The government in Revelation 13 is called a beast because its rule is brutally bestial and opposes God.
Les Feldick teaches that the beast is not a literal animal but a symbolic representation of a government—a revived Roman Empire—that exercises harsh, inhuman power. This government is ultimately headed by the Antichrist, who receives his authority from Satan. The beast imagery conveys the brutal character of this end-times world system.
Revelation 13:1-2 — This passage introduces the beast coming out of the sea, which Les identifies as a symbolic government, not a literal creature.
In Revelation 13:1-2, the apostle John sees a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns. The beast is described as being like a leopard, with feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion. These descriptions are symbolic, drawing on imagery from Daniel's visions (Daniel 7). The beast is given power by the dragon (Satan) and is worshipped by the world, and it speaks great things and blasphemies (Revelation 13:5-6).
Les Feldick explains that the beast in Revelation 13 is not a literal creature, but a symbolic representation of a government. It is "a consortium of nations," an empire that is the revival of the ancient Roman Empire. He emphasizes that the beast is headed by one man, the Antichrist, who is Satan's emissary. The beast coming out of the sea symbolizes emerging from the "sea of humanity," not from the ocean. Les uses the imagery of the beast's composite features (leopard, bear, lion) to show it embodies the characteristics of previous world empires—Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Roman—in a final, revived form. He also clarifies that the term "beast" has a two-fold meaning: it can refer to the Roman Empire (original and revived) and also to the Antichrist himself, who rules over it.
According to Les Feldick, the beast is a symbolic representation of a government—specifically, the revived Roman Empire. It is not an actual seven-headed creature but a consortium of nations forming an empire. This government will be headed by the Antichrist, and its rule will be brutal and godless, reflecting Satan's influence.
The term "beast" is used because the government's actions and character are bestial—brutal, inhuman, and opposed to God. Les says it's not about a strange animal with multiple heads, but about a government that has no regard for human rights or individual value. The harshness of its rule makes 'beast' a fitting description.
Les Feldick teaches that the seven heads and ten horns are symbolic, representing the revived Roman Empire made up of a consortium of ten nations. The ten horns are generally understood as representing a revived Roman Empire from the territory of the old empire. The beast's composite animal features (leopard, bear, lion) echo Daniel's visions of previous world empires.
The beast is ultimately identified with the Antichrist, who will head this final world system. It is both the empire and the man. The Antichrist is Satan's emissary, and he rules with satanic power. In Revelation 17, the beast is also seen supporting a world church, showing his political and religious influence.
Introduction to the Antichrist
Les introduces the Antichrist in Revelation 13, setting the stage that the beast is linked to this man.
Beast as a Consortium of Nations
Les explains that the beast is not a literal seven-headed creature but a government, a revived Roman Empire.
Beast as a Consortium of Nations
Reinforces that the beast is a government, and the composite features echo Daniel's previous empires.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream That Predicted Every World Empire — Daniel 2
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…
Beast as Empire and Antichrist
Les shows the beast's two-fold meaning: it refers to the Roman Empire (original and revived) and also to the Antichrist who rules it. 'Out of the sea' means 'out of humanity'.
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…
Beast Supports World Church
Les explains the beast (Antichrist's government) supports the world church, showing its political role.
Composite Empire Attributes
Les shows the beast combines the best attributes of previous empires (Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, Roman) in the revived Roman Empire.
Revelation 13:1-2: 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. 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.
Key passage introducing the beast as a symbolic government, not a literal creature, and its satanic power.
Daniel 7:4-6: The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
Daniel's vision of four beasts, which Les uses to connect the imagery of the beast in Revelation to previous empires.
Revelation 17:7: And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Shows the beast carrying the woman, which Les interprets as the Antichrist's government supporting the world church.
No, Les Feldick teaches that the beast is not a literal animal but a symbolic representation of a government—a revived Roman Empire. It is described with multiple heads and horns to convey its political composition, not to depict an actual creature.
The government is called a beast because its rule will be brutally bestial. Les explains that it will have no concern for human rights or the value of the individual, making 'beast' a fitting description of its harsh and inhuman operations.
Les teaches that the beast refers to both the revived Roman Empire and the Antichrist, who heads it. The Antichrist is Satan's emissary and will rule this final world system. The term 'beast' has a two-fold meaning in this context.
Les interprets the seven heads and ten horns as symbolic of the revived Roman Empire, which will be a consortium of ten nations. The imagery echoes Daniel's visions and represents the political structure of the end-times empire.
Watch the Teaching: The Antichrist Revealed: What Revelation 13 Really Says