Chapter 13  –  The Sea Beast, the Earth Beast

and the Mark of the Beast

“ . . . And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were blasphemous names . . .”

                                                                                                                   Rev 13:1

The Sea Beast – the Antichrist

V 1-2:  Then *I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having *seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.

This chapter starts by stating that John ‘stood on the sand of the seashore’.  John then sees a beast rising out of the sea, which has ten horns and seven heads, and the ten horns have diadems, again inferring royalty, except this time to the horns, [where the crowns are] instead of on the heads, as we saw in Rev 12:3, which was the description of the dragon, or satan himself. Chapter 17 also indicates that this beast is red, like the dragon, and identifies him as an eighth king, and that each of his heads is a king.  Remember that the dragon’s crowns are on the seven heads, not on the ten horns, like this new beast.  Note the similarity between the dragon and the sea beast.  Satan has made him in his own image, including the seven heads and the blasphemous names on his heads – although he is not described as a dragon.  This is the beast who is commonly known as the antichrist.  Along with satan himself, he is the second member of the unholy trinity which satan uses to counterfeit the real trinity.

Verse 2 provides a cryptic description of this beast, with aspects of a leopard, feet like a bear, and a mouth like a lion.  The dragon is generous, giving the beast his power, his throne and his authority.  Note that this beast has aspects of three of the four beasts described in Daniel Chapter 7, but John sees them in the reverse order [leopard, bear, then lion] that Daniel lists them [Dan 7:4-6, lion, bear, then leopard], similar to the reverse order in the description of the Almighty and his Throne in Revelation Chapter 4.  This suggests again that John has been taken to a point in time where all history is completed and he is looking back at it, while Daniel was in history looking forward, but was being shown the same picture.  Daniel saw much more detail close up [ancient history to us] and John sees the detail of the latter days.

Dan 7:4-8:  The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's heart was given to it. 5 "And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: 'Arise, devour much flesh!' 6 "After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. 7 "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. 8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.

The author of our study compares the beasts of Revelation to the interpretation of Daniel chapter 2.  The only justification for this interpretation is a fuzzy understanding of Daniel Chapter 7, where the four beasts include the leopard, bear and lion, as well as one that Daniel is unable to compare to any living beast he has seen. Traditional interpretation says that the beasts of Daniel 7 should be interpreted as the same kingdoms of Daniel Chapter 2.   With no other explanation of what these beasts could be, the majority of commentators simply ascribe to them the same identity as the parts of the statue in chapter 2.  Whereas the parts of the statue easily correlate to Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, there is no correlation in history to relate a bear to Medo-Persia, or a leopard to Greece.  These two kingdoms are also identified as the Ram and Goat in Chapter 8, so renaming them the leopard and bear is stretching the interpretation.  However, adding to the confusion, ancient Babylon was often represented as a lion, and it’s symbol was a Babylonian cherub, a lion with wings, forming the basis of this argument that these animals represent ancient kingdoms.  Again, there is no evidence in history to support the other nation/beast correlations, and Daniel chapter 7 also indicates that the first three beasts coexist the last beast, which is the antichrist's final world empire, although they have no authority. Dan 7:11-12: 11 "I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.  If they co-exist the beast of Revelation, they cannot be the ancient empires. 

Dan 7:23-28:  23 "Thus he said: 'The fourth beast shall be A fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces. 24 The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings. 25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute* the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time. 26 'But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever.27  Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.' 28 "This is the end of the *account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart."

Note that these verses indicate that when this beast is destroyed, the Kingdom of God begins – which tells us clearly this is the Antichrist. All authorities agree this is a description of the antichrist and his kingdom, but then confuse the earlier parts of the chapter with ancient history. Remember that the Book of Daniel is sealed until the end times, so misunderstanding it is normal unless the Spirit of God provides the keys.  

Note again, that the saints are clearly given in to the hand of the antichrist for ‘a time, times, and a half a time’, or three and one half years, NOT SEVEN YEARS.  The Great Tribulation is only 3½ years long.  Remember that the book of Daniel is sealed in Chapter 12 until the end times.  So until we ARE IN THE END TIMES, EFFORTS TO UNDERSTAND THIS VISION WILL BE FRUSTRATED.  Looking backward at what people thought a hundred years ago will not enlighten us, which is what all current USA commentators do, [Linday, Van Impe, etc,].  Only the Holy Spirit can tell us what this book means.

From a glossary of the terms used in heraldry, the definition of Bear, (fr. ours): frequent in German arms.  The traditional interpretation for the bear is Russia, which is widely known and represented as the Bear.  Russia is also known to be a major player in the latter days conflicts as described in Ezekiel 38-39.  This is far more likely to be the correct interpretation, as opposed to Medo-Persia.

