REVELATION 13:1-10 I. SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS II A. THE BEAST FROM THE SEA

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1 SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS: Last Two First Beast ~ Description REVELATION 13: REVELATION 13:1-10 I. SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS II A. THE BEAST FROM THE SEA 1. WHO HE IS NOT 2. BACKGROUND MATERIAL 3. WHO HE IS 4. MORE HELP FROM THE BOOK OF DANIEL 5. LEOPARD, BEAR AND LION 6. SOURCE OF THE BEAST S AUTHORITY 7. THE LIAR B. THE BOOK OF LIFE C. IF IS A HUGELY IMPORTANT WORD

2 2 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery TEACHER S GUIDE FUTURE: The Tribulation REVELATION 13:1-10 OPENING PRAYER We are here to learn about God. Let s take a few moments to prepare our souls for the study of His Word. Thank You, Father, for the truth we are about to examine. We pray we will store the truth we learn, guard it as a treasure of highest value and use it in our lives. Thank You, for young people who have the desire to study Your Word and grow in spirit and in Truth. In Jesus name, we pray. REVIEW (Review is more extensive than usual due to the importance of these characters.) Begin class with all seven character symbols on the board in order of their appearance in Revelation 12 and 13. 1) the woman, 2) the great, red dragon, 3) the woman s Child, 4) Michael, 5) the remnant or rest of the woman s offspring. Place the two beast symbols separate from the others: 6) the beast out of the sea and 7) the beast out of the earth. Allow students to supply as much information as possible about the first five characters. Fill in only as needed. Vocabulary list FIVE CHARACTERS FROM PREVIOUS LESSON 1. Woman: the Nation of Israel 12:1, Dragon: Satan 12:3, 4; 7-14; Jude 6; II Peter 2:4. 3. Her Son: the Lord Jesus Christ 12:5, Michael: the Archangel, special guardian angel over Israel. His name means Who is like God. Daniel 10:13-21; 12:1; Jude The remnant or the rest of the woman s offspring: 144,000 sealed Jewish witnesses plus other advancing believers saved during the Tribulation due to the testimony of the 144,000 (12:17; 14:1-5). THE MEANING OF ANTI-SEMITISM Semitism refers to anything Jewish. As descendants of Shem (one of Noah s three sons: Shem, Ham and Japeth) the Jews are Semites. Anti means against. Anti-Semitism is hating Jewish people simply because they are Jews.

3 SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS: Last Two First Beast ~ Description REVELATION 13: Satan has four main titles. Their meanings help us understand what sort of creature he is. His title Dragon means fierce nature. Serpent refers to his wiles and craftiness. Devil means accuser or slanderer. Satan means adversary. These titles tell us Satan is a fierce, crafty, lying enemy. Summary The Archangel, Michael, casts the dragon, Satan, to earth in the middle of the Tribulation...heaven rejoices and earth is full of woe. Satan initiates and encourages the worst persecution, hatred and bitterness towards Israel the world has ever known. All who love God are included in Satan s resentment. When Spiritual believers run to the hills at the sight of the image of Antichrist (the beast out of the sea) standing in the temple, Mat. 24:4-16, Satan turns his wrath on believers still in Jerusalem. Satan is mad (we already know he has a terrible disposition and cannot control his temper). Scripture says Woe to earth. In other words, earth is in a heap of trouble and unbelievers are in the most trouble of all. They suffer at Satan s hand and also receive God s wrath. Unbelievers have nowhere to turn. I. SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS II Read Revelation 13:1-10. A. THE BEAST FROM THE SEA Remove from the board the woman, the woman s child, the Archangel and the woman s offspring symbols leaving only the dragon and the two beasts. Place the dragon symbol above the two beasts to form a triangle. 1. WHO HE IS NOT a. He is not one of the living creatures from Chapter 4. In Revelation 4:6-9, inside heaven s open door into the throne room, we met four living creatures, sometimes referred to as beasts. The emphasis was on the living aspect of those creatures, they were not beastly at all. We found them to be a special order of angels. In stark contrast to those angelic creatures, the two beasts in Revelation 13 are vicious and vile. There is nothing angelic about them. THE FINAL TWO CHARACTERS ARE

