The United States
   In case you have touched down here in browsing, I suggest you go back a bit to pick up the context so you can make sense of what I'm saying here. Reading comments and texts from the beginning of this chapter is best 13:1a, or you might go, at least, to the top of the verse 11 page.
   The United States not only arose where there were no major nations in turmoil; it was unique at the time it came into power because it immediately declared in the First Amendment to its constitution that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. . . ." Here a rising political power chose not to interfere with the spiritual power that many of its people recognized. This reminds us of words of Christ:
   "And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's." (Luke 20:25).
   Both the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman government were claiming tribute from the people. The chief priests and the scribes had tried to get Jesus to choose which demand should be complied with, so they could accuse Him either way He answered. Jesus gave them and us the principle that people have responsibilities separately to each the church and the state.

    We should note that the area where the US developed was inhabited with native American tribes and that they did fight. The "earth" symbol is still appropriate, however. The land had vast open areas between tribal concentrations, and the battles were not as violent as in Europe. The tribes also had religious beliefs but with no apparent mission to force them on other people as was the custom of those who came from Europe.

    This beast from the earth has horns like a lamb but he talks like a dragon — opposite characteristics. Does the US talk like a dragon? First, How does a nation talk? By the orders it gives through its laws. We can see this from the actions of the beast from the sea. Did it speak like a dragon? See Daniel da0725. Compare is1412ff.
 

   Has the US passed laws which speak in the voice of the dragon? Specifically, have any of its laws been contrary to the laws of God? I personally believe it has moved in that direction recently, but it hasn't yet passed laws on a national scale in open opposition to the Most High or to oppress the righteous. In other words we are now (1998-2002) in the middle of Revelation 13:11. The First Amendment has already been essentially neutralized by overturning the Freedom Restoration Act. Religious freedom is currently in jeopardy in a number of countries and does not exist in others.
   Seventh-day Adventists have always preached that the US was pictured in the earth beast. Today the interpretation hardly takes any imagination to see from Revelation. Image © 2000, Justinen Creative Group, Inc.
   From another perspective, we are living in the time when the deadly wound is nearly healed re1312. Some would say it has been healed. The beast held strong power during the Middle Ages. Now the Protestants who opposed it are no longer protesting. Billy Graham and others have directed people to the Roman pontiff as the one major religious leader in the world. In our study we saw how the 1260 years of oppression ended at the time of the French Revolution when the papal power was overthrown by the French government in 1798 (the deadly wound). That was only 200 and some years ago. I believe that the two-horned beast is about to speak like a dragon and to do all the other things described in the chapter. We don't know how everything will take place, but we do have adequate information in the chapter to recognize events when they happen.
   Although I see the Roman Catholic church in the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, I certainly intend no animosity against its people or its leadership. I believe that God has granted all of us, including Catholics, the freedom to choose how to relate to His requirements ex1604, js2415. Of course our reward will be according to our behavior mt0721, re2214. I do pray that those who are in darkness will come to understand is6001, re1804. Indeed I and all of us need to seek a closer walk, following the Lamb wherever he goes re1404. I love Him, and I know you do, too.