Why doesn't John list the Roman empire first in Revelation 13?
John begins with the Greek leopard because he writes from the standpoint of the revived Roman empire already being on the scene, so the Roman beast need not be listed first. The revived Roman empire contains the residue of the previous three empires, and John then moves backward through Greece, Medo-Persia, and Babylon.
Les explains that Revelation 13 does not start with Rome because the Roman empire is the one already back on the scene in revived form. Since John is speaking from that later perspective, he does not have to list the Roman beast first. Instead he starts with the Greek leopard and then goes backward to the Median and Persian bear and the Babylonian lion. These four empires are the ones the Bible concerns itself with as the times of the Gentiles. Within the revived Roman empire, all the residue of the previous three great world empires will be seen. Daniel 7 likewise presents the fourth beast or empire reappearing with ten horns after the ancient Roman empire faded and fell in on itself.
More Questions
What is inside the revived Roman empire according to Revelation 13?
The revived Roman empire in Revelation 13 contains all the residue of the previous three great world empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece.