Why does Revelation 13 start with the Greek leopard instead of the Roman beast?
The Greek leopard appears first because John is speaking from the time when the Roman empire is already back on the scene, so he does not need to list that one. Within the revived Roman empire, the residue of the previous three world empires is represented.
Les explains that Revelation 13 does not begin with the Roman beast because John is viewing the matter from the time when the Roman empire is already back on the scene. It had imploded and faded, but now it reappears, so Rome does not have to be listed again. Instead, John starts with the Greek leopard and then moves backward to the Median and Persian bear and the Babylonian lion. This shows that within the revived Roman empire, all the residue of the previous three great world empires will be present. Those four empires are the ones the Bible concerns itself with as the times of the Gentiles. Daniel 7 likewise describes the reappearance of that fourth empire, dreadful and terrible, with iron teeth and ten horns.
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
More Questions
What does the leopard-like beast with bear's feet in Revelation 13:2 represent?
The beast in Revelation 13:2 that is like a leopard with bear's feet represents the revived Roman Empire that combines all the attributes of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman empires.
What does the beast in Revelation 13:2 represent?
The beast John saw in Revelation 13:2—like a leopard with bear feet—represents the revived Roman Empire, in which all the attributes of the previous world empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome) are headed up together.
In what order does Revelation 13:2 list the beast empires?
In Revelation 13:2 John goes backward through the empires, moving from the Roman era to the Greek leopard, then the Medo-Persian bear, and then the Babylonian lion.