The Beast Against The Blessed

Introduction

When Robertus Stephanus printed his Greek Bible in 1550 he included a very helpful and yet problematic feature for the first time in a Bible: Verse numbers. (https://www.5minutesinchurchhistory.com/robertus-stephanus/) We’ve had chapter divisions from at least the 1200’s but Stephanus gave us verse numbers. And sometimes our verse numbers get moved about such as here at the beginning of chapter 13 or the end of chapter 12.

Nevertheless I want us to recognize that the epic journey through time that is recorded in chapter 12 continues here in chapter 13 completely uninterrupted. We end with 12:17 and move forward into chapter 13.

Please stand with me as you are able and read with me from Revelation 12:17-13:10

Revelation 12:17–13:10 NASB95PARA

So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.

As we see the beast arising from the sea and the Dragon on the seashore we are seeing the first and second portion, the third is in verse 11 of Satan’s mockery of the Trinity.

The Dragon

The Dragon, in verse 1, stands on the sand of the seashore. keep in mind that he is still enraged with the woman (Israel) and her children (the church of Jesus Christ). As part of his warfare against the church - John sees in his vision the dragon by the sea. Now, in the book of Daniel - again chapter 7 being important - the sea seems to stand as an image for the peoples - the humanity of the earth - the gentile nations if you will. Moreover out of the sea, Daniel watches several different beasts arise. The first like a lion with eagle’s wings representing savage and powerful Babylon (Daniel 7:4). The second like a lopsided bear with ribs in it’s mouth representing the dangerously powerful and bloodthirsty united kingdom of the Medes and the Persians (Daniel 7:5). The third was like a leopardwith four wings and four heads representing the dominion of Alexander the great and his four generals after his death (Daniel 7:6). And a fourth beast is described in Daniel 7:7 in terrifying terms crushing devouring, and having ten horns. An Eleventh small horn rises up in Daniel’s vision and it uproots three other horns and is blasphemous. Daniel’s vision continues into a courtroom scene in heaven where the beast is slain and thrown into the fire.

Daniel’s vision, like Revelation 12-14 carries in it a history of time. That fourth beast represents Rome, as well as the continuing existence of Roman thought as the foundation of most of the nations of earth today. The horns, as always represent power - and are often understood to point either to kingdoms, or to kings and rulers specifically. And the little horn of Daniel’s vision is recognized as the antichrist.

It is for this reason, as we look at the Dragon standing on the sea shore that we ought to be prepared to consider the beast arising from the sea as it pertains to the rise of kingdoms and the rise of antichrist. The imagery is clearly pointing us back to Daniel to help us understand.

The First Beast

Daniel only describes his beast as having ten horns joined by an eleventh little horn - the beast in Revelation has ten horns AND seven heads. On the horns were ten diadems - or crowns, and on each head were blasphemous names.

Seven Heads

Beginning with the seven heads there are two ideas to consider. First; as they represent Rome in the first century church - famous for it’s seven hills (more on that coming up in Revelation 17) - It also has been understood as being a collection of the heads of the beasts in Daniel 7. This would symbolize and recognize how succeeding global powers often incorporate characteristics of prior civilizations. In fact a very similar conclusion is attached to the secondary idea that the seven heads of the beast rising from the sea indicates a confederation of seven nations; with seven symbolizing completeness it makes sense to understand that the seven heads on the first beast represents all of the kingdoms of earth.

Ten Horns & Ten Diadems

Ten Horns & Ten Diadems would likewise be understood as ten different kings, as Daniel 7:24 clarifies. “As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise...”

Daniel 7:24 NASB95PARA

As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings.

Blasphemous names

The beast also has upon it’s heads blasphemous names indicating that it’s very character is an assault upon the character of God.

Appearance

The beast also has an appearance which is an amalgam of the beasts Daniel saw in his chapter 7 vision. The leopard (Babylon), bear (Medo-Persia). That would at least indicate that we should be looking back to Daniel to understand that the first beast represents not only the kingdoms of the earth today - but the kingdoms of the earth of the past as well.

Having the mouth of a lion is different from Daniel but we have already seen the image of the lion as one of ferocity. Even Peter uses the image of the lion for Satan saying that our enemy prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).

In fact in the 22nd Psalm, which is a prophetic look at Jesus on the cross the enemies of Jesus are described as having a lion’s mouth (Psalm 22:13, 21).

Power of the First Beast

But notable as well for our sake is the story of Daniel being thrown into the lion’s den. There - despite Daniel being in very real danger physically he was perfectly safe as God shut the mouth of the lions (Daniel 6:22, Hebrews 11:33).

There seems to be a hint here for us to remember dear Christian that this first beast has only as much power and authority as God gives him, and no more.

This is placed into sharp contrast with the power of the beast when we read that he is empowered by the dragon, and it is from the dragon that he receives his throne and authority.

Where else in scripture do we read about Satan giving a kingdom to anyone? We see it offered to Jesus in the fourth chapter of Matthew. There during the temptation of Christ, Satan offers Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world, and their glory if he would only fall down and worship Him.

