BEAST - FALSE PROPHET - 42 MONTHS

Chapter 13 of the book of Revelation has long hidden its teaching, but
it is time it was made clearer.


Revelation 13 presents descriptions of two beasts,

                    - a beast from the sea (verse 1)
                    - a beast from the land (verse 11).

These are often linked to the entities beast and false prophet - entities
mentioned in Revelation 16:13, 19:20 and 20:10.


Due to the lion, bear and leopard symbolism connected to the beast from
the sea (Rev 13:2), this prophecy is strongly associated with the four
beasts presented in the seventh chapter of Daniel.


Associated with the first beast is 42 months (verse 5).

Associated with one of these beasts is the number 666 (verse 18).

A number of details are presented in the Revelation text which assist
the reader in identifying this beast.

            - Mention of leopard, bear and lion.
            - 7 heads, 10 horns, 10 crowns on horns.
            - One of the heads mortally wounded, but
              healed.
            - An extended duration of '42 months'.
            - Allowed to make war against the saints.


Many commentators discussing this beast rightly start with a consideration
of the lion, bear and leopard beasts presented in Daniel chapter 7. Since
these beasts have historically been considered as representations of the
Babylonian, Medo-Persian and Greek empires, the 'beast' is usually assumed
to depict a Gentile arrangement.

However, this website takes the view that the portrayal of these progressive
kingdoms is actually intended to mirror major variances in the forms of
God's chosen nation 'Israel'. That the teachings of the book of Daniel were
cloaked, often in a Gentile guise, to conceal God's actual prophetic message.
A message concerning the nature and fate of Israelite governing rulerships
(and subsequent 'faith based leaderships') claiming to represent God.


The focal point of all biblical prophecy is the ancient entity known as
'Israel'!

'Israel' was the firstborn son of God!

    Exod   4:22  Then you shall say to Pharaoh, Thus says the
                 LORD; "Israel is My son, My firstborn.


With this different approach how should we view the 7 heads, 10 horns and
10 crowns?

This prophecy tells us that one of the heads had been 'mortally wounded'
and was 'healed'. The major historical wound of Israel was the fall of
the final remnant kingdom (ie, the Judean) to the Kingdom of Babylon.

This deadly wound was subsequently healed by God through the proclamation
of Cyrus (king of Persia). Initiating the rebuilding of the house of God
in Jerusalem. Ezra 1:2-4.


However, Israel became no more than a shadow of it's former self.
The right to have a king and rule itself having been removed.
Dan 7:12 describes it as "... their dominion taken away, yet their
lives were prolonged ...".  
Hence the human leadership of the Old Covenant work of God was humbled.
God having placed them under the rulership of other empires.
What remained of Israel, was a governor and a priesthood.

Nevertheless, the people of God did retain some 'claim to glory', since
they preserved the Scriptures and represented what remained of the Old
Covenant work and faith.


Having an overview of the mortally wounded head, and it's healing, it is
now necessary to reflect on the introduction to the first beast.

 - Arises from the sea

   An entity which arises from the midst of the nations.
   This indeed was what occurred when Israel suddenly
   appeared amongst the sea of nations.

 - Having seven heads

   While the notion of 'seven heads' can carry a few different
   explanations, in this context it seems to represent the heads
   of the various animal/beast representations.

 - ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns

   The ten horns and ten crowns of this prophecy are more fully
   explained by reference to the seventh chapter of Daniel.
   The end-time fourth beast of Daniel chapter 7, initially has
   10 horns. This is later reduced to 7 seven horns. So what this
   prophecy is indicating is that the end-time presence of the
   'beast from the sea' is associated with first form of the
   Daniel 7 fourth beast; i.e. prior to the fourth beast having
   three of its horns removed. In other words the earlier form of
   the fourth Daniel chapter 7 beast, when all the 10 horns have
   rulership, before the more imposing little horn arises.
   
 - on his heads a blasphemous name

   Israel was called to be a great nation before God, but instead
   they rebelled and did not heed the instruction of God. Despite
   their rebellious attitude they still continued to allow themselves
   to be known by this name. Even though their intent and deeds
   proved otherwise.
   
    Isa   65:2   I have stretched out My hands all day long
                 to a rebellious people,
                 Who walk in a way that is not good,
                 According to their own thoughts;

            :15  You shall leave your name as a curse
                 to My chosen;
                 For the Lord God will slay you,
                 And call His servants by another name;

There is reason to take a sequential approach in respect to the count
of the seven heads, mentioned in Rev 13:1. It can be seen that the
Rev 13:3 text, "one of its heads as if it had been mortally wounded",
does tend to indicate a sequential arrangement of these heads.
In Daniel chapter seven it can be seen that the first three beasts have
six heads, i.e. 1 lion head, 1 bear head, 4 leopard heads. Adding to the
count the additional head of the forth beast of Daniel chapter seven
provides a total of seven heads.

