VERSE 2 continued “Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.”
(As taken from The Keys of Revelation)
We continue with some key quotes which exemplify the arrogance of the Papacy and its “great swelling words” as taken from Fox’s, Acts and Monuments.
“180. It may seem well verified in me that was spoken of Christ, (Psalm 8). Omnia subjecisti sub pedibus ejus, Oves & Boves, & Universa pecora campi; Volucres coeli & pisces maris, & c.i. Thou hast subdued all things under his Feet, Sheep and Oxen, and all Cattel [sic] of the Field, the Birds of Heaven, and Fish of the Sea, etc. (Antoninus, Summa majoris 3. part. Dist. 22)
“181. Where it is to be noted, that by Oxen, Jews and Heretics [sic] [are represented]; by Cattel [sic] of the Field, Pagans be signified…(Ibidem)
“182. By Sheep and all Cattel [sic], are meant all Christian men both great and less, whether they be Emperors, Princes, Prelates… By Birds of the Air, you may understand the Angels and Potentates [sic—Principalities, Powers] of Heaven, who be all subject to me, in that I am greater than the Angels…(Ibidem)”
“184. Lastly, by the Fishes of the Sea, are signified the souls departed in pain or in Purgatory… (Idem Antoninus, ibid.)”
“188. …In his Primacy, he [the Pope] is Abel; In Government, the Ark of Noah; In Patriarchdom, Abraham; In Order, Melchisedec; In Dignity, Aaron; In Authority, Moses; In Seat-Judicial, Samuel; In Zeal, Helias [Elijah]; In Meekness, David; In Power, Peter; In Unction, Christ. (Nay, thou art Antichrist) My Power (they say) is greater than all the Saints… (Gloss. in caus. 12. q. 3. cap. Absis)
“189. …All the Earth is my Diocese [sic], and I the Ordinary [that is, in jurisdiction having immediate or direct authority from God, contrasted with jurisdiction that is delegated!] of all men, having the Authority of the King of all Kings upon Subjects. I am all in all, and above all, (Gloss. in c. 11. q. 3. Si inimicus)
“190. so that God Himself and I the Vicar of God have both one Consistory, (Hostiensis in c. Quanto de transt. praeb)
“191. and I am able to do almost all that God can do, Clave non errante. (Ex summa casuum fratris Baptista)”
“196. …Wherefore if those things that I do be said to be done not of man, but of God; What can you make me but God? Again, if Prelates of the Church be called and counted of Constantinus [the Emperor] for gods, I then being above all Prelates seem by this reason to be above all gods. Wherefore no marvel, if it be in my power to change time and times, to alter and abrogate Laws, to dispense with all things, yea with the Precepts of Christ… (Decretal. De Transt. Episc. cap. Quanto)”
“221. Wherefore as I begun [sic], so I conclude, commanding, declaring, and pronouncing, to stand upon necessity of Salvation, for every humane [sic] Creature to be subject to me. (Pope Bonifacius 8. Extr. de Majo. & obed. ca Unam Sanctam)”
Seat of the Dragon
Verse 2 states that the dragon gave the beast (a) its power, (b) its seat, and (c) great authority. During the period of the first head and in the person of Constantine (?), the dragon or Civil Rome granted certain priorities to the Christian religion and deeded one of the most historic buildings in the city to Papacy for its own religious purpose. This recognition afforded Papacy immediate attention, a degree of budding influence, and latent political power and prestige. Two centuries after Constantine removed the capital of the empire from Rome to Constantinople—that is, during the emperor Justinian’s reign—the papal presence was foremost in the city of Rome, the former seat of the empire. Another two and a half centuries later, in Pepin’s and Charlemagne’s day, the papal authority was so great and proved to be so enduring that this period is sometimes referred to as the papal millennium.”
We will move on to Verse 3 in our next post.
