What are the different End Times Beasts?

The Holy Bible uses the same term “beast” to describe specific entities that exist at the end times: the 4 beasts, the beast out of the sea, the beast from the earth, the scarlet beast, and the red dragon.

The 4 Beasts

The “4 beasts” described in Daniel 7 represent 4 different kingdoms that will be in existence at the end of this age: the lion, the bear, the leopard, and the terrifying beast (it is unlike anything that has ever existed).

The 4th beast is the terrifying beast. It has 10 horns (kings) and then a little horn (the Antichrist) uproots 3 of the horns (kings). The Antichrist is the spokesman of the terrifying beast. This beast devours and destroys everything in its path. It will devour the whole earth. This beast makes war against God’s holy people.

In the end, the 4th beast is completely destroyed and the other 3 beasts are stripped of their authority but allowed to live for a while longer. This indicates that at the end of this age all 4 beasts are in existence at the same time.

Based on Daniel 7, the 4 beasts exist as separate kingdoms for a while. But it appears that they will eventually be combined into a single entity as described in Revelation 13.

The Beast out of the Sea

The “beast out of the sea” described in Revelation 13 represents a very powerful end times government. It appears to be the result of a 7-year treaty that ends the 6th Trumpet war.

This beast will be controlled by the Antichrist for 42 months (1,260 days) (3-1/2 years). This will be the time of Great Tribulation.

This beast appears to be a single entity that was formed out of the 4 beasts in Daniel 7. It has 10 horns like the terrifying beast of Daniel 7. Each of the horns have crowns (kings with power). It has 7 heads like the scarlet beast of Revelation 17. Each head has a blasphemous name.

This beast has the mouth of a lion, the body of a leopard, and the feet of a bear. This beast appears to be a combination of the 3 beasts with the 4th terrifying beast of Daniel 7. This beast also appears to be the divided kingdom (iron mixed with clay) described in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2).

Satan gives this beast his power and authority. Equipped with Satan’s power, this beast wages war against God’s holy people and is successful in its endeavors. People of the world will worship this beast (who could make war against it?) and take the mark of the beast.

The people of the world also worship Satan because he gave the beast its power. Since Satan is the father of lies (the great deceiver), the people will probably not realize that they are worshiping Satan.

The Beast from the Earth

The “beast from the earth” described in Revelation 13 represents the end times False Prophet. It has 2 horns like a lamb (pretends to resemble Jesus) but spoke like a dragon (Satan).

The False Prophet performs great signs and wonders in order to deceives the world. He leads the world into worshiping the “beast out of the sea.” He sets up an image of the revived beast that must be worshiped. Anyone who will not worship the beast will be killed. He also requires that they take the mark of the beast in order to buy or sell.

The Scarlet Beast

The “scarlet beast” described in Revelation 17 has 7 heads and 10 horns but no mention is made about it having any crowns. It is covered with blasphemous names. This “scarlet beast” appears to be the same as the “beast out of the sea” described in Revelation 13.

The scarlet beast is ridden by the adulterous prostitute who leads the world away from God and seduces the people into worshiping other gods and engaging in behaviors that are abominable to God. The great prostitute is the great city “mystery Babylon” that rules over the kings of the earth. She is intoxicated from killing God’s holy people.

Note that the great prostitute and the false prophet are NOT the same thing. Revelation 17 says that the great prostitute is a geographical place (a city) – not a person. Revelation 19 says that the False Prophet is a person who leads the world astray, does signs and wonders, makes people worship the beast, makes people take the mark of the beast, wars along side the Antichrist at the battle of Armageddon, and is then cast into the lake of fire.

The Red Dragon

The “enormous red dragon” described in Revelation 12 has 7 heads, 10 horns, and 7 crowns. It is called the great dragon, the ancient serpent, the devil, or Satan who leads the whole world astray. It tries to destroy all of God’s holy people (Jews & Christians).