J Philip Bible Readings

¹¹ Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. ¹² It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. ¹³ It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, ¹⁴ and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. ¹⁵ And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. ¹⁶ Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, ¹⁷ so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. ¹⁸ This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

What followed in China bears out the message of this chapter fully, and the warning of the Nationalist colonel. For after the Revolution was an accomplished fact, the Church began to say to itself, 'It is not so bad after all; we are being left alone; we are free to meet, we are free to preach, to read the Word'. And this went on for quite a time. It was only at a later stage that the pressure began, and that only in the most 'gentle' subtle ways. In the atmosphere of 'approval' and 'co-operation' shown by the Communists, it began to be suggested that it was up to the Church to purge itself of all imperialist taints, so that the Church might take its place honourably in the new Chinese society. The Government disclaimed any basic antagonism against the Church itself, but only against the way it had been used as a tool for imperialistic designs in China. Significantly, Mr Chou-en-lai is reported to have said, 'While China is putting its house in order, it is undesirable for guests to be present'. This was the thin edge of the wedge which finally led to the expulsion of the missionaries. Next, the Communists went to the Church and said, 'You agree with everything we are saying, of course? Then why do you still welcome the presence of these foreign, imperialist missionaries?' No Government edict expelling missionaries, no direct action to interfere with their work, only subtle pressure on the Christians to act themselves. Sadly and fearfully they sent delegations to see the missionaries. That was the beginning of the exodus of the great missionary band, of all denominations. And so it went on, until at last the organised Church as such had a stranglehold upon it, and a puppet Church under Communist domination and control largely taking its place.