The United States in the Light of Prophecy by Uriah Smith
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Uriah Smith >> The United States in the Light of Prophecy
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9 THE UNITED STATES IN THE LIGHT OF PROPHECY;
OR, AN EXPOSITION OF REV. 13:11-17.
BY URIAH SMITH.
1874
And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from
heaven on the earth in the sight of men. REV. 13:13.
Preface.
If we read the signs of the times aright, events are soon to transpire
of such a nature as to preclude the necessity of any apology for the
publication of what is contained in the following pages. The numerous
rays of light now shining from the book of prophecy, seem to find their
focal point in our own times. The present age is illuminated in this
respect above all others. Here we find the most emphatic touches of the
prophetic pencil. The events to transpire, and the agents therein
concerned, are brought out in a vivid and startling light.
The question naturally arises, what part the United States has to act in
these scenes; for it must seem reasonable and probable that a nation
which has arisen so suddenly as ours, made such unparalleled progress,
and attained to such a pinnacle of greatness and power, must be a
subject of divine prophecy, or at least of divine providence.
To this question the following pages undertake to give a brief but
scriptural, and so a reasonable and conclusive answer; and to such only
as do not believe that God ever foretells the history of nations, or
that his providence ever works in their development and decline, can
the subject fail to be one of interest.
That this little treatise is exhaustive of the subject is not claimed;
but some facts are presented which are thought to be worthy of serious
consideration, and enough evidence, we trust, produced in favor of the
position taken to show the reader that the subject is not one of mere
theory, but of the highest practical importance; and so enough to
stimulate thought and lead to further inquiry.
If the position here taken be correct, this subject is to be one of
continually-increasing interest, and information respecting it is
necessary to an understanding of our duties and responsibilities in the
solemn and important times that are upon us. It is in this light that we
especially commend it to the serious consideration of the reader.
U.S.
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., June, 1874.
Contents
Chapter One.
Probabilities Considered, Pp. 9-19
Chapter Two.
A Chain Of Prophecy, 20-30
Chapter Three.
Location Of The Two-horned Beast, 31-40
Chapter Four.
Chronology Of The Two-horned Beast, 41-51
Chapter Five.
The United States Have Arisen In The Exact Manner In Which John
Saw The Two-horned Beast Coming Up, 52-69
Chapter Six.
Character Of The Government Represented By The Two-horned
Beast, 70-78
Chapter Seven.
The Dragon Voice, 79-88
Chapter Eight.
He Doeth Great Wonders, 89-100
Chapter Nine.
An Image To The Beast, 101-111
Chapter Ten.
The Mark Of The Beast, 112-132
Chapter Eleven.
The Beginning Of The End, 133-160
The United States In The Light Of Prophecy.
Chapter One.
Probabilities Considered.
The United States--what are they? Two hundred years ago, this question
could not have been answered; it could not even have been asked. Now it
can be answered by the dwellers in every quarter of the globe. Then a
few small settlements of earnest men, flying from the religious
intolerance of the Old World, dotted a narrow strip of coast line on our
New England border. Now a mighty nation, with a vast expanse of
territory stretching from ocean to ocean, and from regions almost arctic
on the north to regions equally torrid on the south, embracing more
square leagues of habitable land than Rome ruled over in its palmiest
days, here holds a position of independence and glory among the nations
of the earth.
And the sound of this new nation has gone into all the world. It has
reached the toiling millions of Europe; and they are swarming to our
shores to share its blessings. It has gone to the islands of the sea;
and they have sent their contributions. It has reached the Orient, and
opened as with a password the gates of nations long barred against
intercourse with other powers; and China and Japan, turning from their
beaten track of forty centuries, are looking with wonder at the prodigy
arising across the Pacific to the east of them, and catching some of the
impulse which this growing power is imparting to the nations of the
earth.
