The Beast From the Sea

And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. He had 10 horns and seven heads. On his horns were 10 diadems, and on his head were blasphemous names. The beast I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like a bear's and his mouth was like a lion's mouth. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. One of his heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but his fatal wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast. They worshipped the dragon because he gave authority to the beast. And they worshipped the beast saying, "who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against him?"

A mouth was given to him to speak boasts and blasphemies. He was also given authority to act for 42 months ( 31/2 years). He began to speak blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His dwelling- those who dwell in heaven. And he was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conqueror them. He was also given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All those who live on earth will worship him, everyone whose name was not written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slaughtered.

If anyone has an ear he should listen:

If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he goes,

If anyone is to be killed, with a sword, with a sword he will be killed.

This demands the perseverance and faith of the saints. Revelation 13:1-10

This beast comes up out of the sea of humanity after the two witnesses have been taken to heaven.

It is ironic that this beast suffers a fatal wound and is brought back to life, as if to take the focus away from the ministry, death and resurrection of the witnesses.

This beast, the anti-Christ is given all Satan's power and authority. He is sleek and swift like a leopard, his feet will rip and tear like a bear, his mouth will roar like his master the devil. He has seven heads, a head means dominion, ten horns speak of complete authority, perhaps one world government. The diadems also speak of rulership and authority.

The anti-Christ is a human given to Satan. Satan is not a creator, he is a distorted, a destroyer. He uses created things for his own purpose.

The 42 months is the same mentioned in Chapter 11. This is a time of immense persecution, evil, cruelty and idolatry. The anti-Christ starts of with winsome speech, false humility and when he has complete power reveals his full nature.

John is asking for whoever has an ear to listen. A warning about what is about to happen. The anti-Christ will not win complete control by brute force but deception. Don't be deceived. Saints of the end time, do not be deceived or lulled into a false sense of security. Some will die, some will be imprisoned.

An angry, nasty man representing a master who was robbed of his heavenly authority will be dangerous indeed.