4 4 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery TEACHER S GUIDE FUTURE: The Tribulation WILD BEASTS IN THE WORST SENSE OF THE WORD. 2. BACKGROUND MATERIAL a. Two final Tribulation characters in our list of seven are a pair of wild beasts. b. War in heaven in chapter 12 is not a description of Satan s original fall from heaven which was covered in the previous lesson (ISAIAH 14:12-15), but speaks of his fall from heaven in the middle of the Tribulation. At which time, he promotes terrible persecution of Jews and other believers in Jesus Christ (MATTHEW 24:15-26). c. Some wonder whether the beast from the sea represents a man or an empire. The answer is clear when we recognize that a king and his kingdom are considered to be one and the same. The beast is the empire. The empire is the beast. The beast out of the sea paints a double portrait of the Revived Roman Empire and its powerful Dictator, the Antichrist. d. Chapter 12 closed with a warning of Woe to earth, because Satan knows he has but a short time. Chapter 13 opens with Satan standing along the seashore watching earth s activities after his expulsion from heaven. He is prepared to take action. REVELATION 13:1a And he (Satan, the dragon) stood on the sand of the seashore. e. Satan plants himself so that he has an excellent view of his war zones: the land and the sea (also symbolizing Jews and Gentiles). From that vantage point, Satan controls everything in his worldly domain. In addition, now that he is confined to earth, he desperately needs a body from which to operate. (I ll tell you a secret, he has one waiting in the wings!) 1) Satan already knows one willing to serve as his agent under his authority during the Tribulation. Due to Satan s fondness for people watching, (JOB 1:7; I PETER 5:8), he has the opportunity to select someone with many of his favorite character traits. Satan watches the first beast rise to power from the Gentile nations of the world. Then, he proceeds to indwell the creature of his choice, his willing puppet, the beast out of the sea. 2) Satan stands prepared to direct the beast out of the sea, as strategic

5 SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS: Last Two First Beast ~ Description REVELATION 13: moves are carried out on earth. 3) Satan is also in an excellent position to watch his pawn, the beast from the land, rise to power in the Jewish nation. Satan has a front row seat for both performances. And because of John, so do we. Let s watch the beast out of the sea, first. REVELATION 13:1b And I (John) saw a beast coming up out of the sea (Gentile nations), having ten horns (wielding power over the ten-fold division of the Roman Empire) and seven (full and complete) heads (genius intelligence) and on his horns (power) were ten diadems (victory crowns), and on his heads (authority) were blasphemous names (religion: his authority, power and intellect are directed against God). e. Compare this description of the beast out of the sea in Chapter 13 with the description of the dragon (Satan in REVELATION 12:3 and REVELATION 17:12, 13, Read both Scriptures). 1) Notice, the beast out of the sea and Satan have similar characteristics. Both have ten horns, seven heads and seven victory crowns, one on each head. The beast and Satan are connected in some strange way. There is no question about it, Antichrist s power, his throne and his widespread authority come from Satan, the dragon. This is important. Remember it. However, in Chapter 13, an additional characteristic appears in the beast s description: blasphemous names are written on the beast s heads, indicating his use of religion to confound people s thinking. Religion is skillfully employed to speed up the beast s rise to power. Religion dominates his political kingdom. 2) Satan and the beast out of the sea are intent upon slandering God s name and usurping God s position. They are united in the desire to be worshipped. Neither is unskilled in the sphere of religion. REVELATION 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard (swift), and his feet were like those of a bear (strong), and his mouth like the mouth of a lion (ferocious). And the dragon (Satan) gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 32) The beast from the sea is swift, strong and ferocious, but most importantly we are told Satan is the source of his power and authority.

6 6 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery TEACHER S GUIDE FUTURE: The Tribulation The great red dragon, (Satan) dominates the world through his puppet, the beast out of the sea. 3. WHO HE IS a. The beast from the sea is the Gentile political leader, the King of the West, the Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire, Antichrist. Antichrist can mean against Christ. Antichrist can mean instead of Christ. b. Only one Scripture refers to the Antichrist, the Roman Dictator. It may come as a complete surprise, even to some knowledgeable in Scripture that THE Antichrist is referred to by name only once in the entire Bible. I JOHN 2:18a Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that (the) antichrist (the Dictator of the Roman Empire) is coming c. The word Antichrist appears four more times in Scripture. They all speak of a spirit of antagonism against Christ. I JOHN 2:18b even now many antichrists (those against Christ possessing the hateful spirit within human beings who are against Jesus Christ and all for which He stands) have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour. I JOHN 2:22 Who is the liar but the one (anyone) who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the (spirit of) antichrist, the one (anyone) who denies the Father and the Son (anyone operating under the same mindset as the Antichrist). I JOHN 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus, is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it (that spirit of hatred of Jesus Christ, His Word and His people) is already in the world. II JOHN 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the (spirit of) antichrist.

