The Three Beasts of the Apocalypse

 

 Apostle John

João Cruzué

Revelation presents three figures of evil in alliance—the Dragon, the Beast that rises from the sea, and the Beast that rises from the earth (the false prophet)—forming a profane parody of the Trinity. These figures are not mere isolated characters, but articulated expressions of spiritual, political, and religious evil. Christian tradition has read these texts in different ways according to the theological method adopted. Below are presented, in a continuous and comparative manner, the interpretations of Stanley M. Horton, John F. Walvoord, Saint Augustine, and Saint Thomas Aquinas, with five paragraphs devoted to each Beast.

The Dragon, in Revelation 12, is understood by Stanley Horton as Satan, personal and real, the spiritual source of all persecution and deception. For him, the text does not allow a merely symbolic reading: it refers to the historical enemy of the Church, judicially defeated by the cross, yet still active in the present time. Horton emphasizes that the Dragon operates through systems and human powers, never in isolation.

John Walvoord interprets the Dragon in an equally literal way, but with strong eschatological emphasis. For him, Revelation 12 describes objective events connected to the end times, including the definitive expulsion of Satan from the heavenly realm and his concentrated fury against Israel and the saints. The Dragon is a personal, intelligent, and strategic being whose time is short and limited.

Saint Augustine sees the Dragon as the personification of spiritual evil that runs throughout history. In his theology of the two cities, the Dragon is the animating principle of the City of Man in opposition to the City of God. It is not restricted to a final moment, but acts continuously through pride, violence, and the idolatry of power.

Saint Thomas Aquinas, in continuity with Augustine, understands the Dragon as Satan as a fallen intellect, whose action occurs primarily on the moral and rational plane. For Thomas, the Dragon does not create evil, but parasitizes it, diverting the human will from natural and divine law. His activity is real, yet always subordinate to God’s providence.

Comparatively, the four agree that the Dragon is Satan as a personal being; they differ, however, regarding temporal focus. Horton and Walvoord emphasize his direct eschatological activity, while Augustine and Thomas see him as a permanent agent in human history. Even so, all affirm that his power is limited and already condemned.

The Beast that rises from the sea (Revelation 13:1–10) is interpreted by Stanley Horton as an anti-Christian political system, inspired by Satan and manifested in empires and oppressive governments. Horton admits the possibility of a final personal leadership, but insists that the Beast already operates historically whenever power absolutizes itself and persecutes the saints.

John Walvoord understands this Beast as the literal Antichrist, a future world ruler who will exercise real global authority. For him, the connection with Daniel 7 is direct and historical, pointing to a concrete final empire. Unlike Horton, Walvoord concentrates on the personal figure who heads the system.

Saint Augustine rejects the primary identification of the Beast with a specific individual. For him, the Beast of the sea is the Civitas Terrena in its maximum expression—the political power that rebels against God and demands absolute obedience. Pagan Rome was a historical figure of the Beast, but not its final realization.

Saint Thomas Aquinas harmonizes these readings by affirming that the Beast represents the moral body of unjust power. He admits the possibility of a final anti-Christian leader, but maintains that the essence of the Beast lies in the perversion of the purpose of authority, when government ceases to serve the common good and becomes tyrannical.

In comparison, one perceives that Horton and Augustine privilege the systemic and historical dimension, Walvoord emphasizes the future personal manifestation, and Thomas acts as a synthesis, integrating individual and structure under a moral criterion. All, however, agree that the Beast of the sea represents political power hostile to God.

The Beast that rises from the earth, the False Prophet (Revelation 13:11–18), is seen by Stanley Horton as a deceptive religious power that legitimizes the first Beast through signs and false spirituality. Horton warns that this Beast looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon, symbolizing religious leaders who maintain an appearance of piety while betraying the truth.

John Walvoord interprets the False Prophet as a literal and future religious leader, a direct ally of the Antichrist. For him, this is a concrete historical figure who will promote the worship of the first Beast and impose the mark with real economic consequences, even though it involves a conscious decision of loyalty.

