Prophecy Truth

Key to the Prophetic Chart - The Dragon and Beasts of Revelation 12 & 13

Uriah Smith, 1864

In this line of prophecy, brought to view in the chapters of Revelation above given, we have the fourth kingdom of Daniel’s vision, that is, Rome, again presented; and again it is found necessary to vary the symbols, in order to bring out still other particulars, concerning this strange and complicated power, Satan’s master-piece of earthly kingdoms. The three preceding kingdoms, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Grecia, having passed away when John lived, through whom the book of Revelation was given, he commences with ROME in its PAGAN FORM. Chap 12:3, 4. “And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” It will be observed that this dragon has the same number of horns that the non-descript beast of Daniel 7, does. The new feature that is here introduced is the seven heads, which are supposed to mean the seven forms of government that have existed in the Roman empire. These are commonly enumerated as follows;

1. The Kingly. 2. The Consular. 3. The Decemvirate. 4. The Dictatorial. 5. The Triumvirate. 6. The Imperial. 7. The Papal. (See Ency. Americana.) John lived under the 6th form. Five had fallen, and one was “not yet” in his day. “And the dragon [Rome Pagan] stood before the women [the church], to devour her child, [Christ] as soon as it was born.” See Matthew 2.

NOTE.- The Devil is also called a dragon, in verse 9. His has been the master spirit, actuating more or less all the beasts of Daniel’s and John’s visions. Pre-eminently was this the case with Pagan Rome, hence the earthly power, as the outward medium, here takes the symbol of the who inspired its action.

In Revelation 13, we have another symbol brought to view; namely, a beast the the body of a leopard, feet of a bear, and mouth of a lion, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns. Verse 12. To this beast the dragon gives his seat, his power, and great authority. To whom did Pagan Rome give its seat [the city of Rome], and power, and great authority? Ans. To the PAPACY. This beast is further shown to represent the Papacy, from its being identical with the little horn of the fourth beast of Daniel 7.

1. The little horn was a blasphemous power. “He shall speak great words against the Most High.” Daniel 7:25. So also does the beast of Revelation 13:6, do the same. “He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God.”


2. The little horn made war with the saints and prevailed against them. Daniel 7:21. This beast also, Revelation 13:7, makes war with the saints and overcomes them.


3. The little horn had a mouth speaking great things. Daniel 7:8, 20. So had the beast of Revelation 13. Verse 5.


4. Power was given to the little horn of Daniel 7:25, for a time, times, and the dividing of time - 1260 years. To this beast also power was given 42 months, that is, 1260 years.


5. At the end of that specified period, the dominion of the little horn was to be taken away. Daniel 7:26. At the end of the same period, the beast of Revelation 13 was himself “to be led into captivity.” Verse 10. Buonaparte fulfilled both in his capture of the Pope. Who can fail to see their identity?

At this point of time John beheld another beast coming up, having two horns like a lamb. This beast is for a while contemporary with the one above: for he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him [enopion, in his presence]. We understand this to be a symbol of these United States, from the following specifications:

1. Its location. All Europe is occupied by the first beast and his ten horns. We cannot look there for another beast. Whatever power arises there, must be apart of the first beast, or one of his horns. Consequently we must look for the two-horned beast to another continent.


2. The time of its rise. At the time of the captivity of the Pope, 1798, there was no other notable power “coming up,” except these United States.


3. The manner of its rise. It comes out of the earth; that is, in a quiet, peaceable manner; unlike the other beasts which came up out of the sea - arose through wars and commotions.


4. Its character. It has two horns like a lamb. The lamb feature is a fit emblem of the profession and the early acts of this government. But it speaks like a dragon - a fit emblem of the practice of this hypocritical nation. Look at the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution; and then look at slavery, look at the religious intolerance, the corruption and oppression existing throughout the land. A further development may be expected in the future.


5. The form of its government. There are no crowns upon its horns, which shows that the government is not monarchical. Verse 14 [Revelation 13] shows it to be a republican: “Saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast,” etc. This is not the language of a government, the power of which is vested in a supreme and absolute head. It is the voice of a nation, in the government of which the people participate- fixing it again to these United States.


6. It is a government which tolerates slavery; for it embraces within its jurisdiction “both free and bond. Verse 16. All the great powers of the earth have now abolished slavery, except the United States.


7. Its acts, “It doeth great wonders,” etc. We need but refer here to the astonishing application of steam power to various purposes, the wonderful discoveries concerning electricity, and its application to the magnetic telegraph, etc.; but more especially the wonders and mysteries of modern Spiritualism, all of which have emanated from this country, and arrested the attention of the notions of the earth.

Its two horns fitly denote the two great branches of power that exist in this Republic, commonly designated Ecclesiastical and Civil, Religious and Political, Protestantism and Republicanism, or Church and State.

It will be seen by comparing Revelation 13:14, with chap 19:20, that the two-horned beast is the same as the false prophet. His doom is to be cast alive with the beast into a lake burning with fire and brimstone. Revelation 19:20. For a full exposition of the subject, see work entitled, The Three Angels’ Messages, and Two-horned Beast.