Beasts

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” Revelation 13:1-4

“Out of the sea” means this person is a Gentile, out of the Gentile nations. The horns and heads and diadems indicate the power and authority of Gentile nations that have been given to this Antichrist. Anti means against, and it also means instead of. Both definitions apply here. This blasphemous person is violently against our Lord Jesus Christ, and he makes every effort to impersonate Him. The animal parts named all represented certain nations at the time of John’s writing, and since it is the Word of God, we can believe they apply today, though some of the nations may have other names now. They were Egypt, Assyria, Chaldea, Medes, Persia, Greece and Rome.

Politically, this beast is the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire (federation of the nations mentioned). Elsewhere he is called the King of the West. Religiously, he is head of the World Council of Churches, the ecumenical religion of the tribulation. He has been given power and authority from the dragon, seen in chapter 12. We will see in later passages that this beast is demon-possessed and can perform miracles. He is called a beast because of his thought pattern and methods of rulership, like a wild animal. The demon who indwells this beast is Apollyon, the commander of the fallen angels in the abyss.

This dictator has many names: beast out of the sea, rider of the white horse Rev.6:2; beast with 7 heads, 10 horns Rev. 17:8-13; little horn Daniel 7:8; king of fierce countenance Daniel 8:23; prince that shall come Daniel 9:26; man of sin 2 Thessalonians 2:3-10; his empire is the feet of the image Daniel 2.

One of the heads (nations) seemed to be mortally wounded (defunct), but it recovered, apparently by the manipulations of the beast. The whole earth was then mesmerized by this super-genius, charismatic dictator. There was seemingly nothing he could not do. No earthly power could defeat him. They knew where his authority came from, so they worshiped the dragon who gave him his authority and they worshiped the beast.

 

And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes;

if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain.

Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. Revelation 13:5-10

The egotistical dictator is not afraid to boast and blaspheme God and all who dwell in heaven. We know a lot of commoners these days who also are not afraid or ashamed to do such things. Think of the worst hater of Christianity we know; think of the most contemptuous of God’s authority. Give him super-intellect, beauty and charisma. Elevate him politically to world dictator. Of course he thinks he’s God. And the deluded masses think he’s God, too.

Please notice an important truth in verse 8: “all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.” Fellow believer, when was your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD! Our omniscient God knew in eternity past who would believe the gospel and become a member of the family of Jesus Christ. Those names were recorded then. When the time came for the gospel message to be made clear to them through the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit, they received the gospel and believed. Those who have believed in Jesus will not worship the beast or the dragon, and they can expect severe persecution and even violent death for their loyalty to Christ. This is why we are diligent to learn God’s Word and practice steadfast faith. We cannot foresee what we may be called upon to endure, even now in the relative prosperity of the 21^st century Church age. The tribulational saints, however, can be pretty well assured of extremely dire circumstances until they are rescued by our Lord.

There is coming another beast. He’s worse than the first, and he is coming out of Israel (the earth, v.11).

He is evil, blasphemous, and a traitor to his people. He is the Jewish ruler of Palestine during the great tribulation. He and the first beast will form an unholy alliance to betray and try to destroy the people of God.