There are six descriptive words and phrases in verse one of Revelation chapter 13 that describe what is called a “beast.” They are: (1) “beast” (2) “coming out of the sea” (3) “ten horns” (4) “seven heads” (5) “ten crowns on his horns” and (6) “on each head a blasphemous name.”
Test #1: the “beast.” The actual meaning of the word “beast” as used in prophecy should be abundantly clear. Remember, God’s inspired Word is the highest authority we can use to determine the meaning of a word in Scripture.
Fortunately, the Old Testament prophet Daniel speaks of “beasts” in chapter seven of the book of Daniel. There, an Angel reveals the meaning of this word “beast.” According to the interpretation given to Daniel, the word “beast” in prophetic Scripture refers to a kingdom, an empire, or what we would call a superpower. Elsewhere in the Book of Daniel, the four “beasts” he saw are described as the superpowers of Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece (under Alexander the Great) and the Roman Empire. To help describe three of the “beasts” he saw, Daniel, in the first part of chapter seven referred to them as a wild animal. For Babylon, it was a lion, a bear for Media-Persia, and a leopard for Greece. John used all three of these animals in Revelation 13:2 to describe the characteristics of the “beast” he saw in the Last Days. This indicates the Revelation 13 “beast” is one of the greatest superpowers in the history of mankind. This is what our government has become since World War II.
Daniel used the word “beast” to describe the recognized world superpowers during the history of Israel. And John used this word in the same way writing about a superpower that will rise up in the area of those who give testimony to Jesus Christ in the Last Days. Using prophetic terminology our government passes the test of being called a “beast.”
Let me pause briefly to explain another important issue. The “beast” in Revelation 13 is often said to refer to a man. Some Bible translations actually refer to this “beast” as a man; other versions refer to it as an entity or superpower. The King James and the original New International Version use the masculine pronouns “he,” “his” and “him,” when referring to this “beast,” which suggests the “beast” is a man. The Revised Standard Version, Philip’s translation and the recently published revised New International Version along with other translations use the neuter pronoun “it” and “its” when referring to the “beast.” These translations indicate the “beast” is a superpower, not a person, which is what Daniel was told.
To interpret these variations found in different translations, I referred the matter to a seminary professor with a doctorate in Greek. The question was, are the pronouns “he,” “his,” and “him” the correct translation, or are the pronouns “it” and “its” correct?
The noun translated “beast” in Revelation 13 is the Greek word onpiov. The Greek word avrov is the pronoun Revelation 13 uses to refer to the “beast.” To be grammatically correct, a pronoun must be of the same gender as the noun to which it refers. If the original Greek word used for “beast” is masculine gender, then “he,” “his” and “him” are the correct pronouns and this prophecy about a “beast” would most likely be referring to a man; if the original Greek word used for “beast” is neuter gender, then “it” and “its” are the proper translation and this prophecy would most likely be referring to a superpower.
The Greek word for “beast” in Revelation 13 is neuter gender, not masculine, so “it” and “its” are the correct pronouns. This is a grammatical fact. Most publishers agree that to use the masculine gender pronouns “he,” “his,” and “him” when referring to the word “beast” is an inaccurate translation (see Zondervan Publishing House, Greek-English New Testament, Grand Rapids, MI, 1975, p. 751). Let me repeat: The Greek word for “beast” is neuter gender, so the proper rendering of John’s writing is the pronouns “it” and “its.” Thus, like Daniel, John likely used the word “beast” to refer to a superpower, not an individual.
Interpreting John’s use of the prophetic word “beast” to mean a superpower is consistent with the first guideline to understanding the meaning of something in Scripture, which is to use other Scriptures—in this case, the Book of Daniel.
In my next BLOG, I will continue with the second test “Coming Out of the Sea.”
Be sure to visit the FREE DOWNLOADS page to find several other books and booklets written by Bob Fraley. The FREE DOWNLOADS page contains complete .pdf files that you may read and download absolutely FREE! Go to: http://www.bobfraleychristianlifeoutreach.com and click on the “FREE DOWNLOADS” button!Tags: avrov, beast, Beast of Revelation, coming out of the sea, Daniel, Greek-English New Testament, John, King James, last days, masculine gender, masculine pronouns, neuter gender, neuter pronoun, New International Version, Old Testament, on each head a blasphemous name, onpiov, prophecy, prophet, prophetic, seven heads, superpower, ten crowns on his horns, ten horns