THE TWO-HORNED BEAST by John Norton Loughborough

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Mar 28, 1854

THE TWO-HORNED BEAST.

By John Norton Loughborough

[Concluded.]

Verse 12. "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him." The first beast had power to make war on the saints. See verse 7th. "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them." Such a work is pointed out yet to be fulfilled by the two-horned beast. See verse 15th. "And cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." But we pass over this point for the present, as we shall have occasion to notice it in order.

Says the objector, "It is said that 'he exerciseth all the power of the first beast.' It must be that this two-horned beast is some power that takes the reins of government of the first beast, and rules in his dominion." I know not how any one can draw such a conclusion from the text. Would it not destroy the fulfillment of it? We reply to the objection as follows:

1st. The first beast symbolizes a body of rulers; and when its dominion is taken away it ceases to be a ruling power, and only exists as ruled over by the conquering power. When a beast's dominion is taken away, its life is prolonged. See Dan. vii, 12. When Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans was slain, and Darius the Median took the kingdom, the people of that vast realm were not slain, but passed under the rule of Media. Yet when this event concerning Babylon is spoken of, it is said Babylon is passed away. If the Papal beast had met the same fate, we should speak of it as passed away. When the civil power was taken from the Pope, the event was called, "the deadly wound." And if it was said, the two-horned beast ruled while the first beast was thus wounded, there might be some plausibility in the position taken; for there would be no guard to exclude the two-horned beast from the first beast's territory. But we have already shown in the former part of this article, that the two-horned beast's locality is definitely in America. If the two-horned beast did take the rule of the first beast, then the two powers would not bear the relative position to each other that the text represents.

2d. By comparing the history of the two-horned beast with that of the false prophet, (which clearly represents the same power) we see that the position of our opponents is groundless. "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him." Rev. xix, 20. Read the connection. We see the two beasts exist at the time of Christ's coming, as two distinct powers.

3d. Rev. xiii, 12, declares that the two-horned beast causes men "to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed." Let this forever exclude the possibility of our opponents' position being true. By it we see a burden of the two-horned beast's work is done after the healing of the Papacy. These powers then work together, and exist as distinct beasts until the judgment.

The expression "before him," by Whiting is rendered, "in his sight." This gives the idea clearly. The Papal beast exists on the eastern continent; his seat is definitely at Rome; and while the two-horned beast is located in the west, and is performing his wonders, they of the eastern world behold, wondering.

Verse 12. "And causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." It is not said that this power causes men to worship God, but causes them to worship the first beast: Papacy. What is this worship? We shall claim that it is homage paid to the first beast; the keeping of commandments which he may have made, which are contrary to God's commandments. If we obey strictly all the precepts of the Bible, we are looked upon as worshipers of the true God. The worshiper of the false god can only be shown as such by those precepts which the true God we worship has laid down. As a tree is known by its fruit, so is it known whom a worshiper honors and adores, by the commandments he keeps. If the foregoing conclusions are correct, then the beast-worshiper will be known by the commandments he keeps, and can be detected wherein he is in error, by the commandments of God. As strict conformity to God's commandments is the worship of him, if Papacy institutes commandments contrary to them, and individuals leave God's commandments and keep those of the Papal beast, we must conclude they honor that beast above God. And should we see those who had understanding of the matter thus act, we should at once pronounce them worshipers of the beast. But an individual might have no inclination to keep those commandments, but be desirous of obeying God. Just then, we will say, that two-horned beast passes a law obliging its subjects to keep those very institutions, or pay a heavy penalty; the individual now commences to keep those institutions. Would he not be a worshiper of the beast, and that caused by the two-horned beast? But has the like been done? Yea. The Papal church has not only made commandments contrary to God's commandments, but has thought "to change laws." See Dan. vii, 25. Even the laws of the Most High. He, (the little horn) has not in reality changed God's laws, although he has thought to do it. But he teaches a law to his subjects, as the law of God, which is but an imposition in some of its parts, as may be seen by comparing it with the original law of God. Ex. xx. We copy the following, the ten commandments of God as taught by Catholics.

