These two separate passages are scripturally connected. Before directly examining these passages, it is helpful to explore the use of the term “beast” in Scripture. Studying passages where the meaning is clear will help to harmonize others that are more difficult. 

For example, in Leviticus 26, the Lord gave Israel specific instructions on what was expected of the people. He explained the benefits of observing His commandments and laws. God then detailed the resulting punishments if they disobeyed. He said, “I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your highways shall be desolate.” (verse 22)

Israel eventually failed to keep God’s laws. Consequently, the nation was taken captive by Gentile powers. This occurred in two stages. The ten northern tribes were exiled to Assyria where they were eventually assimilated. But the two southern tribes were not much better. As a result, they were taken captive to Babylon and the land of Israel laid desolate as God had promised. 

The prophet Daniel lived to see all this occur and was taken to Babylon as part of the captivity. As he sorrowed for the plight of his people, he was given a vision of four terrible beasts: a lion with eagle wings, a bear with three ribs in its mouth, and a leopard with four wings and four heads. But the fourth beast was the worst. It was exceedingly strong with ten horns and iron teeth. The vision troubled Daniel greatly, and an angel was eventually sent to give a brief explanation. 

The angel said, “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.” (Daniel 7:17) This is a key verse in understanding the meaning of “beasts” in the Bible. They are used to describe kingdoms and nations. Since the events in Daniel’s time pertained to Israel, the four beasts represent the four powers that would dominate and suppress Israel. Wild beasts are a fitting description of the four Gentile powers that controlled Israel. The first was Babylon, followed by Medo-Persia, then Greece, and finally, the worst one of all, Rome. This application is confirmed in chapter 8. 

With this understanding, we are seeing a prophetic timeline down through history. When Jesus came to earth some 600 years after Daniel, the fourth empire, Rome, was the dominate power. This progression helps us understand the symbolism when we turn to the book of Revelation, written soon after Jesus’ death. Although this is an entire study in itself, a brief examination of some passages in Revelation shows a similar usage of beasts. 

For example, in Revelation 12, a pregnant woman wearing a crown of twelve stars is used to represent the beginning of Christianity under the twelve apostles. She is described as “travailing in birth.”  The start of the Christian church saw persecution (travail) by Pagan Rome, described in verse 3 as a dragon with ten horns. Notice that the fourth beast in Daniel 7 also had ten horns, picturing the ten divisions of the Roman Empire.  

Then in chapter 13, another beast emerges that was given power by the dragon. Verse 5 says, “there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” This prophetically describes how Pagan Roman empowered the church when the Roman Emperor Justinian converted to Christianity. He elevated the Bishop of Rome and Papacy’s influence increased dramatically. Following this course, the empire became the Holy Roman Empire. Papacy is described as speaking blasphemous words. The forty-two months (or 1,260 days) describes the length of Papacy’s reign of power, from its beginning in 539 AD to 1799 AD, when Napoleon essentially dethroned the pope. 

Moving forward to Revelation 14, we see the same beast mentioned in chapter 13. In addition to being a beast, it is also described as the city of Babylon. Recalling the influence of ancient Babylon described in Jeremiah 51:7, this system likewise “made the nations drunk with her fornication.” This chapter then takes us to Papacy’s day of judgment and final destruction. Verse 9 warns that those who persist in supporting the corrupt church system will share in her destruction. “…He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever.” (verses 10, 11) Fire represents severe trial, and brimstone (known to us today as sulfur) adds to the intensity of the fire. 

The statement that these will be tormented has been misunderstood by many. The word “tormented” is from the Greek root word, basanos. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says it means, “primarily a touchstone employed in testing metals.” Although it may be used to describe physical diseases, the idea of a touchstone seems to be most appropriate. It is used to determine the quality of precious metals, like gold or silver, based on the mark left on the stone. In other words, it is a test of genuineness. Those who support a corrupt, sinful system will come to understand that their support was wrong. The system was unworthy of continuing. The ascending smoke will be an eternal reminder of what was wrong with man’s fallen systems. It will be a powerful lesson that will help all mankind as they look back on human history.

In the next passage from Revelation 20:10, we continue the symbolism of the beast being the false church that once ruled the Roman world. But at this point in Revelation, the beast has already been destroyed. This chapter describes the end of the Millennium. Satan had been bound for the 1,000-year kingdom and will be loosed from his prison to tempt mankind one final time. Once this “little season” of testing comes to an end, Satan himself will be thrown into the lake of fire. Verse 10 describes the beast as already in the lake of fire because it had been destroyed at the start of the Millennial Kingdom. 

Another figure mentioned in verse 10 is the “false prophet.” It appears elsewhere in Revelation (16:13; 19:20) to depict a similar institution of false religion developed as a copy of the Papal system. It is also described the image of the beast. (13:15) This, too, will have been destroyed at the start of the Millennium. 

Like the beast and false prophet, the lake of fire is also symbolic. Later in chapter 20, it says, “death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” (verse 14) This defines the symbolic lake of fire as second death. Verse 15 clarifies the meaning of second death. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Second death will be the condition of anyone not found written in God’s book of life. It is the final end, a condition from which resurrection and life will no longer be possible. 

The memory of those who sentenced to eternal death will remain in the hearts of minds of all those granted eternal life, a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin. 

One final thought to always keep in mind when considering the possibility of a literal place of eternal torment. God’s word reveals that His heart intent is to uplift and bless His creation. The thought of torturing any living being is inconsistent with His righteous and loving character. When ancient Israel descended into idolatry and offered their children to be burned in the fires of Moloch, God was so disturbed by this unthinkable act that He said, “neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination” (Jeremiah 32:35). Such evil could not originate from God. 

This study reveals an important principle. By permitting Satan to interact with mankind and by allowing develop hurtful systems to exist for a time, God’s purpose is to teach the world the consequences of disobedience. In the resurrection during the God’s kingdom, most people will choose the blessings that come from of loyalty to God and to holy principles. There is great wisdom in the course God has chosen for this world. 

Additional Resources:

Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1266: “Why Doesn’t God Just Destroy Satan?”
Satan’s history and God’s righteous reasons for keeping him alive
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

Download PDF: “Revelation: How to Study & Have it Make Sense”