1917_The_Finished_Mystery_Text

the center of learning, piety and wisdom (Acts17:23); so Papacy's chief claim, to be the ruler ofall kingdoms, is based on the claim that it is thecenter of wisdom, learning and piety. Otherpeculiarities of the Leopard are its activity,vigilance and secretiveness; so with Papacy.Again, a Leopard is spotted irregularly, so tooPapacy's policy in various parts of the earth."(Z.'79-12-2.) "In one place it is liberal, almostwhite in its professions or appearances; inanother quarter black, corrupt, degrading, brutal;and in still other places it has various neutral andtawny shades of correspondence to the naturaldepravity of the people it rules with its rod ofeternal torment and its staff of Purgatory. InSpain, for example, which has been for centuriesone of its dark spots— as dark as the generalcivilization of the people will permit,— the‘leopard' has been accustomed to have the way,and is incensed that freedom of worship, or evenof thought, should be dreamed of."— Z.'99-262.And his feet were as the feet of a bear.— "Thebear suggests another Papacy's peculiarities as anempire, viz., persistency. Like the Bear Empire(Medo-Persia) which would besiege for years,and even turn a river aside toFM195accomplish its ends; so Papacy moves cautiouslyand gets possession of kingdoms rather bystrategy than by battles. The bear hugs its prey todeath with its paws."— Z.'79-12-2.And his mouth as the mouth of [a lion]LIONS.— "Babylon was celebrated for itssplendor and pride—the Lion the king or ruler ofall beasts— so Papacy had a mouth of this sort,i. e., it c]aimed to be the kingdom over allkingdoms by Divine right, the kingdom of God,which was to break in pieces and consume allothers—a strong mouth."— Z.'79-12-2.And the dragon.— Imperial Rome, representedby Constantine.Gave him his power.— "Ancient Pagan Romehad only a mere skeleton of sacerdotal power ascompared with the complex and elaborate