The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

This has been a particular characteristic of this politico-religious government during most
of its reign, in which particular it has differed from Papacy. It is true that the two-horned
beast in the sixteenth century, like Papacy, used force to cause its own subjects to submit
to its authority in religious matters (which is portrayed in the vision), but it did not
attempt to extend its conquests in these matters outside of its own dominion. Papacy, however, sought by force of arms to extend its religious authority over
the whole world. In the last two centuries England has become very lamb-like and liberal
to its subjects in matters pertaining to religion.
"The Reformation Movement had not reached England at this time, and certainly it was
much needed. The Clerical Convocation which could acknowledge such a head was not
far from being as corrupt as Papacy."
The requirement of the symbol which describes the two-horned beast as coming up from
the earth, in contradistinction from that of the ten-horned beast emerging from the sea, is
fully met. The union of Great Britain and Ireland, as to both the civil and the ecclesiastical
power or authority under Henry VIII, was introduced without any disturbances or
troubles amongst the people from invasions by outside people, as was the case in the rise
of the ten-horned beast and the subserviency of the ten kingdoms to the Papacy.
"And he spake as a dragon"
The meaning of this statement as given by Mr. Barnes is that "he spake in a harsh,
haughty, proud, arrogant tone--as we should suppose a dragon would if he had the power
of utterance." Thomas Newton explains this: "He had a voice of terror, like the dragon or
Roman emperors, in commanding (spiritual) idolatry, and in persecuting and slaying the
true worshipers of God and faithful servants of Jesus Christ." These expositors, as we have
seen, apply these words to Papacy. We must remember, however, that this second "beast"
is said to exercise a similar, though not so extensive a power as Papacy. In other words, in
this second beast we are to look for a government which, like Papacy, would usurp God's
power, and exercise for a time at least, arrogant, persecuting domination in both civil and
religious matters. And these characteristics perfectly describe Henry VIII as also some of
his immediate successors in the sixteenth century.
Some have classed Henry VIII as a reformer. History, however, shows that he was in no
sense a reformer. Indeed he was a great foe of the Protestant reformers. D'Aubigne, the
great historian, said in this connection:
"The moment when Henry aimed his first blows at Rome was also that in which he began
to shed the blood of the disciples of Christ. Although ready to throw off the authority of
the Pope, he would not recognize the authority of Christ: Obedience to the Scriptures is,
however, the very soul of the Reformation.
"The king's contest with Rome had filled the friends of the Scriptures with hope. . . . 'The
king is one of us,' they used to boast; 'he wishes his subjects to read the New Testament.' . .