Who-What is the Beast-1

Who-What is the Beast
By Jerry Healan
PART I

So many people, especially the Christian element, speak with morbid fear of the coming of a beast. This beast is specifically addressed in the book of Revelation chapters 13, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20. The rise of this beast is expressly described in Rev. 13, "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the names of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority," v.v. 1-2.

The description of this beast fits into certain other areas of Scripture, which when looked into and compared, reveal many things about the beast and present a very clear picture of it.

The Torah, the Prophets, the Psalms and the New Testament all deal with this beast and certain aspects of it.

The book of Daniel is an excellent place to begin, because the beast John saw is like a lion, bear, leopard and has ten horns, the same descriptions given to the Prophet Daniel.

Daniel had a dream one night and he saw the four winds of heaven striving upon the great sea and four different beasts came up from the sea (Dan. 7:1-3).

The first thing we need to establish is, which sea is spoken of here. Notice that Daniel utilizes the term "the great sea." The Mediterranean was known as the Great Sea by the ancient civilizations of the world. This Great Sea represents the humanity that sprang from it (Dan. 7:17) and the kingdoms that have controlled it at one time or other. Thus, the sea spoken of is the Mediterranean.

"The first beast 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 to stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it," Dan. 7:4.

The clue to this kingdom's identity is found in Daniel Chapter 2 for king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream which Daniel gave the interpretation thereof (Dan. 2:36). In his dream Nebuchadnezzar saw a great image whose head was gold, breast and arms silver, belly and thighs brass while the legs were iron and the feet and toes a mixture of iron and clay (Dan. 2:32-33).

Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar, "Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the Elohim of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, strength, and glory, and wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath He given into thine hand and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold," Dan. 2:37-38.

Notice that Nebuchadnezzar was called a king of kings. Such is one of the keys in understanding who the first beast of Daniel seven is, for that beast is like a lion and has eagle's wings. The lion is king of beasts while the eagle is king of birds, in other words, "king of kings." For prophetic purposes King Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom of Babylon was the first world ruling empire which was given power over the Mediterranean world (after the fall of Israel and Judah).

The first beast of Daniel seven, therefore, coincides with the first world ruling kingdom of Daniel two. History also bears this out. The lion with eagle's wings are its symbols of world ruling authority.

"And behold another beast, a second like 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,'" Dan. 7:5. This kingdom, as history confirms, was Persia. It was the kingdom of silver spoken of in Dan. 2:32 & 39. The arms represented the two peoples who made up this one kingdom (represented by the breast), the Medes and Persians (Dan. 5:28).

What do the ribs in the bear's mouth symbolize? Many have postulated one thing or another, but if we allow YAHWEH'S word to interpret then there is no confusion. The word "rib" is the Hebrew word "ala" which corresponds to "tsela." Besides meaning rib, tsela also means "a quarter section of the sky."

In another vision described in Daniel chapter 8, Daniel saw a ram with two horns (v. 3) which represented the kings of Media and Persia (v. 20). This ram was devouring the earth by pushing westward and northward and southward. There are four quarter sections to the earth. They are north, south, east and west. The west, north and south are three of the four quarter sections of heaven. They represent the three ribs in the mouth of the Persian bear as revealed in Dan. 8.

The bear raising up on one side depicts its having come from the east. Persia has always been considered an eastern kingdom. Thus the raising on one side and the three ribs represent this kingdom's world ruling authority.

"After 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 unto it," Dan. 7:6. This is the kingdom of Greece, represented in Dan. 2:32, 39 as the kingdom of brass (bronze).

Just as we found that the kingdom of Babylon was succeeded by the kingdom of the Medes and Persians (Dan. 5:28, 31), we also find that the kingdom of Persia is succeeded by the kingdom of Greece (Dan. 8:1-7, 20-21). This is borne out Biblically and historically.

The four wings on the back of this leopard-like beast are its symbol of world ruling power, for there are four quarter sections of the sky and there are four wings, one for each quarter section. Wings are used to fly through the sky also being used symbolically as having power over heaven.

Alexander the Great was the first king of the Greek Empire (Dan. 7:21-22). After his death the empire was divided into four kingdoms by four of his generals. The four heads represent the four men who headed and began the dynasties that governed these four kingdoms.

"After this I saw in the night vision, 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. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. I beheld until thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, Whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the burning flame, and his wheels as burning fire," Dan. 7:7-9.

The fourth world ruling empire (beast) was Rome. Rome is revealed as continuing until the end of the age when the Ancient of days will establish His kingdom.

A horn is a symbol for power. Ten is a number of spiritual significance denoting ordinal perfection or completion, in other words perfection or completion of order. For example, we count from one to ten which completes the order. To continue we begin with the one again adding it to ten repeating the cycle. The ten horns are a symbol of Rome's world ruling power, as well as the completion of the order of the beast ruling kingdoms over the earth.

