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Here we have the appearance of the first of two beasts. John envisions himself as standing at the shore and seeing a Beast arise from the sea. From John's description it appeared to look like a leopard with feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion. It had 7 heads and 10 horns. Upon each head was a "blasphemous" name. The Book of Daniel describes 3 Beasts, one like a lion, one like a bear and one like a leopard. This one seems to be a composite of all three.
Now lets try to interpret the symbolism.
This Beast is symbolic of a world ruler whose great power and authority will be given over to Satan in the " end times".
The wound on one of his heads that had healed is not completely understood. Most believe it refers to some event in history that left its scar on Christianity such as the edict of Constantine the Great, ruler of Rome, that declared Christianity to be the universal religion of the Roman Empire which turned out to be another form of idolatry fostering the creation of Roman Catholicism and the worship of Mary. Christianity cannot be legislated, one evil will simply take the place of another.
Note the attention that the world paid to the Beast. "They viewed him with
wonder." Unable to resist him, they worshipped him and the Devil. It has always
been Satan's purpose to be the subject of worship. In Isaiah 14:14, Satan said, "I
will make myself like the Most High." Satan's final apostasy will be to assume the
place of God. This desire for position coupled with his tremendous power explains
how he will be able to take over the world for 3" years without firing a shot.
The Beast Exercises His Authority
["Click here for Revelation 13:5-10"]
In this event, Satan is allowed to exercise authority for 42 months to blaspheme God and His dwelling place and those who dwell there, to make war on the Saints and to have authority over every one whose name was not written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Notice his malice was aimed primarily at God. This will be accomplished by making graven images of Him and worshipping them. It was also aimed at the Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God. These two areas are symbolic of the two "natures" of Christ, His divine nature and His Human nature.
His malice was also aimed at those who dwelled in Heaven. This was done by heresy, placing them in some "station" between heaven and earth and denying their presence in heaven, dishonoring their right to heaven on the basis of their relationship to Christ and requiring prayers and offerings to accomplish what Christ had already accomplished.
All of this does dishonor to the word of God. All of this dis-allows the power of God's plan of salvation and puts doubt in eternal life by faith.
Notice that God limited Satan's power here on earth, only to those whose names were not written in the Lamb's Book of Life. But you say what about the first part of verse 7 ? From this it would appear that God allowed him to make war on the Saints and to conquer them, but most authorities omit this on the basis that it was not in the original manuscripts.
The event closes with an appeal to people to "hear". This appeal is similar to the one given to the seven churches. The message that we are to hear and heed is that God gives us the Grace to understand if we will but listen.
There is a message here to those who dream of a universal church. It is just such
a church that John sees in this vision. It will be realized in the "end times" but
it will be satanic and blasphemous instead of loving and Christ like. So the call
in verse 10 is for the Saints to endure and persevere in the faith.
The Beast From the Earth
["Click here for Revelation 13:11-18"]
This is the seventh and final event of the "Dragon's Kingdom". Here we have recorded for us the account of the "mark of the beast" and the number 666. Much is written about these two things which point to the end of the world. At the time that Matthew Henry wrote his commentary, around 1700 AD, Rome represented both the first and the second beast. Today, other religions and people are bearing the blunt of these prophesies. We might very well establish a case against the "New Age" movement as being the Beast referred to in this event. The only thing that we know for sure is that it will be the work of the "Anti-christ. We can better spend our time in trying to understand what the Beast represents and how we can guard against it's influence.
Notice how this second Beast is described by John as having "horns like a lamb but spoke like a dragon". Most agree that this is some great imposter who, under the pretence of religion, will deceive the souls of men. The horns of a lamb describes one who would appear to be a minister of God. Speaking like a dragon relates to his false doctrine and teachings.
Notice the power he has. Like the other beast, his power comes from Satan, continuing in the same evil work of the first beast, drawing men from the true worship of the true God. This will be accomplished by "pretended miracles" much as Pharaoh's magicians did performing "pretended plagues". By these pretended miracles, he deceived people into thinking he was from God.
He also required acceptance of his doctrine in order to buy or sell or make a living. Thus we will have a state religion. To regulate this, a mark will be given. Those without the mark will not be allowed to work and will also be excommunicated from the "church" thus assuring them of the loss of their salvation.
Notice where the mark will be placed, on the forehead and on the right hand. Two forms of open profession is symbolized here. Subjection and obedience is symbolized by the mark on the forehead. Service to the Beast is symbolized by the mark on the right hand.
Notice the mark will be a "human" number, 666. The number 6 is the number of a man in the bible. Many have attempted to suggest what the number means, but Thomas Torrance, perhaps, has come up with the best suggestion, "This evil trinity, 666, apes the Holy Trinity 777 but falls short and fails." The number 7 being the complete or divine number in the Bible. Perhaps we best wait of God's revelation in His own good time.
This ends the Seven Visions of the Dragon's Kingdom, events that will occur at the end of the Millennium and the beginning of Satan's Kingdom.
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