"General Catechism" of the "Most Reverend Doctor James Butler" "revised, enlarged, improved and recommended by the four Roman Catholic Archbishops of Ireland."

LESSON XIV. ON THE COMMANDMENTS.

"Say the ten commandments of God.

I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have strange gods before me.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day.
Honor thy father and thy mother.
Thou shalt not kill.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not steal.
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods."

Reader, compare the above carefully with the ten commandments in your Bible. Where is the second commandment? It is gone. This you will see changes the numbering of all the commandments which follow. The Pope, to make out the complete number, ten, divides the tenth commandment into two parts. But we call particular attention to what the Doctor has laid down here as the 3d commandment, but which is in fact a part of the 4th commandment. The person who is instructed by this catechism, cannot find out by that commandment as it stands what is required by it. They need an explanation of it, and as it is considered dangerous for the common people to have the Bible, they must receive the information through their medium of instruction, the catechism. Let us see if the Doctor will give an exposition of it.

LESSON XVII. ON THE THIRD COMMANDMENT.

"Say the third commandment. Ans. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day. What is commanded by the third commandment? Ans. To spend the SUNDAY in prayer and other religious duties. Which are the chief duties of religion in which we should spend the Sundays? Ans. Hearing MASS devoutly; attending vespers, or evening prayers; reading moral and pious books and going to communion. What is forbidden by the third commandment? Ans. All unnecessary servile work; and whatever may hinder the due observance of the Lord's day, or tend to profane it."

We see at once that Papacy has made an attack upon God's Sabbath, and attempts to give us a substitute, Sunday, the first day of the week. This we know is not the day God appointed to be kept holy by the fourth commandment. The question is, has God authorized this change that has been made in his Sabbath? He declared [Ex. xxxi, 17.] "It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever." The word forever signifies, As long as a thing, considering the surrounding circumstances, can exist.—Clark. If the Bible then does not teach that the Sabbath was to cease, it will be a sign eternally. Christ declares, [Matt. v, 17, 19.] "Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven." Again, unless it can be shown that God has removed the sanctity from the seventh day, the same reason exists now for keeping it that ever did. God has made it holy. No testimony can be found to show that God has ever removed that sanctity from the day; therefore it is holy still. We must beware how we do our own pleasure on his holy day, lest we pollute it. God's fourth commandment is still binding upon us, and no Bible authority can be found for keeping the first day of the week. First-day-keepers themselves are obliged to admit, that they have no precept for their Sunday institution. They only claim apostolic example, which the Word does not contain. See Refutation of the claims of Sunday-keeping to Divine Authority. Published at the Advent Review Office, Rochester N. Y.

They also claim that the fathers of the church have kept that day. The Catholic, however, is willing to show the matter in its true light, and places the honor of the change where it belongs. Read the following from The Catholic Christian Instructed.

"Ques. What warrant have you for keeping Sunday, preferably to the ancient Sabbath which was the Saturday? "Ans. We have for it the authority of the Catholic Church, and apostolic tradition. "Q. Does the Scripture any where command the Sunday to be kept for the Sabbath? "A. The Scripture commands us to hear the Church, [Matt. xviii, 17; Luke x, 16.] and to hold fast the tradition of the apostles. 2 Thess. ii, 15. But the Scripture does not in particular mention this change of the Sabbath. John speaks of the Lord's day; [Rev. i, 10;] but he does not tell us what day of the week this was, much less does he tell us that this day was to take the place of the Sabbath ordained in the commandments. Luke also speaks of

the disciples' meeting together to break bread on the first day of the week. Acts xx, 7. And Paul [1 Cor. xvi, 2] orders that on the first day of the week the Corinthians should lay by in store what they designed to bestow in charity on the faithful in Judea; but neither the one nor the other tells us that this first day of the week was to be henceforward the day of worship, and the Christian Sabbath; so that truly, the best authority we have for this, is the testimony and ordinance of the church. And therefore, those who pretend to be so religious of the Sunday, whilst they take no notice of other festivals ordained by the same church authority, show that they act by humor, and not by reason and religion; since Sundays and holy-days all stand upon the same foundation; viz., the ordinance of the church.' Chapter xxiii.

