Basic HTML Version
296
The Story of Redemption
The Beast and Its Image
By this first beast is represented the Roman Church, an ecclesi-
astical body clothed with civil power, having authority to punish all
dissenters. The image to the beast represents another religious body
clothed with similar powers. The formation of this image is the work
of that beast whose peaceful rise and mild professions render it so
striking a symbol of the United States. Here is to be found an image
of the Papacy. When the churches of our land, uniting upon such
points of faith as are held by them in common, shall influence the
[382]
State to enforce their decrees and sustain their institutions, then will
Protestant America have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy.
Then the true church will be assailed by persecution, as were God’s
ancient people.
The beast with lamblike horns commands “all, both small and
great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right
hand, or in their foreheads: 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.”
Revelation 13:16, 17
. This is the mark concerning which
the third angel utters his warning. It is the mark of the first beast, or
the Papacy, and is therefore to be sought among the distinguishing
characteristics of that power. The prophet Daniel declared that the
Roman Church, symbolized by the little horn, was to think to change
times and laws (
Daniel 7:25
), while Paul styled it the man of sin
(
2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4
), who was to exalt himself above God.
Only by changing God’s law could the Papacy exalt itself above
God; whoever should understandingly keep the law as thus changed
would be giving supreme honor to that power by which the change
was made.
The fourth commandment, which Rome has endeavored to set
aside, is the only precept of the Decalogue that points to God as
the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and thus distinguishes
the true God from all false gods. The Sabbath was instituted to
commemorate the work of creation, and thus to direct the minds
of men to the true and living God. The fact of His creative power
is cited throughout the Scriptures as proof that the God of Israel
is superior to heathen deities. Had the Sabbath always been kept,
man’s thoughts and affections would have been led to his Maker