BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.64 -- THE SEVEN TRUMPETS

Chapter 64.
The Seven Trumpets
1. FOLLOWING the seven seals, under what symbols was the next series of thrilling events shown the Apostle John?
"And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given ________________________________." Rev. 8:2.
2. With what do these trumpets deal?
With the wars, commotion, and political upheavals which result in the breaking up and downfall of the Roman Empire the first four with the downfall of Western Rome, the fifth and sixth with the downfall of Eastern Rome, and the seventh with the final downfall of Rome in its broadest sense, or all the kingdoms of the world. See Revelation 8 and 9 and 11:14-19. A trumpet is a symbol of war. Jer. 4:19,20; Joel 2:1-11.
3. Under what figures is the first trumpet described?
"The first angel sounded, and there followed ____________________________, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up." Rev. 8:7.
NOTES-"Twice, at least, before the Roman Empire became divided permanently into the two parts, the Eastern and the Western, there was a tripartite division of the empire. The first occurred 311 A.D., when it was divided between Constantine, Licinius, and Maximin; the other, 337 A.D., on the death of Constantine, when it was divided between his three sons, Constantine, Constans, and Constantius."-Albert Barnes, on Rev. 12:4. To Constantius was given Constantinople and the East; to Constans, Italy, Illyricum, and northern Africa; and to Constantine 11, Britain, Gaul, and Spain.
This trumpet describes the first great invasion upon Western or ancient Rome, by the Goths, under Alaric, from 395 A.D. to 410 A.D. In 408 he descended upon Italy, the middle "third part," pillaging and burning cities, and slaughtering their inhabitants. Says Gibbon in his "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," chapter 33, closing sentence: "The union of the Roman Empire was dissolved; its genius was humbled in the dust; and armies of unknown barbarians, issuing from the frozen regions of the North, had established their victorious reign over the fairest provinces of Europe and Africa."
4. What striking figure is used to describe the destruction wrought under the second trumpet?
"And the second angel sounded, and as it were ___________________________: and the third part of the sea became blood; and the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed." Verses 8, 9.
NOTE.-This describes the invasions and conquests of the Vandals under the terrible Genseric-first of Africa and later of Italy-from 428 to 476 A.D. His conquests were largely by sea. In a single night, near Carthage, he destroyed, by fire and sword, more than half of the Roman fleet, consisting of 1,113 ships and over 100,000 men. See Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," chapter 36.
5. What was to take place under the third trumpet?
"And the third angel sounded, and ________________________________________, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; and the name of the star is called _________________: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; ______________________, because they were made bitter." Verses 10,11.
NOTES.-The harassing invasions and conquests of Attila, the Hun, are foretold here. His conquests were characterized by fire, sword, and pillage along the Rhine, in Gaul, and northern Italy. He claimed descent from Nimrod, styled himself the "Scourge of God" and the "Dread of the World," and boasted that grass would never grow again where his horse had trod. His greatest battle was at Chalons, in Gaul, 451 A.D., where of his 700,000 men from 100,000 to 300,000 are said to have been left dead on the field. See Gibbon's Rome, Chapter 35, and "Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World," by Sir Edward Creasy, chapter 6.
Says Gibbon (chapter 34), "In the reign of Attila, the Huns again became the terror of the world"; and he proceeds to describe "the character and actions of that formidable barbarian, who," he says, "alternately insulted and invaded the East and the West, and urged the rapid downfall of the Roman Empire."
6. What was to occur under the fourth trumpet?
"And the fourth angel sounded, and ______________________________________; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not f or a third part of it, and the night likewise." Verse 12.
NOTE.-This trumpet brings us to the fall of Western Rome, in 476 A.D., when the Herulian barbarians, under the leadership of Odoacer, took possession of the city and scepter of Rome; and the great empire which had hitherto been the empress of the world was reduced to a poor dukedom, tributary to the exarch of Ravenna. Its luminaries, or civil rulers, were smitten, and ceased to shine. "Italy now became in effect a province of the empire of the East. The Roman Empire in the West had come to an end, after an existence from the founding of Rome of 1,229 years."- Myer's "General History," page 348.
7. What was to be the character of the last three trumpets?
"And I beheld, and heard . an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, ______________, to the inhabitants of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!" Verse 13.



8. After the fall of Western Rome, what power in the East arose to harass and overrun the Roman world, East and West?
Mohammedanism, commonly known as the Turkish or Ottoman power, which arose in Arabia, with Mohammed, in 622 A.D.
9. How is the fifth trumpet, or first woe, introduced?
"And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw _________________________: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; __________________ ________________. And there came out of the smoke ___________ upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power." Rev. 9:1-3.
NOTES.-Attila is symbolized by the star of the third trumpet (Rev. 8:10,11); Mohammed, by the star of this trumpet. The bottomless pit doubtless refers to the wastes of the Arabian desert, from which came forth the Mohammedans, or Saracens of Arabia, like swarms of locusts. The darkening caused by the smoke from this pit fitly represents the spread of Mohammedanism and its doctrines over Asia, Africa, and portions of Europe. Their power as scorpions is strikingly seen in their vigorous and speedy attacks upon, and overthrow of, their enemies.
"Over a large part of Spain, over north Africa, Egypt, Syria, Babylonia, Persia, north India, and portions of Central Asia were spread-to the more or less perfect exclusion of native customs, speech, and worship-the manners, the language, and the religion of the Arabian conquerors."-Myers's "General History," page 401.
10. What command was given these locusts?
"And it was commanded them that _______________________________________." Verse 4.
NOTES.-When the Arabian tribes were gathered for the conquest of Syria, 633 A.D., the caliph Abu-Bekr, the successor of Mohammed, instructed the chiefs of his army not to allow their victory to be "stained with the blood of women and children;" to "destroy no palm-trees, nor burn any fields of corn;" to "cut down no fruit-trees, nor do any mischief to cattle;" and to spare those religious persons "who live retired in monasteries, and propose to themselves to serve God in that way;" but, he said, "you will find another sort of people that belong to the synagogue of Satan, who have shaven crowns: be sure you cleave their skulls and give them no quarter till they either turn Mohammedan or pay tribute." In this, Mohammedanism, itself a false religion, is revealed as a scourge to apostate Christianity.
