usflag.gif ANSWERS FROM THE BIBLE
Rev.13:11-17 pictures the USA!  -- "Then I saw another strange animal, this one coming up out of the earth, with two little horns like those of a lamb but a fearsome voice like the Dragon's." Rev.13:11_LB.
In symbolic prophecy beasts represent nations, or kingdoms; wind = strife or war; seas or water = multitudes of people; earth or land = open land, not crowded; wings = speed;  horns = power. See lesson US22. There are 7 Bible clues given so a student can know which nation this animal represents.  Only one nation fits all the requirements, and that nation is the USA. 
"THEN" is a word that sets the time. This beast came into power after 1798 when the French army gave the Holy Roman Empire a "deadly wound." French general Berthier captured Pope Pius VI, stripped him of his kingly power and glory and lead him "into captivity." (see Rev.13:3,10)
What nation was adding territory to its domain at this time? Not in the crowded old world with multitudes of people but in a relatively unpopulated area. Not by strife and war but by gradual growth. The USA is the only nation that fits this description.
The two lamb-like horns symbolic of youth and innocence describe the two principles that have made our country great: -- Civil and religious Liberty.


" Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon."- Rev.13:11

  • "And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
  • "And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. --
  • "He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And 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." -Rev.13:12-17
A change from lion to dragon is seen: -- from religious liberty to intolerance -- from freedom to a religio-political state, a copy or image of the Roman Papacy. Those who object to this union will not be tolerated but treated as traitors and terrorists.
People will be forced to respect a national holy day or be boycotted. Sunday laws will be revived. (The mark of the beast will be enforced and the papacy will be honored because the Sunday institution rests solely upon the authority of the Roman Church.)
"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. --Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." -- 2 Tim.3:12; Rev.2:10. 		"And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. -- He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
"And 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." -Rev.13:14-17
For more on this subject click on  Bible Marking lesson # 22. For good background information go to Topical lessons and check out lessons 16 through 21.