A Striking Contradiction
But the beast with lamblike 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 the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed; ... saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” Revelation 13:11-14.HF 273.2
The lamblike horns and dragon voice point to a contradiction. The prediction that it will speak “as a dragon” and exercise “all the power of the first beast” foretells a spirit of intolerance and persecution manifested by the dragon and the leopardlike beast. And the statement that the beast with two horns “causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast” indicates that the authority of this nation is to enforce homage to the papacy.HF 273.3
Such action would be contrary to the genius of its free institutions, to the solemn avowals of the Declaration of Independence, and to the Constitution. The Constitution provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” and that “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office of public trust under the United States.” Flagrant violation of these safeguards to liberty is represented in the symbol. The beast with lamblike horns—in profession pure, gentle, and harmless—speaks as a dragon.HF 273.4
“Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast.” Here is presented a form of government in which the legislative power rests with the people, a most striking evidence that the United States is the nation denoted.HF 274.1
But what is the “image to the beast”? How is it to be formed?HF 274.2
When the early church became corrupted, she sought the support of secular power. The result: the papacy, a church that controlled the state, especially for the punishment of “heresy.” In order for the United States to form an “image of the beast,” the religious power must so control the civil government that the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends.HF 274.3
Protestant churches that have followed in the steps of Rome have manifested a similar desire to restrict liberty of conscience. An example is the long-continued persecution of dissenters by the Church of England. During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, nonconformist pastors and people were subjected to fine, imprisonment, torture, and martyrdom.HF 274.4
Apostasy led the early church to seek the aid of civil government, and this prepared the way for the papacy—the beast. Said Paul: “There” shall “come a falling away, ... and that man of sin be revealed.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3.HF 274.5
The Bible declares: “In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.” 1 Timothy 4:1.HF 274.6
All that “received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved,” will accept “strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 11. When this state shall be reached, the same results will follow as in the first centuries.HF 275.1
The wide diversity of belief in Protestant churches is regarded by many as proof that no forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years in Protestant churches a growing sentiment in favor of union. To secure such union, discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed must be waived. In the effort to secure complete uniformity, it will be only a step to the resort to force.HF 275.2
When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.HF 275.3