Revelation 13:1, 2?

Question

What does the wild beast of Revelation 13:1, 2, along with its seven heads, stand for?

Answer 1

False religion and the world's politics.

Answer 2

Regarding the beast of Revelation 13:1, 2, The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible points out that it “combines in itself the joint characteristics of the four beasts of Daniel’s vision. Accordingly, this first beast [of Revelation] represents the combined forces of all political rule opposed to God in the world.” This observation is affirmed by Revelation 13:7, which says of the beast: “Authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.”

Why does the Bible use beasts as symbols of human rulership? For at least two reasons. First, because of the beastly record of bloodshed that governments have accrued over the centuries. “War is one of the constants of history,” wrote historians Will and Ariel Durant, “and has not diminished with civilization or democracy.” How true that “man has dominated man to his injury”! The second reason is that “the dragon [Satan] gave to the beast its power and its throne and great authority.” (Revelation 12:9; 13:2) Accordingly, human rulership is a product of the Devil, thus reflecting his beastly, dragonlike disposition.

This does not mean, however, that every human ruler is a direct tool of Satan. Indeed, in one sense, human governments serve as “God’s minister,” giving structure to human society, without which chaos would rule. And some leaders have protected fundamental human rights, including the right to engage in true worship, something that Satan does not want. Still, because of the Devil’s influence, no human or human institution has ever been able to bring lasting peace and security to the people.

The seven-headed wild beast out of the sea. In the vision had by the apostle John and recorded at Revelation 13, a seven-headed, ten-horned wild beast comes up out of the sea, leopardlike, yet with feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. It is thus a composite form of several of the symbols appearing in Daniel’s vision of the four beasts. The dragon, identified at Revelation 12:9 as Satan the Devil, gives the beast its authority and power. (Re 13:1, 2) This beast’s seven heads (bearing ten horns) distinguish it from the one-headed beasts of Daniel’s vision. Seven (and ten) are commonly acknowledged as Biblical symbols of completeness.
This is corroborated by the extent of this beast’s domain, for it exercises authority, not over one nation or a group of nations, but “over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.”
Noting these factors, The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible comments: “The first of these beasts [of Re 13] combines in itself the joint characteristics of the four beasts of Daniel’s vision. Accordingly, this first beast represents the combined forces of all political rule opposed to God in the world.”

Answer 3

Rev 13:1 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.
Rev 13:2 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: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority

Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

Answer 4

The seven spirits were usually associated with God, and the seven heads of the beast would represent God's antithesis (or enemy).

Because light doesn't pass through water, the bottom of the ocean is dark, and it was believed that the ocean was the prison where God left Satan at the creation. That's why evil spirits in visions usually arise from out of the many "waters" and why the waters were usually the path to the underworld.

Answer 5

the beast is the nature of men,the seven heads are the seven ways men think in the nature of the beast .remember the number of the beast is the number of a man 6.the three six sindicate three of the main ways;LUST OF THE FLESH
LUST OF THE EYES
THE PRIDE OF LIFE.
These are the perfected or completed parts of the beast nature.6 desire of flesh 6 where your eyes are focused(spirit as well) 6 to live thinking your life is more important than others or Gods word

Answer 6

Well...some think....no one knows for sure...that it is Catholic Church..

It is exactly the same beast as described in Daniel 7

We do not know for sure what the Beast symbolizes..outside of it being some sort of kingdoms...future kingdoms...end times kingdoms..religious kingdoms....NO ONE KNOWS FOR SURE..

If you were to get the 20 greatest Bible Scholars in the world together...you'd come up 20 different answers....

The end-time scenario is the most debated issue among scholars there is.....

since they can't agree...I would suggest not spending too much time on figuring it out...focus on the larger issue..the issues they all agree on...

They all agree Christ died for our sins...
They all agree he will come again in glory..
They all agree those in Christ will be saved..
They all agree the tribulation will be awful, and we don't want to be a part of it
They all agree God will win the Final Battle on Mt. Megiddo..armeggedon

So, stick to that, and you'll be fine...

Answer 7

The beast is physical (material) sense that seems to be all power. Mortal man worships the beast until he wakens to truth.

Answer 8

Rome (because it iscited on seven hills) andthe beast as I saw it is stated to be John Paul II possessed by a demonic being after he had died and rise again from the dead.

"The eight king will be after the seventh, but will be of the seven kings"

Answer 9

we may not know now, but we will know what it is one day. however, the beast and 666 represents the structure of every upc bar code, and the beast is actually a supercomputer in Belgium that keeps track of every consumer nuance, that will later be used to control them/us

Answer 10

rome (with its seven hills) and the emperor nero.