Dear Wake Up Family,
Wake Up has presented four rules of apocalyptic prophecy outlined by Larry Wilson for decades, but you may not know how to apply the rules when studying prophecy. This month’s article shows how to apply Rule 1 to prophecy and identify links between prophecies in Daniel and Revelation. Rule 1 states there is a beginning and ending point in prophecy and events occur in the prophecy in the order given. This is the first article in a multi-part series about the woman and the scarlet beast in Revelation 17.
A student of prophecy examining the beast of Revelation 17 may find it challenging to interpret its meaning without a structured prophetic framework. This framework involves various elements, but the sequential order of events depicted in apocalyptic prophecy is fundamental to developing a conclusion about timing prophecies. An essential aspect of understanding this sequence is linking events across different prophecies. A Bible student can identify and define the events given in each prophecy. Once these events are identified, they can be compared across multiple prophecies. The Bible provides an example of this process in Daniel chapters 2 and 8. In Daniel 2, a sequence of events begins with Nebuchadnezzar’s image, starting with the head of gold, followed by the chest and arms of silver, and the belly and thighs of bronze. In a later vision, Gabriel explains to Daniel that the first two beasts, the ram with two horns and the shaggy goat, symbolize Medo-Persia and Greece (Daniel 8:20–21). Historically, students of prophecy have linked the silver and bronze in the Daniel 2 image to the kingdoms of Medo-Persia and Greece in Daniel 8. This straightforward example provides a key to deciphering other prophecies based on sequences. By developing a timeline of each of these prophecies in Daniel and Revelation, we can identify elements that connect different prophecies and construct a matrix of sequential prophecies.
Revelation 17 presents a vivid depiction of a great prostitute riding a beast with seven heads and ten horns. Unlike many prophecies in Daniel and Revelation that emphasize a sequence of events, Revelation 17 offers a unique perspective on apocalyptic prophecy. Instead of detailing the rise and fall of kingdoms or entities, it provides additional insights into the figures of a woman and a beast, thereby completing the narrative of events John observed in previous visions. One of the seven angels with the seven bowls invites John, saying, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute” (Revelation 17:1), and further states, “I will explain to you” (Revelation 17:7). This method is similar to what occurs in Daniel 9:22, where Gabriel imparts insight and understanding to Daniel regarding an earlier vision from Chapter 8, saying, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.” To fully comprehend the intended meaning of the symbols, we must consider the earlier visions in both Daniel and Revelation, which incorporate elements like the seven-headed, ten-horned beast described in Revelation 17.
A ten-horned beast or dragon is described in three earlier visions, Daniel 7:7, Revelation 12:3, and Revelation 13:1–10. Interestingly, these references all present this beast as an entity appearing within a sequence of events. To gain a deeper understanding of these visions, one effective approach is to examine the sequence of events and the entities involved in each prophecy. By identifying similar entities across multiple sequences, we can establish connections and construct a prophetic matrix. Let’s start by analyzing the sequence of events in Daniel 7.
| Prophecy 1: Daniel 7 Events from 605 BC to Second Coming | ||||
| Link | Verse | Symbol | Entity | Date |
| 4 | Lion | Babylon | 605 – 538 BC | |
| 5 | Bear | Medo-Persia | 538 – 331 BC | |
| 6 | Leopard | Greece | 331 – 168 BC | |
| 1 | 7 | Monster Beast | Rome | 168 BC – AD 476 |
| 1 | 8, 24(a) | 10 Horns | 10 Tribes | AD 476 – 538 |
| 2 | 8, 24(b) | Little Horn | Papacy | AD 538 – 1798 |
| 9–10, 26(a) |
Courtroom Scene | Ancient of Days | 1798 | |
| 4 | 11, 26 | Little Horn | Papacy Falls | 1798 |
| 2 | 11, 26 | Beast Reappears |
Babylon Global Power | Future |
| 11, 26–27 |
Beast Destroyed, Holy People Give Power | Babylon Global Power | Second Coming/ Final Judgment |
|
Daniel 7:7–8 introduces us to a powerful and terrifying beast with ten horns. In this part of our study, we focus specifically on the timing of prophecies that feature a beast with ten horns. Notably, a similar seven-headed, ten-horned dragon is depicted in Revelation 12, which suggests a thematic link between these visions. By organizing the events in Revelation 12 in a manner similar to the sequence outlined in Daniel 7, we can better understand the interconnectedness of these prophecies. This approach allows us to build a comprehensive prophetic framework, enhancing our interpretation of the apocalyptic symbols and their significance.