Less than one hundred years ago, with three millions of people, the
United States became an independent government. It has now a population
of thirty-eight and a half millions of people, and a territory of three
and a half millions of square miles. Russia alone exceeds this nation in
these particulars, having forty millions more of people, and four
millions more square miles of territory. Of all other nations on the
globe whose laws are framed by legislative bodies elected by the people,
Brazil, which has the largest territory, has not quite three millions of
square miles; and France, the most populous, has not probably,
considering her late reverses and misfortunes, a greater number of
inhabitants than our own country. So that in point of territory and
population combined, it will be seen that the United States now stand at
the head of the self-governing powers of the earth.
Occupying a position altogether unique, this government excites equally
the astonishment and admiration of all beholders. The main features of
its history are such as have had no parallel since the distinction of
nations existed among men.
1. No nation ever acquired so vast a territory in so quiet a manner.
2. No nation ever rose to such greatness by so peaceable means.
3. No nation ever advanced so rapidly in all that constitutes national
strength and capital.
4. No nation ever rose to such a pinnacle of power in a space of time so
incredibly short.
5. No nation in so limited a time has developed such unlimited
resources.
6. No nation has ever existed founded on principles of justice so pure
and undefiled.
7. No nation has ever existed in which the conscience of men have been
left so untrammeled and free.
8. In no nation and in no age of the world, have the arts and sciences
so flourished, so many improvements been made, and so great successes
been achieved, as in our own country during the last fifty years.
9. In no nation and in no age has the gospel found such freedom, and the
churches of Christ had such liberty to spread abroad their principles
and develop their strength.
10. No age of the world has seen such an immigration as that which is
now pouring into our borders from all lands the millions who have long
groaned under despotic governments, and who now turn to this broad
territory of freedom as the avenue of hope, the Utopia of the nations.
The most discerning minds have been intuitively impressed with the idea
of the future greatness and power of this government. In view of the
grand results developed and developing, the discovery of America by
Columbus, not four hundred years ago, is set down as the greatest event
of all secular history. The progress of empire to this land was long ago
expected.
Sir Thomas Brown, in 1682, predicted the growth of a power here, which
would rival the European kingdoms in strength and prowess.
In Burnaby's Travels through the middle settlements of North America, in
1759 and 1760, published in 1775, is expressed this sentiment:--
"An idea, strange as it is visionary, has entered into the minds of
the generality of mankind, that empire is traveling westward; and
every one is looking forward with eager and impatient expectation
to that destined moment when America is to give the law to the rest
of the world."
John Adams, Oct. 12, 1775, wrote:---
"Soon after the Reformation, a few people came over into this New
World for conscience' sake. Perhaps this apparently trivial
incident may transfer the great seat of empire to America."
On the day after the Declaration of Independence, he wrote:--
"Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated
in America, and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided
among men."
In 1776, Galiani, a Neapolitan, predicted the gradual decay of European
institutions, to renew themselves in America. In 1778, in reference to
the question as to which was to be the ruling power in the world, Europe
or America, he said:--
"I will wager in favor of America."
Adam Smith of Scotland, in 1776, predicted the transfer of empire to
America.
Governor Pownal, an English statesman, in 1780, while our Revolution was
in progress, predicted that this country would become independent, and
that a civilizing activity beyond what Europe could ever know, would
animate it; and that its commercial and naval power would be found in
every quarter of the globe. Again he said:--
"North America has advanced, and is every day advancing, to growth
of state, with a steady and continually accelerating motion, of
which there never has yet been any example in Europe."
David Hartley wrote from England in 1777:--
"At sea, which has hitherto been our prerogative element, they [the
United States] rise against us at a stupendous rate; and if we
cannot return to our old mutual hospitalities toward each other, a
very few years will show us a most formidable hostile marine,
ready to join hands with any of our enemies."
Count d'Aranda, one of the first of Spanish statesmen, in 1783 thus
wrote of this republic:--
"This Federal Republic is born a pygmy, so to speak. It required
the support and forces of two powers as great as Spain and France
in order to attain independence. A day will come when it will be a
giant, even a colossus formidable in these countries."[1]
[1] These quotations are from an article by Hon. Charles Sumner,
entitled, "Prophetic Voices about America," published in the _Atlantic
Monthly_ of September, 1807.