"In a short time they [the Mohammedan Saracens] had taken from the Aryans all the principal old Semitic lands-Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Assyria, and Babylonia. To these was soon added Egypt." -Encyclopedia Britannica, article "Mohammedanism."
11. What were these locusts said to have over them?
"And they had a _____________, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon [margin, a destroyer]." Verse 11.
NOTES.-For hundreds of years the Mohammedans and invading Tartar tribes, like the locusts (Prov. 30:27), had no general government or king over them, but were divided into bands, or factions, under separate leaders. But in the twelfth century Temuljin, king of the Mongols, or Moguls, who is described as "the most terrible scourge that ever afflicted the human race," built up an empire "at the cost," it is estimated, says Myers in his "General History," page 461, of "fifty thousand cities and towns and five million lives." This was followed by the more permanent Tartar empire founded by Othman a century later, commonly known as the Ottoman Empire, and ruled by the sultan.
From the first, the great characteristic of the Turkish government has been that of a "destroyer." Speaking of a war by the Turks upon the Byzantine Empire in 1050, Gibbon (chapter 57) says: "The myriads of Turkish horse overspread a frontier of six hundred miles from Taurus to Erzeroum, and the blood of one hundred and thirty thousand Christians was a grateful sacrifice to the Arabian prophet."
In 1058 the Turks wrested the Holy Land from the Saracens, desecrated the holy places, and treated the pilgrims to Jerusalem with cruelty. This brought on the nine unsuccessful crusades of the next two centuries for the recovery of the Holy Land.
12. What definite period is mentioned under this trumpet?
"And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men ______________." Verse 10. See also verse 5.
NOTES.-"It was on the twenty-seventh of July, in the year 1299," says Gibbon, "that Othman first invaded the territory of Nicomedia," in Asia Minor, "and the singular accuracy of the date," he adds, "seems to disclose some foresight of the rapid and destructive growth of the monster."-"Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," chap. 64, par. 14. This, then, we take to be the beginning of the period referred to.
A Bible month consists of thirty days; five months would be 150 days. Allowing a day for a year, 150 years from July 27, 1299 would reach to July 27, 1449. During this period the Turks were engaged in almost constant warfare with the Greek Empire, and yet without conquering it.
13. With what statement does the fifth trumpet close?
"______________________________________________." Verse 12.
14. What command is given under the sixth trumpet?
"And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, ____________________________________________________." Verses 13, 14.
NOTES.-These four angels are understood to refer to the four leading Turkish sultanies--Aleppo, lconium, Damascus, and Bagdad-of which the Ottoman Empire was composed, situated in the country watered by the river Euphrates.
As a striking parallel it may be noted that under the sixth plague (Rev. 16:12-16) the four angels of Rev. 7:1-3 will loose the winds of war, the waters of the river Euphrates (the Turkish Empire) will be dried up, and the armies of the nations will assemble for the battle of Armageddon.
15. What warlike scene is given under this trumpet?
"The number of the armies of the horsemen was ________________________: . . . and the heads of the horses are as the heads of lions; and ______________________." Verses 16,17, R.V.
NOTES.-In the year 1453, Mohammed 11 the Great, sultan of the Ottomans, laid siege to the capital [Constantinople], with an army of over 200,000 men. After a short investment the place was taken by storm. The cross, which since the time of Constantine the Great had surmounted the dome of St. Sophia, was replaced by the crescent, which remains to this day."-Myers's "General History" edition 1902, pages 462, 463.
Thus Constantinople, the eastern seat of the Roman Empire since the days of Constantine, was captured by the Turks.
Reference also seems to be made here to the use of firearms, which began to be employed by the Turks toward the close of the thirteenth century, and which, discharged from horseback, would give the appearance of fire and smoke issuing from the horses' mouths. In the battle of Armageddon, to which allusion may here be made, an army of "twice ten thousand times ten thousand," or two hundred million, will doubtless be assembled.
16. What was the result of this warfare by means of "fire and smoke and brimstone"?
"_____________________________________." Verse 18.
NOTE.-This shows the deadly effect of this new means of warfare. "Constantinople was subdued, her empire subverted, and her religion trampled in the dust by the Moslem conquerors."-Elliott's "Horae Apocalypticae," Vol. I, page 484.
17. What definite period is mentioned under this trumpet?
"And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an __________________, for to slay the third part of men." Verse 15.
NOTE.-An hour in prophetic time is equal to fifteen days; a day stands for a year, a month for thirty years, a year for 360 years. Added together, these amount to 391 years and fifteen days, the time allotted for the Ottoman supremacy. Commencing July 27, 1449, the date of the close of the fifth trumpet, this period would end August 11, 1840. In exact fulfillment of the words of Inspiration, this date marks the fall of the Ottoman Empire as an independent power. Wasted beyond hope of recovery in a war with Mohammed Ali, pasha of Egypt, the sultan of Turkey submitted to the dictates of the four great powers of Europe-England, Russia, Austria, and Prussia,-and, through his minister Rifat Bey, on that very day, August 11, 1840, placed in the hands of Mohammed Ali the decision, or ultimatum, drawn up by these powers. Since then Turkey has existed only by the help of sufferance of the great powers of Europe, and has commonly been referred to as "the Sick Man of the East."
18. With what announcement does the sixth trumpet close?
"The second woe is past; and, behold, ______________________." Rev. 11:14.
NOTE-The definite period under the sixth trumpet brings us to 1840, when Turkey lost her independence. Her final downfall, we understand, will come at the opening of the seventh trumpet.
19. What is to be finished when the seventh trumpet is about to sound?
"But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished ___________________________, according to the good tidings which He declared to His servants the prophets." Rev. 10:7, R.V.
NOTE.-The mystery of God is the gospel. Eph. 3:3-6; Gal. 1:11,12. When this trumpet is about to sound, therefore, the gospel will close, and the end will come. The "time of trouble," of Dan. 12:1, and the seven last plagues and the battle of Armageddon, spoken of in Revelation 16, will take place when this trumpet begins to sound.
20. What events mark the sounding of the seventh trumpet?
"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, ________________________________________________________. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, f ell upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We give Thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and was, and art to come; because Thou has taken to Thee Thy great power, and has reigned." Rev. 11:15-17.
NOTES.-The seventh trumpet, therefore, brings us to the setting up of God's everlasting kingdom.
21. What is the condition of the nations, and what other events are due or impending at this time?
"And ___________________________________________________, and that Thou shouldest ________________________________, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; and shouldest ________________________________." Verse 18.
