A Revelation Invitation

(The “Daniel 7” series begins here.)

And four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another. (Daniel 7:3 ESV)

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea,… (Revelation 13:1a ESV)

I have never been a huge fan of the movie monster, Godzilla. But I do remember as a child watching the original 1954 Japanese film (dubbed in English). The creature is an amphibious reptile awakened and empowered by nuclear radiation from underwater H-bomb testing. He arises from the ocean to attack Tokyo. It’s great theater which plays on human fears of the unseen dangers that lurk in the depths of the sea. Daniel and John in their visions both watch as great monsters arise out of the sea. Like Godzilla these beasts attack the nations conquering, exploiting and destroying as they do.

These apocalyptic beasts emerge when the four winds churn up the sea—an apt depiction of the political turmoil of the nations. The beasts or nations of Daniel’s and John’s visions rise to prominence to dominate all the others. In my next post these beasts will be identified. But for now simply consider that the origin of these beasts is worldly and their character is sinister. In both cases God’s people will associate them with the oppressive, evil empires of their day.

The character of an object or being is revealed by its origin. If it emerges from the sea it is worldly. If descends from heaven, it is righteous. In contrast with the four beasts, Daniel sees a savior, one like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven (Daniel 7:13). Similarly, John witnesses the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven (Revelation 3:12; 21:2). God’s people welcome these sights as signs of hope and rescue from the beasts.

Here’s one application of this vision to consider. This lens of origins is one through which we might look at patriotism. You see patriotism in a fun way at World Cup soccer matches and similar international sporting events. In the U.S. many of us out of patriotism instinctively want to defend America and its ideals—democracy, capitalism, the military, its Judeo-Christian heritage, free speech, the right to bear arms, etc. Whatever your own view of these values, we should remember that every nation past and present, has arisen like these beasts from the milieu of the sea stirred up by the four winds, out of tumultuous political conflicts. That doesn’t mean that the country is all bad. It’s like anyone of us. It’s in need of redemption. We tend to put our hopes in political leaders who promise to restore the values we hold dear or to save the country from things that corrupt it. However, I would caution against exalting a nation whose origins are worldly. Our longings are holy and divine—the new Jerusalem whose foundation is righteous and eternal coming down out of heaven, and its king, the one like a son of man, who rides on the clouds of heaven.

Awesome God, your kingdom is righteous. Your kingdom is mighty. Your kingdom is eternal. No matter what becomes of the nation I live in, you have granted me citizenship in your kingdom where you bless and protect your people. Amen.

(Part 4 of “Daniel 7” is here.)