Of these prophecies, some are now wholly fulfilled, and the rest far on
the road to fulfillment. This infant of yesterday stands forth to-day a
giant, vigorous, active, and courageous, and accepts with dignity its
manifest destiny at the head of powers and civilizations.
Such, in brief, is the answer to the question proposed at the opening of
this chapter. Another question immediately follows: Does the prophetic
pen which has so fully delineated the rise and progress of all the other
great nations of the earth, pass this one by unnoticed? What are the
probabilities in this matter? As the student of prophecy, in common with
all mankind, looks with wonder upon the unparalleled rise and progress
of this nation, he cannot repress the conviction that the hand of
Providence has been at work in this quiet but mighty revolution. And
this conviction he shares in common with others.
Gov. Pownal, from whom a quotation has already been presented, speaking
of the establishment of this country as a free and sovereign power calls
it
"A revolution that has stronger marks of _divine interposition,_
superseding the ordinary course of human affairs than any other
event which this world has experienced."
De Tocqueville, a French writer, speaking of our separation from
England, says:--
"It might seem their folly, but was really their fate, or, rather,
the providence of God, who has doubtless a work for us to do, in
which the massive materiality of the English character would have
been too ponderous a dead weight upon our progress."
Geo. Alfred Townsend, speaking of the misfortunes that have attended the
other governments on this continent (New World and Old, p. 635), says:--
"The history of the United States was separated by a beneficent
Providence far from this wild and cruel history of the rest of the
continent."
Again he says:--
"This hemisphere was laid away for no one race."
If Providence has been thus conspicuously present in our history, we may
look for some mention of this government in that Book which records the
workings of Providence among mankind. On what conditions have other
nations found a place in the prophetic record? First, if they have acted
any prominent part in the world's history; and secondly, and above-all,
if they have had jurisdiction over, or maintained any relations with,
the people of God. And both these conditions are fulfilled in our
government. No nation has ever attracted more attention or excited more
profound wonder, or given promise of greater eminence or influence. And
certainly here, if anywhere on the globe, are to be found a strong array
of Christians, such as are the salt of the earth, and the light of the
world.
With these probabilities in our favor, let us now take a brief survey of
those symbols found in the word of God, which represent earthly
governments. These are found chiefly, if not entirely, in the books of
Daniel and Revelation. In Dan 2, a symbol is introduced in the form of a
great image. In Dan 7, we find a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a great
and terrible nondescript, which, after passing through a new and
remarkable phase, goes into the lake of fire. In Dan. 8, we have a ram,
a he goat, and a horn, little at first, but waxing exceeding great. In
Revelation 9, we have locusts like unto horses. In Rev. 12, we have a
great red dragon. In Rev. 13, we have a blasphemous leopard beast, and a
beast with two horns like a lamb. In Rev. 17, we have a scarlet-colored
beast, upon which a woman sits holding in her hand a golden cup full of
filthiness and abomination.
What governments and what powers are represented by all these? Do any
of them symbolize our own? Some of these certainly represent earthly
kingdoms; for so the prophecies themselves expressly inform us; and in
the application of nearly all of them there is quite a uniform agreement
among expositors. The four-parts of the great image of Dan. 2 represent
four kingdoms, Babylon, or Chaldea, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The
lion of the seventh chapter also represents Babylon; the bear,
Medo-Persia; the leopard, Grecia; and the great and-terrible beast,
Rome. The horn, with human eyes and mouth, which appears in the second
phase of this beast, represents the papacy, and covers its history down
to the time when it was temporarily overthrown by the French in 1798. In
Dan. 8, likewise, the ram represents Medo-Persia, the he goat, Grecia,
and the little horn, Rome. All these have a very clear and definite
application to the governments named; none of them thus far can have any
reference to the United States.
The symbols brought to view in Rev. 9, all are agreed in applying to the
Saracens and Turks. The dragon of Rev. 12, is the acknowledged symbol of
Pagan Rome. The leopard beast of Rev. 13 can be shown to be identical
with the eleventh horn of the fourth beast of Dan. 7, and hence to
symbolize the papacy. The scarlet beast and woman of Rev. 17, as
evidently apply also to Rome under papal rule, the symbols having
especial reference to the distinction between the civil power and the
ecclesiastical, the one being represented by the beast, the other by the
woman seated thereon.