Saint Augustine understands this Beast as the corruption of religion, when worship ceases to point to God and begins to serve human power. The mark of the Beast, for him, is not physical but spiritual: it lies in the mind and in the works of those who adhere to the values of the City of Man.

Saint Thomas Aquinas follows Augustine in interpreting the mark as intellectual and practical adherence to error. For Thomas, the False Prophet represents the misuse of reason and faith, when religion departs from the truth and becomes an instrument of moral and social domination.

Comparatively, Horton and Augustine emphasize present religious deception, Walvoord highlights the future literal figure, and Thomas provides the ethical reading that integrates both. All four agree that the greatest danger of this Beast is not violence, but spiritual deception disguised as piety.

The joint analysis reveals that, despite methodological differences, the four theologians converge on essential points: the three Beasts represent an organized, articulated, and temporary evil, always subordinate to the sovereignty of God. Horton calls the Church to spiritual discernment, Walvoord to eschatological vigilance, Augustine to an ethical reading of history, and Thomas to the moral order of reason illuminated by faith. In all of them, the final message of Revelation remains the same: the Dragon, the Beasts, and every anti-Christian power will be defeated, and the Lamb reigns forever.

SP- 21/12/2025.

How to reconcile with God

by Joao Cruzue*

Ten steps

The first step to be close to God is Faith. We live in a World that rationalizes things, “veerything you see or feel is real”. Faith is not so, it is  an exception: Faith comes by hearing the God’s word. For example: a person with an advanced cancer, reason says: he/she is going to die. Then, someome comes, prays, and he/she becomes healled. There is no explanation, so is faith. We could not explain, see, touch, feel, but faith exists and works.

The Gospel of Christ is accepted by faith. 

Impossible things can be possible. Closed doors can be openned. Pain can be changed for days of joy, by mean of faith. The Bible also says that faith is not for all. Faith is like a seed dropped in your heart. While you expect what you need for, it may grow up. But if you have all things under control, may be you guess faith is an idiot thing. On the other side, if you are feeling empty, sad, worthless, sick, please continue to read and go ahead.

If you are thirsty, this message was written to you. Remember: by faith in Christ you can win the war, even though you can loss some batles. As Martin Luther King said: Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

The second step is to reconcile with God. It seems to be quite simple but it is not so. There are some details you need to understand. To reconcile with God means: to accept Christ in your heart. 

How could it be?

Find a place to be alone, and speak to Christ as if He be aside you. Speak to Him. Say, something like that: "Jesus Christ, if you do exist, please come and dwell in my heart, from today on". Talk to him, invite Him. He is very polite, He will only come to you,  if you ask Him for. Jesus Christ is a spirit but be sure, he is also a real person like you. The way He will speak to you is a little bit differente that you are accostumed to comprehend. He speak to our own spirit. It seems a voice that talk to your mind or to your heart, like a thought.

The third step is repentance. Look for a quiet place and talk to Him again. This time, you have to confess to Jesus Christ your sims, all bad things you have done during all you life. See this case. Certain woman go down to the river to wash dirty clothes wrapped in a sheet. For her clothes were very dirty, she became ashamed and did not unwrap that sheet. She, simply, went to the middle of the river, sank the sheet of clothes and went away home. She only wet her clothes. Therefore they were still dirty.

To wash your sims and clean your heart you have to wash every piece of clothe. One by one. To do it correctly, make a list of all and confess them to Jesus. All of them at once. Confess and stop to do them. When you get out of that place be sure: all things you spoke to Jesus, He , in fact, already forgave you. The Forgiving brings peace in your soul and joy to your heart.

The fourth step: abandon your "old" friends, because they should make all things for you give up. I mean: change your friends for new friends. Cut old and bad friendship. I don't mean a absolute abandon, for sure. But that friends you are acostume to do bad and awful things together. Let them behind, and when God have made a miracle in your live, you may go back to offer your hands to help them. But only after Jesus had made a change in your own life.

The fifth step. - Ask Jesus (The Lord ) things what you need for, and by faith, believe and await. All basic things you will receive. Healing, emploiement, peace, safeness. “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him” Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

The sixth step - forgive bad things people did against you. You must forgive to be forgiven. Forgive yourself, pray to Lord Jesus to help you to forget the past. In Bible there are these words: "...But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus". Let all your failures for behind. Dream about the future.