NOTES.-The closing scenes of this world's history and the judgment are clearly brought to view here. Ever since the loss of independence by the Ottoman Empire in 1840, the nations have been preparing for war as never before, in view of international complications and a world war which all fear is inevitable upon the dissolution of Turkey and the final disposition of its territory. Towering above all others, the Eastern question has been the one of paramount concern to them.
The investigative judgment began in heaven in 1844, at the close of the prophetic period of 2300 days. See readings in Chapters 53. thru 56. of this book. When this is finished, the time of reward will have arrived, the end will have come, and the saints will themselves sit in judgment. See Rev. 20:4; 1 Cor. 6:1-3.
22. What scene in heaven was presented to the prophet as the seventh trumpet was about to sound?
"And ________________________________, and there was seen in His temple ________________________________: and there were lightnings and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail." Rev. 11:19.
NOTES.-This forcibly calls attention to the closing work of Christ in the second apartment, or most holy place, of the sanctuary in heaven, which began in 1844. See readings referred to in preceding note. The reference to the ark of God's testament is a forcible reminder also of that which is to be the standard in the judgment,-the law of God, or ten commandments. See Eccl. 12:13,14; Rom. 2:12,13; James 2:8-12.
From its dosing words-the reference to "great hail"- the seventh trumpet evidently embraces the seven last plagues (see Rev. 16:17,18); and from its opening words-"the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord"-it marks the setting up of God's everlasting kingdom.
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BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.63 -- THE SEVEN SEALS

Chapter 63.
The Seven Seals
1. WHAT did John see in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne?
"And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the _________________ written within and on the back side, _______________________." Rev. 5:1.
2. What did the Lamb do with this book?
"And He came and took the book ____________________________________." Verse 7.
3. Why was Christ declared worthy to open these seals?
"Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: _________________ out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." Verse 9.
4. What was shown upon the opening of the first seal?
"And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, . . . a _________________: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." Rev. 6:1,2.
NOTE.-The number seven in the Scriptures denotes completion or perfection. The seven seals embrace the whole of a class of events in which is narrated the history of the church from the beginning of the Christian era to the second coming of Christ. The white horse, with his rider going forth to conquer, fitly represents the early Christian church in its purity, going into all the world with the gospel message of salvation.
5. What appeared upon the opening of the second seal?
"And when He had opened the second seal. . . . there went out _________________: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword" Verses 3,4.
NOTE.-As whiteness in the first horse denoted the purity of the gospel which its rider propagated, so the color of the second horse would show that corruption had begun to creep in when this symbol applies. It is true that such a state of things did succeed the apostolic church. Speaking of the second century, Wharey, in his "Church History," page 39, says: "Christianity began already to wear the garb of heathenism. The seeds of most of those errors that afterwards so entirely overran the church, marred its beauty, and tarnished its glory, were already beginning to take root." Worldliness came in. The church sought alliance with the secular power, and trouble and commotion were the result. This symbol extends from the dose of the first century to the time of Constantine, when a complete union of church and state was effected.
6. What was the color of the symbol under the third seal?
"When He had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo _____________________; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand." Verse 5.
NOTE.-The "black" horse fitly represents the spiritual darkness that characterized the church from the time of Constantine till the establishment of papal supremacy in 538. A.D. Of the condition of things in the fourth century, Wharey (page 54) says: "Christianity had now become popular, and a large proportion, perhaps a large majority, of those who embraced it, only assumed the name, received the rite of baptism, and conformed to some of the external ceremonies of the church, while at heart and in moral character they were as much heathen as they were before. Error and corruption now came in upon the church like a flood."
7. What were the color and character of the fourth symbol?
"And when He had opened the fourth seal, . . . behold __________________: and his name that sat on him was __________________ [Greek, Hades, the grave] _________________. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, _____________, and with _____________, and with ___________, and with the ________________." Verses 7,8.
NOTE.-This is an unnatural color for a horse. The original denotes the pale or yellowish color seen in blighted plants. The symbol evidently refers to the work of persecution and death carried on by the Roman Church against the people of God from the time of the beginning of papal supremacy in 538 A.D. to the time when the Reformers commenced their work of exposing the true character of the Papacy, and a check was placed upon this work of death.
8. On opening the fifth seal, what was seen under the altar?
"And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar ___________________ ___________________________________________." Verse 9.
NOTE.-When the Reformers exposed the work of the Papacy, it was then called to mind how many martyrs had been slain for their faith.
9. What were these martyrs represented as doing?
"And __________________________, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" Verse 10.
NOTE.-The cruel treatment which they had received cried for vengeance, just as Abel's blood cried to God from the ground. Gen. 4:10. They were not in heaven, but under the altar on which they had been slain. On this point Dr. Adam Clarke says: "The altar is upon earth, not in heaven." See note under next question.
10. What was given these martyrs?
"And _____________________________________; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled [have fulfilled their course, R.V.]." Verse 11.
NOTE.-These had been slain during the hundreds of years covered by the preceding seal. Their persecutors, most of them, at least, had died. And if they had at death passed to their punishment, as is by some supposed, why should the martyred ones still importune for their punishment? In this, as in other parts of the Bible, the figure of personification is used, in which inanimate objects are represented as alive and speaking, and things that are not as though they were. See Judges 9:8-15; Heb. 2:11; Rom. 4:17. These martyrs had gone down as heretics under the darkness and superstition of the preceding seal, covered with ignominy and shame. Now, in the light of the Reformation, their true character appears, and they are seen to have been righteous, and hence are given "white robes." "The fine linen [white robes] is the righteousness of saints." Rev. 19:8. Righteousness is ascribed to them; and when they have rested a little longer where they are,-under the altar,-till all others who are to fall for their faith have followed them, then together they will be raised to life and immortality.
11. What was first seen on the opening of the sixth seal?
"And I beheld when He had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a ____________________________________________." Verse 12, first part.
