Several things to consider before really studying this chapter.
John was on the Island of Patmos because of Emperor Domitian who reigned from 81AD to 96AD. The book was written around 95AD. The temple was already destroyed back in 70AD. Rome was not Christianized until 312/313AD under Constantine. Think very carefully some of the words that Jesus spoke, especially John 6:63.
Rev 13:1
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 crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2
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 throne and great authority.
1. The beast is a kingdom that has 7 heads & 10 horns.
2. This kingdom has a resemblance to the leopard, bear & lion.
3. Most know who the dragon is (satan).
If you read the Book of Daniel, he explains who these 3 (leopard, bear & lion) kingdoms were.
Why was Alexander the great & Greece called the leopard? Because like a leopard, Alexander the great and the kingdom of Greece were fast and swift at conquering territories.
Why were the Medes & Persians called the bear? Because they trampled down and devoured.
Why was the Lion in reference to Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon? Because of the pride in their hearts & idolatry in making themselves gods thus speaking blasphemies.
So the kingdom you are truly looking for is a kingdom comprised of all these elements. This kingdom would be fast & swift like the leopard, causing destruction (trampled down) and devours like a bear, and prideful committing idolatry & speaking outright blasphemies against YHWH in Yeshuas name.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the world marveled after the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon which gave authority unto the beast: and they worshiped the beast saying "Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"
If you remember the words of Yeshua in John 6:63 that the words he speaks are spiritual and it's the spirit that gives life. The flesh profits nothing. So the verse Rev 13:4 tells me that this is a spiritual warfare and not a war of flesh. If you go back to Jeremiah 51:7, the Bible states that Babylon has been a golden cup in YHWHs hand because she caused ALL the nations to become drunk with her wine and the nations therefore are deranged. Jer 51:9 We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her and let us go every one into his own country...
Rev 13:5 And There was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
forty and two months = 1260 days = 3 1/2 yrs
Once again we see the pride of the Lion
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
When you truly think about it, to blaspheme Jesus who is God in the flesh, is in fact blaspeming God the Father and those in heaven whom he created as well as those prophets who came during the Old Covenant times.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and authority was given him over all tribes, languages and nations.
This beastly kingdom would kill the Saints of YHWH in Yeshuas name in every nation of the earth.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Remember, this is spiritual worship. (self-pride, idolatry, blasphemy)
Here are the most important to remember. Revelation 13:9 & 10
If any man have an ear, let him hear. Go back and see the other verses that have said this.
Rev 2:7, Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:29, Rev 3:6 in which they all they "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (The word churches in the Bible was taken from the greek ekklesia which truly means congregation, or assembly). In other words the saying would be He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying unto the congregation.
No 1. This beast existed long before John writing this book in 95AD.
No 2. This beast was given a deadly wound and healed. (Babylon which is codename for SIN)
No 3. This beast would consume all nations.
Here are some questions to ask yourself.
1. Why were Adam & Eve expelled from the garden of Eden?
2. Why did YHWH bring about the flood during Noahs times?
3. Why were the 10 northern tribes of Israel conquered and removed from their native lands?
4. Why were the Judeans taken captive to Babylon?
5. What head was given a very deadly wound and by whom?
THE BEAST IS SIN
It is sin that conquers fast and swift like a leopard. It is sin that tramples down and causes destruction just like the bear. It is sin that causes pride & speaks blasphemies to YHWH and his kingdom in Heaven just like the lion. Sin has 7 heads & 10 horns. Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, Medes-Persians, Greece, Rome.
All of them had 1 thing in common. SIN (pride, abominations, adultery, fornication, idolatry, etc...) Jesus gave satan/sin a very deadly wound by his own death & resurrection. So that we are no longer in captivity to sin.
Look around you. What do you see going on in the world today? Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 24:37-39. "Just as it was in the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be."
This is what YHWH in Yeshuas name revealed to me through his Holy & Blessed Spirit. All glory, wisdom and understanding belong to him. I cannot take any credit for what he revealed. Instead of listening to man, I asked YHWH in Yeshuas name to reveal this and he has.
What we are going to witness is another Noah scenario. Instead of using water, it will be fire & brimstone.