Revelation 13:1-3
As we venture through this chapter it is to be understood that as with many of the previous chapters there are different ideas and theories concerning the interpretation of what John was describing.
With all our technology and scholastic knowledge we can have trouble understanding some statements based on our Western understanding of things. For instance, in chapters 13 and 17, much of the Western view subscribes to the Beast, the Antichrist and the False Prophet as being of a European origin.
The Western view is one of a resurrected Roman Empire and the Catholic Church that are represented in these two chapters. Many hold firm to this theology and even in the face of new revelation some have refused to relinquish it. We are not here to argue with anyone, just to give what is believed to be a more updated understanding based on recent history and current events.
Verse 1 starts out with John seeing a beast rising out of the sea. First we know this isn’t Godzilla, so let’s clarify what this beast represents. Many have thought that this is Antichrist; however this is only partly true.
Notice how the beast is described; ‘having seven heads and ten horns with crowns on them.’ This beast also rises out of the sea; the sea is symbolic for multitudes of people. We find the same symbolism in chapter four of the glassy sea where God’s Throne is being pictured with the sea (or multitudes of people) before it.
Symbolically God’s Throne is in the heart of His people where He and Jesus live and abide according to what Jesus stated in John 14:23. Isaiah 57:20 and 60:5. These passages give us the same symbolism except in reference to the wicked and/or the Gentiles.
This beast will rise out of a people group and of nations. The Old Testament does not support a European paradigm and if we are paying attention to the News of our day, it is an Islamic world out there that is striving for conquest and not the European Union.
The European Union is just struggling to survive in today’s economic climate, yet have you noticed how the Islamic infiltration has been increasing in Europe? France is overrun with them and Belgium has declared that they are erasing Christianity and embracing the Muslim religion in their Country.
In light of what is happening today, if we were to go through the history of the Seven Empires from Genesis forward, we would see that seven empires have risen and fallen and one has been resurrected in our day. All seven were of the Eastern Asiatic territories which were then and are all currently Muslim.
If we go back to what was discussed in the previous pages in chapter 12:1-3, we would see that this beast is the dragon being manifested in the same way as was described previously, except now we are seeing who and what system he is working through in the Earth.
The description of the beast is of seven heads which represent seven empires and not seven mountains as the Western view asserts concerning Rome. The ten horns represent ten kings that will rise out of this beast of which the Antichrist will have authority over.
The Muslim world awaits its messiah which is called “Mahdi.” This Mahdi will fit the profile of Antichrist to the tee. A study of the Islamic religion would reveal the antichrist spirit which John talks of in his letter in 1st John.
That is about as much depth as we can explore for now. Feel free to research this on your own and pay close attention to all the Muslim activity in the world and put two and two together.
Verse 2 points to who the beast empire is. The descriptions of these animals relates to the book of Daniel and his description of these same animals in a vision given to him depicting the Islamic empires of his day and ones to come. It is also noteworthy that the dragon (satan) gives them great authority. A study of the Koran of the Muslim religion would be revealing concerning who they truly worship and Allah is not the God of The Bible.
In verse 3 we see that one of the heads of the beast sustains what appears to be a wound unto death. Now first note that it says “as it were” not that it is an actual head wound of somebody.
A study of the seven Islamic Empires would reveal that the last empire prior to the one that is rising now (which is number eight), was the Ottoman Empire. They had a Caliphate or what we would call a Ruler that was removed out of Turkey in 1924. This Empire controlled the Middle East until Great Brittan came in and took it over.
That is when Israel was able to re-establish and is under constant pressure and attacks of this empire that has risen up again. This wound represents the abolishment of the Caliphate of the Ottoman Empire which was a death blow to Islam at that time causing it to lie dormant and as a result many Islamic countries became secular until the Shaw of Iran lost his throne to the Islamic control of today.
During that time, many of the Islamic Nations were great places to vacation, but look at them now! Would you desire to vacation there and risk the terrorist action that could take place, especially if you are a Christian or a Jew?
When all is said and done and Mahdi appears and takes his place in the Muslim world, this will be the resurrection of the wounded head of the beast. Many books and movies have made this out to be that Antichrist is killed and miraculously raised to life to mimic our risen Savior. This again is a Western European view.
This commentary is not intended to be an assault on Islam or Muslims, I am simply pointing out what the Book of Revelation is referring to in conjunction with current day events.
