HUMAN government has been ordained of God in order to restrain the lawless passions of men and to enable the nations to live in peace and quietness. So long as the powers that be recognize their dependence upon Him and seek to rule in His fear, they prove a blessing to mankind. But when government arrays itself against God and His Christ it becomes a curse, and must be destroyed eventually because of its corruption.
The beast is human government at its worst. “Man being in honor abideth not, but is as the beasts that perish.” Of old, pagan Rome made war with the Lamb and endeavored to destroy all who confessed His name. Throughout the centuries many other governments, notably Papal Rome, have followed suit. In our days Bolshevik Russia determined to stamp out all religion of every kind, and even today is but tolerant of Christianity because of political expediency. But no matter how great the power of those nations that make war on the Lamb, the Lamb shall overcome them. He is the earth’s destined King, and His faithful followers shall triumph with Him,
“Behold the Lamb of God,
The Lamb once slain!
Who grasped the reed as sceptered rod,
Who wreathed His brows with pain,
Who bore erect sin’s direful load,
And climbed the cross—to reign?
Behold the Lamb of God,
The Lamb once slain?
Back to that earth which drank His blood
(The martyr-scars remain),
Back to the hills His tired feet trod,
He comes, a king—to reign!”
―D. M. M.