We find that the keeping of Sunday as a Sabbath originated with the mystery of iniquity, (Papacy,) which had commenced to work in the days of the apostle Paul. 2 Thess. ii. The man who with understanding on this subject leaves the fourth commandment and keeps Sunday, honors the Pope, not God. The two-horned beast has already begun this work, as we have shown, of causing men to keep the Sunday. Not only in several States of this Union are laws passed prohibiting labor on Sunday, but in States where there are no statutes to affect the observer of the seventh day, there are city laws that do bind all within their incorporations.

Thus, we see, the two-horned beast is causing them that dwell on the earth to worship the first beast. And not only so, but the soil itself must rest (be neither tilled nor sown) upon the first day; not because God has said it, but the Pope.

Verse 13. 'And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.'

Here are wonders which are not to be merely pretensions, but men are to behold them. Not like Napoleon, who told the Mussulmen that he could command a fiery chariot to come down from heaven, and yet never did it. That we are living in an age of wonders is proverbial. None pretend to deny it. The labors which in ages past it would have required years to perform, are now accomplished in as many months. Who can enumerate the inventions, which the ever moving mind of man is bringing before the public. Machinery is now standing in operation, a hint of which fifty years since would have astonished the world. Fire, that purger of all elements, is brought to subserve the interests of man, to aid him in traversing the mighty deep, or bear him swiftly o'er the earth. Who would have tolerated the idea sixty years since, of a passage from New York City to Rochester, in the space of twelve hours. Even when the idea was suggested of the construction of a canal from Albany to Buffalo, over which boats might pass at the rate of ten or twelve miles per hour; said an aged veteran, 'I want to live to see that, and then I am willing to die.' Little did he think it would be accomplished in his day. Again, when people talked about Rail Cars, going at the rate of thirty to fifty miles per hour. 'Why!' said one, 'you might as well be shot out of a gun at once. It will tear every thing in pieces.' In our own day when the idea was advanced that a dispatch might be sent from New York to Washington in an instant, it was thought to be perfectly preposterous. I will forbear noticing the suggestions in regard to it, as we are all familiar with them, it being in our own day.

Here in our own country, upon the Hudson river, steam was first applied to the propelling of boats. Now we see steam-ships coursing their way to every part of the globe. Think of the ridicule made of Robert Fulton while constructing his first steamboat, and answer whether the people did not consider it a wonder as it moved out of the harbor without the aid of wind or tide. As the result of these experiments in steam, we see it now applied to the propelling of cars; moving travelers over the plain and through the vale to every part of the land. As predicted, [Nahum ii, 3, 5.] 'The chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his (God's) preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. The chariots shall rage in the streets (a better comparison could not be brought of cars running at the rate of 40 to 50 miles per hour than 'they rage,') they shall justle one against another in the broad ways. (There are in the principal cities and villages where rail-roads pass, side tracks, or switches, upon which cars are placed for loading and unloading, and as they are backing and moving forward it occasions the jostling. These places are called broad ways.) They shall seem like torches. (Look at the cars, as they are coming towards you in the night with their glaring light in front of the engine, and answer me the question, Do they not seem like torches!) They shall run like the lightnings. (So near like the lightning do they run, that men have established what is termed the 'lightning trains.') He shall recount his worthies. (The conductor's continual employment is, recounting passengers from station to station.) They (the passengers) shall stumble in their walk. (Try it, and see if you do not stumble as you attempt to walk through the cars while they are in rapid motion.) We can also answer the question God asked Job, chap. xxxviii, 35. 'Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are!' Although Job could not answer it, the men of the present age are prepared to say, We can. They have brought 'fire down from heaven.' By Benjamin Franklin's experiments, it was found that lightning could be conveyed by the lightning-rod from heaven to the earth in the sight of men. His experiments gave a new impetus to the science of electricity; investigation has continued until we now hear the clicking of the telegraph. Said Doctor Beman of Troy, in a sermon recently, 'If Franklin tamed the lightning, Prof. Morse taught it the English Language.' Said another Lecturer, 'God asked Job, 'Canst thou send lightnings?' He had no answer. I can do it.' Yes, the traveler may start on his journey from Washington; when he arrives in Chicago, he can leave his communication in a telegraph office; the lightnings go to Washington, give the name of his friends, his locality and name, and—'Here I am.'

