a professed Christian himself and by law made Christianity the established religion of the empire.  In 324, having crushed all rivals, he became sole emperor of the Roman world, and with a view of promoting Christianity convened what is known as the First General Council of the Church, at Nicaea in Asia Minor, A.D. 325.  The prestige of Paganism as a religious power had been overthrown long before by the followers of Christ, but now its political importance received a death-blow, only a few expiring struggles appearing subsequently before the final downfall of Western Rome.  Thus, the earth helped the woman and swallowed up the flood of persecution which the dragon cast out.

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus.”  Finding that he could not destroy or exterminate the church of God, he determined to make war upon its individual members.

CHAPTER XIII.

    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.

2.  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.

    3.  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and
    his deadly wound was healed:  and all the world wondered after
    the beast.

    4.  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the
    beast:  and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto
    the beast? who is able to make war with him?

    5.  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things
    and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty
    and two months.

    6.  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to
    blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in
    heaven.

    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.

    8.  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose
    names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from
    the foundation of the world.

    9.  If any man have an ear, let him hear.

    10.  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity:  he
    that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword.  Here
    is the patience and the faith of the saints.