of history that the ten kingdoms
came up through great political convulsions. The empire was in a state
of comparative quiet, however, when the second beast "_came up out
of the earth_." This beast stands as the symbol of Protestantism in
Europe, although his power and influence was afterwards to extend to
"the whole world" (chap. 16:14). But this beast existed first on
the same territory occupied by the papacy; therefore the two horns
doubtless signify temporal kingdoms also, and two of the original
ten. The two nations first to turn violently against the papacy and
to become the chief supporters and defenders of Protestantism were
Germany and England.

It is evident that the second beast of Revelation 13 was not to be
such a terrible power politically as was the first beast, for it is
described merely as having "two horns _like a lamb_." But as soon as
we enter the department to which _speaking_ by analogy refers us, we
find him to be a great religious power, and it is in this character
alone that he is delineated in the remainder of the chapter. That his
religious power is his leading characteristic is further proved by
the fact that in every subsequent reference he is styled the "false
prophet" (chap. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). Every reference which I give
to the second beast must therefore be understood as signifying the
religious system known as Protestantism.

This beast was to exercise great power--"all the power of the first
beast before him." By this expression we are to understand that
Protestantism was to exert a universal influence; that it was to
become a leading factor in the world's history, as was Romanism before
it. This has already been fulfilled. The leading nations of the world
today, the nations that have contributed most to the development of
modern civilization and to the light and progress of the age, are
Protestant nations. Those countries that have retained the yoke of
Romanism are still withering under its blighting influence.

It is said that this beast causes people to "worship the first beast."
This is parallel to the statement that during the reign of the first
beast the people "worshiped the dragon," which in reality preceded
it. I have shown that the devotees of Romanism worshiped the dragon by
perpetuating in their religious ceremonies and worship the practises
of paganism. Likewise Protestants have brought over and incorporated
in their religious system doctrines, rites, and ceremonies