I might mention the wonders of Psychology, Biology, and Mesmerism in all its forms which have attracted the gaze of astonished beholders. But these all bid fair to be eclipsed by the astounding wonders of Spirit Manifestations. Free converse is held with what purport to be the spirits of the departed. Were it not that God has made known to us his will, and marked out the course of events of this time, we should be compelled to yield to their teachings; and there might well be a trembling for the fate of Christianity. For, that Spirit Manifestations are a reality, none, who have thoroughly investigated them, will pretend to deny. The statement of men of intelligence who have investigated this matter, is, 'Whoever declares Spirit Manifestations to be a humbug, show that they know nothing about it.'

The Revelator declares concerning this two-horned beast, that he 'deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.' Then in this nation men are to be clothed with some power by which they can perform miracles, and thereby deceive men. Some have supposed that all miracles must come from God, and that no miracle could come from an evil source. This is a mistake; for Pharaoh's magicians in the days of Moses, wrought miracles; but when miracles were performed which they could not do, they acknowledged it as 'the finger of God;' which virtually admitted, that theirs were from some other source. By these so-called Spirit Manifestations, miracles are being performed by which men are deceived.

1st. They are led to suppose they are conversing with their departed friends, when in fact they are the spirits of devils, which the Bible declares men in the present time shall give heed unto. 1 Tim. iv, 1. 'Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.' Rev. xvi, 13, 14. 'And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.'

2d. When Satan has them confirmed in the belief that they are conversing with their friends, he begins to put the Bible aside as no better than some story book, and tells his subjects that Spirit Manifestations are far superior. Thus the miracles are being performed, and men are being lulled to sleep with these awful delusions. These spirits now rap, write, play musical instruments, send communications from one circle to another by the spirits, profess to heal the sick, and say they shall perform greater wonder. For a further exposition see Signs of the Times, published at the Review Office. Thus we see, that those that dwell on the earth are being deceived by miracles which this people have power to do.

Verse 14. 'Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword and did live.' An image to the Papal beast, must resemble that beast in some respects. The Papal beast we have already seen was a church clothed with civil authority, having power to put to death heretics, (or those who would not obey its teachings.) We have seen by verse 12, that the two-horned beast is to 'exercise all the power of the first beast.' Again, a church or ecclesiastical body is to have power to pass decrees to put the saints to death. But, peradventure, God may deliver his people just as the decrees of the beast are to be executed. The faith of God's people will doubtless be tried as sorely as Abraham's was, when he was called upon to offer his only son, Isaac. God delivered him; and he declares to the Philadelphia church, (this is the state of the church just prior to Jesus' coming,) 'Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold I come quickly.' When the decree is out against God's people, it will be a solemn and fearful hour, whether the decree formed is executed or not.

We do not understand that this image is yet completed, but that it is a work to be performed in the closing scenes of the career of the two-horned beast. Some doubtless start at the idea of such a work as this being done in these United States. But we have already seen that the United States is the two-horned beast. With definiteness we conclude, here will the image be formed; here will Protestants, notwithstanding their high profession, do the very work the prophecy states. The observer of the movements of the United States for a few years past, with an understanding of the principles of the constitution, will not be startled at the idea advanced. Notwithstanding Protestants are so mild in their profession, we see they abuse power when in their hands. Who can tell unless guided by the prophecy, what Protestants would do with laws on their side. Look at the Puritans who themselves crossed the great water to flee oppression, persecuting the Quakers even unto death.

All organized religious bodies in these United States are tolerated by law, and government pledges them protection. All that is wanting to complete an image to Papacy, is simply a union of action in Church and State, and for the churches to have control of the laws so as to inflict penalties on heretics, or those who do not obey their sentiments. It may not appear strange to the reader that we look for such a union as we already see moves that point strongly in that direction. We have already shown, that in several states Sunday-keeping is established by law. The ministry will teach that Sunday is to be kept holy, and if you violate the Sabbath (Sunday) openly, you will be pointed to the law, and informed that if you do not rest you must suffer the penalty therein attached.

