Victory over the Beast by A. S. Hutchins

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1858

Victory over the Beast.

By A. S. Hutchins

THAT there is a glorious and most triumphant victory for the remnant "over the beast, and over his image, and over the number of his name," to be realized and enjoyed a little distance in the future, we think the word of the Lord plainly teaches.

"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." Rev. xv, 2.

This company we believe to be the same as described in the previous chapter, verse 3. "And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders; and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand which were redeemed from the earth."

That a very severe conflict, a trying struggle lies between us and this blessed victory, we doubt not. Respecting this, however, there is some difference of opinion at present. Some supposing that the martyrdom of all the living saints will be accomplished by the image of the beast, before the Saviour comes, and that they will remain dead three days and a half, and that they will then awake in a mortal state, and subsequently be changed to immortality.

Others are firm in the belief that those who endure unto the end, will not suffer death, but will live and "remain" unto the coming of the Son of man. To this position we are driven, by the evidences gathered from the Scriptures on this point.

Speaking of the two-horned beast, John says, "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." Rev. xiii, 15.

So far as we have been able to learn, this is the leading text from which the conclusion is drawn that the saints will all be put to death; and we may remark by far the most plausible, to our mind. Some months since, I conversed freely with one of the strongest advocates of this view, and I was unable to see the least show of any plausibility in its favor, setting aside this text.

But this vanishes at once, before Wakefield's translation of this verse, furnished us in the Review, No. 17. Let us read it again. It may steady the pace of those in difficulty on this point. We think it should.

"And he was allowed to give breath to this image of the beast, that this image of the beast might give orders to execute death on those who will not worship the image of the beast."

As was remarked in the Review to which we call your attention, so we say, "Now unless we suppose that every wicked power will be permitted to put into execution every decree of vengeance which it may see fit to issue against the people of God, the text can furnish no ground for the above conclusion."

Again, if the position of the death of all the saints be tenable, we would ask in what sense do the remnant church obtain the victory over the beast, and over his image, that the people of God did not over the first beast, the Papal Church, and over Paganism? Under those cruel and crushing powers, millions inspired by the hope of a "better resurrection," and of a martyr's crown, cheerfully laid down their lives, rather than to yield their religion and have deliverance from their sufferings. Truly with christian fortitude, were they obedient to the injunction, "Be thou faithful unto death."

Mark the language expressing the power of the Papacy over the Church of God; and he shall "wear out the saints of the Most High." Dan. vii, 25. "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them." Rev. xiii, 7. How did he overcome them? Certainly not by compelling them to bow to his mandates, and worship him. He overcame them in that he had power to take their life; to hush their voice in death.

Now we conclude that victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, will consist not only in keeping all the Commandments of God, contrary to the mandates of the beast, but will also secure to us a triumphant victory over his wicked decree to take from us our life.

Says the Apostle, "Behold, I shew you a mystery! We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." With our view of this subject, there is no necessity for correcting the Apostle in this mystery as some do; for says one who advocates the opposite view, Paul meant we should not all be asleep when Christ comes.

We can see no necessity for dislocating one joint of the Apostle's teaching on this subject. And if not, with him we conclude that some will be alive and remain, to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. "Wherefore, comfort one another with these words." 1 Thess. iv, 13-18.

A. S. HUTCHINS.

Monterey, Mich., March 19th, 1858.