The “horns” of the beast.

Catholic Fundamentalists take Scripture passages literally to see what meaning they have in their basic words. When we do that with the beast of Revelations, we find something interesting. The beast has seven heads and ten horns.

Most interpreters translate “horns” as symbols of power like the horns of a rhinoceros or bull. Some show the beast as something like a triceratops. The paintings that try to portray The Beast usually show those kinds of horns.

Others look at the “horns” as manifestations of political power, armies, navies, air forces, and weapons with which the beast destroys all those it can.

When we visualize the “horns” as actual horns, like trumpets, we may find a whole new vision of the beast appearing in our minds. In this view, each horn blasts out the wonders of its own lie, praising its kind of idol to worship. The “horns” are there to broadcast lies and temptations to encourage souls to travel down broad, well-worn paths by which they may be led to destruction.

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