The basic Seventh-day Adventist teaching on the beast of Revelation 13:1-10 is in need of some serious reconsideration, especially when it comes to identifying the various symbols invoked such as the 10 horns and the 7 heads. Also exactly who inflicted the deadly wound? Was it Berthier, the nominal French general or was it Martin Luther? And what exactly brings about the healing of the deadly wound? Come and see the Bible evidences for yourself in this most interesting study analysis first published in 1930 as part of God’s effort to awaken the church from her Laodicean slumber which continues on to this day.
“And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: And all the world wondered after the beast.” Rev. 13:3. It is generally understood among Seventh-day Adventists that since the Italian government granted civil power to the pope on the 11th day of Feb., 1929, to be the event of the prophetic fulfillment, we shall grant that the interpretation is correct, and the “deadly wound” has been healed. Note the verbs “was” and “healed” are both in past tense. This being so, it is evident that this particular prophecy is to be fully understood after its fulfillment (as to when and how accomplished).
If the event of the above stated date fulfilled the prophecy, then we would make no mistake if we should suppose that the last part of the verse has as well met its fulfillment. “And all the world wondered after the beast.” Quoting from Volume 6, page 14: “The prophecy of the Revelation is being fulfilled, that ‘all the world wondered after the beast.’ Rev. 13:3.” The world being now at this present time in no better spiritual condition, but worse, we may conclude that the Scripture has fully met its fulfillment. The wound has been “healed” as well as the world has “wondered after the beast.”
We need not assume that the world would have to enroll in the membership of that body of people in order to fulfill the prophecy. Note the world wondered not after the wounded head but after the beast. The scripture deals in the sense of spiritual matters. Again, quoting from Volume 6, page 15: “This demon-worship was revealed to him [John], and it seemed to him as if the whole world were standing on the brink of perdition.” The world has partaken of the spirit of the beast, thus fulfilling the divine prediction.
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” Rev. 13:1. Note this beast has seven heads and ten horns. In order to get a full understanding of the prophecy we must begin from the root up. (For the first time these ten kings (horns) are brought to our attention by the Scriptures, found in Dan. 2:41, 42, represented by the ten toes on the great image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.) After revealing to the king the end of his golden empire, represented by the head of gold, and down through the stream of time to the second coming of Christ, Daniel says, “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.” Dan. 2:44. {SR1: 209.4}In Daniel 7, this same prophecy of the world’s history is repeated in symbols of beasts. The kings represented by the toes of the great image are this time represented by ten horns of the “fourth” and “non-descript” beast in verse 7. The reason for the duplicate is to bring the truth of the little horn (papal power, verse 8). The ten horns (kings) are repeated again in Rev. 13:1, to point out the time of the prophecy as explained by Daniel,–”in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom.”
Note that this (leopard) beast of Rev. 13:1-3, arise out of the sea, in like manner as the four beasts of Daniel 7, therefore, the process that brings about this beast on the stage of action is the same as those representing Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. If the ten horns of this beast represent the kings now in existence at which time “shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom” (quoting the words of Daniel), then the beast himself represents the period following Rome, as the breaking down of the Roman empire brought about the existence of these kings. It is also being termed “Rome in her broken state” symbolized by the great image of Dan. 2:42, the feet and toes of which are composed of iron and clay. Iron is the metal which represents Rome; the clay, the broken part.
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” Rev. 13:1.
The symbols given by Inspiration are perfectly capable of revealing the truth beyond a shadow of a doubt. Any interpretation of the prophecy that does not come up to the exact specification by the symbols is not the kind that can be depended upon, and sooner or later would be exploded.
It has been admitted that the ten horns represent the ten kingdoms into which Rome was divided. This interpretation is true, for you will note these ten horns are horns with crowns. The crowns denote these kings have received their kingdom, but note carefully the heads are without crowns, therefore these seven heads cannot represent kingdoms or civil governments. Thus it would be unwise and deceptive to even think that the heads could represent civil powers in the past or future.
All seven heads are alike without distinction one from another. If the head that was wounded represents a religious system, then we must conclude that the six represent religious bodies. The number of them being the Biblical number “seven,” it means “all,” or complete.”
Had the heads come one after another like the beasts of Daniel 7 and the little horn after which the three were “plucked up,” it would denote a successive form of systems. Since all seven were in existence at the same time, the symbol reveals that all seven systems must rule during the same period.
