Revelation 13:1-10 ESV
The First Beast
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?”
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.
The beast is likened to the dragon for he is the exact image of his father, as Jesus was the exact image of His Father. Likewise they are one. Jesus was the radiance and glory of The Lord. The beast is darkness personified and the shame of the serpent.
From his mouth flows blasphemies and lies that flood the world. This is the river of deception and destruction. His father is the father of lies. The object of his hostility is God and those who dwell in heaven. It might be accurate to understand these to be the body of Christ. We have been transferred into heaven. We are seated with Him on His throne. We are one with Christ even as He is one with the Father.
In imitation of Christ, he seems to rise from the dead. That is part of the deception. The word says he "seemed" to have a mortal wound. I have seen interpretations that range from this being a person, to a revival of an empire. It might be both or either. It will appear miraculous to many and they will marvel at the beast.
The beast will speak with all the authority of the dragon, for the beast is the incarnation of the dragon. Authority has been given to him by the Father.
It is easy to see the possibility of man receiving worship these days. Mankind has always been prone to idol worship. The world seems hungry and ripe for the right words they long to hear.
Now the war relocates to earth. What began in heaven will find its last stand here. Just as no room was found in heaven for Satan and his followers, there will come a time when even earth will no longer be a refuge for this outlaw of rebellion. But before the end, Satan will appear to conquer the world. The saints will fall before the onslaught of his mighty army. This might be seen as the final hour of Jacob's trouble. Those whose names are found in the book of life are excluded from this trial. They face the fruition of the curse that their fathers incurred when they rejected God. We see a repetition of that long ago journey in the wilderness by Israel. It lasted long enough that all those destined to fall in the desert did so. The same will be true in these latter days. The endurance and faith of the saints will be tested.
Daniel 7:19-22
“Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so- called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
Daniel 11:36-39
“And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished; for what is decreed shall be done. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all. He shall honor the god of fortresses instead of these. A god whom his fathers did not know he shall honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price.
Romans 3:13-18
“Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
in their paths are ruin and misery,
and the way of peace they have not known.”
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Daniel 12:1-4
Chapter 12
The Time of the End
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
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