The Beast, Its Mark and Plagues
How Bible Symbols Are Understood
Back to 1The Bible’s Greatest Prophecies Unlocked!
In the last chapter, we learned the Bible foretells a series of catastrophic events, which involve seven trumpets, to occur immediately prior to Christ’s Return. The seventh trumpet “fills up” what the Bible calls “the wrath of God.” This last trumpet is comprised of the seven last plagues (also called bowls, or vials), which punish a rebellious, sinning mankind. Seven angels “pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth” (Rev. 16:1). We saw the Bible depiction of how this occurs is very graphic.
When the first vial is poured out upon the earth, the Bible states, “there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image” (Rev. 16:2). All those who receive this plague belong to a false church-state system. Of course, we saw this is but the first plague.
I have heard endless theories about what the Beast’s mark may be. It is a subject of almost unending opinion, and has generated a veritable “cottage industry” of speculation, debate and disagreement. For almost every person who reads of the mark, another idea is born. But all attempts to explain the mark, the image of the Beast and who will receive the plagues are fruitless unless one first establishes who or what the Beast is!
We must start with the Bible description of the Beast.
Revelation 13:1-18;and Two Beasts
As we read, comparing Revelation 13:1-18, 17:1-18 and Daniel 7:1-28, with Daniel 2:1-49, brings full understanding of the scope and magnitude of the beasts, and the system they represent. Numerous Old Testament scriptures also refer to them, but these chapters are the most critical to understand. Combined, they explain a staggering—and profoundly sobering!—prophecy about latter-day events that—I continue to emphasize—will affect all humanity in your lifetime!
Revelation 17:8-9 describes a “beast” that ascends out of a “bottomless pit” and is ridden by a “woman.” Rev 17:12 shows that this Beast involves 10 kings who shall receive power and unite to bequeath it to a leader who will take the role of the final Beast.
This again will be the seventh, and last, short-lived resurrection of the Holy Roman Empire—arising now in the heart of Europe! A United States of Europe is coming—and now lies just ahead. When it appears, the entire world will stand in shocked amazement. Let’s establish, and then prove, these stunning prophecies. It is vital that you grasp what they mean!
In Revelation 13:1-18, the apostle John describes a Beast with seven heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns.
Revelation 13:1-18 contains a symbolic description of the “Beast”—and a description of a second beast with “two horns” (Rev 13:11). The first Beast represents the Roman Empire—a political kingdom. The two-horned beast represents the headquarters of an influential, false prophetic “woman” that controls the first Beast. This chapter also describes both the “image” and the “mark” of the Beast.
The apostle John wrote what he saw in vision, offering significant detail in his description of the Beast: “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion” (Jn 13:1-2).
These first one and a half verses of chapter 13 contain a physical description of what the Beast looks like. This will be important to remember. But the next three and a half verses tell more about the nature—the source of power, size, scope and conduct or behaviour—of the Beast. The following verses give important clues for later examination. These clues go far in telling us exactly who or what the Beast is.
Now read: “And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshiped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months” (Jn 13:2-5).
Many mistakenly equate this last description of the Beast with the papacy. They fail to recognize that history is filled with accounts of its citizenry worshipping the Roman Empire and its emperors. Here is what one source states: “The worship of the emperor…In a word, the Roman government was not only wonderfully organized… Every one was required to join in the worship of the emperor because he stood for the majesty and glory of the Roman dominion…all were obliged, as good citizens, to join in the official sacrifices to the head of the State, as if he were a god” (Medieval and Modern Times, Robinson, p. 7).
Notice that the question was asked, “Who is able to make war with him?” It would not be difficult to make war with the papacy, because they only have a tiny group of guards around the Vatican. But making war with the Roman Empire was always most difficult. Also, the papacy, as an institution, has lasted much longer than 42 months, or the prophetic fulfillment of this period—1,260 years (Ezek. 4:4-6; Num. 14:34). So this is not a picture of the papacy, or Vatican. We shall soon see more proof of this.
John’s description of the Beast’s appearance leaves many questions. Perhaps the three biggest are: (1) Is John’s description that of a literal creature? (2) Does it represent a single individual—a kind of anti-Christ, superman, world dictator? (3) Or does it picture something else?
These all require answers.
First, there is no living creature on Earth that this could be describing literally. If there is, who has ever seen it? Where does it live? How did it come to be alive? How could three known creatures (a leopard, a bear and a lion) come together in the worship of a dragon, when there are no real dragons? This passage does not remotely describe any known animal on Earth. Obviously, it must represent something other than a literal creature.
Second, regarding whether it is some kind of human being—superman or otherwise—similar questions arise. What kind of person looks like this? What man looks like a leopard, has feet like a bear and the mouth of a lion?—and has seven heads, 10 horns and 10 crowns on the horns?—and comes out of the ocean? Again, the obvious answer is no one. This depiction then cannot possibly refer to either a literal man or creature.
This leaves the third possibility.
How Bible Symbols Are Understood