Revelation 13:1—2And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard but had
feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion.
The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne
and great authority.

Once again John used images from the Old Testament to reveal what was going to
happen in the future. In order to understand this passage, we must therefore first go
back to Daniel 7:1—6.

Daniel says that in the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, he had a dream and
visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of the dream.

Daniel 7:2—6Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.
The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it..

And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh!’
After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads and it was given authority to rule.

After that, in my vision at night I looked and there before me was a fourth beast — terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth. It crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from the former beasts and it had ten horns.

The first thing to take note of here is that the beast described by John is a combination of those seen by Daniel. We know from the Old Testament that the vision that Daniel saw had to do with certain countries: Babylonia, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. We know that "the dragon stood at the shore of the sea" and that the previous history had to do with Europe, so this is the indication that the countries that we have to look for are in Europe.

The deduction that the dragon remained on the shores of Europe is in agreement with the history of the Protestants and the Catholics that settled in the new colonies and in the New World. Revelation says this for as we progress in the following chapters we shall see that it was the beast that would go across the seas. Because of the abundance of land, they could settle far from each other and virtually never come into contact. Thus they avoided confrontation. In the new lands each Church, both Catholic or Protestant, could grow and develop into flourishing communities. However, in certain countries differences did develop between Catholics and Protestants and also Protestants among themselves, but these would never nearly reach the proportions of the conflicts in Europe. Later in Revelation the particular problems relating to the conquest of the new lands will be indicated.

We are told that the beast had "ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name" . This is explained in Revelation 17:9—14. Just for a moment we will have to move ahead and see what is said:

Revelation 17:9—14 "The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits.

They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

"The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast.

They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings — and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."

This will all be explained later, but for the moment take note that the "seven heads" are seven kings (Rev 17:10). Revelation is going to use the kings of nations to reveal something to modern man.

We must now refer to Revelation 6, where the beasts seen by Daniel were brought into relation with the four horses of the apocalypse, and the reason for the reverse progression, was explained. ( See page .)

In this chapter however, it seems as if the beasts seen by Daniel have to be taken in their normal sequence. At the end of Revelation this will become more apparent.

How are we going to discover what this vast beast from the sea is? Consider the first beast seen by Daniel:

The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I watched until the wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man.

The reader will recall that the time of "it stood on two feet like a man" relates to the year 1932 (see p ).

In Revelation 12:14 it is said that : "The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle so that she might fly to a place prepared for her in the desert where she would be taken care of for 1,260 days." You will recall that the "I,260 days" was 245 years measured from 996 and 1000 to 1241 and 1245 the time of the end of Christian rule in Jerusalem.

The time of 245 years can also be measured in relation to the year 1070, the conquest of Jerusalem by the Seljuk Turks that inspired the Crusader Wars.

It is significant that the years 1070—c 1315 (1260 days is 245 years) can be linked to the time of the Knights Templar. In 1128, two French knights gained the Pope's approval for their order of chivalry, which became known as the Knights of the Temple of Solomon. They were to protect Christian pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land. During the Crusades the fleet of the Knights Templar kept the Holy Land supplied with men and equipment. In 1307, King Philip of France set about crushing the order for financial and political reasons.

Revelation seems to indicate a time when the protection of the Church by military force and the State would end.

To discover the significance of the "wings of the eagle " we have to consider the leaders of the Crusades. It is important to know who the kings were that led the armies of Europe to the Holy Land. They were Frederick Barbarossa of the Holy Roman Empire, Philip Augustus of France and Richard I of England. These three kings were of three hereditary lines of kings that would ultimately pass the rule of government to the ordinary citizen (man). Revelation will give the details later.

Consider the second beast seen by Daniel:

And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told "get up and eat your fill of flesh!"

The image of this beast broadens the concept of the beast of Revelation. As mentioned in connection with the rider on the red horse, to which the second beast of Daniel was linked: the beast later stands on "two feet" therefore it was raised on one side during the first millennium (Eastern Europe) but in the second millenium on the 'other' side (Western Europe). The "three ribs' will be explained later.

The third beast seen by Daniel further extends the concept of the beast of Revelation:

"Dominion" is a good word for it makes the understanding of this beast in relation to the beast of Revelation easier. This beast extends the beast of Revelation that is going to be established from the histories of the countries of Europe, to include all those countries which were given dominion across the seas. ("Four" here means 'of the entire earth' including the four cardinal points of the earth.)

