Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Empires/world powers » The beast from the sea and the beast from the earth
Daniel had a dream and visions. He wrote the summery of the dream that came to his mind while he was in bed. It was the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon. Daniel said: I saw in my vision by night, the four winds of heaven blew upon the great sea. Four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. read more.
The first was like a LION. It had eagle's wings. I watched till the wings were pulled off. It was lifted up from the earth and made to stand upon two feet like a man. A man's heart and mind was given to it. Look, a second beast, like a BEAR. It was raised up on one side. Three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said to it, 'Arise and devour much flesh.' I saw another beast. It was like a LEOPARD. It had four wings as a bird on its back. The beast also had four heads. Dominion (ruling authority) was given to it. After this I saw more visions in the night. I saw a FOURTH BEAST terrible and powerful, and exceedingly strong! It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different from the beasts that came before it. It had ten horns! I looked at the horns and another one, a little horn came. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man. It had a mouth that spoke great (domineering) (boastful) things. The three first horns were plucked up roots and all. I watched as thrones were placed. The ANCIENT OF DAYS sat on one throne. His clothing was white as snow. His hair was like pure wool. His throne was like fiery flames, and the wheels on it were like burning fire. A fiery stream issued from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set and the books were opened. I paid attention because of the sound of the great (boastful) words the horn spoke. I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed. It was burned with fire. The dominion (authority) was taken away from the other beasts. Yet their lives were prolonged for a season. I saw in the night-visions someone like a SON OF MAN came with the clouds of heaven. He came to the Ancient of Days. They brought him near before him. He was given legal power and a kingdom. Out of his glory all the peoples, nations, and languages will serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away. His kingdom will not be destroyed. (Revelation 11:15) (Daniel 2:44) (Psalm 45:6) I, Daniel, was grieved to the center of my being, and the visions in my head troubled me. I came near to one of them that stood nearby, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me. 'HE MADE ME KNOW THE INTERPRETATION OF EVERYTHING. These FOUR GREAT BEASTS, ARE FOUR KINGS, that arise out of the earth. The holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom. They will possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.' I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast that was different from the others. This beast was exceeding terrible. It had teeth made of iron. Its claws were made of copper. It devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped what was left with its feet. There were ten horns on its head. Three horns fell and another horn came up. The horn that had eyes and a mouth spoke great (domineering) (boastful) things. Its appearance was greater than the others. I watched that same horn as it made war with the holy ones. It prevailed against (defeated) them. Then the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came that the holy ones possessed the kingdom. (Revelation 5:10; 20:4, 6) He said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on earth. It will be different from all other kingdoms. It will devour the entire earth. It will trample it down and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings that will arise out of this kingdom! Another will arise after them. He will be different from the former, and he will subdue three kings. He will speak words against the Most High (Supreme God) and wear down (afflict) (cause great distress) the holy ones of the Most High. He will think to change the times and law and will have control until a time and times and half a time. (Three and one-half years) But the judgment shall be set (applied) and they will take away his power forever. The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people who are the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom! All dominions (legal authorities) will serve and obey him.' This is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were very troubled. My appearance was changed. I kept the matter in my heart.
The first was like a LION. It had eagle's wings. I watched till the wings were pulled off. It was lifted up from the earth and made to stand upon two feet like a man. A man's heart and mind was given to it. Look, a second beast, like a BEAR. It was raised up on one side. Three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said to it, 'Arise and devour much flesh.' I saw another beast. It was like a LEOPARD. It had four wings as a bird on its back. The beast also had four heads. Dominion (ruling authority) was given to it. After this I saw more visions in the night. I saw a FOURTH BEAST terrible and powerful, and exceedingly strong! It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different from the beasts that came before it. It had ten horns! I looked at the horns and another one, a little horn came. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man. It had a mouth that spoke great (domineering) (boastful) things. The three first horns were plucked up roots and all. I watched as thrones were placed. The ANCIENT OF DAYS sat on one throne. His clothing was white as snow. His hair was like pure wool. His throne was like fiery flames, and the wheels on it were like burning fire. A fiery stream issued from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set and the books were opened. I paid attention because of the sound of the great (boastful) words the horn spoke. I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed. It was burned with fire. The dominion (authority) was taken away from the other beasts. Yet their lives were prolonged for a season. I saw in the night-visions someone like a SON OF MAN came with the clouds of heaven. He came to the Ancient of Days. They brought him near before him. He was given legal power and a kingdom. Out of his glory all the peoples, nations, and languages will serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away. His kingdom will not be destroyed. (Revelation 11:15) (Daniel 2:44) (Psalm 45:6) I, Daniel, was grieved to the center of my being, and the visions in my head troubled me. I came near to one of them that stood nearby, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me. 'HE MADE ME KNOW THE INTERPRETATION OF EVERYTHING. These FOUR GREAT BEASTS, ARE FOUR KINGS, that arise out of the earth. The holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom. They will possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.' I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast that was different from the others. This beast was exceeding terrible. It had teeth made of iron. Its claws were made of copper. It devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped what was left with its feet. There were ten horns on its head. Three horns fell and another horn came up. The horn that had eyes and a mouth spoke great (domineering) (boastful) things. Its appearance was greater than the others. I watched that same horn as it made war with the holy ones. It prevailed against (defeated) them. Then the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the holy ones of the Most High, and the time came that the holy ones possessed the kingdom. (Revelation 5:10; 20:4, 6) He said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on earth. It will be different from all other kingdoms. It will devour the entire earth. It will trample it down and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings that will arise out of this kingdom! Another will arise after them. He will be different from the former, and he will subdue three kings. He will speak words against the Most High (Supreme God) and wear down (afflict) (cause great distress) the holy ones of the Most High. He will think to change the times and law and will have control until a time and times and half a time. (Three and one-half years) But the judgment shall be set (applied) and they will take away his power forever. The kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people who are the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom! All dominions (legal authorities) will serve and obey him.' This is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were very troubled. My appearance was changed. I kept the matter in my heart.
