Introduction
In the article “The Deadly Wounded Head of the First Beast and the Fourth Beast of Daniel 7“, I will explore the connection between the visions of Revelation and Daniel, focusing on the symbolism of the beasts and the animals presented. I will analyze how the description of the first beast in Revelation 13, particularly its mortally wounded head, relates to the fourth beast in Daniel 7. Throughout the text, I will discuss the similarities between the four beasts in Daniel and the beast in Revelation, unveiling the meaning behind the seven heads and the significance of this mortal wound.
The First Beast of Revelation 13
One of the chapters in the book of Revelation presents a vision of two beasts that John saw. The first beast is described as having seven heads, one of which received a mortal wound but was healed. Shortly after this healing, we are told that the whole earth marveled and followed the beast.
Revelation 13:1-2 – “And 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 diadems, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority“
In the passage above, we see a description of this first beast. It is said to have the following characteristics:
- 7 heads
- 10 horns
- 10 diadems
- 1 blasphemous name
- Resemblance to a leopard
- Feet like a bear
- Mouth like a lion
Similarities to Daniel’s Vision
Among these characteristics, we find several similarities between the description of the first beast in Revelation and the vision that Daniel had. Let us examine the details related to each animal:
Daniel 7:2-3 – “Daniel spoke and said: I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea. And four great beasts, diverse one from another, came up out of the sea“
Daniel 7:4 – “The first was like a lion and had eagle’s wings…“
Daniel 7:5 – “…and behold, a second beast, like a bear, raised itself up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth…“
Daniel 7:6 – “…and behold another, like a leopard, and it had four wings of a bird on its back; and the beast also had four heads…“
Daniel 7:7 – “…and behold, a fourth beast, terrible and dreadful, and exceedingly strong, which had great iron teeth; it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns“
As we read above, these were the four animals seen by Daniel in his vision:
- A lion
- A bear
- A leopard
- An animal different from all the others
Analyzing the Similarities
When we compare Daniel’s vision with the first beast in Revelation, we notice a striking similarity. John describes the first beast as being “like a leopard, and his feet are like those of a bear, and his mouth is like that of a lion” (Revelation 13:2). This description directly connects the beast in Revelation with three of the four animals seen in Daniel’s vision. However, there is no explicit mention of a similarity with the fourth beast from Daniel.
But why is there no direct description of a resemblance to the fourth beast?
Here is where the visions become even more intriguing. At first glance, Revelation 13:2 does not seem to indicate a connection with Daniel’s fourth beast. However, the absence of an explicit comparison does not mean that no similarities exist. Upon closer examination, we find that not only do both beasts have 10 horns, but they also share another key characteristic: 7 heads. This detail further strengthens the link between the two visions and provides deeper insight into the prophetic message being conveyed.
The Number of Heads
You might be thinking that there are no seven heads in Daniel’s vision since none of the animals Daniel saw had seven heads individually. And indeed, none of these animals-not even the fourth beast-are described as having seven heads.
However, to understand the connection, we must view the description of all these animals collectively rather than separately. When we do this, we will see how the seven heads of the first beast in Revelation 13 emerge from Daniel’s vision.
So, let’s count the total number of heads found in Daniel’s four beasts:
Lion – 1 head
Bear – 1 head
Leopard – 4 heads
Different animal – 1 head.
Total: 7 heads!.
There you have it! Here, we find a similarity to the seven heads on the first beast of Revelation 13. But what does this mean? I believe that we can see a connection between the four animals Daniel saw and the beast in Revelation. They are all related, but the key to this relationship lies in the fact that Daniel’s fourth beast corresponds to the seventh head described in verse 3 of Revelation 13:
Revelation 13:3 – “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death, and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast“
Here, it says that one of its heads “was mortally wounded, but its mortal wound was healed“. This head that received a mortal wound is the seventh head of Daniel 7, meaning it is connected to the fourth beast in his vision. The prophecy warns that this wound was healed, and “the whole earth marveled after the beast“!
The prophecy tells us that the whole world will be astonished by this beast. This means it is crucial to identify the fourth beast in Daniel 7 in order to understand what the first beast in Revelation 13 represents.
Conclusion: The First Beast and the Fourth Beast of Daniel 7
We therefore conclude that it is essential to first study the prophecies in the book of Daniel in order to correctly understand the prophecies in the book of Revelation. This includes identifying the first beast presented in chapter 13.
May God bless the reader.
