For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist. - 2 John 7
Last week, starting with chapter 12, we began a brief study of the 3 evil characters who make up the unholy Trinity. In the last days, they will set themselves up to mimic God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We started off by discussing the dragon, who is clearly identified in Scripture as Satan (Revelation 12:9), the evil leader and “Father” of this unsavory group. Today, we will examine the second person of the satanic trio - the beast from the sea. This beast is almost universally recognized as the Antichrist, in contrast to Jesus. We read about him in the first 10 verses of chapter 13. Let’s get started...
I. THE RISE OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:1-3a)
John described a scene in which the dragon stood on the seashore, presumably beckoning someone. Then he saw a beast rising up out of the sea. The beast had 7 heads and 10 horns, with a crown on each horn. One of the heads bore the marks of a fatal wound that had been miraculously healed. The beast resembled a leopard, with bear’s feet, and having the mouth of a lion. The dragon imparted his strength, authority, and throne to the beast.
John’s description of the beast from the sea is similar to his earlier description of the dragon (Revelation 12:3). Both creatures had 7 heads and 10 horns. This speaks to their common nature. There are various interpretations as to the meaning of these heads and horns. Speaking of the heads, one of the more prominent views is that they represent pagan kingdoms that have oppressed and persecuted God’s children Israel throughout history. To be specific, the 7 heads are thought by many to represent Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and Turkey (or the Ottomans). Apart from a few periods of Israeli independence, these 7 empires and their related predecessors have sequentially dominated the Jews since their selection as God’s chosen people during the time of the patriarchs up until the present day.
As for the horns, they represent 10 future kings or kingdoms that will give their authority to the beast during the last days (Revelation 17:12-13). Some have speculated that the beast will be the leader of the European Union, a revived or resurrected Roman Empire of sorts, symbolized by the head with the fatal wound that had been healed. Following this theory, the EU will be divided into 10 regions or kingdoms that will each submit themselves to his cruel lordship.
John’s vision of the beast from the sea seems to incorporate all of the elements described centuries before in Daniel’s prophetic vision. Daniel saw 4 beasts coming up from the sea (Daniel 7:4-8). The first appeared to be a lion (believed to represent Babylon), the second was like a bear (believed to represent Medo-Persia), the third looked like a leopard (believed to represent Greece), and the fourth had 10 horns (believed to be Rome). Collectively, these 4 beasts also had 7 heads. Coincidence?
Whatever your opinion concerning the proper meaning of the beast's heads and horns, notice that he rises to authority upon the calling and empowering of the dragon. Let me put it plainly, as I understand it. After losing the war in heaven during the first half of the tribulation and being thrown down to the earth at its midpoint, a furious and desperate Satan will harken to and initiate the totalitarian rule of the Antichrist.
II. THE REIGN OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:3b-6)
John saw that the whole world was amazed by, worshiped, and followed the dragon and the beast from the sea. They revered the beast as being greater and stronger than any other. Inspired by his father Satan, the beast was filled with arrogance and pride and spoke blasphemies against God and his children. The beast was given dictatorial authority to rule over the earth for 42 months or 3 ½ years.
The initial commissioning of the Antichrist took place back in Revelation 6:1-2. When Jesus broke the first seal, the rider on the white horse came to earth. This rider, whom I believe to be the Antichrist, was a charismatic, diplomatic world leader who was committed to peace with Israel. Throughout the first half of the tribulation, he gradually became more and more popular and influential. Then, at the midpoint of the tribulation, filled with the Spirit of Satan, the Antichrist morphed into the hideous beast, seized absolute power, and turned against God. He reigned during the Great Tribulation.
I see incredible parallels between this story and that of Judas Iscariot. Jesus called Judas Iscariot to be an apostle, just as God dispatched the rider on the white horse to earth. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, just as God knew that this rider would soon become the Antichrist. Judas walked with Jesus as His close companion for roughly 3 ½ years, the same amount of time that the Antichrist held friendly relations with Israel. Then Satan filled and darkened Judas’ heart, leading him to betray Christ (John 13:2,27). In the same way, Satan possessed the Antichrist and he became the beast who betrayed and persecuted Israel and the followers of God.
III. THE RAGE OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:7-10)
The beast made war with the saints of God and overcame them. Though his rage was most fiercely directed specifically toward the Jews, he held power over all of the people and nations of earth. His evil intentions mirrored those of the dragon. All who were unsaved worshiped him, while only those whose names were written in the Lamb’s book of life resisted. They suffered greatly because they refused to submit to the beast.
John urged his readers to listen and understand. This season of adversity (ie, the coming Great Tribulation and the Antichrist’s reign of terror) has been preordained by God. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise. Those who suffer through it must remember that God will punish evildoers by the same measure that they persecute others. Though many will be taken captive and/or killed by the dragon and the beast from the sea during the end times, ultimately they too will suffer a similar fate. Knowing this, believers should be encouraged to persevere even through extreme hardship.
CONCLUSION
The beast from the sea is the Antichrist. His authority and power come from the dragon (that is, Satan) who exalts him to a place of prominence. The beast will rule over the earth for 42 months, during the Great Tribulation. He will make war with the saints of God and kill many of them, excluding the 144,000 who are under the LORD’s divine protection. However, in the end he (and the dragon) will face God’s justice.
Next week we will study the final member of the unholy trinity - the beast from the earth. Our message will cover the remainder of chapter 13. If you have time this week, read and reflect upon these verses in advance. Then you’ll be even more prepared.
Until next Sunday, may God’s grace and favor be upon you and your family.
