The interpretation of the symbols in the vision, is that the beast is a MAN.  (God throws the beast and the false prophet into the lake of fire, so it refers to two MEN Revelation 19:20.) The sea represents a multitude of people (a nation), and the dragon represents Satan Revelation 12:9.  Some people think that the dragon represents China, but Satan has the ability to give his power to whomever he wishes Matthew 4:8-18.

If we look at the characteristics of a leopard, we find that leopards are solitary hunters who like to ambush their prey by pouncing on them from a tree at night, in difference to a lion who actively pursues its prey in the daylight.  This is why lions are traditionally thought of as courageous, something that our leopard-like man is lacking.  Leopards utilize the element of surprise in order to kill their prey, not so much strength or speed.

This leader, according to the aforementioned characteristics, prefers secrecy and anonymity.  Therefore, he will function through subterfuge; he will not come out in the open and state the truth to his citizens.

The beast has the paws of a bear.  Bear paws are plantigrade; they lie flat on the ground like a human foot; a bear walks with the entire lower surface of the foot touching the ground.  A leopard, in contrast, walks on its toes.  Actually, the bear paw implies a man that is "down to earth" with his feet on the ground, not a leopard which only walks on its toes.  Therefore, we believe this man will come from the lower middle class and not appeal to the aristocracy or the rich.

Another difference is that leopards have claws that are retractable; bear claws are not retractable; bears always have their claws out.  The nonretractable bear claw implies a person that never plays nice.  Therefore, he will not be merciful with those who oppose him.

The apostle John states that the dragon gave the beast "his power, and his throne, and great authority"  Revelation 13:2.  Therefore,  this beast is determined to do the will of Satan and to oppose the will of God.

Revelation 13:5-6 And there was given to him a mouth speaking great blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.  And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

The power of this beast will be worldwide (over ALL nations).  
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the SAINTS, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. 

Revelation 13:12 And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

It deceives humanity by doing wonders. Revelation 13:13 And he does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.

This 2^nd beast that looks similar to a lamb commands the people into "making an image" of the leopard-like beast.

Revelation 13:14 And deceives them that dwell on the earth by means of the signs which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and lived.

This second beast tricks people by the "signs" that he is capable of doing.  We believe the signs have to do with the advanced technology that this government has -- advanced military technology in the form of ballistic  missiles and nuclear weapons (brings fire down from heaven), and advanced medical technology (revives the leopard-like beast).

The second beast is a repressive man which not only deceives the multitudes by the "wonders" which he is able to do, but kills those which oppose the orders given by the first beast.  

Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give spirit [life] to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

What could the apostle John have meant when he stated "to give life " to the image of the beast so that the image should "speak?"  The apostle John saw something that looked like the leopard-like beast which was able to speak, but he realized that it was not the real beast. We believe that it is possible for an image to speak with the advent of movies, TV, and videos. With this technology we can see images of things that are occurring, images of things that have occurred in the past, and visions of the future.

This 2^nd beast, therefore, is working in unison with the 1^st beast.

He also makes everybody to get a mark that is used, among other things, to buy or sell.

Revelation 13:16-17 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor,  free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.  And that no man might buy or sell, save him that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

There are three components

• Mark
• Name of the beast
• Number of his name

1. The mark is an implantable microchip. The mark identifies who you are, similar to the photograph in your driver's license.
2. The number is a security code similar to your credit card number. It identifies you.  Only you have that number.
3. The name is like a password or PIN number.  You need it to take out money, or to authorize transactions.

The word used for "MARK" is the Greek word "c a r a g m a" "charagma" which means engraving.  It will be a real engraved microchip insert that is placed in the human hand.   Microchips have a crystal structure and are etched (engraved) with chemicals when they are fabricated.  These etched canals serve as boundaries for the flow of information inside the microchip.

Revelation 13:16-17 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a MARK in their right hand, or in their foreheads.  And that no man might buy or sell, save him that had the MARK, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Many speculations exist as to the identity of the two beasts.  With the advance of technology, many religious groups worry that the technology already exists today to create an implantable device, that will be used as an identifier and credit card.  This is believed to be the "mark" of the beast, and it will be necessary to buy or sell.

The following current events are in motion to ease the public's acceptance of the Mark of the Beast:

1. Steadily, over the years, a unified world is becoming a reality.
2. The unification of Europe is one step in the direction of a unified world.
3. A common currency (the euro) is already established in most European nations.
4. English is the unifying language for the world -- the language of the internet.
5. The credit/debit card is making a cashless society a reality.
6. The debit card is used most everywhere and is accepted more easily than money.
7. Money in paper form is no longer accepted in many establishments, especially denominations of $50 and $100.
8. The implantation of foreign objects or organs into humans is already accepted by the public as "normal."

We believe that it will not take long for an identity/credit/debit/social  security card to be "implanted" into human beings.  It will serve many purposes.  Not only will it be used to identify the person, due to the fact that it cannot be lost or stolen, it will also be used as a credit/debit card.  It could contain important information that could "save" the person's life such as: allergies, medications being taken, and medical history.

The leopard-like beast is identified by a number that we are supposed to count. See Identity of the Beast.

Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a MAN; and his number is six hundred and sixty six.

There are many possibilities in which to take the number and count it and arrive to the 666 total.  It could be the social security number which is divided into three sections and the addition of the three sections would come up to 666.  For example,  600-60-0006, but it will be his own personal number.

If  this is the case, there are several possible combinations that could give this total.

There could be other possibilities.  New developments in technology may open our eyes to realize new meanings to these prophecies.  As Christ advised us, keep up the watch!

The side effects of having this mark may be numerous, one of them is a malignant ulcer.  Revelation 16:2 And a hurtful and malignant ulcer came to be upon the men who had the mark of the wild beast.

One thing is certain, we are not supposed to accept the mark -- no matter what.  The bible gives us a clear warning about this.  

Revelation 14:9-10 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."

Revelation 14:11-12 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.  Here is the endurance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

May God save us from this hour of trial by taking us in His rapture/rescue  before these events start to happen.  

Revelation 3:10 Because you did keep the word of my endurance, I  will also keep you from the hour of the trial that is about to come upon all the world, to try those dwelling upon the earth.

Please see: The Government of the Beast.

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