What this means is that the kind of rule that was established by the Christian countries of Europe would be transferred to the colonies across the seas. The symbolism conveyed in the beasts as seen by Daniel is inherent in the histories of each of the Christian countries of Europe that had colonies ( dominion) across the seas.

Consider the following:

Revelation 13:2The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.

"beast"

The "beast" of Revelation is a complex concept. As was mentioned in the previous chapter, the division in the Church caused the voice of ordinary man to be heard more strongly. Man rebelled against the corruption of the Church. Unfortunately religious motives were making way for political gain. Through the religious fervour of people political objectives were attained.

Revelation 13:3One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.

"heads of the beast"

We know from Revelation 17:9 that the "head" of the beast is either a "hill" or a "king". The ten horns that are also kings (17:12) and these ten kings would for "one hour" have authority as kings "with the beast". The reader will recall that in the assessment of the times "hour, day, month, and year" in Revelation 9:15, the time of "day" was measured from 1644—1932. It was said that 1644 fell in the time of the reign (1625—1649) of Charles I, who was beheaded after a decision of Parliament in 1649. Charles therefore was king for about 24 years. It was from what happened in England in 1625—1649 that made me begin to realize what Revelation was conveying through the meaning of "the heads of the beast had a fatal wound".

In Revelation 9:17 the time of "jacinth" (1788) was the time of the French Revolution and the destruction of the power of the king of France. Charles I was therefore "one of the heads".

It is also interesting to note that, if one looks at the diagram on page , one sees that the times calculated back at the dates of the three earthquakes in Europe, namely 1693, 1755 and 1857 begins at the year 1441 (1693-252=1441) and ends at the time 1857( the time of the earthquake in Italy). The year 1649 falls exactly half way (mid-point) between these two dates, 1441 and 1857. Charles I was executed in January 1649.

Background history

James I, who came to the throne of England in 1603, was not successful in his dealings with the members of Parliament. They resented the fact that he strove to become an absolute monarch, and his attitude towards the Puritans, who were strongly represented in the Commons.

After James, Charles I also continually clashed with Parliament. These clashes eventually led to the civil war of 1642. The royalists were decisively beaten by the Parliamentarian, Oliver Cromwell and his followers at Naseby in 1645. These were the circumstances that led to the actual execution of Charles I.

"fatal wound"

The execution of the king by the general will of the people is the "fatal wound". The word "fatal" is here of the greatest significance for it implies that it was actually the end of something. It was the end of the rule of the nation according to the rule of the order of Melchizedek, where the rule of the land and the faith are vested in the king and the nation is compelled to adhere to his rule.

What Revelation is going to accentuate in the following chapters, is the involvement of rebellion against the Church. The political motives of the kings became involved with the religious drive of the nations. This would lead to the death of Christians, which was unacceptable. This will be illustrated by the history of England in the mid-seventeenth century and by the death of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1645. Revelation, however, does not involve only one nation, but will illustrate how this happened to a number of Christian nations.

"but the fatal wound had been healed"

This happened because Parliament was put in place and even the monarchy was installed again. It seemed that all was well. Later even the deaths of the Christians would be forgotten.

If Revelation says it was a fatal move, it could be the reason for the Second Coming. As we proceed in Revelation we will see that the disintegration of the relationship between Christian Church and State, would bring about not only rebellion, but a greater lawlessness among men.

"The whole world was astonished and followed the beast"

The magnitude of the meaning of this sentence is immense. It likely embraces all the revolts, throughout the world, that have taken place from the death of Charles I, right up to the present day. These revolts would have as their main motive political freedom and if it meant revolt against the church, and the destruction thereof, the nations would ultimately "accept’’ it.

Revelation 13:4Men worshipped the dragon, because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshipped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?"

The accuracy of Revelation is stunning. Today we believe that the division in the Church had to come about, for the nations were given the opportunity to speak out. After all there was corruption in the Church prior to the Reformation. We are inclined to forget the vast numbers of our ancestors who died for their faith in pursuit of freedom. As mentioned, the wars of religion helped to lead the way to the government of the people and the destruction of the king’s powers. Today most nations are independent or striving for "freedom" and independence. Who will today speak out against the rule of the people?

But Revelation is going to give the full picture. We are not ignorant, for twentieth century man has already seen what can happen if the rule of the people is allowed to get out of control. One early example is the two years of chaos that followed the death of Charles I of England. Another is the turbulence of the French Revolution. This has escalated into a grand scale in the world today.

