Character of the Beast
Rev 13:2 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.
Daniel prophesied of these animals in his visions; they were identified with historical conquerors and nations; being men of war. The antichrist will have all these ferocious characteristics.
Dan 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
A leopard is very fast to capture what it seeks, this one having four wings was very fast. It is thought to represent the Greek empire and Alexander the great.
Feet of a bear:
Dan 7:5 And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
The bear represented the Medo-Persian empire. The bear was strong and was hungry for the flesh of men to conquer. The Islamic nations are of this empire.
His mouth as the mouth of a lion:
King Nebuchadnezzar was described both as a lion and an eagle. Both represent the strongest of the species. The antichrist would speak as a conquering king.
And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
His power and authority was given to him by satan. The antichrist will embody all the ferocious power and strength of the most powerful forces of evil.
Rev 13:3 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.
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Satan had been wounded in the head at the cross of Calvary. Jesus took away his power and dominion, now it appears that he has regained power, for a time. All the nations marveled at his great power.
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
The beast was as a son of satan. Jesus is Son of God representing his kingdom and power. The antichrist would be the opposite. He will represent the power of the darkness as a son of belial, a son of perdition, as a son of the dragon. No power in the natural could overcome this evil spirit controlled ruler. But we know that God is greater.
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
His lying tongue would speak against God and Jesus, his angels and his saints, for three and a half years of Daniel's final week. Power was given to him, from satan? Yes, but more importantly God but a time limit on his rule. God is in control.
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
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