America as the second Beast of revelation 13
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” – Revelation 13:11-12
In chapter 13 of the book of Revelation, we are introduced to the existence of two beasts. The first of them has been identified as the Roman Catholic Church (see this link for a complete study). The second beast must be a power that forces the world to worship the first beast, as Scripture says: “And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast.”
We must keep in mind that when the Bible speaks of a beast, it is referring to a kingdom or political power (Daniel 7:17). In this case, this second beast, with horns like a lamb, must be a world power—a kingdom with authority capable of subduing any other nation that opposes the first beast. This is because this exercise of power will be universal, over every inhabitant of the planet: “And it was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.”
The interpretation that has been given to this beast is that it represents the United States of America. It is no surprise that this country stands as a global superpower, above any other nation in terms of military, political, and economic strength.
Some of the characteristics that define this beast are:
Initially, the beast rises from the earth: In Revelation we see a contrast between the two beasts. The first, identified as the Catholic Church, rises from the sea/waters, which represent densely populated areas (Rev. 17:15). In contrast, rising from the earth signifies emerging from a sparsely populated region.
The United States rose to power far from the densely populated regions of the world. It rose steadily and quietly (like a growing plant), largely without conquering (previous beasts were depicted as devouring, trampling, conquering, etc.). The first beast arose from the densely populated nations of Europe—the Old World. This second beast arises from a less populated area—the New World.
It has two horns like a lamb: The United States was founded on Christian principles of liberty and free will. Based on Protestantism and republicanism, it was radically different from any other nation in the world, as it offered religious liberty and civil freedom. Just as Christ does not force anyone to choose or love Him, the United States set out to ensure that no one would be forced to believe in a certain way.
It rises after the first beast falls: The 42 months (1260 years) of the first beast ended in 1798 (complete study here), when the power of the papacy was broken and the pope was taken prisoner. The United States was rising to power at the end of the 18th century, at just the right time. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
It gains global influence and significant power: The United States became the most powerful nation on the planet. It is capable of exercising worldwide influence, and it does so frequently. The prophecy even reveals that it will perform miracles and wonders, which will further increase its influence.
In conclusion, this second beast, which is the United States of America, will use its power to subdue any other nation that refuses to worship the first beast, which is the Roman Catholic Church. This is because the mark of the beast is universal: “And he causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast.” — Revelation 13:11–12.
The image of the beast as the union of church and state
“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live” – Revelation 13:14
Now that we have identified who the two beasts of Revelation 13 are, we must determine the purpose these two political powers serve. The most prominent characteristic is that they unite to exalt the first beast, or the Roman power. In doing so, they create what is called the “image of the beast.”
An image refers to something that represents or reflects the characteristics of something else — we would agree with that definition, wouldn’t we? In this case, the State would unite with the church and reflect its beliefs in its decrees and legislation, commanding the inhabitants of the earth to follow certain laws and norms that would not have existed if not for the union of these two powers.
According to the Bible, the decree imposed upon humanity is the mark of the beast:
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
This mark has been identified as Sunday worship enforced by law (see link for full study).
Once these two agents have united, it will not be very different from the Dark Ages, when the Church held all the power, even above the State, to the point of persecuting those who opposed its beliefs and religious system. There will be a similar persecution against God’s people, especially those who keep the COMMANDMENTS OF GOD — and those who refuse to renounce their loyalty to God by keeping the biblical Sabbath instead of Sunday.
Laws will be created in which Sunday worship will be enforced, denigrating and forcing people to work on God’s Sabbath in order to replace it with the false day of rest. This concept of Sunday laws is nothing new; even today, there are places in the world that have Sunday laws.
They have also been implemented in the past:
“It was the holy Catholic Church that changed the day of rest from Saturday to Sunday, the first day of the week. And it not only compelled everyone to keep Sunday, but at the Council of Laodicea, in the year A.D. 364, it anathematized those who kept the Sabbath and urged all people to work on the seventh day under penalty of anathema.”
—Catholic priest T. Enright, CSSR, Kansas City, MO—
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:17) — “…and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” (Revelation 13:15).
How is Sunday worship linked to 666?
“Here is wisdom. Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. And his number is six hundred sixty-six.” – Revelation 13:18
History shows that Babylonian priests used amulets to represent the cosmos. One of the most prominent amulets was connected to the sun god. On the front of the amulet, we could see the image of the sun above the Babylonian lion.
On the back there was something known in numerology as the “magic square of the Sun,” which had six boxes horizontally and vertically, each box containing a number. When adding the results of the six boxes, we end up with the number 666.
It is interesting that the Roman Catholic Church venerates the day of the sun (Sunday) and claims that this is its mark of authority. In addition, many popes have used the title “Pontifex Maximus”, which in Latin means “supreme pagan priest,” a title given to the highest-ranking priests in Babylon. In conclusion, the number 666 is rooted in sun worship, and the Church has a history of pagan origin.
Which power will enforce the Mark of the Beast?
The Bible tells us which power will implement the mark of the beast, primarily in the book of Daniel, chapter 7:
Daniel 7:25 “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”
The Roman Catholic Church fits this description. This power is the same one that admits to having changed the solemnity of the Sabbath to Sunday:
“Sunday is our mark of authority… The (Catholic) Church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.” — Catholic Record, September 1, 1923, London
The Roman Catholic Church also removed the second commandment (not making graven images) in the official catechism. With these two characteristics, it fits perfectly with the verse in Daniel 7 that says: “and think to change times and laws.”
The Bible tells us which power will implement the mark of the beast, primarily in the book of Daniel, chapter 7:
Daniel 7:25 “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”
The Roman Catholic Church fits this description. This power is the same one that admits to having changed the solemnity of the Sabbath to Sunday:
“Sunday is our mark of authority… The (Catholic) Church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.” — Catholic Record, September 1, 1923, London
The Roman Catholic Church also removed the second commandment (not making graven images) in the official catechism. With these two characteristics, it fits perfectly with the verse in Daniel 7 that says: “and think to change times and laws.”
Earth's FINAL warning
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and RECEIVE his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb’” — (Revelation 14:9–10)
As part of the messages of the three angels in Revelation chapter 14, we are shown that the final message is a WARNING not to receive the mark of the beast. Those who receive it will take part in and experience the wrath of God upon them, which is manifested in the seven last plagues.
“And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” — (Revelation 15:1)
The Great Controversy.
“When Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is worshiping the beast and his image.”
— The Great Controversy
From the archaeological and historical evidence that demonstrates the Bible is a reliable and true document, to the most relevant end-time prophecies, the “Total Onslaught” series teaches us the methods of deception and assault used by Satan against Christ, and how the final events of this world will unfold.