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The seventh step is : read the Bible everyday and join to a good protestant church, where people live what they preach, without hypocrisy. Learn as much as you can about the God's Word. My suggestion for books: All from Watchman Nee.

The eight step is: be saint. Leave sins away from your life. God has a compromisse with holiness. If you do so, the Lord will be your close friend.

The nineth step - whenever you go to a service at your Church, dond't forget to offer part of your income. And be carefull to those pastors that care not about you, but about your money.

The tenth step - Find the will of God for your life and work to please Him. Don't be a useless and a lazy person. Work to Lord Jesus.

Conclusion: there will be many other steps, but these words are able and enough to help you to make your reconciliation with God, through Jesus Christ. And now, I am sure you can know how to speak your needs to God for yourself.

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus,

My name is John Cruzue, 58, pastor, and an agent of  Sao Paulo State Controller Office.  I live in Sao Paulo City, Brazil. I am a believer for almost 40 years and great things I have got from my Lord Jesus Christ. English is not my native language, that is why you have found some mistakes in this text, but I am sure, you have understood what I meant. Mailto me if you want: cruzue@gmail.com I will appreciate to hear about your progress.

A braziliam christian missionary in a Senegal jail

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          Letter written by José Dilson, in the prison of Thiés - Senegal

Thiés, Feb 25, 2013

Dear brothers and sisters,

God is great and merciful. He does not change or stop being what He is, because of the problem or difficulties that I may be experiencing. The circumstances of life, no matter how difficult they may be, do not diminish God's glory or goodness. I cannot in any way keep from looking to my Lord and putting my confidence in Him, my eyes and hope are fixed on Him.

It's now two o'clock in the morning, and I cannot sleep. All the nights are hot, without space to turn over, extremely uncomfortable. In spite of all this, I know that Jesus is at my side, and this comforts me. I see my colleagues all asleep, and I keep imagining that Jesus wants to have some time with me for us to talk a little. These are the moments when I have freedom to express my frustrations, my feelings of anguish, my fears - what a dear friend, how I love Him!

During these nights I experience battles you can't imagine. I also feel the presence of the enemy close by, whispering in my ear, saying that God does not care about me. What a fight I wage against self-pity, against the feeling of despair, loneliness, injustice, anger, and so many other feelings that seek to dominate me. I rebuke those mental battles in the name of Jesus, the One who shed even His last drop of blood for me. He is infinitely good, and His mercy endures for ever!

Those battles are fought not just at night, but also during the day. One needs to have a lot of courage, along with humility, and overall the Lord's grace to resist the insults, the acts meant to humiliate us, the arrogance and disrespect. A while back a muslim man approached me and began to verbally attack me saying: "You are nothing. You know nothing. And nothing you teach is worth anything. You are less than the little toe of anyone here." And with many other words he tried to humiliate me more and more. The words he spoke were hard and terrible.

And all I said to him was: "Yes, you can continue. Yes, I am listening. Continue!" He became even more impassioned and poured out a flood of insults trying to drown me in his hellish words. After a brief silence, I asked him: "Have you finished? Have you said everything you want? If so, can I speak now?" With a stern voice he replied: "Speak!", expecting I would reply in a tone of arrogance and anger.

So, I began by saying: "You're right. I really am nothing. I am less than a grain of dirty sand. I am dust. I am a worm. I am a filthy rag. I am a dead dog. And, almost crying, I added: "But I want you to meet someone who was everything, who was the creator of the universe, full of glory, the sovereign Lord, who in spite of all that, loved me so much He gave up his life to be insulted, broken and shed his blood for me. But not only for me, but for you, too. You are important to Him, and He loves you. He died for your sins and rose from the grave so that you could have eternal life."

And when this man heard me say that, it was as if he had been shocked with 50 thousand volts. He never expected that reaction. He expected I'd pay him back with equally harsh words. Then, with a soft voice he told me: "I have been trailing you and watching your movements over the past month. I was sent to test you, to see if you really are a man of God. And I can say that you are the man of God that everyone says you are. For a man of God, when humiliated, is exalted by God. Starting today, you have my respect!"

