REVELATION 13 PART 1 OF 2

REVELATION 13  PART 1

The Beast of the Sea (Tapestry of the Apocalypse) courtesy of 

Kimon Berlin, user:Gribeco - Unknown (and Wikipedia)

   1) 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.

   2) 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.

   3) 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.

   4) And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast:  and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast?  who is able to make war with him?

   5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

   6) And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

   7) And 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.

   8) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

   9) If any man have an ear, let him hear.  King James Version (KJV) Public Domain

COMMENTARY

   We continue speaking in symbols here in Chapter 13.  Note this is a "beast", not a "dragon".  So, this is a man.  The "sea" in Scripture, refers to the Mediterranean Sea.  John describes some strange hybrid land mammal rather than a reptile, so we understand that he is referring to a powerful personage emerging from the peoples of the Mediterranean lands.  See Daniel 7.  Keep in mind, that Revelation is not written in chronological order.  This beast has already conquered many countries without firing a shot, so the description of this leopard as a lion and bear may indicate some of the powers he has already conquered.  We will discuss this further in chapter 17.

   Daniel spoke of seven heads, or kingdoms.  Apparently, one of those seven kingdoms will be revived in the last days.

   The beast has already ascended out of  "the abyss" and put an end to the two witnesses.  He will receive a wound as unto death, but he will also be revived and all the world will be enthralled with him.  Satan (the dragon) gives him authority.  Satan gives the Beast great pronouncements to make to all the world, such as that God's end is drawing near, which would release all mankind from His restraints to pursue whatever pleasure they so desired.  They will believe his lies and exalt him.

   And of course, the Beast makes war with all who believe in The Most High God, rather than himself.  He will seek to destroy Jew and Gentile, as many of them may actually accept Jesus as their personal savior after the rapture.

   "If any man have an ear, let him hear.  The Apostle John has repeated this many times in the Book of Revelation.  How about you?  If you have an ear, then hear this....make a decision to accept Jesus BEFORE all these things take place.  Run to the One Who loves you so much and has prepared a place for you for eternity.  Please click here:  https://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/p/path-to-salvation.html.  You are encouraged to click on the comment tab and leave us a message if our efforts in publishing this blog are a blessing to you.