The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

"The former beast was represented as rising up out of the sea, indicating that the power
was to rise from a perturbed or unsettled state of affairs--like the ocean. This second beast
[emerges] from that which was more settled and stable--as the land is more firm than the
waters."
A feature descriptive of both beasts is that they are represented as having "horns"; the
distinguishing feature being that the first beast, the one from the sea, has ten, and this one
from the earth has but two. As the ten horns of the first beast are divinely interpreted to
represent ten kingdoms or governments (Dan. 7:24), so to interpret in harmony with this,
the two horns should represent two governments. Furthermore, as the ten governments
were united under a religious head, likewise we should look for two governments in a
similar way united.
Similarities to ten-horned beast
The horns on the second beast are stated to be like those of a lamb. A lamb uses its horns
for defense only, and this would cause us to look for a government that used its religious
authority only for defense. Other expressions in the vision denote that the important
feature is the religious characteristic of the power represented. There is a marked
difference between the use made of the ten horns by Papacy and the use made of the two
horns by the ruling authority of this second beast. We learn in Rev. 17, that the ten
kingdoms symbolized by the horns gave their power and strength to the beast under the
decrees of Papacy. Their power and strength was given not simply for defense, but rather
to propagate, increase and spread its religion by force over the whole world.
It is further said of the two-horned beast government that it exercised all the authority of
the ten-horned beast in his presence. This would not necessarily mean similar authority in
extent; nor, as some have interpreted it, to have all the power of the first beast government
delegated to it. It would seem rather to mean that it exercised a singular authority in its
particular sphere or territory; that is, authority or power in both civil and religious
matters. The expression, "in his presence" (Diaglott), as we have already explained, would
seem to mean that it would (after its rise) exercise this power contemporary with the first
beast government.
A very significant feature of this two-horned beast government is its manner of speaking--
"he spake like a dragon." We have interpreted the dragon to represent the imperial,
despotic government of the Pagan Roman Empire, and also the paganized Christian
government ruled from Constantinople, which succeeded the Pagan. To speak like a
dragon would be to exercise authority in issuing decrees in a harsh, proud, arrogant
manner, as was the general character of those emperors who ruled the Roman Empire
before its division.
The fact that it does great signs, even to causing fire to come down from heaven in the
sight of men, by the which it deceives those that dwell on the earth, teaches that in this
way the government symbolized by the two-horned beast would claim powers that belong