RE: Jovial "Will the beast be human?" (21 Sep 2014)
Blessings Joe.
Recently the Lord had led me into an extensive study primarily on Daniel chapter 8. Naturally a study of that nature would expand to many areas of the Scripture, with increased focus on the Revelation and many other chapters in Daniel. I too believe that "consistency of interpretation," is a goal. I certainly do not have your expertise in the languages, so I had to depend on the Holy Spirit, Strong's concordance and various translations. A significant amount of understanding was opened to me.
I do not fully agree with your following statement: "In Daniel, the various beasts all represent political entities." All of the beasts do have "political entities," associated with them, but the beasts themselves are spiritual entities in heavenly places. The Angel Gabriel specifically interprets the horns on the beasts as the "political entities," Kings and kings who have yet to receive a kingdom. These horns that are associated with the beasts can be destroyed and others emerge or are added without destroying that beast. A beast may get trampled to the ground, but nowhere does it indicate that the beast dies or no longer exists, to possibly grow other horns at a later date. Daniel chapter 8 is a prophecy of the latter days, though it is apparent that other kingdoms/horns played out similar patterns, even prior to the first coming of our Lord.
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
[Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.]
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
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Dan 8:21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
Dan 8:22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. (Four different political entities, but the same beast).
[Dan 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.]
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Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.
Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.
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The horns are the earthly political powers (Kings/presidents) that give their earthly powers and military forces over to specific spiritual beasts who are the principalities, powers and rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12). You can call these "Satan's heavenly host." While at the same time you have Yeshua's heavenly host, which also has its righteous beasts. (Being consistent here.).
Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Rev 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Rev 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
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Rev 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
What you have are spiritual entities (beasts) in the heavens battling and manipulating spiritual forces on the earth, and earthly kings/rulers battling each other on earth in proportion to what is happening in the heavenly's.
Remember when Daniel prayed and fasted for three weeks before the Angel was able to break through to give him an answer?
Dan 10:12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Dan 10:20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
Our prayers have purpose!
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
I would consider that the undescribable beasts with seven heads and 10 horns found in Daniel chapter 7 and the Revelation would be considered "CHIMERA." These are reportedly mythical animals composed of multiple parts from other animals. Such as a sitar having a torso of a man and the lower extremities of a horse. Of course, these type of beasts would be an abomination because they are not made from seed after their own kind. These are the spiritually demonic, political/military principality that is ruling over and controlling 10 kings.
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.
The spiritually demonic, religious principality that is the predominant beast seen in revelation 13:11, actually has two horns, or kings. I'm not sure from which "religions" that these two horns will represent, but you can choose two. (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Islam).
Therefore, I see that the "beasts," in Daniel seven and Revelation 13 are Satanic spiritual forces in the heavenlies, which each have their human counterparts active upon the earth. And I have no doubt that those actively on the earth may also be indweld by demonic spiritual forces.
Shalom,
John