Verse 14 “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by the signs which it was given him to do in the presence of the beast.” Those who dwell on the earth (not “the earth” itself – i.e. the people who acknowledge and obey these two beasts) it probably refers to independent Christians not allied to worldly organizations. These were deceived by the pretentious claims of divine right and appointment etc.

They claim as the Papal church did and does that, they are the only church of Christ and that none but their ministers and bishops have right to preach since they and the Roman Catholic clergy alone are rightly “ordained of God.” They claim that the right to ordain (set apart and install in office) was originally possessed only by the Apostles, who through “laying on of hands,” conferred the gifts of the Spirit.

This last, we know is true, but they also claim that those so ordained, could, in ordaining others, confer the same spiritual gifts and powers. This was probably first promulgated to give power and seeming authority to the clergy, and to create between them and the balance of the church, a gulf of awe so wide that few would dare leap over. Thus priest-craft obtained a mighty hold upon the minds of the people. It is the carrying out of this same principle that sanctions the teaching, that none are qualified to understand the Bible aright except those consecrated by the imposition of holy orders by the Apostolic succession.

This claim of both beasts we deny, and assert that the laying on of hands by all the Bishops and Popes, could not add to the spiritual gifts of any, saint or sinner. We challenge both churches to produce a single case in which “the gifts of the Spirit” (as they are explained in 1 Corinthians.) ever followed the ordination of their ministers.

It was in this way that the second beast deceived or led into error (bondage) the various independent companies of protestant Christians, telling them (“those who dwell on the earth“) to make an image to the (first) beast, who has the wound of the sword and lives.”

B. We understand then that these two churches, the church of England and the church of Germany by their claims and organizations similar to Papacy, said to smaller companies of Independent Protestant Christians by example etc.: You will also find it necessary to have an ecclesiastical fence to separate your clergy from the common people of the church, that their utterances, by seeming authority may have the greater weight, even as the word of God with the people – thus preventing the exercise of individual thought and study.

A. Yes, they demonstrated to them that they required an organized government and etc., of the clergy over the common people like to Papacy in form, in fact an “Image of that beast.” This each denomination, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and legion besides, did, as they gained power, i.e. While they denounced priest-craft and advocated individual study of the Bible, yet, they claimed the authority of their clergy to interpret the scriptures. And while they freely placed the Bible in the hands of the people, they handed them along with it, the catechism and creed of the church.

They concede the right of the individual to be a member of the church and to study the word if they will agree to believe neither more nor less than the clergy who formed the creed. Strange liberty! Thus, each denomination did make an image; but there is a sense in which they have all united to make one grand image, the one referred to in the fourteenth verse.

B. I notice that the Sinaitic MSS. adds the word also in this verse – “That they also should make an image.” –

Would not this seem to indicate that Protestantism as represented in this beast, is an image of the first beast also?

A. Yes, the thought is there even without the word also, since they are both beasts, but also, does add to the force. Well, they took the advice of example and did organize such an image. In London, Aug. 19th, 1846, there assembled representatives of all the leading protestant denominations of Europe and America, who there organized under the name – “Evangelical Alliance.” That was a church organization in many respects similar in form (“an image“) to Papacy. Its design is to increase the power and authority of Protestantism, just as the formation of the Leopard beast was the result of a desire to increase the power and authority of Papacy.

B. Surely you do not mean to say that the “Evangelical Alliance,” which seemingly has been for the cementing of all protestant Christians into one organization is an evil thing.

A. The union of believers is one of the things for which we long and pray, but it is brought about, not by the organization of societies, but by the Holy Spirit. It is a union of hearts bound together by the golden chord of truth; not a union of church societies bound by creeds.

If the Evangelical Alliance were the coming together of Christians, saying – We realize that there is “One Lord, one faith, one baptism,” and that all truth is in harmony, and therefore, as we who profess to be God’s children differ widely on various subjects and our various creeds in many particulars contradict each other, we desire to lay aside all written creeds and we unite in this manner as Christians, with no rule nor creed but the Bible. We will henceforth strive to be taught of God and seek to come to harmony in the understanding of His word.

I say if this were the object, I could rejoice at such an organization. But it is not; no, each denomination stands as firmly as ever by its creed. And this Alliance is designed only as a protection to those creeds. The Alliance has a creed of nine articles, and none can be considered as within the pale of Orthodoxy, except by subscribing to this creed. It is, I repeat, an organization in form and purpose, similar to Papacy and is here properly termed the “Image of the beast.”

Verse 15 “And it was given him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast, should be killed.” – That is, the Protestant beast gave vital power and authority to the image (The united sects – Evangelical Alliance). It has done this by joining with them in the organization. The church of England and the church of Germany were both represented at several of the late meetings of the Alliance. This is contrary to the Spirit of their creeds, as all know who are conversant with them. The English and German churches each claim, as the Papal has always done, that theirs is THE CHURCH founded by the Apostles and that their ministers and bishops have the special unction for teaching by the “laying on of hands,” or what is known as ordination and Apostolic succession. These claim that the Papacy was an apostacy from their church, and that the various other denominations are schisms from their church and heretical, in that they hold doctrines differing from theirs.

They have departed from the real ground of their creed when they take part with other denominations in forming, and recognizing (giving life to) “the image.”

And even the Papal Church went so far as to acknowledge the Image, for during the session (in Europe) when she sent her GREETINGS to the “Evangelical Alliance.” The recognition by these beasts gives force and power to the image, so that it can command the reverence of all; and woe be to the one who dares refuse to worship “Orthodoxy.” He is symbolically “killed” – cut off, as a heretic, and is no longer recognized as a Christian.

Once again, we will continue with our next post.