NOTE.-This doubtless refers to the great earthquake of November 1, 1755, commonly known as the Lisbon earthquake, the effects of which were felt over an area of 4,000,000 square miles. Lisbon, Portugal, a city containing 150,000 inhabitants, was almost entirely destroyed. The shock of the earthquake, says Mr. Sears, in his of the World," page 200, "was instantly followed by the fall of every church and convent, almost all the large public buildings, and one-fourth of the houses. In about two hours afterward, fires broke out in different quarters, and raged with such violence for the space of nearly three days that the city was completely desolated. The earthquake happened on a holy day, when the churches and convents were full of people, very few of whom escaped. . . . The terror of the people was beyond description. Nobody wept: it was beyond tears. They ran hither and thither, delirious with horror and astonishment, beating their faces and breasts, crying, 'Misericordia! the world's at an end!'. Mothers forgot their children, and ran about loaded with crucifixed images. Unfortunately, many ran to the churches for protection; but in vain was the sacrament exposed; in vain did the poor creatures embrace the altars; images, priests, and people were buried in one common ruin. . . . Ninety thousand persons are supposed to have been lost on that fatal day."
12. What was to follow the great earthquake?
"And ________________ as sackcloth of hair, and ________________________." Same verse, latter part.
NOTE.-This refers to the dark day and night of May 19, 1780, when the darkness and gloom were such as to give the general impression that the day of judgment was at hand.




13. What other event is mentioned under this seal?
"And ____________________________________, even as a fig tree casts her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind." Verse 13.
NOTES.-This was fulfilled in the wonderful meteoric shower of November 13, 1833. Describing the scene in the vicinity of Niagara Falls, one writer says: "No spectacle so terribly grand and sublime was ever before beheld by man as that of the firmament descending in fiery torrents over the dark and roaring cataract."-"Our First Century," Page 330; also The American Cyclopedia, edition 1881, article "Meteor." See readings just referred to.
A contributor, writing for the Journal of Commerce of November 14, 1833, in regard to the falling stars of November 13, 1833, said: "Were I to hunt through nature for a simile, I could not find one so apt to illustrate the appearance of the heavens as that which St. John uses in the prophecy. The falling stars did not come as if from several trees shaken, but as from one; those which appeared in the east, fell toward the east; those which appeared in the west, fell toward the west; and those which appeared in the south, fell toward the south. And they fell not as the ripe fruit falls-far from it-but they flew, they were cast, like the unripe fruit which at first refuses to leave the branch; and when, under a violent pressure, it does break its hold, it flies swiftly, straight off, descending; and in the multitude falling, some cross the track of others, as they are thrown with more or less force; but each one falls on its own side of the tree." See reading in Chapter 69. of this book.
14. What is the next event mentioned in the prophecy?
"And ___________________________________ when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places" Verse 14.
NOTE.-This event is still future, and will take place in connection with Christ's second coming. We are now standing between the two events-the last of the signs in the heavens, and the parting of the heavens and removal of earthly things out of their places. The great signs here mentioned which mark the approach of Christ's second coming and the dissolution of all earthly things, are all in the past, and the world awaits the sound of the last trump as the closing scene in earth's drama.
15. How will this great event affect the world?
"_______________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________.” Verses 15-17.
16. After the sealing work brought to view in Revelation 7, which takes place under the sixth seal, how is the seventh seal introduced?
"And when He had opened the seventh seal, _____________________________." Rev. 8:1.
NOTE.-The sixth seal introduced the events connected with the second coming of Christ. The seventh seal most naturally, therefore, would refer to that event, or to some accompanying result of it. When Christ comes, all the holy angels will accompany Him (Matt. 25:31); and it follows that silence will necessarily, therefore, reign in heaven during their absence. A half hour of prophetic time would be about seven days. The seven seals, therefore, bring us down to the second coming of Christ.
________________________________________
It may be at morn, when the day is awaking,
When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking,
That Jesus will come in the fulness of glory
To receive from the world His own.
It may be at midday, it may be at twilight,
It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight
Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory,
When Jesus receives His own.
O joy! O delight! should we go without dying
No sickness, no sadness, no dread, and no crying,
Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory,
When Jesus receives His own.
H. L. TURNER.
Copyright © 2003-2008
www.preparingforeternity.com
All rights reserved.

BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.62 -- THE SEVEN CHURCHES

Chapter 62.
The Seven Churches
1. WHAT title is given the last book of the Bible?
"The __________________________________." Rev. 1:1.
2. To whom do those things which are revealed belong?
"The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but ________________________." Deut. 29:29.
3. For what purpose was the Revelation given?
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, ___________________." Rev. 1:1.
4. What great event, according to this book, is imminent?
"___________________________; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him." Verse 7.
NOTE.-This book not only opens and closes with the subject of Christ’s second coming, but its eight lines of prophecy all reach down to this as the great culminating event to the church and the world.
5. What encouragement is given to study this book?
"_________________________________, and they ______________ the words of this prophecy, and _________________ which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Verse 3.
6. To whom was the book dedicated?
"John _______________________________________." Verse 4.
7. What were the names of these seven churches?
"What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto ________________________________________________." Verse 11.
NOTE.-These seven churches, and the messages addressed to them, apply to seven periods or states of the church reaching from the first to the second advent of Christ. "Under this emblematical representation of the seven churches of Asia," says Vitringa, in the "Comprehensive Commentary," "the Holy Spirit has delineated seven different states of the Christian church which would appear in succession, extending to the coming of our Lord and the consummation of all things." Their good qualities and their defects are pointed out, with admonitions, exhortations, and warnings suitable for each, all of which are also applicable to individual Christian experience.
8. By what title is the first state of the church distinguished?
"Unto the angel of the church of ___________________________ write." Rev. 2:1.
NOTE.-The meaning of Ephesus is desirable, and fitly describes the character and condition of the church in its first state, when its members received the doctrine of Christ in its purity, and enjoyed the benefits and blessings of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This applies to the first century, or during the lifetime of the apostles. See dates in the accompanying diagram, showing the beginning and close of the seven periods.



9. After commending this church for their good works, what charge did the Lord bring against them?
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because _________________________. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and ______________________." Verse 4, 5.
NOTE.-The "first love" is the love of the truth, and the desire of making it known to others. The "first works" are the fruit of this love.
10. What name is given to the second state of the church?
"And unto the angel of the church in ________________________write." Verse 8.
NOTE.-The meaning of Smyrna is myrrh, or sweet-smelling savor, and applies to the period of time when many of the saints of God suffered martyrdom under pagan Rome.
11. How is the closing period of tribulation of the church during this time referred to?
"Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold,_____________________, that ye may be tried; and ____________________________________: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Verse 10.
