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Within the Bible books of Daniel and Revelation a destructive creature or beast is described. What is the significance of these prophetic visions? What is the purpose of these writings to use animals as symbols of something greater? Do these God inspired writings pertain to current events? Using the scriptures it is possible to accurately answer these questions.
Prophecies of the Bible were given through visions and dreams, by the power of God's Holy Spirit, to selected individuals who recorded this information in written form (2 Peter 1:20, 21). These prophecies use symbolic words that can be explained by comparing some scriptures with other scriptures in the Bible. For example, Daniel 7:17 explains what a Beast is: "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth." Compare this scripture with Daniel 7:23 "…the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms…" Using these references, we can easily determine that a Beast is a kingdom or government. The prophecy given to John, titled "Revelation" in the Bible, also speaks of a Beast. This Beast is a government that will rule over the entire earth (Revelation 13:8,14-16). This Beast is known as the United Nations. Using the scriptures below, we can prove how this symbolic term of "Beast" represents the United Nations.
 Daniel 2:36-44 The fourth kingdom is made of iron and clay. It is partly strong and partly broken. In this scripture, the iron subdues all things. In verse 44, Jehovah God sets up His kingdom. Supposing verses 40-43 were describing historical events of long ago, how would God have set up His kingdom after the 4th kingdom of man was broken? Many people believe that the prophecies written long ago pertained to that time only. But if that were true in this scripture, God's kingdom would be ruling on earth right now, because His kingdom would have consumed all kingdoms, including the 4th and final kingdom of mankind. God's righteous kingdom rules after destroying the last government of man. God's kingdom is not ruling now, and therefore the 4th kingdom, described in Daniel, has not taken power. This scripture is a prophecy of a government to come.
Daniel 7:3-7, 23 The fourth Beast has iron teeth, and is different from all other kingdoms. The prophecy here uses animals to describe the different governments. The United States, Great Britain, and Russia have power over the earth prior to the United Nations' rule. Notice in verse 7 that this Beast has 10 horns, which represents complete authority, 10 being a complete number for man.
Revelation 13:1-4 At the beginning of its authority, this Beast looks like the United States, Great Britain, and Russia. These are the same governments spoken of in Daniel chapter 7, but this Beast has ten horns with crowns upon them, meaning it has complete authority over the earth. All nations will give their allegiance to the United Nations, some now and some in the time to come.
Revelation 17:7-13 Notice that this Beast has ten horns, just as the Beast described in Daniel 7:7 does.
Further Study and Research
After completing this study, you should be able to recognize that the following words can symbolize equal meanings:
Seven heads = seven mountains = kingdom/government
Beast = kingdom/government
Horn = king/ruler/one with authority
Additional references regarding this topic:
Matthew 24:15
Mark 13:14
Daniel 9:27
Daniel 11:31
Daniel 12:11
Daniel 8:13, 14
Revelation 13:14-18
Revelation 17:1-3
Revelation 14:9,10
Revelation 19:19-21
Readers have left 9 comments.  9. the representation of the woman and the beastGuest User, Unregisteredthe woman represents babylon the great (false religion) and the beast the united nations or (league of nations) the 7 kings mean 7 world powers 5 hav fallen, egypt, assyria. babylon, medo-persia and greece, one is which is rome which was in power at the time of the writings of revelation and the one not yet arrived is the anglo-america (britain & america) being the forefront of the united nations. the ten horns depict all the political powers that presently hold sway on the world scene and that support the image of the wild beast 8. 1Guest User, Unregistered the false prophet is the catholic church-or possibly Islam-which seams to be growing in favor. 7. mrGuest User, Unregistered Thank 4 the work ur doing in the house of God 6. Re. "i think you're wrong"Guest User, Unregistered ^ yes, and no.
Yes, babylon the great is all false religion in general, including the roman catholic church. that's the woman riding upon it, not the beast. 5. Re: DCGuest User, Unregistered ...while Daniel 7 is now in progress. Those beasts being Russia, England, and Germany, while the USA come from England and becomes Babylon, with the UN being the "unique" beast.... — John CloakeyI can see England, US, Russia, and the U.N. in these verses, but please explain how Germany is figured in this? Are you saying the U.S. is Babylon mentioned in Revelation as the Babylon the Great? If so please explain. Daniel 7:4-7 4The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. 5And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. 6After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. 7After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 4. DCJohn Cloakey, Unregistered Have you thought that Daniel 2 is completely fulfilled and JC, while Daniel 7 is now in progress. Those beasts being Russia, England, and Germany, while the USA come from England and becomes Babylon, with the UN being the "unique" beast. What we have is the G7 or G8 depending upon what you are talking about. The RCC will be a part of the role of the false prophet. 3. AmazingGuest User, Unregistered I think that this proves that we must rightly divide the word of truth. The Bible interprets itself and we must study to show ourselves approved unto God. I'm finding that it is amazing and increases my faith. Satan is real and at work today because God is not the author of confusion. 2 Timothy 2:15 and 1 Corinthians 14:33 The fourth beast can only be the U.N. 2. The Beast cannot be the Catholic ChurchBible Research, Unregistered Thanks for replying to our site.
Your idea about the beast being the Roman Catholic Church based on 7 hills located in Rome is a common teaching. However it cannot be correct. Here is a simple basic way to prove it.
The beast is made up of 7 mountains which are 7 kings, 5 have fallen, one is, and the other is not yet come, see Revelation 17:9-11 as John explains the vision regarding the beast. The Apostle John said it is 7 kings.
These 7 kings do not match the 7 hills of Rome. 5 have fallen, one is, and the other is not yet? However, the 7 kings do match 7 world powers with the start of Egypt as the first world power at the time of Pharoah. Can you name the 6 other world powers leading up to this generation? Here is a clue on the 6th world power ("and one is"). It is at the time John wrote Revelation.
If you think that the beast is the Roman Catholic Church then who is this woman, Babylon the Great, arrayed in purple and scarlet? 1. i think your wrongGuest User, Unregistered the beast is the roman catholic. why did i say so? the beast is describe that it has seven heads- having this , we could searh for something such as th 7 hills, mountain. we can see that ROME is residing on 7 hills! and also said that the beast came from the sea. and in the bible sea means man, people. thus the beast is a man. the dragon or SATAN gave his power to this man or men,or as i say the popes. they used their power to tempt man and lead them the wrong way. also, at one part of the revelations a woman is ontop or riding the beast, and that beast is the church. the roman catholic church.. the roman catholic church is the most prominent church/religion in the whole world. it is a powerful organization that have great control all over the world. it is said that it was wounded, but it did healed, and that is because of the power of Satan. this church used some phenomena or catastrophes to prove their power all over mankind. they did "miracles" where in man was deceived and have taken to vow to this church whose gods where stones and images of what they say is christ. but written in the bible that man must not create an image from stone etc. because there is only one God. read the bible and understand further, search for the signs, do not stay on the countries or king doms but look for something that is the same or in relaon in every man, and that it religion. at first i was astonished of what i have searched but i have backed it up with accurate data. i will post a complete study of this one here some other day after i finish my research. i hope you would try to understand my accounts. thank you! |
