Revelation 13:15

"And be had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed."--13:15.

The sword had overthrown the Roman Empire. To all human appearance the sway of Rome over the world was gone forever, but the second beast, the spiritual power, by its sorceries and its power over the superstitions of men, succeeded in restoring that dominion, and within three or four centuries of the fall of Rome she had again grasped the empire of the world. The " image " of the old temporal dominion was established. It was not the old temporal dominion in its ancient form, but it had the likeness of that old power. The Pope,. spiritual ruler, restored "the image," and established. likeness of the power of imperial Rome, by usurping the rule of kings of the earth as his own vassals.

The image was not. mere likeness. The image had life. The second beast gave it life. The spiritual power made the restored temporal power of Rome. stern reality. This living image, endowed with life by the second beast, had power to speak and slay those who would not do it homage. There can be no doubt as to what this means, nor as to the facts of history. The dragonnades of southern France, the relentless wars waged upon the Huguenots, the 18,000 victims of the inquisition in Holland, and the cruel wars of Alva for the extermination of the Protestants, the persecution conducted by Bloody Mary in England, all demonstrate how those were put to death who would not worship the image of the beast. The Pope has demanded implicit obedience to his temporal as well as spiritual demands, and, in the days of his power, those who refused him homage, brought down the terrors of both temporal and eternal ruin.