The Beast that rises from the sea is one of the most enigmatic characters in the entire book of Revelation. Many interpretations as to who or what this beast might be have been put forward over the centuries. The three most current popular interpretations are: (1) a first-century emperor (Nero or Domitian), (2) an aspect of first-century Rome (such as idolatry), or (3) a future ruler whom Satan will possess or control (the future antichrist). Unfortunately, none of these suggestions do justice to the biblical text of Revelation.
The Beast is the antichrist. He is an ontological being who has been active throughout the world since before Jesus’ birth and will continue to be active until Jesus’ return. He opposes God, the Lamb, and the Lamb’s people, while seeking the worship of the non-Christian world.
The Beast that rises from the sea is first mentioned in Revelation 11:7, but he is not formally introduced until Revelation 13, during the book’s third interlude (click here for a detailed outline of the book of Revelation). More information is given about the Sea Beast’s identity in Revelation 17 in connection with Babylon. Thus, in order to determine the identity of the Sea Beast, we must look to Revelation 13 and 17.
I. The Sea Beast in Revelation 13
The Beast that rises from the sea is first introduced in Revelation 13 in connection with the Dragon, God, the Lamb (Jesus), the Lamb’s people (Christians), the non-believing world, and the False Prophet. Revelation 13 also gives a clue as to the lifespan of the Sea Beast, which is important for identifying him. Taking a look at the Sea Beast’s relationships and his lifespan will help reveal the identity of the Sea Beast and his work in the world.
A. The Sea Beast and the Dragon (Revelation 13:1–10)
The book of Revelation describes the Dragon as an ontological being who has existed for multiple millennia and who is opposed to God, the Lamb, and the Lamb’s people. Revelation identifies the Dragon as Satan, also known as the devil (Rev 12:9; 20:2). Satan is likened to the angels and fights against other ontological beings, such as Michael and his angels (12:7). Satan has existed at least since Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden (12:9; 20:2). He was present at Jesus’ birth (12:2–5). He will also exist until the return of Jesus when, after the thousand years, he will be destroyed (20:7–10). Satan attempts to destroy Jesus when he is born (12:3–4), and then he attempts to destroy God’s people after Jesus’ ascension (12:13–17). Thus, Revelation describes the Dragon as an ontological being who has existed for multiple millennia and who is opposed to God, the Lamb, and the Lamb’s people.
Identifying the Dragon is important for identifying the Sea Beast because of the close relationship between the two. Not only are the Dragon and the Beast similar in appearance with each having seven heads and ten horns (Rev 12:3; 13:1; 17:7), but the Dragon gives his power, throne, and authority to the Beast so that the Beast will fulfill the purposes of the Dragon to deceive the world and wage war on the people of the Lamb (12:9, 17; 13:2–8; 17:14). Because of the similarities and the close relationship between the Dragon and the Beast, it is likely that the Beast is also an ontological being much like the Dragon and one whose life spans multiple millennia.
B. The Sea Beast and God, His Lamb, and His People
Like the Dragon, the Sea Beast opposes God, the Lamb, and the Lamb’s people. The Sea Beast’s opposition to God, the Lamb, and the Lamb’s people is one of the most evident aspects about him. The Beast is said to blaspheme God, his name, and his tabernacle (Rev 13:5–6). He not only blasphemes God, but he also blasphemes all those who are in heaven, which includes God, the Lamb, and the saints (13:6). The Beast and the kings with him will wage war against the Lamb (17:14). The Beast will also wage war against the people of the Lamb and, for a time, will conquer them (13:7, 9–10). Finally, the Beast will also kill any who do not worship his image, which includes the Lamb’s people (13:15). The Beast, therefore, is an enemy of God, his Lamb, and the Lamb’s people.
C. The Sea Beast and the Lamb
Revelation contrasts the Sea Beast and the Lamb (Jesus). The contrast supports and elaborates on the description that the Sea Beast is an ontological being like the Dragon, Satan, yet who is subordinate to Satan.
