Tag: themes in Revelation

When making a chart of the book of Revelation I was surprised to see how many different animals are described throughout the book. At times John seems to see a literal animal and describes it in the book, while at other times John uses an animal as a way to described what he sees (an example is when John says he sees a “lamb” when he sees Jesus).

Here’s a brief outline of some of the animals described in the book of Revelation.

I. BEAST

Two beasts are discussed in Revelation. The first is mentioned in Rev 11. When the two witnesses complete their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the bottomless pit declares war against them, conquers them, and kills them (11:7).

A. Beast of the Sea

Revelation 13 reveals the most material about the two beasts of Revelation. The first beast rises up out of the sea with seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns on its horns.

Written on each head are the names of those that blasphemed God (13:1). This beast looks like a leopard but has the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. The dragon gives the beast his power, throne, and great authority (13:2). One head on the beast of the sea is wounded but it is healed. The whole world marvels at this beast, gives allegiance to him, and worships him (13:3-4). This beast is allowed to speak blasphemes against God and is given authority to do whatever he wants for forty-two months (13:5-6).

While the Book of Life has numerous references throughout the Old Testament and New Testament, no book provides as much emphasis on the Book of Life as Revelation.

I. WRITTEN BEFORE THE WORLD WAS MADE

The Book of Life was written before the world was made (17:8), but is first mentioned in Revelation in 3:5 in Jesus’s letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. Jesus contrasts those who have soiled their clothes with evil (3:4) to those who are clothed in white. Those clothed in white will never have their names erased from the Book of Life (3:5). Jesus will announce that they are his people before the Father and his angel (3:5).

II. BELONGS TO THE LAMB

Revelation also makes it clear that the book belongs to the Lamb (13:8; 21:27).

III. DESTINY OF THOSE NOT IN THE BOOK

In the midst of the Trumpet judgements and Bowl judgements John says that the people who worship the beast are the ones who names are not written in the Book of Life (13:8). Nearing the end of Revelation, the Book of Life is one of the books opened at the Great White Throne Judgment (21:11-15). Non-believers are judged at the Great White Throne according to what they have done (which was recorded in the books). Anyone’s name that is not found in the Book of Life is thrown into the lake of fire (20:15). Lastly, the only people allowed to enter the new Jerusalem are those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (21:27).