The Symbolic Seven-Headed Beast

The Beastly Body Parts of a Lion, Bear, and Leopard

In Revelation 13:1, a seven-headed beast rose from the sea to symbolize the Roman Empire as of 70 AD.

The body of this “First Beast” was “like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion.” (Rev 13:2)

The prophet Daniel used the same animals to describe Satan’s power in the ancient empires of:

• Babylon (lion)

• Medo-Persia (bear)

• Greece (leopard)

(Dan 7:3–6)

This imagery means that the First Beast of the Roman Empire assimilated the satanic power of these prior kingdoms.

Daniel also said this dreadful beast “devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it.” (Dan 7:7)

This describes the Roman Empire’s war against the kingdom of God.
Ancient Rome devoured and brake in pieces the temple at Jerusalem in 70 AD, and then stamped the residue of Christ’s ancient church during the Great Apostasy.

John described Satan’s successful war against the ancient church, saying:

“The dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed… and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev 12:17; 13:7)

One of Seven Heads is Mortally Wounded

In Revelation 13:3, John saw one of the heads on the First Beast “as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed.”

Albert Barnes said this symbolism:

Some scholars claim:

• the Napoleonic dynasty,

• the death of Nebuchadnezzar, Constantine, or Mohammed,

• or the legendary resurrection of Nero after his suicide in 68 AD.

Nero is not the guy.
As one of the most murderous emperors in Roman history, he won’t resurrect to the telestial kingdom until after the millennium.

Revelation 13:4 states that the mortally wounded head received its injury from the sword.

With historical hindsight, it’s clear that the mortally wounded head represents the fall of Rome to the Germanic hordes from the north in 476 AD.

The Deadly Wound is Healed

The deadly wound of the Imperial Roman Empire was healed by the rising power of the popes in the Holy Roman Empire.

Elder B. H. Roberts said:

The rise of papal power took several centuries, beginning in 607 AD, when Boniface III, Bishop of Rome, was recognized as the supreme authority over all Christian bishops.

Thereafter, the nations that had freed themselves from Imperial Rome yoked themselves to the authority of the Bishop of Rome, later known as the Pope.

George Reynolds wrote:

Learn More

For a deeper dive into the mortal wound and healing of the head on the First Beast in Revelation 13:2–3, check out my podcasts:

🎧 January 11, 2026 – Listen here

🎧 January 13, 2026 – Listen here

(Also available wherever you get your podcasts)

🎥 From Last Week’s Vlog

John Cassinat
Unveiling Jesus Christ