ip the
wild beast and his image, and whoever receiveth the mark of his
name!"--Rev. 14:9-11.

The cry of this angel synchronizes with the "voice from heaven" (18:4),
and follows the discovery of the corruptions of Romanism.--See the
exposition of that Scripture, p. 307.

The worship of the beast consisted in a regard for it, equivalent to
saying, "Who is like unto the beast? and, Who is able to make war with
him?" 13:4. To worship, is to manifest homage and respect. To worship any
inferior object, is to bestow on it the confidence and affection which is
due only to God. It is to trust in it, as invincible, able to protect, and
infallible in judgment. Thus to regard any civil or ecclesiastical
organization, is to substitute it for Him, by whom the powers that be are
ordained (Rom. 13:1), who giveth the kingdom to whomsoever he will (Dan.
4:17), and by whom alone, kings reign, and princes decree justice, Prov.
8:15.

Whenever any civil or ecclesiastical enactment conflicts with the
requisitions of Jehovah, that power is worshipped, which is obeyed in
preference to the other: "Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves
servants to obey, his servants ye are whom ye obey?" Rom. 6:16. The
worship of God is incompatible with obedience to any power which compels a
violation of His laws. Due obedience to government is commanded, when no
question of conscience is involved. When it is, no forcible resistance to
the execution of the law is permitted; but while God is obeyed, the
penalty of the law is to be meekly endured.

The early Christians chose death, rather than to deny their Saviour at the
command of Jewish Sanhedrim or Roman emperor. When Peter and John were
commanded "not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus," their
answer was, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you
more than unto God, judge ye; for we cannot but speak the things which we
have seen and heard," Acts 4:19, 20. In like manner, the Christians living
at the epoch of this angel, were to be similarly tried, which is implied
in the command, not to worship.

So soon as the reformers were placed in direct conflict with the Church of
Rome, her anathemas were hurled against all who assented not to her
mummeries. And the power of the civil arm was also brought into exercise
to compel obedience to her commands. Those who maintained their integrity,
did so in opposition to the requirements of the church and state; while