Second advent library

154. To undersemd the number given,:mtl apply it to the beast.1. It cannot mean the Papal kingdom;for that is an image of this beast. ThenM we can leam what°Pa1pacy is the image of,we shall have at clue to an understanding ofthe beast. aItis beast which existed be~fore Papacy did, or how coulé Papacy bemade in its likeness of image-See 12thverse. Now compare Rev. 1, withRev. xii. 3, 4, and xvii. I--7 ;»a9so withDaniel vii. 7, 8, 23, 24 ; which shows plainlythat it is the 4th, or Roman kingdom, anda blasphemous, bloody, persecuting power.Then it is a plain matter of fact, thatit is a full and clear description of RomePagan.2. What may we unéerstand by numberingthis kingdom? I_ answer, it is tofinish, or take it away. See a sample in thefirst of the four kingdoms-Babylon. ReadDaniel v. 26, 30. To number, then, is tofinish or take away. Compare Daniel xi.31, and xii. 11, with 2 Thess. ii. 7.3. What is the number of a man? Itis the nnmber of his days,or the ears of hislife. See Psalm xc. 12 ;'Job x. gi; xiv. 5, 6,14 ; xvi. 22. See margin, years if number.The number of the years of fthe 'Bnnsanhead ofkingdom under itdfirstbluphumous2