Speaking of the Image by R. F. Cottrell

Publishing Committee · Rochester, N. Y. · Dec 12, 1854

Speaking of the Image.

By R. F. Cottrell

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. . . . 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. Rev. xiii, 15, 17.

When the image has power to speak, he will be able, not only to decide who are heretics, but also to tell what shall be done with them. They shall "be killed." The first beast received the power to kill of the dragon: the image will receive the same power and authority from the two-horned beast. The dragon power of the ten-horned monster gave his seat and authority to the Catholic church: the dragon power of "another beast" will give his authority to another church. Give civil power into the hands of Protestants, and the result will be a "holy war" against heretics.

To worship the image is to submit to his authority. All must bow or be killed. To deprive one of the privilege of buying and selling, unless he cultivate a fruitful soil, must terminate in death by starvation. And implements are nescesary to cultivate the soil. In short, to live in society without buying or selling is next to impossibility.

But is there no other way, by which we may escape the wrath of the image, but by the reception of the mark of the beast and his image? Yes, we can submit to his authority another way. We can have the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. It is evident that we can have a share in the name of the beast and have the privilege of observing the Sabbath of the Lord. But we must be in season in this matter or the image will be completed, and we shall be too late; and then there will be no alternative but to receive the mark, or brave the wrath of the image.

Before the image is made, we can become incorporated and known in law, as one of the many names or denominations; or we can unite with some one name already thus known, and go to the polls and with our votes help make the image, thus securing an interest in the name.

But when the image is completed the book of names will be closed—the 666 shares of stock will all be taken, and then if we belong to a people adjudged in law to be "no people," we must receive the mark or be condemned to death.

But, thanks be to God! the saints will be caught away to the sea of glass, having "gotten the victory over the beast, and and over his image and over his mark, and over the number of his name."

R. F. COTTRELL.