Episode notes
This podcast explains the symbolic imagery used by John in Revelation 13:1, which states: “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.” In this verse, the image of a First Beast rises from the sea which represents the bottomless pit, the abyss, and hell. The disembodied spirit of Cain, who is perdition, is the spiritual head of this First Beast and he received his power from Satan (the Dragon).
The First Beast represents the Roman empire, as the earthly instrumentality of Satan. After rising from the sea, the First Beast stood upon the seashore symbolizing power and dominion in the Roman Empire. The image of a beast is used to symbolize the Roman empire because of its untamable ferocity toward the ancient church of Jesus Christ.
The beast has seven heads. This image confirms the symbolic connection to Rome that was built on seven hills. The beast has 10 horns to symbolize that it exercises one part of the whole of God's power given to it. The beast also has 10 crowns that represent its regal power forcefully taken. The name Blasphemy is inscribed on each of the seven heads of this first beast. Examples are given in this podcast of how the Roman Empire blasphemed the name of God and Jesus Christ during its long history.