4315 - THE BEASTS OF REVELATION 13 by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jun 9, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 22.

4315 — THE BEASTS OF REVELATION 13

By Editor

1. Does the beast of Rev. 13: 1-9 symbolize the union of church and state under papal control? 2. Does the dragon in the same verses represent Satan, the devil, and Beelzebub? 3. How many years of our Christian era are covered by the forty-two months in verse 5, and also in chapter 11, verse 2? W. G.

1, 3. Yes. This is one of the cardinal doctrines of Protestantism, and without question the facts fully warrant the interpretation. This beast represents the Church of Rome, to which the powers of earth gave civil authority, and which during forty-two months, 1,260 years prophetic time (538-1798 A.D.), persecuted the church of God. The forty-two months of Rev. 11:2 refers to this same period.

2. In verse 9 of chapter 12 the text specifically states that “the great dragon” was “that old serpent, called the devil, and Satan.” Reference is frequently made to Satan, throughout the book of Revelation, under the symbol of the dragon.