NOTE.-The most severe of what is commonly known as "the ten persecutions" under pagan Rome, began under the emperor Diocletian, and continued from 303 A.D. to 313 A.D., a period of ten prophetic days.
12. What name is given to the third state of the church?
"And to the angel of the church in ____________________________write." Verse 12.
NOTE.-The meaning of Pergamos is height, or elevation, and fitly represents that period of the Christian church, beginning with the reign of the emperor Constantine in 313 A.D., when the power which had put the Christians to death espoused the cause of the church, and by rewards, edicts, and promised promotions to office in the government, sought to induce the people to become Christians, thus bringing a flood of worldliness and corruption into the church. Many of the heathen rites and ceremonies previously introduced into the Christian religion, including the heathen festival, Sunday (sun’s day), were then established by law, resulting in the first day of the week taking the place of the Sabbath of the Bible.
13. How was the faithfulness of this church commended?
"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: _______________________________________________, even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth." Verse 13.
NOTE.-Antipas comes from two Latin words, anti, opposed to, and papas, father, or pope, and denotes a class of people who were opposed to papal rule. Regarding Pergamos.
14. What title was given to the fourth state of the church?
"And unto the angel of the church in _______________write." Verse 18.
NOTE.-Thyatira means song of labor, or sacrifice of contrition, and points out the condition of God’s people during the long, dark period of 1260 years, beginning with the establishment of papal supremacy in 538 A.D., and closing with the downfall of that power in 1798. During that time, millions of saints of God were put to death in the most cruel manner that wicked men and demons could invent. Christi referred to this time in His wonderful prophecy recorded in Matthew 24, in these words: "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." The tribulation of the 1260 years was cut short through the influence of the Reformation.
15. What promise did God leave for these persecuted ones?
"But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, ________________________________: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." Verse 25-27
16. By what name is the fifth state of the church addressed?
"Unto the angel of the church in ________________write." Rev. 3:1.
NOTE.-Sardis means song of joy, or that which remains. A cause for joy at that time was the fact that the great tribulation of the people of God was at an end. It was only as a result of the Reformation that any of God’s people were left remaining. See Matt. 24:21,22, and note under question 14. The Sardis church continued from the close of the papal power, 1798 A.D., until the beginning of the great advent movement in 1833, which was marked by the falling of the stars in November 13 of that year, as foretold by Christ in Matt. 24:29.
17. What endearing title is given the sixth church?
"And to the angel of the church in ___________________write." Rev. 3:7.
NOTE.-Philadelphia means brotherly love, and applies to the church under the judgment-hour message. See reading in Chapter 56. of this book.
18. What words to this church shoe the second advent near?
"____________________: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." Verse 11.
19. What is Christ’s message to the last church?
"And unto the angel of the church of ________________________ write; . . . I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. . . . Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; . . . I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed. . . . As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Verses 14-19.
NOTE.-Laodicea signifies the judging of the people, or, according to Cruden, a just people. This church exists in the time of the judgment and the proclamation of the final warning messages preceding Christ’s second coming. See Rev. 14:6-16. See readings in Chapters 56. thru 58. of this book. This is a time of great profession, with but little vital godliness and true piety.
20. What encouragement is given to heed this message?
"___________________________________________________________." Verse 20
NOTE.-The pointed, searching messages to the seven churches contain most important lessons of admonition, encouragement, and warning for all Christians in all ages. The seven promises to the overcomer found in this line of prophecy (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21), with the eighth or universal promise recorded in Rev. 21:7, form a galaxy of promises as precious, as comforting, and as inspiring as any recorded in the Scriptures. See readings in Chapter 123. and Chapter 193. of this book.
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BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.61-- MAKING AN IMAGE TO THE BEAST

Chapter 61.
Making an Image to the Beast
THE PROPHECY OF REVELATION 13
1. WHEN was the papal head of the first beast of Revelation 13 wounded?
In 1793-98, by the French Revolution and the temporary overthrow of the Papacy in the latter year.
2. What did the prophet see coming up at this time?
"And I beheld ___________________________; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." Rev. 3:11.
NOTES.-Mr. Wesley, in his notes or Revelation 13, written in 1754, says of the two-horned beast: "He is not yet come, though he cannot be far off; for he is to appear at the end of the forty-two months of the first beast."
The previous beast came up out of the "sea," which indicates its rise among the peoples and nations of the world then in existence (Rev. 17:15); while this one comes up out of the "earth." This would indicate that the later beast would arise where there had not before been "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." In 1798, when the papal power received its deadly wound, the government of the United States, located in the western continent, was the only great and independent nation then coming into prominence in territory not previously occupied by people, multitudes, and nations. Only nine years receding this (1789), the United States adopted its national Constitution.
It is within the territory of the United States, therefore, that we may look, according to the prophecy, for an ecclesiastical movement to arise, and exercise a dominating control, not only in the civil government of this country, but also in the other nations of the whole world as well.
3. What is the character of this new power?
"He had ________________________." Rev. 13:11.
NOTE.-The Pilgrim Fathers were the vanguard of a great multitude of Protestants, who, when persecuted and outlawed in the lands of their birth, sought refuge in the New World, where they developed rapidly under the protection of a government founded on the great Christian principles of civil and religious freedom. The two horns may well symbolize these two fundamental principles.
4. Not withstanding the lamblike appearance of this power, what is it ultimately to do?
"And he _________________." Rev. 13:11.
NOTE.-The voice of the dragon is the voice of intolerance and persecution. This indicates that the ecclesiastical development dealt with in this prophecy, obtaining a foothold for its initial power and influence in the government of the United States, will repudiate the mild and lamblike principles of civil and religious liberty, and become like the beast before it, a world-wide persecuting power. This is why in Rev. 19:20 it is called "the false prophet." Born of the Reformation, it will repudiate Reformation principles.
5. How much power will this beast exercise?
"And ___________________________, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." Verse 12.
NOTE.-The "first beast before him" (papal Rome) exercised the power of persecution and putting to death all who differed from it in religious matters. The only way the earth can be made to worship is by causing work to cease on it through voluntary or enforced rest, or sabbath keeping. "For as long as she [the land] lay desolate she kept sabbath." 2 Chron. 36:21. Enforced Sunday observance is evidently implied here.
6. What means will be employed to lead the people back into this false worship?
"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth ________________________________ in the sight of the beast." Verse 14, first part.
