We have already noted that both come out of the sea (Daniel 7:3 Revelation 13:1) and both have ten horns (Daniel 7:7 Revelation 13:1). To show that Daniel and John are seeing the same beast let us quickly look at the parallels in their descriptions. The fourth terrifying beast that Daniel prophesied about and about which Revelation 13 is referring to is the Roman Empire which ruled from around 44 BC to 476 AD. The fourth beast is the empire that conquered the Greeks and that was the Roman Empire. The third beast is the empire that conquered the Persians which was the Grecian Empire. The second beast is the empire that conquered the Babylonians, which was the Persian Empire (also called the Medo-Persian Empire). Therefore the Babylonian Empire is the first beast. Daniel 2:37-38 tells us that we begin with the Babylonian Empire. We stand at a time where we know the order of the four kingdoms/empires that arose over the earth. The answer given is that the four beasts represent the four kingdoms that arise out of the earth. Daniel sees this vision and wants to know the interpretation of these things (Daniel 7:16). The fourth beast is not like the other beasts and it has ten horns, just like the beast in Revelation 13. It is the fourth beast (Daniel 7:7) that is of interest in this chapter. Notice that the first three beasts in Daniel 7 are a lion, bear, and leopard, the same three animals that make up the beast in Revelation 13. Daniel 7:3 shows four great beasts coming up out of the sea, just as the beast in Revelation 13 comes out of the sea. The image of this beast comes directly from Daniel with the intention for the readers to see that this beast is Revelation 13 is the fulfillment or arrival of the beast predicted in Daniel 7. It is not revealing what is going to happen next 2000 years later but what will happen next immediately after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Chapter 13 reveals what is going to happen next. We have seen the immediacy of the prophecy contained in chapters 6-11, fulfilling the declaration that these things must soon take place. There is nothing soon or near about 2000 years passing by. The book of Revelation is revealing “things that must soon take place” (1:1) and “the time is near” (1:3). However, we cannot forget what we read at the beginning of the book. This chapter is where much of the speculation comes from concerning the Antichrist controlling the earth and the earth worshiping him. Further, the dragon gave his power, throne, and great authority to the beast.įuturists see this description of the beast as a prophecy about the coming Antichrist. The beast’s appearance is like a leopard with feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion. The beast has great power, authority, and strength.
The symbolism of the heads and horns is the same as with the dragon. The similar number of heads and horns reveals that the beast is from the dragon and like the dragon in wickedness. Blasphemous names were written on its heads. The beast has ten horns and seven heads with ten diadems on its horns. The dragon takes his stand on the sand of the sea (12:17), and a beast rises out of the sea. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.Chapter 13 reveals the most amazing and terrifying image of a beast. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
4 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? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 3And 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. 2And 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. 1And 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.
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