The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

e a likeness is the one mentioned in verses 3 and 14, as having one of its "heads" mortally
wounded, which, however, was afterwards healed. We have previously indicated that this
beast represented the ten kingdoms of Western Europe under its Papal head, and that the
Papal head is the one referred to; also that the Reformation Movement of the sixteenth
century, as well as the further effects of that Movement in 1799, accomplished this
wounding of the Papal head, from which a partial recovery was realized. We also found
that in 1870 it received a wound, from which, up to the present time, it has not recovered.
The present state of Protestant Christendom and its rapid unification points to
Protestantism, civil and ecclesiastical, as that, out of which the symbolic image of the beast
is to rise. Indeed it has already begun to fill up some of the requirements. Before
proceeding to give evidence that this is the correct interpretation, or make application of
the vision, we inquire, What would be required to constitute Protestantism an image of
Papacy, or of the Papal beast? The answer is, Protestantism in becoming an image would
be expected to indicate its own rejection and disownment of much of the truth respecting
the Divine Plan, and its acceptance of a perversion of the things pertaining to God; thus,
following methods and proceedings like that of the beast of which it is an image. In
speaking of such a state of Protestantism, we desire to be understood as referring to the
great system itself, and not necessarily to all of its individual membership. This rejection,
so far as it relates to Protestantism as a system, has evidently taken place, and is proved by
the following:
1. In its ceasing, as a system, to protest against Roman Catholic usurpation of Divine
authority and its false doctrines, etc.; because it did vigorously protest against Papacy at
one time, the name Protestant came to be used in connection with the Reformation
Movement.
2. In its failure to acknowledge openly the unscripturalness of many of its own false
doctrines; these are stated in certain articles of the Evangelical Alliance, formulated at the
time of its organization in London in 1846. This Alliance was made up of representatives
of practically all denominations existing at that time.
3. In its quite general rejection of the Scriptural teaching that the ransom sacrifice of Christ
has secured for all mankind, in a due time appointed by God, a full, fair trial for eternal
life.
4. Indeed, in its almost universal rejection of the great doctrine of atonement for sin.
5. In its erroneously claiming itself to be the Kingdom of God, established by Christ, that is
to bring the promised righteousness and peace foretold by the ancient Prophets. This
Kingdom was proclaimed by Christ and His Apostles, and according to their teaching it
was to be introduced only by His Second Advent.
6. In its substitution at the present time of the teaching of moral, social, industrial, political,
and other reforms, for the preaching of the good news of the coming of the Kingdom,
which alone is to be the remedy for all humanity's present woes and evils.