There is a lot of confusion in regards to who Satan will reveal in the last days to bring the whole world under his evil, hateful, murderous control. What are there names? What will they do? How are they identified? Let us begin where we left off, who or what is the beast(s)? While some of the following verses have been reviewed in light of the mark of the beast, this time we will try and understand this beast(s) in greater detail.
Revelation 13:1 And I stood on the sand of the sea, and I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns. And on its horns were ten crowns, and on its heads was the name of blasphemy. In this verse we see a beast rising from the sea.
This imagery suggests that this nation, belief system, or worldwide association will rise up from within the world i.e. the sea. It is comprised of ten authority figures or worldwide leaders, such as, kings, emperors, presidents, or rulers. It could very well be the World Economic Council, G-7, or any similar organization that believes they should be in control of the world. They are vulnerable to Satan’s lies and deception. The World Council of Churches is the religious equivalent to them.
13:2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and its feet like those of a bear, and its mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him its power and its seat and great authority.
They get their power and authority from Satan. They are his servants, his followers, his slaves. It is not immediately noticed from where they get this power or authority, as they just seem like the intellectual elites that are often depicted and seldom deplored.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of its heads as having been slain to death, and its deadly wound was healed. And all the earth marveled after the beast.
Something happened here that is hard to identify with absolute assurance. One of the heads was so wounded or made ineffective that it appeared to be forever destroyed or made insignificant. But, miraculously it rose up like the mythical Phoenix and resumed with power. It could be a religious organization, like the Roman Catholic Church. It could be a nation-state. It could be a system of beliefs in government, cultural, or societal areas that once was ‘destroyed’ but now is back.
13:4 And 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 it? 13:5 And a mouth speaking great things was given to it, and blasphemies. And authority was given to it to continue forty-two months. 13:6 And it opened its mouth in blasphemy toward God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, and those dwelling in Heaven.
Now we read about the goal or main purpose of this organization or nation. It’s sole purpose is to blasphemes God and bring worship to Satan. This has been Satan’s life goal. This is the very reason for Satan’s fall. It has now finally come to fruition, but only for a very short time and only at the very end of time.
13:7 And it was given to it to war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given to it over every tribe and tongue and nation. 13:8 And all dwelling on the earth will worship it, those whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain, from the foundation of the world.
A number of sobering truths.
It will make war against the remnant of true believers.
It will overpower them and take control over them.
It will assume absolute power over the entire world, which is now solely comprised of non-believers.
It will require worship.
This is now where the mark of the beast is clearly evident.
Do any of these terrible warnings look like what we are seeing and experiencing today?