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 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 language 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. Powerful tyrants from Nero to Hitler have acted in such a beastly way, persecuting the Church. 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 greatest 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 verse 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 (ESV)

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.
2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.
3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.
4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.
6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,
8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.