America in Prophecy: The Lamb-Like Power and Dragon Voice

Daniel 2:31-33

31 You, O king, saw, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before you; and the form thereof was terrible.

32 This image’s head was of fine gold, his breast and his arms of silver, his belly and his thighs of brass,

33 His legs of iron, his feet part of iron and part of clay.

Isaiah 46:10

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

Daniel 3

1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was three score cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.

2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

4 Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,

5 That at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up:

6 And whoever falls not down and worships shall the same hour be cast into the middle of a burning fiery furnace.

7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of music, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

8 Why at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

9 They spoke and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.

10 You, O king, have made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

11 And whoever falls not down and worships, that he should be cast into the middle of a burning fiery furnace.

12 There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded you: they serve not your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said to them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not you serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

15 Now if you be ready that at what time you hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if you worship not, you shall be cast the same hour into the middle of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer you in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spoke, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the middle of the burning fiery furnace.

22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the middle of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spoke, and said to his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the middle of the fire? They answered and said to the king, True, O king.

25 He answered and said, See, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spoke, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the most high God, come forth, and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the middle of the fire.

27 And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, on whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spoke, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.

Revelation 13:11

11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.

Daniel 2:28

28 But there is a God in heaven that reveals secrets, and makes known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head on your bed, are these;

Exodus 20:3

3 You shall have no other gods before me.

Revelation 13:8

8 And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Matthew 12:30

30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad.

Revelation 13:3

3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Revelation 13:4

4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power to the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like to the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Revelation 12:9

9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

John 8:44

44 You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Revelation 18:4

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues.

Revelation 3:20

20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 13:16-17

16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

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.

Isaiah 1:18

18 Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Luke 9:55

55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, You know not what manner of spirit you are of.

1 John 4:1

1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

It is truly inspiring to see such a deep interest in the prophetic role of the United States, as the scriptures and supporting testimonies provide a clear and solemn roadmap of our current position in earth's history. The rise of the United States, symbolized by the beast with lamb-like horns, represents a nation that emerged peacefully in the New World to provide an asylum for those seeking religious and civil liberty Revelation 13:114SP 276.1+1.

The Rise of the Lamb-Like Power

The United States is the only nation that meets the specifications of the prophecy of the beast coming up out of the earth, a term signifying growth like a plant in previously unoccupied territoryGC 440.2+1. Its two lamb-like horns perfectly represent its fundamental principles of Republicanism and Protestantism, which have been the secret of its power and prosperityHF 273.1+1. The founders wisely established the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to ensure that no religious test or law would ever restrict the inalienable right to worship according to one's conscienceHF 273.4+2.

The Change to a Dragon Voice

However, the prophetic pencil reveals a striking and somber change where this lamb-like power begins to speak with the voice of a dragon4SP 276.1+1. This "speaking" refers to the actions of its legislative and judicial authorities, manifesting a spirit of intolerance and persecution similar to the papacy of the past Revelation 13:114SP 276.1+1. Despite its profession of purity and gentleness, the nation will eventually exercise the oppressive power of the first beast, leading to a flagrant violation of its own safeguards for libertyHF 273.4+1.

The Image to the Beast and the Final Conflict

The formation of the "image to the beast" occurs when Protestant churches in America influence the state to enforce their decrees and sustain their institutions through secular powerGP 91.1+2. This union of church and state will lead to a national apostasy that enforces Sunday observance—a custom originating with Rome—as a sign of human tradition above the commandments of GodDD 24.1+2.

• The Mark and the Test: The enforcement of Sunday-keeping in the United States will be a direct homage to the papacy and constitute the mark of the beastHF 353.2+1.

• A Global Example: As America, the land of religious liberty, unites with the papacy to force the conscience, every country on the globe will be led to follow her exampleGP 91.2+1.

• The Ultimate Choice: In this final contest, all Christendom will be divided into two classes: those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who receive the mark of the beast2SM 55.1+2.

While the powers of darkness stir up elements from beneath, the Lord is sending power from above to arouse His people to exalt His lawGCDB January 28, 1893, par. 26+1. We are encouraged to study these prophecies diligently so that we may not be deceived by the miracle-working power that seeks to lead the world into a confederacy of rebellion1888 700.2+2.

...ss, well represent the character of our government, as expressed in its two fundamental principles, Republicanism and Protestantism. The Christian exiles who first fled to America, sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestl...— 4SP 276.1 (1884)

But the beast with lamb-like horns “spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship ...— GC88 441.2 (1888)

... great, rich and poor, free and bond,” to receive the mark of the beast. Revelation 13:11-16. The United States is the power represented by the beast with lamblike horns. This prophecy will be fulfilled when the United States shall enforce Sunday observance, which Rome ...— HF 353.2 (1982)

...the United States to secure for the institutions and usages of the church the support of the state, Protestants are following in the steps of papists. Nay, more, they are opening the door for the papacy to regain in Protestant America the supremacy w...— DD 24.1 (1997)

... state to use its power to enforce their decrees and sustain the institutions of the church. “Then will Protestant America have formed an image to the Papacy [the beast], and there will be a national apostasy which will end only in national ruin” (ST,...— GP 91.1 (2008)

...iving agencies to exalt the law of heaven. Now, just now, is our time to work in foreign countries. As America, the land of religious liberty, shall unite with the papacy in forcing the conscience and compelling men to honor the false sabbath, the people of every country on the globe will be led...— 2TT 373.1 (1949)