The Beast, Horns and a Wound

Beast that was, is not and shall be

A recent discussion highlighted the need to remind readers about the particulars of the beasts of Revelation 13.

There are two beasts in Revelation 13. The first is a worldwide empire which controls all the world. The second beast is a religious leader (the man of sin, false Messiah, false prophet) who controls a religious system (the whore of Babylon) which rides the military and political power of the first beast to world leadership.

This religious leader is called the false prophet in Revelation.

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.”
–Revelation 16:13

THEN, the kings who control the beast empire destroy the religious system (the whore of Babylon).

“And the ten horns [kings] which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.”
–Revelation 17:16-17

First, let’s take a look at the first beast.

“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?”
–Revelation 13:1-4

An angel in Revelation 17 explains to the apostle John (who recorded Revelation) what the meaning of the beast and the horns.

“And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.”
–Revelation 17:7

Notice that the beast the angel is referring to is the worldwide political empire (it has seven heads and ten horns–Revelation 17:3).

From these selections–as well as the rest of the Book of Revelation–it should be clear that the “beast” refers to BOTH a powerful end times leader AND the powerful worldwide political system/government/empire which he leads.

But for confirmation, one only need turn to the Book of Daniel.

In Daniel 7, the prophet Daniel had a dream about four beasts. An angel came to Daniel and explained what the beasts represented.

“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.”
–Daniel 7:7

The angel specifically tells Daniel that the beasts are four persons (KINGS).

“These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.”

However, the angel also tells Daniel that the beasts represent KINGDOMS.

“Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.”
–Daniel 7:23-24

SO, whenever Revelation and/or Daniel use the term “the beast” they can be referring to EITHER a king OR a kingdom (specifically the end times worldwide government governed by the beast and the man of sin). Which meaning is meant is determined by the context in which the term is used.

The entire meaning of various end times warnings and descriptions of future events can be drastically changed by misreading the biblical context.

This has happened more than once.
—Who or What is the Beast in Revelation?

So is Revelation 13:1-4 referring to the beast as a king or as a kingdom (empire)?

From the context of the verses, it is clear that Revelation 13:1-4 is referencing a KINGDOM.

Why is this?

Because the beast has seven heads and ten horns and no king has seven heads and ten horns.

So the wound which one of the heads (kings/kingdoms) suffers is a deadly wound inflicted on one of the leading kingdoms which make up the bulk of the might of the beast kingdom.

BUT NOTICE that the wound is only PERCEIVED as a deadly head wound.

” And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death“
–Revelation 13:3

ALSO, Revelation 13:14 provides an important clue to whether the beast is a person or country.

“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”

NOTICE that the beast had its wound “by a sword.”

God’s Word often uses “sword” interchangeably with “war” (depending upon context).

“For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?”
–Ezekiel 14:21

“And the sword shall abide on his cities, and shall consume his branches, and devour them, because of their own counsels.”
–Hosea 11:6

“Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword.”
–Micah 6:14

“For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them”
–Jeremiah 49:37

So the beast’s wound is caused by a war.

The second beast is the man of sin (false prophet, false Messiah) who looks like a lamb (Jesus, the real Messiah) but speaks like Satan (the dragon).

“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”
–Revelation 13:11

…and so, this discussion will continue…

MORE:  Who or What is the Beast in Revelation?

It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.

DOES the reader believe he is saved?

Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival

DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?

Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16

MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report

[Portions of this piece appeared originally in  End Times Prophecy Headlines: May 15, 2019.]

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by Jeremiah James
–with Mondo Frazier

image: Wikimedia Commons/pd

© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-19. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP, 2007-2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s authors and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson, Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Author: Jeremiah J Jameson

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