July 2, 2022
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. Revelation 13:11
Let us continue our view of God’s provision of help for His people. The first beast, the one out of the sea (v.1-10), was the beast from which God’s persecuted people had fled. Jesus showed John another beast coming up out of the earth whose appearance upon the scene coincided with the time of the seeming “mortal wound” of the first beast (v.3).
The description “coming up out of the earth” sets this nation apart from the previous one(s) by geographical location. The western hemisphere contained the unpopulous area that became the United States of America. Many of those who faced the perilous voyage to the “new world” actually kissed the ground upon disembarking – overcome with thankfulness to be out of the persecuting reach of the papacy.
. . . and he had two horns like a lamb . . . Horns symbolize power. In the case of the USA, they represent two governing principles upon which our country was founded: civil and religious liberty. Under the “civil” heading we would describe it as “Republicanism” meaning a government without a king. Under the heading of “religious liberty” we describe it as “Protestantism” meaning a church without a pope. Among the ideals these lamb’s horns represented were virtuous leadership with no taxation to support a state religion and freedom to worship according to one’s own conscience without government interference or control. The absence of crowns on these horns signifies a representative form of government rather than a monarchy. These lamb-like horns denoted an innocent, young, peace-loving, nonoppressive, and spiritual nation. God’s providence is evident in the lofty ideals that were the banner of the young, new country. Indeed, many of our nation’s founders were themselves followers of Christ.
Many Bible scholars agree, based on the timing and characteristics of the new nation, that verse 11 of Revelation 13 is describing the United States of America. We will continue this examination tomorrow.
…the Ancient of Days came, and a judgement was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. Daniel 7:22