In order to learn more about the "beast" we have to turn to a New Testament reference:

2 Thessalonians 2:1—4 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for the day will not come until the rebellion ( KJV —"a falling away") occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and exalt himself over everything that is called God, or is worshipped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

It should be borne in mind that each section of Revelation that has been studied, constituted a development of history throughout the centuries. In the above reference one also has progress, but of a different kind. "The man" ( this does not include all men — see Rev 14:1—5) is going to progress in degrees away from God.

• The man of lawlessness must be revealed. Through history it is well-known that rebellion leads to lawlessness and the destroying of life and property. But this will be taken a step further.

• So far will man be removed from the concepts of Christianity that he will feel he is subject to no Higher Being.

What this means, is that at the point when it becomes clear to Christians that men have moved away from Christianity and are committing crime without conscience, the "day of the Lord" is near. It shall be seen in the following chapters of Revelation that the man of lawlessness is most probably here already.

"forty two months"

It is as though Revelation wants to make quite sure that we get the right date here. It indicates "forty two months". In the previous chapter, Revelation indicated that "the woman was taken care of for 1,260 days" means 245 years. It has been established that "forty two months" is 252 years.

"was given a mouth"

Revelation is actually anticipating what is going to be established in the following chapter. The reader will not understand at this point how "given a mouth" indicates the year 1906, but it has to do with the "number of man" that will be correlated with history later.

The reader will recall that the periods of "1,260 days" and "forty two months" were specifically mentioned to indicate that Revelation is working with divisions of the earth. As mentioned previously, when Revelation deals with the time 1860—2004, it includes the entire earth. 1906 falls within that time.

Therefore one must take into account 252 years (forty two months) with relation to the entire earth. Revelation itself will explain these two dates.

1906 was the year that the radio telephone was demonstrated in the United States and the human voice was heard by means of radio for the first time. It was also the year that the triode "Audion" amplifying valve was patented in New York. When a weak electrical signal - produced for example by someone speaking into a microphone - was amplified by this valve and impressed on radio waves, the voice could be transmitted to a distant receiver. When the year 1906 and the discovery of the radio telephone are linked to the "number of man" in the following chapter it will indicate how the "beast" would extend his influence through world (radio) communication.

"He opened his mouth to blaspheme God"

It has been mentioned that "opened his mouth" in Revelation refers to earthquakes. There were major earthquakes in the Americas and Europe at this time. One in San Francisco in 1906, and one in Italy in 1908. If we subtract 252 years from 1906 and 1908 we reach the years 1654 and 1656. This was the time of the establishment of parliamentary government in England. If 252 is added to 1649 (the year of the death of Charles I — see verse 2: "on each head a blasphemous name") we reach 1901. This was the time of the beginning of the turmoil in Russia, where it was propagated that Russia should be ruled not only by man, but by the laws of economics. It therefore seems as though the beast would "blaspheme God" and "slander his name" between c 1654 and the beginning of the twentieth century. Not only this: After 1906, the rule of man would be propagated world wide with the aid of world communication.

In the following chapters Revelation is going to confirm this.

Revelation 13:7—9He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast — all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.

He who has an ear let him hear.

What this means is that all the nations of the world will seek political freedom (all inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast). The nations would in the process, that would take centuries, move against the Church and the saints. The "beast" which incorporates political freedom and religious freedom, will ultimately remove Christianity and its message that the cross is the only way to salvation from mainstream politics.

The beginning of the twentieth century would see Christian nations rising up to the point where they would destroy the Church. Between 1918 and 1932 the Christian Church in the Soviet Union would experience a ninety percent destruction. During the Second World War Germany would move against the Church in Poland and the Soviet Union.

What Revelation is accentuating here is that political freedom brought about freedom of religion which is not acceptable to the Trinity — for Christianity is a message from the creation of the world — "the Lamb was slain from the creation of the world". This is a tremendous concept. It means that since creation man was inclined to rebel against God, likewise, Christians moved against or rebelled against Christianity. But it is saying that the Lamb was there since creation — therefore Christ is the Son of God.

 

Revelation 13:10If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

This means that man will make war to obtain political, economic and religious "liberation". Unfortunately he does not realize that he has been morally liberated to the point where Christian values have little or no meaning. Christian society is falling apart, for man wants no bonds. There will, however, always be those who will hold on to their values, although in time it will become more difficult.

This is a broad outline. Revelation is going to fill in all the details and the dates in the following chapters.

The dates that have been established in this chapter (see chart on page ), contribute to the verification and interpretation of Revelation.