WORLD CRISIS FORETOLD –CIVIL AND DIVINE LAWS ENDANGERED-part 17-
INTERPRETING THE SYMBOLS-part 2-
AMERICA IN PROPHECY
AT this point another symbol is introduced. Says the prophet: “I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb” (verse 11). Both the appearance of this beast and the manner of its rise indicate that the nation which it represents is unlike those presented under the preceding symbols. The great kingdoms that have ruled the world were presented to the prophet Daniel as beasts of prey, rising when “the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.” (Daniel 7:2). In Revelation 17 an angel explained that waters represent “people, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15). Winds are a symbol of strife. The four winds of heaven striving upon the great sea represent the terrible scenes of conquest and revolution by which kingdoms have attained to power.
OUT OF THE EARTH
BUT the beast with lamblike horns was seen “coming up out of the earth” (Rev.13.11). Instead of overthrowing other powers to establish itself, the nation thus represented must arise in territory previously unoccupied and grow up gradually and peacefully. It could not, then, arise among the crowded and struggling nationalities of the Old World –that turbulent sea of “peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” It must be sought in the Western continent.
What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength and greatness, and attracting the attention of the world? The application of the symbol admits of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the United States of America. Again and again the thought, almost the exact words, of the sacred writer has been unconsciously employed by the orator and the historian in describing the rise and growth of this nation. A prominent writer, describing the rise of the United States, speaks of “the mystery of her coming forth from vacancy”, and says: “Like a ‘silent seed’ we grew into empire”. (G.A.Townsend, The New World Compared With the Old, page 462). A European journal in 1850 spoke of the United States as a wonderful empire, which was “emerging”, and “amid the silence of the earth daily adding to its power and pride”. (The Dublin Nation).
The “two horns like a lamb” well represent the character of our own government, as expresses in its two fundamental principles –Republicanism and Protestantism. These principles are the secret of our power and prosperity as a nation. Those who first found an asylum on the shores of America, rejoiced that they had reached a country free from the arrogant claims of popery and the tyranny of kingly rule. They determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty.
“If, therefore, the Catholic Church also claims the rig of dogmatic intolerance with regard to her teaching, it is unjust to reproach her for exercising this right…She regards dogmatic intolerance not alone as her incontestable right, but also as a sacred duty…According to Romans 8:11, the secular authorities have the right to punish, especially grave crimes with death; consequently, ‘hermetics may be not only excommunicated, but also justly put to death’” (The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911, edition, Vol. 14, pages 766, 768.)
“The wall of separation between church and state’ is a metaphor based on bad history, a metaphor that has proved useless as a guide to judging. It should be frankly and explicitly abandoned” (Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Time, December 9, 1991).
A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court “declared that when religious rights clash with the government’s need for uniform rules, the court will side with the government.” (Los Angeles Times, April 18, 1990)
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