Last week, starting with chapter 12, we began a brief study of the 3 evil characters who make up the unholy Trinity. In the last days, they will set themselves up to mimic God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We started off by discussing the dragon, who is clearly identified in Scripture as Satan (Revelation 12:9), the evil leader and “Father” of this unsavory group. Today, we will examine the second person of the satanic trio - the beast from the sea. This beast is almost universally recognized as the Antichrist, in contrast to Jesus. We read about him in the first 10 verses of chapter 13. Let’s get started...
I. THE RISE OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:1-3a)
John described a scene in which the dragon stood on the seashore, presumably beckoning someone. Then he saw a beast rising up out of the sea. The beast had 7 heads and 10 horns, with a crown on each horn. One of the heads bore the marks of a fatal wound that had been miraculously healed. The beast resembled a leopard, with bear’s feet, and having the mouth of a lion. The dragon imparted his strength, authority, and throne to the beast.
John’s description of the beast from the sea is similar to his earlier description of the dragon (Revelation 12:3). Both creatures had 7 heads and 10 horns. This speaks to their common nature. There are various interpretations as to the meaning of these heads and horns. Speaking of the heads, one of the more prominent views is that they represent pagan kingdoms that have oppressed and persecuted God’s children Israel throughout history. To be specific, the 7 heads are thought by many to represent Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and Turkey (or the Ottomans). Apart from a few periods of Israeli independence, these 7 empires and their related predecessors have sequentially dominated the Jews since their selection as God’s chosen people during the time of the patriarchs up until the present day.
As for the horns, they represent 10 future kings or kingdoms that will give their authority to the beast during the last days (Revelation 17:12-13). Some have speculated that the beast will be the leader of the European Union, a revived or resurrected Roman Empire of sorts, symbolized by the head with the fatal wound that had been healed. Following this theory, the EU will be divided into 10 regions or kingdoms that will each submit themselves to his cruel lordship.
John’s vision of the beast from the sea seems to incorporate all of the elements described centuries before in Daniel’s prophetic vision. Daniel saw 4 beasts coming up from the sea (Daniel 7:4-8). The first appeared to be a lion (believed to represent Babylon), the second was like a bear (believed to represent Medo-Persia), the third looked like a leopard (believed to represent Greece), and the fourth had 10 horns (believed to be Rome). Collectively, these 4 beasts also had 7 heads. Coincidence?
Whatever your opinion concerning the proper meaning of the beast's heads and horns, notice that he rises to authority upon the calling and empowering of the dragon. Let me put it plainly, as I understand it. After losing the war in heaven during the first half of the tribulation and being thrown down to the earth at its midpoint, a furious and desperate Satan will harken to and initiate the totalitarian rule of the Antichrist.
II. THE REIGN OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:3b-6)
John saw that the whole world was amazed by, worshiped, and followed the dragon and the beast from the sea. They revered the beast as being greater and stronger than any other. Inspired by his father Satan, the beast was filled with arrogance and pride and spoke blasphemies against God and his children. The beast was given dictatorial authority to rule over the earth for 42 months or 3 ½ years.
The initial commissioning of the Antichrist took place back in Revelation 6:1-2. When Jesus broke the first seal, the rider on the white horse came to earth. This rider, whom I believe to be the Antichrist, was a charismatic, diplomatic world leader who was committed to peace with Israel. Throughout the first half of the tribulation, he gradually became more and more popular and influential. Then, at the midpoint of the tribulation, filled with the Spirit of Satan, the Antichrist morphed into the hideous beast, seized absolute power, and turned against God. He reigned during the Great Tribulation.
I see incredible parallels between this story and that of Judas Iscariot. Jesus called Judas Iscariot to be an apostle, just as God dispatched the rider on the white horse to earth. Jesus knew that Judas would betray him, just as God knew that this rider would soon become the Antichrist. Judas walked with Jesus as His close companion for roughly 3 ½ years, the same amount of time that the Antichrist held friendly relations with Israel. Then Satan filled and darkened Judas’ heart, leading him to betray Christ (John 13:2,27). In the same way, Satan possessed the Antichrist and he became the beast who betrayed and persecuted Israel and the followers of God.
III. THE RAGE OF THE BEAST (Revelation 13:7-10)
The beast made war with the saints of God and overcame them. Though his rage was most fiercely directed specifically toward the Jews, he held power over all of the people and nations of earth. His evil intentions mirrored those of the dragon. All who were unsaved worshiped him, while only those whose names were written in the Lamb’s book of life resisted. They suffered greatly because they refused to submit to the beast.
John urged his readers to listen and understand. This season of adversity (ie, the coming Great Tribulation and the Antichrist’s reign of terror) has been preordained by God. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise. Those who suffer through it must remember that God will punish evildoers by the same measure that they persecute others. Though many will be taken captive and/or killed by the dragon and the beast from the sea during the end times, ultimately they too will suffer a similar fate. Knowing this, believers should be encouraged to persevere even through extreme hardship.
CONCLUSION
The beast from the sea is the Antichrist. His authority and power come from the dragon (that is, Satan) who exalts him to a place of prominence. The beast will rule over the earth for 42 months, during the Great Tribulation. He will make war with the saints of God and kill many of them, excluding the 144,000 who are under the LORD’s divine protection. However, in the end he (and the dragon) will face God’s justice.
Next week we will study the final member of the unholy trinity - the beast from the earth. Our message will cover the remainder of chapter 13. If you have time this week, read and reflect upon these verses in advance. Then you’ll be even more prepared.
Until next Sunday, may God’s grace and favor be upon you and your family.