So many people fear the beast, preach the coming of the beast power and warn others of it, not realizing that the beast power has been here all the time. But there is so much more to learn.

The metallic description of Daniel chapter 2 prophesied a corrupting process that would take place down through the ages. The image began with a head of fine gold (v. 32) denoting an excellent beginning, but the next kingdom to arise was depicted by silver which, being a precious metal, is still inferior to gold in almost every way. Brass or bronze is still more inferior, iron continues the downward spiral, while the mixture of iron and potter's clay and finally iron and mirey clay complete the cycle of devolution. Even the change in the specific gravity of each item reveals the corruption for gold has a specific gravity of 19.3, silver 10.51, brass 8.5, iron 7.6 and clay 1.9. The downgrading of the specific gravity reveals that the image was top-heavy from the start. (Note: this description taken from the Companion Bible marginal notes p.p. 1182).

Thus the reduction in the value and specific gravity of each item reveals the corruption of the character and spiritual values of the rulers and the people as prophesied in Daniel 2. The whole thing becomes broken or fragile (v.v. 41-42) and is reduced to chaff by the time YAHWEH'S kingdom is established (v. 35).

Nebuchadnezzar was represented by the head of gold. Gold is soft, moldable and pliable. Nebuchadnezzar exhibited a nature that when dealt with by YAHWEH as in Daniel chapters 2, 3 and 4 would repent and glorify Him. The Persian kings also were able to be dealt with as revealed in Daniel 6, Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah, but the Greek leaders who came after Alexander were revealed to have been difficult as brass (bronze), which is an extremely hard metal.

Interestingly the Hebrew word for brass (bronze), the metal for Greece, is "nechash" which, when traced to its origin, one will find that it has to do with casting a magic spell, enchantment and a snake or serpent (from its hiss).

Alexander, the first king of the Greek Empire, was proclaimed as the son of Zeus Ammon by the priest of the Oasis of Siva in Egypt during his tenure for the winter of 332-331 BCE (Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th Edition, Vol. 1, p. 568).

In the book entitled "Speculum historiale" the author Vicent De Beauvais writes that Alexander is found to be the son of Nectanebus, a fugitive king of Egypt and a great magician who had to flee to Pella in Macedonia. He established himself as an astrologer there and was visited by the childless Olympias, Phillip's wife. Nectanebus promised that Zeus Ammon would visit her in the form of a dragon which he, himself assumed. In due course Alexander was born, and Phillip's suspicions were overcome by a second appearance of the dragon (Ency. Brit., 14th Ed., Vol. 1, p. 571). Thus enters the Chtonian concept that the Greek leaders, and eventually the Roman leaders were sons of the serpent-god Zeus.

Augustus' birth was on a similar vein as the Encyclopedia Britannica notes, "In the sanctuary of Aesculapius at Epiduarus women were visited in their dreams by a serpent - the reputed father of the child that was born, and elsewhere Sicyon who had such a progenitor was regarded as the son of the divine healer. Similar also was the origin of Augustus in a temple of Apollo the god who had his tame serpents in the grove on Epirus." (14th Ed., Vol. 20, p. 370).

The serpent, of course, is Satan (Gen. 3:1-5, Rev. 12:9), therefore Daniel records a similar story to Eden in that what YAHWEH has established, when left to man alone, eventually becomes corrupted under the influence of the serpent.

The Greek and Roman leaders exhibited an unrepentant, hostile attitude for anything Hebrew and did all in their power to corrupt and overthrow it. Their attitude was exhibited in their representative metals brass and iron.

We live in a world today, at the end-time, which is still under the Greek and Roman influence and still exhibits suspicion, distrust, hostility, anger and hatred toward the Hebrew Elohim and His commanded ways.

Daniel describes the image of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in chapter 2, "Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible," v. 31.

The Hebrew word for image is "tselem." It means; an idolatrous figure, to shade; a phantom, illusion, resemblance, a representative figure, especially an idol.

Nebuchadnezzar saw an image which represented the history of idolatry from the beginning of Babylon to its culmination with Rome; which, of course, continues right on down to our time today and beyond to the glorious appearing of YAHWEH'S kingdom.

The form (appearance) was "terrible." The Hebrew word for terrible is "dechal" which means, to slink, i.e. (by impl.) to fear, or (caus.) be formidable. It corresponds to another word "zachal" which means, to crawl, by impl. to fear. Zachal is often translated as SERPENT, worm and be afraid. To "slink" means to creep, crawl along, to wind, twist, turn, to move in a quiet furtive, or sneaking manner, as from fear, guilt, etc. to sneak or lurk.

Idolatry is laden with guilt and fear. It is sneaky for it takes the truth and twists, winds, and distorts it, turning it into a lie. But it does so in such a sneaky way as to be undetected by the great overall majority. Many others who do detect it will continue in it anyway; some not caring, others because everyone else is doing it, and others simply blind to its disastrous effect.

