A beast; the symbol of a great evil and persecuting power.

Out of the sea; out of the troubles, commotions, and revolutions of that period. Compare Daniel 7:2.

Seven heads-ten horns-ten crowns; it is a continuation of the same great persecuting power that has been described in the preceding chapter, but at a later age, and in another form. The horns now wear the crowns, not the heads, as before, chap Revelation 12:1; indicating that the power has been transferred to them. This beast is then identical with the fourth beast of Daniel's vision, and represents the ten kingdoms that arose out of the ruins of the old Roman empire. See Daniel 7:24.

The name of blasphemy; showing his opposition to God and his Christ, and his arrogant assumption of the prerogatives that belong to them.

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Old Testament