nature, there are certain characteristics which unmistakably
belong to the department of human life--a mouth _speaking_ great
things; power to magnify himself against the God of heaven, to set
himself up as an object of worship, to single out the saints of
God and kill them, etc. This combination of symbols from the two
departments--animal life and human life--points us with absolute
certainty to the political-religious system of Rome.

Every historian knows that _pagan_ Rome was succeeded by _papal_ Rome.
The transfer is expressed thus: "And the dragon gave him his power,
and his seat, and great authority" (verse 2). The rising papacy
succeeded to the power and authority formerly exercised by pagan Rome;
and when the political capital was removed to Constantinople, the pope
was left in possession of the ancient seat of empire and government.
"The beast" therefore refers to Rome either as a political power or as
an ecclesiastical power, the context determining whether the political
or the ecclesiastical phase is meant in a given instance. It will be
observed, however, that the leading actions ascribed to this beast
are derived from its human characteristics, pointing unerringly to the
papacy for its fulfilment.

This beast the world admired. "And they worshiped the dragon which
gave power unto the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying,
Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" The
expression "_worshiped_ the dragon" shows that reference is made to
the dragon, not as a political power, but as a religious power. This
worship of the dragon by those who worshiped the beast which succeeded
the dragon was fulfilled by the perpetuation under the papacy of
the rites and ceremonies of paganism. Roman Catholicism is a strange
amalgamation of Judaism, Christianity, and heathenism. The part
derived from paganism occupies such a prominent place in Roman
Catholic practise and worship that we can not fail to observe its
close resemblance to, if not absolute identity with, heathenism. Just
to mention a few points:

1. The high priest of the pagan religion was called Pontifex Maximus,
and he claimed spiritual and temporal authority over men. The pope of
Rome borrowed the title and made the same claims, even being clad in
the same attire.

2. The heathen wore scapulars, medals, and images for personal
protection. Romanists wear the same things for the same purpose.

3. Pagans, by an official process call