The brightness of this image was "excellent." Excellent comes from the Hebrew word "yattiyr" which means, preeminent, redundant, to exceed, to excel, to remain or be left. In other words, this system of idolatry would exceed and excel, remaining in place until the end. It would be the prominent religion.

Daniel says, "Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the Elohim of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength and glory," Dan. 2:37. Why would YAHWEH, Himself set up this great idolatrous system over the earth? The answer is found in the New Testament beginning in the book of Romans and 2 Thessalonians.

"Because that when they knew YAHWEH, they glorified Him not as Elohim, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible Elohim, into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things (serpents, reptiles). Wherefore YAHWEH also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of Elohim into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amein. For this cause YAHWEH gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain YAHWEH in their knowledge, YAHWEH gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient: being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of Elohim, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of Elohim, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them," Ro. 1:21-32.

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Socereign YAHshua the Messiah, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as from us, as that the day of Messiah is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called Elohim, or that is worshipped; so that he as Elohim sitteth in the Temple of Elohim, shewing himself that he is Elohim. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that wicked be revealed, whom YAHWEH shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause YAHWEH shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness," 2 Thes. 2:1-12.

Men would not give YAHWEH the glory due Him nor did they love the truth, so YAHWEH gave them over to a reprobate mind and sent them strong delusion that they might believe a lie.

The same affliction occurred to Israel, "But My People would not hearken to My voice; and Israel would none of Me. So I gave them up unto their own heart's lust: and they walked in their own counsels," Psa. 81:11-12.

What about man's heart? YAHWEH gave Israel over to their own heart's lust and the first beast of Daniel seven, Babylon, the first Gentile empire, was eventually given a man's heart. What does YAHWEH'S word say about man's heart? "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" Jer. 17:9. "There is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead," Eccl. 9:3.

What about man's own counsels? "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death," Prov. 14:12, 16:25. "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of YAHWEH, that shall stand," Prov. 19:21.

A pattern unfolds as we view Bible history for YAHWEH originally repaired the darkness, desolation and destruction the earth was suffering from recorded in Gen. 1. He made man, planted a wondrously beautiful garden and placed the man and his wife there to dress and keep it, only forbidding them to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Man disobeyed and was cast out of paradise. Before 1700 years rolled around man had become so corrupt and evil he had to be destroyed.

YAHWEH saved one man and his family, bringing them over into a fresh new world for another chance. Under the hand of Ham, Cush and especially Nimrod an attempt was made to gather all men into one great ruling kingdom called Babel (Babylon). This attempt to band together was directly against YAHWEH'S command to replenish the earth (Gen. 8:17, 9:1). Under Nimrod's influence, Noah's descendants corrupted into idolatry.

YAHWEH called Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees, a great seat of idolatry, sending him to the land of Canaan. His descendants, Israel, were brought out of Egyptian slavery to be taken to the promised land of Canaan, but even while they were enroute, they corrupted into idolatry.

YAHWEH brought them into the land eventually establishing them into a kingdom under Saul, who was rejected for disobedience. He then established the ruling dynasty through David whose son, Solomon, inherited the greatest glory of the kingdom and was made the wisest man who had ever lived. Yet Solomon also corrupted his wisdom, turning to idolatry, as also did many of his descendants until Israel and Judah had to be rejected and removed as YAHWEH'S people and kingdom.

YAHWEH then raised up the Gentile kingdoms, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar, which were to continue until the last days, but were also prophesied to corrupt into idolatry.

Therefore man's pattern is that he is given the best opportunity to begin with; but man has a habit of disobeying the conditions laid down by YAHWEH and, hence, suffers rejection, corruption and eventual destruction. All YAHWEH has to do once man has rejected Him, His conditions and covenant, is to turn them over to follow the lusts of their own heart and man will corrupt into those things that are not convenient.

Rome, scripturally and historically, was the fourth kingdom to rule over the Great Sea (The Mediteranean). Its history also coincides with the many guidelines given in Dan. 2, 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12. The first observation to make is that the first three beasts are able to be portrayed and described as being similar to known creatures, but the fourth beast has no similar portrayal nor description.

Rome was characterized as dreadful and terrible and strong exceedingly, also having great IRON teeth (Dan. 7:5). The iron teeth also serve to tie this kingdom in with the iron of Dan. 2. The iron is used to break in pieces (Dan. 7:7, 2:40) and subdue all things.

Rome, the fourth and final Gentile kingdom, the fourth kingdom of the Idolatrous image was not only a kingdom of idolatry itself; but it also enforced the system of idolatry on others. It and its successors; all a part of the Roman system, would continue down to the establishment of YAHWEH'S kingdom on earth. YAHWEH'S kingdom has not yet been established. Our society and system today has only stemmed down from Rome. Rome and its system is still extant in our world. It is the system of final corruption and that corruption is so great that the truth is difficult to filter out from the gross error that is extant. That is why a very careful study into Rome, its history and religion is necessary.  To be Continued

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