I was overwhelmed to hear this man recite the Word of God! Now he is one of my best friends. He has not come to Christ, but he has never again opposed my sharing Christ!

My dear brothers and sisters, I want to remind you that your life is hidden in Jesus, regardless of where you are or in what circumstance you find yourself. You might find yourself being humiliated, misunderstood, sad, anguished, sick, facing many needs. I want to encourage you today: "Cast your care upon Him, for He cares for you." Don't let the enemy receive any glory, for the Lord is present, even though He's not solving your problem in the way you had hoped. He will give you grace to endure and to be more than a conqueror.

Some days ago another man, to whom I've been ministering since I first arrived in prison, asked me: "How can I be a Protestant?" I answered: "I'm going to answer your question in way that's different from what you're expecting. I'm going to imagine that you are asking me: "How can I receive Jesus in my heart and become converted to Him?" I then showed him some Bible verses, especially Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23, Rom 10:9-10. I told him about the expulsion from paradise, the condemnation to eternal death, the plan of redemption through Jesus and his death on the cross. I told him that it is necessary to believe in Jesus and obey him, and after sharing a few other things I asked him: "Do you want to give your life to Jesus and become one of his disciples, believing and obeying him? He answered: "I do. I want to give him my whole life. I want to live for him." This man is French, 55 years old. The Lord has given me the opportunity of sharing His love with such a diverse audience: catholics, atheists, muslims, christians. Alleluia!

We need to remember that our life belongs to Christ, and since the one who owns us is the Lord, he has the right to use us however he desires, and wherever he desires, to fulfill his perfect will. He is God, the creator. In Him we live, and move and have our existence. What a privilege to be chosen by Him to be in this place and at this moment, in order to be his arms, his feet, his mouth in order to embrace, help and show the way to so many here, who besides being prisoners, are so needy in every imaginable way.

I want to thank all of my brothers and sisters who have been with me in this prison. I can honestly say that my biggest desire used to be to leave here and rejoin those I love. However I have been praying the prayer of Mary: "May your will, Lord, be fulfilled in me." And if it be his will that I stay longer in prison, in order to bring freedom to those who really are captive (physically and spiritually), then may it be. He will give me grace to handle it, as He has so far. And He will give grace to the brothers and sisters who have been giving us the necessary support here.

I do cry and lament over being imprisoned, for I would rather be with my family, my wife, my children, whom I love deeply. Freedom is priceless. How it is precious! I had it for so many years of my life, and I didn't realize how important it was; how I should have taken more advantage of it to spend time with the people I love. But at the same time I rejoice in being a prisoner for the sake of the Gospel.

After the latest hearing (dealing with a man we had hired who claimed to be a lawyer, but really was not), the judge told me: "My work as judge has finished, the only issue that remains now is the fact that you converted children (minors)." He has seen that all of the other charges are false. The judge himself said that we are not "gang leaders" and he sees we are innocent of the enemy's accusations. The judge even told Zeneide that she was unjustly imprisoned.

All of this confirms what I've said from the beginning: I am a prisoner of Christ, and God is my judge. When the moment comes, He will release us from here, and I want to leave with the feeling that I was faithful to the Lord during my journey through this place.

The moments of pain and need, the times of illness, discomfort, loneliness, tears … everything will be rewarded when we shake the hand of hundreds of people there in glory. When I assisted in the funeral for Amadu (a Christian from Liberia who died here in prison on Christmas day), I thought: "One day I will embrace him in glory, and together we will give praise to the Lord for His salvation". May our Lord and Savior whom we have the privilege of serving receive glory!

I would like to thank you for every email and message of encouragement, posts on Facebook, contributions, prayer meetings and times of intercession for us. Only God can really reward you.

I love you, dear friends, and even those I've not yet met personally, but who now are part of our lives, who have demonstrated so much love and affection for me and for Zeneide, as well as for Marli (my beloved wife) and my family (Jonatas, Debora & Zucki). May the Lord continue to shower your lives with blessing.

Christ's prisoner,

José Dilson

If you can do something, do it.

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