_A beast rise up out of the sea._ THE DOMAIN OF ANTICHRIST I. It has a manifold development. In the commerce of the world, in the government of the world, in the campaigns of the world, in the literature of the world, in the religions of the world, antichrist appears in aspects as hideous, and in... [ Continue Reading ]
_To make war with the saints._ WAR WITH THE SAINTS Observe-- 1. A war proclaimed; the beast makes war upon the saints, by bloodshed and persecution, and by the force of those weapons overcomes them; that is to outward appearance and in the opinion of the world. But really do the saints overcome h... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity._ RETRIBUTION ON THE ENEMIES OF THE CHURCH Observe here-- 1. That this acclamation, “It any man have an ear, let him hear,” is added in Scripture when something required s spiritual understanding to discern the meaning. Let him consider what... [ Continue Reading ]
_Another beast coming up out of the earth._ THE SECOND BEAST The antichrist, though an individual, is not alone. He not only has the ten sovereignties working into his hand with all “their power and strength,” but he has a more intimate and more potent companion, hardly less remarkable than himself... [ Continue Reading ]
_Deceiveth … by the means of those miracles._ MIRACLES: A COUNTERFEIT SUPERNATURALISM Miracles have ever been the chief evidence of the presence of what is worshipful and Divine. It is by these especially that men’s faith is begotten and controlled. It is by seeing and experiencing what is manifest... [ Continue Reading ]
_He causeth all … to receive a mark._ SOUL-MARKS The words “he causeth” clearly ascribe this operation to the second beast. If it had been the first we might imagine that some outward mark or sign was meant, for that beast deals with the visible and outward. But this one stamps an image on the soul... [ Continue Reading ]
_Six hundred three score and six._ SIXES AND SEVENS I. The beast whose number is 666. The beast is not one, but three. It is evident the last verse sums up the two Chapter s, and gives its total number like the answer in an addition sum. 1. The first beast is the “great red dragon” of chap. 12. H... [ Continue Reading ]