The third beast is more obscure, possibly because it has not been identified at all at this point in history.  Monte Judah references France, represented by a leopard on historical coats of arms.  However one other possibility is also Germany. The leopard in Daniel has four bird’s wings and four heads.  The heads usually refer to the number of times a kingdom has risen to world dominance.  Germany has had three Reichs, and the current world power is the fourth.  Germany’s Leopard Tanks are the most advanced military tanks in the world, and are the standard for this piece of equipment.  The flag of Germany is also reminiscent of the breastplates of the warriors of the sixth trumpet – fire, brimstone, and hyacinth [yellow] – Germany’s flag is red, yellow and gray-black.  Germany is a good possibility, since it will be allying itself with Russia in the attack against Israel prophecied in Ezekiel 38-39.  Again, the leopard may be revealed as another alliance or country as we continue through time.  We do know that this composite beast is the system used by the antichrist to come to power, and will be made up of nations of Europe [the revived Roman empire – Dan 7 says the antichrist is the prince of the people who destroyed the temple the second time – the Romans].

These three beasts represent governments, which as we saw earlier coexist the antichrist, and they are NOT world powers, they are just great powers.  We may not yet know for sure WHO they are, but they eventually submit to the antichrist’s leadership.

Then Daniel sees the fourth beast, different from all the rest.  Daniel does not describe it except to say that there are iron teeth, and ten horns. This is the clue that relates what Daniel sees to what John sees.  Daniel sees the beast which will be transformed into the world ruler, but he does not know how to describe it.  Later in Daniel 7, v 23-4, we see these horns are defined as ten kings.  The small horn [the Bible says a ‘despicable person’] rises up replacing three of the other horns.  This is also reflected in the prophecy of the Foolish Shepherd, found in

Zech 11:4 –17:  Thus says the Lord my God, "Feed the flock for slaughter, 5 whose owners slaughter them and feel no guilt; those who sell them say, 'Blessed be the Lord, for I am rich'; and their shepherds do not pity them. They shall attack the land, and I will not deliver them from their hand." 7 So I fed the flock for slaughter, *in particular the poor of the flock. I took for myself two staffs: the one I called *Beauty, and the other I called *Bonds; and I fed the flock. 8 I dismissed the three shepherds in one month. My soul loathed them, and their soul also abhorred me. 9 Then I said, "I will not feed you. Let what is dying die, and what is perishing perish. Let those that are left eat each other's flesh." 10 And I took my staff, Beauty, and cut it in two, that I might break the covenant which I had made with all the peoples. 11 So it was broken on that day. Thus the* poor of the flock, who were watching me, knew that it was the word of the Lord. . . 15 And the Lord said to me, "Next, take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd. 16 For indeed I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will not care for those who are cut off, nor seek the young, nor heal those that are broken, nor feed those that still stand. But he will eat the flesh of the fat and tear their hooves in pieces. 17 "Woe to the worthless shepherd, Who leaves the flock! A sword shall be against his arm And against his right eye; His arm shall completely wither, And his right eye shall be totally blinded."  These verses are attributed to the antichrist, so he is often described as blind in the right eye and with a useless right arm. This may be from the fatal head wound, which we see below.  Note the replacement of three shepherds [kings] because he loathed them, just as they loathed him.  Note also above, the promise to break the covenant between him and the people, another prophecy relating to Daniel’s antichrist.

Getting back to Daniel’s beast with ten horns, and a smaller horn arising, this horn is then given the eyes [wisdom] of a man, and an arrogant mouth, which speaks blasphemies against God, and also against his tabernacle, and those who dwell there.  This ruler will most likely start out as a political or military ruler, using the title of Caesar to provide legitimacy to his ambitions; he will later be seduced by his own pride into proclaiming himself to be god also, fulfilling the scriptures.  All through history, you can see the focus of the Bible on those rulers who proclaim themselves god, and demand worship.  This is God’s focus, and the thing that He abhors the most.

The Antichrist’s Resurrection and Reign

V 3-4:  3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"

Here is the Biblical source of all the predictions that talk about the resurrection of the antichrist.  He is described as having a ‘deadly’ or ‘fatal’ wound which is healed.  As we saw earlier in Zechariah 11, the foolish shepherd is blinded in the right eye and his right arm is useless, which may be a sign by which we can recognize the antichrist as he arises.  Note that the WHOLE WORLD marvels at the beast, and worships the dragon, who gave the beast his power.  We saw in Chapter 12 the dragon is identified as satan. Therefore, the whole world KNOWINGLY worships satan, as well as worshipping the beast himself. 

V 5-10:  5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to *continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every *tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

This is the same description we saw in Daniel Chapter 7, as the little horn blasphemes God.  Note again, the time he is given is only 42 months, not seven years.  Like Daniel 7:21, verse 7 says that authority will be given to this despicable person to make war with the saints and to overcome them.  We win, by not loving our lives, but by loving the Lord and proclaiming his Name, even if it costs us our lives.  This is truly the time of Jacob’s trouble, foretold in Jeremiah 30:7, wherein both Jewish and Christian followers of God will lose their lives for refusing to blaspheme God.  Note he is given global power in verse 7, and that all who are not written in the book of life will worship him throughout the world.  However, even in the midst of the chapters about satan and all his works, the Lamb is still in control and is the final authority.  Satan can only do what he is allowed to do, and the fate of each person is known by God from eternity past. For other references to the antichrist, see these:  the man of sin [2 Thess 2:3], the little horn, [Dan 7:8], the prince that shall come [Dan 9:26], the willful king [Dan 11:36], and the beast [Rev 11:7, 14:9, 11, 15:2, 16:2, 10, 13; 17:3-17. 19:19-20. and 20:4. 10].

