What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Who is the evil two-horned beast in Revelation?"
Answer
In Adventist writings, the two-horned beast from Revelation 13 is identified as the United States of America or the fallen Protestant America. Its two lamb-like horns symbolically represent civil and religious liberty (Republicanism and Protestantism) as well as an initially mild government without a king's crown, in which the people rule. Nevertheless, this beast ultimately reveals the character of a dragon, as it exercises coercion of conscience through the union of church and state, forces worship of the first beast (the papacy), and brings persecution through loyalty.
The identification of the two-horned beast with the United States
»This country, if we rightly see it symbolized by the two-horned beast, will eventually assume such an abominable character that it will end up in the fiery pit. The two-horned beast will speak like a dragon.«
The two-horned beast as a picture of Protestant America
»If the leading churches of the United States unite in the points of faith they share, and influence the state to enforce their ordinances and maintain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the imposition of civil penalties on dissenters will be the inevitable consequence. The beast with the two horns “makes [commands] everyone, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves, to take a mark on their right hand or on their forehead.”«
The two horns as a symbol for Republicanism and Protestantism
»Its two horns aptly denote the two major branches of power that exist in this republic, commonly referred to as ecclesiastical and civil, religious and political, Protestantism and Republicanism, or church and state. By comparing Revelation 19:20 with Revelation 13:11–14 it becomes clear that the two-horned beast is the same as the false prophet.«
Lamb-like appearance, but dragon character
»We therefore view the two-horned beast as the symbol of a civil and religious power that differs in many ways from those that preceded it. At first glance it appears to be the mildest form of power that ever existed; but after it has beguiled the world with its wonders, it will reveal the full tyranny of the first beast. ... The lamb is only a pretense; in its character it is a dragon. Its apparent form is that of a lamb; but the power it exercises is that of a dragon.«
A power separate and independent from papal power
»The two-horned beast is thus “another beast,” in addition to and distinct from the papal beast that the prophet had previously considered; that is, it symbolizes a power that is separate and distinct from the one denoted by the preceding beast. This “other beast” that John names is certainly not part of the first beast; and the power it symbolizes is likewise not part of what is meant by that beast.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
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