There is one symbol left, and that is the two-horned beast of Rev. 13.
On this there is more difference of opinion; and before seeking for an
application, let us look at the ground covered by those already
examined. Babylon and Medo-Persia covered all the civilized portion of
Asia. Greece covered eastern Europe including Russia. Rome, with the ten
kingdoms into which it was divided, as represented by the ten toes of
the image, the ten horns of the fourth beast of Dan. 7, the ten horns of
the dragon of Rev. 12, and the ten horns of the leopard beast of Rev.
13, covered all Western Europe. In other words, all the civilized
portion of the eastern hemisphere is absorbed by the symbols already
examined, respecting the application of which there is scarcely any room
for doubt.
But there is a mighty nation in this western hemisphere, worthy, as we
have seen, of being mentioned in prophecy, which is not yet brought in;
and there is one symbol remaining, the application of which has not yet
been made. All the symbols but one are applied, and all the available
portions of the eastern hemisphere are covered by the applications. Of
all the symbols mentioned, one, the two-horned beast of Rev. 13, is
left; and of all the countries of the earth respecting which any reason
exists why they should be mentioned in prophecy, the United States alone
are left. Do the two-horned beast and the United States belong together?
If they do, then all the symbols find an application, and all the ground
is covered. If they do not, it follows, first, that the United States
are not represented in prophecy; and, secondly, that the two-horned
beast finds no government to which it can apply. But the first of these
suppositions is not probable; and the second is not possible.
Chapter Two.
A Chain Of Prophecy.
We now enter upon a more particular examination of the second symbol of
Rev. 13, with a view to determine with greater certainty its
application. What is said respecting this symbol, the beast with two
horns like a lamb, is not an isolated and independent prophecy, but is
connected with what precedes; and the symbol itself is but one of a
series. It is proper therefore to briefly examine the preceding symbols,
since if we are able to make a satisfactory application of them, it will
guide us in the interpretation of this.
The line of prophecy of which this forms a part commences with Rev. 12.
The book of Revelation is evidently not a consecutive prophecy of events
to transpire from the beginning to the close of the gospel dispensation,
but is composed of a series of prophetic lines, each taking up its own
class of events, and tracing them through from the days of the prophet
to the end of time. And when one line of prophecy is completed, another
is taken up. That a new series of prophetic events is introduced in Rev.
12, is evident; since in the preceding chapter a line of prophecy is
completed, bringing us down to the great day of God's wrath, the
judgment of the dead, and the eternal reward of those that fear God and
revere his name. No line of prophecy can go farther; and any events to
transpire in probation, subsequently mentioned, must of course belong to
a new series.
Commencing, then, with chapter 12, how far does this line of prophecy
extend? The first symbol introduced, which can be applied to an earthly
government, is the great red dragon. The second is the beast of Rev. 13,
which, having the body of a leopard, we shall call, for brevity's sake,
the leopard beast. To this beast the dragon gives his seat, power, and
great authority. This beast, then, is connected with the dragon, and
belongs to this line of prophecy. The third symbol is the two-horned
beast of Rev. 13. This beast exercises certain power in the presence of
the leopard beast, and causes the earth and them that dwell therein to
worship him. This beast, therefore, is connected with the leopard beast,
and hence belongs to the same line of prophecy. No conclusion is reached
in chapter 13, and hence the prophecy is not there completed. Going
forward into chapter 14, we find a company brought to view who are
redeemed from among men (which can mean nothing else than translation
from among the living at the second coming of Christ); and they sing a
song before the throne which none but themselves can learn. In chapter
15, we have a company presented before us who have gotten the victory
over the beast, his image, the mark, and the number of his name--the
very things brought to view in the concluding portion of Rev. 13. This
company also sing a song, even the song of Moses and the Lamb; and they
sing it while standing upon the sea of glass, as stated in verse 2.
