THE TWO-HORNED BEAST; WHAT IT SYMBOLIZES.
By Editor
IN Rev. 13:11-18 is a symbol of some power to arise after the ten-horned beast of the same chapter, representing papal Europe, went into captivity. It has been declared that the two-horned beast symbolizes the United States. That has been assumed in both of these articles rather than proved, on account of the lack of space. We wish to present to our readers two specifications in that prophecy which very clearly identify it with this nation. Apart from the fact that it was "another beast," occupying different territory, and coming up at a different time than the Old World powers, represented by the ten-horned beast in the same chapter, it had two horns like a lamb. Horns are a symbol of power and glory; a lamb is a symbol of Christ. Rev. 5:6. Therefore those characteristics in the government represented by that beast must be the characteristics of the Christian religion. More than this, they must be peculiar characteristics of the Christian religion in contradistinction to all other religions, and peculiar to the nation represented in contradistinction to all other nations, else they would not identify. The characteristics of the Christian religion which give it prominence and influence, apart from its supernatural power, were the same characteristics, apart from its wealth and resources, which gave to this government its power and prestige. The first of these is the equality of man: "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. "One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." 2. Liberty of conscience, or freedom of religious worship, or not to worship. Christ's Gospel compels no one; it is not Thou shalt not Thou shalt not; its language is Whosoever will. "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as tho God did beseech you by us; we pray 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. Jesus says, "If any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not; for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world . . . . The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." John 12:47, 48. No religion of all the past or present contained such principles as these, the equality of man, absolute religious liberty in worship. But these very principles are embodied in the Federal Government of the United States. Equality of men in the Declaration of Independence,—"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." And this liberty was secured by the Constitution, which declares: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." In no religion of earth save Christianity have these principles obtained; and in no government of the earth have these principles been established by law, save in the Federal Government of the United States of America. These absolutely identify the symbol with this nation, and in the near future it will be seen that the speaking of the dragon voice will just as clearly add to this identification. The dragon was to persecute; to speak is the uttering of a persecuting law; and at the present rate of progress church-and-stateward the time draweth near.