Rev 13:1, 17:3 | PNT | STEP | The Seven-Headed Beast SUMMARY OF REVELATION 13: The Beast That Rises Out of the Sea. Power Given to the Beast by the Dragon. The Head Wounded to Death and Healed. Power Given to Continue Forty-two Months. The Lamb-like Beast That Had the Voice of a Dragon. His Service to the Seven-Headed Beast. The Number of the Beast. I . . . saw a beast . The twelfth chapter has shown the relentless hostility of the dragon, "the old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan" ( ), to the woman, a hostility that has manifested itself in changing forms. declares his purpose to make war on the seed of the woman. This chapter is intended to show the organized forms in which he has carried on this warfare. The apostle sees a "beast", a wild savage beast, arising out of the sea . The restless ocean is a symbol of commotion. Having seven heads and ten horns . The beast bears the old dragon mark of seven heads and ten horns ( ). It must therefore be some manifestation of the same power. Indeed, it is the dragon who has called the beast forth from the sea. Upon his horns ten crowns . These crowns are "diadems" (Revised Version). They are the sign of royal authority. They represent ten kings or kingdoms ( ). In , the seven heads had the diadems; now the horns wear them. There is a reason for this that we shall see in the sequel. And upon his heads the name of blasphemy . If these heads should arrogantly claim divine honors, not belonging to them, these would be names of blasphemy. These heads are said to be seven kings. Sometimes kings have claimed to be gods, as Alexander, who asserted that he was the son of Jupiter Ammon, and the Roman Emperors, who all claimed divine honors and required men to worship their statues and to offer them sacrifices. 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard . It was a composite beast which united the characteristics of the beasts seen by Daniel in his vision ( ). The animals combined are all cruel, terrible beasts of prey; a terror to man. And the dragon gave him his power . That is, this beast was called forth to do the dragon's work, and acted by the dragon's authority.

Revelation of John 13:1

The Seven-Headed Beast SUMMARY OF REVELATION 13: The Beast That Rises Out of the Sea. Power Given to the Beast by the Dragon. The Head Wounded to Death and Healed. Power Given to Continue Forty-two Months. The Lamb-like Beast That Had the Voice of a Dragon. His Service to the Seven-Headed Beast. The Number of the Beast.

I . . . saw a beast. The twelfth chapter has shown the relentless hostility of the dragon, "the old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan" (Re 12:9 20:2), to the woman, a hostility that has manifested itself in changing forms. Re 12:17 declares his purpose to make war on the seed of the woman. This chapter is intended to show the organized forms in which he has carried on this warfare. The apostle sees a "beast", a wild savage beast, arising out of the sea. The restless ocean is a symbol of commotion.

Having seven heads and ten horns. The beast bears the old dragon mark of seven heads and ten horns (Re 12:3). It must therefore be some manifestation of the same power. Indeed, it is the dragon who has called the beast forth from the sea.

Upon his horns ten crowns. These crowns are "diadems" (Revised Version). They are the sign of royal authority. They represent ten kings or kingdoms (Re 17:12). In Re 12:3, the seven heads had the diadems; now the horns wear them. There is a reason for this that we shall see in the sequel.

And upon his heads the name of blasphemy. If these heads should arrogantly claim divine honors, not belonging to them, these would be names of blasphemy. These heads are said to be seven kings. Sometimes kings have claimed to be gods, as Alexander, who asserted that he was the son of Jupiter Ammon, and the Roman Emperors, who all claimed divine honors and required men to worship their statues and to offer them sacrifices. 13:2 Re 13:2

And the beast which I saw was like a leopard. It was a composite beast which united the characteristics of the beasts seen by Daniel in his vision (Da 7:1-6). The animals combined are all cruel, terrible beasts of prey; a terror to man.

And the dragon gave him his power. That is, this beast was called forth to do the dragon's work, and acted by the dragon's authority.

Revelation of John 17:3

He carried me away in the spirit into a wilderness. It is not explained why she is seen in a wilderness. Perhaps the thought is that her development was in obscurity and almost unnoticed until she had reached supreme power.

I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet-coloured beast. Supported by this beast. In chapter 13 I have discussed at length the meaning of this beast and of its seven heads. See notes on Re 13:1-10.

And ten horns. The significance of these will be considered under Re 17:12.