Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

The Dragon Gives Place to the Beast

What did the dragon give this beast? BR-ASI9 189.6

“And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” Revelation 13:2, latter part. BR-ASI9 189.7

Note.—It is an undisputed fact of history that under the later Roman emperors, after Constantine, the religion of the Roman government was changed from pagan to papal; that the bishops of Rome received rich gifts and great authority from Constantine and succeeding emperors; that after A.D. 476 the Bishop of Rome became the most influential power in western Rome, and by Justinian, in 533, was declared “head of all the holy churches,” and “corrector of heretics.” BR-ASI9 189.8

Thus Rome pagan became Rome papal; 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. “The Pope, who calls himself ‘King’ and ‘Pontifex Maximus,’ is Caesar’s successor.”—Adolf Harnack, What Is Christianity? (Putnam’s, 1903 ed.), p. 270. BR-ASI9 190.1

How are the character, work, period of supremacy, and great power of the beast described? BR-ASI9 190.2

“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” Revelation 13:5-7. BR-ASI9 190.3

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 Daniel 7:25; 8:11, 12, 24, 25.) BR-ASI9 190.4