The Beast (Rev. 13:1-10) – Paul M. Williams

Revelation 13:1-10 I cannot stress enough, the importance and the significance of the chapter that is before us tonight, in better aiding our understanding of the nature, role, and function of the antichrist in his hour of power during the Great Tribulation.  It is important to point out, that John does not stand in isolation in the things he sees. The prophet Daniel, some 600 years before, foresaw similar events.  He too saw beasts rising out of the sea, the fourth being diverse from the others that came before it, having ten horns. Both the book of Daniel and the book of Revelation, due to their nature and the similarities of the material found within them, have been labelled as apocalyptic.  God in his wisdom has given us two such books so that by reading both in tandem, we would arrive at a fuller understanding of eschatology.  By understanding the one, it better aids our understanding of the other; and it is for this reason that we are going to be spending quite a bit of time this evening studying the book of Daniel, in particular, chapter 7.  If we can understand the prophetic imagery of Daniel chapter 7 and its fulfillment in light of history, then by applying the same principles of interpretation, we can open up with accuracy, the imagery of Revelation 13, as it pertains to events that are yet future.