The Lamb is symbolic for Jesus, who is an ontological being and who resides in the heavenly realm at the time of John’s writing. The Lamb has seven horns, has been slain, has the marks of being slain, and yet lives (Rev 5:6). The Lamb places a mark on the forehead of his worshippers, which identifies his worshippers (7:3; 14:1).
In contrast to the Lamb, the Sea Beast has ten horns, was also slain, has the marks of being slain, and yet lives (Rev 13:1, 3, 12). The Sea Beast also places a mark on the forehead or hand of his worshippers, which identifies his worshippers (13:16–17).
Finally, the Sea Beast and the Lamb vie for the worship of the world. Revelation divides all of humanity into two groups: those who worship the Lamb and those who worship the Beast (Rev 13:3–4, 7–8). There is no third group or middle ground. The contrast between the Beast and the Lamb and the subordination of the Sea Beast to the Dragon suggests that the Beast is the antichrist; he is Satan’s messiah, an ontological being who resides in the heavenly realm yet has real influence in the human realm.
D. The Sea Beast, the Non-Believing World, and the False Prophet
The Sea Beast also deceives the non-believing world into worshipping him. Satan gave the Sea Beast authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation (Rev 13:3–4, 7). The fourfold witness of Revelation 13:7 indicates universality and should remind the reader of a similar fourfold witness upon which Babylon sits (17:1, 15). The Beast has authority over everyone. The only exception to the universality of the Beast’s authority is those who have their name written in the Lamb’s book of life (13:8). With the authority given him by Satan, the Beast causes everyone who does not have their name written in the Lamb’s book of life to worship him (13:3–4, 8).
The non-believing world’s worship of the Sea Beast is highlighted in Revelation 13:11–18. There are three ways the Sea Beast obtains worship from the non-believing world. First, the Land Beast, also known as the False Prophet (Rev 16:3; 19:20; 20:10), deceives the entire world to worship the Sea Beast (13:12–14). For my treatment of the False Prophet, click here. Second, the Sea Beast threatens the world with death and persecution if they do not worship him (13:15). Third, the Sea Beast uses his control over the world economy to coerce the non-believing world to worship him (13:16–17). For my treatment of the mark of the Beast, click here.
E. The Lifespan of the Sea Beast
There are two clues in Revelation 13 that hint at the lifespan of the Sea Beast: (1) the description of the Beast as part leopard, bear, and lion (Rev 13:2) and (2) the 42 months that are given to the Beast for exercising his authority (13:5).
1. The Sea Beast as Part Leopard, Bear, and Lion
The description of the Sea Beast in Revelation 13:1–3 as part leopard, bear, and lion is based on characteristics from the four beasts in Daniel 7. In Daniel’s vision, he saw four beasts rise out of the sea: one like a lion, one like a bear, one like a leopard, and one with ten horns not likened to any animal (Dan 7:2–7). It should also be noted that the cumulative number of heads between the four beasts is seven. Like the four beasts of Daniel, the Sea Beast of Revelation also rises out of the sea, has seven heads, ten horns, and has the characteristics of a leopard, bear, and lion (Rev 13:1–2).
The four beasts of Daniel 7 are said to be four kings (Dan 7:17).[1] The first beast of Daniel 7 is most likely Nebuchadnezzar who ruled the Babylonian kingdom, and thus is also associated with Babylon. Identifying the second, third, and fourth beasts in Daniel 7 has proven notoriously difficult. Fortunately for this article, it is not necessary to accurately identify the second, third, and fourth beasts other than to note that they all come after the first beast.
The similarities between the Sea Beast of Revelation and the four beasts of Daniel 7 are clear. However, the significance of the similarities is not explicitly stated in Revelation. What John seems to be doing is viewing the Sea Beast of Revelation as the power behind the four beasts of Daniel, which is why the characteristics of the four beasts in Daniel are all found in the one Beast of Revelation. Thus, we can conclude that the Sea Beast of Revelation has existed at least since Nebuchadnezzar came to power and has been active throughout history at least since that time.
