“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” (Revelation 13:1).

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw” (vs 1)

Most expositors conclude from the oldest manuscripts that it is the dragon waiting on the seashore for the beast to arise and not John waiting. This is the same beast as in Revelation 17 where the ten kingdoms/horns are not yet configured. From that study, we know that the rise in world power of this papal kingdom accelerates during the time of the sixth head when a coalition between Rome and the world crescendoes. Finally, the eighth (Satan) will reveal himself as a new kingdom beast.

“In the last days Satan will appear as an angel of light, with great power and heavenly glory, and claim to be the Lord of the whole earth. He will declare that the Sabbath has been changed from the seventh to the first day of the week; and as lord of the first day of the week he will present this spurious sabbath as a test of loyalty to him. Then will take place the final fulfillment of the Revelator's prophecy. [Rev. 13:4-18, quoted.]”[1]

This helpful insight adds to the expanding information of Satan’s end-time tactics.

1.    He knows his time is short (12:12).

2.    “having great wrath,” he makes war on the remnant of God’s people (12:17).

3.    Satan waits for the opportune geopolitical alliance (13:1) at the emergence of a blasphemous beast kingdom.

4.    There will be an all-out attempt to annihilate the saints (13:15) – the “dragon was wroth” (12:17)

While appearing as man’s benefactor, he is bent on destruction, working through his agents. This was presented in greater detail in the interlude of 17:6, where the woman that controls the beast was drunk with the blood of the saints. Thus, Satan, the dragon, filled with hatred, is seen standing on the seashore waiting. As of this writing (August 2009), that is where he is – waiting for:

1.    The ten kingdoms of the world to give the papacy authority (partnership with the kings of the earth) (19:19)

2.    The United States (second beast) to provide life and death enforcement power over the tenets of the sea beast

The emergence of the beast means everything to Satan’s endgame. This relates to the prophecies of the “little horn” of Daniel 8, the “vile person” of Daniel 11:29-39 and the “king of the north” of Daniel 11:40-45. Its power will extend over a period of time (42 months). That encompasses the first five Seals, the end-time persecution of the saints (11:2) and when the two witnesses go out to warn the world of that final time (11:3). Daniel and Habakkuk call this the “appointed time” (Daniel 8:19, 11:35; Habakkuk 2:3). This is when there will be a:

●       Conspiracy between Satan and Rome

●      Universal success in that partnership, deceiving the world

●       Temporary defeat of the saints[2]

This beast (therion – ferocious creature) comes out of the sea (alluding to peoples, languages and nations – 17:15). It emerges from a populated area of the world. But – another message regarding its arrival has already been presented. It also came out of the abyss (11:7, 17:8) (where demons reside and hate to be – Luke 8:31). This defines its very nature as demonic (Luke 9:1; 17:8; 20:1, 3). Satan awaits his partner in evil!

Another important allusion regarding the sea comes from the Old Testament, where the wicked are like a tossing sea (Isaiah 57:20-21), which has no rest or peace. Its waves are casting up sludge and filth on the shore. From the wicked populace of the world, who represent rebellion against God, comes this beast. The model for this end-time prophecy comes from the four kingdom beasts of Daniel 7:3, which arose out of a restless sea.

“a beast rise up out of the sea,” (vs 1)

This phrase reveals the emergence or appearance of a kingdom power with key characteristics. We were told in the interlude chapter (17) that this creature was controlled by the Roman Catholic Church.

The word for “rise up” is anabainon and refers to the appearance of the beast in an upward, orderly motion.[3] This suggests that John viewed the designated beast parts in a specific anatomic order. The first part would be the horns – then, the heads. Since this is a continuation of the prophecy that chapter 17 helps to explain, the imagery is enhanced when seen together.

A wild/ferocious beast makes its debut from the tumult of wicked humanity. This suggests that this power comes into ascendancy when there are terrible world problems (moral conflicts). It appears to arise at a time when it becomes the temporal answer to irresolvable needs. This is affirmed by the note that the world wonders after the beast. By looking to the papacy for some answer, something is affecting everyone everywhere!! But, unwittingly, the world is a servant to Satan’s wrath.

“having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns,” (vs 1)

The seven heads immediately guide us again to the scarlet colored beast of Revelation 17. Those are specific leaders of the beast kingdom. The head that “is,” which begins the timing of this prophecy here, ties well with the reminder that the beast is that one because it had had a head that was wounded to death and that deadly wound was healed (vs 3). As previously noted, that specifically applied to Pope John Paul II, who was shot in May 1981 and recovered. The beast can only have one head at a time – but it is referred to as the beast with seven heads for clarity.

Those seven heads lead us to the information relative to the horns. In 17:12 they are designated as kings without a kingdom “as yet.” This last phrase (oupo) means that there would come a time when they would have a kingdom or state under their jurisdiction.

It appears, through the imagery of the dragon waiting on the sandy seashore that the delay relates to the development of those kingdoms! That is the only change that has occurred from Revelation 17. The time for the two-beast alliance is here, but the support of the ten powers – the crowns – is anticipated, only needing to emerge.

Those crowns or diademata are a sign of royalty and rulership. They are not crowns of victory – as when conquering another. They appear prophetically as all suddenly present – simultaneously. It suggests that a world movement – a “new world order” – has come into being. The ten horns are not described as sequential – as are the heads. Thus, a new geopolitical system occurs at once.[4]

“and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” (vs 1)

There is an assumption to deity claims that brings this designation. Is it through “title” or by function? Paul outlines these stages (II Thessalonians 2:4), echoing Old Testament messages regarding the antichrist:

1.     Opposeth what is called God (Daniel 11:36, 7:25)

2.     Exalteth himself above what is called God (Daniel 11:36)

3.     Sits in temple as head of all religious elements (Isaiah 14:13)

4.     Shows himself that he is God (Isaiah 14:14, Daniel 8:25)

The beast that represents the papacy and also Satan is worshiped and speaks out against God, His church and people. It is noteworthy that the blasphemy is on the heads of the beast. Chapter 17 makes it clear that they represent the leaders of the apostate kingdom/state in Rome. These are the popes since 1929 – beginning with Pope Pius XI. That is a solemn prophetic indictment that we will be
required to share soon with the world.

“In the revelation that Christ gave are linked together in a chain of truth the important messages of warning that are to be given to the world before Christ's second coming. The last message of mercy is to be proclaimed where it has never yet been heard. The workers are to labor with such self-denial, such self-sacrifice, that the message will be borne to those who have not heard it. Letter 110, 1902, p. 4. (To Dr. David Paulson, July 7, 1902.). White Estate Washington, D.C. April 9, 1956.”[5]

The world will need to be warned as to what this prophecy portends. It relates to Satan’s final deception. Eternal loss versus eternal life lies immediately ahead for everyone.

 “The broken ranks will be filled up by those represented by Christ as coming in at the eleventh hour. There are many with whom the Spirit of God is striving. The time of God's destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who [now] have no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched, His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter. Large numbers will be admitted who in these last days hear the truth for the first time.–Letter 103, 1903.”[6]

The anti-God beast has arrived. Satan is waiting on the beach for the ten-kingdom event. His strongest ally from Rome is ready to act as soon as definitive support comes from this emerging world order.