7. What will this power propose that the people shall do?
"Saying to them that dwell on the earth, __________________________________." Verse 14, latter part.
NOTE.- The beast "which had the wound by a sword, and did live," is the Papacy. That was a church dominating the civil power. In other words, it was a union of church and state, and enforced its religious dogmas by the civil power, under pain of confiscation of goods, imprisonment, and death. An image to this beast would be another ecclesiastical organization clothed with civil power - another union of church and state - to enforce religious dogmas by law.
8. Is there any evidence that such an image will be made?
Large and influential organizations, such as the National Reform Association, the International Reform Bureau, the Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States, and the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, have been formed, by professed Protestants, and for years have been persistently working to that end. Many Roman Catholic societies recently formed in the United States, such as the Knights of Columbus and the American Federation of Catholic Societies, are looking to a like end - that of making America Catholic.
9. What according to its constitution, is the avowed object of the National Reform Association?
"To secure such an amendment to the Constitution of the United States as shall . . . indicate that this is a Christian nation, and place all the Christian laws, institutions, and usages of the government on a undeniably legal basis in the fundamental law of the land." - Article II of the Constitution.
NOTES.-Upon the question of making this a "Christian nation," Bishop Earl Cranston, D. D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in an address delivered in Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C., March 13, 1910, made the following observation:-
"Suppose this were to be declared a Christian nation by a Constitutional interpretation to that effect. What would that mean? Which of the two contending definitions of Christianity would the word Christian indicate? - The Protestant idea, of course, for under our system majorities rule, and the majority of Americans are Protestants. Very well. But suppose that by the addition of certain contiguous territory with twelve or more millions of Roman Catholics, the annexation of a few more islands with half as many more, and the same rate of immigration as now, the majority some years hence should be Roman Catholics, - who doubts for a moment that the reigning Pope would assume control of legislation and government? He would say, with all confidence and consistency, 'This is a Christian nation. It was so claimed from the beginning and so declared many years ago. A majority defined then what Christianity was, the majority will define now what Christianity now is and is to be.' That 'majority' would be the Pope." - "The Church and the Government," page 7.
The National Reformers in their attempts to justify the legal establishment of Christianity as the national religion, have erroneously declared that the statement of Justice Brewer of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1892, "This is a Christian nation," is a decision of the court, whereas it was only a statement in the argument leading up to the decision of the court.
In a sermon at the centenary of the establishment of the Roman Catholic hierarchy in the United States, in 1889, Archbishop Ireland said: "Our work is to make America Catholic. . . . Our cry shall be, 'God wills it,' and our hearts shall leap with crusader enthusiasm."
The theory of the National Reformers is thus expressed: "Every government by equitable laws, is a government of God; a republic thus governed is of Him, and is as truly and really a theocracy as the commonwealth of Israel." - "Cincinnati National Reform Convention," page 28.
10. How does this association regard the Catholic Church on this point?
"We cordially, gladly, recognize the fact that in South American republics, in France and other European countries the Roman Catholics are the recognized advocates of national Christianity, and stand opposed to all the proposals of secularism. . . . Whenever they are willing to cooperate in resisting the progress of political atheism, we will gladly join hands with them in a world’s conference for the promotion of national Christianity, which ought to be held at no distant day. Many countries could be represented only by Roman Catholics." - Christian Statesman, Dec. 11, 1884, official organ of the a National Reform Association.
11. What has the Pope commanded all Catholics to do?
"First and foremost, it is the duty of all Catholics worthy of the name and wishful to be known as the most loving children of the church . . . to endeavor to bring back all civil society to the pattern and form of Christianity which we have described." - Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII, "Immortale Dei," Nov. 1, 1885, "The Great Encyclical Letters of Leo XIII," page 132.
NOTE.-The prophecy says that this power will make an image to the Papacy. In the days of Constantine and his successors, the church made use of the civil power to carry out her aims: through this means the Papacy was developed. In our own day the same theory is advocated, and prominent men in the nation, in both church and sate, are doing all they can to bring about the same result, which, when their work is completed, cannot fail to fulfil the specifications of the prophecy. The climax will be an image of the Papacy.
12. What is the object of the International Reform Bureau?
"The Reform Bureau is the first 'Christian lobby' established at our national capital to speak to government in behalf of al denominations." - "History of the International Reform Bureau," by its founder and superintendent Rev. W. F. Crafts, page 2.
NOTE.-The securing of compulsory Sunday legislation is one of the chief objects of this and other like organizations.
13. What are the objects of the Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States?
"(1) To preserve the Lord’s day [Sunday] for America;
(2) to secure an active Alliance in every State not yet organized; (3) to induce the general government as far as possible to set the example of Sabbath observance; (4) to press the rest-day feature of the fourth commandment, until every toiler in the land has guaranteed unto him fifty-two full rest days a year."- From leaflet published by the Alliance.
NOTE.- By all of which is meant the securing, as far as possible, of compulsory State and national Sunday legislation,-the very means by which the church gained control of the state and by which church and state were united in the fourth and fifth centuries of the Christian era.
14. What is the purpose of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America?
"That the great Christian bodies of our country should stand together" in dealing with "questions like those of marriage and divorce, Sabbath desecration, social evils," etc.-"Report of Federal Council" (1908), pages 5, 6.
15. How does it propose that the matter of "Sabbath desecration" shall be dealt with?
"That all encroachments upon the claims and the sanctities of the Lord’s day should be stoutly resisted through the press, the Lord’s day associations and alliances, and by such legislation as may be secured to protect and preserve this bulwark of our American Christianity." - Id., page 103.
NOTE.-Thus it will be seen that the securing of laws for the enforcement of Sunday observance is a prominent feature in all these organizations in their efforts to "Christianize" the nation. In doing this many fail to see that they are repudiating the principles of Christianity, of Protestantism, and of the United States government, and playing directly into the hand of that power which originated the Sunday sabbath, and gained control of the civil power through Sunday legislation - the Papacy.
16. What action of the American Federation of Catholic Societies indicates that Catholics will gladly "join hand" with Protestants in enforcing Sunday observance by law?
"Our Societies in the various parts of the United States have been urging the abolition of Sunday labor, and have indorsed and assisted the movement of closing the post-office on Sunday." - Tenth Annual Convention of American Federation of Catholic Societies, Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 20-24, 1911.
