September 21: IDENTIFYING THE BEAST’S IMAGE

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:9-10

The fourth world power identified in Daniel’s book caused him much consternation and distress (Daniel 2:40; 7:7,19-21,28; 8:23-27). But the Lord assured him that all would be brought to light in God’s timing (12:9-10).

Fast-forward from the times of Daniel and John the Revelator to our time. The beast described in Revelation 13:1-10 and in chapter 14 is Rome. But Rome is not alone. He has an image. This image becomes the reflection of Rome. The irony is that the second beast of Revelation 13, the beast…out of the earth, came into existence as a safe haven for those fleeing the persecution of the Roman papal power. The earth helped the woman (12:16). The rise of the United States was accompanied by the offer to its citizens of two guarantees: a Republican form of government and a Protestant form of religion. The lamb-like description (13:11) refers to a nation established upon Christian principles. The U.S.A. was born out of protest against the coercive abuses inflicted upon the masses by the papal authority. In gratitude and thanksgiving for a new start – out from under the controlling, blasphemous authority exercised across Europe – many pilgrims would disembark and kiss the ground upon their arrival in the “New World.”

On October 31, 2017, there was a 500-year celebration of the Protestant Reformation. On that day in 1517, Martin Luther challenged the false teachings and coercive methods of the papal authority. But for those who know history, it was bittersweet. North American Protestants, who once resisted religious unity with the Vatican in favor of the pursuit of Biblical truth, now spend much time, energy, and resources in a concerted effort to reunite with Catholicism. In addition, the papacy – which maintains its “inerrancy” – is making a concerted effort toward unity with Protestants, provided it is under the banner of “Sunday Sacredness.” God’s word predicted this sad transition and the eventual abandonment of Protestant principles in the U.S.A. Thus, the birth and decline of the world’s greatest country are stated in a single sentence: Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon (13:11).

Originally, Protestantism was a Sola Scriptura movement: the Bible only as the rule of faith and practice. God’s patient blessings have rested upon this nation that vowed to protect freedom, including the individual’s liberty to study and live by His Word. The testimony of Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:17) emphatically underscores every doctrine and precept (Isaiah 28:10) of salvation taught throughout Scripture. There are still a few who have this testimony…

Those from among you Shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In… If . . . . Isaiah 58:12