Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Who Is the Beast Power?

What description is given of the beast against whose worship this closing warning message is given? BR-ASI9 183.1

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” Revelation 13:1, 2. BR-ASI9 183.2

Note.—In this composite beast from the sea are combined the symbols of the seventh chapter of Daniel, representing Rome, Greece, Medo-Persia, and Babylon. Its blasphemous words, its persecution of the saints, and its allotted time (verses 5-7) show that this beast, under one of its seven-headed manifestations, is identical with the little horn of the vision of Daniel 7, modern Babylon, the Papacy. (See reading on “The Kingdom and Work of Antichrist,” p. 82) The worship of the beast is the rendering of that homage to the Papacy which is due to God alone. The system of religion enforced by the Papacy contains the paganism of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, indicated by the beast’s composite character (verse 2), disguised under the forms and names of Christianity. BR-ASI9 183.3

What challenge is made by those who worship the beast? BR-ASI9 183.4

“And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” Revelation 13:4. BR-ASI9 183.5

Whose sovereignty is thus challenged? BR-ASI9 183.6

“Forasmuch as there is none like unto Thee O, Lord; Thou art great, and Thy name is great in might.” Jeremiah 10:6. (See Psalms 71:19; 86:8; 89:6, 8.) BR-ASI9 183.7

What specifications of “the man of sin” are thus met? BR-ASI9 183.8

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4. (See pages 82-84.) BR-ASI9 183.9

What are those to drink who accept the teachings of Babylon, and thus render homage to the beast? BR-ASI9 184.1

“The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation.” Revelation 14:10, first part. BR-ASI9 184.2

Note.—The cup of the Lord, which contains the new covenant in the blood of Christ, and the cup of the wine of the wrath of Babylon are both offered to the world. To drink of the former, that is, to accept the true gospel, is to receive everlasting life; but to drink of the wine of Babylon, that is, to accept the false gospel taught by the Papacy, will result in drinking of the wine of the wrath of God from the cup of His indignation. The true gospel means everlasting life; the false gospel, everlasting death. BR-ASI9 184.3