The Beast out of the SeaThe Beast out of the Sea

Revelation 13:1-10Revelation 13:1-10

Outline of RevelationOutline of Revelation Publication of the Prophecy: Its Publication of the Prophecy: Its

Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5)Future Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll

(4:1 – 8:1)(4:1 – 8:1) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets

(8:2 – 11:19)(8:2 – 11:19) Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls

(12:1 – 18:24)(12:1 – 18:24) Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20)Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20)

The woman, the male-child, and the dragon The woman, the male-child, and the dragon (12:1-17)(12:1-17)

The beast out of the sea and the beast out of The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth (13:1-18)the earth (13:1-18)

Picture from the International Inductive Study Bible, p. 1432.

Dan 7:17 'These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth. 18 'But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.' 19 "Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet, 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three of them fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts, and which was larger in appearance than its associates. 21 "I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. 23 "Thus he said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. 24 '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. 25 'And he will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 26 'But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever. 27 'Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.'

The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-10)10)

Characteristics of the beast (13:1-4)Characteristics of the beast (13:1-4) The dragon is the one who stands on the seashore The dragon is the one who stands on the seashore

(continuing from 12:17).(continuing from 12:17). The beast comes up out of the sea, which in ancient The beast comes up out of the sea, which in ancient

times was considered a reservoir of evil and sea times was considered a reservoir of evil and sea monsters (see Job 26:12-13; Pss 74:13-14; 89:9-10; Isa monsters (see Job 26:12-13; Pss 74:13-14; 89:9-10; Isa 27:1; 51:9-10).27:1; 51:9-10).

In Rev 11:7 and 17:8 this same beast is said to come up out In Rev 11:7 and 17:8 this same beast is said to come up out of the abyss.of the abyss.

The word for “beast” denotes a ferocious nature. In The word for “beast” denotes a ferocious nature. In contrast to the Lamb of God, this one stands for chaos contrast to the Lamb of God, this one stands for chaos against order, evil against good, and death against life. against order, evil against good, and death against life.

This beast is the false Christ, which becomes clear as we This beast is the false Christ, which becomes clear as we read through the rest of Revelation (see especially Rev read through the rest of Revelation (see especially Rev 13:8, 13:18, and 17:8).13:8, 13:18, and 17:8).

2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 is another NT passage that speaks 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 is another NT passage that speaks with detail about this false Christ.with detail about this false Christ.

The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-10)10)

Characteristics of the beast (13:1-4)Characteristics of the beast (13:1-4) But this beast also symbolizes a series of kingdoms, with But this beast also symbolizes a series of kingdoms, with

its 7 heads and 10 horns.its 7 heads and 10 horns. ““Since the fourth beast of Daniel 7 is a composite of the Since the fourth beast of Daniel 7 is a composite of the

other three, this beast must be a panoramic other three, this beast must be a panoramic representation of dominant world empires of all time, representation of dominant world empires of all time, but in Rev. 13:1-10, John’s vision focuses on that series but in Rev. 13:1-10, John’s vision focuses on that series of empires as they come to their climactic end. First-of empires as they come to their climactic end. First-century Rome was one of those empires, and the world century Rome was one of those empires, and the world empire of the end times will bear some relationship to empire of the end times will bear some relationship to Rome. The keys to the chronological location of the Rome. The keys to the chronological location of the beast lie in its heads and crowned horns. The best beast lie in its heads and crowned horns. The best solution to the problem appears to be a combination of solution to the problem appears to be a combination of the view that this is the revived Roman Empire and the the view that this is the revived Roman Empire and the view that this is the end-time false Christ. This final view that this is the end-time false Christ. This final world empire will embody a satanically empowered world empire will embody a satanically empowered individual who will present himself as a counterfeit individual who will present himself as a counterfeit Christ in order to deceive the earth dwellers” (Thomas, Christ in order to deceive the earth dwellers” (Thomas, Revelation 8-22Revelation 8-22, 154)., 154).

The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-10)10)

Characteristics of the beast (13:1-4)Characteristics of the beast (13:1-4) Notice the parallels between this beast Notice the parallels between this beast

and the slain Lamb of Rev 5:6:and the slain Lamb of Rev 5:6: Both have followers with their names Both have followers with their names

inscribed on their foreheads (13:16-17; inscribed on their foreheads (13:16-17; 14:1).14:1).

Both have horns symbolizing their authority Both have horns symbolizing their authority (5:6; 13:1).(5:6; 13:1).

Both are slain (5:6; 13:3, 8).Both are slain (5:6; 13:3, 8). Both rise to new life and authority, and both Both rise to new life and authority, and both

have power over the whole world (Rev 1:5; have power over the whole world (Rev 1:5; 7:9; 13:7; 17:12).7:9; 13:7; 17:12).

