The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

intention to secede from the Church. Four thousand more followed, and according to
judicial court-records received toward the end of December, 17,000 secessions took place
in December up to the 23d, and the day after Christmas 8,000 more announced their
intention. These are alarming figures!
"To the Socialists the Church Boycott is a political campaign issue. They aim at depriving
the Church of her revenues and thus result in her over-burdening the State."
In the exposition of 1883, Mr. Russell's thought was that this withdrawal of the support of
the people from the Papacy would be caused by her success in conciliating all the
kingdoms, both those which she appointed and those appointed and sanctioned by the
daughter [Protestant] Churches. "In this she is arraying herself directly on the side of these
kingdoms, and in opposition to the increasing desire and effort of the people for liberty."
Concerning this he says:
"Therefore, when present tendencies have produced a closer affiliation of religion and
state than has existed for some time, it will result in leading the masses to throw off the
yoke of the church as well as the state, since both will be leagued against their cherished
ideas of liberty and equality. The support of the people--the waters of the Euphrates-being
thus withdrawn, the Babylon Church organization will become weak and helpless,
by reason of the drying up of the waters from its channel."
The correctness of the foregoing application of this symbol in the light of history unveiling
prophecy can hardly be questioned. All the signs of our times bearing on this particular
matter point to a near completion of this plague. Indeed, when considered in connection
with the fulfillment of the five previous plagues the evidence is indisputable.
Three impure spirits like frogs
"And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of
the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet."--Rev. 16:13.
The beast and the dragon are not new symbols. We have frequently met them in our
previous expositions of the Revelation. We have noted that when speaking of the beast as
applied to Antichrist, reference is made to that stage or state of the old Roman Empire and
the kingdoms that at the present time occupy its territory after it came under the control of
Antichrist or Papacy. The Papacy itself, as a combination of a civil and religious
government, and as once a head or ruling power over these kingdoms is represented by
the beast. While it has lost its temporal authority over all the kingdoms and governments
of earth, it continues to claim it, and the great mass of Roman Catholics acknowledge and
obey its decrees as more binding than those of human governments. It is, therefore, still
Scriptural and proper to call this great power, the beast, and it continues to be thus
designated until the central hierarchy at Rome is completely destroyed.
The reference to the dragon symbol in this sixth plague vision is the first since its mention
in chapter 13. There it is represented as giving to the beast its throne and authority. This