DAILY TEXT, Today Thursday, January 4, 2024, They gathered the kings in the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon (Rev. 16:16).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2024

Thursday January 4

They gathered the kings to the place called Armageddon in Hebrew (Rev. 16:16).

The book of Revelation shows that the Kingdom of God is already ruling in heaven and that Satan was cast down to Earth (Rev. 12:1-9). This was a relief for those who live in heaven, but it has brought us more problems. Because? Because Satan unleashes his fury against Jehovah's servants who live on Earth (Rev. 12:12, 15, 17). How can we stand firm in the face of Satan's attacks? (Rev. 13:10). Something that will help us is knowing what will happen in the future. For example, in Revelation, the apostle John speaks of some of the blessings we will soon receive. One of them will be the destruction of God's enemies. The first verse of Revelation makes it clear that what is written in this book is presented “in signs” or symbols (Rev. 1:1). w22.05 8 paras. 1-3.

How does Daniel 7:15-17 help us understand the meaning of the symbols of Revelation?

Before we find out who these enemies are, we need to understand what these symbols represent. To do this, it is best to let the Bible explain it. Many of the symbols of Revelation are already mentioned in other books of the Bible. For example, the prophet Daniel had a dream in which he saw “four enormous beasts coming out of the sea” (Dan. 7:1-3). And Daniel himself tells us that these enormous beasts represent four “kings” or governments (read Daniel 7:15-17). This clear explanation helps us understand that the beasts of Revelation must also represent political governments.

Let's take a closer look at some of the symbols in the book of Revelation. In this analysis, the Bible will help us understand its meaning. We'll start with the wild beasts. First we will see who they represent. Then we will talk about what will happen to these beasts. And finally we will mention some practical lessons for us.

What does the seven-headed wild beast mentioned in Revelation 13:1-4 represent?

What does the seven-headed wild beast represent? (Read Revelation 13:1-4). The Bible says that this beast looks like a leopard, but its feet are like a bear's and its mouth like a lion's, and it has 10 horns. The four beasts of Daniel chapter 7 also have these characteristics, but separately. However, Revelation speaks of a single beast that has all of these characteristics. So this wild beast does not represent a single world government or empire. Revelation says he has “authority over every tribe, people, tongue, and nation.” So his power is greater than that of any government in a country (Rev. 13:7). Therefore, this wild beast represents all the governments that have dominated humanity throughout history (Eccl. 8:9).

What do the seven heads of the wild beast represent?

What do the seven heads represent? We find a clue in Revelation chapter 17, where an image of the beast mentioned in chapter 13 is described. Revelation 17:10 says, “There are 7 kings: 5 have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come.” ; but when he arrives he has to stay for a short time.” Of all the governments that Satan has used, there are seven that could be compared to “heads” because they have played a prominent role. They are world empires that have had a great impact on God's people. By the time of the apostle John, five of these empires had already ruled and fallen: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. The sixth, which was Rome, was in power when John received this revelation. What would be the seventh and last empire or head?

Who does the seventh head of the wild beast represent?

As we will see, the prophecies of the book of Daniel help us know the identity of the seventh and final head of the wild beast. What world power has been ruling in this end time, “in the day of the Lord”? (Rev. 1:10). The world power formed by the United Kingdom and the United States. So we can say that this is the seventh head of the wild beast of Revelation 13:1-4.

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