The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

Speaking of the time when this apostolic (?) succession will be conferred, he further
remarks:
"Then, they think, we will present to the world a large system and a bold front and
command their attention to the voice of the Church and the Voice of God coming down
through the 'apostolic succession'--just as the Catholics do--a mild 'image' of Catholicism,
but full of its power and vigor. . . . To us the Scriptures indicate that the prosperity of the
Federated Protestant 'image' will for a little time be so great, so pronounced, and its
arrogance become so great that the sympathy of the masses will be entirely alienated and
turned into bitterness."
Since these words were written, in the light of history unveiling prophecy, the correctness
of this writer's interpretation of the vision is becoming more and more confirmed.
Concerning developments in the social and political world that would hasten rapidly the
vitalizing of the "image," his words written at an earlier date than this (1910) are now
under present conditions very significant and more confirmatory of the correctness of the
interpretation:
"Meantime Socialism (which, although not so intended by its best and ablest leaders, is
incipient anarchy, because even its best propositions would prove unworkable under
present selfish conditions) will be making strong headway throughout Christendom, and
will be causing more and more perplexity to the great, the rich, the mighty, the wise, the
influential, according to the course of this world. The quickened 'image' will be closely
related to the chief captains of industry, finance and politics, and the dread of Socialism
and irreligion and anarchy will draw them more and more closely together and make each
the more energetic in support of the other.
"As a result of these conditions we may expect an increasing disregard of the rights and
constitutional prerogatives of all who are not directly active supporters of the powers that
be, political, financial, and religious. The freedom of speech and freedom to circulate
literature will be greatly abridged, under the plea that such abridgment is necessary for
the public welfare, which in some respects will be the truth. Anything not fully in line with
the rulers of that time will be reckoned as in opposition; and . . . will probably come under
the ban with those of Socialism--though their teachings be as opposite as the poles. The
period following will seemingly be the time when the door will be closing--and
opportunities for service will be increasingly diminished, though opportunities for
suffering for the Truth's sake may increase."
The effects of this giving of life to the image of the Papacy, will be to "cause all who will
not worship the image [bow down to it] to be killed." While this feature was fulfilled in
both a literal and symbolical sense by Papacy (that is, Papacy did both literally and
symbolically kill), yet we would expect the symbolical feature to be the one more
particularly described in the image. Regarding this we quote further from the above
author: