2402.—The Two-Horned Beast.
Will the two-horned beast, which we understand to be the United States, make fire come down from heaven in a similar manner to that in which Elijah called fire down from heaven, which consumed the burnt sacrifice and the wood, etc.? In other words, will fire come down in a literal manner, or will it be in a figurative sense? Will it be a consuming fire? No. 237.
It is impossible for us to say in just what manner or way this prophecy will be fulfilled. It evidently seems to mean literal fire. Whether it shall be in the form of electricity or how we do not know. With the prophecies which are yet unfulfilled we may not mark out the express way in which they will be fulfilled. Suffice to say this, that when the fulfillment takes place, the children of God will recognize it as the fulfillment of the prophecy. The reference to Elijah has of course suggestions with it. The real test between Baal and Jehovah was the God that answered by fire. Baal was the sun-god. His worshipers were fire-worshipers, and yet the Lord's prophet did what they could not do. So in the last great test when the false prophet (for so the two-horned beast is also called) shall endeavor to lead men astray, the same miracle may be repeated in counterfeit, altho not in the same manner that it was wrought by Elijah; for we read in 2 Thess 2: 9 that Satan will work "with all power and signs and lying wonders."