Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4600 Living beings  »  4609 beast, the

In apocalyptic literature, symbol of the ultimate adversary of God in the great final spiritual battle.

Beasts represent rulers and nations opposed to God

Daniel 7:3-7,11-12,17,19-23

The beast represents the antichrist in the final spiritual battle

The emergence of the beast

Revelation 11:7; Revelation 13:1,11; Revelation 17:3

The power and authority of the beast

Revelation 13:2-7,12-15

Those who will worship the beast, and those who will not

Revelation 13:8,16-18; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 20:4

The defeat of the beast and the fulfilment of God's purposes

Revelation 16:10-11; Revelation 17:7-14,16-17; Revelation 19:19-20

See also

2372  Christ, victory
4121  Satan, enemy of God
8704  apostasy
9105  last things
9115  antichrist, the
9240  last judgment