Revelation 13:1-4 NKJV 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. 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?”
V1 “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.” Since there are no animals with 7 heads, 10 horns, and a blasphemous name, this would be symbolic according to the plain, normal sense.
The 7 heads are only mentioned in Revelation 12:3, Revelation 13:1, Revelation 17:3, 7, 9.
10 horns are mentioned in Daniel 7:7-8, Daniel 7:20, and Daniel 7:24 where the 10 horns refer to 10 kings of the last kingdom of which the antiChrist’s kingdom is a revival of. The original referred to the Roman Empire; the revived kingdom is a continuation of the original. Also see Revelation 17:12.
The names of blasphemy are also mentioned in Revelation 13:5; Revelation 13:6; Revelation 17:3; Revelation 17:5; Daniel 7:25; Daniel 11:36; and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.
The “beast” is mentioned in Revelation 11:7-8 and Daniel 7:2-3. When we read that he ascended out of the bottomless pit, it means that he is totally dedicated to satan and his character traits.
From these, we see that the “beast” has an animal-like personality which is lawless; this is the antiChrist. The horns are those kings which are aligned with the antiChrist.
The “sea” refers to the total living population of humans. See Daniel 7:2-3 and Revelation 17:15.
We learn that the antiChrist has worldwide dominion, 10 kings aligned and submitted with him, and is totally lawless (according to God’s commandments).
Warren W. Wiersbe adds: “You will remember that Antichrist began his career as a peacemaker (Rev 6:2) and even “settled” the Arab-Israeli problem by making a covenant with the Jews to protect them for seven years (Dan 9:27). This protection would permit the nation to rebuild the temple and reinstitute religious rituals (Dan 9:27; Rev 11:1). But in the middle of the seven-year period (the time we are studying now in Rev. 10-14), he will break that covenant, stop the ceremonies, and set up himself as god in the temple (Dan 9:27; 2Th 2:1-12).”
Keathley adds: “As one studies this section, it is helpful to keep in mind that this prophecy is closely tied to the prophecies of Daniel (cf. Daniel 2:42; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:7-8; Daniel 7:20; Daniel 8:25; Daniel 11:36; Daniel 9:27). Also remember that this is still a parenthetical section describing one of the key forces, kingdoms, and personages of the Tribulation.”
V2 “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.” These animal descriptions are the leopard (speed, fast, quick), the bear (strength and stability), and lion (as demanding, commanding, and absolute).
V3 “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.” Most understand this to refer to antiChrist who has a wound inflicted on him which caused him to die, but satan healed the wound allowing the antiChrist to continue life. Compare Revelation 13:3, Revelation 13:12, and Revelation 13:14. Since the whole (unbelieving) world marveled at this healing, it is most likely a human man. Note how the unbelieving world worships the false messiah. They worshipped and followed his teachings and laws.
Comments:
Revelation 13:3 (Ryrie Study Bible Notes) “wounded to death. Lit., had been slain. The same word is used in 5:6 of Christ’s actual death, though here it may indicate a wound that normally would be fatal. His deadly wound was healed. Apparently, Satan will miraculously restore Antichrist to life in imitation of the resurrection of Christ. No wonder the world will acclaim Antichrist.”
V4 “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?” Because of this great resuscitation (an imitation of Jesus’s resurrection), the world is shocked about it and worships the beast. Some things these worshippers might think god must be with him, he must be god, he is indestructible, etc. Compare Matthew 4:8-10, for satan craved worship. The greatest of satan’s lies is this one that the antiChrist is THE Christ, not Jesus. People in Jesus’s time of ministry on Earth, for the most part, refused to believe the signs and miracles, but they do believe these.
We learn:
- This beast is evil and lawless.
- The beast has allies.
- God knows all about it (thus told us beforehand).