The indication from the texts of Daniel chapter 7 and Revelation chapter
13 is that there is a progression of heads through time. (The same can
be seen in Rev 17:10, where there is a depiction of a similar progression
of heads.)

    Rev   17:10  There are also seven kings. Five have fallen,
                 one is, and the other has not yet come. And
                 when he comes, he must continue a short time.


As the lion, bear and leopard references are mentioned before the deadly
wound is inflicted, the indication is that the animal heads arise before
the deadly wound is inflicted.

Clearly, the fourth beast and its head arise much later.  

A critical piece of information provided by the Revelation prophecy is
that after the healing of the beast's wound the healed beast would be
given authority to continue a further 42 months.

While not immediately apparent, the cryptic reference '42 months' is a
New Testament reference to the period symbolically described in Daniel
chapter 4 as 'seven times'.

Both terms being symbolic references to an actual period of 2,520 years.
The period of time from when Cyrus released the Jews, to the expiry of
the time allocated for those of the Old Covenant faith to repent of their
hard heartedness.



NB: Archaeologists often date the decree of Cyrus at 539 BCE.
    Obviously such a dating is incompatible with a prophetic
    indication of 2,520 years. This tends to indicate it is
    not possible to harmonise the bible's prophetic periods
    with commonly accepted archaeological datings.  




It is easy to derive the period of 2,520 years from 'seven times'.
As 7 years x 360 (days per year) equals 2,520 days, which in turn is
symbolising 2,520 years.

However, it is more difficult to derive this duration from '42 months'.

The notion of '42 months' may be easily equated to 1,260 years, ie
42 months x 30 days (1260 days, symbolising 1260 years). However,
the doubling of this value to provide 2,520 years could rightly be
disputed.

What many are unaware of is that '42 months' can also be understood as
'42 New Moons'! In the Old Testament the Hebrew word usually rendered
'month' was also rendered 'New Moon(s)'.
The topic of 'New Moons' has been poorly understood. Refer to:

Once one better understands what the Old Testament means by 'New Moons',
then their frequency can be determined.

As is explained in the above reference to this topic, 'New Moons' are
symbolic (or 'ceremonial') 'New Moons'. The term does not refer to
literal sightings of the new moon!
'New Moon' references, are references to the six annual partial sabbaths.
(Partial sabbaths - because food could be prepared on these days.)
These were commanded days of rest, which under the terms of the Old
Covenant had to be observed.

As there was six such days per year, a duration of '42 New Moons' would
infer 7 years!
So like the '7 times' of Dan 4: 16 this can be a symbolically represent
an actual period of 2,520 years.


Another expression related to this topic is the 'time of the Gentiles'.

Revelation verses Rev 11:1-2 link the period '42 months' to the era
when the outer court would be given to the Gentiles (i.e. 'nations').

    Rev   11:1   Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod.
                 And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure
                 the temple of God, the altar, and those who
                 worship there.
            :2   But leave out the court which is outside the
                 temple, and do not measure it, for it has been
                 given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the
                 holy city underfoot for forty-two months. 


The book of Luke shows the plural expression 'times of the Gentiles'. 

    Luke  21:24  And they will fall by the edge of the sword,
                 and be led away captive into all nations. And
                 Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until
                 the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

                 What has to be noticed about Luke 21:24 is that
                 the 'times' is plural! Also it can be seen from
                 the surrounding text that the 'times of the
                 Gentiles' is incorporating the final prophetic
                 devastation of Jerusalem.

                 Hence, the Luke 'times of the Gentiles' is spanning
                 two periods.

                 1)  the '42 months' mentioned in Rev 11:2, and

                 2)  the duration of the Great Tribulation.

                 This helps us to understand that following the
                 expiry of the 2,520 years, the Great Tribulation
                 is prophesied to begin.


The word 'Gentiles' is misleading. As it carries with it certain
religious connotations, which are could be deemed to be inappropriate
in this context. A better neutral translation would be 'Nations'.

For a further discussion of the Daniel chapter 7 beasts click below:

The healed head mentioned in Revelation is a reference to a Judean king.
Seemingly one of the four sons/relatives of King Josiah.

These men ruled after Josiah; - Jehoahaz,
                              - Eliakim (renamed Jehoiakim),
                              - Jehoiachin (also named Coniah) and
                              - Mattaniah (renamed Zedekiah).

