Prophecy - 98

Picking up where we left off yesterday we were talking about the relationship between the first beast of Rev. 13 and the two witnesses in Rev. 11.


Why then this differentiation?
Is it for interpretive purposes so that we can put together the various symbolisms?

Is it saying that the first beast of Revelation 13 is the power involved with the work described in Rev. 11:2; and the woman of Revelation 12 has a connection with "the two witnesses"?

If this be so, then there is some "knitting" back and forth between the last section of Revelation and Chapter 11, which must be considered.

Before pursuing further the "beasts" of Revelation 13, let us ask ourselves, what is Rev. 11:2 saying?
The verse is couched in symbolism.

Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

The "court" of the temple was the place of the Altar of Burnt Offering.
Here the sacrifices which were symbolic of the one great Sacrifice for sin, were offered.
That Sacrifice was offered on earth.
The ministry of the sanctuary typified a Heavenly ministration.
How do we understand then, the symbolism of "the holy city"?
It cannot be the Holy City which comes down at the close of the Millennium, for the "holy city" noted in Rev. 11:2 is already on earth.
However, in the chapters which follow, the Harlot is described not only as a woman, but also a city. (Rev. 17:18)

Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Is the symbol of the "holy city" in Rev. 11:2 then to be equated with the "woman" of Rev. 12?

All of this places the time frame for the first beast of Revelation as the instrument through which the dragon sought to destroy the woman who fled into the wilderness.

The section of the prophecy of Revelation 13 which describes the first beast, can be divided in two parts:

1) A symbolic description of the beast itself and a brief overview of its history (vs. 1-4); and

Rev 13:1 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 name of blasphemy.
Rev 13:2 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.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

2) What it was to do in the time period allotted (vs. 5-7).

Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

A question arises at this point, do we consider the verses as consecutive, thus placing the 42 months after the healing of the "deadly wound," or is one section a prophetic amplification of the other?


What is interesting is the parallel between the 42 months, if understood literally, and the 3 1/2 days of Rev. 11:9, if considered prophetically.

Both would equal exactly 3 1/2 years.

However, the connection between the "first beast" and Revelation 11 is with "the holy city," while "the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" is connected with the 3 1/2 days (11:7-9; See also 17:8).

Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Rev 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Rev 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Again we are left with SO much to consider.
The first beast matches up with the fourth beast in Daniel 7.
Rome was a composite of all the beasts that had come before it. Rome the power that would exist in a fallen state- divided- until Christ comes again.
The first beast in Rev. 13 Rome (Pagan/Papal) and Rev. 11 - connected with the holy city.

Rev 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Forty-two months- the first beast would reign, forty-two months- the witnesses would be tread underfoot.

The Papacy - the first beast was wounded as the two witnesses were finished being trod underfoot- as God's written word began to flourish, as His prophecies were being revealed as the little book was opened. These aren't haphazard occurrences - this is all foretold by our God. Our Savior is coming again and this WE have to look forward to. The beast will be destroyed and Christ will reign.

More tomorrow by the grace of our SAVIOR!


In His LOVE.


Amen.