NOTES.-With the active cooperation of the Lord’s Day Alliance of the United States, a Protestant organization, a proviso was attached to the post-office appropriation bill, 1912, requiring that "hereafter post-offices of the first and second classes shall not be opened on Sundays for the purpose of delivering mail to the general public."
The following resolution was adopted by the Boston Archdiocesan Federation of Catholic Societies:-
"We are unalterable opposed to any relaxation of the Sunday laws. Sunday is a day of rest to be devoted to the praise and service of God. We hold the safest public policy at present is to adhere to the rigid observance of the laws now safeguarding the sanctity of the Lord’s day."-Boston Pilot, official organ of Cardinal O’Connell, March 16, 1912.
17. What complaint is made against Sunday trains and Sunday newspapers?
"They get a great many passengers, and so break up a great many congregations." "The laboring classes are apt to rise late on Sunday morning, read the Sunday papers, and allow the hour of worship to go by unheeded." -Elgin (Ill.) Sunday-law Convention, November, 1887.
NOTES.-In the fourth century, Sunday games and Sunday theaters, it was complained, "hindered" the "devotion" of the "faithful," because many of the members attended them in preference to the church services. The church, therefore, demanded that the state should interfere, and enforce Sunday observance by law. "In this way," says Neander, "the church received help from the state for the furtherance of her ends." In this way church and state were united, and the Papacy was placed in power. The same course pursued now will produce the same results.
It is proper and right for the church to teach Sabbath observance, and decry Sabbath desecration; but it should not attempt to secure Sabbath observance through compulsory legislation; nor should it seek to fasten upon the people by any means the observance of a day which God has never enjoined and for which, as is admitted on all hands, there is no Scriptural command. See admissions in Chapters 97. thru 101. of this book.
18. What does the prophet say the two-horned-beast power will attempt to enforce upon all the people?
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a ___________________ in their right hand, or in their foreheads." Rev. 13:16.
NOTES.-This mark is the mark of the beast, or the false Sabbath. See Rev. 14:9,10. God’s seal, or mark, is set in the forehead (Rev. 7:3; 14:1), the seat of the mind, the Lord accepting only the worship of conviction of conscience. The mark of the beast however, is said to be received in the hand or forehead. Some are deceived and give assent to the false teaching with their minds, receiving the mark in the forehead; others, coerced or indifferent, give formal, outward consent, and so receive the mark in the hand.
Let the reader note this twofold aspect of the Sunday sabbath, as expressed by one of the most ardent and active Sunday-law advocates in the United States: "We, the Sabbath Union, W.C.T.U., all the churches, and the Y.M.C.A., are laboring with all our might to carry the religious sabbath with our right arm, and the civil sabbath with our left. Hundreds of thousands will receive it as a religious institution, and all the rest will receive it as a civil institution, and thus we will sweep in the whole nation."-Rev. W. F. Crafts, in Sunday Union Convention, Wichita, Kans., Sept. 20, 1889.
19. What means will be employed to compel all to receive this mark?
"And ______________________________, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." Verse 17.
NOTE.-That is, all who refuse to receive this mark will be boycotted, or denied the rights and privileges of business and trade, or the ordinary means of gaining a livelihood. Already this spirit has begun to manifest itself in the movement to enforce Sunday observance. In a sermon preached in Burlington, Kans., Sunday, Jan. 31, 1904, Rev. Bascom Robins said:-
"In the Christian Decalogue the first day was made the Sabbath by divine appointment. But there is a class of people who will not keep the Christian sabbath unless they are forced to do so. But that can be easily done. We have twenty million of men, besides women and children, in this country, who want this country to keep the Christian sabbath. If we would say we will not sell anything to them, we will not buy anything from them, we will not work for them or hire them to work for us, the thing could be wiped out, and all the world would keep the Christian sabbath."
20. By what authority was Sunday sabbath-keeping instituted?
By the authority of the Catholic Church. See Chapter 97. of this book.
21. Why were the ancient Sunday laws demanded?
"That the day might be devoted with less interruption to the purposes of devotion." "That the devotion of the faithful might be free from all disturbance." - Neander’s "Church History," Vol. II, pages 297, 301.
NOTE.-In short, it was to secure the enforced observance of the day, and through this means church attendance, and control over the people in religious things.
22. Why are they demanded now?
"Give us good Sunday laws, well enforced by men in local authority, and our churches will be full of worshipers, and our young men and women will be attracted to the divine service. A mighty combination of the churches of the United States could win from Congress, the State legislatures, and municipal councils, all legislation essential to this splendid consummation." -Rev. S. V. Leech, D. D., in Homiletic Review, November, 1892.
23. Who is responsible for the present State Sunday laws of the United States?
"During nearly all our American history the churches have influence the States to make and improve Sabbath laws."- Rev. W. F. Crafts, in Christian Statesman, July 3, 1890.
NOTES.-"These Sunday laws are a survival of the complete union of church and state which existed at the founding of the colony." -Boston Post, April 14, 1907.
"Such laws [as the Maryland Sunday law 1723] were the outgrowth of the system of religious intolerance that prevailed in many of the colonies." -Decision of Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, Jan. 21, 1908.
The first Sunday law in America, that of Virginia, in 1610, required church attendance, and prescribed the death penalty for the third offense. See "American State Papers," edition 1911, page 33.
24. Why is a national Sunday law demanded?
"The national Sunday law is needed to make the State laws complete and effective." - Christian Statesman, April 11, 1889.
25. Since the Sunday sabbath originated with the Roman power (the beast), to whom will men yield homage when, knowing the facts, they choose to observe Sunday, instead of the Bible Sabbath, in deference to compulsory Sunday laws?
"Know ye not, that ________________________________________________." Rom. 6:16.
NOTES.-"The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic] church."- Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today," page 213.
The conscientious observance of Sunday as the Sabbath on the part of those who hitherto have supposed it to be the Sabbath, has, without doubt, been accepted of God as Sabbath-keeping. It is only when light comes that sin in imputed. John 9:41; 15:22; Acts 17:30. See reading in Chapter 174. of this book.
26. What does Christ say about our duty to the state?
"Render therefore unto ___________________ the things which are ____________; and unto _____________ the things that are __________." Matt. 22:21.
NOTE.-The Sabbath belongs to God. Its observance, therefore should be rendered only to Him.
27. What special miracle is finally to be performed to deceive men, and fasten them in deception?
"And he doeth great wonders, so ______________________________________." Rev. 13:13.
