The Beast (Revelation)
The Beast (Koinē Greek: Θηρίον, Thērion) may refer to one of four beasts described in the Book of Revelation: the beast that comes up out of the abyss, the beast that rises out of the sea, the beast that comes up out of the earth (the false prophet), and the scarlet beast. Three of these beasts (including the dragon), namely the beast of the abyss, the beast of the sea, and the scarlet beast, each have seven heads and ten horns. Since the beasts in Daniel 7 have, in total, seven heads and ten horns, it is argued that these three beasts are related to the beasts in Daniel 7.
In Revelation 11, after the Two Witnesses complete their testimony, a beast that comes up out of the abyss declares war on them and kills them. The identity of this beast is ambiguous, though it is often conflated with the first beast in Revelation 13 and/or the scarlet beast in Revelation 17, which is also said to "rise up out of the earth" (Rev 17:18).
Revelation 12 introduces a great red dragon, representing Satan, standing ready to thwart the birth and mission of the Messiah by devouring the male child of the woman as soon as he is born. However, the dragon fails as the child is caught up to God and His throne. This causes a war to break out in heaven; the angels, led by archangel Michael, fight against Satan and his angels. However, they were defeated and cast out of heaven and thrown down to the earth. The dragon, enraged, goes to make war with the rest of the woman's offspring, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
Revelation 13 begins with the dragon standing on the seashore, apparently waiting for reinforcements. From that vantage point, he is joined by two helpers; the beast that rises out of the sea (Rev. 13:1-10) and the beast that comes out of the earth (Rev. 13:11-15). The first beast is given great authority and political power by the dragon, persecutes the saints, and demands allegiance from everyone on earth, as symbolized by taking the mark of the beast. The second beast, later known as the false prophet, exercises all the authority of the first beast, forces everyone on earth to worship the first beast, and convinces the people, through signs and wonders, to make an image of the first beast. The beast's kingdom is plunged into darkness after the fifth bowl (Rev. 16:10-11) and after the sixth bowl was poured out to allow the Euphrates river to dry up and to prepare the way for the kings from the East, the dragon along with the two beasts influence the kings through three unclean spirits to gather with their armies for the battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:14-16). The two beasts are eventually defeated by Christ in His Second Coming and are thrown into the lake of fire Reve.19:19-20.)
Book of Revelation[edit]
Beast from the Earth[edit]
Revelation 11 introduces two witnesses who perform miracles and speak out against evil forces. However, their ministry is cut short when the beast that rises up out of the abyss kills them. Their bodies lie in the street for three and a half days, during which the people celebrate their deaths. But after this period, they are resurrected and taken up to heaven, causing great fear and awe among those who witness it. Simultaneously, there is a great earthquake, symbolizing God's judgment, which causes destruction in the city. A tenth of the city falls, resulting in the deaths of seven thousand people. Despite this, the rest of the people do not repent of their sins, indicating their hardness of heart.