These seven heads cannot represent anything at any time before the fall of the Roman monarchy for that which represents what took place before the fall of Rome is symbolized in the composition of the beast, excluding the seven heads and ten horns (as set forth in the second verse). The leopard part represents Grecia (Dan. 7:6); the feet of a bear, Medo-Persia (Dan. 7:5); and the mouth of a lion represents Babylon (Dan. 7:4). The combination of the beast in Rev. 13:1, 2, in his makeup, is the evidence that he comes on the stage of action after the four great universal empires; namely, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome. Thus, he becomes the fifth beast, representing the period which followed the fall of Rome. The ten horns of both beasts, Dan. 7:7, and Rev. 13:1, as well as the ten toes of Dan. 2:42, represent the same ten kingdoms into which Rome was divided. These ten kings personate the civilization in the fifth period, or the one which followed Rome to our own time, and on to the second coming of Christ, according to Dan. 2:44. “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed.”
Furthermore, note that the ten horns on the non-descript beast of Dan. 7:7, are crownless, but the ones on the leopard beast of Rev. 13:1, have crowns. The symbol reveals that the horns on both beasts represent the same kings: Crownless on the first beast because those ten kings (horns) had no kingdom as yet before the fall of Rome. The fact that the leopard beast has the crowned horns is that he comes on the stage of action after the fall of Rome, at which time these kings received their kingdoms.
The little horn on the beast of Dan. 7:8, which came afterwards among the ten, and in place of which three fell has been interpreted to be the papal head, from 538 A.D. to 1798, and which was wounded in the fifteenth century. The deadly wound brought about the division and multiplied the head as pictured in Rev. 13:1. The six heads represent Protestantism, and the one which was wounded, Catholicism. The six Protestant, and the one Catholic head make the Biblical number “seven,” meaning “complete” (all). The ten horns represent this present civilization under civil power; the heads are symbols of all Christendom.
This prophecy pictures the entire civilization which came out through the four universal empires by the fall of Rome. But it cannot include other nations and peoples, for the makeup of the beast is composed only of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Grecia, and Rome, as previously explained. Had the number of horns been “seven,” it would have the Biblical meaning (all), but since the number “ten” is used, all other are excluded.
However, the nations and peoples who are excluded by the symbol “ten,” and also by the composition of the beast are not altogether left out, for the fall of the three horns on the beast of Dan. 7:8, left a balance of the Biblical number “seven.” Thus the fall of the three kings; namely, the Heruli, Ostrogoths, and the Vandals gave the signal for the present close union with the entire world by modern inventions. Therefore, the influence of the western civilization, both civil and religious (represented by the symbols,–horns and heads), involved the entire present civilization. Thus the symbolical prophecy has met its fulfillment.
The prophecy of Rev. 13:3, “And the world wondered after the beast,” reveals a great apostasy. The Biblical number “seven” includes everything represented by the heads (riding on the beast and headed by the devil). Note the name of blasphemy is upon all seven heads,–symbols of impious religious leaders, mocking the personality or authority of God, under the cloak of Christianity. The intention of the complete satanic scheme is to deceive the whole world. The statement made by Christ is true, that he (Satan) will try to “deceive even the very elect [the 144,000] if it were possible.” The Spirit of Prophecy, speaking on this scripture, says: “This demon-worship was revealed to him [John], and it seemed to him as if the whole world were standing on the brink of perdition. But as he looked with intense interest, he beheld the company of God’s commandment-keeping people.” Volume 6, page 15.
We must not be surprised if we should see that we have not heretofore fully understood the true meaning of the healing process. We repeat the definition of the verbs, being in the past tense: “as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” It is evident that Inspiration foresaw that it would not be clearly understood until the divine prediction is fulfilled. The Spirit of Prophecy bears witness to this, by saying, “The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. Not all in regard to this matter is yet understood, nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll.” Volume 6, page 17. If the scroll has made a turn, then only may we expect the truth to unmask the scripture. The exile of pope Pius VI, in 1798, and his death at Valence, France, August 19, 1799, is not the receiving of the wound, no more than the death of any other pope before or after. It only fulfilled Rev. 13:10,–”He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity.” Also the great prophetic period of the 1260 years of Dan. 7:25. Neither was the election of another pope the healing of the wound. It was only a sign of the deadly blow being accomplished. Just so with granting back civil power to the pope in 1929, is not the thing which healed the wound, but only a sign that it has been healed.
Note carefully that the deadly wound was not inflicted by any one of the ten horns (like the little horn of Dan. 7:8, after which three fell). If any of the horns had inflicted the wound, it would indicate that it was to be delivered by a civil power (thus Berthier could be credited for delivering the blow). But since the horns had nothing to do with the head, it is evident that the infliction came from within the head therefore Luther is the only one who can be credited for delivering the blow.
