The Beast out of the Sea

Revelation 13:1-10. The First of Three Beasts:
This Beast is going to control mankind other than those who have their names written in God’s Book of Life. The beast gets his power from Satan. Satan copies what God has done. The sea is often used in Bible imagery to symbolize the great mass of mankind.

Even if this beast has a lot of authority, his authority will be limited to what God gives him.

Some commentators say this Beast is a man, other commentators say this Beast is a system. To see which one is right we have to wait. This beast may be the Antichrist.

The Greek word therion translated beast literally means wild animal. Notice in Daniel and Revelation the descriptions of the Beast are wild animal descriptions. Wild animals often refer to certain countries that Israel had or has or will have dealings with.

Revelation 13:2 could read: The wild animal I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion.

Background Reading:

The Vision of the Beast from the Sea

13:1 I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns, seven heads, and ten royal crowns on its horns. On its heads were blasphemous names. 2 The beast that I saw was like a leopard. Its feet were like bear’s feet, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The dragon gave it his power, his throne, and complete authority.

3 One of the beast’s heads looked like it had sustained a mortal wound, but its fatal wound was healed. Rapt with amazement, the whole world followed the beast. 4 They worshipped the dragon because it had given authority to the beast. They also worshipped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight a war with it?” 5 The beast was allowed to speak arrogant and blasphemous things, and it was given authority for 42 months. 6 It uttered blasphemies against God, against his name, and against his residence, that is, against those who are living in heaven. 7 It was allowed to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. It was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. 8 All those who had become settled down and at home, living on the earth, will worship it, everyone whose name had not been written in the Book of Life belonging to the lamb that had been slaughtered since the foundation of the world.

9 Let everyone listen:

10 If anyone is to be taken captive,

into captivity he will go.

If anyone is to be killed with a sword,

with a sword he will be killed.
Revelation 13:1-10


Other slides in this module: