The Woman's Offspring and the Beast from the Sea

As explored in previous discussions, the offspring of the woman in Revelation 12 represents the Protestant reformers who stood against the Catholic Church. Standing on the sand of the sea symbolizes their public confrontation of biblical truths and faith before a large audience. But who ultimately triumphed in this battle? Revelation 13 provides the answer:

[Revelation 13:1-7]
"I saw a beast coming out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head, a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast. People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, 'Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?' The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise its authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to blaspheme God and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And it was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation."

The Beast's Authority and the Outcome

The beast with seven heads and ten horns rises from the sea, granted authority to act for 42 months. Its emergence from the sea continues the prophecy of Revelation 12 and the vision of Daniel 7. Both texts point to the Catholic Church as the entity that arose after the division of the Roman Empire into ten nations.

The Catholic Church, symbolized by the beast, was allowed to wage war against the saints and defeat them. Despite the Protestant Reformation's efforts to reform faith, the reformers themselves became corrupted, emulating the Catholic hierarchy by ruling over their congregants and treating them as subordinates. This led to their transformation into a beast-like entity, similar to the Catholic Church they opposed.

The Seven Heads and Ten Horns: Satan's Angels

The seven heads and ten horns of the beast represent Satan’s seven archangels and ten subordinate angels, reflecting their influence over the Catholic Church. The beast's depiction reveals that the Catholic Church was established through Satan’s work.

One of the seven heads appeared mortally wounded but later healed, symbolizing Lucifer, the angel who ruled Babylon. Lucifer, wounded in the heavenly war against Michael, was cast down and later revived on earth to establish the Catholic Church. For 42 months (interpreted as 1,260 years), this entity persecuted God’s people.

The Beast from the Earth

After the 42-month reign of the beast from the sea, the Bible foretells the rise of a new religious entity represented by a second beast emerging from the earth.

[Revelation 13:11]
"Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon."

This new beast symbolizes a religious organization established after the Catholic Church. Its two horns, resembling a lamb, signify a peaceful appearance, but its speech, like a dragon, reveals its Satanic origins.

Interpreting the Beasts

The beast from the sea in Revelation 13:1 correlates with the extended prophecy of Daniel 7, while the beast from the earth in Revelation 13:11 aligns with the prophecy in Daniel 8. To fully understand the second beast’s identity, one must delve into Daniel 8’s vision. However, this prophecy was sealed, and its meaning will only be revealed as history unfolds.

The narrative of Revelation 13 demonstrates the continuation of Satan's influence, transitioning from the Catholic Church to a new religious power in the end times. Understanding these prophecies provides insight into the ongoing spiritual battle between God’s people and Satan’s forces.