The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-10)10)

Characteristics of the beast (13:1-4)Characteristics of the beast (13:1-4) The beast’s 10 horns and 7 heads show his affinity to The beast’s 10 horns and 7 heads show his affinity to

the dragon in 12:3, but notice that the crowns are the dragon in 12:3, but notice that the crowns are shifted from the heads in 12:3 to the horns here.shifted from the heads in 12:3 to the horns here.

The horns represent 10 kings or kingdoms which make The horns represent 10 kings or kingdoms which make up the last of the 7 world empires.up the last of the 7 world empires.

The focus at 13:1 is on the last of the 7 kingdoms, when The focus at 13:1 is on the last of the 7 kingdoms, when the beast will enjoy supremacy over the 10 kings who the beast will enjoy supremacy over the 10 kings who act as sub-rulers under his authority (cf. Rev 17:12). act as sub-rulers under his authority (cf. Rev 17:12).

The names of blasphemy on the beast’s heads involve The names of blasphemy on the beast’s heads involve the assumption of deity by the beast. the assumption of deity by the beast.

Roman emperors who assumed divine titles illustrate this Roman emperors who assumed divine titles illustrate this type of blasphemy.type of blasphemy.

The beast serves as the dragon’s agent. The war is The beast serves as the dragon’s agent. The war is Satan’s, but he uses this ruler and his empire as his tool Satan’s, but he uses this ruler and his empire as his tool for waging it.for waging it.

In imitation of the true Christ, the beast will suffer a fatal In imitation of the true Christ, the beast will suffer a fatal wound and then recover, bringing this leader into the wound and then recover, bringing this leader into the spotlight like never before. The whole world will worship spotlight like never before. The whole world will worship him and the dragon behind him.him and the dragon behind him.

Beasts of Rev 12 and 13Beasts of Rev 12 and 13

The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-10)10)

Activities of the beast (13:5-8)Activities of the beast (13:5-8) He will be a persuasive (but blasphemous!) He will be a persuasive (but blasphemous!)

speaker. His God-given authority will speaker. His God-given authority will surpass that of every previous ruler and will surpass that of every previous ruler and will be worldwide in extent. be worldwide in extent.

The beast will make war and overcome the The beast will make war and overcome the saints (i.e. kill them).saints (i.e. kill them).

These saints certainly include the 144,000 These saints certainly include the 144,000 sealed in Rev 7, the rest of Israel’s seed that are sealed in Rev 7, the rest of Israel’s seed that are not brought to the wilderness. It may also not brought to the wilderness. It may also include others who come to faith through their include others who come to faith through their witness.witness.

The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-10)10)

Activities of the beast (13:5-8)Activities of the beast (13:5-8) The beast’s worshipers will be “all who dwell on The beast’s worshipers will be “all who dwell on

the earth,” a group we have seen before in the earth,” a group we have seen before in 3:10, 6:10, 8:13, and 11:10 (twice), and who will 3:10, 6:10, 8:13, and 11:10 (twice), and who will be mentioned again at 13:14 (twice) and 17:8.be mentioned again at 13:14 (twice) and 17:8.

A further characteristic of these earth-dwellers A further characteristic of these earth-dwellers is the absence of their names from the Lamb’s is the absence of their names from the Lamb’s Book of Life.Book of Life.

In light of our earlier discussion about this book (Rev In light of our earlier discussion about this book (Rev 3:5) and the possibility of having one’s name blotted 3:5) and the possibility of having one’s name blotted out of it, it is best to understand the verse here as out of it, it is best to understand the verse here as “everyone’s name which does not “everyone’s name which does not remainremain written…” written…”

The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-The Beast out of the Sea (13:1-10)10)

Submission to the beast’s persecution and Submission to the beast’s persecution and divine providence (13:9-10)divine providence (13:9-10) Verses 9 and 10 are a call to the saints, not to Verses 9 and 10 are a call to the saints, not to

their persecutors.their persecutors. Verse 10 warns the saints of the impending Verse 10 warns the saints of the impending

persecution by the beast and urges them to persecution by the beast and urges them to submit to divine providence.submit to divine providence.

John is drawing from the prophet Jeremiah here (Jer John is drawing from the prophet Jeremiah here (Jer 15:2; 43:11), who spoke these same words to his 15:2; 43:11), who spoke these same words to his generation regarding their being exiled to Babylon.generation regarding their being exiled to Babylon.

Remembering that God is sovereign over all Remembering that God is sovereign over all that happens, even the rule of the dragon and that happens, even the rule of the dragon and the beast, will provide the spiritual qualities of the beast, will provide the spiritual qualities of faithfulness and endurance that believers will faithfulness and endurance that believers will need in this time of intense persecution. need in this time of intense persecution.

Next Week:Next Week:The Beast out of the Earth The Beast out of the Earth and the Followers of the and the Followers of the

Lamb Lamb (Rev 13:11-14:5)(Rev 13:11-14:5)

Read Rev 12 - 14Read Rev 12 - 14