The exile of the pope in 1798, was only a sign of the material side of the wound showing that the blow had been delivered, but the spiritual side of the truth has been altogether overlooked. Had not the head received the deadly wound by Martin Luther, the pope could not have been put in prison by Berthier, or by any other general, for before the sword was delivered, the pope reigned supreme. But Luther’s blow weakened his power, thus the continual infliction began to irritate the “head.” This irritation continued until 1870, when finally the temporal power of the pope was taken away. That being the last irritation on the “head,” it shows that it was left to heal its “deadly wound.” The idea established by Uriah Smith in “Daniel and Revelation” is correct as far as the material part is concerned.
The election of a new pope (the material) gave a signal that the deadly wound was to be healed. What we are interested in most is the spiritual part of the lesson, which we shall briefly endeavor to bring out at this time. The reason this prophecy is brought to our attention in this chapter is to reveal the truth of the head which received the deadly wound. Note that the beast has “seven” heads; the “one” was wounded but the “six” are not. The head which received the wound is being interpreted to be the papal head, wounded by “Martin Luther.” The stroke being delivered by the true Biblical doctrine taught by Luther, the result was that Protestantism came on the stage of action in opposition to the “head.” This is what made the “wound.” The statement being true, then as long as Protestantism remains loyal to Bible principles, and the head in existence, that sore (wound) would remain open. But if Protestantism should depart from their pledge “the Bible, and the Bible only,” or refuse new light the wound would be healed, and the world would wonder after the beast (apostasy).
The head that was wounded was not much troubled because a pope had fallen under the sod, nor will it ever be as long as another can fill his place. The only thing that has worried the head and annoyed the beast is true Protestantism. The devil knows it and the head knows it, but God’s people have allowed the old dragon to pull the wool over their eyes. Arise, brother! Arise, sister! Let not the shrewd enemy deceive you from a crown of life at the eleventh hour!
Is the death of the pope far more important than the birth of Protestantism? Is the exile of the pope of greater honor than the seclusion in Wartburg Castle? Is Berthier a greater hero for pulling the bars against the prison gates than the humble monk who swung them open to throw in the once-exalted pontiff? Has not the solidity of character, and stability of purpose, with faith in God, in the heavenly messenger made all these possible? If Luther is the greatest, and his act far more glorious, why should Inspiration inscribe a prophecy for the exile and death of the pope, rather than the act of Luther?
Why should Inspiration notice the taking away or restoring the temporal power of the pope, rather than the reclaim of the Bible, and the casting away of darkness? Has not God, by the hand of Luther, thrown asunder the doors of darkness, and caused light to shine on His written Word? Has not the faith and effort of this heavenly messenger ended the terrible persecution and bloodshed of the saints of the Most High? The only rightful answer to all these numerous questions is: Luther’s blow delivered the infliction on the head, and only true Protestantism can keep that sore open.
In 1844, when the announcement was made of the fall of modern Babylon by the preaching of the second angel’s message of Rev. 14:8, the wound would have been healed, for Babylon had fallen, and would have brought about the fulfillment of, –”and all the world wondered after the beast.” But “Seventh-day Adventists” came on the stage of action, thus keeping the thorn in the wound by being proclaimed the only true Protestants since that time. This being so, then as long as Seventh-day Adventists (as a body) remain true to the principles and doctrines which built this great movement, the wound cannot be healed, neither can it be said “all the world wondered after the beast.”
As we have departed from the fundamentals,–strict obedience to God’s Word, by which only can we keep His commandments as true Adventists,–then we have left the divine foundation, and wondered after the beast. If the wound is healed, then we, as a people, have partaken of the spirit of the beast (world). As the exile of the pope was a signal of the infliction accomplished, just so the granting of civil power to the pope in 1929, is a signal that true Protestantism has lost its power, thus the world wondered after the beast.
This wholesale apostasy headed by self deceived religious leaders cannot be after the purification of God’s church, for that time is a time of harvest into which time the Gentiles of Isaiah 60, would be converted to the church. Speaking of the glorious harvest time, the prophet says: “And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isa. 2:17. God’s church would be exalted as prophesied by both Isaiah 2, and Micah 4; read pages 173-81. Therefore, the harvest time cannot be a time of apostasy for the church of God. If it was, God would have no church.” — Shepherd’s Rod book, Vol. 1, pp. 209-216
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I thank you so much in Jesus’s name for updating me when ever necessary,may His name be glorified.