• Revelation—What It Means for God’s Enemies
    The Watchtower (Study)—2022 | May

    • THE IDENTITY OF GOD’S ENEMIES REVEALED

      The seven-headed wild beast of Revelation, coming out of the sea of mankind. It has ten horns and ten diadems on its heads and has the appearance of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion.

      THE SEVEN-HEADED WILD BEAST

      It ascends “out of the sea” and has seven heads, ten horns, and ten diadems. (Rev. 13:1-4) It symbolizes all political powers that have dominated mankind throughout history. The seven heads symbolize seven world powers that have had significant dealings with God’s people (See paragraphs 6-8)

      6. What is the meaning of the seven-headed wild beast mentioned at Revelation 13:1-4?

      6 What is the seven-headed wild beast? (Read Revelation 13:1-4.) We notice that this beast has the general appearance of a leopard but the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion, and it has ten horns. All of these are also features of the four beasts mentioned in Daniel chapter 7. Yet, here in the book of Revelation, these characteristics are combined into one beast, not four separate beasts. This wild beast does not represent just one government or world empire. It is spoken of as ruling “over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” So it must be greater than any single national government. (Rev. 13:7) This wild beast, then, must represent all the political powers that have dominated humankind down through history.b​—Eccl. 8:9.