The two-horned beast says to them that dwell on the earth, Make an image. The dwellers on earth, or the territory of this beast, it seems, have a part to act in this work. This clearly marks United States as the scene of action. This is the manner in which laws are made here: by the representatives of the people. As all men by the declaration, are declared to be "equal," it became necessary that some course should be taken by which all could have equal privileges in the construction of the laws. If the whole mass were called together, there would be an endless discussion and no laws made. Therefore, the people were to elect such representatives as would carry out their principles; and they were to meet and make laws, which, when passed, should be considered the laws of the people. The image is to be formed by the people or their representatives.

Verse 15th. "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." From this text we may draw two conclusions:

1st. The image of the beast is to be made in the same territory where the two-horned beast rules; for the two-horned beast can exercise that authority in no territory but its own.

2d. That it already has it in its "power to give life to the image of the beast," or cause the decree to be made and executed. Is it not in the power of the United States to pass such laws? They declare by their constitution, "all men shall be protected in worshiping God according to the dictates of their own consciences." We see the mass hold the first day of the week as a holy day. If a memorial should be sent into congress with 1,000,000 names signed to it, declaring that their rights were infringed upon, and praying them to pass a solemn enactment that the first day should not be profaned by labor, how soon the result would be a law upon the point.

Were the United States as a body to pass a law that Sunday should be kept holy, or not profaned by labor, there would be, I conceive, an image to Papacy; for law would then be in the hand of the church, and she could inflict penalties on those who did not obey the Sunday institution. But, when moral restraint is taken from men, and the honest in heart have been called from Babylon, the decree will be passed that all who will not "worship (keep the laws of) the image shall be killed"; then you will witness a living image, breathing out the venom of a Romish Inquisition. Then will it exercise all the power of the first beast.

Verse 16. "And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads." We learn that this work of the two-horned beast is performed where there are "bondmen." The position of the world in regard to slavery, may be learned from the following quotation from an article on the Nebraska bill, in the New York Tribune, of Feb. 18th 1854.

"Franklin Pierce has lived to the age of fifty years. In addition to all, he professes faith in the doctrine and precepts of Jesus Christ."

"At this critical moment the astounding proposition comes from the citizen who is now President, to repeal the statute which secures the immeasurable blessings of freedom to Nebraska, and to establish therein the dire institution of African Slavery."

"The whole world has been steadily advancing toward the overthrow of African Slavery for more than a century. Nations have abolished it. England has emancipated her black populations. France has done the same. Even Russia herself has abolished serfdom in every territory, she has added to her empire the beginning of the present century. The trade in slaves has been denounced as piracy by all nations. The remains of the barbarism of slave-holding now linger in the world under the protection of the decaying kingdom of Spain, and of a portion of the States of this Union."

Bondmen and free are under the dominion of the two-horned beast. Let the above quotation settle the question firmly as regards the locality of the two-horned beast. We see all other nations have abolished slavery, or declared it to be piracy, and the traffic is dying away. In the United States it still exists, with a fair prospect of an increase of slave territory.

Verse 17. "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." The two-horned beast is to cause all to receive "the mark of the beast." We inquire, What is the mark of the beast? Many have been the speculations in regard to it. While one has supposed the mark of the beast to be an unscriptural connection of the church with government affairs, another has thought it to be sprinkling as baptism. The Revelator does not say a mark, but it is "the mark of the beast," and he also defines it as "the mark of his name." Rev. xiv, 11. The beast assumes the title of God: "Most holy Lord God the Pope." He claims to be at the head of the work of God on earth. He was to think to change times and laws. This he has already done. See the quotation of commandments from the catechism. The mark of his name, we shall claim, is the mark of his name as a God, or as a reviser of the law of God. Before we can be prepared to state with definiteness, what this mark is, our attention shall be called to the law of God, to decide what the mark of his name is. This beast has assumed authority, and as a matter of course assumes a mark which designates him from the true law-giver. The third angel (Rev. xiv) warns against the mark of the beast, and says, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God." The class who take heed to the call of that message are keeping the commandments of God. This is one of their striking peculiarities. From it we may infer, that those who are giving heed to the decrees of the beast are not keeping them. The commandments of God are held out in opposition to the mark of the beast, and by them it can be detected. The ten commandments are the great constitution of Jehovah, and says the Apostle, "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God." 1 Pet. iv, 11. Oracles of God, ten commandments. Acts vii, 38.