It is from Jehoiachin that the rulership line was maintained. From this
line Jesus Christ traced his kingly ancestry (refer Matt 1:12 'Jeconiah').

The text of Revelation 13 mentions that the beast from the sea represents
an entity which kills the saints. Consider this in the light of what
Stephen stated to the Levitical priesthood.

    Acts   7:51  You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears!
                 You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers
                 did, so do you.
            :52  Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?
                 And they killed those who foretold the coming of the
                 Just One, ...

There have been many non-biblical perspectives advanced to explain the
number 666.

Commentators have generally followed the pattern of ascribing numeric
values to letters of an alphabet (various languages) and offering
conjecture in respect to a name or title.

However, the bible makes an important association with this number.

666 was the number of talents of gold, derived from an unspecified source,
which King Solomon received annually!
Scripture mentions this twice.

Many struggling to understand the relevance of this information have
not considered the matter further.

Interpreters starting with a primary focus upon pagan empires and a
lack of awareness of the monetary source of the 666 talents have tended
to advance a wide array of postulations.

What has not been commonly known was that the 666 talents of gold
represented the annual income from vineyards (located in Israel).
Vineyards owned by King Solomon and rented out to vinedressers.

The number 666 was a representation of the merit of the royally held
vineyards of Israel.


For a discussion (and calculation) of the number '666' click the link:

Identifying the beast of Revelation 13:1-10 as various forms of the
entity 'Israel' helps place the second beast in perspective.

The beast from the land is not directly named as the False Prophet.
However, consideration of the following verse strongly suggests this
conclusion.

    Rev   19:20  Then the beast was captured, and with him the
                 false prophet who worked signs in his presence,
                 by which he deceived those who received the
                 mark of the beast and those who worshiped his
                 image. ...


The main actions of the beast from the land are;

                 1)  Causing the creation of a more tangible
                     image of the first beast.
                 2)  Ensuring this image is worshiped.


Also, we can see first beast and False Prophet share the same fate.

    Rev   19:20  Then the beast was captured, and with him the
                 false prophet ... These two were cast alive
                 into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.


This second beast arises out of the earth (i.e. the symbolic earth).
An indication that it arises out of Judaism. 


There is a strong suggestion that this second beast entity will seek
to build a more tangible image of ancient Israel.
(Perhaps establish a nation occupying historic territory or reinstate
temple offerings or re-establish prominence of an authority structure.)


    [ NB: It is indicated that this second beast will attempt to
          solidify a memorial of the past. Hence, the mention of
          the setting up an image to the first beast.
          Note: This entity differs from the 'little
                horn' mentioned in the book of Daniel. ]

 

It is not initially clear, but many of the descriptions of the healed
beast head, actually apply to when the image is made by the 2nd Beast.

     - speak     (a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies - v15)
     - kill      (make war with the saints and overcome them - v15)
     - authority (cause all within its domain, to receive a mark - v16,17) 

So the full description of the nature of the healed beast does not
become manifest until the end-time image is brought into existence.

It will be a religious organisation which will seek to bring its people
into spiritual captivity. So in this way many will be symbolically
marked in their minds (foreheads) and religious work (right hand).

People and groups which do not 'fall into line' will be disfellowshipped
and otherwise suppressed (symbolically killed). Within its domain, this
organisation will seek to fully control what is taught.

Keep in mind that the 4th beast of Daniel chapter seven manifests itself
in two different phases!

Firstly,  a religious establishment enforcing its 'image of the beast'
          agenda.

Secondly, a destructive satanic led power going in an entirely different
          direction ('intend to change times and law').

          [ NB: The rise of this satanic power is also reflected
                in Dan 11:37-38; where Scripture speaks of a ruler
                which will not regard the God of his fathers! ]
  

While both phases of the Daniel chapter 4 fourth beast will seek to
enforce their authority, the actual prophecy of Revelation chapter 13 
is only referencing the initial end-time form.

In summary Revelation chapter 13 is describing several periods of time.

            -  Lion, bear and leopard era
            -  Deadly wound era (relatively short)
            -  Healed beast - interim era (bulk of the 2,520 yrs)
                            - end-time 'image of the beast' phase. 


While the Revelation 13 prophecy is closely associated with the symbolic
imagery presented in Daniel chapter 7, it does not allude to the final
Daniel chapter 7 phase (when the first three horns are uprooted and the
4th beast is ruled by the 'little horn').


Prophecies elsewhere in Scripture speak of the actions of the 'little
horn' and advise those in the Judean faith, "when you see the abomination
of desolation" depart quickly to the mountains of Ephraim.


This advice, if heeded, would allow those present in Judaism (even those
providing active Christian testimony) to retreat and find comparative
safety in the mountains of Christianity.