ISB ~ Revelation 13 v1 - 2

a beast rising out of the sea:Several parallels indicate that the sea beast, as a demonic rival, mimics the Lamb. (1) The Lamb is worshiped by angels and saints (5:14), while the beast is worshiped by the wicked (13:4); (2) the Lamb was slain and rose again (5:6), while the beast was mortally wounded and recovered (13:3); (3) the Lamb sits on the throne of his Father (3:21), while the beast shares a throne with the dragon (13:2); (4) the Lamb redeems believers from every tribe and nation (5:9), while the beast has temporal authority over every tribe and nation (13:7); (5) the Lamb is worthy of power and glory from God (5:12), while the beast receives power and authority from the dragon (13:2); (6) the name of the Lamb is stamped on the foreheads of the saints (14:1), while the number of the beast is branded on brows of sinners (13:16-18).

• The imagery comes from Dan 7:1-7, where the pagan empires that oppressed Israel in exilic and postexilic times appear as four beasts rising up out of the sea— a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a creature with ten horns. Their animal features are here combined into an image of imperial Rome, who embodies the power and ferocity of them all.