Turning to chapter 4:6, we learn that this sea of glass is "before the
throne." The conclusion, therefore, follows that those who sing before
the throne, in chapter 14, are identical with those who sing on the sea
of glass (before the throne), in chapter 15, inasmuch as they stand in
the same place, and the song they both sing is the first glad song of
actual redemption. But the declarations found in chapter 15 show that
the company introduced in the opening of chapter 14 have been in direct
conflict with the powers brought to view in the closing verses of
chapter 13, and have gotten the victory over them. Being thus connected
with those powers, they form a part of the same line of prophecy. But
here this line of prophecy must end; for this company is spoken of as
redeemed; and no line of prophecy, as already noticed, can go beyond the
eternal state.
The line of prophecy in which the two-horned beast stands, is,
therefore, one which is very clearly defined: it commences with chapter
12, and ends with verse 5 of chapter 14. The student of prophecy finds
it one of vast importance; the humble child of God, one of transcendent
interest. It begins with the church, and ends with the church--the
church, at first in humility, trial, and distress; at last, in victory,
exaltation, and glory. This is the one object which ever appears the
same in all the scenes here described, and whose history is the leading
theme of the prophecy, from first to last. Trampled under the feet of
the three colossal persecuting powers here brought to view, the
followers of Christ for long ages bow their heads to the pitiless storm
of oppression and persecution; but the end repays them all; for John
beholds them at last, the storms all over, their conflicts all ended,
waving palm-branches of victory, and striking on golden harps a song of
everlasting triumph within the precincts of the heavenly land.
We turn then to the inquiry, What power is designated by the great red
dragon of chapter 12? The chapter first speaks of a woman clothed with
the sun, the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve
stars. A woman is the symbol of the church; a lewd woman representing a
corrupt or apostate church, as in Eze. 23:2-4, &c., which refers to the
Jewish church in a state of backsliding, and in Rev. 17:3-6, 15, 18,
which refers to the apostate Romish church; and a virtuous woman
representing the true church, as in the verse under consideration. At
what period in her history could the church be properly represented as
here described? Ans. At the opening of the gospel dispensation, and at
no other time; for then the glory of this dispensation, like the light
of the sun, had just risen upon her; the former dispensation, which,
like the moon, shone with a borrowed light, had just passed and lay
beneath her feet. And twelve inspired apostles, like a crown of twelve
stars, graced the first organization of the gospel church. To this
period these representations can apply, but to no other. The prophet
antedates this period a little by referring to the time when the church
with longing expectation was awaiting the advent into this world of the
glorious Redeemer.
A man child here represented as the offspring of this woman, appears
upon the stage. This child was to rule all nations with a rod of iron,
and was caught up to God and his throne. Verse 5. These declarations are
true of our Lord Jesus Christ, but of no one else. See Ps. 2:7-9; Eph.
1:20, 21; Heb. 8:1; Rev. 3:21. There is therefore no mistaking the
time when the scenes here described took place. We mention these facts
for the purpose of identifying the power symbolized by the dragon; for
the dragon stood before the woman, to devour her child as soon as it
should be born. Who attempted the destruction of our Lord when he
appeared as a babe in Bethlehem? Herod. And who was Herod? A Roman
governor. Rome, which then ruled over all the earth, Luke 2:1, was the
responsible party in this transaction. Rome was the only power which at
this time could be symbolized in prophecy, as its dominion was
universal. It is not without good reason, therefore, that Pagan Rome is
considered among Protestant commentators to be the power indicated by
the great red dragon. And it may be a fact worth mentioning that during
the second, third, fourth, and fifth centuries of the Christian era,
next to the eagle, the dragon was the principal standard of the Roman
legions; and that dragon was painted red.
There is but one objection we need pause to answer before passing to
the'next symbol. Is not the dragon plainly called in verse 9, the devil,
and Satan? How then can it be applied to Pagan Rome? That the term
dragon is primarily applied to the devil, there seems to be no doubt;
but that it should be applied also to some of his chief agents, would
seem to be appropriate and unobjectionable. Now Rome being at this time
pagan, and the supreme empire of the world, was the great, if not almost
the sole, agent in the hands of the devil for carrying out his purposes.
Hence the application of that term to the Roman power.
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