The laws of an earthly monarch, to be of force, must bear the name of the monarch, his signature of royalty, and also the impress of his seal, which is the sign or mark of his name. If the Emperor of Russia should at the present time write out commands for his army to follow, and sign his name Nicholas, the soldiery might be at a loss to know where the document came from; for there are Nicholases many. But he signs his name, Nicholas, Emperor of Russia. This shows at once the extent of his government: Russia; also his right to reign—Emperor. When the document is thus signed, and bears the impress of the seal of that monarch, it is valid. When the soldiery behold it they at once take heed to it. Why, say they, we are in his realm, subject to his reign, he has power to make laws to govern us, we must take heed to his enactments. A law without a signature of royalty, and seal, is good for nothing. The true law-giver is known by his title of royalty, and seal, which is the sign, or mark of his name. There is no danger, while his subjects retain the knowledge of his title, and seal, of their being imposed upon.

If the law of an earthly monarch is but a dead letter, without the signature of royalty, and seal of the law-giver, how must it be with the law of the Most High, if his signature of royalty, and seal have been removed from his law? If it has been done by himself, he has rendered his own law inactive; but if it has been removed by a foreign hand, as taught by them, it must be faulty. The loyal sanction of the Most High, must be something connected with his law, that discovers to us the extent of his dominion, and right to reign; which is a sign between him and his loyal subjects, that they may know his genuine laws, and be guarded against all imposition. That the living God has a seal, we learn from Isa. viii, 16; and we also learn by the same text, that that seal has been taken off. "Bind up the testimony seal the law among my disciples." No necessity of such a proclamation, if the law seal had not been broken. Therefore in this time, when men are saying to us "seek unto them that have familiar spirits," we are to seal God’s law. Restore to it his royal sanction which he attached to it when he gave it; which, like the seal of an earthly monarch, stamps his right to reign, and extent of dominion, as expressed in his royal title, as genuine, and shows to his subjects, that they are not imposed upon.

We wish to call attention to the law of God, and if possible find his seal. We begin and read. The first three commandments are prohibitions, and in each of them the name "thy God" is mentioned; but the uninformed might say, "there are gods many and lords many." We do not gain the desired information, from these three commandments. We pass on. We will skip the fourth commandment, as it is thought by some to be a Jewish institution, which has served its time out and ceased. The fifth commandment teaches the duty to parents, with a promise of long life in the land, to those who obey. The other five commandments are each prohibitions; but neither of them mention the name of God. We will just look at that so much despised commandment, and see if we can get any light there.

"Remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hallowed it." That we get, 1st. "The Lord." 2d. Signature of royalty: Creator of heaven and earth. 3d. Right to reign and extent of dominion. As, he is the creator of heaven and earth, and all that is therein, nothing can exist unless supplied from his bounty. Therefore as he is our creator and sustainer, he has a right to reign over all. Heaven and earth is the extent of his dominion. The seal, or sign between him and his people, the Lord himself has declared is what this commandment enforces.

"Moreover, also I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them." Ex. xx, 19, 20. "I am the Lord your God: walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and hallow my Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God." See Ex. xxxi, 13–18.

Sign and seal are synonymous terms. See Rom. iv, 11. Paul speaking of Abraham says, "And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised." The Sabbath is a sign between God and his people; hence it seals his law as genuine. As the seal of an earthly monarch is a sign between him and his subjects, so the Sabbath is a sign between the Lord and his subjects, that they may know him from all others. Take this fourth commandment from the ten, and the seal of the living God is gone, and the knowledge of their author is taken from us. Here is where Papacy has aimed a blow. The Pope has taken away the seal of the living God, and the ten commandments as taught by him do not contain it. Read the following portion of the fourth commandment as given by the Pope, and by him called the third commandment. From Doctor James Butler’s catechism.

