Bible Discussion Thread

Re.13:1-2 The beast-2 (1 of 2)

"And saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy./And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."

Here we have a beast which is like unto a leopard but his feet of a bear tells sleekness of the big cat is not what it apparently presents. He had the mouth a lion which also is not entirely genuine. As in the night vision of Daniel, the beast is a catch-all of the four bests that took the breath of Daniel away. The bear in Daniel's vision had three ribs stuck between its teeth. The same now are in full display so one knew where these came from. He had power which was immense. "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations." (13:7). When he said, "The State? I am the state" the world knew he meant it in dead earnest. The rib stuck in the mouth in a night vision has become all too real when he cracked his whip.

"If any man have an ear, let him hear." In v.9 we have the expression which evokes comparison with this verse, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Re.2:7) The Spirit uses it at the end of message of seven churches signifying the eternal word of God. He that promised is faithful to do it. So he has this promise to the church of Ephesus. "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God."It goes thus with every seven of them. The will of God concerning an overcomer is entered into the book of life, which shall never change.