecies of God's Word pertaining to the nations be fulfilled. Let those who believe in the 'sure word,' awake.

[The study of the last part of Revelation 13 will be continued in our next.]