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Adventistische Schriften über: "Are the beasts depicted in Revelation also to be equated with humans, since in Revelation 17 the waters on which the prostitute sits are described as people?"
Answer
No, the beasts in Revelation are not simply to be equated with humans, even though the waters are described as masses of people. While the water or sea biblically represents “peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages,” beasts specifically symbolize earthly world empires, nations, or civil and ecclesiastical ruling powers. When a beast rises out of the sea, it indicates that such a political or religious power emerges from a densely populated region of peoples.
The Meaning of the Sea and Beasts in Prophecy
»The sea is a symbol for “peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.” A beast is the biblical symbol of an unjust nation or power, sometimes representing civil authority alone, sometimes the ecclesiastical in conjunction with the civil. Whenever it is seen that a beast rises out of the sea, it indicates that the power arises in a densely populated area; and when winds are depicted blowing over the sea, political agitation, civil war, and revolution are signaled.«
Beasts Represent Powerful Kingdoms
»The depiction of powerful kingdoms through the symbols of beasts, as given in Daniel and Revelation, is common among the nations of the earth. We speak of the British lion, the Russian bear, the American eagle; and every sensible person knows what is meant, because the nations themselves have chosen these creatures to represent them on their flags and banners. Inspiration selects symbols to portray different nations, and the Scriptures themselves define their meaning clearly.«
The Difference Between Peoples' Seas and Ruling Empires
»The great kingdoms that have ruled the world were presented to the prophet Daniel as predatory beasts that rose when the “four winds of heaven stormed the great sea.” In Revelation 17:15 an angel explained that water represents “peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.” Winds are a symbol of conflict. The four winds of heaven that storm the great sea depict the terrible scenes of conquest and revolution through which kingdoms attained power.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
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