The Beast from the Sea

(Daniel 7:1–8)

13 Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. [There were] ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 The beast I saw was like a leopard, [with] the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave [the beast] his power and his throne and great authority.

3 One of the heads of [the beast] appeared to have been mortally wounded [But] the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled [and] followed the beast. 4 They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who [is] like the beast, and who can wage war against it?”

5 [The beast] was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous [words], and authority to act for 42 months. 6 And [the beast] opened its mouth to [speak] blasphemies against God [and] to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven.

7 Then [the beast] was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. 8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship [the beast]—[all] whose names have not been written from [the] foundation of [the] world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.[fn]

9 He who has an ear, let him hear:

10 “If anyone [is destined for] captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die[fn] by [the] sword, by [the] sword he must be killed.”[fn] Here is [a call for] the perseverance and faith of the saints.