Identifying the Beast in Revelation 20:10

Revelation 20:10

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

The beast mentioned in Revelation 20:10 represents the Papacy, the religious and political system of the Roman powerEVRR556+3. This entity, also described as the first beast of Revelation 13 works in close union with the false prophet and the dragon during the final events of the great controversy before being cast into the lake of fire Revelation 19:20EVRR556+2.

🔱 Identification of the Beast

The beast in Revelation 20:10 is the same power symbolized by the leopard-like beast with seven heads and ten horns that rose out of the sea Revelation 13:1-2BEARF 14.3+1.

• Papal Rome: This beast represents the Papal form of the fourth world kingdom, which received its power and authority from the dragon, or Pagan Rome Revelation 13:2EVRR556+1.

• The Man of Sin: It is identified with the "man of sin" and the "son of perdition" who exalts himself above God 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4BDOC 51.32+1.

• A Persecuting Power: For a period of 1260 prophetic years, this power was granted authority to make war against the saints Revelation 13:5-7BDOC 51.32+1.

🤝 The Threefold Union

In the final conflict, the beast does not act alone but is part of a great threefold combination of apostasyEVRR556+2.

• The Dragon: Representing Paganism or the kings and political powers of the earthSSP 283.2+2.

• The Beast: Representing the PapacyMWV2 225.1+1.

• The False Prophet: Representing apostate Protestantism, specifically the Protestant churches of the United StatesEVRR556+2.

• Unclean Spirits: These three powers are united by "spirits of demons" that work miracles to deceive the world and gather them for the battle of Armageddon Revelation 16:13-14EVRR556+2.

🔥 The Fate of the Beast

The Bible provides a clear timeline for the destruction of this power, which occurs in two distinct phasesEVRR680+2.

• At the Second Advent: When Christ returns, the beast and the false prophet are captured and cast "alive" into a lake of fire Revelation 19:20ARSH December 15, 1863, page 20.6+2. This first lake of fire is a spiritual one, where they are consumed by the burning anger of their own followers who realized they were deludedEVRR680+1.

• The Final Destruction: After the thousand years (the millennium) mentioned in Revelation 20 the devil is cast into the lake of fire where the beast and false prophet were already cast at the beginning of that period Revelation 20:10EVRR697+2.

• Total Extinction: Being cast into the lake of fire signifies the second death and the utter extinction of these powers, ensuring that affliction shall not rise up a second time Nahum 1:9+1SSP 336.1+1.

🛡️ Our Safety and Hope

The primary objective of the beast and its image is to enforce the mark of the beast and a false day of worship, but God's people find safety in their loyalty to HimEVRR556+2.

• The Commandments of God: Those who are saved from the deceptions of the beast are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Revelation 14:12ARSH January 29, 1901, page 72.9.

• Victory on the Sea of Glass: While the beast meets its end in the fire, the saints who obtain victory over the beast and his mark will stand upon the sea of glass in heaven Revelation 15:2SITI October 25, 1905, page 8.26.

• Divine Protection: Despite the miracle-working power of the occult used by the beast, God's elect will not be deceived because they rely on the Word of God Matthew 24:24EVRR556+1.