Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 160:639 (Jul 2003)
Article: The Beast from the Sea in Revelation 13
Author: Daniel K. K. Wong

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BSac 160:639 (Jul 03) p. 337

The Beast from the Sea in Revelation 13

Daniel K. K. Wonga

The reference to the beast that comes up out of the sea is found in a parenthetical section of Revelation that reveals aspects of Satan’s activity in the Tribulation (Rev. 12:1–13:18). In this section John saw a red dragon, Satan, at war with Michael the archangel in heaven (12:3–7). Michael and his angels will conquer Satan, and Satan will be thrust out of heaven to earth (vv. 7–12). Realizing that his time will be short, Satan will strike out furiously against Israel in persecution (vv. 13–17). Then Satan will use the beast in his assault (13:1–10). The monster will emerge out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns. He will receive power from the dragon, will overawe the worldlings, blaspheme against God, make war with the saints, and overcome them (v. 7). Everyone on earth whose name is not written in the Lamb’s book of life will worship him (v. 8). Who is this sea monster? What is the object and nature of his overcoming? When will the overcoming take place?

Identity of the Beast

Is the beast out of the sea a man or an empire? The answer is both.1 (a) The beast is a man because his number is that of a man (Rev. 13:18).2 Also the use of the masculine pronoun αὐτόν (v. 8) to

BSac 160:639 (Jul 03) p. 338

refer to the neuter θηρίον (vv. 1–2, 4) indicates that he is a human being. In addition, parallels between the beast and the Lamb indicate that he is a person: both have followers on whose foreheads are inscribed their names (vv. 16–17; 14:1), both are conquerors (5:5; 13:7), and both receive worship (5:8; 13:4). (b) At the same time the beast is an empire over which the man reigns. This fact is d...

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