The beast in Revelation is a symbolic government—the revived Roman Empire ruled by the Antichrist, not a literal animal.
Les Feldick teaches that the beast is symbolic language for a final world empire. The term carries a two-fold meaning: it points to the ancient Roman Empire and to the man of sin who will head it up. This empire arises out of the sea of humanity, empowered by Satan, and acts blasphemously against God.
Revelation 13:1 — The beast John sees rising up out of the sea gives the defining image of this governmental power.
Revelation 17:8 — The beast that 'was, and is not' shows the revival of the old Roman Empire on the scene.
In Revelation 13:1, John describes a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, with crowns upon his horns and the name of blasphemy on his heads. The dragon gives the beast his power, seat, and great authority (Revelation 13:2). The beast then opens his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven (Revelation 13:6). Revelation 17:8 speaks of a beast that was, and is not, and yet shall ascend out of the bottomless pit—an image of an empire that seems dead and then reappears. Scripture itself does not identify the beast as a literal animal; it uses symbolic language to describe a political power that opposes God.
Les Feldick stresses that the beast in Revelation is not a scary animal. Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation write in symbolic language, and the beast must be reduced to its literal meaning: a government. He teaches that the beast is first and foremost the revival of the ancient Roman Empire, called a beast because its operation is so bestial that it shows no concern for human rights. The word has a two-fold meaning—it can refer to the Roman Empire, original as well as revived, and it can refer to the Antichrist, the man of sin who rules the final world system. The imagery of the beast coming out of the sea symbolizes its rise out of the masses of humanity, and Les sees this happening in the European community. Les further explains that the beast that 'was, and is not' is the old Roman Empire, seemingly dead, that comes back on the scene with all its attributes in place, headed by the Antichrist, who is the eighth king. Finally, Satan gives the beast its power, and the Antichrist blasphemes God.
Les explains that the beast is called a beast because the government will be so bestial in its operation, showing no concern for human rights or the individual. It is referred to as a beast because it acts like one, not because it is an animal.
Les says the word has a two-fold meaning. It can mean the Roman Empire, original as well as revived, and it is also the Antichrist who is going to rule this final world system. The beast that was, and is not, is the old Roman Empire that was seemingly dead and is now back on the scene, headed by the Antichrist.
Les interprets the sea as the sea of humanity, out of the masses of nations. The beast comes up out of the sea, meaning this final empire emerges from the nations of the world. He connects this to the European community being formed.
Les teaches that the second beast comes up out of the earth and is a religious government centered in a person—a religious leader who has two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon, receiving his power from Satan. It is a satanic religious system.
Who Are the Two Witnesses in Revelation 11?
Jesus is offering the kingdom to the nation of Israel in fulfillment of those Old Testament covenants, the Abrahamic and all the rest of them. Now then, the Old Testament said that before the return of Christ, or the setting up of the kingdom, Elijah had to come. But Jesus said, if you accept the kingdom now, then what? John is the prophesied Elijah.
The Beast as the Revived Roman Empire
Les explains that the beast in Revelation 13 is the revival of the old ancient Roman Empire, called a beast because of its bestial disregard for human rights.
Two-Fold Meaning of the Beast
Les shows that the word 'beast' refers both to the Roman Empire and to the Antichrist, and that the sea symbolizes the masses of humanity from which the empire emerges.
The Second Beast as a Religious System
Les describes the second beast as a religious government led by a religious figure who speaks like a dragon, empowered by Satan.
Symbolic Language of the Beast
Les stresses that the beast is not an eerie creature but a government, using symbolic language that must be interpreted literally as a political power.
The Beast That Was and Is Not
Les identifies the beast that 'was, and is not' as the old Roman Empire, seemingly dead, now revived and headed by the Antichrist as the eighth king.
Daniel's Dream, the Antichrist & the Mark of the Beast
Now he sees another government of sorts coming up out of the earth. Now, you see, the first thing he sees in verse 1 comes up out of the sea, out of the mass of humanity. But this one is going to come up out of the earth. Now, some people take the tack that since this is the earth, and there's only one part of the earth that God ever concerns Himself with, and that's Israel, that this second beast…
Satan's Power and the Beast's Blasphemy
Les explains that the final empire combines attributes of previous kingdoms, is empowered by Satan, and the Antichrist blasphemes God.
Revelation 13:1: And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
This verse introduces the beast as a symbolic creature rising from the sea, which Les interprets as the final world empire emerging from humanity.
Revelation 13:6: And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
This shows the beast's true character as it blasphemes God, fulfilling the description of the Antichrist.
Revelation 17:8: The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
This verse describes the beast as an empire that was seemingly dead and then reappears, supporting the idea of a revived Roman Empire.
No. Les Feldick emphasizes that the beast is symbolic language for a government. It is not an eerie creature but a revived Roman Empire and the Antichrist who rules it.
The beast has a two-fold meaning: it is the Roman Empire, both original and revived, and it is the Antichrist, the man of sin who will rule the final world system.
Les Feldick says the government will be so bestial in its operation, showing no concern for human rights, that it is referred to as a beast.
Watch the Teaching: Who Are the Two Witnesses in Revelation 11?