7 SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS: Last Two First Beast ~ Description REVELATION 13: THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST LIVES IN ANYONE FILLED WITH HATRED AGAINST JESUS CHRIST AND HIS WORD. These four verses tell us absolutely nothing about this well known tribulation character. Then, where in the world do we get our information as to what he is like? d. Other titles provide helpful information on the first beast. 1) He is called the beast in REVELATION 13:1-8 and is referred to as the beast nine more times in REVELATION 17. The word beast reflects his vicious character and ferocious activity. 2) He is the Little Horn in the book of Daniel. Let s read DANIEL 7:1-7 first and address four Gentile empires (prophesied by Daniel as dominating Israel during time on earth). DANIEL 7:8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them 3) His title as the little horn that came up from the ten horns speaks of his rapid rise to world wide authority and power and conforms with the leopard like traits (Go back and read verse 6). It also implies Antichrist s rise to power in three additional nations that voluntarily submit to his rule. As DANIEL S fifth beast, he pictures the Revived Roman Empire and the Empire s dictator. (These things are explained in DANIEL 7:24-25 Please read). 4) Two titles: the man of sin or lawlessness (as far as we know, the only appearance of this title) and the son of destruction (II THESSALONIANS 2:3) reflect Antichrist s character. He cares nothing about authority, except gaining more for himself. He is unwavering in his resolve to destroy everything related to God. 4. MORE HELP FROM THE BOOK OF DANIEL Teacher should study DANIEL, Chapters 2, 3 and 7. Display symbol of Daniel s image. Refer to it often. (Chart of the image in the book of Daniel is in Teacher s Appendix.) a. Daniel s image also predicts four Gentile Empires. 1) Turn back to Daniel 2: The book of Daniel, describes a huge image of a man. The image corresponds to the four beasts in DANIEL

8 8 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery TEACHER S GUIDE FUTURE: The Tribulation 7. We learn a great deal by comparing the image and the four beasts out of the sea. The image is made out of metals of decreasing value (depicting the decreasing strength of the four empires). The image predicts four Gentile empires will dominate Israel: Babylonian, Medo- Persian, Grecian and Roman. The Babylonian Empire is represented by the head of gold. Medes and Persians are represented by a silver chest and arms and Greece by a belly and thighs of bronze. 2) The fourth kingdom (legs and feet) represents the Roman Empire which divides into two parts, eastern and western. The feet of the image, a composite of iron and clay (iron: strength; clay: weakness), indicates a final, revived (and most cruel) world empire, the 10 nation confederation of the Revived Roman Empire. b. Daniel s four beasts in Chapter 7 and his image in Chapter 2 represent the same four empires. DANIEL 7:2, 3 Daniel said, I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea (the turmoil of the Gentile nations of the world), and four great beasts were coming up from the sea (Gentile nations), different from one another (four different empires). Display symbols of Daniel s four beasts. 1) Daniel describes four Gentile empires. Daniel 7:7 represents a revival of the fourth empire as a beast more terrible than all the others. DANIEL 7:7 After this, I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large teeth. It devoured and crushed, and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns (ten nations are under the authority of the final Gentile empire). 2) The winged lion represents the Babylonian Empire. The Medo- Persian Empire is represented by a lopsided bear. Greece is a winged leopard. Then, Daniel 7:7 describes the fourth empire as a ten-horned beast. The fourth empire comes back to life at a future time.

9 SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS: Last Two First Beast ~ Description REVELATION 13: LEOPARD, BEAR AND LION REVELATION 13:2 combines the metaphors in Daniel to further characterize the Revived Roman Empire and its dictator. The Revived Roman Empire combines the characteristics of all four world empires. Let s read it again. REVELATION 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard (emphasizing a swift rise to power), and his feet were like those of a bear (emphasizing strength), and his mouth of a lion (emphasizing ferocity in battle). And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. 6. SOURCE OF THE BEAST S AUTHORITY a. REVELATION 13:2 makes clear that the beast from the sea s authority and right to rule is Satan s power living within him. He is part of Satan s master counterfeit, the unholy trinity, which we examine later. ANTICHRIST IS SATAN S POWER WITHIN A HUMAN BODY. b. The composite in Revelation 13:2 teaches the beast from the sea is a strong, dominant, swift, conquering dictator who comes to power from three dominant nations among ten with widespread, evil influence and satanic authority. The 17th Chapter explains. REVELATION 17:12-13 And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. ( with the beast for one hour means the ten nations and the beast join forces, for a short time, for a common purpose. Of course, the beast eventually casts them all aside). Footnote from Ryrie Study Bible NASV: ten kings. The ten-nation federation which will come from the west and will be headed by Antichrist (see Dan. 7:23-24 and note on Rev. 13:1). One hour. i.e., for one purpose (as in Luke 22:53)