The Dragon in United States Symbology

Warning to the Saints:

V 9-10:  9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Verse 13:9 uses the words of the Lord himself from the first three chapters of Revelation to draw attention to what he says next:  here he points out that some are destined to go into captivity.  Those who physically resist and take prisoners, will be rewarded with the same fate, and they will go into captivity; further, he tells us that those who resist and kill with the sword, will in turn be killed the same way.  It takes the perseverance and faith of the saints to submit to this authority.  Christians will be given into the hand of the antichrist during that 3½ years; many will be martyred, but their faith and hope is for the end of the Great Tribulation, and it will not last one day longer than the 3½ years.  This is a spiritual war, and it will be won in the heavenlies, and on our knees, not with the sword and with resistance.  However, heed the Lord's warning to flee [the cities] if that is where He is calling you.

The Earth Beast – the False Prophet

V 11-15:  11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives *those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

Verse 11 introduces the Earth Beast, and although he has two horns, like a lamb, he speaks with the dragon’s mouth. In other words, he looks like the Lamb of God, but speaks like satan. Rev 16:13 identifies him as the False Prophet.  This second beast has two purposes:  he is the third member of the unholy trinity, and he is the counterfeit Prophet.  The Bible teaches that Elijah will come in the latter days to announce the coming of the Messiah.  Jewish tradition at Passover is to set an extra place, because one day in the future, Elijah will come at Passover to announce the imminent coming of the real Messiah.  This False Prophet will be identifying the antichrist as the messiah, telling the world that he has already come, usurping the role of the real Prophet, as well as fulfilling Jesus words warning his people not to believe it when someone tells them the messiah has come and he is here or there.  Jesus tells us that no one will need to be told that Messiah has come, because the entire world will have seen it.  But why does he have TWO horns?  If, as many believe, the False Prophet will be the last Pope, [this is also a prophecy of the Catholic Church itself, dating from the 1100’s], he will have both the authority of the church, and the unholy authority the church holds over nations around the world.  Perhaps this dual role accounts for the two horns.

The Earth Beast exercises all the authority of the first Beast, and is also able to perform counterfeit miracles, even including calling down fire from heaven, which, up until this point in history, only the prophets of the one, true God could do [Elijah was the only one].  Because of the power of these signs that he can perform, he is able to deceive all those who dwell on the earth [who are not written in the Book of Life] and he is given the power to make an image, which comes to life.  In this age of technology, a speaking image is not exactly a miracle, since we each have several in our homes [TV’s]. This image must be beyond the technology of the current day, or people would not be amazed, and the image may appear to be an exact replica, living and breathing.  It may be a hologram, a robot, or some other technology, and again demon possession may be involved.  With the introduction of this third beast, we see the completion of the unholy trinity, the counterfeit trio that the devil will use to deceive the world.

The Mark of the Beast 

V 16-18:  16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has *the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.

Verse 16 gives the infamous description of what is commonly known as the Mark of the Beast.  One of the signs of the latter days is that the prophecies will begin to make sense to the generation to which they apply.  It is not so difficult in the year 2002 to understand what this mark could look like, and what kind of technology it would use.  The Digital Angel, manufactured by Applied Digital Solutions, Inc [ADS] went into production on November 26, 2001.  This bio chip, about the size of ¼^th  of a grain of rice, is implanted in either the back of the hand or the forehead, and can contain all the information required to conduct business, provide complete medical records, and ultimately track the exact location of the individual in which it is implanted using GPS technology.  Because of the obvious biblical implications of this technology, ADS stock prices dropped from around $5.00 in November 2000 to 50 cents in July, 2001.  In August, 2001, ADS announced a joint venture to implement this technology in China, with roll out planned during 2002.  The beta test chip, called VeriChip on humans began about July, 2002.  Note any similarity to the name VeriZon?

By May 2003, 25 million animals and 18 humans had been ‘chipped’.  A word search on the internet provided this description of the Digital Angel:  products and services [that] enable the collection, organization, analysis, warehousing, and dissemination of information for commercial operations, governments, and individual consumers worldwide.

In November 2003, the VeriPay system, which allows a sub-dermal chip to be used to buy and sell, was announced at ID World 2003 in Paris.

This technology is so very close to the obvious intent and methodology discussed in the book of Revelation, it is likely that the mark of the beast will use this technology to force its will on the entire world.  If for instance, your bio chip would lose its ability to transact business or make purchases if you had not been to the temple in the last week to recharge it [after worshipping there], it would be easy to use this technology, once it is widely implemented, to coerce people.  In another sinister development, one of the early chip developers, who is now a Christian, tells us that the chips can use frequency to modify the behavior of the wearer, and to impact mental function.