161 The Revelation of Jesus Christ Bible teachers declared that there would be in the future a confederacy, they were looked upon as fanatical or mentally incompetent. But then, almost overnight, there was a fore shadowing of .just such a confederation. Since then many believed that the only way by which Europe could ever have peace would be for the nations of Europe to form a great league, and settle matters of dispute by arbitration, through a great league and a group of leaders with one at the head of them all. This is what many said when the World War closed. Now they do not know what to say. But, although the League of Nations has failed. yet a league will be formed that will seem to avail. The only reason why the union of Eu ropean states has not been realized is that there has not appeared, as yet, a man of sufficient political and military genius to bring about that federation of nations. But he will come! This is exactly what the Word of God declares. The world would believe that prosperity and peace can be effected apart from Christ; and the devil will use this false hope to accomplish his purpose. He himself will be the instigator of a great confederacy to solve the world's problems; but of this the Lord Himself declares: "I will overturn, overturn, over turn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him" ( Ezek. 21 :27).
JoHN's VISION-THE BEAST 13:1-10
Having considered Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's vision, we are better prepared for a study of the thirteenth chapter of Revelation, with which we are now occupied. Let us read verses 1 and 2: "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. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear. and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority." · Note that this is a composite beast; it has the combined characteristics of leopard, bear, and lion. You will remember that of the four beasts which Daniel saw coming up out of
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