"Say the third commandment. Ans. Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath-day."

Here is all that the Pope gives us of the Sabbath commandment. Where is that part of it that pointed out to us the true God, his right to reign, extent of dominion, &c? It is gone. Read again from the catechism and see what we have in place of the seal of the living God.

"What is commanded by the third commandment?" Ans. To spend the SUNDAY in prayer and other religious duties."

The Word of God commandeth the seventh day to be the Sabbath; you [Protestants] without any precept of scripture, change it to the first day of the week only authorized by our tradition.

In place of God’s seal or mark, we have Sunday attached to the law. It does not point out the living God, but claims to be instituted on the authority of the Papal church. Yea, it points to the Pope. It is "the mark of the beast."

[Continued from Page 75.] The two-horned beast is to cause all 'to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.' We do not suppose that this is a mark, visible in the forehead; but as we have already shown, it is Sunday. The forehead is the seat of the mind. There the decision is made by men whether they will keep this institution or not. This mark is also to be received in the right hand. The penalty consequent on not receiving it, is deprivation of the privilege of buying and selling. Some tell us that it is too hard an act for the United States to perform, that we need not look for them to pass such a law. They already have a law in several States as we have shown, that would compel even the observer of the seventh day to keep this Sunday institution. If he transgress the law he is subject to a fine. If he neglects to pay, he is to be cast into prison. The State statutes of Pennsylvania thus speak, and such action has been taken under them. The statute of Wisconsin also states, 'No person shall keep open his shop, warehouse or workhouse on the Lord's day, commonly called Sunday.' A notice appeared in the Northern Republic, Portage City, signed by four Justices, declaring that they should take notice of all offences against the provisions of the above statute without respect to persons. It would require but little more of the same spirit, that would attach the penalty to Sunday-breaking, of shutting a man up where he cannot buy or sell, to make a law forbidding him to buy or sell without he kept this institution.

What is the receiving of the mark in the right hand? This we understand to be an event yet future; and as it is one important point that we are warned against, it cannot be improper to examine it. We must take a view of it which will not do injustice to the text. It is the same mark that is received in the forehead; for the third angel who warns against it, says, 'If any man worship the beast, and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand.' Some have thought the mark in the hand was refraining from labor on Sunday. How that can be the receiving of the mark, I cannot perceive. It is only carrying out what has already been received, in the mind, or forehead. It appears all are not required to receive it in both places, but must receive it the forehead, or hand. I will not state with positiveness, what the manner of receiving it in the hand is, for it is yet unfulfilled. But I will present a few suggestions in regard to it, which have been passing before my mind. In Isa. iii, we are carried down to a point of time where the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, is to be taken away. The Prophet, speaking concerning one, says, [verse 7.] 'In that day shall he swear, (margin, lift up the hand,) saying, I will not be a healer; (margin, binder up;) for in my house is neither bread nor clothing.' The events of Isa. ii and iii, seem to be just prior to the coming of the day of the Lord. We inquire, Who are represented in this time as binders up? According to Isa. viii, when men say unto us, 'Seek unto them that have familiar spirits,' we are to bind up the testimony, seal the law.' The class who are binding up, are those who are restoring the seal to God's law. The very class who are to have penalties passed against them, because they will not receive the mark of the beast. One is to swear, (lift up the hand. This was the ancient mode of taking an oath. Proof, Ex. vi, 8; Num. xiv, 30; Dan. xii, 7; Rev. x, 5-7.) 'I will not be a healer,' (binder up.) The reason assigned for this act is, that he has no bread nor clothing. This allows it is some act, by which he expects to put himself in a position, that he may get bread and clothing. The decree of the two-horned beast is, 'that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark or name of the beast, or the number of his name.' The binding-up company do not have that mark. In such a time, they must either trust in the living God and be supplied by him, or keep the institutions of the beast: receive his mark, that they may have the privilege of buying and selling. We will suppose we pass into that very time when the decree is passed. An individual, we will say, is out of provision; his clothes are worn out; what is he to do? He ought to trust firmly in God, who is able to send ravens to feed him. Instead of that he begins to doubt: starvation stares him in the face: he concludes he will keep Sunday, (receive the mark,) not because his intellect has been convinced that it is right, but to secure the privilege of buying and selling. He goes to the merchant to procure some provision. Says the merchant, Why! you are one of those Sabbath-keepers, you have no right to buy. He answers, I have made up my mind to keep it no more, not but that I think it is right, but my family will starve. Merchant. Well, take your oath in regard to the same, and we will sell to you. Sabbath-keeper. I believe it is wrong to swear. M. Well, lift up your hand and affirm. (To affirm with uplifted hand is ancient swearing. See quotations.) He does it and has the privilege of buying and selling. In a case where there is law on the point, a man must take such a course; for the law of the land takes the word of no man, unless confirmed with an oath or affirmation. The act of affirming with the hand upraised, initiates him back on to the ground of the Sunday-keepers, and he becomes a partaker of their privileges. Does he not thus receive the mark in the hand?