| Prophecy 2: Revelation 12 Events from 4 BC to AD 1798 | ||||
| Link | Verse | Symbol | Entity | Date |
| 1 | 3 | Dragon–7 Heads, 10 Horns | Lucifer | Before 4 BC |
| 4–5 | Male Child | Jesus | 4 BC | |
| 3 | 5 | Child Snatched to His Throne | Jesus | AD 30 |
| 2 | 6 | God Sustains for 1,260 Day/Years | Woman/God’s Church | AD 538–1798 |
A ten-horned creature appears again in the second prophetic sequence. In Revelation 12:3, the beast is described as a dragon with seven heads in addition to its ten horns. We do not have enough information to determine if a relationship exists between the Daniel 7 and Revelation 12 beasts (Link 1) based solely on the description of the beasts. However, when we consider the sequence of events outlined in each prophecy, we can begin developing a matrix that relates similar entities to events. When we consider the timing and entities of both prophecies, there is another relationship that may reveal that the texts could have parallel sequences. Daniel 7:25 states that God’s people will be delivered into the hands of one of the horns of the beast for 1,260 years (time, times and half a time or a year, two years and half a year—360+720+180 days or years of prophetic time). Revelation 12:6 reveals that the woman in this prophecy fled to the wilderness for 1,260 days. So, we have two links between Prophecy 1 and Prophecy 2, the beast/dragon with ten horns and God’s protection of His people for 1,260 years.
| Prophecy 3: Revelation 12:7 – 14:5 Events from AD 30 through the 144,000s New Song | ||||
| Link | Verse | Symbol | Entity | Date |
| 3 | 12:7 | Resurrection | Jesus | AD 30 |
| 12:7–10 | War/Devil Cast Out of Heaven | Michael/Dragon | AD 30 | |
| 2 | 12:13–16 | Dragon Pursues Woman | Devil/God’s Church | AD 538 – 1798 |
| 1 | 13:1–10 | Sea Beast – 10 Horns/7 Heads | Lucifer/Devil Controls Babylon From Abyss | Last Days |
| 4 | 13:11–14 | Earth Beast – 2 Horns | Lucifer Released/Physically Appears | After Babylon Forms |
| 13:14–18 | Lucifer Sets Up Image | Lucifer Controlled Theocracy | Before Probation closes | |
| 5 | 14:1–5 | 144,000 Sing New Song | 144,000 | 144,000 in Heaven |
The final appearance of the dragon in the three sequential prophecies is found in Prophecy 3. Revelation 13:1–10 describes another beast with 10 horns and 7 heads. Like the first two prophecies, John described a 1,260-year period, but the sequence of events has changed. In Prophecy 3, the 1,260-year time period precedes the emergence of the seven-headed ten-horned beast, whereas in Prophecies 1 and 2, the dragon appears first. To address this discrepancy, we must examine the events in Prophecies 2 and 3. The concluding event in Prophecy 2 is God’s sustenance of His church during the 1,260-year period from AD 538 to 1798 (Revelation 12:6). Revelation 12:7 alludes to Christ’s resurrection which occurred five centuries before the Dark Ages. This indicates that a new sequence begins in Prophecy 3 with the implied resurrection, the war in heaven, and then the 1,260 years. Consequently, the dragon of Revelation 13:1 must emerge after the 1,260 years ended in 1798.
Another crucial element that confirms the sequence of events in Prophecy 3 is the resurrection of Jesus, as described in Prophecies 2 and 3. In Prophecy 2, Revelation 12:5 depicts the male child being “snatched up to God and to his throne.” Revelation 12:7 in Prophecy 3 describes a war in heaven between Michael and his angels and the dragon and his angels. Revelation 12:10–11 reveals that the Messiah hurled the accuser down by the blood of the lamb. The heavenly war, which occurred after the resurrection, had to take place between the time Jesus was snatched up to God and the dragon’s pursuit of the woman. This provides a second link connecting Prophecies 2 and 3, establishing the timing of these prophecies.
With this overview of timing sequences in the three prophecies, we can delve deeper into the relationships between Links 2 through 5. These links are crucial in determining the appearance of the beasts or dragons mentioned in Link 1. By establishing when these entities appear, we lay the groundwork for interpreting the seven-headed, ten-horned beast described in Revelation 17.
Linkages Between Sequential Prophecies
God provided Daniel and John with numerous symbols to represent future prophetic events. While the Bible often provides information to interpret these symbols, students of prophecy can enhance their understanding by examining similarities between prophetic elements. By analyzing the sequential order of events within each prophecy, they can confirm the relationships between symbols and use related prophecies to fill in any informational gaps. In our study of the beast in Revelation 17, we can investigate the connections between the three sequential prophecies to deepen our comprehension of the beasts described in Daniel 7, Revelation 12, and Revelation 13.
Link 2 – The Dragon Chases the Woman and the Lord Sustains His People
Traditionally, many students of prophecy have maintained an interpretation of a 1,260-year period as spanning from AD 538 to 1798. This position emerged from the Millerite movement in the 1800s, based on these key points:
- the little horn on the fourth beast in Daniel 7 is identified as the papacy;
- the “times, times, and half a time” mentioned in Daniel 7:25, representing 1,260 days, parallels the representation in Revelation 11–13;
- the 1,260 prophetic days are interpreted as literal years;
- these dates can be applied to other texts such as Revelation 12:6, which also mentions this period.
