End Times series:
Revelation 13:1-10
By Liaf
When we studied Revelation chapter 12, we saw that the focus was on the dragon, the man child, and the woman. In this chapter 13, the subject focuses on the beast (Antichrist) that is empowered by the dragon. Again, we must remember that we are in the midpoint of the Tribulation and all these chapters in this proximity of Revelation focus in on different subjects to fill in various details. Let’s turn our King James Bibles to Revelation chapter 13 and let’s understand:
Revelation 13:1-4: 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.
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.
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.
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?
John saw a beast rise out of the sea, and it has seven heads and ten horns. We’ve studied the significance of the number ten to the point of overkill starting with Daniel chapter two. This is the "ten-toed" end-time Roman Empire but what about the seven heads? These are representative of all the past empires that oppressed Israel. These empires are the Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian, Roman, and the end-time revived Roman Empire. This time the crowns are on the horns because the subject is about the beast. Notice the animal characteristics of the beast. He is like a leopard. Where did we see that animal before? Look back at the series involving the book of Daniel. That is why the book of Daniel is necessary to understand that book of Revelation. The leopard represented the Grecian Empire. The book of Revelation later confirms that in chapter 17. (But we already knew he is to come from the Grecian Empire J ). However, notice that he has feet of a bear. This represents where is geographically planted. Where did we encounter a bear before? Again, the book of Daniel identified the bear with the Medo-Persian Empire. This region is where modern day Iraq, Iran, or possibly Syria is located. You get the idea of the general location. I want to remind all my readers that the Grecian Empire is not confined to that little peninsula that we know today. In ancient times, the Grecian Empire included this geographical region. Morfessa has reminded me in this writing that this same region (i.e., Iraq) is where the Tigris-Euphrates is located. What was there that we read about earlier in this book of Revelation? Lots of demonic powers. The mouth of a lion (Babylonian Empire) speaks of his doctrine. We believe that the end-time Babylon will be a literal rebuilt city of Babylon as opposed to an abstract Babylon that most ministries teach about.
Much has been written about the "wounded head" of the beast. Many teach that the beast is resurrected from an assassination attempt. No. The wounded head represents and empire that is rejuvenated again to everybody’s amazement thus that is the reason for worshipping the dragon (Satan) which gives power to the beast. In the book of Daniel, we remember that Antichrist started from a small group and came on the scene peacefully, but in a short time showed that he would become a man of military might. Who would expect a small Middle Eastern nation to rise to world power again? With demonic empowerment that we studied in the book of Daniel, this is possible. Morfessa reminds us that Germany once rose to power from relative obscurity in the same manner to everybody’s amazement. Let’s continue reading this chapter:
Revelation 13:5-10: 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.
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
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.
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.
If any man have an ear, let him hear.
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.
This forty-two months takes place during the last half of the Tribulation when Satan will empower the beast (remember in the last chapter he was cast to the Earth). Antichrist will become arrogant and the "abomination of desolation" will occur. He even curses those in heaven! And no wonder. Satan was kicked out and he is ticked off! As for making war with the saints, this is in agreement with Daniel chapter seven that we said took place the last half of the Tribulation. The Bible keeps testifying to its own accuracy. In addition, this passage of Scripture makes it clear that Antichrist will rise to world dominance. The saints have a hard time, and verse ten effectively is saying that each saint will get "what is coming to them" as we would say today.
In our next message, we shall learn about Antichrist’s sidekick who is an equally interesting albeit very evil character.