2. The 42 Months of the Sea Beast’s Authority
The second clue that hints at the lifespan of the Sea Beast in Revelation is the 42 months that are given to the Beast for exercising his authority (Rev 13:5). The 42 months does not indicate the exact lifespan of the Sea Beast, but it does indicate the span of time that the Beast is permitted to exercise the authority that the Dragon gives him (13:2, 5).
I have done a detailed study of the 3.5-year period (42 months) of Revelation 11–13 in an article HERE. I won’t repeat the entire study, but the conclusion regarding the time period. Every occurrence of 42 months, 1,260 days, and “time, times, and half a time” in the book of Revelation refers to the same 3.5-year period. Revelation clearly reveals that the 3.5-year period begins at Jesus’ ascension. Revelation also clearly reveals that the 3.5-year period ends at Jesus’ return. Based on when the 3.5-year period begins and ends, we can confidently conclude that the 3.5-year period mentioned throughout Revelation 11–13 is a symbolic time period that refers to the period between Jesus’ ascension and return.
Revelation 12:7–17 is clear that Satan is expelled from heaven at the ascension of Jesus into heaven (see my article on that topic here). After Satan is expelled, he then gives great authority to the Sea Beast for 42 months for the purpose of deceiving the world into worshipping him and for the purpose of persecuting the saints until Jesus returns (13:1–8; 19:20). According to Revelation 13, then, the Sea Beast exercises his authority between Jesus’ ascension and his return, indicating that his lifespan covers a multi-thousand-year period
Based on the description of the Sea Beast and the timeframe of his authority, the lifespan of the Sea Beast spans multiple millennia, beginning well before Jesus’ first coming and ending at Jesus’ second coming when Jesus himself kills the Beast. The lifespan of the Beast is important for identifying the Beast because it rules out any human king or kingdom, none of which have existed for as long as the Beast.
II. The Sea Beast in Revelation 17
Revelation 17 adds two important features to the picture of the Sea Beast that help us identify him: (1) an elaboration on the Sea Beast’s seven heads and (2) the Sea Beast’s relationship to Babylon.
A. The Seven Heads of the Sea Beast
The interpreting angel in Revelation 17 claims that the seven heads of the Sea Beast are also seven kings (Rev 17:10). Five of the kings have fallen, one of the kings presently is, and the seventh king has not yet come, but will only reign for a short time upon his arrival (17:10). Identifying the seven kings has proven extremely difficult and has given rise to many interpretations. Unfortunately, John does not give enough information to accurately identify the kings, so it is best to avoid any specific identification. What is of chief concern for this article is when the kings come to power.
The first five kings are said to have fallen by the time of John’s writing in the first century AD (Rev 17:10). Since the kings are heads of the Sea Beast, the five fallen kings indicate that the Beast has existed prior to John’s day and has had considerable influence prior to John’s day, which aligns well with Revelation 13:2 and the explanation given above.
The sixth king is said to exist at the time of writing, which means he is in power during John’s day (Rev 17:10). Thus, the Sea Beast is active during John’s day.
Finally, the seventh king is said to come in the future (Rev 17:10). Interestingly, the Sea Beast itself is said to be an eighth, but belonging to the seven (17:11). A logical explanation is that the Sea Beast is the sum of the seven kings and the arrival of the seventh king is the arrival of the Sea Beast itself. Whereas the Beast seems to be working behind the scenes through the first six kings, he will arrive in his fullness as the seventh king. When the Beast arrives, he will wage war on the Lamb at his second coming (17:12–14). The Beast’s war on the Lamb indicates that he still exists and has power until Jesus defeats him upon his return. The seven heads of the Sea Beast indicate that the Beast has a history, a present, and a future. The Beast has been active before John’s day, was active in John’s day, and will continue to be active until Jesus returns and defeats him.
B. The Relationship between the Sea Beast and Babylon
In Revelation 17:7, the Sea Beast is said to carry the city Babylon who is anthropomorphised as a ‘lady of the night’:
“But the angel said to me, ‘Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.’”