10 10 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery TEACHER S GUIDE FUTURE: The Tribulation c. The beast s empire combines all the negative characteristics of the empires of the past (the three beasts from verse 2). Characteristics of the beast himself are also taught by the characteristics of the empires. Combining our descriptions, we have already learned that the beast out of the sea has world wide authority which he receives quickly. He is vicious, cruel, possesses no loyalty and cares only for power. But REVELATION 13:3 tells us something else! REVELATION 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast. d. His fatal wound was healed is an interesting phrase. Many believe the second beast brings the beast dictator (Antichrist) back to life in a counterfeit resurrection. However, only God has the power to give life. JOHN 11:25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; He who believes in Me, shall live even if he dies. IT IS POSSIBLE SATAN MAKES ONE OF THE BEAST S HEADS APPEAR TO DIE AND COME BACK TO LIFE, BECAUSE SCRIPTURE USES THE WORDS AS IF, IN WHICH CASE IT WOULD BE SATAN S COUNTERFEIT RESURRECTION. e. More likely the revival refers to the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire is not alive today, but will be restored (brought back to life) by the beast (Antichrist) during the Tribulation. Remember, the beast and his empire are identified with each other. f. TIMELINE OF ROMAN EMPIRE: REVELATION 17:8. From Caesar's death, March 15, 44B.C. until Odevackar, 476 Rapture (?? ) In the Tribulation the German, destroys Rome in 476 A.D. WAS IS NOT WILL BE AGAIN g. An impressive feat. Bringing the Roman Empire back to life after so many years of nonexistence will impress everybody. Thus making the statement, And

11 SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS: Last Two First Beast ~ Description REVELATION 13: the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast more than reasonable. Any man able to accomplish such a miraculous feat will be a pied piper to the power-mad people of the world. 7. THE LIAR REVELATION 13:4 And they (unbelievers of the world) worshipped the dragon, (Satan) because he gave his authority to the beast; (they know the beast s power is Satanic and they are still glad) and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him? THE BEAST IS WORSHIPPED NOT BECAUSE HE IS RIGHT OR GOOD, BUT BECAUSE OF HIS SATANIC POWER. REVELATION 13:5 And there was given to him (the beast out of the sea, Antichrist) a mouth (a symbol for conspiracy) speaking arrogant words (he is a smug, conceited, talented, eloquent public speaker) and blasphemies (he is also a religious liar. He lies about the God of the universe, God s people and God s perfect plan); and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. (He rules the world during the last three and a half years, the Great Tribulation. The Great tribulation is Satan s counterfeit kingdom). We study the conspiracy of Satan s counterfeit trinity and the public lie later in Chapter 16. Here is its first mention: a conspiracy against God and His people originates in the mind of Antichrist, prompted by Satan. ANTICHRIST LIES ABOUT GOD AND GOD S PEOPLE. REVELATION 13:6 And he opened his mouth (he begins his planned conspiracy) in blasphemies (public lies) against God, to blaspheme His (God s) name and His (God s) tabernacle, that is those who dwell in heaven (those comfortable in heaven, because they have Christ s righteousness). a. Lies about God.

12 12 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery TEACHER S GUIDE FUTURE: The Tribulation The beast maligns God, Creator of all things (even the beast). The beast cannot bear the truth and bitterly seeks revenge against the One who is Truth. Remember, those who dwell (are comfortably settled down) in heaven are believers. Since the Tribulation is a Jewish age, the reference is especially to Jewish believers already settled in heaven. REVELATION 13:7, 8a And it was given to him (Antichrist) to make war with the saints (in order to get rid of the truth) and to overcome them; and authority over every tribe (Jews) and people (Gentiles) and tongue (all languages) and nation (every nation) was given to him. And all who dwell on the earth (are comfortably settled down in Satan s world) will worship him b. Lies about God s people. 1) Satan s resolve to Make war with the saints (REVELATION 12:13) declares his intent to wipe out all traces of truth on earth. Evil cannot argue against truth. If evil is to survive truth must be stamped out. Unorganized evil prevails during the first half of the Tribulation, and organized, systematic evil characterizes the second half. Everything is affected. THOSE WHO DWELL ON EARTH ARE UNBELIEVERS. 2) Unbelievers are comfortably settled down on earth. Of course, they worship the beast. He masquerades as god and they are fools! (PSALM 14:1) B. THE BOOK OF LIFE REVELATION 13:8 pulls us back again to those who will be comfortably settled down in heaven They are believers registered in the Lamb s Book of Life. REVELATION 13:8b...everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

