Who is this beast from the sea? Commentators have come to wildly different conclusions over the years, many claiming that it was alive in their own generation, and thus that the end of the world was imminent. So, why has this image caused so much confusion?

Let’s begin with what is certain. The appearance of the beast is clearly drawn from Daniel 7:2-7. Daniel saw not one, but a series of four beasts rising out of the sea: one like a lion, one like a bear, one like a leopard, and one having ten horns. We also know from the angel’s explanation (Daniel 7:17, 23) as well as from the history of the world from the time of Daniel to Christ, that Daniel’s beasts represented successive kingdoms that controlled the territory around Jerusalem.

And so we must conclude that John’s beast is also an image of some sort of political entity or state. Its ten horns indicate its complete power, and the diadems on those horns tell us that its authority has been recognized in some way as legitimate. But the fact that it contains characteristics of all of Daniel’s four beasts, and the fact that it has seven heads means that its power and authority are greater than any other kingdom that has existed before it. It’s like the Babylonian empire, the Medo-Persian Empire, the Hellenistic Empire and the Roman Empire all rolled into one. In fact, John specifically says that it is given authority “over every tribe and people and tongue and nation” (v. 7)

We also know that this king or state will be implacable in its hostility to Christ and His people. It will blaspheme God, and make war on the true Church (vv. 6-7). And, just as the power of the Roman Empire crucified Christ and exiled John to Patmos, John warns that the beast’s persecution of the Church will be severe: many will be imprisoned or killed at the hands of such a state that is as wicked as it is powerful (v. 10).

And perhaps this explains why so many different commentators throughout the years have identified the beast in their own generations. After all, powerful tyrants from Nero to Hitler have persecuted the Church and thus acted in a very beastly way. In fact, the last 2000 years of world history has demonstrated that the greater the power a government holds, the greater its tendency to try to stamp out the chief rival to its claims of complete authority: Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.

But once again, we see John’s assurance that the power and authority even of the greatest and worst of tyrants is only temporary: the 42 months of 13:5 comprise only half of seven years. The saints in every generation are thus called to endure even the worst of persecutions that come our way, holding on to our faith in Christ and His promise to return – and crush the beast.

Revelation 13:1-10 (NASB)

And he stood on the sand of the seashore. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names.
2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.
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;
4 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?”
5 And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them; and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.
8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, 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.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
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 and the faith of the saints.