Verse 18. 'Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred three score and six.' Previous verses state, that men are also to be required to receive the number of the name of the beast, as well as the mark and the name. For an exposition of the number of the name, I wish to make a few quotations from the article of Bro. J. M. Stephenson, in the Review of Nov. 29, 1853.

'1. The beast numbered is a definite beast.' '2. It is a definite number, i. e., 666, hence, it cannot refer to man's mode of reckoning; for any number from one to the highest number in the reach of human computation, would be as much in accordance with man's mode of reckoning as 666. '3. It is a definite man who is numbered. 'It is the number of a man,' not of man or men; hence it cannot refer to the ancient mode of reckoning by letters; because that makes the number indefinite; as there have lived more than one man whose name numbered 666. Some have referred this number to the first Pope, others to Latinus, and others to Napoleon Buonaparte. 'But if, as Adventists profess to believe, the Bible be its own expositor, we must find a clue to the man here spoken of, in some part of that book. What saith the Scriptures? Ans. They distinctly bring to view two definite men, as the heads of the two great antagonistical churches—the Christian and the Anti-christian. The one represented by the Man, Christ Jesus, and the other by the 'man of Sin.' 2 Thess. ii, 3. 'And that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.' That this man represents the Papal Anti-christian church, we all believe. And he will represent that church until the revelation of Christ. Verses 8, 9. The church represented by this man, continued a unit nearly a thousand years after its foundation, when it commenced breaking up under Luther and Calvin, and these divisions have continued dividing and subdividing until, according to the Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, they now number about six hundred three score and six. We may trace the lineage of every Protestant church back to the mother of harlots. [Rev. xvii, 5.] and we can go no farther. Not only are they daughters by the natural descendant, but by imitation. And their number is the number of a man, (the man of sin,) and his number is six hundred three score and six. These churches collectively or individually, have that number. 'It might be illustrated by a great organization, plural in form, but having a unit sign. For example, the 1001 Society. The number of the society, collectively, or every division, and every member belonging thereto, is 1001. Hence the number of his name, [Babylon. Rev. xiv, 8; xvii, 5.] i. e., the church represented by him is, 666; and this is the number of every division of that church, and of every member belonging thereto; hence the number is coupled with the mark and the name of the beast, as a matter of equal importance, and as involving the same consequence. Rev. xvii, 15; xv, 2.'

Dear reader, in the foregoing, we have endeavored faithfully to set before you the work which is being, and is to be performed by this two-horned beast. These decrees from that power are soon to go forth. The third angel's message [Rev. xiv, 9, 12] is performing its solemn work of warning us against them, and shows us that our only hope is in keeping 'the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.' As Elijah of old trusted in God, who said, 'I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there;' [1 Kings xvii, 4.] so we, in the time that is coming, must stand by faith in the living God, who has said, 'A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.' Ps. xci, 7. If necessary, God can rain manna from heaven, and work deliverance as he did for the Hebrew children. O keep God's commandments that you may be sheltered in that fearful day. Milan, Ohio, Feb., 1854.