A Beast of Unrighteous Decrees
Blessed is he that readeth and hears the words of this prophecy ... for the time is at hand!
Introduction
The prophecies of the book of Revelation must be deeply understood by any who profess to be Christian. Christ Himself tells us this in the introduction of this powerful book. The book is referred to as “the Revelation of Jesus Christ”. In particular, the beast of Revelation 13:1 needs to be studied, for we are at the threshold of eternity. We are to understand what is revealed in order to be prepared physically and spiritually.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. Revelation 1
In this study we take a look at the beast of Revelation 13 with special focus on the “feet of a bear”.
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. 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. 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. Revelation 13
The bible is its own expositor and the books of Daniel and Revelation are closely connected. The symbols used in Revelation can be also found in Daniel. Here we see a beast composed of different beast parts making it a “composite beast”.
The body is like unto a leopard. The leopard is a symbol used in Daniel 7 to represent the Greek kingdom or Grecia.
The feet are that of a bear. The bear is understood to represent the kingdom of the Medes and Persians based on Daniel 8.
The mouth is that of a lion. The lion is a symbol of the kingdom of Babylon in Daniel 7.
The Feet
To understand what the feet symbolize, we must understand how the word “feet” is used in the scriptures.
7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? Romans 10
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6
The feet are associated with bearing tidings or a message. In Ephesians the feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Therefore the feet of a bear carry a message or tidings. What is this message that this beast’s feet bear?
The Bear
To understand what the feet of a bear on this beast mean, we refer to the prophecies of Daniel. The bear which is the second kingdom of bible prophecy represents the kingdom of the Medes and Persians as already alluded to. The same power is represented as the ram in Daniel 8:20. What was the chief characteristic of this kingdom? For that would be the message represented by its feet.
8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Daniel 6
19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. Esther 1
12 Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring. Esther 3
The decrees and laws of the Medes and Persians where written not to be altered or changed.
The decree by Darius was to worship man (the king) above the Creator a violation of God’s law.
The decree by Ahasuerus was to destroy the Jews, God’s people at the time.
These are the chief characteristics of the bear and therefore the message associated with the “feet of the bear”. The feet of the bear represents a false message that will exalt man above God and seek to persecute God’s people in the last days.
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. 19 Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet; Daniel 7
Conclusion
The fourth and final kingdom of bible prophecy will carry a message which involves an unrighteous laws that can not be changed. With this decree it will tread over or persecute the “residue” which is the remnant people of God. This study is another witness to a previous article entitled, “The Sunday Law in Verity”.
44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Daniel 2
In the days of this fourth king, the God of heaven shall set up an ever lasting kingdom. May God’s people prepare for this eternal kingdom for the time is at hand!