Lesson 22

In this lesson we will no doubt determine that Revelation 13 is the unsealing, or explanation, of Daniel 7. Revelation 13 is divided into two sections. The first (verses 1-10) describes nations of the world combined as united nations and a great calamity out of which the newly recognized world leader will emerge to rule for 42 months, or 1,260 days.

The second segment (verses 11-18) describes the animal, or governments, that will bolster support of Antichrist through the miracles of the False Prophet--another key figure in final events. This religious-political power base will be instrumental in forcing worship of the image, the international icon of false worship, and will create the economic system that will ultimately mark individuals and control business transactions around the globe.

Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 locate geographically the two key characters, Antichrist and the False Prophet, who will control and influence Satan's grand design, the world order, during the appointed time of the end. We know that both chapters cover similar periods, because both passages depict dreadful beasts of seven heads and ten horns pictured as Lion, Bear, Leopard, which lead up to a blasphemous leader who will rule for three and one-half years. Furthermore, each chapter foretells of the saints' persecution during the last days.

1. Revelation 13:1 states that the prophet John sees in vision the dragon (Satan) sitting on the sea shore. The gruesome governmental creature emerges from where?

The sea represents many nations and peoples worldwide, meaning a large mass of Gentile nations.

Any normal animal would have just one head with one or two horns, but this Monster (which represents the nations of the world) is malformed with "seven heads and ten horns" which is repeated in prophecy (Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 17:3; Daniel 7:1-7). The symbolism teaches through its size and abnormal characteristics the ugly realities of a diverse and massive world government by which Antichrist will be carried along. To add insult to injury, on each prominent head (each government) is written a blasphemous name. Evidently the action taken by the rulers and governments involve religious edicts and claims.

4. In Revelation 13:2, what three animals are combined to make up this deformed Beast?

Leopard, with feet of a bear and mouth of a lion. By employing the leopard, bear and lion creatures of Daniel 7, the prophet John is connecting the two prophetic visions. He is showing that the Revelation 13 vision is covering the same events as the Daniel 7 vision. Satan the Dragon gives the worldwide creature its power, throne and great authority (Revelation 12:9); this will be a time when governments will not be friendly to God's true people, but rather antagonistic. Satan will employ the geo-political union of the united nations to stamp out any opposition, and to further his plans for global and universal dominion. And yes, this includes the United States of America.

The following chart illustrates the connection between Revelation 13 and Daniel 7, where both symbolize the end-time governments of the world.

The New World Order

Seven Heads---Ten Horns in Revelation and Daniel

Revelation 13:1-2

One Monstrous Beast Out of the Sea

With Smaller Characteristics of Leopard, Feet of a Bear, Mouth of a Lion

Seven Heads and Ten Horns ........................7 Heads...10 Horns

Total: New World Order............................7 Heads...10 Horns

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Daniel 7:1-7

Four Monstrous Beasts Out of the Sea

Lion With Eagle's Wings ...............................1 Head......0 Horns

Bear With Three Ribs ...................................1 Head......0 Horns

Leopard With Four Heads/Four Wings ...........4 Heads.....0 Horns

Terrible Beast With Ten Horns ......................1 Head.....10 Horns

Total: New World Order ............................7 Heads...10 Horns

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Lion With Eagle's Wings represents ..............United States/Great Britain

Bear With Three Ribs represents ..................Russian Federation--Old Soviet Union

Leopard With Four Heads/ 4 Wings ..............Eastern Asia Nations

Terrible Beast With Ten Horns ......................European Union of Nations

While Daniel describes the four end-time powers as separate and distinct beasts, John later saw them combined and working as one. In Daniel 7 the fourth and most dreadful beast is the European Union with ten of the most prominent horn nations; however, in Revelation the sea monster only has just hints of the Lion, Leopard and Bear--again signifying the European Union's overwhelming power as it emerges the dominate power of the final days.

This is the New World Order, or Grand Design, described in both the Old and New Testaments. In both Daniel and Revelation, the emergence of the beasts from the sea heralds the world leader who will rise up out of the New World Order to rule for 1,260 days.