y is with the Lord as a
thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." In Rev. 11:11, a day is
used to represent one hundred years; and in Ezek. 4:6, we learn that a day
is often used to represent one year. A day in Rev. 11:3 and 12:6 signifies
one year. Forty and two months (as mentioned in Rev. 13:5) are equal to
1260 days, allowing 30 days to the month. Here also a day signifies a
year. Thus the beast supported by the dragon had power 1260 years. While
this beast was in authority the woman was in obscurity, which was 1260
years. While the beast was in power and the woman in silence the two
witnesses could only testify in sackcloth, which was 1260 years. These two
witnesses in the church of God are the Word of God, and the Spirit of God.
A sackcloth dress is one donned in a time of grief or lamentation. The
Word and Spirit of God, because of the sad state of the church, were
draped in mourning or sackcloth.

We have before learned that the date of the rise of the apostasy was 270
A.D. By these prophecies made plain by the Holy Spirit we clearly
understand the first beast as seen in the apostasy was to continue 1260
years, which added to 270 years will bring us down to 1530 A.D. At this
date we have the Lutheran reformation, when the power of Catholicism as a
universal state church was broken. The world as a whole no longer looked
upon that dark, ungodly institution as the only way to heaven. They saw
there was salvation outside the pales of Romanism.

Now we will return to Rev. 13th chapter. Ver. 6. "And he opened his mouth
in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and
them that dwell in heaven."

We have already spoken of how the papacy uttered blasphemy against God and
his name, his church and his true people.

Ver. 7. "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to
overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and
nations."

Catholicism numbers her slain by the thousands. If your human heart can
endure the reading of a book on martyrdom and the tortures of the
inquisition, you would there learn that it was the Romish sect that made
war with and overcame the saints. To her was granted power over kings and
nations. While the state gave her her power, she in turn rose to power and
rule over the state.

Ver. 8. "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names
were not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the found