13 SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS: Last Two First Beast ~ Description REVELATION 13: The slaying of the Lamb was ordained before the foundation of the world. All humans are recorded in the Book of Life, but names of those who die without believing in Jesus Christ as personal Savior are blotted out for eternity (PSALM 69:28). 2. Though unbeliever s names were there at one time, they are blotted out if they die without believing in Jesus Christ. Thus, the Lamb s Book of Life becomes the record of believers for eternity and their names have been there from the foundation of the world. It is truly the Lamb s Book of Life. Display symbol for The Book of Life. Read comments from the two sets of books: Books of Works and The Lamb s Book of Life. Additional information on The Lamb s Book of Life is in Teacher s Appendix. C. IF IS A HUGELY IMPORTANT WORD 1. Seven times back in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, Jesus Christ tells Church Age believers to use their spiritual ears and listen to what the Spirit is saying. The word IF in verse 9, is most significant. In verse 9, God is asking, Is anyone left? Is there a single believer in Jerusalem during the last half of the Tribulation still using his spiritual ears? Mature believers are in short supply in Jerusalem at this time in the Tribulation. So, verse 9 says... REVELATION 13:9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear God s children need to listen to the voice of the Spirit, today. And how do we do that? We study God s Word in the power of the Holy Spirit and respond to what we learn. It is the only way we can live in God s plan for our lives. REVELATION 13:10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance (KJV says patience ) and the faith of the saints. MATURE BELIEVERS RELY ON GOD, TO ENFORCE JUSTICE AND PUNISH EVIL DOERS. GOD S CHILDREN KNOW VENGEANCE BELONGS TO GOD. THEY ARE RELAXED AND PATIENT WHEN THEY LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT.

14 14 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery TEACHER S GUIDE FUTURE: The Tribulation 3. Faithful believers in fellowship with God s Spirit patiently wait and trust God to fulfill His promise to protect them and punish Godrejecters. It is comforting to them. IF THERE ARE ANY MEN LEFT WITH SPIRITUAL EARS, GOD URGES THEM TO LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT. DANIEL 11:36-45 contains additional information. Teacher might want to address the descriptions and supply further details. Footnotes in The Ryrie Study Bible, NAS, on DANIEL, CHAPTER 11 are helpful (pages ). Other helpful Scripture: II THESSALONIANS 2: 11, 12 judging those who will not believe the truth. Daniel 7:24-27; 9:27; 11:36; 12:11. Matthew 24:15 See the abomination Revelation 6:2; 13:1, 2, 11-12,18; 14: 9, 11; 16:2, 13; 17: 3, 8, 12-13, 16; 19:20; 20:10 This concludes our introduction to the beast from the sea. He is Satan s puppet. We meet Satan s pawn next. The dragon (Satan), his puppet and his pawn form a very interesting counterfeit. Point to the three symbols remaining on the board. These three characters comprise Satan s masterpiece: his counterfeit trinity. We will continue to learn things about them as our study continues. We learn more about their activities later. CLOSING PRAYER Dear Heavenly Father, We know You are a God of love and grace. We know You have given us Your Word to study and learn. We know, when we SEEK the truth You will provide it for us. Thank You for the things we have examined concerning our enemy, Satan and his puppet, Antichrist. Thank You for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

15 SEVEN MAIN CHARACTERS: Last Two First Beast ~ Description REVELATION 13:1-10 LION Daniel 7:4 RAM Daniel 8:1-7 BEAR Daniel 7:5 HE-GOAT Daniel 8:8-12 LEOPARD Daniel 7:6 GREECE DIVIDES Daniel 8:8 10 HORNED BEAST Daniel 7:7-8 SMITTING STONE ANTI-CHRIST Daniel 11: