Scripture: Daniel 7:1-8, 23-25

C.I.: “And I saw a beast…!”

During this month… Revelation. – Theme = comfort & encourage 1st Century Christians who are being persecuted.
Tools needed to understand: 1) O.T. allusions, etc.…! - Today we will look at the persecutor of God’s people!

I. The Identity & Power of the Beast (Chapter 13)

A. An Ancient Prophecy Fulfilled (vs. 1-4)

1. The prophecy given in Daniel finds its fulfillment in Revelation 13.
a. (v. 1), “And he was standing on the sand of the seashore [Dragon, Rev. 12:17, 9].”

b. “And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea …”
1) “Sea” = the restless Nations, “The water which you saw … are peoples and multitudes and
nations and tongues,” Rev. 17:15. – Satan is watching for a nation he can use.

c. “… having 10 horns [power] and 7 heads, and on his horns were 10 diadems [earthly rule], and on his heads were blasphemous names.” [Slide = Prophecy, Spiritual Fulfill., Historical Fulf.]
1) (Rev. 17:9-10), “Here is the mind which has wisdom [I Cor. 2:14-15]…”
2) Prophecy = 7 heads, “The 7 heads are 7 mountains on which the woman sits [Rome],
3) “…and they are 7 kings; 5 have fallen” = [Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, Caligula, Nero],
4) “1 is” = Vespasian (The Book of Revelation was written during his reign)
5) “…the other has not yet come – and when he comes he must remain a little while.” = [Titus]
6) “ Beast which was & is not, is himself also an 8th & is one of the 7….” = Domitian.

d. (v. 2), “And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like a bear, his mouth like the mouth of a lion. – And the dragon gave him his power and his great authority.”
1) This verse here in the Revelation - connects us with the passage read earlier in Daniel!
2) So Satan watched as the Roman Empire arose from the nations – HE COULD USE THEM!!

e. (Rev. 13:3), “And I saw 1 of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. –
1) Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Bk. 3, para. 17. Nero’s persecution seen again in Domitian!

d. “And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; and they worshiped the dragon,
because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the
beast, and who is able to wage war with him?’”
1) Satan has the power to deliver the nations to whomever he chooses – he chose Rome!!!
2) Reminds us of Matt. 4:8-9, “And the devil took Him to a very high mountain…!”
3) The Roman Empire was the greatest in the world.. – Do people today worship the U.S.A.?!!
4) If we are putting our trust in anything other than God – then we too are worshiping Satan!

B. The Purpose of the Beast (vs. 5-10)

1. (v. 5), “And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words & blasphemies [by claiming
to be divine & thus worshiped]; and authority to act for 42 months was given to him.”
a. 42 months = 3 ½ years (incomplete!) – also the time of persecution & preaching, cf. Rev. 11:2-3.

2. (vs. 7-9), “And it was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them [Rev. 12:17]
All who dwelled upon the earth will worshiped him, everyone whose name is not written
from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb. – If anyone has an ear to
hear, let him hear.”
a. “who dwell upon the earth” = unbelievers & enemies. – They will worship the power of the beast
b. “If anyone…” = Cf. 7 letters; this is a warning to any who might consider worshiping the beast!

C. The Second Beast and “The Mark” (vs. 11-18)

1. (vs. 11-12), “And I saw another beast coming up from the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon. – He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the 1st beast.”
a. “Up from the earth” – this distinguishes this beast as NOT having come from heaven!
b. “Like a lamb” = he seems harmless enough – but his words are those from Satan (a dragon)!
c. Like the first beast – this one receives its power & authority from Satan!!!
d. The purpose for this beast – is to cause people to worship the 1st beast (i.e., Emperor Worship).

2. (vs. 13-14), “And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to
the earth in the presence of men. – And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs
given to him to perform.”
a. God warns us against – being persuaded by “signs” which allegedly show divine power!
b. (II Thess. 2:9-12), “…the one whose coming is in accord with all the activity of Satan, with all
power, signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish,
because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, in order that they may be judged who did not believe the truth but took please in wickednes
1) If we are unwilling to believe God’s word – but require other proofs; signs/wonders before
we will believe – Satan will show us what we want to see – and God will allow him to do it!
2) Only those who “Believe” and “Love the truth” will be spared (cf. Jn. 17:17; 14:6).

3. (vs. 16, 18), “And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men
and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead.”
a. This “mark” is no more physical – than the “seal of God” as we saw last week in Ch. 7!
b. But same purpose: Just as God knows those who ARE His AND He knows those who aren’t!!

“Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for
the number is that of a man...”
a. This number is a PAPER TIGER! – It is not the # 7 (completeness) – it falls way short!
b. For it is not the number of GOD – read it again, “…the number is that of a man!”
c. Men can hurt & kill – they just can’t harm – (Matt. 10:28), “Do not fear him who is able….”