Here, perhaps, we begin to get our first real Biblical clue who this first beast represents: the one against Christ, the antithesis of Jesus: the antichrist.

When given the same choice, this beast must have worshipped Satan and been rewarded with all of the kingdoms of the earth (represented by the heads, crowns, and horns).

The mimicry of Christ

We have already seen early in the book as John entered the throne-room of heaven, Jesus who appeared as a lamb that had been slain. Now, as John continues to look, one of his heads appears to have been slain, and his fatal wound was healed.

How many of you looked at Michael Gorbachev with that huge port-wine birthmark on his head and thought he was the antichrist? I suspect this is pointing to something else.

We might look at this and think that the beast had been slain - or assassinated but on the third day rose again. Or perhaps there is something to say about one of the heads being described, “As if it had been slain.” Revelation 13:14 reveals that it was a sword wound - though we can understand that to be indicative of any weapon of warfare. The first beast arrives on the scene with wounds that killed him and a resurrection that would seek to make you think that he was Jesus.

Either way, it certainly appears that the first beast seeks the place of Jesus.

Remember what our Lord said in

Matthew 24:24 NASB95PARA

For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.

We can either view this first beast as one who is merely against Christ, or more cunningly one who seeks to be in the place of Christ.

The worship of the dragon and the beast

Whatever the case, the result of his death and resurrection or the appearance of it will be enough for the whole earth to be amazed and to follow after the beast.

Just as we who follow Jesus Christ worship the Father - so too as verse four reveals - the whole earth will follow this first beast and will as a result worship the dragon.

Because the devil gives his authority to the beast - the earth will become Satan worshippers. Put away, I suspect, your ideas of pentagrams and goat idols. The worship of the great dragon - the deceiver and accuser, the liar and thief, the murderer and enemy of all mankind will doubtless be more subtle and will certainly be more acceptable to the people of earth.

In addition to their worship of the devil they will worship the beast himself as they praise his uniqueness, “Who is like the beast”. And as they praise his power “and who is able to wage war with him?”. The idea that nobody is able to make war against him is a none too subtle hint regarding what we read at the end of our section: He’s going to go to war against Christians.

In fact, verse 8 declares that everyone living on earth will worship him, and then qualifies it. Not everyone. Everyone but Christians will worship him.

See, dear Christian, how you are described: Your name - from the moment of the founding of the world has already been written in the lambs book of life. In his glorious grace and merciful sovereignty God declared from the beginning that you would be redeemed and he has redeemed you by the blood of Christ. And no true Christian will worship the beast.

We are told this perhaps as an encouragement, but as we will see in the coming weeks it is also given as a warning.

Throughout history there have risen to positions of power, people who are universally acclaimed. Any voices of dissension are drowned out or missing altogether - and the remainder are put to death.

Chairman Mao.

Stalin.

Hitler.

And I’d wager it wouldn’t take too deep a dive into history to see it in more and more leaders. I believe that since no-one knows the day or the time of Christ’s return – that Satan doesn’t either. That means he has always had to have someone in line who could fulfill this role. At least, that is my suspicion.

Beware: When the rest of the world praises someone - they represent the world. Since most of the world does not follow Christ, whom do you think they are following?

Think very carefully my friends about whom you fall in line with. They had better fall in line with God the Father, and God the son before you give them your devotion. Their life and actions should flow equal to scripture. And there is no man worth your worship; neither politician, musician, sport star, nor any other. Worship and serve God alone and do not fall easily into the sins of a planet destined to foment its own destruction.

In addition to the miracle of resurrection we learn two other details about the first beast here: namely his blasphemy and his assault on the church.

The Speech of the First Beast

Just as the little horn in Daniel 7:8, 20 the beast utters great boasts.

Just as his power and throne come from the dragon, so does his speech. “It was given to him” to speak blasphemously.

And verse 6 tells us exactly what his great boasts consist of.

He blasphemes not only God - that is to say that he speaks about God in ways that are untrue and even abusive, but also about God’s tabernacle - which John identifies for us as God’s people in heaven.

Also take note of the time period here: it was given to him to have authority for 42 months: 3.5 years.

It would seem that the beast will appear at the very beginning to be somewhat benign but he will in very short order unveil his true character. And that true Character is not only blasphemy against God and God’s people, but according to verse 7 it is also an all out war on Christians.

As Daniel 7:21 says, “that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them until the ancient of days came and judgement was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One…”

But in between the war and the victory, there will be loss.

The Consequences of NOT worshipping the beast

Through the prophet, our Lord gives us in verse 9 a warning. A warning that is meant to brace us for the inevitable that will come from resisting the whole earth who worships the beast.

And Jesus calls out to us, if you have ears, listen up.

And the words of Christ’s warning are meant to show us one thing: Christians will suffer during the onslaught of the antichrist.

He gives the alternatives: Captivity or death.

Christians will be rounded up because they do not worship the antichrist. And those who fight back will die.

Our Lord is not calling us to lash out and fight back, he is calling us to be like Jesus who himself did not accuse when he was falsely accused.

The arrival of the beast out of the sea is a call for us to brace for faithfulness.