What Is the Beast from the Sea, Its Seven Heads and Ten Horns?

In the book of Revelation 13, the Apostle John saw an apocalyptic vision of two beasts, symbolizing authority with satanic power, a vision that is similar to what Daniel saw in Daniel 7:7–8, 19–27. The first beast of revelation came out of the sea with seven heads, one of which was mortally wounded but healed (Rev 13:3), and on each head a blasphemous name. It also had ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. This beast was given the power of the dragon (Satan) and spoke “proud words and blasphemies” (verse 5) and made war against the saints (verse 7). Not only does it rule the world, but it also receives worship from the inhabitants of the world (verses 4, 7-8) using the second two-horned beast which shares the same authority [of dragon] but emerged from the land (verse 12). While the second beast represents the false prophet, the first beast represents the Antichrist, as we will further explain.

In Revelation, the dragon refers to Satan as indicated in Revelation 12:9. The term “beast” is used in the sense of related entities, organized governance system or empire. The heads and horns represent kingdom or authority (Daniel 2:37; 7:24, Psalms 75:10). Given that the horns exist on the head, the horns represent individual leaders or divisions of the kingdom. The fact that the beast had seven heads and ten horns indicates that the beast would be a succession of empires (heads) and coalition of kingdoms/nations (horns) that would rise to power to subdue the earth under Satan's control. Since the beast emerges from the sea, this means that it would come and have power over kindred peoples from every nation, tongue, and tribe (Revelation 17:15)

Clear explanations of the beastly system were given by the angel in Revelation 17:9-14. According to the angel, the “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated. They are also seven kings: Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come, and when he comes, he must remain for only a little while.” According to the angel, these heads represent a succession of kingdoms of which the Roman Empire, which was in power at the time John had this vision, is the sixth head (one is). The five fallen kingdoms consist of the predecessors of Roman Empire as we can also see them in the visions of both Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:36-43) and Daniel (Daniel 7:17; 8:20-23). These are Greece Empire, Medo-Persian Empire, Babylonian Empire, Assyrian Empire and Egyptian Empire. Undoubtedly, the seventh head replaces the Roman Empire in the leadership of the world’s kindred peoples, i.e., the United Nations. It is important to note that the tenure of this final kingdom (the seventh head) will only be short-lived (Revelation 17:10). In other words, the current global governance system (the United Nations) is a transitional governance system paving the way for the resurgence of “the beast that was and is not, is itself an eighth king, but it belongs to the seven and is going to destruction”(verse 11).

Who is the beast that was and is no more but will come back to life? According to the Angel’s explanations, this beast is one of the seven kings above and is that head that appeared to be fatally wounded, but its fatal wound was healed (Revelation 13:3; 17:11). This beast has been associated with the fourth ten-horned beast of Daniel 7 which is a prophetic picture of the Roman Empire (verses 19–24). As Daniel watches, a little horn rose from the beast, with “eyes like the eyes of a human being and a mouth that spoke boastfully” (verse 8). This final horn is the Antichrist, who will somehow be connected with the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, it is expected to be revived in the end-times to fulfil the prophecy. Moreover, if we look at Nebuchadnezzar's vision, the Roman Empire is represented by the two iron legs. The fact that it shares iron elements with the current world governance system (represented by feet made partly of iron and partly of clay) suggests a connection with Rome. The ten toes would correspond to the ten horns of Daniel 7:20 and the ten horns possessed by the beast in Revelation 13, implying a confederation of ten nations, giving rise to a powerful ruler (Antichrist) whose government is described as “blasphemous” (verse 1) and, requiring absolute submission in financial, spiritual, and political matters (verses 4–8).

Which are the ten horns? Well, as stated above, the final phase of the Antichrist system will consist of ten divisions, which corresponds to ten nations (Symbolized as horns or toes) who will voluntarily cede their authority to the one world leader (Antichrist himself). This system will emerge from the revived Roman Empire to wage war against Christ (the Lamb), but despite their power and authority, these kings and their allies will be defeated at the return of Christ Jesus (Revelation 19:19-20).

So, what about the time? What confuses most people about the timing of the bestial system is the failure to understand the holistic nature of the Antichrist's authority. Many people tend to understand the authority of the Antichrist as only the final 7-year term of a fearful dictator and his federation of ten kings in the end times. If we understand the Antichrist as the beast from the sea with his seven heads and ten horns, we clearly understand that he is already in power. It is important to note that the Antichrist exists as a spirit but will eventually be revealed as an embodiment of the same spirit that has been working through satanic-empowered human realms. In his final form as a lawless man (2 Thessalonians 2:1–12), he will rule the world for 7-year term, he will rule the world for a 7-year term, beginning with the signing of a peace treaty with Israel and ending with the second coming of the Christ, foretold in Zechariah 14:1-9. The current insecurity and conflict around Israel demand attention to the upcoming peace treaty and the arrival of the lawless leader.

Related Articles

Further Resources

Discover online ministry opportunities at Open Christian Ministries
Online Christian degree from Open Christian University (USA)

What Is the Beast from the Sea, Its Seven Heads and Ten Horns?

Comments ()