The dragon stood on the shore by the sea. I saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns. His horns had ten crowns on them. Blasphemous names were on his heads. The beast I saw looked like a leopard. His feet were like the feet of a bear. His mouth was like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority. One of his heads appeared to have had a fatal wound. His fatal wound had healed, and the entire world followed the beast with admiration. read more.
Men worshiped the dragon that gave power to the beast. They worshiped the beast, saying: Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? A mouth speaking great things and blasphemies was given to the beast. And authority to act was given to him to continue forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, to slander his name, and his dwelling place, and those who live in heaven. It was granted to him to wage war with the holy ones, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all tribes, and tongues, and nations. All the citizens of earth will worship him, all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life who was slain from the foundation of the world. If any man can listen, let him hear. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity. He who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. This requires the patience and the faith of the holy ones. Then I saw another wild beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb and he spoke like a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast that came ahead of him. The second beast causes the earth and those who live there to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performed great signs, so that he made fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles he had power to do in the sight of the beast. He says to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast that had the wound by a sword and yet lives. He had power to give breath to the image of the beast and to make that image of the beast speak. He caused many to be killed, those who would not worship the image of the beast. And he forces all persons, the great and the small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads. No one could buy or sell without the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of its name. This requires wisdom. Let him that has understanding calculate the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
Men worshiped the dragon that gave power to the beast. They worshiped the beast, saying: Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him? A mouth speaking great things and blasphemies was given to the beast. And authority to act was given to him to continue forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, to slander his name, and his dwelling place, and those who live in heaven. It was granted to him to wage war with the holy ones, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all tribes, and tongues, and nations. All the citizens of earth will worship him, all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life who was slain from the foundation of the world. If any man can listen, let him hear. He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity. He who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. This requires the patience and the faith of the holy ones. Then I saw another wild beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb and he spoke like a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast that came ahead of him. The second beast causes the earth and those who live there to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performed great signs, so that he made fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles he had power to do in the sight of the beast. He says to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast that had the wound by a sword and yet lives. He had power to give breath to the image of the beast and to make that image of the beast speak. He caused many to be killed, those who would not worship the image of the beast. And he forces all persons, the great and the small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads. No one could buy or sell without the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of its name. This requires wisdom. Let him that has understanding calculate the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
Magic » Lying wonders, spurious miracles
The beast was captured, and with him the false prophet that performed signs before him, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast, and those who worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.
Verse Concepts
Then Pharaoh sent for his wise men and sorcerers. These Egyptian magicians did the same thing using their magic spells.
But the magicians used their secret powers to do the same thing.
But the Egyptian magicians did the same thing using their magic spells. So Pharaoh continued to be stubborn. He would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as Jehovah predicted.
Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
The evil (lawless) one will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false signs and wonders.
There will be false Christs and false prophets. They will show great signs and wonders so that many will be misled. This includes some of the chosen ones.
He performed great signs, so that he made fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
They are demonic spirits, working signs, which go to the kings of the earth, of the whole world. They gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Miracles » A mark of apostasy
Do not let anyone deceive you about this in any way. That day will not come unless apostasy (a falling away from truth) takes place first, and the man of lawlessness (sin), the man of destruction, is revealed. (2 Timothy 4:3)
Verse Concepts
The evil (lawless) one will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false signs and wonders.
He performed great signs, so that he made fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
Miraculous gifts of the holy ghost » Counterfeited by antiChrist
The evil (lawless) one will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false signs and wonders.
There will be false Christs and false prophets. They will show great signs and wonders so that many will be misled. This includes some of the chosen ones.
He performed great signs, so that he made fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles he had power to do in the sight of the beast. He says to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast that had the wound by a sword and yet lives.
Vision » Of john on the island of patmos » The beast coming out of the earth
Then I saw another wild beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb and he spoke like a dragon. He exercises all the authority of the first beast that came ahead of him. The second beast causes the earth and those who live there to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performed great signs, so that he made fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. read more.
And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles he had power to do in the sight of the beast. He says to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast that had the wound by a sword and yet lives. He had power to give breath to the image of the beast and to make that image of the beast speak. He caused many to be killed, those who would not worship the image of the beast. And he forces all persons, the great and the small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads. No one could buy or sell without the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of its name. This requires wisdom. Let him that has understanding calculate the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles he had power to do in the sight of the beast. He says to those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast that had the wound by a sword and yet lives. He had power to give breath to the image of the beast and to make that image of the beast speak. He caused many to be killed, those who would not worship the image of the beast. And he forces all persons, the great and the small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads. No one could buy or sell without the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of its name. This requires wisdom. Let him that has understanding calculate the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.
Wonders » Lying wonders, spurious miracles
The beast was captured, and with him the false prophet that performed signs before him, with which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast, and those who worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with sulfur.
Verse Concepts
Then Pharaoh sent for his wise men and sorcerers. These Egyptian magicians did the same thing using their magic spells.
But the magicians used their secret powers to do the same thing.
But the Egyptian magicians did the same thing using their magic spells. So Pharaoh continued to be stubborn. He would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as Jehovah predicted.
Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
The evil (lawless) one will come with the power of Satan and perform all kinds of false signs and wonders.
There will be false Christs and false prophets. They will show great signs and wonders so that many will be misled. This includes some of the chosen ones.
He performed great signs, so that he made fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.
They are demonic spirits, working signs, which go to the kings of the earth, of the whole world. They gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.