The Sea Beast and the Dragon make War Against the Church

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The Sea Beast rises from the sea to receive power to make war upon the church.

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A Look Back

John has spoken of the Dragon.  He tells us the Dragon was cast from Heaven to Earth and then made war against the children of the woman.  The children are Christians, for they are those “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

The Sea Beast

John stands at the edge of the sea (I think this is the sea on earth, for the action occurs on there and not in heaven).  He looks out on the water and from the sea arises a magnificent beast.   The sea beast has the attributes of a leopard (body), a bear (feet), and a lion (mouth).  He has seven heads and ten horns, like the Dragon (12:3), but with three additional crowns.

The dragon gives the sea beast authority, power, and a throne.  See in this Rome and the Caesars.  His strength is used to persecute the children of the woman — the Church. The people of the earth witness the mortal wound of one of the beast’s heads, but also the healing.  They will marvel and follow the Beast.  The world adores magnificence and power.  They worship whatever seems to provide strength.  So they worship the Dragon and the Beast.

“Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

Notice the Sea Beast was given authority for 42 months (3 1/2 years — the time the woman was safeguarded.) He was given a mouth to speak against God, His name, His tabernacle, and His followers. He was granted to make war with the saints and kill them.  His power was multi-national, and all who dwelt on the earth worshipped him.

We read here of the “Book of Life of the Lamb” — a record of the faithful.  We also read of the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”  Remember from earlier in the vision, Christ is the Lamb who was slain but stands victorious and worthy.

Next Week: The Land Beast proclaims the Godhood of the Sea Beast. 666.

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