NOTE.-In the time of Elijah, in the controversy over Baal-worship, this was the test as to who was the true God,-the God that answered by fire. 1 Kings 18:24. Now, as a counterfeit test, fire will be made to come down from heaven to confirm men in an idolatrous and false worship.
28. To what length will this effort to enforce the worship of the image of the beast be carried?
"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause [decree] that as many as would not worship the image of the beast ____________________." Verse 15.
29. What deliverance will God finally bring to His people in this controversy?
"And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and ____________________ ____________________________________________________ stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." Rev. 15:2.
30. What song will they sing?
"And they ___________________ the servant of God, _________________." Verse 3.
31. What was the song of Moses?
A song of deliverance from oppression. See Exodus 15.
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BIBLE STUDY: CHAP.60 -- A GREAT PERSECUTING POWER

Chapter 60.
A Great Persecuting Power
1. WHAT is the first symbol of Revelation 13?
"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw _____________________________ __________________________, and upon his horns ten crowns and upon his heads the name of blasphemy." Rev. 13:1.
NOTES.-As already learned from studying the book of Daniel, a beast in prophecy represents some great earthly power or kingdom; a head, a governing power; horns, a number of kingdoms; crowned heads or crowned horns, political rulership; waters, "peoples, and multitudes and nations, and tongues. Rev. 17:15.
"The beasts of Daniel and John are empires. The ten-horned beast is the Roman power. . . . The head is the governing power of the body. The heads of this beast represent successive governments,"- "Romanism and the Reformation," by H. Grattan Guinness, pages 144, 145.
2. How is this beast further described?
"And the beast which I saw was ________________________, and his feet were as ____________________, and his mouth as _______________________." Verse 2, first part.
NOTES.-These are the characteristics of the first three symbols of Daniel 7,-the lion, bear, and leopard there representing the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Grecia,-and suggest this beast as representing or belonging to the kingdom symbolized by the fourth beast of Daniel 7, or Rome. Both have ten horns. Like the dragon of Revelation 12, it also has seven heads; but as the dragon symbolized Rome in its entirety, particularly in its pagan phase, this, like the "little horn" coming up among the ten horns of the fourth beast of Daniel 7, represents Rome in its later or papal form. Both it and the little horn have "a mouth" speaking great things; both make war upon the saints; both continue for the same length of time.
Allowing a very broad meaning to the symbol, the Douay or Catholic Bible, in a note on Rev. 13:1, explains the seven heads of this beast as follows: "The seven heads are seven kings, that is, seven principal kingdoms or empires, which have exercised, or shall exercise, tyrannical power over the people of God: of these, five were then fallen, viz., the Egyptian, Assyrian, Chaldean, Persian, and Grecian monarchies; one was present, viz., the empire of Rome; and the seventh and chiefest was to come, viz., the great Antichrist and his empire." That the seventh head represents Antichrist there can be little doubt, See Chapter 59 of this book.
3. What did the dragon give this beast?
"And the dragon gave him his ______________, and his ________, and _________." Verse 2, latter part.
NOTE.-It is an undisputed fact of history that under the later Roman emperors, beginning with Constantine, the religion of the Roman government was changed from pagan to papal; that when Constantine removed the seat of his empire from Rome to Constantinople in 330 A.D., the city of Rome was given up to the bishop of Rome, who, from Constantine and succeeding emperors, received rich gifts and great authority; that after the fall of Rome, in 476 A.D., the bishop of Rome became the ruling power in Western Rome and by decree of Justinian, March 15, 533, was declared "head of all the holy churches," and in a letter of the same year he was designated as "corrector of heretics." See Chapter 51. of this book. Thus Rome pagan became Rome papal; the seat of pagan Rome became the seat of papal Rome; church and state were united; and the persecuting power of the dragon was conferred upon the professed head of the church of Christ, or papal Rome. As Dr. H. Grattan Guinness, in his "Romanism and the Reformation," page 152 says, "The power of the Caesars lived again in the universal dominion of the popes."
4. How are the character, work, period of supremacy, and great power of the beast described?
"And there was given into ________________________; and ________________ unto him to continue forty and two months. And he ______________________ ________________________, to __________________, and ______________, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was ____________________________, and to ___________________: and _________________, and ___________, and _______." Verses 5-7.
NOTE.-All these specifications have been fully and accurately met in the Papacy, and identify this beast as representing the same power as that represented by the little horn phase of the fourth beast of Daniel 7, and the little horn of Daniel 8, in its chief and essential features and work. See Dan. 7:25; 8:11, 12, 24, 25. See readings in Chapter 51. and 52. of this book. For an explanation of the time period mentioned, see readings in Chapter 51. and 52. of this book.
5. What was to be inflicted upon one of the heads of this beast?
"And I saw ___________________________________; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." Verse 3.
NOTE.-This wound was inflicted upon the papal head of this beast when the French, in 1798, entered Rome, and took the Pope prisoner, and for a time, it seemed, abolished the Papacy. But in 1800 another Pope was placed upon the papal throne, and the deadly wound began to be healed. Temporal dominion was taken away from the Papacy in 1870, but nevertheless its power and influence among the nations have been increasing since then. "In that year," says Mr. Guinness in his work "Romanism and the Reformation," page 156, "the Papacy assumed the highest exaltation to which it could aspire, that of infallibility." To such a position of influence over the nations is the Papacy finally to attain that just before her complete overthrow and destruction she will say, "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." Rev. 18:7. See Isa. 47:7-15; Rev. 17:18.
6. What is said concerning the captivity and downfall of the Papacy?
"He that ______________________________________: he that ______________ _________________________." Verse 10. See Ps. 18:25,26; 109:17; Jer. 50:29; Rev. 16:4-6.
7. What questions asked by its worshipers indicate the great station to which this beast-power was to attain?
"And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, _________________________________________?" Rev. 13:4.
8. How universal is the worship of this power to become?
"And __________________________ shall worship him, ______________________ of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Verse 8.
9. What did John say was to be the end of this beast?
"And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him. . . . These ________________________________________." Rev. 19:20. See Isa. 47:7-15; 2 Thess. 2:3-8; Rev. 17:16,17; 18:4-8.
10. In what similar language is the fate of the fourth beast of Daniel 7 described?
"I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was ____________, and his body _______________, and _____________________________." Dan. 7:11.
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