BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 2: Revelation 13:1-4

Summary of Revelation 13:1-4

John 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 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. 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?”

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 2: Revelation 13:1-4

3) John 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 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. What stood out to me the most was the details and the fact that these creatures are given authority by God.

4) The dragon gives the beast his power, throne, and authority like God gives his Son, Jesus, the same. The people worship the dragon because of this like they worship God and ask who is like the beast and who can wage war against it. God and Jesus are extremely close, which the dragon and the beast emulate as well. Note that the dragon and the beast have the same number of horns and heads, so they are similar beings. The beast imitates Jesus because it has been mortally wounded but is healed (just like Jesus was killed and then risen, too). The people are worshipping the dragon along with the beast since the dragon gave the beast authority. This is similar to God and Jesus, too.

5a) 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?”

b) Evil influences. Influences of unbelievers. Societal influences. The need to put the world’s things above Godly things. Distractions. An easier like than what God has called you for.

c) Unsure if I stood my ground in Christ that others would see, but I definitely have in my own life and choices for myself, such as doing God’s work and choosing Him over sin’s temptations. The results are that I am stronger in Christ for it all and I am closer to God as well.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 2: Revelation 13:1-4

I love the details here and how God is gracious enough to allow us to “see” these things through John.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 17, Day 2: Revelation 13:1-4

The Jewish people saw the sea as a frightful place. This may be because most people could not swim and people did not know there were others across the wide ocean from them. Therefore, the sea was seen as evil and chaotic in ancient times.

Note that the beast is not the dragon. Therefore, this beast is not Satan as we’ve seen in Revelation 12:3. It’s separate from the dragon/Satan.

Note the dragon has the same number of heads and horns as the beast (Revelation 12:3)

Remember horns are a symbol of strength and power in the Bible. Therefore, the beast/dragon would be hard to kill with 7 heads.

Fun Fact: The word Antichrist only appears in the Bible five times in four verses (1 John 2:18, 2:22, 4:3, and 2 John 7). The beast is believed to be the antichrist. This thing will be the opposite of Christ. John uses the term to refer to false teachers.

Note that the 10 crowns of the beast is different than the 7 of the dragon. Remember, 7 is the number of completeness. Here, Bible scholars believe the 10 refers to the number of nations that the beast rules over, which comes from Daniel’s vision of the antichrist (Daniel 7:24). Bible scholars are divided over which head/heads are wearing the crowns. Many see this as the beast that Daniel saw due to the 10 horns Daniel 7:7

The description of the beast also connects with Daniel’s vision Daniel 7 Daniel’s beasts represent governments, so many think that this beast does so as well.

Since the beast is worshipped, he is considered a man here who is supported by Satan. This is the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit (Revelation 11:7, 17:8). Therefore, he is some sort of evil spirit.

The beast has been wounded, most likely by God, but the beast healed as mentioned here, too (Revelation 13:12 and 13:14)

The people are worshipping the dragon along with the beast since the dragon gave the beast authority. This is similar to God and Jesus, too. This is Satan worship, but people don’t like to acknowledge they are devil worshippers.

The dragon and beast will be strong, but not for long.