THE EAGLE OF 2 ESDRAS XI.
By J. H. Waggoner
SOME have imbibed the idea that the eagle of 2 Esdras xi (Apocrypha), is a symbol of the United States, and especially since the Southern rebellion, thinking that the two heads that remained [verse 34] indicate the dissolution of the Union. Having been several times asked for my opinion on the subject, I would reply in this manner. There is no evidence in favor of such a view, but positive evidence against it. The lion [verse 37] that talked to the eagle said thus: "Art not thou it that remainest of the four beasts, whom I made to reign in my world, that the end of their times might come through them? And the fourth came, and overcame all the beasts that were past, and had power over the world with great fearfulness, and over the whole compass of the earth with much wicked oppression; and so long time dwelt he upon the earth with deceit. For the earth hast thou not judged with truth. For thou hast afflicted the meek, thou hast hurt the peaceable, thou hast loved liars, and destroyed the dwellings of them that brought forth fruit, and hast cast down the walls of such as did thee no harm. Therefore is thy wrongful dealing come up unto the Highest, and thy pride unto the Mighty." Verses 39-43. This shows that it refers to Rome, especially to Papal Rome. If any doubt remains, it is removed in the explanation given in chap. xii, 11: "The eagle whom thou sawest come up from the sea, is the kingdom which was seen in the vision of thy brother Daniel." A correct understanding of this matter is most important at this time, as the view above referred to serves to sustain another error, namely, that the dissolution of the Union will be the development of the horns of the two-horned beast.