1. The power in question must be located in the western hemisphere. 2. It comes into view at the time the first beast goes into captivity, namely, about the year 1798.
3. It rises in a quiet and peaceable manner, like a plant out of the earth, and in territory previously unoccupied by civilized nations.
4. It makes a profession which is perfectly just, innocent, and lamb-like.
5. Its progress is so rapid as to strike the beholder with wonder.
6. It is the equal of any other nation in power.
7. It enforces an institution of the Papacy—the first-day sabbath—which, when so enforced, constitutes the worship and mark of the beast.
8. It is a Protestant power.
9. It is a nation in which appear great and super-human wonders to deceive the people.
10. It is republican in its form of government. And of these ten specifications two things can be said:—
First, that they will apply perfectly to our own country, the Government of the U.S.; and, secondly, that if we try to apply them to any other government, they will be found to be utter failures.
But a painful sequel follows; for, according to the conditions of the
prophecy, some of them already alluded to, this same power is to commit itself to ways that are dark and inscrutable, and, contrary to all its profession of justice and innocence, enter upon a systematic and legal course of religious persecution against those who would obey the truth of God, according to His word. While the beast has the horns of “a lamb,” it speaks “as a dragon.”
But a painful sequel follows; for, according to the conditions of the
Uriah Smith
