Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Revelation

Revelation 
Day 
Day 87

"A beast rising up out of the sea"

Text: Revelation 13:1

THE BEAST FROM THE SEA

The scene changes from heaven to the earth. But the ominous influences remain. John was given a vision of a beast rising out of the sea.

“Then I stood on the sand of the sea.
And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea,
having seven heads and ten horns,
and on his horns ten crowns,
and on his heads a blasphemous name.”
Revelation 13:1

1. The imagery of the sea.

a) In this context, the sea represents that which is powerful and evil.

b) The sea is associated with storms and perils to life.

2. The beast that arose from the sea.

a) This is not a reference to the dragon.

b) The dragon has already been cast out of heaven with his angels.

c) The beast would be a powerful agent of the dragon.

3. Features of the beast.

a) He would have seven heads.

i) He would have much knowledge.

ii) He would have superior intellectual capability.

b) He would have ten horns.

i) Horns represent strength and power.

ii) Ten horns would thus refer to the possession of immense power.

c) There would be ten crowns on his horns.

i) Crowns are associated with rulers.

ii) The ten crowns would thus suggest the existence of ten rulers who have a kingdom.

d) And on the heads, he would wear a blasphemous name.

e) He is similar to the dragon, but not the dragon.

i) He did not originate from heaven and thus he is not an angelic being.

ii) He is a human being who will exercise great power.

4. A blasphemous name.

a) This beast from the sea would be a blasphemer.

b) He would be arrogant and possess an attitude of defiance against both man and God.

c) He would resort to blasphemy at will because of the fact that he is called “a beast”.

i) Like a beast he will be wild and ferocious.

ii) Like a beast he will do what he desires without regard to any human authority.