The Beast of Revelation (Day 23)

The Beast out of the Sea

 

Revelation 13:1-3 ⁽¹⁾The dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. ⁽²⁾The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. ⁽³⁾One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. (NIV)

 

            John once again saw a beast. This time, the beast came out of the sea, while the dragon was on the shore. It had ten horns with crowns and seven heads. This is the same beast from the previous chapter. Once again, the seven heads with seven crowns represents rulers of government. These seven governments were part of the Roman Empire. They are:

1.) Babylon 

2.) Persia 

3.) Greece 

4.) Turkey

5.) Syria

6.) Egypt

7.) Rome

There were also ten horns on this beast. During John’s time, the Roman Empire was in power. However, after the breakup of Rome’s dominance, five main parts remained, which are:

1.) Britain

2.) France

3.) Spain

4.) Italy

5.) Germany

In addition to these five, there were four kingdoms that arose after the reign of Alexander the Great. They are:

1.) Greece

2.) Turkey

3.) Syria

4.) Egypt

 

 

 

          Now, this makes a total of nine kingdoms. However, there was a tenth kingdom and the immergence of an 11 kingdom according to the book of Daniel (Daniel 7:20). How does Daniel relate to Revelation you may ask? The prophet Daniel was also given visions of the end times, which coincides with the visions that John had. Therefore, when you see references to horns and heads in these 2 books, they are often used interchangeably. However, to avoid confusion, we will stick with what is in Revelation primarily for the moment, but please join me when we will do a spinoff and revisit this in the next Bible lesson series, “Daniel: Discovering the Vision.” For now, the next kingdom is: 

10.) Iraq

This makes a total of ten, but another kingdom emerges in Daniel, which is the country of Iran making a total of 11. We will give more historical information in the Daniel Bible lessons, so that you can have a more in-depth look into the historical events and how they relate to Revelation and today’s time.

            John describes the beast as having the look of a leopard, the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. All of the beast that he described are powerful animals, which shows that they had great strength, but were given more power and authority from the dragon (devil). The countries that are representative of these beast are as follow:

1.) Babylon – Modern day Iraq is the lion.

2.) Persia – Modern day Iran is the bear.

3.) Greece – Still the same name is the leopard.  It seems as if these countries play a major role in end time events as well as the others mentioned. Again, we will get more in-depth into the historical nature of these countries as they relate to end time prophecy in the next Bible lesson series, “Daniel: Discovering the Vision.”

            In John’s vision, one of the heads received a deadly wound, but recovered. Due to the heads and horns in both Daniel and Revelation being used interchangeably to represent kingdoms, it seems that a kingdom or ruler of one of these kingdoms will have a fatal wound, but will miraculously recover causing the whole world to follow after the beast. As we know, the devil is able to display false miracles as well, which will deceive many into believing a major deception. Jesus warned of this taking place in the last days. Matthew 24:24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (NIV) We must be careful to not be deceived in these last days and rely totally on the Word of God. 

 

Revelation 13:4-6 ⁽⁴⁾People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?” ⁽⁵⁾The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. ⁽⁶⁾It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. (NIV)

            In John’s vision, he saw the people worshipping the dragon (devil) because he had given authority to the beast. They praised the beast, while he blasphemed God for 42 months. In these last days, we see many people who are worshipping the devil. Even though the beast represents a political power who will reign supreme in these last days, which the whole world will follow, we can see how easily it will be done with no questions asked. Many are following the devil right now and are willingly selling their souls for the sake of fame, prosperity, and popularity even within the Body of Christ. There are actors, actresses, athletes and even religious leaders, just to name a few, who have sold their souls and are following the after the beast in the form of money right now. Anyone or anything that goes against the laws of God is committing blaspheme. Nehemiah 9:26 “But they were disobedient and rebelled against you; they turned their backs on your law. They killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you; they committed awful blasphemies.” (NIV)

            People put individuals on pedestals and worship them rather than worship God. Many may say that they would never do such a thing, but they are already doing it on a daily basis. How is this? The world and even some within the church are worshiping celebrities, governments, and religious leaders over God. Instead of being the light to lead others out of darkness, there is a major compromise that is taking place causing God’s name to be blasphemed due to total disregard for His laws. Romans 2:23-24 ⁽²³⁾You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? ⁽²⁴⁾As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (NIV) Yet, there is coming a day when the government will tell you to break the law of God and one will have to choose either to obey God or man. That day is practically here. In many countries in the Middle East and others, they have already had to make their decision and it has caused many to lose their lives. However, they will receive a greater reward in Heaven. Matthew 16:25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. (NIV)

            John mentioned the world following the beast for a period of 42 months. Whoever this political figure is as represented by the wounded head, this 3 ½ year period may be during the time that the two witnesses are prophesying to the world. As we studied in the previous lesson, people will rejoice when the two witnesses are finally killed. It could be that the devil has taken over their minds in such a way that they are listening to the beast being led by the dragon (devil) and therefore they do not wish to hear any type of truth concerning their spiritual condition.  2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (NIV) The devil will and already does have people at a state that they do not want to hear the truth told to them. They would rather listen to those who teach a doctrine of peace and prosperity when they are about to encounter sudden destruction. 

 

 

Revelation 13:7-10 ⁽⁷⁾It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. ⁽⁸⁾All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world. ⁽⁹⁾Whoever has ears, let them hear.  ⁽¹⁰⁾“If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword they will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God’s people. (NIV)

            John saw that the beast was given the power to wage war against God’s people and conquer them. This war was worldwide. Currently, we are seeing a war waged against Christians in many Middle East countries by members of the Islamic State called ISIS. They are killing Christians and attempting to make many convert over to Islam. They desire to have Islam to take over the entire world. Therefore, anyone who does not bow down to this demonic religion is considered an infidel and therefore, killed. This is also taking place in parts of Africa. The terrorist organization, Boko Haram is another Islamic organization who is killing Christians by the thousands. Christian churches and businesses have been bombed due to the hatred against Christians. In many ways, other countries outside of the US and Europe are already experiencing their antichrist in the form of Islamic Jihadist and their “beast” is the executioner who is bringing down the sword, knife, gun and/or torch. However, this will soon hit all of the world.

 

 

            Who will this beast be for the whole world? It will definitely include a government. Those who are currently dying by the hands of Islamic Jihadist are doing so as a means of both political and religious reasons just as described in this chapter. This will spread all throughout the world because the devil will make sure of it.  1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (NIV) One of the important things to remember is that whoever is written in the book of Life will not worship this beast. They will remain true to God. Therefore, they will not try to hold on to their earthly lives because they know that they will receive new ones in Heaven. Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (NIV)

            John was told that those who can listen must do so for there will be killings, but patience and endurance must be maintained on the part of the Saints. We must hold out to the end, so that we can receive our eternal reward. Many have already become martyrs and there will be more to come. Matthew 24:13 But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (NIV)

 

 

 

Join us on Monday for our continuation in the book of Revelation. Revelation: Removing the Prophetic Veil Bible Lessons 1-11 is available on Amazon.com. Revelation for teens in coming in 2016.