Thus, the three sequential prophecies that mention a beast—Prophecies 1 through 3—also encompass the 1,260-year period during which the beast was active. Daniel describes the “three and one-half times” of the little horn in Daniel 7:8, 25 in Prophecy 1. John describes a 1,260-day period during which the woman is protected from the dragon in Revelation 12:6 in Prophecy 2, and this is repeated in Prophecy 3 (Revelation 12:13–16). The link between the three sequential prophecies, providing a fixed period of 1,260 years, is supported by the interconnections between the three prophecies.
Link 3 – The Resurrection of Jesus
Prophecies 2 and 3 use the resurrection of Jesus as a pivotal timing marker within the sequence of events. In Revelation 12:5, John wrote “She gave birth to a son, a male child, who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.’ And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.” Additionally, Revelation 12:7 describes a war in heaven. here are two sequences in Revelation 12: the first sequence is verses 4–6 and includes verses 7–12 as a part of the second sequence in Revelation 12:13–14. Most scholars concur that Revelation 12 contains three parts and the first sequence concludes with verse 6. Although Revelation 12:7 does not directly mention the resurrection, it does depict a heavenly conflict that could only occur after Jesus shed his blood (referenced in Revelation 12:11) and before the 1,260-day/year period (mentioned in Revelation 12:14). Logically, this celestial battle would have taken place immediately after the Father accepted Jesus’ sacrifice for sinful humanity. Therefore, it is implied that Jesus’ resurrection occurred just before Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven, linking Revelation 12:5 and Revelation 12:7.
Link 4 – The Lamb-like Beast
Daniel wrote about a future king who will appear after the little horn falls in the Daniel 7 sequence (Prophecy 1). The details of the events that occur after the little horn appears can assist in establishing the link between Daniel 7 and Revelation 13.
Daniel 7:8–11, 24–26
- Little horn assumes power – 538
- Little horn uproots three horns (Daniel 7:8)
- A king arises and subdues 3 kings (Daniel 7:24)
- A courtroom scene – 1798
- Thrones set in place/court was seated (Daniel 7:9–10)
- The court sits (Daniel 7:26)
- Link 4: The beast lives after the courtroom scene – a future time after 1798
- Daniel watches and hears its boastful words (Daniel 7:11)
- Power taken away (Daniel 7:26)
- The beast is destroyed – future second coming/final judgment
- The beast is slain, its body destroyed, and thrown into the fire (Daniel 7:11)
- The king is completely destroyed forever (Daniel 7:26)
Revelation 12 – 13
- Dragon/Satan from Spirit world pursues woman (Revelation 12:13–16) – 538-1798
- Dragon/Satan prepares to wage war against woman’s offspring from the Spirit world (Revelation 12:17)
- Babylon appears – Dragon/Satan from Spirit world gives 10/horned 7/headed sea beast (Babylon) its power (Revelation 13:4) – future after 1798
- Link 4: Dragon/Satan/Angel King/earth beast released from Spirit world/Abyss/earth (Revelation 13:11, see also Revelation 9:1, 9:11, 11:7, 17:8) – after Babylon appears
- The earth beast performs signs, deceives inhabitants, forces worship of sea beast, and forces mark (Revelation 13:12-16)
- 144,000 sing a new song in heaven/second coming (Revelation 14:1–5)
Bible prophecy often uses a process of repetition and enlargement to give further details about specific prophetic events. We can obtain additional insight from Prophecies 1 and 3 by considering the sequence of events to expand our understanding of the monster, the sea, and the earth beasts. The three prophecies we are studying relate to modified versions of the same entity and it produces a very fascinating result. Spiritual Babylon has extended throughout history and has coexisted with Satan, the dragon. Since Adam and Eve’s fall, the Devil has existed as a devious spiritual being exerting control through human entities. I understand that the Daniel 7 beast was a limited version of Satan’s operation which has continued to develop throughout history culminating in the second coming of Jesus and the beast’s destruction in Revelation 17. Daniel 7:11 reveals a less powerful entity in the ten-horned monster beast, which pursues Jesus and His people as a 7-headed, 10-horned dragon and mutates into an evil being who imposes his will on the world’s population in Daniel 7:26 and Revelation 13:11–18.
Link 5 – Jesus Returns and the 144,000 Sing a New Song
Jesus will return to earth to dispose of the sin issue and save the people who have chosen to accept His offer of salvation. Jesus will soon return to remove evil and set up His eternal universe of righteousness. The 144,000 sing the song of Moses, which refers to a similar song when God saved the children of Israel from Pharaoh. In Prophecy 1, Daniel 7:11, 26 states the beast will lose its power, its body will be destroyed, and it will be thrown into a blazing fire. Daniel continues in verse 27 to say that the holy people will receive sovereignty, power, and greatness. From a timing perspective, this information links with Prophecy 3 (Revelation 14:1–5) which describes the 144,000 singing a song of deliverance when God saves them from the oppression of the beast.
The next article in this series will address the varying descriptions of four of the beasts Daniel and John saw in vision. A deep study of these beasts will provide exciting insights about Satan’s work on earth before Jesus soon returns.
Until next time!
Marty