REVELATION 17:7, emphasis added
Since the Woman Babylon sits upon the Sea Beast, the question of control, power, and authority arises. Normally, the one who rides upon a beast (animal) has control, power, and authority over the beast (animal). However, Revelation never states that the Woman rides the Sea Beast or has any control, power, or authority over it. Instead, Revelation uses language that allows the Beast to be the one who has control, power, and authority over the Woman Babylon, hence the emphasis on the Beast carrying the Woman, not the Woman riding the Beast (17:7). The picture of the Sea Beast having power over the Woman Babylon is confirmed when the Beast turns on the Woman and destroys her (17:16–18).
The relationship between the Sea Beast and the Woman Babylon indicates that Babylon is the city of the Beast in the way that the New Jerusalem is the city of the Lamb (Jesus). I go more into the identity of Babylon and the relationship between the Sea Beast and Babylon in my article HERE. Ruling a city is one more way that the Sea Beast attempts to be like the Lamb and is one more comparison between the Beast and the Lamb that demonstrates that the Sea Beast is the antichrist, the one who pretends to be a messiah and who is opposed to the actual messiah—Jesus.
III. Summary and Concluding Thoughts
The above analysis of the Sea Beast in Revelation 13 and 17 reveals that the Sea Beast is the antichrist, an ontological being who has been active throughout the world since well before Jesus’ birth and will continue to be active until Jesus returns for his church.
As the antichrist, the Sea Beast imitates Jesus, the true Christ, pretending to be the Messiah. As the antichrist, the Sea Beast opposes God, the Lamb, and the Lamb’s people by influencing and being the power behind the anti-God rulers of the world. As the antichrist, the Sea Beast also deceives, threatens, and coerces the world into worshipping him.
Thus, the Sea Beast should not be identified as any human ruler, but should be recognized as an ontological being, like Satan, who is the power behind all anti-God human rulers. The Sea Beast should also not be identified as any anti-God government, political entity, or culture, but should be recognized as an ontological being who is the power behind all rulers of these anti-God governments and political entities that cause anti-God cultures.
The implications of the antichrist being an ontological being, like Satan or an angel, who is active in opposing and persecuting God’s people between Jesus’ ascension and return are significant. First, the antichrist is in the world now, opposing and persecuting God’s people and the church now! Satan has deceived many Christians and churches into believing that his (Satan’s) messiah, the antichrist, will not come until just prior to Jesus’ return. Instead of looking out for and being wary against the antichrist and his attacks, many churches and Christians have been lulled into a false sense of security. As such, many Christians and churches in the West have adopted false teaching and been deceived into unfaithfulness like the churches in Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Laodicea (Rev 2–3).
Second, too many Christians and Churches are fighting against the wrong enemy. Too many Christians are fighting against laws, governments, groups, activists, and people that are opposed to Jesus, Christians, Christian morals, and Christianity. However, the book of Revelation presents the antichrist as the real enemy who is the power behind antichristian laws, governments, groups, activists, and people. We Christians need to fight against the antichrist, not the government. Revelation confirms what Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
EPHESIANS 6:12
Finally, although the antichrist is here now, Jesus will only defeat him when he returns. This is a call for perseverance. Many Christians struggle throughout the world. Many of these struggles are caused by the antichrist. Knowing that the antichrist is against us Christians and knowing the he will not be defeated or stopped until Jesus returns should result in perseverance of the saints to remain faithful to Jesus. The way Christians stand up against the antichrist is to persevere in the faith. May we all believe and heed Revelation’s call for perseverance in light of the antichrist’s attacks:
“If anyone has an ear, let him hear: If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.”
REVELATION 13:9–10, emphasis added
[1] There is some ambiguity as to whether or not the beasts are kings or kingdoms. It is possible that מלכין in Daniel 7:17 refers to kings who represent kingdoms. See HALOT, s.v. “מלך.”
